Background

DeLonn and his wife Valerie were commissioned as missionaries to El Salvador by the Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM, USA) in 1984. There they served as general missionaries with a special passion as missions mobilizers and missionary educators working with the Conference of the Assemblies of God, the Foreign Missions Department, Bethel Bible Institute, the Christian University of the Assemblies of God, the Missionary Training Center of the Assemblies of God (CAMAD), and the “Together in Mission” Committee of the Assemblies of God of Latin America.

The Rances continue to serve as AGWM regional missionary trainers for Latin America and the Caribbean and as members of the Global Resource and training team. DeLonn acts as the missiologist for the Missions Commissions of both the World Assemblies of God Fellowship and the Pentecostal World Fellowship. In addition to traveling the world in missions mobilization and missionary training, DeLonn serves as professor of Intercultural Studies at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and as co-dean with Valerie of the Center for Leadership Studies at Northwest University.

DeLonn and Valerie have three missionary kids, LaDawn, Jorel and Shayla and seven grandchildren. DeLonn and Valerie seek to mobilize the church of Latin America and the world to global mission and equip those who are called to missionary service. They continue to travel to provide encouragement and formation to Salvadoran, Latin American, and missionaries from around the world. Their desire and commitment are to yield to and obey the Spirit’s call and direction.

Courses

• Intercultural Leadership
• Theology of Missions
• Intercultural Communication
• Pentecostal Leadership Development
• Missiology
• Contextualization

Hobbies

Golf, basketball, and watching my grandkids play sports.

Publications

Christ Among the Nations: Narratives of Transformation in Global Mission. Sarita Gallagher Edwards, Robert L. Gallagher, Paul Lewis, and DeLonn Rance. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2021.

“Unreached People Groups and My Missionary Experience: A Personal Reflection” In Reaching, Planting, Training, Service Vol. 3, Springfield, MO: Assemblies of God World Missions, Forthcoming.

Book Review: James E. Plueddeman. Teaching Across Cultures: Contextualizing Education for Global Mission. In Influence November 27, 2018.

“El Salvador” In Encyclopedia of Christianity in the Global South, ed. Mark A. Lamport. London, U.K.: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2018.

“Mission from Latin America” In Encyclopedia of Christianity in the Global South, ed. Mark A. Lamport. London, U.K.: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2018.

“Pentecostalism in Latin America” In Encyclopedia of Christianity in the Global South, ed. Mark A. Lamport. London, U.K.: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2018.

“Doing Theology Missiologically” In Missiological Research: Interdisciplinary Foundations, Methods, and Integration, eds. Marvin Gilbert, Alan Johnson, and Paul Lewis, 83-87. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Publishing, 2018.

“My Journey in Integration: The Spirit of God in Integration” In Missiological Research: Interdisciplinary Foundations, Methods, and Integration, eds. Marvin Gilbert, Alan Johnson, and Paul Lewis, 275-278. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Publishing, 2018.

“Missiological Research as Worship: A Pneumatological Journey of Discovery” In Missiological Research: Interdisciplinary Foundations, Methods, and Integration, eds. Marvin Gilbert, Alan Johnson, and Paul Lewis, 287-294. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Publishing.

“Historic Perspectives of Pentecostal Mission Theology” in Engaging the Nations: Contours of Mission Theology in Global Perspectives, eds. Robert L. Gallagher and Paul Hertig, 180-190. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2017.

“Global Missions and the Apostolic People of God” In Your Call to Work and Mission, ed. Steve Lim, 137-156. Springfield, MO: Assemblies of God Theological Seminary at Evangel University, 2015.

“Assemblies of God World Missions (USA) and the Challenge of Majority World Missions.” In the International Journal of Pentecostal Missiology, Vol. 2 (2014).

“Exegeting Your Audience” In the Enrichment Journal, Vol. 18 Nu. 1 Winter 2013.

“Training Pentecostal Missionaries: Getting Properly Wired-Hearing and Obeying the Voice of the Spirit” In the Journal of the European Pentecostal Theological Association, Summer 2012.

Book Review: Amos Yong and Clifton Clarke eds. “Global Renewal, Religious Pluralism, and The Great Commission: Towards a Renewal Theology of Mission and Interreligious Encounter”. In Pneuma, Spring 2012.

