The At Risk Radio Podcast

Today on At Risk Radio, hosts Mark Stafford and David Witt sit down with the SOM India Director to deliver an inspiring update on the Persecuted Church in India. Hear firsthand accounts of the challenges posed by anti-conversion laws, stories of courageous faith from those imprisoned for sharing the Gospel, and the incredible revival sparked within local church networks. Pastor Singh shares how pr...

In this uplifting episode of At Risk Radio, hosts Mark Stafford and SOM CEO David Witt chat with Amy Franks, a retired youth minister and the dynamic director of Happy Brew Coffee in Jacksonville, Florida. Amy shares her heartfelt journey from youth ministry to leading a nonprofit coffee shop that partners with individuals with disabilities while championing the Global Persecuted Church. She opens...

Naghmeh Panahi's Powerful Testimony In this episode of At Risk Radio, hosts Mark Stafford and David Witt sit down with author and advocate Naghmeh Panahi to reveal what life is truly like right now for Christians inside Iran. As political conflict rages and daily realities include bomb shelters, fuel shortages, and soaring food costs, the underground Church is facing an emotional and spiritual sto...

In this episode of At Risk Radio, hosts Mark Stafford and David Witt chat with Dan Russell, a Las Vegas men’s ministry leader with a powerful story of transformation and global impact. Dan opens up about his journey from a challenging season of personal crisis to wholehearted faith, describing how a simple email from an Indian pastor sparked a life-changing connection with the Persecuted Church in...

In this episode of At Risk Radio, hosts Mark Stafford and David Witt chat with aerospace engineer and Eagles View Church volunteer Chuck Fielding to discuss his eye-opening journey across North Africa. Chuck shares candid stories from a grueling forty-hour road trip with fellow leaders, the personal lessons he learned as a Christian navigating a predominantly Muslim environment, and the powerful i...

In this episode of At Risk Radio, host Mark Stafford has a conversation with SOM International CEO David Witt and Randy Miller, Executive Pastor at Eagles View Church in North Fort Worth, to discuss powerful lessons from the Global Church and David and Randy’s recent visit to Northwest Africa. Randy shares engaging stories from a transformative forty-three-hour car journey with David, illuminating...

This week on At Rist Radio, hosts Mark Stafford and David Witt join Pastor Bart Howell to discuss impactful leadership and missions. Be inspired by Pastor Bart’s journey from a local Texan to a fervent advocate for global missions—including his transformation and dedication to leveraging church resources for worldwide impact, particularly within the Persecuted Church. This episode explores firstha...

In this episode of At Risk Radio, hosts Mark Stafford and SOM CEO David Witt sit down with John Abendschan, an assistant athletic director and church elder, to explore the transformative power of faith and leadership amidst life's challenges. John shares his journey from a high school football coach in Texas to becoming deeply involved with SOM International, particularly focusing on his life-chan...

Naghmeh Abedini Panahi - Part 3 In this moving episode of At Risk Radio, hosts Mark Stafford and SOM International CEO David Witt chat with guest Naghmeh Abedini Panahi as she bravely recounts her journey through an abusive marriage while assuming a vital leadership role in the Persecuted Church within Iran. Naghmeh reveals how her husband’s imprisonment brought clarity and personal freedom, leadi...

Naghmeh Abedini Panahi - Part 2 In this powerful episode of At Risk Radio, hosts Mark Stafford and David Witt continue their conversation with Naghmeh Aberdini Panahi , a courageous Christian leader from Iran. Naghmeh shares her transformative journey of faith, marked by divine visions, evangelism, and the explosive growth of the Underground Church in Iran. Despite facing arrest, interrogation, an...

Naghmeh Abedini Panahi - Part 1 Today, hosts Mark Stafford and SOM International CEO David Witt welcome special guest Naghmeh Abedini Panahi , a passionate advocate for the Persecuted Church in Iran and the Middle East. You’ll hear Naghmeh’s captivating story of faith and resilience as she shares her journey of finding Jesus amid the chaos of the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War. Raised in...

Join hosts Mark Stafford and SOM International CEO David Witt as they chat with Mary Brezeale, a dedicated CPA and passionate supporter of the SOM International mission. Mary shares her transformative journey of faith, from growing up in a nominal Christian family to embracing a leadership role in supporting the Global Persecuted Church. She discusses the crucial impact of giving, practical tips f...

