The Missions Podcast

Whenever the news media directs our attention towards current events, we must also ask: what are they not talking about? This week, an expert on the Middle East and Christian persecution reveals the onslaught against the Armenian Christian community perpetuated over the last several months. 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.

Should every Christian be an evangelist? What about every missionary? In this episode, we sit down with David Griffin, an independent filmmaker, digital marketer, and former church planter, to delve into the complexities and challenges facing modern missions. Griffin, the creative mind behind the documentary “The Crisis of Missions,” unpacks the most pressing issues missionaries face today and questions whether the term “missionary” has lost its biblical weight. The conversation also explores the role of local churches in supporting and holding missionaries accountable, the universal applicability of biblical methods in diverse cultural settings, and practical steps for strengthening the bond between congregations and missionaries. Whether you're a pastor, missionary, or layperson passionate about the Great Commission, this conversation offers invaluable insights and a dose of inspiration for fulfilling the call to make disciples of all nations.

Can cold-contact evangelism work? This upcoming week, we’re joined by independent filmmaker David Griffin to discussed what he’s practiced and see firsthand. 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.

In this week's episode, we dive deep into the headlines that are shaping our world and explore how they intersect with the Great Commission. From the UN's warning of a “great fracture” to geopolitical tensions between Canada and India, we ask: What does this mean for the spread of the gospel? We also shed light on the plight of the deaf community, who are among the largest unreached people groups, and discuss the role of the church in natural disasters, as seen in Morocco. Lastly, we touch on the ongoing persecution of Armenian Christians. Tune in for a biblically grounded take on current events. Mentioned during the show: UN Meeting: A Great Fracture Ahead? UN Secretary-General António Guterres warns of rising geopolitical tensions and challenges to global governance. Read more. Canada and India: Diplomatic Strains Canada expels an Indian diplomat over allegations linking the Indian government to the assassination of a Sikh leader. Read more. International Week of the Deaf Only 2% of the world's 70 million Deaf people have access to the Gospel in their sign language. Read more. Morocco Earthquake: A Test of Faith and Service The Christian community in Morocco grapples with questions of theodicy and service in the wake of a devastating earthquake. Read more. Armenian Christians: Persecution in Nagorno-Karabakh Tens of thousands of Armenian Christians face existential threats amid a military blockade. Read more. Did you know that there’s a new addition to the ABWE podcast lineup? Search for Cloud of Witnesses in your favorite app, or visit cloudofwitnessespodcast.com. Believe in our mission? Support the show at missionspodcast.com/support. You can also watch The Missions Podcast on ABWE’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/abweinternational. 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.

What do chaotic world events teach us about God’s purposes? This week, Alex and Scott dive into the headlines—and Scripture. 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.

Is your pulpit a launch pad for mission, or a podium for pew-warmers? In this riveting discussion, Scott and Alex delve into the critical role of pastoral preaching in mobilizing the church for missions. They discuss common pitfalls to avoid and share their favorite Scripture passages for missions-focused messages. They also explore how to seamlessly integrate missions into your regular sermon structure, and the nuanced difference between occasion-specific preaching and week-by-week pastoral exposition. Don’t miss this essential guide for pastors who want to preach people out of the pews and into the mission field. Recommended Resources: The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper Missions by the Book by Chad Vegas and Alex Kocman Did you know that there’s a new addition to the ABWE podcast lineup? Search for Cloud of Witnesses in your favorite app, or visit cloudofwitnessespodcast.com. Believe in our mission? Support the show at missionspodcast.com/support. You can also watch The Missions Podcast on ABWE’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/abweinternational. 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.

Is there a way to preach missions without manipulation? Scott and Alex explore in this week’s upcoming episode. 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.

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with E.D. Burns, author of Karmic Christianity: Finding Peace by Faith Alone, to dissect the pitfalls of blending karma with Christian faith. Burns warns missionaries against the trap of treadmill living, where the focus shifts from God’s grace to human effort, leading to ministry burnout and a distorted gospel message. We delve into the ungodly coping mechanisms Christians often resort to when facing fear and how a proper understanding of the gospel can liberate us from such snares. From America’s pop-culture obsession with karma to the fear-power paradigm in different cultures, this episode is a wake-up call to recenter our faith on the finished work of Christ. Don’t miss this compelling conversation that challenges us to examine our own beliefs and realign our ministries with the true gospel. Did you know that there’s a new addition to the ABWE podcast lineup? Search for Cloud of Witnesses in your favorite app, or visit cloudofwitnessespodcast.com. Believe in our mission? Support the show at missionspodcast.com/support. You can also watch The Missions Podcast on ABWE’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/abweinternational. 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.

Is church planting just a numbers game, or is there a deeper, biblical vision for launching new congregations? In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Knight, author of Planting by Pastoring: A Vision for Starting a Healthy Church, to challenge the entrepreneurial mindset that often infiltrates church planting. Knight unpacks the biblical foundation for seeing planters as pastors and churches as flocks to be shepherded. Tune in for a refreshing perspective that shifts the focus from metrics to ministry. Nathan Knight (M.Div., Southeastern Theological Seminary) is a pastor of Restoration Church and serves on the lead team for the Treasuring Christ Together church planting network. He and his wife, Andi, live in Washington, DC, with their two sons.  Did you know that there’s a new addition to the ABWE podcast lineup? Search for Cloud of Witnesses in your favorite app, or visit cloudofwitnessespodcast.com. Believe in our mission? Support the show at missionspodcast.com/support. You can also watch The Missions Podcast on ABWE’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/abweinternational. 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.

What is a church? Nathan Knight shares why defining the body of Christ is the sine qua non of our mission. 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.