The Missions Podcast

Coming up this week: We talk to a pastor enduring persecution in India about what impels him and his flock to persevere. Look for the new episode in your feed Sunday night at 7 pm Eastern. 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. Alex and Scott delve into pressing global headlines and explore their implications for the church worldwide. In this episode, we assess the spiritual and societal challenges faced by believers in various regions and how these events shape mission. Stories covered: Haiti's spiral into gang violence leaves women and children most vulnerable Christian's views on gay marriage lead to tribunal Iran's secret Christians celebrate Easter with fear Eyewitnesses recount deadly attack on Gaza food aid convoy (discussed in the Overtime episode) Curious about finding your role in missions? Discover how 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.

Coming up this week: Scott and Alex dive into current global headlines and assess the state of the church across the nations. Tune in for insightful analysis Sunday night at 7 PM when the new episode drops. 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. How can the church hold to its foundational truths while effectively engaging in a rapidly shifting cultural landscape? This episode features Michael Clary, a seasoned ministry leader with insights into church planting and cultural engagement. As we delve into topics like the dangers of cultural Marxism within the church and the balance between truth and winsomeness, Clary offers practical wisdom for facing contemporary challenges without compromising the gospel's essence. Michael Clary’s ministry journey spans from CRU involvement at the University of Louisville to co-planting a Louisville church, founding Christ the King Church in Cincinnati, and launching King’s Domain in 2023 with Wade Thomas. His work is dedicated to equipping Christians for contemporary challenges, highlighted in his podcast, Currently Reality, and his book, God's Good Design. For more about Michael Clary, explore his insights and resources at dmichaelclary.com, follow him on X @dmichaelclary, and find his book on Amazon. Join us in empowering the next wave of missionaries by supporting those still in the crucial phase of raising support. 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: Pastor Michael Clary joins us to analyze the missional movement and talk about what it takes to live faithfully in a negative cultural context. Tune in Sunday night! 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 episode of The Missions Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Paul Akin, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, to discuss the critical and evolving landscape of evangelism in today’s rapidly changing culture. With a rich background in missions, having served in Africa and the Middle East, and his current leadership roles, Dr. Akin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the conversation. You can hear him regularly on Amazon to the Himalayas Podcast on Southern Equip. Also mentioned in the show: use promo code PODCAST to get $10 off your registration for the 24-Hour Demo at ABWE. Simply visit demo.abwe.org to learn more and sign up. 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: 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.