Modern Day Missionaries

Have you ever found yourself reacting bigger than the moment called for —and not really knowing why? Or maybe you’re trying to be the best parent, teammate, or leader you can be, but something keeps tripping you up.  In this episode, we talk with Mike Foster about the seven primal questions that shape how we show up in life and relationships. This conversation is full of lightbulb moments and hone...

Ever found yourself confused by cultural “rules” you didn’t even know you were breaking? Wondering why some of your most sincere efforts aren’t landing the way you hoped? And how do you build real connection when it feels like you're speaking a different language—even when you're technically not? In this perspective-shifting episode , we talk with Dr. Linda Saunders —a former missionary,...

Why do you still feel exhausted, even after you rest? What if the kind of rest you think you need isn’t the one that will actually restore you? In this episode, Dr. Sandra Dalton-Smith unpacks the seven types of rest , and they are going to completely change the way you think about fatigue and burnout.  As a physician, Dr. Dalton-Smith has seen firsthand how exhaustion isn’t just about needing mor...

What if one of the biggest ministry transitions isn’t a move to a new country, but welcoming a baby into your family—far from home? How do you navigate prenatal care, birth plans, and cultural expectations in a foreign medical system?  In this episode, Chandler Gilow , founder of The Global Birth Coach , shares insights from her own overseas birth experience and equips missionary families with the...

Unresolved team conflict is one of the biggest reasons missionaries decide to leave the mission field prematurely. How can we grow in this critical area? Dr. Janeen Davis has made it her life's work to help teams actively pursue peace. She joins us to uncover the myths and attitudes we unconsciously hold about conflict resolution that keep us miserable and without solutions. Learn about the P...

What if the biggest threat to your ministry isn’t your workload, but your own anxiety? Have you ever found yourself over-functioning, trying to manage others' emotions, or carrying the weight of unrealistic expectations? In this episode, Steve Cuss unpacks how chronic anxiety sneaks into leadership, relationships, and ministry—often without us realizing it. Drawing from his experiences as a c...

Are you struggling to expand your support network? Do you feel like you’ve already asked everyone you know and aren’t sure where to turn next? What if there were dozens of potential partners hiding in plain sight —just waiting for an invitation to be part of your mission? In this episode, we sit down with Russell Cooper and Deb Evans from Tailored Fundraising , who have coached thousands of missio...

Have you ever wondered how growing up overseas shapes a child—both the good and the challenging? What if some of the struggles TCKs face could be prevented with the right support? And as a missionary parent, how do you balance your own well-being while making sure your kids are emotionally cared for? In this episode, from her research of more than 2,000 third culture kids, TCK expert Tanya Crossma...

Are generational differences making teamwork tricky on your missions team? Do you find yourself navigating the unique perspectives of Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z…and wondering how on earth to bring everyone together? You’re not alone! Join us for a conversation with Dr. Tim Elmore , author and founder of Growing Leaders , as we dive into practical ways to turn generational clashes into te...

IT'S OUR 100th EPISODE! And we've got a great one for you today, listeners! What makes someone pack up their life, move across the world, and step into the unknown for the sake of the gospel? How do missionaries keep going when the sacrifices pile up and the rewards feel far away? Missionaries—you know you’re unique, but do you know how? What sets us apart? Today, we sit down with the au...

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by tax season as a missionary? Wondering if you should opt out of Social Security? Confused about how 1099s, housing allowances, and foreign-earned income exclusions actually work? In this episode, CPAs Maggie Walker and Brooke Calhoun break down everything missionaries need to know about taxes—from maximizing tax benefits to avoiding financial surprises. Whether you...

Is social media just a distraction—or could it also be one of the most powerful tools for spreading the gospel? Is it possible to use it effectively without falling into the trap of performance and pride? Brian Barcelona shares how he and his team at One Voice have reached millions with the gospel through digital evangelism, the unexpected ways God has moved online, and practical strategies for mi...

