evangelical 360°

What happens when a government locks church doors—and the church grows anyway? In this episode we sit down with, Rev. Dr. Girma Bekele, an Ethiopian scholar and missional leader who shares stories of prayer, perseverance and revival. From a call to preach at the age of 17, to helping plant eleven underground congregations, Pastor Girma has a testimony that blends lived experience with deep theological reflection. Over the course of the conversation we unpack the long arc of Ethiopian Christianity—Orthodox heritage shaped by the Solomonic narrative, the legacy of the eunuch in Acts, and the third-century pivot under King Ezana—alongside the modern evangelical surge that accelerated under Marxist rule. Pastor Girma also explains why pneumatology, fervent intercession and everyday evangelism fueled radical growth, and how diaspora churches now anchor vibrant communities across North America and Europe. The conversation also turns to discipleship, social ethics and the urgent need for contextual theology that holds Scripture and the Spirit together. With the center of Christianity shifting and mission becoming polycentric, Ethiopia stands as both a sender and a learner—ready to partner with global churches and seminaries to cultivate depth, integrity and hope. If you'd like to learn more from Girma Bekele you can purchase his book and follow him on Facebook. And please don't forget to share this episode and join the conversation on YouTube! ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

A young Egyptian physician trades hospital corridors for a global pulpit—and discovers that satellites, smartphones and small groups can carry hope when church doors stay closed. In this episode we sit down with Rev. Dr. Rafik Barsoum to unpack how a calling forged in med school, a 40‑day fast and Oxford‑honed apologetics became a digital lifeline for Arabic speakers around the world.Consider these statistics: 14 satellites beam biblical teaching to a potential audience of 100 million, social media platforms turn broadcasts into online conversation, resulting in nearly a million monthly points of engagement. The secret isn’t just content - - it’s the follow‑up. Dr. Rafik shares the story of a man in a prison cell who found a digital church on a smuggled phone, asked hard questions, watched the Jesus film, and prayed for salvation—proof that thoughtful evangelism plus persistent care can reach the unreachable.In the conversation we also explore why a “virtual” church is anything but pretend. Weekly services, live interaction and encrypted small groups provide discipleship for those who can’t safely gather. Rev. Barsoum talks about funding “door openers,” the providential push to social media just before 2020 and how decades of upheaval in the MENA region has resulted in a surge of seekers. Through it all, he returns to three anchors: God’s faithfulness, breaking fear and keeping Jesus at the center of every decision.If you'd like to learn more about Rafik Barsoum's online ministry (Message to All Nations), you can go to the website and follow them on Facebook. And please don't forget to share this episode and join the conversation on YouTube! ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

A campus movement loses a leading voice and a generation is left asking what courage, clarity and charity look like now. In this episode Brian continues the conversation with political scientist Dr. Tim Milosch Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, many were left wondering what might happen to a movement of young adults to whom free speech, civic duty and an unapologetic faith, are not just talking points, but a way to live amid extreme political polarization. Dr. Milosch makes the case for evaluating public figures with honesty and grace: refuse to excuse harmful words, but refuse the lazy comfort of cherry-picked outrage. From there, we explore dual citizenship—holding the kingdom of heaven above the kingdom of man—so that convictions stay anchored in Scripture rather than drifting into ideology or tribal identity.  If fear has been your operating system in recent years, this conversation offers a reset: engage with charity, think with depth, and keep your political identity under the lordship of Jesus Christ. If you'd like to learn more from Dr. Tim Milosch you can go to his website, listen to his podcast or follow him on social media. And please don't forget to share this episode and join the conversation on YouTube! ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

