Parenting as a Missionary: Rachel Explains | Radius 2023

Cross-cultural missions and parenting are two of life’s most challenging—and rewarding—undertakings. Rachel, as Radius staff member, shares her wisdom as a parent after seven years of cross-cultural living. Also: Cloud of Witnesses is an upcoming podcast coming to the ABWE network. Learn more at cloudofwitnessespodcast.com. Believe in our mission? Support the show at missionspodcast.com/support. You can alsoContinue reading “Parenting as a Missionary: Rachel Explains | Radius 2023”

Missionary Mama’s Survival Guide: Advice from Tori Haverkamp for Parents and Grandparents

Are you a parent or grandparent grappling with the idea of your child or grandchild pursuing a missionary calling? Do you find yourself filled with questions and concerns about how to support them effectively? In this episode of The Missions Podcast, our host Scott Dunford engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Tori Haverkamp, founder ofContinue reading “Missionary Mama’s Survival Guide: Advice from Tori Haverkamp for Parents and Grandparents”

What About My Kids? Cheryl Winget on MK Education and Parenting on the Field

How can missionary parents raise children who are godly Christ-followers on the mission field? How should missionaries make education choices for their children—whether to choose home schooling, international school, or public school? And what happens when MKs have special needs? Dr. Cheryl Winget joins to answer these complex and important questions. Cheryl Winget (D.Ed. in specialContinue reading “What About My Kids? Cheryl Winget on MK Education and Parenting on the Field”

How to Care for Parents of Missionaries

It’s easy to underestimate the sacrifice parents make when their children and grandchildren are sent to the nations. But to hold the rope well for cross-cultural missionaries also means caring for the parents and grandparents mourning the loss of relationship with their sent ones. In this special episode, Alex and Scott sit down with DanContinue reading “How to Care for Parents of Missionaries”

When Couples Disagree About Their Calling: Scott and Tara Dunford Share

How should a wife respond when she senses a calling to missions but her husband doesn’t? What about when the husband believes he is called but his wife doesn’t? And what role does the husband’s authority play? We dive into a listener’s questions this week with Scott and his wife, Tara. Watch the video versionContinue reading “When Couples Disagree About Their Calling: Scott and Tara Dunford Share”

Away From Home for the Holidays: A Missionary Perspective From Stephanie Boon

How do missionaries feel when separated from holiday traditions back home? Should global workers feel guilty for the abundance they enjoy at Christmastime? And what can churches do to support missionaries who feel stuck in the middle between home and the field? Stephanie Boon, ABWE missionary to Tanzania, shares. Read Stephanie’s advent devotional article here.Continue reading “Away From Home for the Holidays: A Missionary Perspective From Stephanie Boon”

Parents, Goodbyes, and the Cost of Missions for Families

How can parents say goodbye to their children who pursue missions? How can grandparents part with their grandchildren in the name of ministry? And what happens when parents are aren’t believers or don’t support their kids’ involvement in cross-cultural ministry? This week, we have a sit-down, heart-to-heart chat with the Dunford family about what itContinue reading “Parents, Goodbyes, and the Cost of Missions for Families”

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 LassiterContinue reading “Children: An Overlooked Mission Field? Taylor Lassiter on Children’s Ministry Overseas”

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 canContinue reading “C.R. Wiley on Missions, the Household, and the Cosmos”

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 culturalContinue reading “Michael Foster on the Crisis of Masculinity and Missions”

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 feedbackContinue reading “Your Questions (Finally) Answered: Mailbag Episode”

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.

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.