Episode Archives

#RMC22: What You Might Not Know About Missions in Asia: Wayne Chen

What is the state of the church in Asia? And what makes Asian missions so unique? We talk to Wayne Chen, director of Radius Asia, at the recent Radius Missiology Conference. Watch the video version of this episode on the ABWE YouTube channel. Listen to all of our RMC22 exclusives here. Support this podcast and impact God’s mission.Continue reading “#RMC22: What You Might Not Know About Missions in Asia: Wayne Chen”

#RMC22: Brad Buser on Missionary Endurance

Before helping found Radius International, Brad Buser served among the Iteri people of Papua New Guinea. Continuing our theme of finishing well, we ask him how he instills endurance in the missionaries he trains in this interview from the recent Radius International Missiology Conference. Watch the video version of this episode on the ABWE YouTubeContinue reading “#RMC22: Brad Buser on Missionary Endurance”

#RMC22: Ian Hamilton on the Missionary Life as Abiding in Christ

How can missionaries serve in the midst of difficult, spiritually-dry seasons? And did Jesus himself ever feel like all his labors were for nothing? Dr. Ian Hamilton—theologian, minister, author, and president of Westminster Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Newcastle, England—shares some surprising answers at the recent Radius International Missiology Conference. Watch the video version of thisContinue reading “#RMC22: Ian Hamilton on the Missionary Life as Abiding in Christ”

#RMC22: Brooks Buser on Leaving Well

Missions done well means staying the course. So how do you know when it’s time to transition off the field and entrust local believers with leadership? Brooks Buser, president of Radius International, discusses his experience among the YembiYembi people in Papua New Guinea at the recent Radius International Missiology Conference. Watch the video version ofContinue reading “#RMC22: Brooks Buser on Leaving Well”

#RMC22: Kevin DeYoung on the Mission of the Church

What is the church’s mission? Better yet, what isn’t her mission? Alex and Scott talk to pastor, author, and theologian Kevin DeYoung at the recent Radius International Missiology Conference. Watch the video version of this episode on the ABWE YouTube channel. Listen to all of our RMC22 exclusives here. Support this podcast and impact God’s mission.Continue reading “#RMC22: Kevin DeYoung on the Mission of the Church”

#RMC22: Are We Idolizing Missions? A Chat With Chad Vegas

For some Christians, missions is out of sight and out of mind. For others, it’s the absolute center of the Christian life. Is it possible for us to make an idol out of missions? If so, how would we know we’ve done so? We ask Chad Vegas, co-founder of Radius International and pastor of SovereignContinue reading “#RMC22: Are We Idolizing Missions? A Chat With Chad Vegas”

Missionary Security, Big Tech, and Cancel Culture

Watch the video version of this episode here. Thanks to modern technology, our every move is tracked and recorded. What does this mean for missionaries living and serving in parts of the world where evangelism is illegal? And what might it soon mean for Christians in the Western world facing an increasingly hostile environment? ThisContinue reading “Missionary Security, Big Tech, and Cancel Culture”

How to Talk to a Missionary in a Closed Country

Risk is right
 or is it? In this week’s upcoming episode, we talk to an IT security expert about the best, most secure ways to communicate with missionaries in restricted-access fields. Subscribe now to never miss an episode when it drops. Support this podcast and impact God’s mission. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic?Continue reading “How to Talk to a Missionary in a Closed Country”

The ‘Three Worlds’ of Evangelicalism: A Paradigm for Missions? Aaron Renn Answers

Watch the video version of this episode here. In the US, being a Christian used to be a prerequisite for popularity as a politician or social influencer. That hasn’t been true for a while. But why? And, what can analyzing the state of Christianity in America teach us about the state of Christianity in otherContinue reading “The ‘Three Worlds’ of Evangelicalism: A Paradigm for Missions? Aaron Renn Answers”

When Did Christianity Become So Unpopular?

What changed in the Western mind to make biblical Christianity suddenly so abhorrent in the public eye? Social researcher Aaron Renn shares his “three worlds” explanation in this week’s upcoming interview. Subscribe now to never miss an episode when it drops. Support this podcast and impact God’s mission. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? EmailContinue reading “When Did Christianity Become So Unpopular?”

