How the Church Can Rediscover Its Mission | Alex Kocman on Calling, Culture & Spiritual Integrity

Nov 14, 2025

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Join host Rob Stoddard for an insightful conversation with Alex Kocman, Director of Communications for ABWE, speaker, author, and church leader.
In this episode, Alex shares his journey into missions, the heart behind his book Striving for the Faith, and why he believes many churches lose sight of the “why” behind their outreach efforts.

You’ll hear deep insights on:
✓ What truly motivates mission work
✓ How every believer can live with outward purpose
✓ The growing challenges facing mission agencies
✓ How spiritual formation and accountability strengthen long-term ministry
✓ Wise pastoral encouragement for leading churches toward global engagement

Alex also discusses cultural pressures that make spiritual integrity harder today — and how Christian communities can respond with clarity, hope, and accountability.

📘 Alex’s Book: Striving for the Faith
🔗 ABWE: https://www.abwe.org
🎧 The Missions Podcast: https://missionspodcast.com

Get the Victory app to help with online accountability:
https://cvnteyes.co/4gb6xme

This conversation is an encouragement for pastors, church leaders, mission-minded Christians, and anyone wanting to live with greater purpose in their faith walk.

If you find this helpful, please like, comment, and share to support the mission of helping people live with integrity in a digital age.

#Missions #ChristianLeadership #ChurchLife #CovenantEyesPodcast #Discipleship #ChristianAccountability #ABWE #FaithInAction #SpiritualGrowth

Timestamped Chapters:
00:00 – Intro to the Covenant Eyes Podcast
00:32 – Welcoming guest Alex Kocman
00:57 – Alex’s personal journey into missions
01:47 – Serving in church ministry & ABWE
02:23 – Why communications matters in mission work
02:36 – Alex’s book Striving for the Faith
03:13 – Understanding your calling in ministry
03:36 – The church in Philippi as a model
04:29 – What it means to “strive together”
05:24 – Why churches forget the “why” behind missions
06:22 – The real motivation behind sending and going
07:02 – God’s glory as the center of mission
07:41 – Reaching newcomers and immigrants
08:07 – Mission opportunities created by global movement
09:15 – The Afghan Initiative story
10:55 – Why sending is still essential
11:36 – Challenges facing new mission candidates
12:17 – The spiritual battle facing future missionaries
13:56 – The call to spiritual purity and integrity
14:41 – Accountability and the role of the local church
17:05 – How mission agencies should evaluate readiness
18:39 – Encouragement for pastors
19:57 – Missions as an overflow of ministry
20:54 – How to find Alex’s resources
22:05 – Closing thoughts

Send us your feedback!