The Missions Podcast
Alex Kocman & Scott Dunford
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The Missions Podcast answers hard questions about theology, missions, and practice to help goers think and thinkers go. We are conservative, evangelical, and gospel-centered.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International, a missions agency with a force of about 1,000 workers serving across 70 countries with a focus on evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.
Available episodes
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5 days ago
How Technology Is Transforming Missions
According to statistics, more than 4.6 billion people on the planet now have internet access—and many of them live among unreached people groups. How does that reshape the way we approach missions? And how can now-commonplace tools like Zoom help Christians in the West invest in fellow believers in hard-to-reach places? Andrew C., executive director for Live Global, shares […]
Jan 3, 2021
Thor Madsen: Why Missionaries Need to Know Philosophy
With all the lost and unreached people in the world, slowing down to think about philosophy may seem like a waste of time. This week, Thor Madsen of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary explains how understanding philosophy from a Christian worldview perspective can be game-changing for the missionary serving on the field afar or at home. […]
Dec 27, 2020
Christmas Episode: Can Missions Be ‘Incarnational’?
Merry Christmas from the Missions Podcast! To celebrate the holiday, we’re honing in on the incarnation of Christ and asking: what do Christian leaders mean when they talk about “incarnational” ministry? Can the incarnation actually be imitated, or does referring to our ministry as incarnational cheapen the uniqueness of Christ’s birth? This week, Scott and […]
Dec 20, 2020
Christian Nationalism, Patriotism, and Globalism
Recent political events and rallies have Christians asking: what is nationalism? Is it the same as patriotism? These questions are vitally important to the missionary. Can a missionary truly love his home country that he’s leaving—and if so, how? What does Scripture say about love of country—or countries, for that matter? And what about globalism? […]
Dec 13, 2020
James Dolezal: What Every Missionary Needs to Know About the Doctrine of God
Only a big view of God can sustain the people of God on a big mission. Yet have missionaries gotten their very doctrine of God himself wrong? This week, Dr. James Dolezal highlights the doctrines of divine simplicity, immutability, and aseity—aspects of theology proper often lost on modern evangelicalism—and why they matter for reaching pagans, […]
Dec 6, 2020
How to Tell Good Missionary Stories—Without Lying
We’ve all sat through missionary presentations in church that were… less than dynamic. But we’ve also seen the dangers of sensationalized stories from across the world that proved untrue and led donors astray. How can missionaries become compelling storytellers, sharing what God is doing worldwide without fudging the truth? This week Scott and Alex talk […]
Nov 29, 2020
Has the White Savior Complex Infected Evangelical Missions?
The story of American missionary Renee Bach made waves last year when she was implicated in the deaths of more than 100 Ugandan children. But does her complex situation serve as a mirror for us—and for modern evangelical missions in general? This week, Scott and Alex address whether or not Western missions is dominated by […]
Nov 22, 2020
Paul Davis on Why Baptism Matters to Missions
Is baptism the most neglected part of the Great Commission? In this conversation, Paul Davis of ABWE shares why cross-cultural workers are tempted to neglect this ordinance among the least-reached—and how steeping ourselves in Scripture’s teaching on baptism can solve the problem. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us. The Missions Podcast […]
Nov 15, 2020
Are Short-Term Missions Trips Dead? Jason Phillips Answers
The world has changed dramatically. Have we witnessed the demise of the short-term missions trip? Jason Phillips doesn’t think so. This week, he explains why—and how pastors and missions trip leaders can do a better job of maximizing the long-term impact of short-term trips. Jason Phillips was recently appointed to ABWE as executive director for a […]
Nov 8, 2020
Do Missionaries Need to Meet the Biblical Qualifications for Elders?
In 2019, Paul Washer delivered a stirring message at the G3 Conference defining a biblical missionary. His challenge begs the question: must missionaries meet the standard set by 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9? Are all missionaries elder-qualified lead church-planters, or is there room for a diversity of roles on missionary teams? Scott and Alex […]
Nov 1, 2020
The Dangers of Insider Bible Translations: The Arlington Statement
Scripture calls Jesus Christ the Son of God and the Lamb slain for sinners. These glorious names run directly counter to the sensibilities of those belonging religions including Islam and Hinduism. Should Bible translators soften these words and concepts to contextualize God’s word? The framers of the recently-published Arlington Statement on Bible Translation say no. […]
Oct 25, 2020
How to Be a Word-Centered Missionary: E.D. Burns
What is a “word-driven” missionary, and how can you become one? Adoniram and Ann Judson are stirring examples of Scripture-saturated missionaries whose methods subverted human wisdom. To explain this week, author and missionary E.D. Burns joins the show. E.D. Burns, Ph.D., is the author of The Missionary-Theologian and A Supreme Desire to Please Him: The […]
Oct 18, 2020
Was Adam a Missionary? Matthew Newkirk on the Creation Mandate and Missions
In Genesis, Adam was told to be fruitful, multiply, and take dominion of creation. He failed. Now, believers in Christ are called to spread the good news of Christ to the world. Are these two separate missions, or is the Great Commission a renewal of the original marching orders from Eden? Matthew Newkirk, author of […]
Oct 11, 2020
Know Your Place: How to Identify and Study Your Mission Field
In today’s technology-saturated world, we can “be” anywhere—except where we actually are. Place matters. So how can we identify what our “mission field” is around us and know the way it thinks? In this episode, Scott and Alex dive into the book of Acts for answers about worldview, context, and missional living. Remember to share, […]
Oct 4, 2020
Throwback: The Greatest Injustice With Chad Vegas
In 2020, it’s impossible to escape the topic of privilege. This week, we dive into the archives and bring back our May 2019 interview with Chad Vegas, founding board member of Radius International and lead pastor of Sovereign Grace Church, and our discussion of “gospel privilege.” Perhaps it has never been more timely. Chad is the founding pastor […]
Sep 27, 2020
American Gospel or Biblical Gospel? Sean DeMars on the Danger of Prosperity Preaching
The so-called “prosperity gospel” has infected evangelical religious life. But it doesn’t just appear in the overt claims that God wants us to be rich and healthy—it takes far more insidious forms. Is the American dream antithetical to the missionary calling? What role does suffering play in our mission to the nations? Sean DeMars, former […]
Sep 20, 2020
Evangelize or Civilize? C.J. Moore on William Carey
Sometimes the missionary task is a balance between evangelism and humanitarianism. William Carey believed that the more evangelized a society was, the more civilized it became—and the more civilized it was, the more open to evangelized it would become. But was he right? C.J. Moore, missions mobilizer, Midwestern Seminary Ph.D. student and fellow, and pastor […]
Sep 13, 2020
Are International Churches Missional? Scott Zeller on Pastoring Expats
Missions means doing hard things in hard places. So are English-speaking churches geared towards expats truly reaching the unreached, or does more need to be done? The answers may surprise you. This week, Scott Zeller, executive pastor of Redeemer Church of Dubai, reframes the issue. Scott Zeller is involved in regional church planting and theological education […]
Sep 6, 2020
Brooks Buser Answers: How Dare Missionaries Seek to Convert?
