In the West, we’re all naturalists. Not so in West Africa. In this episode, Dr. Tom Kendall, medical missionary to Togo, offers some insights into the spiritual makeup of the Togolese and why prayer is so important for the gospel worker.
‘Reverse Missions’ and Global Christianity
African Christians are coming to the US as missionaries—or are they? Many are saying that “reverse missions”—from the Majority World to the West—is on the rise. But the whole picture isn’t that simple, as the world and the Western church still have a lot to learn from each other. Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford explore in this special episode with limited commercial interruption.
Referenced in this episode:
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund.
Maybe We’re the Ones Who Need the Missionaries
What is “reverse missions”? Is it the Western world that actually needs missionaries sent from Africa, Asia, and elsewhere? This Sunday night at 7 p.m., Scott and Alex discuss what conservative evangelicals in the US have to learn from believers in the Majority World.
Mercy, Justice, and Missions: Dr. George Grant
Everyone is debating social justice. But what happened to mercy ministry? Have we forgotten compassion in the midst of our gospel preaching? Dr. George Grant explains how mercy and justice flow from gospel proclamation, sharing his insights from working with homeless, advocating for the unborn, and even helping plant classical Christian schools in the Middle East.
Dr. George Grant is the Pastor of Parish Presbyterian Church, Founder of New College Franklin, President of the King’s Meadow Study Center and Founder of Franklin Classical School. His work on behalf of the homeless, for international relief and development, for racial reconciliation and for the sanctity of life has been profiled in such varied media outlets as the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Focus on the Family, The 700 Club, the Coral Ridge Hour, Point of View, Crossfire, World Magazine and Christianity Today.
In addition to his pastoral responsibilities and regular classes in literature, history, theology and the arts, George maintains an active writing and speaking schedule at home and around the world. He has degrees in Political Science at the University of Houston (B.A.), Philosophy at Whitefield Theological Seminary (M.A., D. Litt, PhD.), Humanities at Belhaven College (D. Hum.), and Theology at Knox Theological Seminary (D. Min. Cand.). He makes his home on the east side of Franklin with his wife Karen (and their dogs, books, and gardens). They have three grown children and six grandchildren. Learn more about George’s work on his website.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
Preview: What Happened to Mercy Ministry?
With all the controversy surrounding justice, have we forgotten our call to mercy ministry? Dr. George Grant explains how the gospel addresses the physical and spiritual dimensions of life.
Catch the full episode as soon as it premieres. Subscribe now.
Mega Episode: Honor, Shame, and the Gospel With Chris Flanders
More and more missiologists are tired of talking about the gospel only in terms of guilt and innocence. This growing school of thought claims these concepts are “Western.” Writers like Roland Muller, Jayson Georges, and Jackson Wu say that honor and shame—not guilt and innocence—hold the keys to evangelism in Majority World cultures. Are they right? Does an honor-shame reading of Scripture undermine penal, substitutionary atonement? This week, we welcome Chris Flanders, co-editor of Honor, Shame, and the Gospel with Werner Mischke, to the hot seat to share his perspective.
Hear our previous episode discussing the honor-shame paradigm here.
Christopher Flanders (Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary) is associate professor of missions at Abilene Christian University. He served as a missionary in Thailand for eleven years. His current research focuses on face and honor-shame issues. Christopher is the author of About Face: Rethinking Face for 21st Century Missions. He is also assistant editor for Missio Dei: A Journal of Missional Theology and Praxis.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
Preview: Honor-Shame and the Atonement
Does the current missiological conversation around honor and shame undermine the penal substitution view of the atonement? Dr. Chris Flanders of Abilene Christian University, author of Honor, Shame, and the Gospel, shares his perspective in this week’s upcoming episode. It’s a don’t-miss.
Leading With Vision (For Normal People) With Bob Bixby
We all know that having a vision is important. But is vision-casting biblical, and if so, does it really matter for the ordinary missionary or pastor? In this interview, Scott and Alex ask some tough questions about leadership of Bob Bixby, pastor of Redeemer Church in Fremont, California, and president of Bayseed.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
Preview: What Is Vision?