“Assemblies of God” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization, Vol. 1, ed. George Thomas Kurian, 150-152. Oxford, U.K.: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, 2011.

“Church Growth ”In The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization, Vol. 1, ed. George Thomas Kurian, 551-552. Oxford, U.K.: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, 2011.

“Majority World Missions” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization, Vol. 3, ed. George Thomas Kurian, 1412-1413. Oxford, U.K.: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, 2011.

“Missionary Call” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization, Vol. 3, ed. George Thomas Kurian, 1538-1539. Oxford, U.K.: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, 2011.

Book Review: Kirsteen Kim, Joining in with the Spirit: Connecting World Church and Local Mission. In Pneuma 33 (2011) 306-307.

Book Review: Alan Johnson, Apostolic Function in 21st Century Missions. In Evangelical Missions Quarterly April, 2010.

Book Review: Allan Anderson, Spreading Fires: The Missionary Nature of Early Pentecostalism. In Evangelical Missions Quarterly April, 2008

“Epilogue” In The Essential J. Philip Hogan, ed. Byron D. Klaus and Douglas P. Petersen, 138-139. Springfield, MO: Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, 2006.

The Empowered Call: The Activity of the Holy Spirit in Salvadoran Assemblies of God Missionaries. Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest Information and Learning Company, 2004.

“Comunicando el Evangelio en Otra Cultura”[Communicating the Gospel in Another Culture]. In Vision por las Naciones, [Vision for the Nations], ed. Levi DeCarvalho, 69-80. Miami, FL: Editorial Patmos, 2003.

Presentations

Stateside Lectureships

3/26/22 Costa Mesa, CA “What in the World is the Spirit Doing? Intercultural Research and Pentecostalism” Presented to the Society of Pentecostal Studies.

3/19/21 Southlake, TX “The Soon-Coming King in the Full Gospel: Narratives of Hope” Presented to the Society of Pentecostal Studies.

3/1/19 Washington, D.C. “’Unworthy Manner’ (1. Corinthians 11:27) Living the Text in Latin America” Presented to the Society of Pentecostal Studies.

4/8/18 Cleveland, TN “Poverty, Dependency Theory and the Pentecostal Church of El Salvador” Presented to the Society for Pentecostal Studies.

3/11/17 St. Louis, MO “El Pulgarcito de las Americas: Salvadoran Pentecostalisms’ Global Impact.” Presented to the Society for Pentecostal Studies.

3/3/16 Dallas, TX “Babel, Pentecost, and Missions” presented to the 6th Iberian-America Congress of Together in Missions.

3/14/15 Lakeland, FL “Historic Perspectives of Pentecostal Mission Theology” Presented to the Society for Pentecostal Studies.

3/7/14 Springfield, MO “Fundamental Missiological Declarations: A Review of ‘Misiones en Conjunto de Las Asambleas de Dios de Iberoamerica’ Identity” Presented to the Society for Pentecostal Studies.

4/30/13 Waxahachie, TX “The Nature of the Great Commission and the Role of Education: Living at the Edge for His Glory” presented to the Association of Caribbean and Latin American Missionary Educators.

6/ 30/11 Springfield, MO “Wind-blown or Spirit-driven: Missions in Assemblies of God Higher Education” presented to the Faculty Conference of the Alliance for Assemblies of God Higher Education.

6/19/11 Techny, IL “The Church in Latin America: Coming Together in Missions” presented to the American Society of Missiology.

3/27/09 Eugene, OR “Fulfilling the Apostolic Mandate in Apostolic Power: Seeking a Spirit-Driven Missiology and Praxis” presented to the Society of Pentecostal Studies.