On August 8, 2020, a simple tweet by Brooks Buser, president of Radius International, ignited a firestorm of controversy: “Thank you for the prayers for Amdu people and team. By God’s grace, there are now members of that people group who are reconciled to God, who no longer have their sins counted against them.” Skeptics, […]
Aug 30, 2020
Critical Theory, Post-Colonialism, and Missions: Neil Shenvi on Social Justice
Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. Social justice. Critical theory. Post-colonialism. Intersectionality. These issues have divided believers and unbelievers alike in the church over the last few years, and in 2020 the issue is impossible to escape. Is conservative evangelicalism beginning to compromise biblical teaching on complex social issues? And if so, […]
Aug 23, 2020
Missions History in a ‘Cancel Culture’ Age: Jonathan Arnold Explains
Christians live in an age of iconoclasm. How can we do church history and modern missions history responsibly—without falling into the opposite errors of hero-worship or “cancel culture”? Jonathan Arnold, Associate Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, weighs in from his perspective as a church historian. For three years, […]
Aug 16, 2020
Tragedy in Beirut and What It Means for Missions: Pierre Houssney Speaks
On August 4, 2020, the world’s eyes were glued on Beirut, Lebanon as two fatal explosions in a major urban center caused at least 171 deaths, 6,000 injuries, rocked social media, and left an estimated 300,000 people homeless. Pierre Rashad Houssney is Middle East and North Africa Regional Director for Horizons International, based in Beirut, […]
Aug 9, 2020
Is Netflix Killing Missions? Tony Reinke on Media and Technology
“Stay safe, stay home” may be a reasonable mantra during a pandemic, but that thinking long-term suffocates the missionary spirit. Most of us are already technology-addicted, and now streaming video services like Netflix are arguably making it harder to be faithful as a missionary. This week, Tony Reinke of Desiring God explains why the missionary […]
Aug 2, 2020
Apologetics, Evangelism, and Revival in Norway: Nahum O’Brien and Edvard Moe Explain
When most people think of Norway, they think of gorgeous fjords, bitter cold, and secularism—not a revival of interest in apologetics or biblical doctrine. Is this Scandinavian nation simply circling the drain of postmodernism, or is God doing something new? We ask that question to Nahum O’Brien, ABWE missionary to Norway, along with his national […]
Jul 26, 2020
Should We ‘Follow the Science’ in Missions?
Everyone says we should “follow the science.” How should we judge our results in missions?
Jul 19, 2020
Theological Famine in the Pacific Islands: Chris Bruno Speaks
The Pacific Islands are staggeringly diverse—ethnically and religiously. Pastors and churches are starved for theologically rich, gospel-driven teaching and training. What strategy can solve this problem? In this episode, Chris Bruno provides answers and shares an important update about his ministry with Training Leaders International.
Jul 12, 2020
The Power of God in Missions
The world seems more chaotic than ever. The church feels increasingly paralyzed with fear. What power is available to us to engage the immense task of the Great Commission? The power of God for our mission is found in the foolishness of God in the cross, the foolishness of his servants in the church, and […]
Jul 5, 2020
How to Be a Next-Level Sending Church
Click here to watch the video version of this episode. In this episode, ABWE President Paul Davis sits down (virtually) with Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford for a GARBC 2020 conference breakout session on global missions and how churches can become next-level senders. To learn more about the Live Global adopt-an-unreached-people-group initiative, visit liveglobal.org/unreached. And […]
Jun 28, 2020
Before You Quit: Doug Gehman on Perseverance
Ministry is hard. For many, the temptation to throw in the towel is an ever-present reality. How can pastors, missionaries, and other Christian workers develop a sustained pattern of daily endurance? Doug Gehman, president of Globe International and author of Before You Quit: Everyday Endurance, Moral Courage, and the Quest for Purpose (Moody, 2020), draws […]
Jun 21, 2020
Disaster, Discipleship, and the Developing World: Smita Singh on Cyclone Ampham
While our eyes were glued to Western news, Cyclone Ampham struck India and Bangladesh with deadly results. When tragedy strikes in affluent North America, we can recover much more quickly—but what happens to ministries in the developing world when natural disaster strikes? This week, Live Global partner Smita Singh returns to the show to discuss […]
Jun 15, 2020
Sheriff Chris Swanson on Faith, Justice, and Missions
Click here to watch the video version of this episode. Sheriff Chris Swanson in Genesee County near Flint, Michigan, went viral two weeks ago when he took off his helmet and riot gear, approached the crowd of demonstrators gathered in response to the killing of George Floyd, and reached out in love to build a […]
Jun 14, 2020
Fearless Leadership in Fearful Days: Charles Smith Speaks
Between global illness, national riots, and the ordinary lump-in-the-throat feeling that often accompanies Christian obedience, the temptations to retreat in fear—or simulate real risk with risk-free alternatives—are plentiful. But this is not the time for cowardice cloaked in carefulness. Now is the time for fearless mission. This week on The Missions Podcast, Charles Smith discusses […]
Jun 7, 2020
Questioning Contextualization? With C.R. Wiley
Missiologists are always talking about contextualizing the church to the surrounding culture. But should we accommodate to a post-Christian culture, or a culture of death like we see in the West today? It’s time for us to rethink the ubiquitous acceptance of the logic of contextualization, says C.R. “Chris” Wiley. This week, Chris returns to […]
May 31, 2020
What Is Happening to China’s Uyghurs?
“Absolutely no mercy.” That’s how leaked documents describe the treatment of China’s Uyghur Muslims detained in “re-education” camps, according to the New York Times. In recent years, China has detained more than one million members of the ethnic minority concentrated in Xinjiang. What is really happening, and what should Christians do about it? This week, […]
May 24, 2020
Nathan Sloan on the Sacrifice of Sending
Every church wants to send. So why aren’t we? Could it be that we aren’t willing to pay the price—or worse, that local churches are relying on parachurch organizations to do what only the body of Christ can? This week, Pastor Nathan Sloan of Sojourn Church weighs in with some loving rebukes and encouraging insights […]
May 17, 2020
Has COVID-19 Halted Global Missions? Paul Davis Answers
With global travel restrictions and months-long shutdowns in place, what is happening to world missions? Scott and Alex interviewed ABWE President Paul Davis to answer from his perspective overseeing work in 70 countries. In this episode, Paul shares his new rhythms in life, what missionaries are telling him, what he’d be doing right now if […]
May 10, 2020
The Biblical Way to Raise Support During Financial Crisis
Let’s admit it: ministry depends on money. But ministry partnership development, deputation, or raising missionary support were already hard enough. Now, with global economic shutdown and mass layoffs, making the “ask” feels wrong. How can missionaries connect with partners and churches and maintain funding in a way that is good, decent, and biblical? Jason Ruch […]
May 3, 2020
When the Church Can’t Gather: Pandemics, Persecution, and Worship on the Mission Field
Does online worship count as “church?” Is Sunday unique as the Lord’s Day? Does the Bible give us a regulative principle or worship, or a normative principle of worship? The current global crisis has brought up these important questions about ecclesiology—questions that missionaries already face in parts of the world where gathering openly and regularly […]
Apr 28, 2020
T4G20 Panel: The Local Church and the Nations
Who are the nations, and how should the local church reach them?
Apr 26, 2020
Dr. Robin Hadaway on Reaching Folk Muslims
What is the difference between folk Islam and orthodox Islam—or folk religion in general and any other major religion—and how can Christians meaningfully present Christ in a context of traditional spiritism? Dr. Robin D. Hadaway joins us this week to unravel these complex missiological questions. Dr. Hadaway is professor of missions at Midwestern Baptist Theological […]
Apr 19, 2020
What Does COVID-19 Mean for Medical Missions?
