The Missions Podcast

Coming up this Sunday: Paul Akin joins to do a deep dive on personal evangelism in an increasingly negative world. 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.

We’ve launched our premium membership! Visit missionspodcast.com/premium to join and gain access to exclusive bonus content. Join us in empowering the next wave of missionaries by supporting those still in the crucial phase of raising support. Visit abwe.org/prefield. In this compelling episode, we delve into the complexities and challenges of contextualizing the gospel in a rapidly globalizing world with Dr. Craig Ott, a leading voice in mission and intercultural studies. Dr. Ott shares his insights on the impact of globalization on Christian missions, the pivotal importance of contextualization without compromise, and the future trends that are shaping cross-cultural missions. Dr. Craig Ott is the Professor of Mission and Intercultural Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he also directs the PhD program in intercultural studies. With over twenty-one years of service in Germany with ReachGlobal, Dr. Ott brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the field of Christian missions. He is the author and editor of numerous publications, including the recent The Church on Mission: A Biblical Vision for Transformation among All People. His areas of expertise encompass theology of mission, church planting, and teaching across cultures, making him a respected figure in the mission community. Discover more about Dr. Ott’s work through his publications on Amazon, connect with him via email at cott@tiu.edu, or learn more about his academic contributions at Trinity International University. 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.

Coming up this Sunday: Dr. Craig Ott joins us to discuss the shifting tectonics of the global church and what it means for missions. 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.

We’ve launched our premium membership! Visit missionspodcast.com/premium to join and gain access to exclusive bonus content. In this insightful episode, we explore the complex and often challenging journey of language learning for missionaries. Our guest, Jim Ruff, delves into a series of probing questions that shed light on common pitfalls, strategic decisions, and the spiritual dimensions of acquiring new languages in the mission field. Key questions include: What is the most significant mistake missionaries make while attempting to master a new language? In the context of global homogenization and the reliance on lingua francas, is there still a necessity to learn local dialects? How does learning grammar and languages impact one’s ability to interpret Scripture, preach effectively, and enhance overall communication skills? Should non-missionaries consider embarking on the journey of learning a foreign language, and if so, why realistically? How can God use missionaries despite their fears of imperfection in language skills and the occasional missteps in communication? Join us as we navigate the intricacies of language acquisition in missionary work, offering practical advice, theological reflections, and motivational insights for both current and aspiring missionaries. Whether you're in the field, considering missions, or simply curious about the role of language in ministry, this episode promises to enrich your understanding and inspire your journey. Jim Ruff, D.Min., is a retired missionary to Japan (20 years) and a trainer and associate director of training for ABWE for over 14 years.  With his wife, he served for a term in church planting in the Chicago area. He is the author of one of the ABWE Bible courses and serves as a proctor for missionaries taking the Methods of Bible Study course. He has been an adjunct professor at Baptist Bible Seminary, Clarks Summit University, for 7 years.  He and his wife, Jan, have 3 married children and 12 grandchildren. Hear more from Jim on his website. 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.

Coming up this week: Jim Ruff joins to discuss the dos and don’ts of language learning. 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, we delve into the crucial intersection of missions, evangelism, and the pro-life movement with Jon Speed, pastor of missions and evangelism at By the Word Baptist Church in Azle, Texas. Jon brings a unique perspective on why the fight for the unborn is not just a political issue but a gospel imperative for believers across the nation. We explore the current state of the national pro-life movement, the vital ministry outside abortion clinics, and the seamless integration of evangelism with deeds of mercy. Later, Jon challenges the notion that media and entertainment are mere distractions, urging Christians to engage these domains as mission fields. This conversation is a clarion call for believers to embody the gospel in every area of life, including the public square and the realm of culture and media. Jon Speed is not only a pastor but also an entrepreneur, author, and filmmaker with a heart for the unborn. His 2019 stand against abortion catapulted him onto national platforms such as Fox News, highlighting his commitment to life ministry outside abortion mills. Jon's book, Evangelism in the New Testament (2009), and his involvement in the films Babies Are Murdered Here (2014) and Babies Are Still Murdered Here (2019), showcase his dedication to proclaiming truth and life. As a founding partner of Loor.tv, a Christian streaming service, Jon continues to influence the culture for Christ. 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.

Coming this week: pastor and pro-life minister Jon Speed joins us to discuss what it truly means to engage in life-saving work with a gospel-driven, missionary mindset. 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.

Who was John Nevius, and why does his legacy continue to influence missions today? In this captivating episode of The Missions Podcast, we delve into the life and groundbreaking work of John Nevius with the insights of Joshua Bowman, a seasoned missionary with extensive experience in Zambia and South Asia, and currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Missions and Theology at Cedarville University. Bowman sheds light on Nevius’ remarkable contributions and critiques of missionary strategies in China over a century ago. Together, we discuss Nevius’ three-self approach advocating for self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating churches and its vital relevance to contemporary missions. Join us for an engaging conversation that not only honors a pioneering figure in missions history but also explores the lasting impact of his methods on the spread of the gospel today. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Planting And Development Of Missionary Churches (John Nevius) The ‘Nevius Method’: Retrieving Theological and Missiological Criteria for Money in Missions (Joshua Bowman) 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 Sunday, Joshua Bowman of Cedarville University joins us to discuss an unsung missionary hero. 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.

Brooks Buser of Radius International has been galavanting around the world on pilgrimage, touring the sites connected with six famed, historic missionary heroes in the filming process for a new documentary series. What did he learn in the process about the mettle needed for the missionary task? Brooks joins Alex to discuss, along with Pat Daly of Greenville Seminary, what it means to keep the Great Commission flame alive in our lives, our churches, and our Christian institutions. Learn more about Missionary, the new docuseries and conference taking place in October 2024, at missionary.net. 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.