The Stranger on Our Shore With Joshua Sherif

Watch the video version of this episode here. Joshua Sherif grew up Muslim, escaped from Egypt, and found Christ in the US. In The Stranger at Our Shore, he shares his remarkable testimony, Chicago pastor Joshua Sherif calls the Western Church to reconsider the plight of the modern day sojourners in our land—the strangers atContinue reading “The Stranger on Our Shore With Joshua Sherif”

How to Reach LGBTQ With the Gospel: Jim Childs

Enter our giveaway to attend the Radius Missiology Conference in person or virtually. Details at missionspodcast.com/radius22. Many of us are afraid to directly present Christ to those caught up in the LGBTQ subculture. Should we be afraid? How can we win the person, not just the argument? And what does Scripture say? In this episode, weContinue reading “How to Reach LGBTQ With the Gospel: Jim Childs”

Why Missionaries Must Read Old Books: Banner of Truth’s John Rawlinson

Enter our giveaway to attend the Radius Missiology Conference in person or virtually. Details at missionspodcast.com/radius22. The Missions Podcast exists to help goers think and thinkers go. Perhaps no other modern Christian publisher is more concerned with helping believers to think deeply about—and experience—the things of God than Banner of Truth. What cross-cultural impact is theContinue reading “Why Missionaries Must Read Old Books: Banner of Truth’s John Rawlinson”

When Helping Works: Michael Badriaki on Western Dependence in Uganda

Enter our giveaway to attend the Radius Missiology Conference in person or virtually. Details at missionspodcast.com/radius22. Many missions-minded Christians have read When Helping Hurts and resonated with its message—that sometimes in missionary work, we can do more harm than good in the name of Jesus. But in When Helping Works: Alleviating Fear and Pain inContinue reading “When Helping Works: Michael Badriaki on Western Dependence in Uganda”

What’s Wrong With Creating ‘Dependence?’

What’s wrong with creating “dependence” on foreign missionaries? This week, Michael Bamwesigye Badriaki, author of When Helping Works: Alleviating Fear and Pain in Global Missions, challenges our conventional wisdom. Subscribe now to never miss an episode when it drops. Support this podcast and impact God’s mission. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.

Does Evangelism Have to Be Scary?

Evangelism can’t be one-size-fits-all. Or can it? This week, Scott Dunford and Alex Kocman discuss their upbringing doing door-to-door evangelism, methods of presenting the gospel, contextualization, and the Book of Acts. If you’ve ever been discouraged in your efforts to share your faith, this conversation will embolden you. Subscribe now to never miss an episode whenContinue reading “Does Evangelism Have to Be Scary?”

Let’s Talk About Evangelism

This week: It’s back to the basics. Let’s have a conversation about how to do evangelism. Is there a one-size-fits-all method? New episodes Sundays at 7 p.m. Subscribe now to never miss an episode when it drops. Support this podcast and impact God’s mission. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.

T4G22: Jason Allen on Building Missions Cultures in Christian Leadership

How can Christian leaders make time to prioritize short-term missions trips? Jason Allen shares how he’s built a missions culture inside of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, which he leads as president. Also featured in this conversation is Paul Davis, president of ABWE. In addition to his seminary duties, Dr. Allen has served as pastor andContinue reading “T4G22: Jason Allen on Building Missions Cultures in Christian Leadership”

T4G22: Brooks Buser on Missionary Training That Matters

Too many styles of missions promise fast results. What kind of training to missionaries really need? Brooks Buser of Radius International returns to the show during T4G. 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 inContinue reading “T4G22: Brooks Buser on Missionary Training That Matters”

T4G22: The Need for Church Planting With Thad Bergmeier

Thousands of churches worldwide are closing each year. What can we do to stem the tide? Thad Bergmeier, executive director of EveryEthne, shares solutions. Join the movement. Sign up to participate in the Day of Prayer for Church Planting. You can watch the video version of this episode on the Missions Podcast Facebook page. Subscribe now toContinue reading “T4G22: The Need for Church Planting With Thad Bergmeier”

T4G22: Why the Need for Speed in Missions? Sean DeMars and Caleb Morrell

Why do Americans have such a need for speed in missions, and how can we change that? Alex sits down with Sean DeMars of Confirm and Defend podcast and Caleb Morrell of 9Marks and Capitol Hill Baptist Church. Caleb Morell is a child of missionaries and graduate of Georgetown University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.Continue reading “T4G22: Why the Need for Speed in Missions? Sean DeMars and Caleb Morrell”

