The Missions Podcast

Coming up this week: We sit down with ABWE missionary, pastor, and recent author Chris Sadowitz to discuss how God uses our weakness in ministry. 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 episode, we tackle two pivotal topics at the heart of global missions. We begin by responding to one friendly criticism and exploring the nuanced definition of “reached,” emphasizing the importance of not just making contact with the unreached but ensuring every nation, tribe, and people group has a fully mature body of believers. Following this, we delve into the pressing issue of maintaining doctrinal integrity in mission fields, particularly in regions like the Middle East where there is often a disconnect from church history. We discuss the risks of neglecting historic Christian creeds to prevent the spread of theological errors in cross-cultural missions. Also: be sure to enter our giveaway for one of three copies of An Introduction to the Science of Missions by J.H. Bavinck! Enter the drawing at missionspodcast.com/book. 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 dig into the mailbag and talk about a variety of timely missions topics, including the tension between pursuing the unreached and continually discipling the reached. New episode drops Sunday 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.

Dive into the transformative legacy of Ludwig Krapf, a figure whose pioneering translation work and partnerships in missions laid foundational stones for the gospel's spread in East Africa. Krapf's enduring impact questions how we view mission work today, inviting us to explore the deep roots of faith across continents. His story is not just a historical footnote—it’s a call to understand the significance of cultural and linguistic bridges in spreading the gospel. Aaron Dunlop's life journey intertwines with the spiritual legacy of figures like Krapf. Growing up in Northern Ireland and enriched by diverse academic and pastoral experiences from Bible College in his homeland to Applied Linguistics at Trinity Western University and theology at Geneva Reformed Seminary, Aaron's path led him from pastoral roles in Jamaica and British Columbia to teaching in Kenya. Now, as the founder of The Krapf Project and back in Northern Ireland, Aaron, alongside his wife Grace and their five children, continues to embody the mission's spirit, fostering a culture of reading and theological education in East Africa. Discover more about Aaron's work and The Krapf Project's vision at krapfproject.com and thinkgospel.com. Also: be sure to enter our giveaway for one of three copies of An Introduction to the Science of Missions by J.H. Bavinck! Enter the drawing at missionspodcast.com/book. 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.

Tune in to this week’s upcoming episode to learn more about the linguistic legacy of little-known missionary treasure Ludwig Krapf from our guest, Aaron Dunlop. Also: be sure to enter our giveaway for one of three copies of An Introduction to the Science of Missions by J.H. Bavinck! Enter the drawing at missionspodcast.com/book. 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 delve into the intriguing world of demonology with Scott D. MacDonald, author of Demonology for the Global Church: A Biblical Approach in a Multicultural Age. As a former missionary instructor and now an associate professor of theology, Scott brings a wealth of knowledge from his experiences in the field and academia. We explore the challenges missionaries face in different cultural contexts concerning demonology, addressing global perspectives, skepticism, and the balance between empiricism and anti-empiricism. Scott also sheds light on how various global church communities perceive and respond to the theology of demonology, emphasizing the ongoing relevance and presence of demonic forces in our world today. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of spiritual warfare and the unseen realm within a multicultural, global church context. Scott MacDonald serves as associate professor of theology with the Canadian Baptist Theological Seminary and College in Cochrane, Alberta. He enjoys exploring issues pertaining to biblical demonology, global theology, Byang Kato, pneumatology, spiritual warfare, and multicultural communities. Scott is married to Michal, and they have four children. 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: We talk to Scott D. MacDonald, author of Demonology for the Global Church: A Biblical Approach in a Multicultural Age, on spiritual warfare, the unseen realm, and why we should reject bifurcated thinking about the physical versus the supernatural. 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.

Much of the global church is in need of the West’s riches in terms of biblical and theological training. But how is increasing indigenization of global Christian movements changing the landscape of theological education worldwide? In this enlightening episode of The Missions Podcast, we sit down with Michael Ortiz, a renowned figure in global theological education. Mike delves into the pressing need for theological education to evolve amidst diverse global cultures, discussing the pivotal role institutions like DTS en Español play in shaping Christian leadership worldwide. He shares his vision for the future of global theological education, exploring its profound impact on mission work and how it can be a catalyst for change in a rapidly shifting world. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of faith, education, and global missions. Dr. Ortiz, a New York City native and son of Cuban immigrants, embraced Christianity following his legal career in Florida. He holds a ThM from DTS and a PhD from SETECA, specializing in theological education in Spanish-speaking regions, particularly Cuba. At Dallas Theological Seminary, he serves as Vice President for Global Ministries and Associate Professor of Missiology & Intercultural Ministries. He founded DTS en Español and currently leads the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education, making significant contributions to global theological education. A frequent speaker on these subjects, Dr. Ortiz is married to Kathy, with whom he has two adult children, and retains his Florida Bar license. 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.

Dr. Michael Ortiz joins Scott Dunford in this week’s upcoming episode to talk about the latest trends taking place in the world of international theological education. 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 insightful episode, Michael Niebauer, pastor and director of Heritage Mission, delves into the heart of Christian missions. He eloquently discusses the essential elements of virtuous practice, proclamation, and gathering in missions, redefining skilled missionary work as following Christ rather than just mastering techniques. Niebauer also critically evaluates three popular models of missions, offering profound insights into their effectiveness and alignment with biblical principles. Michael Niebauer is the author of Virtuous Persuasion: A Theology of Mission, a Christianity Today Book Award finalist and Outreach Magazine’s 2022 Missional Resource of the Year. Michael holds a PhD in Systematic Theology from Duquesne University, specializing in Christian Ethics and Missiology. He contributes regularly to Christian journals and hosts the Christian catechesis podcast  Believe in our mission? Support the show at missionspodcast.com/support. The Missions Podcast is a ministry resource of ABWE. Learn more at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.