

The Missions Podcast
Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford
The Missions Podcast answers hard questions about theology, missions, and practice to help goers think and thinkers go. We are conservative, evangelical, and gospel-centered.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International, a missions agency with a force of about 1,000 workers serving across 70 countries with a focus on evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International, a missions agency with a force of about 1,000 workers serving across 70 countries with a focus on evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.
Episodes
Mentioned books

7 snips
Aug 3, 2025 • 31min
The Theology of AI With C.R. Wiley
C.R. Wiley, an insightful author and pastor, discusses the theological implications of artificial intelligence. He argues that AI represents not just a technological shift, but a competing vision of the future that challenges Christian eschatology. Wiley highlights the risks of AI as modern idols that can replace prayer and divine guidance. The conversation dives into the dangers of unintended outcomes and the urgency for ethical discernment. Ultimately, he calls for the church to prepare spiritually for a world increasingly dominated by machine intelligence.

Jul 27, 2025 • 30min
The Dangers of Muslim Insider Movements and Translations With Dr. Ant Greenham
What constitutes a Muslim idiom Bible translation, and why is it dangerous?
Alex and Scott sit down with Dr. Ant Greenham, a retired professor of Islamic Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, to address the theological and missiological dangers associated with Muslim Insider Movements (MIMs) and insider Bible translations. Dr. Greenham critiques the approach where biblical terminology is replaced with alternatives like to make the gospel palatable to Muslim audiences.
Dr. Greenham explains the two major frameworks guiding missions: the theological approach, which emphasizes doctrinal faithfulness, and the anthropological approach, which focuses on cultural accessibility.
Key Topics
Muslim Idiom Translations (MITs) and Muslim Insider Movements
Theological vs. Anthropological Approaches in Missions
Concerns with omitting critical doctrines due to cultural accommodation
Ethical Concerns: “Bait and Switch” Evangelism
Proper Contextualization and Relationship Building
Download the transcript for this episode.
Is God calling you to missions? ABWE can help you find the opportunities and support you need to bring the gospel to the nations, plant churches, and disciple believers. Start the conversation with us today at abwe.org/sendme.
Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!
Premium Subscribers get access to:
Exclusive bonus content
A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts
Invite-only webinars
A free gift!
Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Jul 20, 2025 • 30min
Cultural and Social Realities of Ministry in South Africa With Nate Bell
In this episode, Alex and Scott talk with Nate Bell, an ABWE missionary serving in Cape Town, South Africa. Nate shares his current focus on church planting and ministry among South Africa’s diverse people groups. He explains the historical complexities of South Africa’s racial and cultural dynamics, shaped by both Dutch and British colonization and apartheid. Nate details how these dynamics still influence communities today, including deep-seated divisions among white Afrikaners, white South Africans of British descent, and colored and black South Africans.
Nate highlights that although about 80% of South Africans identify as Christian, many have a works-based understanding of salvation, especially within the Dutch Reformed Church tradition, and lack a clear grasp of the gospel message. Nate shared honestly about the challenges and learning curve of ministering in such a context as an American, stressing humility, continual learning, and reliance on the unity found in Christ.
Key Topics
The historical impact of Dutch and British colonialism and apartheid on South Africa’s social dynamics.
The divisions among South African communities: Afrikaners, British descendants, colored, and black South Africans.
Challenges in articulating the true gospel in a culture with nominal Christian identity.
The difficulty of planting multicultural churches in segregated and historically divided communities.
The importance of humility, cultural sensitivity, and learning for missionaries.
To reach out to Nate about his ministry in South Africa, you can email nate.bell@abwego.org.
Download the transcript for this episode.
God has already called many people to the mission field, but they need your support to get there. Help someone in Prefield get to where God is calling them by prayerfully supporting their ministry at abwe.org/Prefield.
Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!
Premium Subscribers get access to:
Exclusive bonus content
A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts
Invite-only webinars
A free gift!
Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Jul 13, 2025 • 32min
What Is a Nation and Why Does It Matter?
We are called to make disciples of all nations, but what is the biblical definition of a nation?
Alex and Scott explore the complex question of what defines a "nation" and why it matters for missions. They discuss the popular idea that America is merely "an idea," challenging this reductionist view by highlighting that a nation is more than shared values; it also includes shared language, ethnicity, culture, religion, and self-conception as a unified whole.
Drawing heavily on the biblical texts, they emphasize that God's plan involves not only individuals but distinct nations and people groups worshiping Him. Understanding what constitutes a nation shapes how Christians think about the Great Commission and the ultimate goal of reaching all peoples with the gospel.