Healthcare missionaries across the globe are acutely feeling the pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic—even in countries where there are few reported cases. And in developing nations where subsistence living is common, “shelter in place” isn’t feasible. What does coronavirus mean for medical missions? Joining Scott and Alex this week to answer is Jodi Boyd, ABWE […]
Apr 12, 2020
Coronavirus and Plague: Lessons From Church History With Glenn Sunshine
The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging churches to be more bold, evangelistic, and loving towards our neighbors than we’ve ever needed to be. But this isn’t the first time in church history that Christians have faced the challenge of a plague. In this episode, our friend Glenn Sunshine returns to share a history of pandemics, the […]
Apr 5, 2020
God’s Law or Sharia? 40 Questions About Islam With Matt Bennett
How can Christians with a high view of God’s moral law in the Old Testament address the apologetics challenged posed by the Islamic doctrine of sharia? That’s one of a number of thought-provoking questions tackled by Matt Bennett this week as he connects with Scott and Alex about his newest book, 40 Questions About Islam. […]
Mar 29, 2020
Serve in Place: Missions in a Pandemic
Global travel restrictions are in place. Hordes of healthy people throughout the U.S. and abroad can’t even get to their local church service in-person—much less to the mission field. Should we temporarily shift our focus away from global missions during the current crisis? Scott Dunford and Alex Kocman explore this complex question in this exclusive […]
Mar 22, 2020
Paul Davis: Why the Gospel Must Be ‘Preached’
In the missions community, we all believe the gospel must be spread. But there is increasing resistance to the idea of “preaching” or “proclaiming” the gospel with authority and simplicity. Why is that? ABWE President Paul Davis joins Scott and Alex this week to explain what is burdening him and what he’s seeing in the heart of […]
Mar 15, 2020
Soleimani, Iran, and the Gospel
The death of Qasem Soleimani. Coronavirus. The shooting down of Ukrainian flight PS752. Iran has been in the news a lot lately, but it’s critical that Christians look beyond the headlines. How are Iranians and Persians worldwide processing these events—and what are the implications for the spread of the gospel among Shia Muslims? This week, […]
Mar 8, 2020
Is Christianity a ‘Western Religion’? The Ancient Path in Asia
Throughout southeast Asia, where John m has ministered with ABWE for years, one of the major barriers to the gospel is the misconception that Christianity is a Western or even American religion. Is that true—and if not, how can we counteract that understanding? In this episode, John explains the miraculous story of The Ancient Path […]
Mar 2, 2020
Special Episode: How Does Coronavirus Affect Missions?
Note: With the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 situation, some of the information in this podcast may now be outdated. For the latest on ABWE’s response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, see here. For the latest medical facts and figures, please refer to the U.S. CDC or WHO. With global health and economic implications, how should Christian missionaries throughout Asia and beyond respond […]
Mar 1, 2020
From Africa to the Abortion Clinic: Anthony Mathenia on Suffering and the Sovereignty in Evangelism
Anthony Mathenia ministered faithfully in Ethiopia as a missionary, but the pragmatism and watering-down of the gospel he saw from his fellow cross-cultural workers worried him. He was charting a new course—until God’s sovereignty directed him elsewhere, and the sudden passing of his wife brought him back to the U.S. to raise their children. Now […]
Feb 23, 2020
Can Soldiers Become Missionaries? Rich Culp on Military Ministry
Our soldiers are already deployed to some of the hardest places in the world and learn foreign languages and important cross-cultural skills. What if they carried the gospel to the people around them? This week, ABWE North America missionary Rich Culp explains the pros and cons of the strategy and why oftentimes U.S. military personnel […]
Feb 16, 2020
How Do Chinese Christians Think? Diane Poythress on the Church in Asia
“Eastern” and “Western” aren’t just geographic labels—they’re terms that signify a massive worldview chasm. How do Chinese culture, the Confucian system of thought, and Eastern patterns of thought impact the church in Asia? What questions to Chinese Christians tend to bring to the Bible, and what questions should they—and we—be asking instead? Dr. Diane Poythress […]
Feb 9, 2020
The Tragic Fruit of Liberalism in Missions: Mark Tatlock Explains
We often talk about the state of theology in the American church, but what about on the mission field? In this episode, Mark Tatlock, president of The Master’s Academy International (TMAI), explains why there is reason for rejoicing but also much concern—and how the root of many heresies overseas can be traced to a gradual […]
Feb 2, 2020
Translating the Bible in 40 Weeks? Dan Kramer on Bible Translation Methods
Of the world’s 7,100 languages, less than ten percent have a complete, written Bible. The Great Commission depends on translations into the heart languages of the lost. How can we get Scripture into the remaining languages without waiting for English-speaking experts in Greek and Hebrew to learn multiple foreign languages—or, is speeding up the process […]
Jan 26, 2020
Mailbag: Finishing the Task, Counting Converts, and Defining the ‘Call’
Is it possible to “finish the task” of missions? How should we count converts—if at all? Is it necessary to feel a sense of calling before pursuing missions? We tackle these questions are more received by listeners in this week’s special episode. In the conversation, we also referenced these past episodes: “Do We Need to […]
Jan 19, 2020
Presuppositional Apologetics in Missions: Vern Poythress Explains
How should missionaries argue for the Christian faith? If human beings are dead in sin, then they need more than evidence—they need to realize that even their refusal to believe is an act of rebellion and a sin for which Jesus died. To argue this way is to argue using presuppositional apologetics, but how to […]
Jan 13, 2020
Reaching Ferguson, Missouri: Chris Brown on Urban Church Planting
For most Americans, Ferguson, Missouri only entered their consciousness in 2014 when news broke of the controversial shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. But the story of Ferguson goes much deeper, and the gospel is spreading slowly. This week, ABWE missionary Chris Brown shares how God is moving in this area and opening hearts […]
Jan 5, 2020
Insider Movements: Definitions and Dangers With Matthew Bennett
Can you identify as “socio-culturally Muslim” while still following Christ—and making disciples? That question lies at the heart of the Insider Movement methodology. In this episode, Matt Bennett joins to offer definitions and explain the dangers of the Insider Movement and provide practical guidance for pastors and missionaries navigating these controversial waters. Dr. Matthew Bennett […]
Dec 29, 2019
Throwback: Is Every Christian a Missionary? Matthew Ellison and Denny Spitters Answer
As we leave the Advent season and enter the new year, it’s important to get back to the basics of the Christian life. Should we consider every Christians a “missionary”—and if not, why not? This week we’re diving back into the archives to enjoy our conversation with Pioneers USA VP Denny Spitters and 16:15 President Matthew Ellison, authors […]
Dec 24, 2019
Bonus Episode: The Government Shall Be Upon His Shoulder
The holidays are a time of quaint familiarity, but let’s be honest. We wax philosophical about the royal gifts the magi later bring the Christ-child, but we treat “King” mainly as an honorific title. We think, after all, this Boy grows up to be a controversial Jewish Rabbi, an inspiring religious figure, not a Caesar. […]
Dec 22, 2019
Disagreeing Agreeably: An Honest Discussion on Separation, Fundamentalism, and Cooperation with Josh Teis
Nothing requires Christians across tribal lines to work together quite like the Great Commission. However, nothing divides Christians quite like our mission and methods, either. How can we cooperate and disagree agreeably in an age of separatism, without compromising on gospel issues and matters of sound, biblical, conservative theology? How can missionaries understand fundamentalism and […]
Dec 15, 2019
Children: An Overlooked Mission Field? Taylor Lassiter on Children’s Ministry Overseas
By default, most missionaries and pastors tend to focus their ministry only on those age 18 and up. But if we refocused on the evangelism and discipleship of children—both at home and abroad—might we not see God bless the efforts of church planters in a new way? Taylor Lassiter of Awana thinks so. Taylor Lassiter […]
Dec 8, 2019
Should Emotions Motivate Missions? Jonathan Edwards, David Brainerd, and Religious Affections With Ryan Martin
What role should our emotions play in motivating us towards missions? The answer is in church history. Jonathan Edwards is noted his biography of the famous missionary David Brainerd, who was among the first to reach the Native Americans with the gospel. But most people don’t know that Jonathan Edwards wrote about Brainerd primarily as […]
Dec 1, 2019
Panel: Why Marketplace Missions Matters But Isn’t a Silver Bullet
How can believers of all educational and vocational backgrounds use their skills in the marketplace for the Great Commission? In this episode, you’ll hear an expert panel address this topic at Cedarville University. The discussion was led by Matt Bennett, Assistant Professor of Missions and Theology at Cedarville. Also joining the conversation are David Butler, […]
