55:11 Podcast

What if one ordinary moment was actually a divine setup? In this powerful and deeply moving episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl sit down with Matthew Potter, co-founder of Pray.com, to hear the story behind one of the world’s largest digital faith platforms. It all started in a coffee shop—where a heart heavy with disappointment met a willing heart ready to serve. What followe...

What does bold faith look like when the cost is everything? In this powerful episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl are joined by Lanny Tucker, Monty Tuttle, and Jim Black to reflect on their recent journey through the Baltics. Around kitchen tables and in quiet conversations, they heard testimonies of courage, exile, and hope—from a Belarusian family who risked it all to follow...

What does it look like when God's Word travels across borders—and transforms lives? In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk and Brooke share stories from their journeys through Europe and parts of Asia, where they met with ministry partners, local believers, and everyday people being transformed by Scripture. From the vibrant streets of Romania to the hills of Poland and the shores of Cypru...

What happens when someone holds a Bible for the very first time? In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl sit down with Darryl Willis, Clyde Slimp, and John Mark Smith to reflect on their recent journey through Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Croatia. What began as a Bible distribution trip turned into something more—a series of powerful, personal moments that reminded them...

What happens when your father’s underground Bible ministry shapes the path you never expected to take? In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl sit down with Rostyslav Stasyuk—a husband, father, and global ministry leader with deep roots in faith. Rostyslav shares how his family’s legacy and his cross-cultural experiences led him to join EEM as the Regional Director for Sou...

In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl sit down with Ivan (Vanya) Prokopchuk—husband, father, ministry leader, and a man shaped by both legacy and loss. Ivan grew up in Ukraine watching his father live out the Gospel in humble, faithful ways. That example laid the foundation for Ivan’s own heart for ministry—especially toward orphans and vulnerable children. But when war...

In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl sit down with Dasha Novikova, who shares powerful testimonies from people across Ukraine—stories of how one Bible, received in the midst of war, can bring hope, healing, and a renewed sense of faith. Dasha gives us a glimpse into what it’s like to live through ongoing conflict, while also witnessing firsthand how God is moving in the...

Life has a way of leading us through unexpected twists—some that break us and some that build us. In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, host Brooke Kehl sits down with Tamika Rybinski, a writer, graphic artist, and missionary based in Vienna, Austria. Tamika’s story is one of resilience, faith, and creativity. From surviving a life-changing car accident to navigating cancer and a stroke, Tamika’s...

In this episode, Bart Rybinski joins us to look back on the challenges and victories of 2024. We talk about why trust and strong relationships matter, even when things get hard, and how unexpected partnerships have helped get Bibles into more hands. We also share stories about the impact of giving people access to Scripture and what it’s been like working in places like Poland and Ukraine. We get...

In this episode, we are joined by church leader, author, and cultural commentator Patrick Miller as we dive into what it means to embrace life as “joyful outsiders” in today’s world. Patrick shares some amazing insights from his books with co-author Keith Simon, Truth Over Tribe and the upcoming Joyful Outsiders, and we discuss how to stay true to our faith while loving people across divides. It’s...

In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl are joined by Andy Corley, President and CEO of Prison Fellowship International (PFI), for another inspiring conversation on their success and challenges over the past year. Together, they discuss the life-changing work of ministering to prisoners and their families and the special focus on children with parents behind bars. Andy als...

In this episode, we explore the impactful work of Open Doors USA, an organization dedicated to supporting the persecuted church worldwide. Despite facing severe persecution, the church in different regions continues to grow, offering a powerful testimony of faith. Ryan Brown, CEO of Open Doors USA, shares how their mission raises awareness, provides resources, and advocates for those risking their...

In this episode, we explore the incredible work of Transform Iran, a group dedicated to bringing freedom and hope to the people of Iran. Despite strict government rules that make it illegal to leave Islam or own a Bible, the church in Iran is growing fast. Over a million Iranian Muslims have given their lives to Christ in the past 45 years. Lana Silk, from Transform Iran, shares how the ministry f...