What if your faith shaped your politics without becoming your politics? In this episode we sit down with political scientist Dr. Tim Milosch to chart a wiser path through polarization, party identity, and the tug-of-war over what Christian engagement should look like in a democracy. Dr. Milosch maps the real reasons many believers cast their ballots—from personal affinity to single-issue tactics to full platform alignment—and shows how this clarity defuses stereotypes and opens space for honest debate. Over the course of the conversation we examine the label “Christian nationalism,” separating a narrow philosophical minority from the way some activists stretch the term to sideline mainstream pro-life advocacy and religious liberty. Tim also points to C.S. Lewis, who helps us draw the line between healthy patriotism and idolatry: a love of place can train us to love our neighbours, but this love can curdle when we sanctify the state or deny its faults. We apply such wisdom to hot-button issues like immigration, showing why proof-texts aren’t enough and why Christians need shrewdness as well as innocence. If fear has been your operating system in recent years, this conversation offers a reset: engage with charity, think with depth, and keep your political identity under the lordship of Jesus Christ.If you'd like to learn more from Dr. Tim Milosch you can go to his website, listen to his podcast or follow him on social media. And please don't forget to share this episode and join the conversation on YouTube! ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

A single rebound with 34 seconds left can lift an entire country—but what happens when the cheering stops? In this episode we sit down with hockey legend, Paul Henderson, to relive the raw, unvarnished story behind Canada’s most celebrated hockey moment and the unexpected turn that shaped the rest of his life. From the formation of the Clarke–Ellis–Henderson line, to the humbling wake-up call of Game 1, Paul takes us inside the Summit Series—team dynamics, fatigue, tactical adjustments, and the pressure of a nation riding on every shift. The infamous goal in Moscow wasn’t pretty; it was persistence. And that’s exactly where the deeper story begins. Fame brought bright lights and a restless edge. In this conversation, Paul opens up about returning to Toronto, the Leafs’ dysfunction under Ballard, and why he chose the WHA despite an unshaken desire to win the Stanley Cup. Then a quiet interruption: a mentor who asked better questions than a camera ever could. That relationship nudged Paul towards the Gospel, and a long, private exploration of who Jesus is, and a simple prayer that led to a steady change in habits, focus and hope. Eleanor’s journey (Paul's wife)—and their family’s—adds a grounding layer to the arc, showing faith not as a spotlight but as a daily practice that holds under pressure. Paul also shares practical rhythms: starting the day with the Lord’s Prayer, guarding unhurried time, and asking honest questions that meet people where they hurt. If you’re a hockey fan, a leader under strain, or a seeker sorting through noise, you’ll find a rare mix of grit, candor and clarity here.If you'd like to hear more from Paul Henderson you can go to his website, and you can learn about his leadership ministry through LeaderImpact.caAnd please don't forget to share this episode and join the conversation on YouTube! ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

What if the richest thing you leave your family isn’t money at all? In this episode we sit down with investment advisor, Tim Jenkins, who helps us reframe wealth through  the lens of stewardship, generosity and multi‑generational wisdom. Instead of asking how to get a little more, we ask how much is enough? What values do we want to pass on? And why might giving now be the most strategic move for the next generation. In this conversation Tim Jenkins breaks down the cultural lies that fuel money stress—ownership thinking, the myth that more simplifies life, and the narrow focus on dollars alone. He introduces five currencies of wealth—financial, spiritual, relational, emotional, and intellectual—and shows how legacies crumble when only one currency is transferred. We unpack the sobering 90/10 rule showing why most fortunes don’t reach the fourth generation. Then we map a path to reverse it by teaching principles, involving heirs in giving decisions, and documenting the family playbook. Whether you lead a family enterprise or steward a modest estate, the same truths apply: money reveals the heart, and planning with purpose can turn anxiety into peace. If you'd like to learn more with Tim Jenkins you can reach out to Trinity Family Wealth Advisors and find him through social media. And please don't forget to share this episode and join the conversation on YouTube! ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