T4G22: Ryan Robertson on Reaching and Teaching

Louisville, Kentucky, home of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, is a theological mecca. In this conversation, Ryan Robertson, president of Reaching and Teaching International Ministries, shares his burden to take the riches of theological rigor in a place like Louisville and unleash is across the globe. Ryan Robertson has served as the President of ReachingContinue reading “T4G22: Ryan Robertson on Reaching and Teaching”

T4G22: Matt Bennett on the Qur’an and the Christian

How do Muslims think? What should Christians know about the Qur’an? And how is any of that helpful in missions? Our friend Matt Bennett, Assistant Professor of Missions and Theology at Cedarville University, returns to talk about his new book, The Qur’an and the Christian, in this exclusive interview recorded live at Together for theContinue reading “T4G22: Matt Bennett on the Qur’an and the Christian”

T4G22: Charles Smith and Paul Davis on Missions, Education, and the Church

Why do so few seminary graduates go to the mission field? Charles Smith, vice president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and ABWE board member, and Paul Davis, ABWE president, share solutions. You can watch the video version of this episode on the Missions Podcast Facebook page. Hear our previous interviews with Charles here. Subscribe now to neverContinue reading “T4G22: Charles Smith and Paul Davis on Missions, Education, and the Church”

T4G22: Zane Pratt on Methods and Defining ‘Church’

When it comes to the popular methods used on the mission field today, we often talk past one another. What do we mean by “church,” “convert,” or “disciple”? Zane Pratt, vice president of training for IMB, returns to the show. Hear our previous interviews with Zane here. You can watch the video version of thisContinue reading “T4G22: Zane Pratt on Methods and Defining ‘Church’”

T4G22: Why National Partnerships? David Prairie on Live Global

Missions is no longer from the West to the rest—it’s from everywhere, to everywhere. In this T4G exclusive, Live Global missionary David Prairie explains why their model is challenging traditional missions assumptions. You can watch the video version of this episode on the Missions Podcast Facebook page. Subscribe now to never miss an episode when it drops.Continue reading “T4G22: Why National Partnerships? David Prairie on Live Global”

T4G22: Why Upstream Sending? Nathan Sloan Shares

Sending missionaries is the local church’s job—so why start a new parachurch missions sending organization? Nathan Sloan, pastor and executive director of the Upstream Sending explains in this exclusive interview recorded at the final Together for the Gospel conference. Nathan has a Doctor of Missiology from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Previously, Nathan and hisContinue reading “T4G22: Why Upstream Sending? Nathan Sloan Shares”

T4G22: Women and Singles in Missions? Lisa LaGeorge’s Take

Why do so many women and singles pursue missions—and what does it mean for biblical manhood and womanhood? Dr. Lisa LaGeorge, director of CHF Academy at Children’s Hunger Fund in Sylmar, CA, returns to the show to talk about her experiences as a complementarian woman on mission. You can watch the video version of this episode on theContinue reading “T4G22: Women and Singles in Missions? Lisa LaGeorge’s Take”

T4G22: Prayer and Movements? Jonathan Arnold Explains

Prayer is the beating heart of missions. But how should we pray? Can we repeat pre-written prayers, or is that inauthentic? And what can history teach us about how prayer has sparked missions movements? Our friend Dr. Jonathan Arnold returns to the show to explain in this bonus interview. This conversation was recorded live atContinue reading “T4G22: Prayer and Movements? Jonathan Arnold Explains”

The Russian Church, Ukraine, and What American Christians Can Learn: Yevgeny Bakhmutsky at T4G22

American believers aren’t the only ones polarized over the last few years. For believers in Russia, the conflict in Ukraine is driving the same wedge through congregations that the social justice debate is in the West. How is the Russian church doing? How do Russian Christians view Ukraine? And what can American Christians and missionariesContinue reading “The Russian Church, Ukraine, and What American Christians Can Learn: Yevgeny Bakhmutsky at T4G22”

Live at T4G22

It’s the final Together for the Gospel conference, and Scott and Alex are recording on the convention floor and connecting with missions experts and Christian leaders from across the nation. Tune in to our first update! Subscribe now to never miss an episode when it drops. Support this podcast and impact God’s mission. Want to ask aContinue reading “Live at T4G22”

Peter Greer: Helping Without Hurting, Avoiding Mission Drift, and Supporting Enterprise

Sometimes in missions, helping can hurt. But have we taken that simple fact too far—as an excuse for inaction? Peter Greer, president of HOPE International, explains how missionaries can responsibly approach the problem of poverty and how churches and ministries can avoid mission drift. Peter Greer is the president and CEO of HOPE International, aContinue reading “Peter Greer: Helping Without Hurting, Avoiding Mission Drift, and Supporting Enterprise”