1/20/09 Springfield, MO “Fulfilling the Apostolic Mandate in Apostolic Power: Apostolic Praxis: Driven by the Spirit or by the Wind and the Waves?” Final lecture of the J. Philip Hogan Chair of World Missions at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

11/14/08 Springfield, MO “Fulfilling the Apostolic Mandate in Apostolic Power: Apostolic Leadership in a Spirit-Driven Missiology and Praxis” Second lecture of the J. Philip Hogan Chair of World Missions at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

10/15/08 Springfield, MO “Fulfilling the Apostolic Mandate in Apostolic Power: Seeking a Spirit-Driven Missiology and Praxis” presented as the Inaugural Lecture of the J. Philip Hogan Chair of World Missions at `Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

4/19/08 Deerfield, IL “A Life Sown in Obedience or an Experience of a Life-Time: Short Term Missions in the Assemblies of God of El Salvador” presented to Missiology Conference of the Evangelical Missiology Society.

3/15/08 Durham, NC “The Unique Contribution of Salvadoran Missionaries in a Global Context” presented to the Society of Pentecostal Studies.

10/19/07 San Antonio, TX “Shaping Ministers for the Twenty First Century” presented to Latin American Bible Institute.

8/16/06 Springfield, MO, “Training Missionaries in Latin America” presented to the Association of Caribbean and Latin American Missionary Educators.

7/21/06 Springfield, MO. “Integrating Missions into General Education: Initiating Dialogue” presented to the Assemblies of God Faculty Seminar.

3/25/06 Pasadena, CA, “Missional Structures: Roadblocks or Highways to Missionary Empowerment” presented to the Society of Pentecostal Studies.

Overseas Lectureships

10/11/22 Seoul, Korea. “Best Practices in Theology of Missions” presented to the World Mission Commission of the Pentecostal World Fellowship.

9/28/22 Medellín, Colombia. “Best Practices in Theology of Missions” presented to World Missions Congress of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship.

9/25/19 Dhaka, Bangladesh. “Preparing the Cross-Cultural Worker” presented to the Pentecostal Asia Mission

Mission Consultation 2019

8/25/19 Calgary, Canada. “Bottlenecks in Starting Missionary Programs” presented to the World Mission Commission of the Pentecostal World Fellowship.

7/1-5/19 Kolding, Denmark “Fulfilling the Apostolic Mandate in Apostolic Power: Seeking a Spirit-Driven Missiology and Praxis” presented at the 37th Annual Conference of the European Pentecostal Theological Association.

5/20-21/19 Amsterdam, Netherlands. “People Blindness, National Churches and Reaching the Unreached: Developing Multiple Strategies” and “Missions Mobilization: Mobilizing and Equipping God’s Missionary People” presented to the World Missions Commission of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship.

4/11/19 Nairobi, Kenya “The Holy Spirit and Missions Strategies and Mobilizing the Local Church in Missions” presented to the Kenyan Assemblies of God missions leadership.

10/18-19/18 Madrid, Spain “Empowering Workers through Missions Training” presented at the Pentecostal World Fellowship and World AG Fellowship’s 5th World Missions Congress.

8/27-30/18 Cordova, Argentina “Maximizing Missions Mobilization in the Bible Institute” presented to the Educator’s Summit of the Assemblies of God of Latin America (South Region).

4/10/18 Montevideo, Uruguay “La Selección del Misionero” (Missionary Selection Process) and “Capacitándonos a Nosotros Mismos: Como Misioneros y Lideres de Misiones” (Continued Education for Missionaries and Missions Leaders) Presented to the Together in Missions: Missions Leaders Summit.

2/20-23/18 Rome, Italy “Best Practices” for The Sending and Receiving of Missionaries for Missions Agencies Associated with the World Assemblies of God Fellowship (WAGF)” Submitted to the Leadership of the World Missions Commission of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship.

4/25/17 Tegucigalpa, Honduras “Más en tu Palabra: Reforzaremos Nuestra Teología de Misiones” (At Your Word: We Will Reinforce Our Missions Theology) Presented to The Together in Missions Consultation.

4/1/17 Singapore “Forming Organization and Structures for Sending and Networking: The Need for Philosophy, Protocols and Networking” Presented to the Missions Forum of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship.

3/27/17 Singapore “Within the World Assemblies of God Fellowship: One National Church or Many?” Presented to the Missions Commission of The World Assemblies of God Fellowship.

9/7/16 Sao Paulo, Brazil “Pentecostal Training Programs – Are They Really Mission-Minded?” Presented to the Pentecostal World Fellowship World Missions Commission’s Pre-Conference.

