Here is a collection of recommended books, peer-reviewed journal articles, reports, and other scholarly resources related to church-based TESOL ministry, biblical counselling, trauma-informed education, immigrant ministry, and whole-person Christian care.
Growth of immigration in Western countries
Castles, Stephen, Hein de Haas, and Mark J. Miller. The Age of Migration: International Population Movements in the Modern World. 6th ed. New York: Guilford Press, 2020. Link
International Organization for Migration Link
de Haas, Hein. How Migration Really Works: The Facts about the Most Divisive Issue in Politics. New York: Basic Books, 2023. Link
Expansion of church-based TESOL ministries
Wong, Mary Shepard, and Carolyn Kristjánsson, eds. Spirituality and English Language Teaching: Religious Explorations of Teacher Identity, Pedagogy and Contexts. Bristol: Multilingual Matters, 2013. Link 1 Link 2
William, David. "The Impact of Church-Based ESL Classes on Participants' Social Capital." Journal of Contemporary Ministry 11 (2025): 1 to 28. Link
Moulden, George. "Church-Supported ESL Ministry in Canada." Great Commission Research Journal 16, no. 2 (2024): 125 to 145. Link
Hughes, Ruthanne. "We Can't Go to Them, but Now They Are Here: Ideologies of Religion and Culture in Evangelical ESL Classrooms." Proceedings of the Linguistic Society of America 8 (2023). Link
Tennant, Agnieszka. "The Ultimate Language Lesson." Christianity Today, December 9, 2002, 33–38. Link
Kim, Eun-Young Julia. "Empowering English Language Teachers Through History." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 3 (June 2016): 36–45. Link
Kristjánsson, Carolyn. "English Language Teaching: Locating Faith in the Context of Local and Global Dynamics." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 6 (2019): 20–51. Link
Wicking, Paul. "Faith and Pedagogy: Five Voices from Japan." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 1 (2014): 45–59. Link
Schmidt, Marlene E. "Language Partners: The Church, Multiple Languages and ESL." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 3 (June 2016): 46–57. Link
Increasing awareness of emotional and trauma-related challenges among adult immigrants
Hynie, Michaela. "The Social Determinants of Refugee Mental Health in the Post-Migration Context: A Critical Review." Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 63, no. 5 (2018): 297 to 303. Link
Mattar, Sandra, and Resham Gellatly. "Refugee Mental Health: Culturally Relevant Considerations." Current Opinion in Psychology 47 (2022): Article 101429. Link
World Health Organization. Mental Health of Refugees and Migrants: Risk and Protective Factors and Access to Care. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2023. Link
Tribe, Rachel H., Kyra-Verena Sendt, and Derek K. Tracy. "A Systematic Review of Psychosocial Interventions for Adult Refugees and Asylum Seekers." Journal of Mental Health 28, no. 6 (2019): 662 to 676. Link
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. "Mental Health." In UNHCR Integration Handbook. Geneva: UNHCR, updated 2024. Link
Ugurel Kamışlı, Merih. "Language and Culture Learning Needs of Adult Refugees." New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education 2022, no. 175-176 (2022): 85–93. Link
1.2.1 Church-based TESOL ministry
⭐ Canagarajah, A. Suresh, Mary Shepard Wong, Carolyn Kristjánsson, and Zoltán Dörnyei, eds. Christian Faith and English Language Teaching and Learning: Research on the Interrelationship of Religion and ELT. New York: Routledge, 2013. Link
Baurain, Bradley. "Putting Beliefs into Practice in a Church-Run Adult ESOL Ministry." In Christian Faith and English Language Teaching and Learning: Research on the Interrelationship of Religion and ELT, edited by Mary Shepard Wong, Carolyn Kristjánsson, and Zoltán Dörnyei, 136–153. New York: Routledge, 2013. Link
⭐ Wong, Mary Shepard, and A. Suresh Canagarajah, eds. Christian and Critical English Language Educators in Dialogue: Pedagogical and Ethical Dilemmas. New York: Routledge, 2009. Link
⭐ Chao, Xia, and Aaron M. Kuntz. "Church-Based ESL Program as a Figured World: Immigrant Adult Learners, Language, Identity, Power." Linguistics and Education 24, no. 4 (2013): 466 to 478. Link
⭐ Anumudu, Chinedu. "Practical Implications from Teaching Adult English as a Second Language in Faith-Based Programs." New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education 175-176 (2022): 95 to 103. Link
Baurain, Bill. "Putting Beliefs into Practice in a Church-Run Adult ESOL Ministry." In Christian Faith and English Language Teaching and Learning: Research on the Interrelationship of Religion and ELT, edited by A. Suresh Canagarajah, Mary Shepard Wong, Carolyn Kristjánsson, and Zoltán Dörnyei, 136 to 153. New York: Routledge, 2013. Link