Admitting When Helping Hurts: Peter Greer

Coming this Sunday: Sometimes in the world of missions, our best efforts to help those in need can actually hurt. But has that become an excuse to do nothing? Peter Greer, president of HOPE International, explains. New episodes Sundays at 7 p.m. Subscribe now to never miss an episode when it drops. Support this podcast and impact God’sContinue reading “Admitting When Helping Hurts: Peter Greer”

Doing Ministry Out of the Overflow: Kyle Farran

Whether you’re in missions or ministry at home, we all struggle to labor in the strength God provides. How can we make sure we’re serving out of the overflow of our hearts? Kyle Farran, ABWE missionary and author of Overflowing: Ministry and Missions That Flow From the Heart. Serving as the Regional Director of WesternContinue reading “Doing Ministry Out of the Overflow: Kyle Farran”

Doing Missions Committees Right: Paul Davis Shares

For some, the word “committee” means slow, ineffective bureaucracy. How can we keep the passive, maintenance mindset out of our local church missions committees? And what does Scripture have to say about this mode of church organization? ABWE President Paul Davis answers. Mentioned in this episode: Missions by the Book (Chad Vegas and Alex Kocman) Launch Point 7 HabitsContinue reading “Doing Missions Committees Right: Paul Davis Shares”

Are Missions Committees Even Biblical?

In this week’s upcoming episode, ABWE President Paul Davis discusses the biblical rationale for—and critiques of—modern missions programs, teams, and committees in local churches. New episodes Sundays at 7 p.m. Subscribe now to never miss an episode when it drops. Support this podcast and impact God’s mission. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us.

Jesus, Ukraine, and the Soviet Union: Duane Early

Around the time that the Soviet Union fell, Ukraine experienced massive spiritual revival. Duane Early, who served there as a missionary, is convinced that’s part of the reason Ukraine is being targeted today. In this interview, he explains the current situation in Ukraine, miracles that happened during that revival, lessons learned, and missiological takeaways thatContinue reading “Jesus, Ukraine, and the Soviet Union: Duane Early”

Will the Soviet Union Return?

In our next episode, Duane Early, former missionary to Ukraine and current vice president of strategic partnerships with ABWE, explains how Ukrainians reacted when the Soviet Union fell—and how it informed their missiological tactics. New episodes Sundays at 7 p.m. Subscribe now to never miss an episode when it drops. Support this podcast and impact God’s mission. WantContinue reading “Will the Soviet Union Return?”

How One Missionary Started a Century-Long Movement: Jim Ruff on ABWE Founder Raphael Thomas

Watch the video version of this episode here. In 1927, the evangelical church was split in two—between gospel-proclaiming fundamentalists and followers of the social gospel. Caught in the struggle was Baptist missionary Dr. Raphael Thomas. When his life and ministry took some unexpected turns, he was faced with a choice—and his actions sparked a missionsContinue reading “How One Missionary Started a Century-Long Movement: Jim Ruff on ABWE Founder Raphael Thomas”

The Forgotten Principle of Money and Missions: Conley Owens on ‘The Dorean Principle’

Watch the video version of this episode here. Throughout the ministry world, content is exchanged for money. But is this biblical? Or should the rest of the Christian world take a cue from how missionaries have operated all along? In The Dorean Principle, Pastor Conley Owens analyzes the puzzling biblical teachings on fundraising and reachesContinue reading “The Forgotten Principle of Money and Missions: Conley Owens on ‘The Dorean Principle’”

Ukraine Refugee Update: Caleb Suko Exclusive

When we last spoke with our friend Caleb Suko, the Russia-Ukraine war hadn’t yet begun. Now, he’s taken refuge—along with two million others—in another country. In this episode, he provides live updates from Moldova and explains how God is at work among the body of Christ and the masses of refugees. You can support theContinue reading “Ukraine Refugee Update: Caleb Suko Exclusive”

What if Everyone Fundraised Like a Missionary?

We all know that missionary life usually means asking for financial support. That scares many people away. But what if that’s the way all sorts of ministries are supposed to work? Hear Conley Owens, author of The Dorean Principle, explain in the next episode. New episodes Sundays at 7 p.m. Subscribe now to never miss an episodeContinue reading “What if Everyone Fundraised Like a Missionary?”