Is “vision” for everyone in ministry, or is it just a grandiose term thrown about by leadership experts? Tune in to our next episode to hear Bob Bixby, pastor of Redeemer Church in Fremont, California and Bayseed and president of Bayseed, explain what visioning means for the ordinary pastor or missionary.
Online Education and Global Theological Famine
One year into the pandemic, it looks like the future of education is, in many respects, virtual. What does that mean for theological and biblical training for the 85% of evangelical pastors worldwide who lack any formal education? Al Cuthbert and Rob Hayden of Horizon Education Network join the show this week to explain how their dynamic organization is already ahead of the curve (if you will).
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
Preview: Doing Theological Education Wrong
Fact: 85% of the world’s pastoral workforce has no formal theological training. But there’s a cost to doing theological education the wrong way. Rob Hayden of Horizon Education Network explains.
Is the Missions ‘Guilt Trip’ Biblical? Guest: Paul Davis
We’ve all experienced the guilt of being made to feel like we’re not doing enough for world missions. Should preachers emphasize statistics on unreached people groups, the urgency of eternity, and lostness, or simply trust the Holy Spirit—or perhaps both? This week, ABWE President Paul Davis chats with Scott and Alex as they wrestle through the wisdom necessary in preaching, mobilization, and pastoral ministry.
You can browse resources from Paul here. To request Paul as a missions speaker for your church or ministry, see here. Follow him on Twitter: @pdavis_davis.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
Preview: The Guilt Trip
We’ve all felt the missionary guilt trip before. Is it biblical, or manipulative? ABWE President Paul Davis joins us to dialogue.
What’s Happening to Myanmar and Why It Matters for Missions
A military coup is underway in Myanmar—a Buddhist nation nestled in the heart of the 10/40 Window. What does the junta mean for the cause of Christian missions, and how is the Burmese church responding? ABWE missionary John (last name withheld) with Live Global returns to the show to explain.
To support the work of ABWE partners in Myanmar, visit Live Global.
Hear our previous episode with John here.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
Preview: What’s Happening to Myanmar?
What is taking place in Myanmar (Burma) with the recent military junta, and how is it affecting Christian believers, churches, and missionaries? John from Live Global returns to the show to explain.
Lisa LaGeorge on Women’s Roles and Short-Term Missions
In 20 years of leading missions efforts and teaching students, Lisa LaGeorge has seen it all. This week, she shares the good, the bad, and the ugly of short-term missions trips with high school and college students. In the second half, we explore the role of women and singles on church-planting teams and why every member of the body of Christ must use their gifts.
Dr. Lisa LaGeorge serves as the director of CHF Academy at Children’s Hunger Fund in Sylmar, California. Read her blog or follow her on Twitter.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
Preview: What’s Stopping Women From Using Their Gifts?
What is preventing women from using their gifts in a biblical way in missions? Plus, what make a healthy short-term trip for students? Lisa LaGeorge shares in this week’s upcoming episode.
The Dangers of Syncretism and How to Avoid It
Do rapid disciple-making techniques run the risk of welcoming syncretism into new churches by failing to teach new converts to forsake their former idols? It’s no light question, with no easy answers—but there is hope. Scripture is not silent.
This week, Scott and Alex discuss “The Potential Risk of Syncretism in Church Planting Movements” by Michael Cooper (EMQ, January-March 2021, Volume 57, Issue 1) and its vast implications both for practitioners of church-planting movements (CPM) and supporters of the traditional proclamational model.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
Preview: Syncretism in Missions?
Coming in the next episode: Why is syncretism unacceptable in missions? Scott and Alex explore this Sunday at 7 pm.
Who Was George Liele? Jason Duesing on the First African American Missionary
Born into slavery, George Liele is credited as being the first African-American missionary and Baptist missionary in the modern missionary movement. So why haven’t we heard his story? Dr. Jason Duesing, missions advocate and academic Provost and Associate Professor of Historical Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, explains.
