The Missions Show

Why is Japan the graveyard of missionaries? In this episode, Alex talks with veteran ABWE missionary Bill Petite, who reflects on 35 years of ministry in Japan. Bill gives an honest look at the spiritual, cultural, and emotional realities of serving in one of the world’s least-reached nations. Bill Petite also speaks candidly about the emotional and spiritual toll of long-term missions, sharing se...

How does the gospel transcend cultural understandings like guilt/innocence, honor/shame? In this episode, Alex is joined by longtime friend of the show, Dr. E.D. Burns, a missionary, author, and ABWE’s Executive Director for Training & Development. E.D. argues that many modern missionary methods fall into error by beginning with culture rather than Scripture. When missionaries adapt the messag...

In this episode of The Missions Podcast , Alex Kocman and ABWE President, Paul Davis, interview Ted Esler , president of Missio Nexus , on the global state of Christian missions. Esler explains that although the global church is experiencing slow and steady growth, many evangelical churches lack a strong understanding of lostness which has contributed to a decline in missionary sending and passion...

What's happening with persecuted Christians in Nigeria? In this episode of the Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott talk with Larry Alex Taunton , an author and apologist, who shares his firsthand experience witnessing Christian persecution in Nigeria. Taunton recounts his journey to the country’s northern region, where he saw the devastating effects of what he calls a “genocide against Christians.” H...

Is it true that the "blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church"? In this episode, Alex and Scott challenge the popular belief that persecution is inherently good for the church. Drawing from Ronald Boyd-MacMillan’s article Does Persecution Always Bring Growth? , they argue that while persecution can refine believers, history shows it often destroys the local church entirely. They distinguish...

Does your pastor adequately prioritize missions at your church? In this episode of The Missions Podcast , Alex interviews Matthew Ellison and Denny Spitters from 1615 Missions Coaching about their new book, The Sending Shepherd: Leading Churches to Disciple All Nations . Drawing from a Barna study , the conversation centers on the vital role of church leadership in global missions. They argue that...

How does the Nicene Creed unite believers from East and West? This episode of The Missions Podcast —in collaboration with Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church’s Captivate & Conform podcast —features Dr. Don Fairbairn , a theologian and former missionary to Soviet Georgia. The conversation explores the intersection of missions, theology, and church history, particularly how the Nicene Creed and...

How does a visual representation of the world affect your overall world view? Alexand Scottdiscuss the spiritual and practical significance of maps in missionary work, exploring how maps not only display geography but also influence how Christians perceive the world’s spiritual landscape. They trace the history of missionary mapping from figures like David Livingstone and William Carey , reflectin...

What does church planting look like here in North America? In this episode, Alex and Scott talk with Dr. Clare Jewell , national representative of the GARBC and Executive Director with ABWE’s EveryEthne , about the state of church planting in North America. Clare shares his journey from pastoral ministry to missions leadership, explaining his passion for helping churches reproduce and make discipl...

Are small Bible colleges on life support in America? In this week's episode, Alex and Scott welcome Dr. Jim Lytle, former president of Clarks Summit University and former ABWE missionary to South Africa, to discuss the enduring importance of Christian institutions and the plight facing Bible colleges today. They explore how Bible colleges have historically served as crucial training grounds for mo...

Are small Bible colleges on life support in America? In this week's episode, Alex and Scott welcome Dr. Jim Lytle, former president of Clarks Summit University and former ABWE missionary to South Africa, to discuss the enduring importance of Christian institutions and the plight facing Bible colleges today. They explore how Bible colleges have historically served as crucial training grounds for mo...

What does being a missionary look like among a totally unreached Muslim majority people group? In this week's episode, Alex and Scott sit down with Alan, an ABWE missionary serving in North Africa, who shares his experience of seeing God work in incredible ways among an unreached people group. Despite having a lucrative career in corporate America, Alan felt the call to go preach the gospel to unr...

What does being a missionary look like among a totally unreached Muslim majority people group? In this week's episode, Alex and Scott sit down with Alan, an ABWE missionary serving in North Africa, who shares his experience of seeing God work in incredible ways among an unreached people group. Despite having a lucrative career in corporate America, Alan felt the call to go preach the gospel to unr...

Can AI technology shortcut language barriers for the gospel? Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford explore the connection between language, culture, and gospel communication. They discuss Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 with Live Translation and explain why technology can’t replace the slow, intentional work of learning a language. Scott shares personal stories from learning Mandarin, showing how culture shapes...

Can AI technology shortcut language barriers for the gospel? Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford explore the connection between language, culture, and gospel communication. They discuss Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 with Live Translation and explain why technology can’t replace the slow, intentional work of learning a language. Scott shares personal stories from learning Mandarin, showing how culture shapes...

Can empathy be a bad thing? This week, Alex and Scott sit down with Joe Rigney, Fellow of Theology at New Saint Andrew's College and pastor, as they explore the challenges of Christian leadership, ministry, and missions, and the dangers of emotional sabotage and untethered empathy. Rigney explains that in times of turmoil, leaders must maintain mission clarity and resist being derailed by reactive...

Can empathy be a bad thing? This week, Alex and Scott sit down with Joe Rigney, Fellow of Theology at New Saint Andrew's College and pastor, as they explore the challenges of Christian leadership, ministry, and missions, and the dangers of emotional sabotage and untethered empathy. Rigney explains that in times of turmoil, leaders must maintain mission clarity and resist being derailed by reactive...

In this special, unplanned episode, Alex and Scott share their raw reflections on this week’s wicked events and how mission-minded Christians must respond in the present hour.

In this special, unplanned episode, Alex and Scott share their raw reflections on this week’s wicked events and how mission-minded Christians must respond in the present hour.

Does studying classical philosophy have any relevance for missions today? In this episode, Alex and Scott talk with Dr. David Talcott , a philosopher and faculty member at New Saint Andrew’s College , to discuss the intersection of philosophy, culture, and missions. They ask the famous question “What hath Athens to do with Jerusalem?”—whether philosophy and Scripture can meaningfully interact. Dra...

Does studying classical philosophy have any relevance for missions today? In this episode, Alex and Scott talk with Dr. David Talcott , a philosopher and faculty member at New Saint Andrew’s College , to discuss the intersection of philosophy, culture, and missions. They ask the famous question “What hath Athens to do with Jerusalem?”—whether philosophy and Scripture can meaningfully interact. Dra...

How do you fully understand and explain the work of Jesus on the cross? In this episode, Alex and Scott explore the doctrine of the atonement, focusing on the concept of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) and contrasting it with other historical and theological views. The discussion walks through various atonement theories—including the Moral Influence, Ransom, and Christus Victor views and mor...

How do you fully understand and explain the work of Jesus on the cross? In this episode, Alex and Scott explore the doctrine of the atonement, focusing on the concept of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) and contrasting it with other historical and theological views. The discussion walks through various atonement theories—including the Moral Influence, Ransom, and Christus Victor views and mor...

What does it mean to follow Jesus in one of the most dangerous places in the world? How do believers live out their faith in Gaza—caught between Hamas, Israeli forces, and deep cultural hostility? This week, Alex and Scott sit down with Pastor Hanna Massad, former pastor of Gaza Baptist Church, to hear his firsthand story of shepherding believers in a context of persecution, poverty, and war. Past...

What does it mean to follow Jesus in one of the most dangerous places in the world? How do believers live out their faith in Gaza—caught between Hamas, Israeli forces, and deep cultural hostility? This week, Alex and Scott sit down with Pastor Hanna Massad, former pastor of Gaza Baptist Church, to hear his firsthand story of shepherding believers in a context of persecution, poverty, and war. Past...