From Every Nation

What happens when a Spanish class, a watchful RA, and a missions conference set your life on a course you never planned? We sit down with Heath and Jessica to unpack a story that moves from dorm-room discipleship to a two-year Journeyman assignment in Krakow, Poland—complete with the tensions, prayers, and providences that got them there. If you’ve wondered whether two focused years overseas could...

What happens when a Spanish class, a watchful RA, and a missions conference set your life on a course you never planned? We sit down with Heath and Jessica to unpack a story that moves from dorm-room discipleship to a two-year Journeyman assignment in Krakow, Poland—complete with the tensions, prayers, and providences that got them there. If you’ve wondered whether two focused years overseas could...

What happens when God redirects the comfortable path you've planned? For Justin and Wynonna Kunis, it meant trading Oklahoma youth ministry for leading mission work in Asia and North Africa—a transformation neither could have imagined when they met at Oklahoma Baptist University in the 1990s. "If you had told one or both of us that we were going to spend most of our adult lives overseas,...

What happens when God redirects the comfortable path you've planned? For Justin and Wynonna Kunis, it meant trading Oklahoma youth ministry for leading mission work in Asia and North Africa—a transformation neither could have imagined when they met at Oklahoma Baptist University in the 1990s. "If you had told one or both of us that we were going to spend most of our adult lives overseas,...

What happens when you venture to the edge of lostness, seeking people who've never heard the gospel? June's journey with Project 3000 reveals both challenges and unexpected joys on the frontline of missions. Called to missions at age 10, but it wasn’t until college that God used experiences, mentorship, and divine nudges, to eventually draw June to the International Mission Board's...

What happens when you venture to the edge of lostness, seeking people who've never heard the gospel? June's journey with Project 3000 reveals both challenges and unexpected joys on the frontline of missions. Called to missions at age 10, but it wasn’t until college that God used experiences, mentorship, and divine nudges, to eventually draw June to the International Mission Board's...

What happens when two college sweethearts leave behind a thriving American ministry to reach an unreached people group in Southeast Asia? Greg and Sarah’s journey to the remote mountains of Thailand began with a quiet, persistent conviction from Scripture. Through tearful prayers, hard questions, and a willingness to obey, they followed God’s call to the Palong. From creating solar-powered audio B...

What happens when two college sweethearts leave behind a thriving American ministry to reach an unreached people group in Southeast Asia? Greg and Sarah’s journey to the remote mountains of Thailand began with a quiet, persistent conviction from Scripture. Through tearful prayers, hard questions, and a willingness to obey, they followed God’s call to the Palong. From creating solar-powered audio B...

When Albert and Kirsten arrived in Krakow, Poland with nothing but faith and a calling, they began a 15-year journey that would transform lives—including their own. In a culture suspicious of grace and unfamiliar with a personal relationship with Jesus, they discovered creative ways to connect through sports, therapy, and teaching English. From church planting to refugee ministry, their story reve...

Have you ever wondered how God plants and cultivates a missionary calling? For Albert Heskew, it began at age 7 during Vacation Bible School, though he wouldn't surrender his life to Christ until age 13. For his wife Kirsten, the journey looked completely different—even as she grew up in a Christian home, cross-cultural missions wasn't on her radar until decades later. This revealing con...

In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Shank to discuss what high school students interested in the mission field should do now. Nathan shares this advice: If you sense that calling, start with the basics. Develop key spiritual disciplines that foster dependence on God, such as prayer, daily quiet time in His Word, confession, and more. He emphasizes the importance of trusting the Lord with the...

In this episode, we sit down with the Heywards to discuss their current roles in Southeast Asia. William serves as a logistics service consultant for the IMB, assisting fellow missionaries with legal matters and coordinating the shipment of materials into various countries. Cindy also plays a key role in logistics—managing guest houses and overseeing the processing of language evaluations for new...

In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with the Haywards, a dedicated missionary couple serving with the International Mission Board (IMB). Both Cindy and William grew up in Oklahoma and experienced a strong sense of calling to missions from an early age. In this conversation, they open up about their journey, sharing how they met, their path to engagement, and how their relationship b...