Nov 24, 2019
Engaging the Cults With Summer Jaeger
You may know her from Sheologians, but long before she was “internet famous,” a young Summer Jaeger would spend whole days with her family and friends engaged in street evangelism outside Mormon temples tackling tough apologetic issues and sharing the gospel. Now, as a married, homeschooling mother of four and an avid podcaster, Summer’s perspective […]
Nov 17, 2019
The Life of the Missionary Wife: Heather Farran on Motherhood on the Field
How can missionary wives balance the pressures of home, marriage, and children with the demands of ministry itself? And do wives have to be “called” to missions the same way their husbands do? Heather Farran, ABWE missionary and wife of Western Europe Regional Director Kyle Farran, shares her wisdom from raising three children in Tanzania […]
Nov 10, 2019
A Theology of Language: Dr. Vern Poythress Speaks
The inconvenience of learning a foreign language is a major reason people choose not to pursue cross-cultural missions. But, as Dr. Vern Poythress explains, language isn’t just a barrier; it’s a gift from God that displays his creativity. In this special interview, Dr. Poythress explains why language itself finds its source in the Trinity, how […]
Nov 3, 2019
Is All Theology Cultural? Biblical Authority and Contextualization
Biblical authority is under attack. A missionary’s job is partly to make the transcendents truths of God’s word understandable within human language, context, and culture. But is it possible to know God’s objective truth, or are we always “stuck” within our culture—making modern missions inescapably colonialist? In this episode, Scott Dunford and Alex Kocman dialogue […]
Oct 27, 2019
Why Europe Needs Missionaries: Jonathan Kleis on Reaching Roman Catholics in Italy
While Europe has been the cradle of Christian civilization for centuries, certain countries—like Italy—never truly enjoyed the fruits of the Reformation. Now, Italy is steeped in secularism, paganism, and the occult, in addition to nominal Roman Catholicism. How should missionaries reach into this context, and how can we all engage our Roman Catholic friends and […]
Oct 20, 2019
Disciple-Making Movements: A Critical Discussion With Dr. Glenn Sunshine
Disciple-making movements (DMM) and church planting movements (CPM) are more than just buzzwords—they represent controversial methodologies that are dividing missionaries along organization and theological lines. Do these methodologies represent faulty views of conversion or ecclesiology, or are the critics guilty of prayerlessness and quenching the Holy Spirit? We’ve explored these topics in the past on […]
Oct 13, 2019
C.R. Wiley on Missions, the Household, and the Cosmos
In much of the contemporary missions conversation, the good, ordinary gifts of God—like marriage and family—are often spoken of mainly as things to be sacrificed, not as things to be cultivated as a part of the church’s mission. This week, Chris “C.R.” Wiley explains why a return to the biblical understanding of the household can […]
Oct 6, 2019
Why Theology Must Shape Mission: A Chat With Zane Pratt
It’s our 100th episode! Listen all the way through the episode for details on how to win our podcast anniversary giveaway. In honor of the occasion, we brought back a favorite friend of the show—Zane Pratt, vice president for global training for the IMB—for a heavy-hitting conversation about why our theology must absolutely, unapologetically shape […]
Sep 29, 2019
Christopher Yuan on Holy Sexuality and the Gospel
The current flood of issues relating to sexuality isn’t just a challenge for pastors in the West, but for missionaries abroad—especially those serving in Asia, where gender fluidity has been accepted into the cultural assumptions of certain countries for some time. How can Christians approach the issues of homosexuality, transgenderism, and more with gospel-centered, missionary […]
Sep 22, 2019
Why Character Matters in Ministry: Paul Davis on Knowing Christ
When pastors, missionaries, and others in ministry fail to actively abide in Christ, that’s when pragmatism becomes most tempting—and most dangerous. How can missionaries remain rooted? ABWE President Paul Davis stops by the studio this week to share what most burdens him for the missionaries he’s met across the world over the last year, and […]
Sep 15, 2019
What Happens When Missionaries Get Kicked Out? John Klaassen Answers
Missions always comes with risk, and nothing is guaranteed—especially in hostile, unreached contexts. What should missionaries do when they get kicked off the field? How should they adjust their own expectations when God closes ministry doors? In this episode, John Klaassen, President of Reaching and Teaching, shares his own powerful story and how he has […]
Sep 8, 2019
Michael Foster on the Crisis of Masculinity and Missions
Why are there so few men in missions? Does the cultural mandate conflict with the Great Commission? And how has the overall downgrade of teaching on biblical manhood in evangelicalism adversely affected the cross-cultural witness of the Christian family unit? Michael Foster joins this week to address these questions and offer insights on the cultural […]
Sep 1, 2019
Special Episode: What Do the Hong Kong Protests Have to Do With Missions?
Between 1-2 million people have been taking to the streets in Hong Kong—even singing Christian hymns—in peaceful protest over a new extradition law representing China’s continued aim to tighten its fist and squelch political and religious liberties in the semi-autonomous region. What can believers learn from this complex situation? In this special episode, Alex Kocman […]
Aug 25, 2019
Race, Evolution, and Missions: Charles Ware Speaks
If missionaries are to carry the gospel across cultural and national lines, it’s critical that they have a thoroughly biblical theology of race and ethnicity. And while much of modern progressive, secular culture repudiates anything remotely “racist,” Dr. Charles Ware explains why that wasn’t always the case. Secularism and Darwinism lie near the root of […]
Aug 18, 2019
Brooks Buser on the Urgency of Eternity and the Dangers of Pragmatism
Do we really grasp the urgency of taking the gospel to those who have never heard? And if the task of making disciples among the unreached is so urgent, why shouldn’t we employ every pragmatic means at our disposal to finish the task? Brooks Buser weighs in this week and discusses pioneer missions, disciple-making movements, […]
Aug 11, 2019
Is ‘Marketplace Missions’ Sustainable? Mark Silvers Talks Mobilization
Increasingly, Millennials and young people are redefining “long-term” missions. At the same time, fewer are willing to raise missionary support. Is recruiting marketplace missionaries—many of whom are short-term tentmakers—a sustainable solution? And if so, how do we get the word out to professionals that the Great Commission isn’t just for full-time religious workers? This week […]
Aug 4, 2019
What Missionaries Need to Know About the Faith and Works Debate: Chris Bruno on Justification and the Missiology of Paul and James
For New Testament students, fewer topics are more frequently studied and debated than the relationship between faith and works in the book of James and the letters of Paul. The question “how are we justified?” isn’t just a question asked in churches and seminaries—it’s also a vital question that relates to how we do missions. […]
Jul 28, 2019
What Is the Mission of God’s People?
What is the mission of the people of God in the world? Christians often get this basic question wrong. Are the people of God primarily called to social work, church planting, evangelistic campaigns, or all three somehow? This week, Scott Dunford explains why Romans 15 establishes a paradigm for the whole body of Christ to […]
Jul 21, 2019
How Much Do the Unreached Know? Natural Revelation and Evangelism
When we consider unreached and unengaged people groups, we typically think of them as knowing nothing at all of God. But a biblical theology of natural revelation and common grace drives us to a deeper understanding of the fact that all human beings are surrounded by the visible glory of God—and it’s precisely this fact […]
Jul 14, 2019
Brad Buser on Tribal Religion, Contextualization, and Disciple-Making Movements
When we think “missions,” we tend to think jungles, tribes, animism, strange languages, and thatched roofs. That impression isn’t always accurate. But for veteran missionary and legendary mobilizer Brad Buser, that’s exactly what he experienced. In this episode, we pick Brad’s brain about the importance of tribal missions and long-term, patient language acquisition and contextualization. […]
Jul 7, 2019
Longevity and Endurance in Church Planting: Bob Trout Shares
In our impatient, have-it-now society, it’s difficult to think long-term about serving in one field of ministry for decades—much less healthy church planting and multiplication over the long haul. In this episode, ABWE veteran Bob Trout shares the blessings of and keys to longevity and endurance in a field where he saw over 40 Colombian […]
Jun 30, 2019
Benjamin Vrbicek: Don’t Just Send a Resume to a Church—Or a Missions Agency
Too often in pursuit of full-time ministry abroad or at home, ministry applicants simply email a church or missions agency their resume and leave the rest of the hiring process to chance. Whether you’re fresh out of seminary or transitioning to ministry after a full career in the outside workforce, such a haphazard approach is […]
Jun 23, 2019
Are Honor and Shame the Keys to Cross-Cultural Evangelism?