8/22-25/16 Santa Cruz, Bolivia “A Biblical Theology of Christian Education” and “Maximizing Missions Mobilization in the Bible Institute” presented to the Educator’s Summit of the Assemblies of God of Latin America (South Region).

4/18-21/16 Panama City, Panama “A Biblical Theology of Christian Education” and “Maximizing Missions Mobilization in the Bible Institute” presented to the Educator’s Summit of the Assemblies of God of Latin America (North Region).

11/17-18/15 Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso “Communicating God’s Global Mission: Mobilizing the Local Church in Mission” presented to the WAAGA national mission directors meeting.

9/17/15 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic “Visualizing New Territories: Missiological Lessons from the Harvest” presented to the Educator’s Summit of the Assemblies of God of Latin America, Caribbean Region.

8/14/15 Buenos Aires, Argentina “The Missionary Candidate’s Profile: Meeting the challenge of Missionary Mobilization” presented to the Potential Missionary Group of the Assemblies of God of Argentina.

4/16/15 San Jose, Costa Rica “National Churches: Key to Impacting Islam” presented to the Islamic Consultation of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship.

2/5-6/15 Bangkok, Thailand “Missions Sending Structures” Workshop presented to the 4th World Missions Congress of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship.

11/21/14 Warsaw, Poland “Window on Latin Americans as New Senders: Fundamental Pentecostal Missiological Declarations” Presented to the Annual Meeting of the Pentecostal European Missions network.

9/11/14 Montevideo, Uruguay “Visualizing New Territories: Missiological Lessons from the Harvest” presented to the Educator’s Summit of the Assemblies of God of Latin America, South Region.

6/7/14 San Salvador, El Salvador “The Profile and Characteristics of a Licentiate in Theology” presented to the Christian University of the Assemblies of God of El Salvador at the Anniversary Ceremony of the DeLonn Lynn Rance College of Theology.

4/4/14 Santiago, Chile “Adjusting Our Structures to the Movement of the Spirit: Affirming the Theological Bases of Assemblies of God Missiology” presented to The Fourteenth Consultation of Together in Missions of the Assemblies of God of Iberoamerica.

3/13/14 San Salvador, El Salvador “Visualizing New Territories: Missiological Lessons from the Harvest” presented to the Educator’s Summit of the Assemblies of God of Latin America, North Region.

1/7/14 Limuru, Kenya “Majority World Missions: A Global Missions Trend and Suggestions for Response” presented to Beyond: Planting Churches among the Unreached Peoples, an AGWM Consultation on Unreached People Groups

8/28/13 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia “Reach: Fundamental Pentecostal Missiological Declarations” presented to the Missions Workshop of the 23rd World Pentecostal Conference.

6/3/13 Cancun, Mexico “Ethics in the Sending of Missionaries” presented to the Missions Leaders of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship.

9/11/12 Lima, Peru “A Biblical Theology of Christian Education” presented to the Educator’s Summit of the Assemblies of God of Latin America.

6/27/12 Lisbon, Portugal “Training Pentecostal Missionaries: Getting Properly Wired-Hearing and Obeying the Voice of the Spirit” presented to the European Pentecostal Theological Association.

4/17/12 San Jose, Costa Rica “A Biblical Theology of Christian Education” presented to the Educator’s Summit of the Assemblies of God of Latin America.

7/26/11 Budapest, Hungary “Defining Terms and Principles of Indigenous Church Philosophy: Toward a Renewed Surrender to a Spirit-driven Missiology” presented to the World Missions Committee of the Pentecostal World Fellowship.

5/28/11 San Salvador, El Salvador “Reaffirming the College of Theology’s Core Values” presented to the Christian University of the Assemblies of God of El Salvador at the Dedication Ceremony of the DeLonn Lynn Rance College of Theology.

3/30/11 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic “Raising a Generation Willing to Live at the Edge in the Fire of the Spirit to Reach a Lost World for the Glory of God” presented to the Eleventh Consultation of Together in Missions of the Assemblies of God of Iberoamerica

2/5-6/11 Chennai, India “Defining Terms and Principles of Indigenous Church Philosophy: Toward a Renewed Surrender to a Spirit-driven Missiology” presented to the Missions Forum of the World Assembles of God Fellowship.