What does fundraising have to do with spiritual formation? You’re about to find out! Maybe you have been approaching fundraising as just another task on your missionary to-do list. We’ve all been there! But what if it’s not just about the money? Could fundraising actually be a tool God uses to transform you? Heather Winchell and Andy Brennan of Provisio Fundraising unpack how the way we fundraise...

What might God be calling you to start, stop, or step into this year? What if asking the right questions could launch you into the most impactful year of your life? In this episode, we give you an activity you can do today to launch you strong into the new year! Marvin Slaton , executive director of Modern Day Missions , shares five profound questions to help missionaries reflect, realign, and rei...

Are you feeling overwhelmed, unsure if your stress is too much—or maybe not enough? Wondering how to find a healthy rhythm for the demands of missionary life? In this episode, Dr. Kristi Gaultiere joins us to unpack the reality of stress and how it impacts missionaries uniquely. We look at the difference between healthy and unhealthy stress, how to recognize the signs of being "stressed in&qu...

Join us for an unforgettable conversation with Rod Plummer , a missionary and church planter in Japan for over 20 years. Rod shares the incredible story of how he and his wife, Viv, and their family and team became part of a wave of God’s movement in one of the world’s most challenging mission fields. You’ll be amazed at some of the approaches the Plummers took and how surprisingly effective they...

Have you ever looked back on a really hard season on the field, a huge thing God asked you to do, or a big unexpected change and thought, Wow, I’m SO glad I didn’t know that was coming? Because I would have run for the hills! In this episode, we sit down with Vonna Laue , author of the upcoming book Glad I Didn’t Know , to discuss life’s unexpected twists and turns in the world of missions. Vonna...

How do you handle team conflicts when your cultural values clash? What’s the secret to building trust in a team of people from very different backgrounds? You may have learned about the culture you are going to serve, but did you learn about the cultures of the people you are serving with ? Missions is much more complex and beautiful than we could ever know! The makeup of teams serving overseas ar...

Do you ever wonder if your prayers are really making a difference? Or feel frustrated when you don’t see results? If you pray and something doesn’t happen, was it worth it or a waste of time? Does God already have planned out what he’s going to do anyway? In this episode, we talk with missionary Peter Warren , a leader in YWAM, who brings a fresh take on how prayer works and why it matters. We div...

What does surrendering to God mean? Can someone be walking in faith and be surrendered to God? Is surrender giving up? How do we balance the reality of suffering with believing in God as our provider and healer? How can we know when we’re using faith as a way to try and control God versus having faith that pleases him? Uff. Suffering brings up SO many questions. In this week’s episode, we wade int...

Have you ever wondered why people respond to trauma in such different ways? In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of trauma with Dr. Jamie Aten , a leading expert in the field. We explore the multifaceted nature of trauma, breaking down why people's experiences and reactions to it can be so widely different. Dr. Aten gives practical, effective strategies that those of us who wor...

Do you ever struggle with knowing how to keep your team motivated? Especially when the work is hard, the stakes are high, and the pay is low (or non-existent)? How can you create a team culture of health from the top down? In this episode, we sit down with Nic and Rachael Billman, founders of Shores of Grace . They have spent over 14 years leading missionaries and staff in Brazil. They open up abo...

Being an MK––or parenting an MK––is a journey like none other! If you’re the parent of missionary kids or you grew up as an MK or TCK––or if you know MK’s and just want to understand them better––today, we dive into the wild world of growing up overseas! What makes today’s missionary kids different than the MK’s who came before them? How can those of us who love them understand their world a littl...

Are generational differences causing tension on your missions team? Do you find it challenging to bring Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z together in a unified way? Join us as we sit down with Dr. Tim Elmore, author and founder of Growing Leaders , to explore how to overcome generational clashes and turn those differences into strengths. This conversation will give you tools to handle tensions,...

In this episode, we explore a topic every missionary needs to know about—the incredible potential of end-of-year giving. We sit down with fundraising expert Russell Cooper to look at why December is such a big deal for missionaries and how they can make the most of it. Did you know some missionaries raise up to 30% of their annual budget in just one month? Russell's shares incredibly practica...