In the West, we tend to think in terms of law, justice, guilt, and innocence. Our gospel presentation naturally picks up this flavor. But in many Eastern cultures, honor and shame are the dominant values—and in tribal contexts, it’s fear and power that take center stage. Has the Western church focused too much on a […]
Jun 16, 2019
Your Questions (Finally) Answered: Mailbag Episode
Is it biblical for a missionary to change sending churches or agencies? Is there a right or wrong way to do it? How often should pastors visit their missionaries? Is it worth it to start a family on the field? Is missions easier or harder as a single? We’ve been soliciting your questions and feedback […]
Jun 9, 2019
Rachel Jankovic on Identity, Christian Women, and the Mission Field of Motherhood
How are Christian women to respond to the onslaught of lies barraging them from the surrounding culture about who they are and the basis of their identity? And how is motherhood a “mission field” for the Christian woman? This week Rachel Jankovic, pastor’s daughter and author based in Moscow, Idaho, tackles these questions with whit, […]
Jun 2, 2019
Faithfulness or Pragmatism? Andy Johnson on Methodologies
What are the non-negotiables of how we do missions? Is it possible to reverse-engineer what’s “working” on the field to build our methodology, or are we locked in to a finite set of prescriptions from Scripture about how to do ministry—thinks like preaching the word training elders? Andy Johnson (Ph.D., Texas A&M), Associate Pastor at […]
May 26, 2019
Fouad Masri on What Christians Get Wrong About Reaching Muslims
What is it like for a Christian living in the Middle East? What do believers usually get wrong about Islam and how to share Christ with Muslims? These questions are especially pressing during the month of Ramadan. This week Fouad Masri shares his personal conversion account and weighs in on these issues. Author and lecturer […]
May 19, 2019
Should Missions Be ‘Radical’ or Ordinary? Michael Horton Answers
Radical. Transformative. Impact. Crazy, even. These words fill the atmosphere when Christians discuss the sacrifice and risk involved in missions. But has all this talk of “radical” living left us unable to cope with regular life, ordinariness, boredom, and God’s normal means of grace? This week we talked with Dr. Michael Horton, professor, author, and […]
May 12, 2019
Why Aren’t We Talking About ‘Gospel Privilege’? Chad Vegas Answers
The social justice controversy echoing across conservative evangelicalism has brought terms like “privilege” into the Christian vernacular, but in all the discussion of rights, equity, and cultural engagement, we’ve missed a critical category: gospel privilege. Chad Vegas, founding board member of Radius International and lead pastor of Sovereign Grace Church, joins the show this week […]
May 5, 2019
Dean Inserra on How to Reach America’s Most-Underrated Mission Field
Christmas-and-Easter Christians. Mainline Protestants. Nominal Catholics. Bible-Belt believers. Let’s face it—cultural Christians are everywhere. And the problem is that we see cultural Christianity as a discipleship issue rather than an evangelistic field. In this enriching conversation, Dean Inserra expounds on his book The Unsaved Christian and the eight types of cultural Christians he identifies as […]
Apr 28, 2019
Culture: When to Bend, When to Break—Kenneth Nehrbass Explains
Everybody talks about “engaging culture.” Culture is a slippery concept. When should missionaries break from their host culture, and when should they bend with it? Is missions mainly about creating countless contextualized Christianities across various cultures, or is it also about assimilating believers into one overarching Christian culture? We discussed these issues with Dr. Kenneth […]
Apr 21, 2019
Do We Need to Redefine Unreached? Matthew Bennett Answers
For decades, missiologists have assumed the priority of the “unreached”—and for good reason—building entire organizational strategies around it. But do we need to redefine this term? Matthew Bennett, Ph.D., former IMB missionary and current Assistant Professor of Missions and Theology at Cedarville University, weighs in. In a recent article, Matthew argues that we’ve taken the […]
Apr 14, 2019
What Every Missionary Needs to Know About Lament: Mark Vroegop Explains
Lament—though it litters the psalter—is a lost art form in modern evangelicalism. In a culture as torn-apart as ours, it makes sense that engaging grief biblically can open spiritual doors previously shut. Not only that, but embracing the grace of lament can also prepare missionaries and pastors for the pains and losses that often mark […]
Apr 7, 2019
Muslim Refugees Meeting Christ: Darren Carlson on ‘Jesus in Athens’ Documentary
Are all the accounts of miraculous conversions among Muslim refugees true? What is unique about Athens, Greece amidst the ongoing people displacements in the Middle East? And what can U.S. churches learn from the hospitality and evangelistic zeal of Greek Christians? In this episode, Scott and Alex invited Darren Carlson to weigh in and take […]
Mar 31, 2019
The Life of the Missionary Mind
Reading well in Scripture, theology, culture, and literature in general is key to preaching and teaching that connects—especially for the cross-cultural worker. What should we be reading? Why does it matter? And how can we who are busy working and doing ministry have time to cultivate the life of the mind as we constantly prepare […]
Mar 24, 2019
Tom Ascol and Jared Longshore on the Priority of Preaching, God’s Sovereignty, and Discernment
Is preaching essential to missions, or is it a Western tradition that can be sacrificed for the sake of contextualization? Some advocates of disciple-making movements (DMM’s) claim the latter. In this interview, Tom Ascol and Jared Longshore of Founders Ministries explain why authoritative proclamation is indispensable to ministry in any culture. Later in the episode, […]
Mar 18, 2019
Should We Stop Sending Indebted Missionaries? Luke Womack on Student Loans
The average college student in the U.S. leaves with about $30,000 in educational debt. At what point do we stop sending missionaries to the field with students loans? Is it immoral to send expensive Western missionaries to serve where national partners could do the work of ministry much more affordably? Luke Womack, executive director of […]
Mar 10, 2019
Why You Should ‘Adult’ Before Pursuing Missions: A Chat With Lori McDaniel
What’s the danger in missions conferences and serial short-term missions trips? This week, we welcome back our friend Lori McDaniel, Church Initiatives Manager for IMB and also a pastor’s wife, to give her take on trends we’re seeing among Christian college students and why it’s so critical to learn to “adult”—in finances, education, career, marriage, […]
Mar 3, 2019
The Number One Reason Missionaries Go Home
Globally, 71% of missionaries who return home each year leave the field for preventable reasons. What might be the biggest factor? We believe it all comes down to team dynamics. What is it about cross-cultural ministry that is so uniquely stressful for teams? How can missionaries better handle conflict? And what does the Bible say about resolving […]
Feb 24, 2019
A Biblical Theology of Spiritual Warfare and Missions
Among the practical topics on which missionaries receive hands-on training, spiritual warfare can sometimes fall by the wayside—but spiritual warfare is crucial for missionaries to grasp and engage effectively. How should we understand spiritual warfare in relation to pagan nations? Is exorcism normal and to be expected on the field? Do missionaries need to name […]
Feb 17, 2019
Micah Fries: What Christians Should Know About Islam in North America
The presence of Islam in North America is still a lightning-rod issue, even 17 years after 9/11. This week we return to the topic of how Christians can engage their Muslim immigrant and refugee neighbors—and wade through the complicated waters of related political issues—in a way that is biblical and missional. We consulted a new […]
Feb 11, 2019
Paul Maxwell on What Missionaries Should Know About Trauma
Everybody is talking about trauma. Our culture is highly concerned with mental health, but a lot of half-baked opinions from pop psychology dominate the conversation. Simultaneously, those within the church are usually the last to show any willingness to address the legitimacy of biblically-informed psychology. For missionaries, the pressures are even greater as they face […]