Duesing serves as a research fellow for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, academic editor of the Midwestern Journal of Theology, and general editor for For the Church resources. He is also a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, where he currently serves on the Nominations Committee and the review board for the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. The most offensive thing about him is that he is a Yankees fan. Duesing is married to Kalee, and together they 4 children. Visit his personal site and follow him on Twitter.
You can hear our previous episode with Jason here.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
Carl Trueman: The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self
How did Western society descend from culture of Christendom to the triumph of the “T” in LGBT? Dr. Carl Trueman, historian and author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self (Crossway, 2020), lays blame at the feet of expressive individualism. But individualism isn’t just the world’s problem—it’s the air we breathe in the church and in cross-cultural missions, too.
In this exclusive interview, Dr. Trueman explains why. Carl Trueman (Ph.D., University of Aberdeen) is professor of biblical and religious studies at Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. He has written more than a dozen books, including Histories and Fallacies: Problems Faced in the Writing of History, Luther on the Christian Life, The Creedal Imperative, and The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and The Road to Sexual Revolution.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
Thad Bergmeier on the Power of Prayer in Missions
It’s hard to deny: we experience little power in evangelism and missions because we’re slothful in prayer. Jonathan Edwards believed that the world would be reached for Christ when God’s people pled divine promises back to God in prayer. Was he right? And what is the relationship between prayer and revival?
Dr. Thad Bergmeier, Regional Director for EveryEthne, joins us to discuss their Week of Prayer initiative and our own personal spiritual disciplines.
Thad served for over 18 years in pastoral ministry in three different states in the Midwest. In 2016, Thad joined EveryEthne as a regional director because of their commitment to helping local church plant churches. Thad and his wife Monique currently live east of Cleveland, Ohio. Click here to support Thad’s ministry.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
Dan Strange: A Theology of Religions and The Southgate Fellowship
We know missionaries should have a theology of God, the Bible, and salvation—but what does it mean to develop a theology of religions? And what are the bigger problems plaguing evangelical missiology? Dr. Dan Strange, theological director at Oak Hill College and co-chair of The Southgate Fellowship, joins us from London to discuss his new book Their Rock Is Not Like Our Rock: A Theology of Religions, the problem of pluralism, and why his fellowship is pushing back on some emerging trends in missions through its thorough statement of affirmations and denials.
Dan received his Ph.D. from Bristol University, publishing his dissertation The Possibility of Salvation among the Unevangelised (Paternoster, 2000). His speciality is in the area of Christianity’s relationship to other religions. You can follow him on Twitter.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
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 his journey from ecommerce to ABWE and how technology can be leveraged for gospel aims.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
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.
Dr. Thor Madsen has been at Midwestern Seminary since 1999 and is currently Dean of Doctoral Studies and Academic Initiatives and Professor of New Testament, Ethics and Philosophy. Since coming to MBTS, Dr. Madsen has served in a variety of roles including vice president of academic development (2003-2009). Dr. Madsen graduated from Wheaton College with the Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in philosophy. Following his studies at Wheaton, he went to Western Kentucky University for his Master of Arts degree, during which time he was also the graduate assistant for Dr. Ronald Nash. Upon graduation from WKU, Dr. Madsen spent a year in the doctoral program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With this foundation, he enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and followed this degree with doctoral study at the University of Aberdeen, from which he graduated with a Ph.D. in 1998.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Life’s Ultimate Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy
- Worldviews in Conflict: Choosing Christianity in the World of Ideas
- The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog
- For the Church
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
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 Alex discuss Christ’s nature and example for missionaries in this special edition of the show.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
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? Scott and Alex wrestle with these big questions on this week’s episode.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, CROSS Conference, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
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, Muslims, secularists, and others.
James E. Dolezal is associate professor of theology in the School of Divinity at Cairn University in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. He is the author of God Without Parts (Pickwick, 2011) and All That Is in God (Reformation Heritage, 2017).