8/28/10 Santiago, Chile “The Worldview of a Missional Bible Institute” presented to the Educator’s Summit of the Assemblies of God of Latin America.

8/4/10 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic “Solidifying the Theological Bases of Assemblies of God Missiology” presented in “Jornadas de Adiestramiento” of Together in Missions.

4/21/10 Panama City, Panama “Advances in Together in Missions” presented to the Fourth Congress of Together in Missions of the Assemblies of God of Iberoamerica.

3/2-4/10 Managua, Nicaragua “The Worldview of a Missional Bible Institute” presented to the Educator’s Summit of the Assemblies of God of Latin America.

8/13/09 Oxford, England “The Church in Latin America: Coming Together in Missions” presented to the European Pentecostal Charismatic Research Association in the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies.

4/20/09 Managua, Nicaragua “Pentecostal Leadership: Fulfilling the Apostolic Mandate in Apostolic Power” presented to the Ninth Consultation of Together in Missions of the Assemblies of God of Iberoamerica.

9/1-5/08 Mattersey, UK “Cultural Anthropology for Mission” presented at Mattersey Hall Graduate School.

4/15-16/08 Guatemala City, Guatemala “A Biblical Theology of Christian Education” presented to the Educator’s Summit of the Assemblies of God of Latin America.

4/23/07 Buenos Aires, Argentina “The Apostolic People of God: Defining Pentecostal Missions in a Working Assemblies of God Missiology Acts 1:8” presented to the Missions Leadership Forum of the World Missions Congress of the Assemblies of God.

3/15/06 Barquisimeto, Venezuela “How to Develop the Selection, Formation and Sending of the Missionary” and the “Basic Plan of Together in Missions” presented to the Sixth Consultation of Latin American Missionary Leaders of Together in Missions.

10/26/04 Guatemala City, Guatemala, “Eschatology in Missiological Perspective” presented to Consejo de Ejecutivos Latinoamericanos de las Asambleas de Dios (CELAD) [Executive Council of the Assemblies of God of Latin America].

4/04 San Salvador, El Salvador “A Call to True Apostleship” position paper presented to the Assemblies of God of El Salvador.

11/03 San Salvador, El Salvador, “Ecumenism” position paper presented to the Assemblies of God of El Salvador.

12/02 Orlando, FL “Breakout Missions” presented to Latin America and the Caribbean AGWM Regional Retreat.

4/4/01 Baguio, Philippines “Training Pentecostal Missionaries: Getting Properly Wired- Hearing and Obeying the Voice of the Spirit” presented to Assemblies of God missions mobilizers and equippers.

8/89 San Salvador, El Salvador “The Missionary Disciplines” presented to “Pentecostes Actualizado” Latin American Assemblies of God Leadership Conference.

12/89 San Jose, Costa Rica “Basic Missionary Philosophy of the Assemblies of God” presented to Consejo de Ejecutivos Latinoamericanos de las Asambleas de Dios (CELAD) [Executive Council of the Assemblies of God of Latinamerica].

Recommended Reading

Anderson, Ray S. 1993. Ministry on the Fireline: A Practical Theology for an Empowered Church. Pasadena, CA: Fuller Seminary Press.

Edwards, Gene. The Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.1992.

Elmer, Duane H. Cross-Cultural Servanthood. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.

Gallagher Edwards, Sarita, Robert L. Gallagher, Paul Lewis, and DeLonn Rance. Christ Among the Nations: Narratives of Transformation in Global Mission. Sarita Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2021.

Hodges, Melvin L. The Indigenous Church including the Indigenous Church and the Missionary. rev. ed. Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 2009.

Joannes, David. The Mind of a Missionary: What Global Kingdom Workers Tell Us About Thriving on Mission Today. Prescott, AZ: Within Reach Global Inc., 2018.

McNeal, Reggie. A Work of the Heart: Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2000

Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God's People: A Biblical Theology of the Church’s Mission (Biblical Theology for Life). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010

York, John V. Missions in the Age of the Spirit. Springfield, MO: Logion, 2000.