Feb 4, 2019
Fighting Abortion in Ukraine With the Gospel: Holly Friesen on Medical Missions
According to some stats, Ukraine—in many ways a nominally Christian country—leads the world in per-capita abortions. One in three Ukrainian women has had an abortion, and many women have had upwards of seven abortions each. What is the role of the local church of addressing this genocide of the unborn, both overseas and at home, and […]
Jan 27, 2019
Missions and the Need for Deeper Women: Karen Swallow Prior and Anne Kennedy
Across the Internet—the place where many missionaries away from home get much of their theology and encouragement—there is a critical drought of deep-thinking resources for women. Many of the women’s resources simply play to one’s emotions or repackage common tropes like “you are loved” or “you are beautiful.” How can we make sure that we […]
Jan 20, 2019
Breaking Down Cultural Walls to Reach Muslims: Mariya Dostzadah’s Story
Mariya Dostzadah Goodbrake comes from a Sunni Afghan background, dabbled into New Age mysticism, and found herself surrounded by Roman Catholics in Mexico—and it’s there that God brought her face-to-face with an evangelical Christian and the biblical gospel. Now, she draws on her rich cultural experiences to help Muslim refugees and expats realize that they […]
Jan 13, 2019
Porn: the Killer of Missions—With Benjamin Vrbicek
In our culture, sexual temptation is hitting the church like a tidal wave, and those serving overseas as missionaries are far from immune. Porn is a fatal undercurrent that Satan uses to eliminate gospel workers sniper-style and cripple missions efforts, and overseas workers separated from accountability and friends are particularly vulnerable. What factors drive a […]
Jan 6, 2019
Danny Akin on Mobilizing Millennials — and Young Men
Where are all the qualified, seminary-educated young men in the missions world? How can a Bible college or seminary maximize its potential to mobilize students for the work of the Great Commission? Where is the modern missions movement going? This week we’re joined by Dr. Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, author, scholar, […]
Dec 31, 2018
How to Think Like a Missionary: David Doran Jr. on Missional Living
What does it mean to be “missional”? We asked David Doran Jr., church planter in Lincoln Park, Michigan, an urban center in the Detroit metroplex, how thinking like a missionary has helped him reach with the gospel different communities just a stone’s throw from where he himself grew up. The result was a powerful chat […]
Dec 24, 2018
What Are Worldviews and How Do They Change? John Mark Yeats on Paul Hiebert
We use the word “worldview” a lot, but what does it actually mean? Does anthropology have anything to teach missionaries—and can it give us a model for how worldviews actually change as people are converted to Christ? To help us make sense of these questions addressed in the late Dr. Paul Hiebert’s classic missiological text Transforming […]
Dec 17, 2018
How Many Unreached Are There Really? A Chat on Statistics With Justin Long
How do we really know how many unreached people groups there are—and is that the thing we should be counting, anyway? What can statistics tell us, and what can’t they? We ask these and other tough questions to expert missions researcher Justin Long, Director of Global Research for Beyond, adept cataloguer of missions statistics and enthusiastic documenter […]
Dec 13, 2018
Special Episode: Scott’s Transition and Church Planting in Silicon Valley
In this special episode, we take a break from the normal flow as Scott Dunford shares an important update on his life and ministry. We’re also joined by Bob Bixby, lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Fremont, California, to talk about why the San Francisco Bay Area is truly a mission field—and how listeners can […]
Dec 10, 2018
What Is Gospel-Centered Missions?
What is the gospel? It’s a question missionaries can’t afford to take for granted. Specifically, what would a distinctly gospel-centered approach to missions look like, and how would it differ—or not differ—from forms of mission that focus heavily on meeting physical, tangible needs? What is the relationship between gospel proclamation and cultural engagement? Scott and Alex […]
Dec 3, 2018
John Chau: Missions, Methodology, and Martyrdom
Today we’re taking a break from our regular interview lineup to address the recent death of missionary John Allen Chau. In his final letter before being arrowed to death by the hostile North Sentinelese islanders, Chau penned, “It’s worth it to declare Jesus to these people.” As we mourn Chau’s loss, how should discerning Christians […]
Nov 26, 2018
Mere Hope: Jason Duesing on Missionary Hope in a Cynical Age
We live in an age of perpetual outrage and cynicism, and lost hope takes its greatest toll upon the missionary endeavor. This week we spoke with Dr. Jason Duesing, passionate missions sender and academic Provost and Associate Professor of Historical Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, author of the new book Mere Hope: Life in An Age […]
Nov 19, 2018
Mentorship: the Missing Ingredient in Missions? With Marvin Brubacher
Is mentorship the missing ingredient in missions? This week, Marvin Brubacher, Executive Director of MentorLink Canada and ABWE board member emeritus, joins to share from his decades of experience in promoting deep, one-on-one relationships of discipleship and personal development in international settings. Previously, he served as the first President of Heritage College and Seminary in […]
Nov 12, 2018
Andrew Fuller: The Man Behind the Man Behind Modern Missions — With Travis Myers
Behind every great missionary, there’s a great sending pastor. That was certainly true in the case of Andrew Fuller, the pastor of William Carey and a fellow advocate of the modern missionary movement among the English Particular Baptists of his day. What can modern ministers learn from this influential local church leader who helped launch […]
Nov 5, 2018
Church Planting in the Middle East Through Business as Mission
The early 2000’s wasn’t a prime time for Americans visiting the Middle East. But that’s when our guest, the son of a Kansas farmer, found himself called to the mission field in an undeniable way. On today’s episode, he shares stories of death-defying ministry to mullahs and how God used his ministry to plant the […]
Oct 29, 2018
Trauma, Sex Trafficking, and Gospel Ministry in India With Smita Singh
It’s the final week to enter our giveaway! As a way of thanking our loyal listeners, we’re giving away some great, free books and spiffy, new ABWE swag. Click here for details and to enter our drawing. According to UNICEF, nearly 2 million girls are exploited/sold into the global sex trade each year—and 1 million of them […]
Oct 22, 2018
How Missionaries Should Think About Economics With Matthew Arbo
Announcement: It’s the show’s first birthday! As a way of thanking our loyal listeners, we’re giving away some great, free books and spiffy, new ABWE swag. Click here for details and to enter our drawing. “It’s the economy, stupid.” Economics is complicated enough already, but injecting a Christian perspective adds a new layer. How do […]
Oct 15, 2018
What Is a Missionary “Calling”? Caleb Suko Answers
Announcement: It’s the show’s first birthday! As a way of thanking our loyal listeners, we’re giving away some great, free books and spiffy, new ABWE swag. Click here for details and to enter our drawing. What is God’s will for my life? Is God calling me to missions? Is there such a thing as a […]
Oct 8, 2018
How Iran’s Underground Church Is Miraculously Growing
Announcement: It’s the show’s first birthday! As a way of thanking our loyal listeners, we’re giving away some great, free books and spiffy, new ABWE swag. Click here for details and to enter our drawing. The Islamic revolution of the 1970’s plunged Iran into a state of political and spiritual darkness, but God’s kingdom hasn’t […]
Oct 1, 2018
What Is Life Really Like in a 99.9% Muslim Country?
What does it look like to meet physical needs, share Christ, and risk persecution to serve in a 99.9% Islamic country? Two anonymous, female ABWE missionaries in North Africa join us over the phone to share from their experiences in tilling the soil, building trust, avoiding security risks, and praying that God gradually opens hearts […]
Sep 24, 2018
Tom Schreiner: What Is the Role of the Holy Spirit and Miracles in Missions?