Travis and Abigail Part 3 In this continued conversation with missionaries Travis and Abigail, discover their remarkable journey of navigating their calling from France to a remote and challenging region in North Africa. The couple shares the inspiring impact they’ve seen, especially among women and children entrapped in the fundamentalist stronghold. Hosts Mark Stafford and SOM CEO David Witt dis...

Travis and Abigail Part 2 This week, Abigail shares her incredible journey of overcoming paralyzing anxiety and fear through faith, detailing how God brought light to unreached communities in North Africa and France. Hosts Mark Stafford and SOM CEO David Witt sit down with Abigail and her husband, Travis, who serve in French-speaking North Africa. Through Abigail’s story, we learn about the immens...

Travis and Abigail Part 1   Discover how Travis and his wife Abigail navigated challenges, overcame isolation, and ultimately found their calling to minister in difficult fields serving the Global Church. This week, Travis chats with hosts Mark Stafford and David Witt to discuss his incredible journey from military service to mission work in French-speaking North Africa. Travis shares candidly abo...

Leon and Brenda Part 2 Today on At Risk Radio, hosts Mark Stafford and David Witt continue their discussion with Global Ambassadors Leon and Brenda and the transformative work they do with the persecuted Christians. They share their decade-long journey in North Africa, highlighting the crucial role of local leadership in spreading the Christian faith among Muslim-background believers. Discover the...

Leon and Brenda Part 1 Join hosts Mark Stafford and David Witt to discover how an unexpected encounter led to a transformative mission in Northwest Africa. Hear how Global Ambassadors Leon and Brenda joined SOM International to empower Muslim-background believers to share the Gospel. They share inspiring stories of faith, leadership, and community development as they discuss the unique challenges...

Multiplying Leadership and Discipleship for Impact in Northwest Africa Despite challenges, SOM Northwest Africa Director Malik remains committed to bringing about positive change in his community and working toward a more peaceful and united country. In this episode of At Risk Radio, hosts Mark Stafford and SOM International CEO David Witt continue their conversation with Malik, bringing crucial u...

Interview with Malik, Part 1 In this episode of At Risk Radio, Malik, the director of SOM in Northwest Africa, shares a gripping firsthand account of the challenges faced by the Persecuted Church. Despite harrowing obstacles, including travel delays and threats from local extremists, Malik and his team display unwavering faith and commitment to providing crucial leadership training for pastors and...

Political Unrest and Martyrdom in Persecuted Church in South Asia In this compelling episode of At Risk Radio, hosts Mark Stafford and David Witt discuss the urgent developments in South Asia with a focus on the Persecuted Church. CEO of SOM International, David Witt, shares firsthand accounts from his recent trip to the region, detailing the political unrest, martyrdom, and spiritual battles beli...

Russell Stendal on Risking it All for the Word The distribution of the Jubilee Bible has led to powerful changes, from peace treaties in Colombia to government leaders and military forces turning to Christ. At Risk Radio Host Mark Stafford joins SOM International CEO David Witt and SOM Latin America Director Russell Stendal to discuss the powerful impact of the Jubilee Bible in Venezuela and Colom...

Scripture and Spiritual Impact in Latin America with Russell Stendal Learn about the Bible translating process, the powerful insights uncovered from the Hebrew and Greek texts, and the profound impact the Jubilee Bible has had on believers in Colombia and Venezuela. Hosts Mark Stafford and SOM International CEO David Witt join Russell Stendal, the editor of the Jubilee Bible, for part two of this...

Russell Stendal on the Spanish Translation Sparking Revival   In this episode of At Risk Radio, host Mark Stafford and SOM International CEO David Witt explore the fascinating story behind the Jubilee Bible with special guest Russell Stendal, the director of SOM Latin America. In part one of a three-part series, Russell shares his remarkable journey of being inspired to create the Jubilee Bible af...

Global Ambassador Bill Bennett on Leadership, Christian Radio in Colombia, and the Impact of Prayer   In this episode of At Risk Radio, host Mark Stafford and SOM CEO David Witt are joined by Bill Bennett, a Global Ambassador for SOM International. They discuss Bill's longstanding involvement with the organization and his deep commitment to prayer and support for the Persecuted Church, particularl...

Interview with Carol Smith In this episode of At Risk Radio, host Mark Stafford joins David Witt, CEO of SOM International, and Carol Smith, Director of Global Ambassadors, to discuss a recent trip to Northwest Africa. They explore the impact of the Discussion Discipleship Method (DDM) in teaching and coaching individuals to teach the Bible. Carol’s testimony celebrates the remarkable transformati...