

The Missions Podcast
Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford
The Missions Podcast answers hard questions about theology, missions, and practice to help goers think and thinkers go. We are conservative, evangelical, and gospel-centered.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International, a missions agency with a force of about 1,000 workers serving across 70 countries with a focus on evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE International, a missions agency with a force of about 1,000 workers serving across 70 countries with a focus on evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 12, 2023 • 57sec
Yes, You Can Just Be Yourself
Have we so emphasized contextualization that we’ve started to adopt a different persona altogether in the name of evangelistic effectiveness? J. Chase Davis, author of Trinitarian Formation: A Theology of Discipleship in Light of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, answers in this week’s upcoming show.
Believe in our mission? Support this podcast.
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.

Apr 9, 2023 • 32min
The Resurrection and Mission With Dr. Tim Bertolet
What does the resurrection of Jesus Christ mean for global missions? In this thought-provoking podcast, Tim Bertolet (Ph.D., University of Pretoria), initiatives strategist with ABWE, dives deep into the importance of the resurrection and its relationship with redemption, evangelism, and our future hope. With insightful analysis of key verses from 1 Corinthians, Romans, and Acts, Bertolet unpacks the theological and practical implications of Jesus’ resurrection, exploring how it establishes his victorious kingship, motivates us to evangelize, and imbues believers with the power of God. Ultimately, Bertolet encourages listeners to incorporate the message of the resurrection into their own evangelism efforts and to find hope and inspiration in the truth of Jesus' resurrection.
Download Tim’s full lecture series unpacking the resurrection of Christ at abwe.org/resurrection. See more writing and interviews with Tim on ABWE’s blog here.
Tim Bertolet serves with ABWE as Initiatives Strategist. He previously served for sixteen years in pastoral ministry and has experience as an MK. He holds a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from the University of Pretoria, a M.A.R. in Biblical Studies from Westminster Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor’s in Bible from Lancaster Bible College. He and his wife, Erin, have seven children. Tim enjoys reading, writing, theology, and is an avid fan of science fiction.
This episode is sponsored by Radius International. You can learn more about Radius International and their gap year program at radiusinternational.org.
Enter to win our RMC23 giveaway: missionspodcast.com/rmc23.
Believe in our mission? Support this podcast.
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.

Apr 7, 2023 • 57sec
It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming
Coming up on Easter Sunday: New Testament scholar Tim Bertolet, Ph.D., unpacks the powerful implications of Christ’s resurrection on the global missionary mandate.
Believe in our mission? Support this podcast.
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.

Apr 2, 2023 • 52min
Recovering Our Ambition: Alex Kocman on Romans 15
This is a special episode of the podcast featuring a sermon preached by Alex Kocman at Laurelglen Bible Church in Bakersfield, CA on March 12, 2023. In this episode, Kocman provides insights from Romans 15, challenging us to have a greater passion for reaching the unreached with the gospel. Tune in to this inspiring sermon to learn more about our gospel obligation, the need for holy ambition, and taking action in fulfilling the Great Commission.
This episode is sponsored by Radius International. You can learn more about Radius International and their gap year program at radiusinternational.org.
Enter to win our RMC23 giveaway: missionspodcast.com/rmc23.
Believe in our mission? Support this podcast.
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.

Apr 1, 2023 • 2min
Calling and Desire
What role does desire play in the missionary call? We explore in this week’s upcoming episode.
Believe in our mission? Support this podcast.
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.

Mar 26, 2023 • 1h 4min
MEGA Episode: A Debate on Prioritism and Holism With Ray Norman and Alex Kocman
What is prioritism? What is holism? Is there a middle way? For decades these questions have reverberated throughout the missions community. They aren’t theoretical issues—they affect the daily work of missionaries.
In this special episode, we bring you a dialogue over the relationship between evangelism and social action with Alex Kocman of ABWE, author of Missions by the Book, and Dr. Ray Norman of World Vision, author of Dangerous Love: A True Story of Tragedy, Faith, and Forgiveness in the Muslim World.
This episode is sponsored by Radius International. You can learn more about Radius International and their gap year program at radiusinternational.org.
Believe in our mission? Support this podcast.
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.

Mar 24, 2023 • 42sec
What’s At Stake if We Don’t Preach Christ
Some in the missions world maintain that the Great Commission is simply about serving others—whether or not the gospel is presented. In this week’s upcoming episode, we explain what’s at stake in the long-running missiological debate between prioritism and holism.
Believe in our mission? Support this podcast.
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.

Mar 19, 2023 • 35min
Does the Church Have One Mission or Two? ‘Come and See’ Author Justin Schell
What is the church’s mission? Are proclamation and mercy ministry separate tasks, or intertwined? And are we forgetting our foundation—pursuing the glory of God? We explore this week with Justin Schell, US director of Union School of Theology and director of executive projects with Lausanne Movement.
Justin studied mission and biblical theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and business administration at EDHEC Business School. He is coauthor with Glen Scrivener of Come and See: A History and Theology of Mission as well as the forthcoming The Mission of God in the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series by Crossway. He is husband to Megan and daddy to Henry and Evie. They are members at Evergreen Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
This episode is sponsored by Radius International. You can learn more about Radius International and their gap year program at radiusinternational.org.
Believe in our mission? Support this podcast.
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.

Mar 15, 2023 • 57sec
Words and Deeds: One Mission or Two?
Is missions about proclaiming the word, deeds of mercy, or both? Justin Schell, US director for Union School of Theology and director of executive projects with Lausanne Movement, answers in our upcoming podcast discussion on his new book Come and See: A History and Theology of Mission.
Believe in our mission? Support this podcast.
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.

Mar 12, 2023 • 49min
Can We Learn From Movements? JR Stevenson on What the Reformed and Movements Can Learn From Each Other
Many church and missions leaders are concerned that disciple making movements, church planting movements, and other multiplication methodologies are guilty of pragmatism. Conversely, movement practitioners accuse critics of being too tied to tradition. Is there common ground?
In a recent article for Global Missiology, Middle East missionary J.R. Stevenson claims the two sides of the conversation may agree more than previously thought. We interact with these claims in this unique, engaging conversation.
This episode is sponsored by Radius International. You can learn more about Radius International and their gap year program at radiusinternational.org.
Believe in our mission? Support this podcast.
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.