Key Topics
The definition and components of a nation (language, ethnicity, culture, religion, land, and self-conception)
Challenges to the idea that America is purely an "idea"
The biblical vision of nations in the Great Commission and in Revelation
The globalizing impulse in Christianity and its implications for mission strategy
The theological dangers of tribalism and radical globalism
Interview with Vishal Mangalwadi that was referenced in the episode.
Download the transcript of this episode.
Get more of the conversation by becoming a Missions Podcast Premium Subscriber! Alex and Scott continue in the bonus Overtime episode to explore if God's grace erases our cultural and ethnic distinctions. Get access at missionspodcast.com/premium.
Are you feeling called to the mission field, but don't know where to start? ABWE's 24-Hour DEMO is for those that are seeking opportunities and direction on how they can help fulfill the Great Commission. Find your role in global missions at demo.abwe.org.

Jul 6, 2025 • 29min
Motherhood on Mission: Purpose Amid the Mundane With Simona Gorton
How can the mundane of motherhood be extraordinary?
Alex and Scott talk with Simona Gorton, an author, wife, and mother deeply engaged in local church ministry and missions. Drawing on her experiences with 9Marks and her work translating resources into over 60 languages, she emphasizes the importance of the local church as a training ground and the value of serving where God has placed you, even in seemingly ordinary roles.
Simona also discusses her book Mothering Against Futility, which explores Ecclesiastes and the tension between the mundane and the eternal. She challenges mothers and young women to embrace the daily, unseen work as meaningful in the Kingdom of Heaven, connecting everyday tasks to God's eternal purposes.
Key Topics
The theological foundation of motherhood and everyday tasks
Lessons from Ecclesiastes on finding meaning amid daily repetition
Advice to young women considering missions: start with local service
Encouragement for churches to affirm and support women and mothers in their roles
Practical ways to disciple children to value godly character over recognition
Download the transcript for this episode.
Want to hear more of the conversation? Become a Missions Podcast Premium Subscriber to hear Alex, Scott, and Simona talk about the life of Elaine Townsend and how we can be encouraging young women and mothers in our churches. Sign up at missionspodcast.com/premium.
Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!
Premium Subscribers get access to:
Exclusive bonus content
A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts
Invite-only webinars
A free gift!
Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Jun 29, 2025 • 31min
Why Every Missionary Should be a Theologian
What are the implications if missionaries don't know their theology?
Alex and Scott tackle the essential question of whether every missionary should also be a theologian. Drawing from personal experiences and their work with ABWE, they emphasize that missionaries often find themselves as the primary or sole theological resource in pioneer settings. This reality necessitates a strong foundation in theology, even for those not serving in overt teaching roles.
The discussion also explores the challenges missionaries face in cross-cultural theological communication, including the lack of access to theological resources in native languages, differing worldviews, the prevalence of insider movements, and syncretism.
Key Topics
The importance of theology in missions work and why every missionary must be a theologian
Real-world implications of inadequate theological preparation in cross-cultural settings
The influence of Greco-Roman thought on Western Christianity and its impact on theological expression
Use of systematic theology and story-based biblical teaching to bridge cultural gaps
The need for deeper engagement with doctrine to counter heresy and build resilient churches
Download the transcript for this episode.
God has already called many people to the mission field, but they need your support to get there. Help someone in Prefield get to where God is calling them by prayerfully supporting their ministry at abwe.org/Prefield.
Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!
Premium Subscribers get access to:
Exclusive bonus content
A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts
Invite-only webinars
A free gift!
Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Jun 22, 2025 • 30min
Missions and Animation: Examining the iBible With Steve Cleary
Can Scripture be translated into animation and be faithful to the text?
In this episode of the Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott talk with Steve Cleary, founder of Revelation Media, about his groundbreaking work in creating the iBible—an animated, visual translation of the entire biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation. Steve Cleary launched a global multimedia project that seeks to reach oral and visual learners through a new medium of Scripture presentation, particularly in underserved regions.
The conversation also addresses deeper theological and strategic implications of visualizing Scripture, especially for oral cultures and generations increasingly disengaged from print literacy. By producing these high-quality, biblically faithful episodes and offering them freely, Revelation Media aims to serve global missions with impactful tools that reflect the whole gospel.
Key Topics
The vision and development of the iBIBLE project
The gap in oral and visual Bible access worldwide
Challenges and theological considerations in adapting biblical content visually
The theological safeguards and review process for script accuracy
The importance of narrative in missions and reaching oral/visual learners
Download the transcript for this episode.
