The Missions Show

We are called to make disciples of all nations, but what is the biblical definition of a nation? Alex and Scott explore the complex question of what defines a "nation" and why it matters for missions. They discuss the popular idea that America is merely "an idea," challenging this reductionist view by highlighting that a nation is more than shared values; it also includes shared language, ethnicit...

How can the mundane of motherhood be extraordinary? Alex and Scott talk with Simona Gorton, an author, wife, and mother deeply engaged in local church ministry and missions. Drawing on her experiences with 9Marks and her work translating resources into over 60 languages, she emphasizes the importance of the local church as a training ground and the value of serving where God has placed you, even i...

What are the implications if missionaries don't know their theology? Alex and Scott tackle the essential question of whether every missionary should also be a theologian. Drawing from personal experiences and their work with ABWE, they emphasize that missionaries often find themselves as the primary or sole theological resource in pioneer settings. This reality necessitates a strong foundation in...

Can Scripture be translated into animation and be faithful to the text? In this episode of the Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott talk with Steve Cleary, founder of Revelation Media , about his groundbreaking work in creating the iBible —an animated, visual translation of the entire biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation. Steve Cleary launched a global multimedia project that seeks to reach o...

What does the data say about Christianity in the American church today? In this episode, Alex and Scott explore the emerging cultural and spiritual shifts among younger generations, particularly Gen Z, with guest Dr. Adam Rasmussen, Cultural Research Fellow and Dean of Arts & Humanities at Arizona Christian University. Drawing from recent data and studies by the Cultural Research Center and th...

Why should Christians spend time reading fiction books? In this episode of the Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott talk with Dr. Marvin Newell, an accomplished missiologist, author, and missionary as they explore Newell's recent foray into fiction writing with his novel Taking You Under My Skin , a historically grounded narrative set during the Vietnam War. The story not only reflects a gripping tale...

In this special extended episode of The Missions Podcast , Alex and ABWE president Paul Davis engage in a wide-ranging, deeply reflective conversation with Paul Washer of HeartCry Missionary Society . Washer recounts the founding and growth of HeartCry, emphasizing the importance of supporting both indigenous and cross-cultural missionaries. He stresses that indigenous missions must be grounded in...

Should Christians reject or embrace wealth and prosperity? In this episode of The Missions Podcast , Scott talks with Josiah Stowe, co-founder of Dominion Wealth Strategists , on the often-overlooked yet vital subject of money and prosperity theology in the context of missions and ministry. Their conversation explores the tensions missionaries face regarding finances—especially retirement planning...

Has modern evangelicalism forgotten about key aspects of who God is? In this episode of The Missions Podcast , Alex and Scott welcome Dr. Peter Sammons, Associate Director of Academic Development at Founders Seminary , to discuss the "forgotten attributes" of God—those less-discussed incommunicable aspects of God's nature. Sammons argues that modern Christians tend to focus on God's relational and...

Are we thinking about persecuted Christians incorrectly? What should our and the church's response be? In this episode of The Missions Podcast , Alex and Scott talk with Andy Coleman, president of the Christian Emergency Alliance and author of the new book In Days of Darkness: A Manual for Ordinary Christians Facing Unusual Times . The discussion explores the realities of Christian persecution wor...

How can missionaries use the prevailing cultural narratives and longings of the heart to awaken others to the gospel without sacrificing the truth? In this episode of The Missions Podcast , Alex and Scott continue their conversation with Dr. E.D. Burns, focusing on cultural apologetics and its application in missionary work. E.D. shares insights into different approaches to apologetics, including...

How can missionaries and apologists connect the gospel to the longings of the human heart—without watering it down? In this episode of  The Missions Podcast , Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford sit down with Dr. E.D. Burns—missionary, author, and professor—to unpack the concept of cultural apologetics. Drawing from the legacy of C.S. Lewis, Dr. Burns explains how cultural apologetics appeals not m...

What doctrinal disagreements are driving wedges into your ministry? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott sit down with Dr. Joshua Howard to discuss how to handle theological conflict among Christians. They hit on topics of theological triage, hierarchies of theological concepts, and how the theology of the end times (eschatology), can both unify believers and divide them....

What is going on in the Asian church? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott sit down with an ABWE missionary to East Asia. He details the translation work he did during his time on the field as well as the current needs and struggles of the Chinese church. This ABWE missionary has helped develop the Bible Study Toolbox, a website of theological resources translated into Ch...

What does missionary life look like in a hard place like East Asia? In this week's episode, Alex and Scott sit down with two ABWE missionaries to East Asia. Together they talk about what ministry looked like during their time in Asia, the benefits and struggles of living on the field with kids, and how family is used in holistic ministry. Want more of the conversation? Become a Missions Podcast Pr...

Big News for Apple Podcasts Listeners! We’ve been talking about it for months—and it’s finally here. You can now support The Missions Podcast and access the Overtime bonus show directly in Apple Podcasts with a $9.99/month premium subscription. No extra logins. No separate websites. Just more missions content, right in your feed. Prefer the full experience—including group chats, live streams, and...

Are our strategies of evangelism getting in the way of God's strategy to advance the gospel? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott talk with returning guest Caleb Morrell, Assistant Pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C. Together they talk about the history of Capitol Hill and the balance of local and global engagement. Caleb Morell is an Assistant Pastor...

Who gets to call themselves a missionary, and why does it matter? In today's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott sit down with Matthew Ellison and Denny Spitters to revisit the question, "who is a missionary?" There is still great confusion in the church about what the Great Commission is and the need to go to the lost and unreached. Does missions require crossing cultures? What is the...

Have you ever read Philippians through a missional lens? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott dive into Alex's new book, Striving For The Faith: A Journey through Philippians for Life on Mission , and how Paul's letter to the Philippian church is so much richer when thinking about the missional context that Paul and the church itself was in. Join us for the Overtime episo...

Do you know your theology of the church? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott talk with AW, missionary with Reaching and Teaching , who lives in North Africa. Together, they discuss the Biblical theology of the church, the differences and similarities of the North African church and the North American church, and the importance of having a robust understanding of the chur...

How do you cultivate a mature Christian community in a Muslim-majority country? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott sit down with William (name changed for security), who is an ABWE missionary in South Asia. They discuss challenges that national believers and missionaries face in that context including church worship, child-rearing, financial difficulties, and the need t...

How is the church to respond in a negative world? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott talk with returning guest Aaron Renn. Aaron's "three worlds" model gives a framework on how to understand the cultural attitude toward Christianity in the United States. Together they discuss what the current attitude is and how the church and Christians should respond. Aaron Renn is th...

Why does it seem like singleness is the gift that no one wants? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott sit done with ABWE missionary Mandi Vermilyea to talk about singleness on the mission field. They discuss advantages and disadvantages of being single in ministry, false and hurtful assumptions about singleness, and how churches can best support single women missionaries....

In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott sit down with Mandi Vermilyea to talk about singleness on the mission field. Do you love The Missions Show? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Suppor...

Do you struggle with evangelism? You're not alone. In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott sit down with Jim Murphy, from My Circle Training , as they talk about why evangelism can be so difficult. They analyze the cultural mindsets, training pitfalls, and even the church paradigms that hinder evangelism of church members. Jim Murphy is President of My Circle Training and a...