The Missions Show

What defines a “nation” has never been more controverisal. This week, Indian philosopher Vishal Mangalwadi returns to the show to unpack this complex issue biblically. Believe in our mission?  Support this podcast . The Missions Show is a ministry resource of ABWE. Learn more at  abwe.org . Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email  alex@missionsshow.com .

How has the face of Europe changed since the Russian war against Ukraine reached its current escalation? And what can US churches learn as they try to reach immigrants? Pastor Maksym Sliazin, a Ukrainian refugee himself, shares how God is working through the local church among refugees in Poland despite ethnic tensions. Also in this episode, ABWE Missionary Ron Davis explains the miraculous way Go...

How do you hold together a church of Ukrainians, Poles, Belarusians, and more in the midst of a tense war? A Ukrainian refugee pastor shares in this week’s compelling conversation. Get more content at  missionsshow.com . Believe in our mission?  Support this podcast . Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email  alex@missionsshow.com .

How can missionary parents raise children who are godly Christ-followers on the mission field? How should missionaries make education choices for their children—whether to choose home schooling, international school, or public school? And what happens when MKs have special needs? Dr. Cheryl Winget joins to answer these complex and important questions. Cheryl Winget (D.Ed. in special education...

Parenting is always hard. Parenting missionary kids is just… different . This week, ABWE’s own Dr. Cheryl Winget (D.Ed. in special education/educational psychology, Regent University) explains why. Get more content at  missionsshow.com . Believe in our mission?  Support this podcast . Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email  alex@missionsshow.com .

For some, missionaries are faith-filled heroes—out on the far reaches of society, sharing the good news in faraway lands. For others, “missionary” might be synonymous with words like “colonizer” or “imperialist.” What’s in a word? In this episode, Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford wrestle with the implications of the “m” word in terms of language, contextualization, and faithfulness. You can watch the...

In this week’s upcoming episode, Alex and Scott wrestle with the baggage associated with the word “missionary” in cultures hostile to the culture. Get more content at  missionsshow.com . Believe in our mission?  Support this podcast . Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email  alex@missionsshow.com .

A new year is upon us. It’s the time to set new goals—including reading goals. To help us count down the top must-read missiology texts for 2023, Chris Howles joins the show. Chris holds a doctorate in intercultural studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. He’s the founder of From Every Nation , a resource hub for missionaries. He and his family serve as missionaries with Crosslinks in Uganda. In...

In this week’s upcoming episode, Scott and Alex talk to Chris Howles on the must-read missiological resources for the new year. Get more content at  missionsshow.com . Believe in our mission?  Support this podcast . Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email  alex@missionsshow.com .

The birth of Christ is the exclamation point on all of Scripture’s claims regarding God’s plan for the nations. Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford reflect on the beauty of Advent and Christmas and why it matters for missions in this holiday exclusive. You can watch the video version of this episode (and others!) on the  ABWE YouTube channel . Believe in our mission?  Support this podcast . Th...

In this week’s upcoming episode on Christmas Day, Scott and Alex reflect on the missional implications of the incarnation of Christ. Get more content at  missionsshow.com . Believe in our mission?  Support this podcast . Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email  alex@missionsshow.com .

It’s easy to underestimate the sacrifice parents make when their children and grandchildren are sent to the nations. But to hold the rope well for cross-cultural missionaries also means caring for the parents and grandparents mourning the loss of relationship with their sent ones. In this special episode, Alex and Scott sit down with Dan and Amy of ABWE’s Member Care program focused on loving pare...

Coming up: Dan and Amy of ABWE ’s Member Care team join to explain why parents of missionaries are often overlooked in churches and missions organizations—and what we can do to change that. Get more content at  missionsshow.com . Believe in our mission?  Support this podcast . Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email  alex@missionsshow.com .

Increasingly, we’re seeing people in ministry disqualify themselves or adopt harmful, abrasive, and even abusive styles of leadership. How can pastors, missionaries, and engaged lay leaders equip themselves to persevere in God’s work? Josh Zeichik , director of church engagement for Focus on the Family, explains why pastors and missionaries must be “focused.” Originally from Los Angeles, Californi...

What’s the key to lasting in ministry—in a world that’s increasingly chewing up and spitting out Christian leaders? Josh Zeichik of Focus on the Family explains why God’s self-sufficiency is good news for those in ministry. Get more content at  missionsshow.com . Believe in our mission?  Support this podcast . Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email  alex@missionsshow.com .

Sending missionaries is only half the battle. If churches don’t continue to care for missionaries, both the missionary and the church will fail in ministry. In this episode, Ryan Martin shares critical insights from his new book Holding the Rope: How the Local Church Can Care for Its Sent Ones . Ryan serves as director of missions and operations with Lightbearers Ministries. He graduated in 2022 w...

Where do missionaries come from? The church. This week, Ryan Martin, author of the new book Holding the Rope: How the Local Church Can Care for Its Sent Ones , returns to explain how church leaders can call people to step out on mission. Get more content at  missionsshow.com . Believe in our mission?  Support this podcast . Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email  alex@miss...

Personal productivity isn’t just important to professional success. It’s also important to the cause of global missions. This week, author Matt Perman lays out a theology of work, productivity, and cross-cultural ministry, drawing upon his book What's Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done . Matt is director of career development at The King’s College NYC and co-founder o...

It’s almost the holiday season. Not a great time for productivity, right? But this week, gospel-centered productivity expert Matt Perman explains why we should be realistic about our limits—and let God’s grace spur us on to greater activity. Get more content at  missionsshow.com . Believe in our mission?  Support this podcast . Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email  alex@...

There’s no shortage of myths about missions. In this interview, Steve Richardson , president of Pioneers and author of Is the Commission Still Great? 8 Myths about Missions and What They Mean for the Church , dispels common misconceptions about the Great Commission and why it still matters. Steve Richardson has served as president of Pioneers-USA since 1999. Pioneers mobilizes and supports 3,200 m...

Steve Richardson, president of Pioneers and author of Is the Commission Still Great? 8 Myths about Missions and What They Mean for the Church , explains what he sees as the singularly most important global event right now. Get more content at  missionsshow.com . Believe in our mission?  Support this podcast . Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email  alex@missionsshow.com .

We’re called to make disciples of all nations. But how? Is discipleship a separate program added to the life of the church, or is it the sum total of the entire ministry of the church? And how do we know if we’re succeeding? Alex and Scott wrestle through these critical questions. Believe in our mission?  Support this podcast . The Missions Show is a ministry resource of ABWE. Learn more at&n...

What is discipleship? Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford explore this often-misunderstood concept and its implications for global missions and local church life. Get more content at missionsshow.com . Believe in our mission?  Support this podcast . Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email  alex@missionsshow.com .

Scripture commands us not only to preach the gospel but to care for the poor and suffering. But affluent North Americans can sometimes do more harm than good. How can we help without hurting? Author and professor Brian Fikkert joins to discuss his landmark missions book When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor… and Yourself —and what the consequences of that book have...

Coming up this week, Brian Fikkert , coauthor of When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself , explains why good intentions aren't enough when it comes to serving the needy across the world. Believe in our mission?  Support this podcast . Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email  alex@missionsshow.com .