A farm boy from British Columbia hears a call, steps onto a Vietnamese tarmac, and discovers a faith that refuses to be managed by war, ideology or fear. In this episode we dive into conversation with seasoned missionary and advocate, Reg Reimer, whose life bridges Bible school hallways, evacuation flights from Saigon, and quiet rooms where persecuted pastors whisper strategies for survival.  Reg unpacks why mission still matters—less as a Western export and more as a global partnership forged in prayer and shared risk. He reflects on paternalism’s legacy, the early push for indigenous leadership, and what changed when Vietnamese believers asked God to alleviate their fear. The result was remarkable: after a near-silent decade under communist rule, the church grew fourteenfold, and through miraculous signs and wonders, entire coastal communities turned to Jesus. Reimer also shares the necessity for the “two wings” of mission—proclaim salvation and resist human suffering—and looks ahead to a future where the global South leads, the West serves alongside, and all peoples send and go. If you’ve wondered how to discern a call, navigate politics without losing your soul, or serve across cultures with integrity, this conversation offers hard-won counsel and hope.If you'd like to learn more from Reg Reimer you can purchase his book and find him through social media. And please don't forget to share this episode and join the conversation on YouTube! ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

A crowded sanctuary in downtown Caracas. A song of praise rising over a weary city. And a pastor who refuses to leave. In this episode Brian sits down with Rev. Samuel Olson, Senior Pastor of Las Acacias Evangelical Pentecostal Church, to trace how this Venezuelan church keeps growing while the surrounding economy buckles and millions migrate. The stories that are shared are raw, yet practical: pallets of medicine carried into barrios, dentists and doctors setting up pop-up clinics, lawyers helping neighbors find a way forward. Apparently, scarcity doesn’t shrink mission - it sharpens it.  Pastor Samuel goes on to explain why the church won’t trade its witness for political favour, even as members serve across parties, schools, courts, and the military. We explore how interfaith friendships with Jewish, Catholic, and Muslim leaders reduce suspicion and help protect ministry in tense seasons. You’ll hear a gripping account of a near-confiscation of the church property that was turned back through fasting, quiet conversations, and clear evidence of social impact. Through it all, worship fuels perseverance and baptisms multiple, as people find hope money can’t buy.  For younger leaders, Pastor Sam offers a steady word: calling is not a contract. Stay long enough to love a place, to train successors, and to watch God multiply small beginnings into schools, seminaries, and transformed neighborhoods. If you care about faith under pressure, ethical engagement with politics, and how churches can serve cities without compromise, this conversation will stir your imagination and your courage. If you'd like to learn more about Las Acacias Evangelical Pentecostal Church and Pastor Samuel Olson, you can go to the website and follow them on Facebook. And please don't forget to share this episode and join the conversation on YouTube! ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

What if the most generous thing you could do wasn’t another grant, but a business that outlives the donation? In this episode we sit down with Dr. Kim Tan—biochemist, venture investor, and pioneer of social impact funds—to rethink how giving can build jobs, dignity and systems that last. From a high-risk bet on a safari reserve in South Africa’s poorest province, to a network of 10,000 low-cost schools educating three million children, Dr. Tan shows how enterprise-based solutions can scale where traditional aid often stalls. We unpack the core thesis: nations don’t transform through charity alone; they transform when capital builds real companies. Dr. Kim explains why the “missing middle” of small and medium enterprises is critical in emerging markets, how patient capital and hands-on mentorship reduce risk, and why the first screen is financial viability—even for mission-driven work. Faith is woven throughout the conversation. Dr. Kim shares a kingdom-centered vision that is incarnational, sacrificial, and focused on transformation. Whether you’re a philanthropist, investor, or believer who wants your generosity to matter for the long haul, this conversation offers a clear, tested roadmap for turning compassion into sustainable prosperity.If you'd like to learn more about the Transformational Business Network you can go to their website and social media for Asia and Africa. And please don't forget to share this episode and join the conversation on YouTube! ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

Dr. Matthew D. Taylor, a renowned religious scholar and author, dives into the rise of Christian nationalism and its impact on American democracy. He uncovers the influence of fringe charismatic leaders in politics and how their rhetoric has spun elections into ideological battlegrounds. Taylor differentiates between soft nationalism and Christian supremacy, exploring how spiritual warfare language has reshaped public discourse. He advocates for a noncoercive Christian presence in public life, emphasizing persuasion over dominance and the importance of dialogue.