The Missions Podcast

In this week's episode, David Schrock and Steve Wellum, talk about Christian Nationalism and how religion shapes culture and laws of that country. 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.

How do you know that you are ready for the mission field? This week's episode features two return guests, Matt Bennett and Josh Bowman, of Cedarville University, who talk with Alex and Scott about essential wisdom for men looking to get into missions. Together they explore issues of where men find their identity, the typical struggles that men face when they first get on the field, and how men can prepare for the calling that God has on their life. Dr. Matt Bennett is the Associate Professor of Missions and Theology at Cedarville University and has written a number of books on the topic of missology. Dr. Joshua Bowman is the Assistant Professor of Missions and Theology at Cedarville University and has served as a church planter in Zambia with the International Mission Board. Together they co-wrote and edited their new book "Before You Go: Wisdom from Ten Men on Serving Internationally", which released on June 4, 2024. Is God calling you to missions? Do you know where to start? ABWE wants to help give you the tools and opportunities to explore your role in the Great Commission. Start a 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.

In this week's episode, Matt Bennett and Josh Bowman from Cedarville University talk about their new book "Before You Go: Wisdom from Ten Men on Serving Internationally" and the struggles that men face when they get to the mission field. 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.

How do we evangelize and disciple modern people in a first-world country like Australia? In this episode, Alex and Scott sit down with ABWE missionary, Russ Matthews, who not only ministers in Australia as a missionary but also uses various platforms of film criticism, creating safe spaces for open dialog, and biblical training. Together they explore how Australia's culture, history, and demographics effect the evangelistic methods and how we can use the things and products of this world to reach others with the gospel. Russ Matthews is an ABWE missionary who has been serving in Australia since 2006. Russ serves alongside the City Bible Forum / Third Space team to grow the opportunities of evangelism in the workplace and broader community. He writes interactive film reviews for Reel Dialogue and develops events/resources for evangelistic outreach. Russ is the author of the book: The Word Becomes Film: A Modern Day Parable That Introduces a Radically Easy Way of Talking About God's Story, and My Maker's Quest: A Cyrus River Adventure. He oversees the ministries of God in 60 Seconds, The Edge and various other projects. 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.

ABWE missionary Russ Matthews talks about why Australia is a crucial spot for missions.

What does effective orphan care look like in the 21st century? In this episode, Alex and Scott sit down with Dr. Nicole Wilke, Director of the Research Center for the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Together, they explore the immense need for orphan care in the world, some of the misconceptions about orphans and orphan care, and how the church can best support people and ministries seeking to care this group of people that is very close to God's heart. Dr. Wilke is a missionary in Peru and has extensive experience in adoption, foster care, residential care, trauma recovery, and cross-cultural ministry. She holds degrees in Psychology, Family Studies, and Marriage and Family Therapy. She is also author of Mission Wise: Scripture, Science, and Serving the World's Most Vulnerable. God is already calling people to the mission field, but they need your support to get there. Commit to supporting the work of PreField missionaries to help them get to the field faster. Visit 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.

This week's guest, Dr. Nicole Wilke from the Christian Alliance for Orphans talks about strategies and reasons for helping "the least of these" in our work.

Was the Second Great Awakening helpful to the Christian cause? In this episode, Alex and Scott sit down with ABWE President Paul Davis to discuss the lasting effects of Charles Finney in the Second Great Awakening on the church today. As a former pastor and church leader, Paul explores the manipulative tactics in evangelicalism brought on by the Second Great Awakening and why it ultimately damages the Christian witness. In the discussion, we analyze the crucial importance of a proper biblical doctrine of conversion that takes both the head and heart into account—pursuing revival that brings lasting changes and not mere flash-in-the-pan experiences. Read more from Paul Davis at paulldavis.com. 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.

Are we prioritizing numbers over genuine conversions in our evangelistic efforts? Join Alex, Scott, and Paul Davis as they uncover the manipulative tactics of the Second Great Awakening and discuss how true revival demands a deeper, Spirit-led approach. 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.

Why are there so many unreached peoples? How should churches missions organizations determine which fields are top priority? In this episode, Alex and Scott discuss the underpinnings of unreached people group methodology and the socio-political factors that influence global missions strategy. From antagonistic governments, to eschatological assumptions, to linguistic and cultural barriers, this episode explores how we must prioritize the lost and see every people group reached with the gospel. 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.