In this episode, hosts Brooke Kehl and Dirk Smith are joined by three more EEM Regional Directors – Monty Tuttle, Jon Mark Smith, and Clyde H. Slimp to talk about the impactful stories from their recent trip to Hungary and Slovakia. The Region Directors discuss their visits with various EEM ministry partners and the powerful work being done in these regions. Hear a moving story of one woman’s surp...

In this episode, hosts Brooke Kehl and Dirk Smith, along with guests Jim Black, Lanny Tucker, and Darryl Willis, share impactful stories from their trip to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, highlighting the power of Bible distribution and unity among believers.  Hear about a former Soviet Air Force officer turned pastor and a gathering of church leaders in Kazakhstan sharing their experiences. They share...

Season Three, Episode Five: Hosts Dirk and Brooke visit with guest Dave Keesling about his work with PhilanthroCorp. Dave is the Founder and Executive Vice President of PhilanthroCorp, which partners with hundreds of churches, para-church, and Christian higher education ministries across America, encouraging their donors to consider estate planning from a Biblical worldview. He has been helping pe...

Season Three, Episode Four: Hosts Dirk and Brooke visit with guest Ivan Prokopchuk to discuss his orphan ministry (Usmishki) in Kyiv, Ukraine. Ivan and his family are long-time EEM ministry partners providing spiritual and material aid for orphans and at-risk youth. In this special episode, Ivan opens up about the reality of living on the frontlines of war, continuing in ministry, and how his prio...

Season Three. Episode Three. Openness And Desire For God's Word. An Interview with return guest, Bart Rybinski. Hosts Dirk and Brooke visit with Bart Rybinski for an update on his work and ministry. Bart, EEM's VP of European Operations, became a Christian in 1995 and graduated soon after with a bachelor's degree in business management. After working in IT in Poland, he eventually went to Oklahoma...

Season Three. Episode Two. In this episode, hosts Dirk and Brooke talk with F. LaGard Smith about his extensive work as an author and The Daily Bible, an essential resource for EEM.  F. LaGard Smith was born in 1944 in Houston, Texas, thereafter living in Shawnee and Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lancaster, Texas, and Birmingham, Alabama, before heading off to college at Florida College, graduating from Willam...

Season Three. Episode One. In this episode, hosts Dirk and Brooke talk with Andy Corley about his work and new partnership with EEM.  Andy Corley is the CEO and president of PFI (Prison Fellowship International). Andy’s work over the years has ranged from geology to commercial business to global mission work at PFI, serving now as CEO and president. EEM is grateful for the new partnership that now...

This is a quick update before Season 3 from Dirk and Brooke. Season 2 is also available in video format on EEM's YouTube channel Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG Follow us on: PRAY.COM

Season Two. Episode Nine. In this season's finale, hosts Dirk and Brooke talk with Masoud Ghorbani about his journey from Islam to Christianity.  Masoud and his family left Afghanistan in 2015 looking for a better life. Their journey led them through Iran, Turkey, and eventually into Greece. As a staunch Muslim, Masoud saw himself as a defender of Islam who must resist the gospel message but event...

Season Two. Episode Eight. From Russia With Love. Hosts Dirk and Brooke talk with Oleg Yakimenko about his gospel ministry in Russia and his ongoing work with EEM.  Oleg joined EEM in 2013 as the National Coordinator for Russia and Belarus. Now, Oleg coordinates the EEM work in Russia and the countries of Central Asia and Transcaucasia. He has Master's degrees in Teaching and Translation of Englis...

Season Two. Episode Seven. Mission For Macedonian Revival. Hosts Dirk and Brooke reconnect with Nikola Galevski after meeting him recently on an EEM trip to North Macedonia.  Nikola Galevski was born and raised in Skopje, Macedonia. Coming from a traditional Orthodox family, his faith was ignited in his youth through the witness of the local Evangelical Church in Skopje and with a special gift of...

Season Two. Episode Six. This episode was recorded on location in Athens, Greece. Hosts Dirk and Brooke traveled abroad with EEM (May 2023) for 13 days, visiting 5 countries. In this episode, they sat down with Matt Gulley of Diaspora Pathways. Matt Gulley is from Muskogee, Oklahoma, and is a graduate of Harding University. While at Harding, Matt met his wife Nikki (Roussos) who is from Athens, Gr...