This episode is a recorded class lecture given while Nathan Shank was on campus with us in the Fall of 2024.  Join us for an exciting podcast episode as Nathan Shank explores the history and progress of global missions and the International Mission Board (IMB). Nathan, a former missionary in South Asia, has also served with the IMB as a supervisor overseeing teams in the region. In this episode, h...

This episode is a recorded class lecture given while Nathan Shank was on campus with us in the Fall of 2024.  Join us for a compelling conversation with Nathan Shank, the IMB Affinity Leader for South Asia, who shares his extraordinary journey and insights from over two decades of work in the region. Nathan walks us through his initial deployment to South Asia and his current leadership role, prov...

Join our enlightening conversation with Brother Tom as he reveals the profound journey of his spiritual leadership and the personal trials that shaped his tenure as president of the International Mission Board (IMB). Brother Tom opens up about his steadfast commitment to nurturing his pastoral nature despite the challenges of a presidential role, and how his wife's courageous battle with canc...

Experience the sweeping journey of Brother Tom Eliff, our esteemed guest and the namesake of the Tom Eliff Center for Missions at Oklahoma Baptist University. From his formative years in Texas and Arkansas, where he embraced his faith at a tender age, to his academic pursuits at Ouachita Baptist University and seminary studies, Tom's story is one of unwavering commitment to sound doctrine and...

What if every Christian, regardless of their spiritual gifts, embraced the mission of sharing the gospel as part of their everyday life? Join us on the From Every Nation podcast as we explore this profound question, examining how spiritual gifts uniquely equip believers for their roles in God's mission without excusing them from the broader call to evangelism and service. We discuss practical...

Have you ever wondered how simple acts of faith and generosity can ignite a spiritual awakening? Join us for an inspiring look into the lives of faithful followers of Christ. A remarkable couple who've transformed their village through unwavering dedication and creative teaching methods. Despite literacy challenges, believers have become a beacon of hope and leadership, sparking a wave of new...

What challenges await a newlywed couple who exchange the comfort of home for the unfamiliar landscapes of India? Glenn and Rhonda’s journey from newlyweds to missionaries is nothing short of extraordinary, and today we share their heartfelt story. Hear first-hand about their experiences moving to India through the 2 Plus 3 program, the culture shock they faced, and the deep connections they formed...

What happens when ordinary lives are met with extraordinary calls to serve? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Glenn and Rhonda Stewart, who share their transformative journey of 18 years as missionaries in Rajasthan, India. Discover how Rhonda, raised in a Christian family in North Carolina, was influenced by her older sisters and youth pastor in shaping her spiritual path. Meanwhile, Gle...

What is a missionary? Join us for a compelling exploration of the biblical foundation of missionary work with our Director, Elbert Smith. With his extensive experience at the International Mission Board and the Tom Elliff Center for Missions, Elbert unpacks the profound mission of God and how the role of a missionary falls into it. Together, we challenge the common misconception that every believe...

Join us as we recount part 2 of the Smith’s compelling journey filled with divine guidance and unexpected transitions. Starting with a pastorate in Indiana, and eventually returning to the field, each step reflects their unwavering commitment to living out God's call.   Discover how they navigated the complexities of balancing family life with field work during a time filled with frequent tra...

Curious about the power of enduring faith and commitment? Elbert and Kay Smith share their transformative journeys that took them from the heartland of Oklahoma to Central America, and around the world, serving in ministry and missions. Learn how a World Missions Conference and a youth camp experience set the stage for their lifelong dedication to God's work. Elliff Center: https://www.okbu.e...

Have you ever wondered how to inspire and equip the next generation of missionaries? Join us on the inaugural episode of the From Every Nation podcast, where esteemed guest Brother Tom Eliff unveils the mission and vision of the Tom Eliff Center for Missions at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU). Our goal is to ignite a passion for the Great Commission in all of our listeners and in the students he...