Global Missions Podcast

As the global Church continues to grow and change, what does faithful partnership look like today? Josh Irby takes us through the life of Barnabas to show how humility, encouragement, and mutual collaboration can reshape the way we send, serve, and work alongside believers around the world.

Dr. Ed Smither helps us navigate one of the most challenging questions for the Church as we wrestle honestly with the history of missions, learn from both its successes and failures, and consider how Christians can engage in God's global mission without repeating the mistakes of the past.

What do missionaries most want their sending churches to know? Drawing from conversations with hundreds of missionaries, this episode explores four practical ways churches can better support and care for those they send.

This episode offers a big-picture look at the current state of global missions, describing a movement in transition as long-held models and assumptions are being reevaluated. Ted Esler reflects on the challenges and opportunities ahead, encouraging the Church to thoughtfully engage a changing world with clarity, faithfulness, and adaptability.

In this episode, Maggie sits down with Josh Gamble of the Canadian MK Network to explore the unique experiences of missionary kids and the ways they are often overlooked within the Church. Their conversation highlights the importance of intentional care, discipleship, and recognizing MKs as bridge-builders with deep cross-cultural insight.

In this episode, Mags and Maggie share the vision for where the Global Missions Toolbox is headed, introducing The Global Missions Pathway as a practical guide to help churches build and grow their missions efforts. The conversation also highlights upcoming Global Missions Events and our hearts for you. Learn more at globalmissionstoolbox.com.

In this episode, Ellen Livingood returns to share thoughtful, practical insight on the four core responsibilities of a missions team: members, media, missionaries, and money. She challenges churches to more deeply engage their people, communicate effectively, care for missionaries, and cultivate generous, mission-minded communities.

In this special 250th episode of the Global Missions Podcast, we’re joined by Kyle Farran to explore the growing challenge of missionary attrition and the deeper need for resilience on the field. Drawing from his book Godly Grit, Kyle shares why perseverance matters to God, what causes many to leave prematurely, and how both individuals and churches can better prepare the next generation. This epi...

Good News from the Field is a new short-form series highlighting encouraging updates from missionaries serving around the globe. In this first episode, Dave Coles shares about a movement among Muslims in East Africa.

In this heartfelt conversation, Ann Bowman shares her journey as a mother learning to release her daughters to God’s call overseas. Together, Mags and Ann explore the transformative power of prayer, how churches can support the families of mission workers, and the courage it takes to say yes when obedience changes the life you thought you’d have.

In this conversation, Thomas and Hanni share why member care is truly a life-and-death issue for mission workers. Together with Mags, they unpack the biblical foundation and calling of member care and offer practical steps churches can take to build a culture where the whole body actively supports and sustains those they send.

In this episode of the Global Missions Podcast, Mags talks with Jaci Hutchcraft and Jayne Russell Olson about the heart behind Kids’ Kairos, a brand-new missions curriculum designed to help churches disciple children into God’s global story. They share the vision, the journey behind creating it, and why they’re hopeful about welcoming the next generation into the Great Commission.

In this conversation, we slow down and bring clarity to business as mission, exploring how faith, work, and mission can function together as a holistic calling. Matt shares insights for those discerning this path and for churches learning how to walk thoughtfully with those they send. [et_social_share]

In this episode of the Global Missions Podcast, Maggie sits down with Denny Spitters and Matthew Ellison to unpack key findings from a Barna study on U.S. Protestant pastors and explore the heart behind their book The Sending Shepherd. Together, they discuss how pastoral leadership and church culture shape global missions engagement—and offer practical encouragement for pastors and missions-minded...

Howard Dueck joins us to unpack the growing movement of education as mission, offering a vision for teaching and training can bless churches, shape communities, and advance the Kingdom. Join us as we explore why education matters, how God is using it around the world, and what it might look like for your church to catch this vision. [et_social_share]

This episode explores the growing movement of co-vocational ministry, a model that intentionally integrates one’s everyday work with missional engagement in both local churches and global contexts. Dr. Brad Brisco joins the conversation to unpack the theology of work, clarify the differences between bi-vocational and co-vocational ministry, and share why this long-term approach can strengthen chur...

In this episode, Dr. Craig Ott unpacks what it means for churches to be truly transformational—rooted in personal and corporate spiritual renewal that reflects God’s glory to the world. He and Mags explore how a church’s communal witness can become a tangible expression of the Kingdom, inspiring believers to live out and multiply transformational mission globally. [et_social_share]

In this episode, Billy McMahan invites church leaders to see the potential of Gen Z—the “Dreamer Generation”—and challenges us to disciple and send them with intentionality and hope. Together, we explore what this generation is longing for, the shifts churches can make to engage them deeply, and how mentorship can unlock their passion for God’s mission [et_social_share]

Discover how Global Switchboard is connecting everyday professionals with global mission workers who need practical support. Heather Trumpfheller shares inspiring stories and simple ways your unique skills—whether in design, admin, or tech—can make a real difference from the home front. [et_social_share]

This episode features Michèle Phoenix discussing her book Pieces of Purple, where she shares personal stories and practical insights on the challenges and beauty of growing up as a Missionary’s Kid, offering guidance for churches and individuals to better understand, support, and care for Third Culture Kids with empathy, intentionality, and grace. [et_social_share]

Welcome to our 10th Season! Join us as John Darnell from Global Outreach International (GOI) unpacks God’s heart for the nations and the vital role of the local church in sending well. Together we’ll explore how churches can build intentional, prayerful partnerships with mission agencies that keep the Church at the center of missions. [et_social_share]

In this short episode, we introduce our producer, Maggie Green, who’s been working behind the scenes and will be joining Mags as a co-host in the future. We also explore a glimpse into our team, process, and a look ahead at our seasons to come!  [et_social_share]

In this conversation, Ryan shares components of member care for churches to be involved in. He discusses what member care can look like during the pre-field, on-field, and post-field stages of a missionary’s life. This episode will help you spark ideas and take practical steps to caring well for those your church has sent. [et_social_share]

What if your next short-term mission trip could do more than just impact a few participants, it could actually help mobilize your entire church? In this episode, we’re joined by Jeannie Marie, author of Across the Street and Around the World, to explore how churches can approach short-term missions with clarity, intentionality, and long-term vision. [et_social_share]

In this episode, we talk with Johnny Peebles of Greater Europe Mission about how short-term teams can engage in evangelism with care, clarity, and courage. Johnny shares practical ways to prepare goers for Gospel conversations and highlights how street evangelism can spark lasting discipleship—both on the field and back home. Whether you’re serving, sending, or supporting, this conversation will h...