

Missionary Minds
Paul Schlehlein
From the rural village of Mbhokota in Limpopo, South Africa, hear from the mind of a real-world missionary of almost 20 years. Paul Schlehlein–or "boti Paul / mfundisi" (brother Paul / teacher) as he is addressed in the podcast–hails from Wisconsin, America but has left to cross the world, a culture, and a language group to go and minister to the Tsonga people of northern South Africa. With his knowledge of the scriptures, a passion for church history, and lessons from the field he seeks to speak on issues of the faith, the family, and the fog of worldview confusion that plagues our day.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 12, 2024 • 26min
MM 96: Unity and Individuality in Marriage (Part 1 of 2)
In this episode of Missionary Minds we discuss the one-flesh union between a man and his wife. How far does the union extend? Are husband and wife to be one-flesh in decision-making? In finances? In child-rearing? How can Christians go about thinking about oneness in their marriages.
Tune in for all this and more.

Jul 11, 2024 • 9min
TARIF 111: Good News for African Girls: Child Marriage & Christianity
In this episode of The Africa Review in Five, we tackle the disturbing issue of child marriage, a practice that robs young girls of their childhood and future. We explore the devastating consequences of this harmful tradition, prevalent in many parts of Africa and beyond. 🌍 Join us as we delve into this important topic and explore how Christians can actively work to end child marriage in our communities. 🙏

Jul 9, 2024 • 8min
TARIF 110: Clarity on the Christian Essentials
There is endless debate about Christian unity. In this episode of The Africa Review in Five, we cut through the confusion and propose a simple, yet powerful criterion for unity: the degree of clarity in Scripture.We explore how focusing on what the Bible actually says, rather than on interpretations or traditions, can help Christians unite on essentials, while allowing for liberty and charity in areas where Scripture is less clear. Join us as we explore this refreshing approach to Christian unity and its implications for the church today.

Jul 5, 2024 • 16min
MM 095 - What Causes Conflict With in-Laws?
In this episode we discuss what some of the key causes are of conflict with unbelievers. One may be tempted to think it's a host of different issues. However, when we analyse the teachings of Christ, many conflicts boil down to a very simple truth.
Listen to learn more.

Jul 4, 2024 • 9min
TARIF 109: Kenya’s Eco-Tax Revolt: A Christian Response
Kenya is in chaos! Violent protests have erupted nationwide, sparked by a hefty tax increase on essential goods, including an eco-levy aimed at waste management. But there's more to the story than meets the eye. This unrest is a direct result of IMF-imposed environmental policies tied to a substantial loan.In this episode of The Africa Review in Five, we explore the biblical perspective on these events. We'll discuss the dangers of debt, the Christian response to unjust policies, and our role as stewards of God's creation. Tune in to understand the deeper implications of Kenya's eco-tax revolt and discover a balanced approach to environmental responsibility. Don't miss it!

Jul 2, 2024 • 11min
TARIF 108: Ancestor Worship in the Church
Paul Schlehlein discusses the dangers of ancestor worship in Africa, drawing parallels to historical European traditions. He explores the influence of ancestral spirits and witches on daily life and emphasizes the importance of finding true peace through faith in Jesus Christ as the only mediator between God and man.

Jun 28, 2024 • 26min
MM 94: How to Deal With in-Laws in Marriage
People struggle with in-law relationships. They can cause havoc in a relationship or be a blessing to one. Sometimes the causes of strain are from external pressure, the parents pushing in. However, other times the causes of strain are from internal sources, one spouse not effectively leaving.
How should Christians think through that?

Jun 27, 2024 • 8min
TARIF 107: Does the Minimum Wage Protect Workers?
Because of Africa’s history of slavery and racial discrimination, African governments often believe it is their duty to protect labourers from exploitation. They believe one of the ways to do this is to enact and enforce minimum wage laws, forcing businesses and employers to pay labourers no less than a stipulated amount. On the surface, this seems fair. After all, shouldn’t governments stop greedy businesses from exploiting desperate people?
Shouldn’t Christians support a minimum wage?

Jun 25, 2024 • 8min
TARIF 106: Perilous Tax Protest in Kenya
This past week has been marked by shocks, frustration, and what the Kenyan citizens may term as palpable failure in nation-building. When the protests, dubbed "Occupy Parliament", began on Tuesday the 18th of June, Wycliffe Muia reports that it all looked peaceful. However Anti-tax protesters in Kenya are in shock after a 29-year-old man was killed during the nationwide demonstrations against a new finance bill. Rex Kanyike Masai, who was protesting on Thursday in the centre of Nairobi, died of gunshot wounds, as reported by a doctor from a hospital in the capital, as per a local newspaper. Police fired tear gas and water cannons at largely peaceful protesters near parliament as lawmakers were debating proposals to bring in new taxes.
How should Christians think through this breakdown of the social contract between the Kenyan government and its citizens?

Jun 20, 2024 • 7min
TARIF 105: The War at Your Doorstep
Whatever the state of political and military tensions on the African continent may be, Christians need to recognise that the world is engulfed in a war that involves all of humanity. It is not a physical war but a spiritual one that rages for control of our morals, of what we believe to be true, and ultimately of our worldview. However, many believers are ignorant of this ongoing war because they have embraced the myth of neutrality. Perhaps one of the enemy’s greatest tactics is to keep Christians ignorant of the war, or at least naive to the scale of the conflict.
Listen to learn more about the war that all of us are involved in.


