Gospel Stories

Joel is excited to launch a brand-new podcast from Biblical Ministries Worldwide. It's called Real Missionaries in Real Time. This show follows a group of missionaries throughout the year, giving you a window into what God is doing in missions right now. Each month, you’ll hear directly from them: what’s happening in their ministry what’s been encouraging what’s been challenging what daily lif...

This episode walks into one of the most defining moments of the Browns’ ministry—the night of the hijacking and the hard family conversation that followed. You’ll hear how they processed danger with honesty, how they guided their children through fear, and how God steadied them when everything felt uncertain. Their story highlights the real cost of obedience, the wisdom required to live in a high-...

Before they ever stepped onto foreign soil, David and Karin Brown lived their lives “leaning on the door of missions.” They prepared, waited, and trusted that God—not ambition—would turn the handle. In this first episode, they share how faith, loss, and calling shaped their readiness to go. You’ll hear how years of quiet obedience led to the moment God opened the door—and how His presence steadied...

After years of preparation in the United States, Józsué Dán returned home to Hungary with a single conviction— to bring the Word of God back to the center of the church. In this episode, Józsué shares the challenges of coming home to a spiritually dry land, the struggle of planting a church without a team, and the beauty of watching God provide faithful brothers to stand beside him. He describes H...

In this first part of our conversation with Józsué Dán , we trace his journey from a small Hungarian village to a life completely surrendered to God’s call. Józsué shares how a simple summer serving at a Christian camp changed everything, how God provided a wife, work, and even a wedding venue when he had nothing, and how the Lord opened doors for him and his family to study in the United States....

In this episode of the Gospel Stories Podcast , Jon Beazley and Clark Berryman continue their conversation with missionary Jack Barentsen , exploring how churches can stay faithful and effective in a rapidly changing world. Drawing from his book Awaken in God’s World , Jack unpacks why listening , trust , and spiritual practice are the foundation of authentic ministry. They discuss the limits of m...

Missionary Jack Barentsen joins The Gospel Stories Podcast to share what it’s like to bring the gospel to one of the most secular nations in Europe — the Netherlands. In this conversation, Jack, Jon, and Clark explore how the church can thrive in a culture shaped by individualism, experience, and post-Christian values . They discuss: Why legalism pushed people away — and why freedom without truth...

In this final conversation with missionary Daniel Willoughby, we explore how God redirects our paths and uses every season for His purposes. Daniel reflects on pivotal moments—from growing up in South America and being redirected to post-Berlin Wall Germany, to decades of ministry rooted in teamwork, apologetics, and relational evangelism. He shares how missions in East Germany require both logic...

In part two of our conversation with missionary Daniel Willoughby , we explore what preparation really looks like when following God’s call. Daniel shares how the fall of the Berlin Wall changed the trajectory of his ministry, the challenges of learning a new language, and why God sometimes delays opportunities until we’re ready for them. Through stories of faith, fear, and perseverance, Daniel re...

In this episode of the Gospel Stories Podcast , we sit down with Daniel Willoughby to hear a powerful testimony from his childhood as a missionary kid in Colombia. Daniel recounts the unforgettable story of his father’s courage in the face of violent persecution—an event that mirrors the book of Acts. From mobs in the street to a miraculous moment of preaching through blood and brokenness, this st...

In this second half of our conversation with missionary Andy Overly, we explore what it means to remain faithful when ministry doesn’t go as planned. Andy shares candid insights on seasons of waiting, the challenge of feeling stuck, and why peace and contentment are vital for missionaries. Through farming metaphors, biblical reflections, and personal stories, Andy reminds us that God—not us—contro...

What does it really take to prepare for the mission field? In this episode of Gospel Stories , we sit down with Andy Overly, Chief Global Engagement Officer at Biblical Ministries Worldwide. Andy shares his journey from pastoring and church planting to equipping missionaries around the world. He explains why effective missions start with three essentials: Knowing God deeply. Knowing yourself hones...