Dreams and visions in the Islamic world. Miraculous healings. “Power-encounters.” What is the role of the Holy Spirit in missions? Are miracles still normative in front-lines missions—and specifically, what about the apostolic sign gifts seen throughout the Book of Acts? There’s perhaps no one better to ask than Dr. Thomas R. Schreiner, one of the […]
Sep 17, 2018
John Taylor: 5 Problems With Money, Nationals, and Helping That Hurts
Announcement: We’re giving away 2x free VIP tickets (a $220 value!) to For the Church in Kansas City, Sept. 24-25! Enter by Sept. 19 to be eligible for the prize. Go to missionspodcast.com/giveaway to enter now. More money, more problems. Wealth, generosity, pay scales, financial practices, and differing standards of living can all be hair-trigger […]
Sep 10, 2018
Conrad Mbewe: Combatting Prosperity Teaching in Africa
Christianity isn’t spreading into Africa; it’s already there. But as our guest this week shares, it is afflicted by the problem of syncretism, hyper-charismatic influence, so-called prosperity “gospel” teaching, and weak theology. How can pastors and missionaries confront these threats and help the African church develop theologies that are rich, sound, and historically rooted? Conrad […]
Sep 3, 2018
Does Business as Mission Work?
Tentmaking. Platform. Business as mission. BAM. All terms that are used sometimes interchangeably throughout the missions community—but what do they mean? Is it really practical to use a for-profit business venture as a ministry platform in another culture, and how can we make sure we’re doing it the right way? How can there be any […]
Aug 27, 2018
Serving Christ in Suffering: Jenn DeKryger on Togo and the Loss of Todd DeKryger
In 2016, Todd DeKryger, surgeon and medical missionary to Togo in West Africa, died in Cologne, Germany, where he had been evacuated to receive treatment for illness contracted in Africa. His wife, Jennifer, was by his side—and he left behind four young boys. In the time since, God has used grief, brokenness, and suffering to […]
Aug 20, 2018
John Morgan: Animism, Syncretism, and Witchcraft in West Africa
When the gospel enters a new place—like Togo in West Africa—those who hear the message have a tendency to interpret it through their worldview lens. This week, John Morgan shares the sobering results of his studies relating to how professing believers in this African nation are still wrestling with their traditional views of animism, witchcraft, […]
Aug 13, 2018
Lucy Peabody: The Groundbreaking Pioneer Missionary You’ve Never Heard of
There are lots of names of women who could vie for the title of being a “mother” of the modern missions movement—and Lucy Peabody is certainly one such candidate. This pioneer missionary to India endured the loss of her first husband, mobilized marginalized women across the country to give millions of dollars towards missions, befriended […]
Aug 6, 2018
Josh Daggett on Personal Evangelism and Prayer
We’ve all struggled to share our faith in one-on-one conversations. We also struggle with personal spiritual disciplines intimately connected to our effectiveness in evangelism—i.e., prayer. On this episode, Josh Daggett, lead pastor at Living Waters Fellowship in Des Moines, Iowa, shares his own encouragements, failures, and victories in these critical areas of ministry. We dig […]
Jul 30, 2018
Racial Reconciliation and Multiethnic Church Planting in South Africa
In this episode, Scott and Alex discuss the uniquenesses of racial reconciliation and multiethnic church planting in South Africa. With Apartheid a mere 20 years in South Africa’s rearview, ethnic tensions still threaten to divide the church. In this insightful interview, our guest, an 18-year veteran of church planting missions to South Africa, shares simple strategies their team […]
Jul 23, 2018
Chris Bruno: Biblical Theology Versus Systematic Theology in Missions
Protestants in the West have a rich heritage of systematic theology—but it doesn’t always translate easily into new cultural contexts. Is a return to narrative-focused, biblical theology the answer? Chris Bruno, Assistant Professor of Greek and New Testament at Bethlehem College and Seminary, joins us to answer and weigh in on his own cross-cultural experiences […]
Jul 16, 2018
Paul Davis: Why Missionaries Must Be Theologians
On this episode, ABWE President Paul Davis joins us to share why it’s crucial that missionaries be theologians. We dive into why a “big God” theology that acknowledges the absolute supremacy of Christ is the only theology weighty enough to compel an unbeliever to convert and commit “treason” against their old gods. It’s also the only […]
Jul 9, 2018
What is God doing in China? Steve Schirmer Answers
The President of China was just appointed to lifelong office. Church buildings are being demolished. Cults are on the rise due to a lack of trained church leaders. What is God up to in China? Steve Schirmer, president and founder of Silk Road Catalyst, joins us to answer. Steve is a missionary who has poured out […]
Jul 2, 2018
Zane Pratt: Are Explosive Disciple-Making Movements Really Healthy?
You’ve probably heard that Muslims are coming to Christ throughout the Islamic world in record numbers, many of them prompted by dreams and visions. Perhaps you’ve also heard of related disciple-making movements and church-planting movements that report exponential multiplication of converts and fledgling churches. But what’s the real story behind these stats, and are these explosive growth movements really healthy and biblical? Zane Pratt joins us today to answer.
Jun 25, 2018
Collin Hansen: Social Justice, Racial Reconciliation, and Missions
What is a biblical definition “social justice” and how does it relate to the gospel? What bearing does the recent conversation about racial reconciliation—and the resulting controversy—have for missionaries ministering to disparate and people groups and ethnicities? How can the church do a better job of addressing social justice and racial issues without proposing leftist […]
Jun 18, 2018
Church Planting: Multiethnic or Homogeneous Units?
Should churches aim to be multiethnic, or should we stick to the homogenous unit principle inherited from missiologists? In today’s episode, Brian (last name withheld), a former IMB missionary to the Middle East and current missions pastor focusing on diaspora ministries, shares why the answer isn’t as simple as it seems—and how globalism is making […]
Jun 11, 2018
Is LGBT the Next Mission Field?
How can Christians understand individuals connected with the LGBT movement a mission field—full of people made in the image of God, in need of the gospel? ABWE North America missionary Jim Childs shares his story to help answer. Jim is helping spearhead Every Ethne’s iniative to help churches in the U.S. reach across cultures without […]
Jun 4, 2018
Jared C. Wilson: Why Missionaries Need the Gospel Too
Pastors and missionaries are supposed to be sharing the gospel, but inwardly, many believe that they’re justified by their own performance. In this episode, Jared C. Wilson—a “failed church planter” who “once made a mess of his marriage” (his words, not ours!) whose rediscovery of gospel-centeredness transformed his life and ministry—shares why missionaries need to be […]
May 28, 2018
India, Sex Trafficking, and the Gospel
India is home to more unreached people groups, women and children in the sex industry, impoverished families, and idols then anywhere else on the planet. What impact could a few missionaries possibly have, and how does the hope of the gospel encourage them in the midst of such massive need? Today, two ABWE workers join us to discuss the incredible doors God has opened for them in South Asia, and how the local church is filling a spiritual need that no NGO or sex trafficking rescue operation alone can address.
May 14, 2018
How Does Hospitality Fuel Mission?
Starting gospel conversations—whether at home or overseas—is difficult in our distracted, technology-addicted world. Is returning to a practice of holistic, biblical hospitality part of the solution to strengthen our evangelism? Jeff Dalrymple, former president of Baptist Haiti Mission and president and founder of The Hospitality Project, helps us answer that question and explains why we […]
May 7, 2018
How Can We Prevent Missionary Burnout?
Ministry burnout is real. On the mission field, the pressures are vastly multiplied. Cultural shock, marital strain, poor team dynamics, and temptation all threaten missionaries’ spiritual, mental, and emotional health. Better, more proactive member care is the answer. But how? Brad Winkler, ABWE's director leading member care and prefield ministries, joins us to explain.