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, CROSS Conference, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
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 about how to write compelling missionary updates, newsletter, and presentations with integrity.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, CROSS Conference, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
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 the “white savior” mindset and how pastors can send and train better to prevent stories like this from happening.
Read Darren Carlson’s article, “The White Savior Complex in Missions?” on The Gospel Coalition.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, CROSS Conference, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
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 is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, CROSS Conference, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
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 new short-term missions program. He has more than 30 years of experience in senior corporate and ministry roles in a variety of organizations from start-ups to Fortune 100 enterprises. Jason has served in multiple pastoral roles, and he co-founded and directed Hope2Live Ministries, a ministry that worked primarily in Sierra Leone. He earned a BBA in finance from Georgia State University, a Master of Divinity in theology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in disciple-making from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jason and his wife, Jeannie, have been partners in ministry throughout their twenty-five years of marriage, and they have two children in college who love the Lord. You can email Jason here.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, CROSS Conference, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
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 explore this intricate topic with their Bibles open in this episode.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, CROSS Conference, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
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. This week, Scott and Alex welcome back Pierre Houssney and Seth Vitrano-Wilson to discuss the growing threats in Bible translation.
Pierre Houssney is MENA Regional Director for Horizons International. Pierre lives in Beirut, Lebanon, with his wife, Gigi, and their two children, where he leads a team of nationals and missionaries who run a center for evangelism and discipleship among Muslims. Seth Vitrano-Wilson was raised in the Mormon church, but God brought him to repentance and faith in Christ while he was living in Argentina. He has served cross-culturally in the Middle East and Southeast Asia for over 10 years, and holds an M.A. in Linguistics from Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Hear our previous episode with Pierre here.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, CROSS Conference, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
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 Spirituality of Adoniram Judson. He has been a long-term missionary in the Middle East, East Asia, Alaska, and currently SE Asia. From his international location he directs the M.A. in Global Leadership at Western Seminary. A linguist and ordained minister, Burns develops theological resources and trains indigenous pastors and missionaries to the least-reached.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention. Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
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 Fill the Earth: The Creation Mandate and the Church’s Call to Missions.
Matthew (Ph.D., Wheaton College) is president and professor of Old Testament at Christ Bible Seminary in Nagoya, Japan. For two decades he has served churches in a variety of ministerial roles including youth, worship, mercy, missions, and adult education, and has taught Hebrew and Old Testament in seminaries in the United States, Australia, and Japan. He is married to Caroline and together they have four children and reside in Japan.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention. Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.
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, rate, leave a review, and subscribe. Together we can bridge the gap between the worlds of theology and missions.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
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 of Sovereign Grace Church. After completing his M.A. in Theology at Talbot, and being the high school pastor at RiverLakes Community Church, Chad was called to plant a church in Bakersfield. His passion is to know Christ and to make him known. He has been married to Teresa since 1994, and they have two children. You can email him.
Remember to share, rate, leave a review, and subscribe. Together we can bridge the gap between the worlds of theology and missions.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
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 missionary known for his appearance in the American Gospel documentary, weighs in this week.
Sean DeMars is pastor at 6th Avenue Community Church in Decatur, Alabama. He previously served the peoples of Peru by preaching, teaching, and living God’s word.
Remember to share, rate, leave a review, and subscribe. Together we can bridge the gap between the worlds of theology and missions.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
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 of Liberty Baptist Church in Missouri, explains how Christian workers today should understand the “father of modern missions.”
C.J. served as a mid-term missionary in East Asia and Peru before joining the International Mission Board as a mobilizer. You can follow him on Twitter.
At the end of the show, we recommended these resources:
- Faithful Witness (Timothy George)
- William Carey (S. Pearce Carey)
- The Missionary Fellowship of William Carey (Michael Haykin)
Remember to share, rate, leave a review, and subscribe. Together we can bridge the gap between the worlds of theology and missions.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
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 initiatives from Redeemer Church. You can email Scott or follow him on Twitter.
Remember to share, rate, leave a review, and subscribe. Together we can bridge the gap between the worlds of theology and missions.