In part two of our conversation with missionary Dan Murphy, we explore what a lifetime on the mission field teaches about perseverance, trust, and discipleship. From navigating cultural barriers in Portugal to witnessing God open surprising doors through photography and community relationships, Dan shares stories of both hardship and grace. You’ll hear about the challenges of language learning, th...

What if your greatest breakthrough in ministry didn’t come from preaching, but from picking up a camera? In this episode of the Gospel Stories Podcast , veteran missionary Dan Murphy shares how a simple act of photography opened doors to the Roma Gypsy community in Portugal. Dan reflects on 45 years of ministry across the Netherlands, Ireland, and now Portugal—unpacking cultural differences, lesso...

On today’s episode of the Gospel Stories Podcast, we sit down with Steve Louie, a man who has faithfully served with Biblical Ministries Worldwide for over 20 years—mostly behind the scenes. In a world where ministry often chases recognition and results, Steve’s story is one of quiet obedience, patience, and trust in God’s timing. From raising support that took years longer than expected, to a sev...

What happens when every door you thought God had opened suddenly slams shut? In this episode of the Gospel Stories Podcast , we hear part two of Zane Bloom’s journey—a story filled with unexpected interruptions: a surprise pregnancy, a hurricane, a global pandemic, and finally, the medical crisis that brought his family’s plans to a halt. What felt like the death of a dream became the seed of a ne...

What would make a successful Army officer and high-powered sales executive walk away from the American dream? In this episode of Gospel Stories , Zane Bloom shares his remarkable journey—from Catholic altar boy to corporate success, to surrendering it all for God’s call to missions. Just as the mission field doors began to open, life threw unexpected challenges: an unplanned pregnancy, chronic ill...

In this powerful follow-up episode, missionary Paul Holritz shares how God reshaped his vision—from planting churches on the frontlines to training others to go in his place. After health challenges brought him back from Japan, Paul didn’t quit—he pivoted. What followed was a deeper calling to invest in leaders who could reach their own people more effectively. We talk about: How resilience shows...

In this episode of the Gospel Stories Podcast , we talk with Paul Holritz—a seasoned missionary and missions trainer—about how God’s calling doesn’t always match our plans. Paul shares his journey from Japan to Egypt, from church planting to training national leaders, and how a life-threatening illness changed the course of his ministry. This conversation gets honest about the confusion, frustrati...

In this powerful conclusion to our two-part interview, Liz Williams shares profound stories from the frontlines of global ministry. From launching a covert bakery in the Middle East to support persecuted Christians, to sitting with grieving believers in a Ukrainian safe house near the front lines of war, Liz reveals how radical compassion and unshakable love can drive gospel impact in the darkest...

In this episode of Gospel Stories, Liz Williams shares how Compassion Medical began with a simple vision to meet urgent needs with gospel love. From war zones in Ukraine to mountain villages in South Africa, Liz walks us through the behind-the-scenes realities of delivering aid, facing obstacles, and building sustainable medical missions. Her story is packed with passion, practical wisdom, and a r...

In this episode of the Gospel Stories Podcast , David McCrum shares wisdom gained from decades in missions, including his personal struggles with fear, emotional health, and the pressure to “do it all right.” He unpacks generational perspectives on calling, sacrifice, and gospel motivation—showing how both duty and compassion play a role in following Jesus. You’ll hear two powerful stories of grac...

David McCrum never planned to be a missionary. He had other dreams—until a sports injury changed everything. In this episode, David shares how God used the lives of four quiet, content, godly men to reshape his vision for life. We talk about: Finding joy that isn’t dependent on circumstances Wrestling with loneliness, disappointment, and mystery What it's like to serve in Africa for 16 years The p...

What’s it like to do mission work in the former USSR? In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Brubaker to talk about the lessons he’s learned from his time on the field—where the work is slow, the fruit isn’t always visible, and the calling often looks more ordinary than we imagined. We explore why developing an unhurried posture in missions matters more than ever. Kevin shares the importance of w...

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Brubaker, a missionary who served in the former USSR. Kevin shares his unique insights on the importance of building trust in mission work. He emphasizes that true gospel impact often starts with being present in the community, listening to people's stories, and building relationships. Through Kevin's experiences, we discover the power and beauty of...