Apr 30, 2018
Barnabas Piper on Ministry Kids, Curiosity, and Identity
How do you handle the pressures of growing up hearing “don’t waste your life,” and what lessons can missionary kids and pastors’ kids take away? Barnabas Piper joins us this week as we wander to and fro to discuss those topics along with cultivating a curiosity with other cultures, parenting with an eye towards missions, and avoiding ministry cynicism by grounding our identity in Christ.
Apr 23, 2018
T4G Panel on Theological Training in Missions
There’s a theological famine across the majority world. How can we fix that? Are translated English resources the solution? How can we encourage more theological educators to serve overseas? And why does the chasm between the gospel-centered, big-God theology movement and the missions world seem so large? On April 12th, 2018 at Together for the Gospel […]
Apr 16, 2018
God’s Sovereignty, Human Responsibility, and Missions
Is Reformed theology antithetical to missions? Can Calvinists and Arminians partner together in gospel ministry? Today, Scott and Alex take a swing at these hotly-debated topics and provide answers from a biblical perspective recognizing that God’s sovereignty is fully compatible with the call to repent and believe the gospel—and how the fact that Christ has […]
Apr 9, 2018
Charles Smith on Missions Leadership “For the Church”
What does leadership have to do with missions? Everything. Although conversations on leadership are often kept separate from the realm of missiology, Charles Smith believes that now is the time to talk about what gospel-centered leadership—for the church—means for missions. Charles Smith serves as Vice President for Institutional Relations at Midwestern Seminary and oversees the offices […]
Apr 2, 2018
The Kingdom of God and the Authority of the Great Commission
We speak so much of the “kingdom of God”—but what does that mean, and how does Jesus’ present reign in heaven impact our mission? These questions are often neglected, misunderstood, or purposefully avoided in American evangelicalism, and there’s lots of confusion about Christ’s return and the nature of his kingdom. But understanding Jesus’ present authority […]
Mar 26, 2018
The Gift of Singleness in Missions: an Interview With Lina AbuJamra
Singleness can feel like a death sentence for some—but for women like Lina AbuJamra, it’s a gift to be stewarded. How can God use singles on the mission field? Lina weighs in and shares her perspective as a Lebanese-American physician currently involved in Bible teaching and medical missions to Syrian refugees.
Mar 19, 2018
How to Understand and Reach Hindus
Of all the world’s religions that are likely to stump Western Christians, Hinduism tops the list. How can Christians make sense of Hinduism’s millions of deities, belief in reincarnation, denial of human suffering, and rigorous caste system? Better yet—how can Christians reach those who hold to such a worldview?
Mar 12, 2018
How Should Christians Engage Other Religious Texts?
Should Christians read books the Qur’an—and if so, how? What about other religious texts? To help us answer those questions, we asked is Matthew Bennett, an experienced missionary who served in the Middle East, now instructor of missions and theology at Cedarville University.
Mar 5, 2018
Where Did the Gritty Missionaries Go? David Joannes on Missionary Motivations
C.T. Studd is credited with saying, “Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.” But in today’s world where everyone is encouraged to “live on mission,” this classic missionary grit is increasingly absent. What happened, and what are the internal and external motivators that lead someone to risk everything to serve abroad? To answer that question, we invited missionary, author, and researcher David Joannes.
Feb 26, 2018
When Everything Is Missions… (Nothing Is): A Chat With Denny Spitters and Matthew Ellison
Is every Christian a missionary? Is there a difference between "missions," "missional," and "mission?" Denny Spitters and President Matthew Ellison, authors of When Everything Is Missions, answer.
Feb 19, 2018
Karen Swallow Prior on Engaging Postmodern Culture
How can Christians in the West remain faithful to their convictions and winsomely engage their postmodern neighbors? Karen Swallow Prior, English professor, author, pro-life activist, and writer published everywhere from The Atlantic to The Gospel Coalition joins us to share her insights. She explains why postmodernism isn't necessarily the bogeyman we all think it is, and how humbly engaging literature can help us learn foreign cultures—and our own.
Feb 12, 2018
Suffering and Sovereignty in the Rohingya Crisis
You've probably heard of the plight of the Rohingya people—an unreached, Muslim people group forced out of Myanmar and into Bangladesh. But you probably haven't heard about the Christian workers on the ground whom God has sovereignly positioned to impact them at such a time as this. It's a story of redemption that only God can write.
Feb 5, 2018
Dan DeWitt on Apologetics, Missions, and Suffering
Do all missionaries need to know apologetics? Some say yes, plenty say no. We invited our friend Dan DeWitt, an expert on the topic, to answer.
Jan 29, 2018
How to Raise Missions-Minded Children
Parenting is stressful enough—not to mention the crucial responsibility parents have to raise their children in the way of Christ. Is it worthwhile to expose children to missions, and if so, how early is too early? What are some best practices for instilling a global mindset in our kids? Jim Cook, who spearheads ABWE’s Next […]
Jan 15, 2018
How the Gospel Transforms Cultures: Vishal Mangalwadi on William Carey
Gandhi's India couldn't have existed without William Carey. That's the argument made by Vishal Mangalwadi, who makes the case that the gospel necessarily transforms culture—and William Carey is the example.
Jan 1, 2018
How to Be a “World Christian”
Voices in missions today tell us we should all become “global Christians.” In this episode we answer what that means and how to do it—with all the resources everyday believers need to stay informed.
Dec 18, 2017
Lori McDaniel on Being a “Rebel” Like Lottie Moon
It's December, which means Southern Baptists are hearing the name “Lottie Moon” and instantly associating it with missions. Who was Lottie Moon? Why was the Christmas Offering named after her? What can we learn from her as trailblazing, single female missionary and mobilizer?
Dec 11, 2017
How Much Contextualization Is Too Much?
Today in missions there’s a lot of talk about contextualization. The “C scale” developed by John Travis makes a case for so-called insider movements—professing believers in the Islamic world who follow Jesus, yet remain culturally and religiously Muslim. Is that biblical? How can we adapt the gospel to new cultures—and how far is too far?
Dec 1, 2017
Paul Davis on the Pastor as Mobilizer
How can local church pastors lead the charge to mobilize for missions? ABWE President Paul Davis joins us to share his insights on how pastors can spark missions-minded imagination fueled by culture and Scripture, drawing on his decades of experience in local church ministry at Calvary Baptist Church in Holland, Michigan.
Nov 27, 2017
Dan Dumas on Adoption, Foster Care, and Missions
We're commanded to disciple all the nations. We are also told to care for the orphan and fatherless. What do adoption and foster care have to do with global missions? Is social justice a distraction to world evangelism? Dan Dumas, Special Advisor for Foster Care and Adoption to Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, joins us to answer.
Nov 13, 2017
How to Build a Sending Church Culture
Where are all the new missionaries? In the church. Join us as we explore seven ways to build a sending church and mobilize the next generation of goers God has sovereignly placed in the pews.
Oct 31, 2017
Why Should Missionaries Care About the Reformation?
We’re joined again by Jonathan Arnold to discuss another critical question regarding the Reformation—why should those involved in missions care?
Oct 30, 2017
Did the Reformers Believe in the Great Commission?
Special guest Jonathan Arnold, an Oxford graduate, author, and professor as the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, joins us to discuss a critical question as we remember the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Did the Reformers really believe in missions and evangelism?
Oct 16, 2017
Why You Should Stop Sending Short-Term
Over 2 million Americans go on a short-term missions trip each year. So with more than 4,000 unreached people groups, why not keep sending as many short-termers as possible?
Oct 10, 2017
What’s Wrong With Missions Agencies
In our first episode, we lay it down straight about missions agencies. Are they biblical, or are they just modern constructs that exist to fill the gap when the local church drops the ball? Do they even work?