The Missions Podcast

The birth of Christ is the exclamation point on all of Scripture’s claims regarding God’s plan for the nations. Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford reflect on the beauty of Advent and Christmas and why it matters for missions in this holiday exclusive. You can watch the video version of this episode (and others!) on the ABWE YouTube channel. 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.

In this week’s upcoming episode on Christmas Day, Scott and Alex reflect on the missional implications of the incarnation of Christ. Get more content at missionspodcast.com. Believe in our mission? Support this podcast. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

It’s easy to underestimate the sacrifice parents make when their children and grandchildren are sent to the nations. But to hold the rope well for cross-cultural missionaries also means caring for the parents and grandparents mourning the loss of relationship with their sent ones. In this special episode, Alex and Scott sit down with Dan and Amy of ABWE’s Member Care program focused on loving parents of missionaries well. You can watch the video version of this episode (and others!) on the ABWE YouTube channel. 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.

Coming up: Dan and Amy of ABWE’s Member Care team join to explain why parents of missionaries are often overlooked in churches and missions organizations—and what we can do to change that. Get more content at missionspodcast.com. Believe in our mission? Support this podcast. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Increasingly, we’re seeing people in ministry disqualify themselves or adopt harmful, abrasive, and even abusive styles of leadership. How can pastors, missionaries, and engaged lay leaders equip themselves to persevere in God’s work? Josh Zeichik, director of church engagement for Focus on the Family, explains why pastors and missionaries must be “focused.” Originally from Los Angeles, California, Josh came to Focus on the Family in 2017. Josh earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in biblical counseling from The Masters University, and spent time in youth ministry, banking, and as a church-planter. He is currently pursuing his doctorate with an emphasis in pastoral leadership.  You can get more content from Josh at The Focused Pastor. You can watch the video version of this episode (and others!) on the ABWE YouTube channel. 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.

What’s the key to lasting in ministry—in a world that’s increasingly chewing up and spitting out Christian leaders? Josh Zeichik of Focus on the Family explains why God’s self-sufficiency is good news for those in ministry. Get more content at missionspodcast.com. Believe in our mission? Support this podcast. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Sending missionaries is only half the battle. If churches don’t continue to care for missionaries, both the missionary and the church will fail in ministry. In this episode, Ryan Martin shares critical insights from his new book Holding the Rope: How the Local Church Can Care for Its Sent Ones. Ryan serves as director of missions and operations with Lightbearers Ministries. He graduated in 2022 with a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological seminary, where he also serves as a trustee. He has received an MDiv in Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (2008) and an undergraduate degree from Union University in Jackson, TN (2005). Prior to joining Lightbearers, he served for thirteen years as a missions pastor in the local church. Ryan lives in Fayetteville with his wife, Rebekah, and three children: Hudson, Annie, and Hattie. You can watch the video version of this episode (and others!) on the ABWE YouTube channel. 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.

Where do missionaries come from? The church. This week, Ryan Martin, author of the new book Holding the Rope: How the Local Church Can Care for Its Sent Ones, returns to explain how church leaders can call people to step out on mission. Get more content at missionspodcast.com. Believe in our mission? Support this podcast. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Personal productivity isn’t just important to professional success. It’s also important to the cause of global missions. This week, author Matt Perman lays out a theology of work, productivity, and cross-cultural ministry, drawing upon his book What's Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done. Matt is director of career development at The King’s College NYC and co-founder of What’s Best Next. Previously he worked for Desiring God and Made to Flourish. 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.

It’s almost the holiday season. Not a great time for productivity, right? But this week, gospel-centered productivity expert Matt Perman explains why we should be realistic about our limits—and let God’s grace spur us on to greater activity. Get more content at missionspodcast.com. Believe in our mission? Support this podcast. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.