PMPod

"I was consumed in the work of relief and development. I look back and think I was pretty close to having two wives; my wife and my work. A lot of my identity was tied up in what I could do and what I could accomplish. I became so deeply enmeshed in my work that the Lord knew I needed to pull away. And then I was kicked out of the country. And it was almost like I heard a voice from God, “You...

“The year and a half after coming back from the field were so difficult that at some point I thought, I don’t know if I would have gone out if I would have known how much it could cost to come back” Read more at our website pmpod.org Timeline 00:00 Intro 00:50 What is a Cloud Worker 03:00 Calling and the Arab Spring  09:00 What has missions looked like for you?  16:00 The future of missions: Cloud...

Today on the Pod, we talk about calling and the need to reinvent yourself over and over on the field. We talk about the future of missions, Marketplace, and Cloud Worker, the vital need for purity and integrity, the negative draw of social media and entertainment, as well as discipleship, member care, and sending out well-equipped workers. "Satan knows how to crush your identity. He will eat...

Today on the Pod, I have a fascinating conversation with a couple to came to the Middle East just six months after they got married. They have incredible insight into the culture, value systems, relationships, and how to get used to being married while on the field. Read more at pmpod.org Timeline 00:00 Intro  00:01 Doing a Thesis in the Arab World  07:25 Doing social work in the Middle East  10:2...

Today on the Pod, I talk to a guy who has over 30 years of experience ministering in one city. In the late 80s, he planted a church that is still thriving today. Not an easy task in any country, let alone in one of the most unreached countries in the world. My guest shared his thoughts on giving to locals, how to overcome cynicism, and how to deal with conflict with local MBBs. I found our convers...

Take women seriously as spiritual beings. Today on the Pod, I talk to one of the most insightful people I know about all things relating to missions and women. We talk about everything from how to give better training to our women on the field to the challenges that arise from women being more restricted in Arab countries...continue reading here   Timeline  00:00 Intro  01:00 What motivates longev...

In this Pod, I talk to a couple who address the challenges of moving countries and people groups during a season of high success. We also talk about the toll and stress missions has on the body, what kind of boundaries you need to get rid of and which ones you need to keep. And finally, we have a very interesting conversation about mixed motives on the field and how pride and pure desires are ming...

Our task is for all believers to integrate into something new and better. Today on the podcast, I talk to a guy who has been in the Arab World since 1987. God called my guest out of drugs and jail, to give his life to the expansion of the Gospel in the Middle East. He has a very humble, and mature view of how both Muslim background believers and Christian background believers should... Read more o...

Just a little bit of encouragement for you today pmpod.org

Today on the Pod, I walk to a woman I’ve been learning from for the past 15 years. So much of my ministry has been shaped by what she has taught me. I’m very excited for you to learn from her as well. We talk about Islam and why Muslims love both the religion and Mohammed so much. We also talk about my guest’s experience sitting in on home Quran study groups with Muslim ladies and what we can lear...

Today on the pod, I talk to a guy who is using his professional background to help train some of the poorest and most marginalized people in Africa. Every county, region, and people group comes with its own unique needs, and my guest today explains what some of the Gospel needs are for the church in Africa. He brings a Christ-centered, Gospel-saturated passion to missions in Africa, which is satur...

Today on the Pod, I have a fascinating conversation with a guy who had a massive burnout while on the field. We talk about his time on the field, which was actually a very good time, and how, without warning, he burned out. We also talk about his long road to recovery and how he got through his burnout and depression. Read more at Pmpod.org   Timeline 00:00 Intro  01:00 What did Islam look like in...

Today in the Pod, my guest and I cover a ton of ground. We talk about ministry after 70, leading silent retreats, Afghanistan, humility, challenges in ministry, the many positive things going on in missions to Muslims, and so much more. I have a feeling you are really going to love today's podcast. Read more at Pmpod.org Timeline 00:00 Intro  00:45 What is your emphasis in ministry?  2:40 Spi...

In this Pod, I talk to a master storyteller. He has literally written a small book on the subject, which you can download on our website. Together we tell thirteen different stories which each help build a bridge into deeper conversations as we share with our friends. I hope you find this format helpful as we all do our best to share the Good News with our friends. Go to the website and download t...

Today on the Pod, I interviewed myself about distinguishing between Law and Gospel in missions. We talk about how DBS and ZUME struggle to give the believer hope and comfort and how we can recover a better understanding of how to use the Gospel in discipleship and Church planting. Read more at Pmpod.org   Timeline 00:00 Intro   O1:23 Introduction to Law & Gospel 02:30 Common misconceptions aro...

We need people reaching all segments of society. In this Pod, I talk to a guy who grew up on the field, never really wanted to go back, but ended up getting called back by God, and is now serving in places and ways he never imagined. It’s great to hear his story of growing up on the field, studying back in the West, and then heading back out to the Middle East. My guest shares some of the differen...

"I’ve never wanted to quit….more than three or four times….a day." Today on the Pod, I talk to a guy who has been in missions for nearly 50 years. Some people get brittle and angry as they get older, but not this guy; he is genuine and humble and has a lot to teach us. Get out your notepad and pen, this is a great interview. "The natural vitality is slowly ebbing away. But I want to...

Outside of Christ, there are not many ways to deal with shame or be restored In this Pod, I talk to a guy who shares his insights into honor and shame and communal vs individualist cultures. He shares some of his personal stories, struggles, and mistakes, while on the field in a way we can learn from them. We close off the conversation by talking about burnout and fatigue on the field, and what th...

A lot of missionaries get a radical call to go to the field but then don’t live their lives radically once they get there. In this Pod, I have a conversation with a guy who left the pastorate to move his family to the Middle East. He has had many humbling experiences both on and off the field but has kept his focus on following his calling no matter the cost. He is passionate about living the Radi...

If I can’t remember what we read, how can I share it with others? In this Pod, I talk to a woman who has a lot of experience leading DBS groups and training others to lead them. We walk through the 12 questions of DBS, and my guest shares her insights on each one. Even if you’ve done DBS training in the past, this conversation will give you fresh and practical insights. "When I was living in...

All of us sudden you realize that you’re just doing life, and it’s changing livesIn this Pod, I sit down with a couple who are raising their seven children in the Middle East. They talk about giving up everything to follow Jesus, the power of hospitality, living by the Spirit, and the daily and weekly rhythms of their lives that make their house so enticing to others. I was challenged by their rad...

We felt stranded and didn’t know what to do. But we saw how God was using us and completely shifting the focus of the team and the year. In this Pod, I talk to two guys who share their story of how God worked through the pandemic to bring people to faith in Him. It wasn’t always roses and sunshine, though. My guests take us into their lives when they didn’t love each other, struggled to get along,...

In this Pod, I sit down with a guy who grew up his whole life on the field and has rare insight into the life of an MK. We talk about the pressure MKs feel to perform, the lack of identity and belonging, being a “hidden immigrant,” the effect all this has on faith, and what the pathway to real connection and belonging looks like. "I don't know an MK who doesn't have a deep level of...

In this Pod, my guest shares deeply, personally, and vulnerably about dealing with depression on the field. We also talk about marriage, children, and re-finding your identity when life changes. We close off our conversation with an insightful look at what it’s like working with children with disabilities in underprivileged villages. "I battled with God and wondered how am I supposed to bring...

In this Pod, my guest has some amazing things to say about discipleship and what to do with a new believer. He also shares some interesting details about how his family is part of his ministry. Then we get down into the weeds of spiritual practices like solitude, fasting, and rest. Every word is worth listening to. "We shouldn’t assume that every worker has a genuine, deep walk with Christ, t...