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The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
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, atheists, and even professed Christians joined together to denounce the missionaries for having the audacity to proselytize. This week, Scott Dunford and Alex Kocman ask Brooks: what gives evangelical Christians the right to convert peoples? Are missionaries just glorified colonists stamping out unique cultures with minimal contact with the world—and why or why not?
Brooks and Nina Buser planted a church among the Yembiyembi people in Papua New Guinea. In 2016, they returned to San Diego. Both Brooks and Nina participate in the teaching at Radius International as well as leading and traveling to spread the word about the necessity of training.
Discount From Kregel Academic: If you enjoyed our interview with Matt Bennett on his newest book 40 Questions About Islam, you can purchase it here from Christianbook.com and receive 40% off using the exclusive discount code “ABWE.” Check it out!
Remember to share, rate, leave a review, and subscribe. Together we can bridge the gap between the worlds of theology and missions.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
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, what effect does that have on missions?
This week, Scott Dunford and Alex Kocman delve deep with Neil Shenvi, a noted Christian online personality who has researched and written on apologetics and the subject of social justice.
Neil is a homeschooling dad, theoretical chemist, and member of The Summit Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. You can follow him on Twitter.
Discount From Kregel Academic: If you enjoyed our interview with Matt Bennett on his newest book 40 Questions About Islam, you can purchase it here from Christianbook.com and receive 40% off using the exclusive discount code “ABWE.” Check it out!
Remember to share, rate, leave a review, and subscribe. Together we can bridge the gap between the worlds of theology and missions.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
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, Jonathan served as senior pastor of a Bible Church in Michigan. Prior to that he and his wife led several student-focused ministries on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Arnold transitioned to the academy full-time at Northland International University in Dunbar, Wisconsin where he served as vice president of student services and professor of theological studies. In 2015, Arnold moved to Boyce College, where he served as the founding director of the Augustine Honors Collegium, assistant professor of Christian theology and church history, and as founding editor of The Augustine Collegiate Review. He has written The Reformed Theology of Benjamin Keach (CBHH, 2013; reprint, 2019) along with numerous articles, book chapters, and book reviews for various publications. He has been a fellow of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies (SBTS), a visiting fellow of the Centre for Baptist History and Heritage (Oxford), and is active in several scholarly societies. He and his wife, Lindsay, have four children: Nathaniel, Benjamin, Lukas, and Sadie.
Referenced in this episode:
- Why the Naga Headhunters Converted to Christianity | National Geographic
- Did the Reformers Believe in the Great Commission? | Interview with Jonathan Arnold (Pt. 1)
- Why Should Missionaries Care About the Reformation? | Interview with Jonathan Arnold (Pt. 2)
Discount From Kregel Academic: If you enjoyed our interview with Matt Bennett on his newest book 40 Questions About Islam, you can purchase it here from Christianbook.com and receive 40% off using the exclusive discount code “ABWE.” Check it out!
Remember to share, rate, leave a review, and subscribe. Together we can bridge the gap between the worlds of theology and missions.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
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, and is a Lebanese-American who grew up in the context of cross-cultural ministry among Muslims and international students. This week, we ask Pierre the question many missions-minded believers are asking: what happened in Beirut, and what does it mean for the cause of the gospel?
Pierre has been in full-time ministry with Horizons International since 2006, and has been an active member of Horizons’ teaching staff and curriculum development team since 2002. Pierre lives in Beirut, Lebanon, with his wife Gigi and their two children. He leads a team of nationals and missionaries who run a center for evangelism and discipleship among Muslims. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado and is fluent in English and Arabic.
Discount From Kregel Academic: If you enjoyed our interview with Matt Bennett on his newest book 40 Questions About Islam, you can purchase it here from Christianbook.com and receive 40% off using the exclusive discount code “ABWE.” Check it out!
Remember to share, rate, leave a review, and subscribe. Together we can bridge the gap between the worlds of theology and missions.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
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 endeavor depends on modern, media-saturated Christians choosing to forsake their fixation on worldly spectacles and get lost in a greater glory.