Explore your calling to global missions at ABWE's 24-Hour DEMO event. These events, held throughout the year, help individuals and churches explore how they can help fulfill the Great Commission and explore God's calling on their life and church. Learn more at demo.abwe.org.
Want more of the conversation? Be a Missions Podcast Premium Subscriber and get access to our bonus Overtime episodes at missionspodcast.com/premium. Alex, Scott, and Steve go deeper into pitfalls of Christian media and his work on the animated Pilgrim's Progress movie.
Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!
Premium Subscribers get access to:
Exclusive bonus content
A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts
Invite-only webinars
A free gift!
Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Jun 15, 2025 • 28min
What New Data Says About Gospel Opportunity With Dr. Adam Rasmussen
What does the data say about Christianity in the American church today?
In this episode, Alex and Scott explore the emerging cultural and spiritual shifts among younger generations, particularly Gen Z, with guest Dr. Adam Rasmussen, Cultural Research Fellow and Dean of Arts & Humanities at Arizona Christian University. Drawing from recent data and studies by the Cultural Research Center and the American Bible Society, Rasmussen outlines a growing openness to spirituality and Christianity—especially among young men—despite the rise of secularism.
Together they also examine the mental health crisis and its correlation with worldview, revealing that a stronger biblical worldview significantly lowers struggles with anxiety, depression, and more. Rasmussen warns of the post-COVID decline in biblical worldview and church attendance but sees signs of revival—particularly in increased male engagement and hunger for authentic, biblical discipleship.
Key Topics
Generational shifts in spiritual interest, especially among Gen Z
Role of doubt and credibility in evangelism
Mental health crisis and its link to biblical worldview strength
Rise and dangers of syncretism in American Christianity
Practical encouragement for churches and missionaries to seize the current cultural moment
Download the Transcript for this episode.
Explore your calling to global missions at ABWE's 24-Hour DEMO event. These events, held throughout the year, help individuals and churches explore how they can help fulfill the Great Commission and explore God's calling on their life and church. Learn more at demo.abwe.org.
Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!
Premium Subscribers get access to:
Exclusive bonus content
A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts
Invite-only webinars
A free gift!
Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Jun 8, 2025 • 29min
Should Christians Read Fiction Books? With Dr. Marvin Newell
Why should Christians spend time reading fiction books?
In this episode of the Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott talk with Dr. Marvin Newell, an accomplished missiologist, author, and missionary as they explore Newell's recent foray into fiction writing with his novel Taking You Under My Skin, a historically grounded narrative set during the Vietnam War. The story not only reflects a gripping tale of survival and love but also serves to awaken readers to the needs of unreached people groups, using fiction as a powerful tool for mobilization and imagination.
Dr. Newell explores the often-overlooked role of imagination in Christian discipleship and missions as well as emphasizing the importance of Bible translation and storytelling in making the gospel accessible.
Key Topics:
The value of fiction in mobilizing Christians for missions.
Summary of Taking You Under My Skin, Newell's fiction novel set during the Vietnam War.
Use of redemptive analogies to communicate the gospel cross-culturally.
Fiction and Non-Fiction Book recommendations for missions-minded believers and missionaries.
Download the transcript for this episode.
Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!
Premium Subscribers get access to:
Exclusive bonus content
A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts
Invite-only webinars
A free gift!
Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Jun 1, 2025 • 1h 14min
Mega Episode: HeartCry, Humility, and the Great Commission with Paul Washer
In this special extended episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and ABWE president Paul Davis engage in a wide-ranging, deeply reflective conversation with Paul Washer of HeartCry Missionary Society. Washer recounts the founding and growth of HeartCry, emphasizing the importance of supporting both indigenous and cross-cultural missionaries. He stresses that indigenous missions must be grounded in strong local churches with biblical eldership and doctrinal integrity.
Paul Washer also tackles how local churches can develop missions strategies, emphasizing prayer, discernment, and doctrinal clarity over formulaic planning. Washer calls for renewed focus on developing biblically qualified leaders through discipleship and robust prayer life.
Key Topics
Origins and philosophy of HeartCry Missionary Society
The role of indigenous vs. cross-cultural missionaries
Biblical qualifications of missionaries
How churches can prayerfully discern mission priorities
Practical discipleship for young men sensing a call to ministry
The dangers of performance-driven or celebrity church culture
Download the show transcript
Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!
Premium Subscribers get access to:
Exclusive bonus content
A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts
Invite-only webinars
A free gift!
Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.