⭐ Varghese, Manka M., and Bill Johnston. "Evangelical Christians and English Language Teaching." TESOL Quarterly 41, no. 1 (2007): 5 to 31. Link
Durham, Laura, and Sohee Kim. "Training Dilemmas and Recommendations with Volunteer Instructors in Small Faith-Based Adult ESL Programs." TESOL Journal 10, no. 1 (2019): e00374. Link
Chao, Xia. "Language and Identity: An Inquiry of Church-Based U.S. Citizenship Education for Refugee-Background Bhutanese Adults." Language and Education 34, no. 4 (2020): 311 to 327. Link
Schmidt, Mark. "Language Partners: The Church, Multiple Languages and ESL." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 3 (2016): 46 to 57. Link
Baurain, Bradley. "Christian Witness and Respect for Persons." Journal of Language, Identity, and Education 6, no. 3 (2007): 201 to 219. Link
Wong, Mary Shepard. "Called to Teach: The Impact of Faith on Professional Identity Formation of Three Western English Teachers in China." In Christian Faith and English Language Teaching and Learning: Research on the Interrelationship of Religion and ELT, edited by Mary Shepard Wong, Carolyn Kristjansson, and Zoltán Dörnyei, 11–30. New York: Routledge, 2013. Link
Chang, Marion. ESL Ministry Manual: A Practical Guide for Churches. Pasadena, CA: ESL Ministries, 2020. Link
Schneider, Andrew. "Language Policy and Planning in a Church-Sponsored ESL Program." International Journal of Christianity & English Language Teaching 9 (2022). Link
Tsaneva, Rachael Sloan. "Reflections on Church-Based English Ministry." International Journal of Christianity & English Language Teaching 9 (2022). Link
Purgason, Kitty B. "Is English a Force for Good or Bad?" International Journal of Christianity & English Language Teaching 1 (2014). Link
International Journal of Christianity & English Language Teaching Link
Perry, Bruce D. "Fear and Learning: Trauma-Related Factors in the Adult Education Process." New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education 110 (2006): 21 to 27. Link
⭐ Wilson, Victoria E., Robyne Le Brocque, John Drayton, and Sara Hammer. "Understanding and Responsiveness in the Trauma-Informed Adult ESL Classroom." The Australian Educational Researcher 51 (2024): 2069 to 2097. Link
Agbaso, Larysa, and Gabriel John Roberts. "'Beyond Being Nice': A Model for Supporting Adult ESOL Learners Who Have Experienced Trauma." Wales Journal of Education 25, no. 2 (2023): 89 to 120. Link
Dunn, Orsolya. "ESOL Classes as Trauma-Sensitive Physical Spaces." ELT Journal 78, no. 1 (2024): 88 to 91. Link
Coker, Schane D. "What Adult Educators Can Do to Assist Traumatized Adults Learn." Adult Learning 35, no. 4 (2024): 173 to 182. Link
Han, Huamei. "Studying Religion and Language Teaching and Learning: Building a Subfield." The Modern Language Journal 102, no. 2 (2018): 432–442. Link
Baurain, Bradley. "Imitating the Humility of Christ in Language Teaching." In Thinking Theologically about Language Teaching: Christian Perspectives on an Educational Calling, edited by Cheri Pierson and Will Bankston, 107–133. Carlisle, UK: Langham Global Library, 2017. Link
Dormer, Jan. "Discipleship through TESOL." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 10 (2024): 22–26. Link
Lessard-Clouston, Michael. "ELT and Empowerment: Questions, Observations, and Reflections for Christian Educators." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 2 (2015): 37–53. Link
Lee, Icy. "Teaching with Christian Faith in Secular Settings." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 10 (2024): 27–41. Link
1.2.2 Whole-person ministry
Padilla, C. René. Mission Between the Times: Essays on the Kingdom. Carlisle, UK: Langham Global Library, 2010. Link
Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God's People: A Biblical Theology of the Church's Mission. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010. Link
Escobar, Samuel. The New Global Mission: The Gospel from Everywhere to Everyone. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2003. Link
Benner, David G. Strategic Pastoral Counseling: A Short-Term Structured Model. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2003. Link
Johnson, Eric L., ed. Psychology and Christianity: Five Views. 2nd ed. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2010. Link
2. Church-based TESOL ministry as a context for whole-person Christian care
2.1 TESOL as Christian mission
⭐ Wong, Mary Shepard. "The History, Nature and Future of Faith-Informed Research in English Language Teaching." International Journal of Christianity & English Language Teaching 1 (2014). Link
⭐ Johnston, Bill. English Teaching and Evangelical Mission: The Case of Lighthouse School. Bristol: Multilingual Matters, 2017. Link
Howatt, A. P. R., and H. G. Widdowson. A History of ELT. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004. Link
Haselton, William T. "The Gift of Language." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 8 (2021): 19–30. Link
2.2 Church-based TESOL as a relational ministry
Ley, David. "The Immigrant Church as an Urban Service Hub." Urban Studies 45, no. 10 (2008): 2057 to 2074. Link
⭐ Chao, Xia, and Miguel Mantero. "Church-Based ESL Adult Programs: Social Mediators for Empowering 'Family Literacy Ecology of Communities'." Journal of Literacy Research 46, no. 1 (2014): 90–114. Link
Wargo, Jennifer. 2022. "English Teaching as an Evangelical Tool for Two-by-Two Missionaries." English Teaching: Practice & Critique 21, no. 3: 284–294. Link
Lessard-Clouston, Michael. "Using Appreciative Inquiry for a Positive Approach to English Language Teaching and Teacher Education." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 7 (2020): 20–33. Link
Deroo, Matthew R., and Kevin M. Wong. "We Are Living for Different Purposes: Reflections on Faith, Identity, and Calling in the Academy." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 11 (2026): 30–37. Link
The Christian TESOL educator
⭐ Bradley Baurain, Religious Faith and Teacher Knowledge in English Language Teaching (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2016). Link
Wiesman, Jeff. "Instilling Biblical Dispositions in Faith-Based Teacher Education Programs." International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal 18, no. 1 (2023). Link
Cevallos, T. M. (2019). Integrating Faith and Learning: Preparing Teacher Candidates to Serve Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students. International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal, 14(1). Link
Smith, David I. On Christian Teaching: Practicing Faith in the Classroom. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2018. Link
⭐ Crossman, Katie, Eman H. Ibrahim, Patricia Kostouros, and Haimei Wang. "Teaching English Language Learners Who Have Trauma Experiences: Healthy Boundaries, Happy Teachers." TESL Canada Journal 41, no. 2 (2024). Link
Kourmousi, Ntina, Kalliope Kounenou, Vasiliki Yotsidi, et al. "Personal and Job Factors Associated with Teachers' Active Listening and Active Empathic Listening." Social Sciences 7, no. 7 (2018): 117. Link
O'Toole, Catriona, and Mira Dobutowitsch. "The Courage to Care: Teacher Compassion Predicts More Positive Attitudes Toward Trauma-Informed Practice." Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma 16 (2023): 201 to 214. Link
5.3 Trauma-informed classroom practice from a biblical perspective
Stephens, Darryl W. "Trauma-Informed Pedagogy for the Religious and Theological Higher Education Classroom." Religions 11, no. 9 (2020): 449. Link
Giboney Wall, Carrie R. "Heal, Not Harm: Embracing a Trauma-Informed Approach as an Act of Transformative Care." International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal 19, no. 2 (2024). Link
Carello, Janice, and Lisa D. Butler. "Practicing What We Teach: Trauma-Informed Educational Practice." Journal of Teaching in Social Work 35, no. 3 (2015): 262 to 278. Link
Crossman, Katie, Eman H. Ibrahim, Patricia Kostouros, and Haimei Wang. "Teaching English Language Learners Who Have Trauma Experiences: Healthy Boundaries, Happy Teachers." TESL Canada Journal 41, no. 2 (2024): 35–58. Link
Willis, Alison S. "Teachers' Cultural, Social and Emotional Capabilities: How Teacher Compassion and Humility Is an Antecedent to Student Confidence." Pedagogy, Culture & Society 31, no. 1 (2023): 91–108. Link
5.4 Curriculum, teaching materials and learning expectations
Norton, Bonny. Identity and Language Learning: Extending the Conversation. 3rd ed. Bristol, UK: Multilingual Matters, 2019. Link
Norton, Bonny. Identity and Language Learning: Extending the Conversation. 3rd ed. Bristol, UK: Multilingual Matters, 2019. Link
Tomlinson, Brian, ed. Developing Materials for Language Teaching. 3rd ed. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2023. Link
Brunzell, Tom, Helen Stokes, and Lea Waters. "Shifting Teacher Practice in Trauma-Affected Classrooms: Practice Pedagogy Strategies Within a Trauma-Informed Positive Education Model." School Mental Health 11, no. 3 (2019): 600–614. Link
Cunningham, Aliel. "Envisioning Christian Presence and Practice in Online Teaching Contexts." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 6 (2019): 3–19. Link
Lin, Teresa. "Exploring the Role of Spirituality in the Ecology of Language Learning." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 2 (2015): 54–61. Link
Lee, Icy. "Living Out the Christian Faith in the Writing Classroom." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 2 (2015): 7–20. Link
5.5 Creating a supportive church community beyond the classroom
Han, Huamei. "Institutionalized Inclusion: A Case Study on Support for Immigrants in English Learning." TESOL Quarterly 43, no. 4 (2009): 643-668. Link
⭐ Farrell, Thomas S. C., Bradley Baurain, and Marilyn Lewis. "'We Teach Who We Are': Contemplation, Reflective Practice and Spirituality in TESOL." RELC Journal 51, no. 3 (2020): 337–346. Link
Hannegan-Martinez, Sharim. "Cultivating Literacies of Love: A Portrait of Trauma and Healing in an English Classroom." Journal of Literacy Research 58, no. 1 (2026): 56–78. Link
Auerbach, Elsa Roberts, Making Meaning, Making Change: Participatory Curriculum Development for Adult ESL Literacy. McHenry, IL: Delta Systems, 1992. Link
Pohl, Christine D. Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999. Link
McDougle, Michael. "Kenotic Witness: A Christ-Centered Framework for Christian English Teachers in Intercultural Contexts." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 11 (2026): 12–29. Link
Catterick, David. "Kingdom Culture as a Plumb Line in Cross-cultural Engagement." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 7 (2020): 3–19. Link
5.6 Organisational implications for church-based TESOL ministries
Been, Caroline. Framing Volunteerism in Church-Based ESL as a Prosocial Act: An Exploration of Factors Influencing Volunteer Teacher Involvement in Church-Based ESL. PhD diss., University of Alabama, 2024. Link
Farrell, Thomas S. C. Reflective Practice in ESL Teacher Development Groups. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2001. Link
Janzen, Rich, Mark D. Chapman, and James W. Watson. "Integrating Immigrants into the Life of Canadian Urban Christian Congregations: Findings from a National Survey." Review of Religious Research 53, no. 4 (2012): 441–470. Link
Perry, Bruce D. "Fear and Learning: Trauma-Related Factors in the Adult Education Process." In The Neuroscience of Adult Learning, edited by Sandra Johnson and Kathleen Taylor, 21–27. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, no. 110. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2006. Link
Tsang, Wing Yin. "Integration of Immigrants: The Role of Ethnic Churches." Journal of International Migration and Integration 16, no. 4 (2015): 1177–1193. Link
Altena, Leslie. "One Body, One Spirit: The Integrity of Institutional Goals and Instructional Decisions." In English Language Teaching in Theological Contexts, edited by Kitty Barnhouse Purgason, 21–31. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2010. Link
Schneider, Andrew. "Language Policy and Planning in a Church-Sponsored ESL Program." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 9 (2022): 4–34. Link
5.7 Professional boundaries and ethical responsibility
Kostogriz, Alex. "The Question of Professional Ethics in TESOL: Hospitality as an (Im)possible Demand?" TESOL in Context 27, no. 2 (2018): 23 to 41. Link
Johnston, Bill. Values in English Language Teaching. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2003. Link
Mambu, Joseph Ernest. "Investigating Students' Negotiation of Religious Faiths in ELT Contexts: A Critical Spiritual Pedagogy Perspective." Critical Inquiry in Language Studies 13, no. 3 (2016): 157–182. Link
Baurain, Bradley. "Morality, Relationality, and Listening Pedagogy in Language Education." The International Journal of Listening 25, no. 3 (2011): 161–177. Link
Westwood, Michael K. "Addressing Reconciliation in the ESL Classroom." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 1 (2014): 82–92. Link
Mambu, Joseph Ernest. "Addressing Religious Issues and Power in ELT Classrooms: Voices from English Teachers in Indonesia." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 4 (June 2017): 6–27. Link
Catterick, David. "Catalytic Teaching and Ideologized Content." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 8 (2021): 3–18. Link
Lessard-Clouston, Michael. "Collaboration and Reconciliation in English Language Teaching? Personal Reflections on Critical Incidents." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 9 (2022): 35–53. Link
Teo, Peter. "Cultivating Criticality in the English Language Classroom: A Biblical Perspective." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 10 (2024): 4–21. Link
Lessard-Clouston, Michael. "Reflections on Incorporating Virtues in an Intercultural Communication for Teachers Course." International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching 5 (2018): 18–39. Link
5.8 Present deficiencies, implementation costs and future development
William, Daisy. "The Impact of Church-Based ESL Classes on Their Students' Social Capital." Journal of Contemporary Ministry (2025). Link
Perez, Lilian G., Cristian Cardenas, Tara Blagg, and Eunice C. Wong. "Partnerships Between Faith Communities and the Mental Health Sector: A Scoping Review." Psychiatric Services 76, no. 1 (2025).
Edge, Julian. "Imperial Troopers and Servants of the Lord: A Vision of TESOL for the 21st Century." TESOL Quarterly 37, no. 4 (2003): 701–709. Link