Tony Reinke is senior writer for Desiring God and author of Competing Spectacles (2019), 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You (2017), John Newton on the Christian Life (2015), and Lit! A Christian Guide to Reading Books (2011). He hosts the Ask Pastor John podcast and lives in the Phoenix with his wife and three children.
Free John Piper Book Download: Desiring God is giving away John Piper’s latest book, Coronavirus and Christ, absolutely free. Subscribe to ABWE’s blog and podcast and you’ll get a link to download the ebook or audiobook in a variety of formats. Special thanks to Desiring God for their generosity.
Discount From Kregel Academic: If you enjoyed our interview with Matt Bennett on his newest book 40 Questions About Islam, you can purchase it here from Christianbook.com and receive 40% off using the exclusive discount code “ABWE.” Check it out!
Remember to share, rate, leave a review, and subscribe. Together we can bridge the gap between the worlds of theology and missions.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
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 partner and local church elder Edvard Moe.
Nahum and Arin O’Brien plan to partner with national pastors Asbjørn Berland and Martin Hjellvik of Kilden Menighet, to cultivate a church planting movement in Norway beginning in Stavanger. Their ministry plan is to focus on evangelism, discipleship, and theological education. Support Nahum’s ministry.
Discount From Kregel Academic: If you enjoyed our interview with Matt Bennett on his newest book 40 Questions About Islam, you can purchase it here from Christianbook.com and receive 40% off using the exclusive discount code “ABWE.” Check it out!
Remember to share, rate, leave a review, and subscribe. Together we can bridge the gap between the worlds of theology and missions.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
Should We ‘Follow the Science’ in Missions?
Everyone is discussing the importance of evidence, empirical data, and peer review. What role—if any—should these scientific standards play in missiology? Dr. John Morgan, resident missiologist for ABWE, discusses his latest article exploring the application of evidence-based practice (EBP) in cross-cultural missions strategy.
After serving as missionaries to Togo, John and his wife Michele returned to Ohio as church planters. They now minister at ABWE’s International Headquarters. Support their ministry.
Free John Piper Book Download: Desiring God is giving away John Piper’s latest book, Coronavirus and Christ, absolutely free. Subscribe to ABWE’s blog and podcast and you’ll get a link to download the ebook or audiobook in a variety of formats. Special thanks to Desiring God for their generosity.
Discount From Kregel Academic: If you enjoyed our interview with Matt Bennett on his newest book 40 Questions About Islam, you can purchase it here from Christianbook.com and receive 40% off using the exclusive discount code “ABWE.” Check it out!
Remember to share, rate, leave a review, and subscribe. Together we can bridge the gap between the worlds of theology and missions.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
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.
Free John Piper Book Download: Desiring God is giving away John Piper’s latest book, Coronavirus and Christ, absolutely free. Subscribe to ABWE’s blog and podcast and you’ll get a link to download the ebook or audiobook in a variety of formats. Special thanks to Desiring God for their generosity.
Discount From Kregel Academic: If you enjoyed our interview with Matt Bennett on his newest book 40 Questions About Islam, you can purchase it here from Christianbook.com and receive 40% off using the exclusive discount code “ABWE.” Check it out!
Remember to share, rate, leave a review, and subscribe. Together we can bridge the gap between the worlds of theology and missions.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.
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 the foolishness of the message we preach. Hear Alex Kocman preach at Mount Calvary Church on 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 to address this topic.
Free John Piper Book Download: Desiring God is giving away John Piper’s latest book, Coronavirus and Christ, absolutely free. Subscribe to ABWE’s blog and podcast and you’ll get a link to download the ebook or audiobook in a variety of formats. Special thanks to Desiring God for their generosity.
Discount From Kregel Academic: If you enjoyed our interview with Matt Bennett on his newest book 40 Questions About Islam, you can purchase it here from Christianbook.com and receive 40% off using the exclusive discount code “ABWE.” Check it out!
Remember to share, rate, leave a review, and subscribe. Together we can bridge the gap between the worlds of theology and missions.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention.