Missions Life: Navigating Life, Leadership, and Ministry Abroad

Missions is hard—but being prepared can help you endure. In this episode of Missions Life: Navigating Life, Leadership, and Ministry Abroad , we sit down with Brooks Buser , a seasoned missionary and president of Radius International , to discuss how to prepare for the challenges of missions. Whether you're a future missionary, current missionary, or someone supporting missions , this episode...

The transition from life overseas to college in the U.S. can be a  major adjustment for MKs (Missionary Kids) . How can parents help their children  navigate this transition well  and prepare them for success in college and beyond? In this episode, we talk with  Brian & Dianna Nester  about the unique  challenges MKs face  when leaving their host country, the  advantages they bring , and what...

What makes a missionary team healthy—and what can leaders do when things go wrong? In this episode, we sit down with Rick Hicks , an experienced missions leader with a passion for team health, to explore the essentials of building strong, unified missionary teams . In This Episode, We Cover: ✅ Why team health matters so much in cross-cultural ministry ✅ The root causes of team dysfunction ✅ Pra...

Why do so many leaders struggle with delegation—and how can we do it well? In this episode, leadership expert and bestselling author Hans Finzel joins Kyle & Heather to explore one of the most essential (and often neglected) skills in missions leadership: delegation . From biblical examples to practical strategies, Hans unpacks how delegation isn't just a task—it’s a mindset that empowers...

What if your greatest ministry impact came not from working harder—but from being filled first? In this episode, Heather interviews Kyle about prioritizing our hearts in ministry and missions. Kyle wrote Overflowing: Ministry and Missions That Flow From The Heart after 10 years of journalling on how we must prioritize our heart. God wants worshipers who work, not workers who worship. There is a va...

What happens when a pastor becomes the president of a global missions agency? How does it change the way they see missions—and the people serving on the field? Join us for a great conversation with Paul and Martha Davis. God has given them a unique perspective in transitioning from pastoral ministry to ABWE president. They share actionable tips for missionaries wanting to connect better with churc...

What if your leadership success wasn’t about doing more—but focusing on what matters most? In this episode, we dive into the powerful framework from the book Lead. Develop. Care. , a refreshing approach to leadership that cuts through the noise of tactics and trends to focus on the heart of leadership . Rather than chasing the latest leadership hacks, this model centers on what every leader is act...

Why do some missionaries make it to the field—and others never do? What does it really take to get there? In this episode, we talk with Rob and Sherry Hagerty , who serve in missionary mobilization and training, about what it takes to successfully navigate the season of pre-field ministry —the crucial time of preparation before launching overseas. They unpack the real challenges and overlooked ble...

What if the best way to lead, disciple, and develop others isn’t through giving answers—but asking powerful questions? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Keith Webb , creator of The COACH Model® and a global leader in Christian coaching. We explore how coaching can transform the way we lead, mentor, parent, and serve others in ministry. Whether you’re a missions leader, pastor, parent, or teammate,...

How can we better support missionary kids—and help them thrive emotionally, spiritually, and relationally? In this episode, we talk with Elizabeth Smith about the unique journey of missionary kids (MKs) and third culture kids (TCKs) . Elizabeth shares wisdom from her own ministry experience and offers practical insight from the field of TCK care, grief processing, and emotional resilience . Whethe...

What’s it really like to serve in missions as a single person—and how can churches and teammates support singles better? In this episode, we talk with Mandi Vermilyea and Stephanie M. Kozick , two single missionaries who share candidly about the joys, challenges, and victories of serving God as single missionaries. This honest and grace-filled conversation explores what helps singles thrive on the...

How can married couples thrive in ministry—not just survive? In this very first episode of Missions Life , we talk with Jerry and Char Pelfrey , longtime pastor and ministry leaders, about what it takes to build and maintain a healthy marriage while serving in full-time ministry . From lessons learned to practical habits, they share honest encouragement for couples serving together on the field. W...

In this episode, we share a bit about our family and our missions journey. Show notes and links:
 https://www.kylefarran.com/missionslife/episode-0 We want to hear from you! Have a question, story, or idea for a future episode? Send us a message at kfarran@abwe.org with the subject “Podcast” or connect with us on Instagram: @kyle.farran Whether it’s a challenge you’re facing, a topic you’re curiou...