The Missions Show

ABWE
ABWE
  • 4.8 (249)
  • Christianity
  • Weekly

The Missions Show answers hard questions about theology, missions, and practice to help goers think and thinkers go. We are conservative, evangelical, and gospel-centered. The Missions Show is powered by ABWE International, a missions agency with a force of more than 1,000 workers serving across 90+ countries with a focus on evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.

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  1. 4d ago

    Bold Evangelism and Pleading With Unbelievers With Ryan Denton

    What does it mean to boldly proclaim the gospel in a culture that often rejects biblical truth? In this episode of The Missions Show, hosts Alex and Scott talk with evangelist, church planter, and author Ryan Denton about recovering the art of pleading with unbelievers to repent and trust in Christ. Drawing from his experience in prison ministry, open-air preaching, and church planting, Ryan shares why direct gospel proclamation remains essential and how he has seen a growing openness to bold evangelism, especially among younger generations. Ryan also discusses his new book, Turn, Dear Reader: The Call of Christ to a Dying World, and the importance of addressing difficult questions without losing sight of the gospel. From doubts about Scripture to cultural debates over sexuality and politics, he explains how Christians can engage thoughtfully with unbelievers while keeping the conversation focused on sin, salvation, and the hope found in Jesus Christ. This conversation challenges believers, pastors, and missionaries to proclaim the gospel with courage, compassion, and confidence in God's power to save. Key Topics Recovering bold, biblical evangelism and the art of pleading with unbelievers Lessons from open-air preaching, prison ministry, and church planting Growing cultural openness to gospel proclamation, especially among young adults Addressing objections to Christianity while keeping the gospel central Balancing cultural understanding with a clear call to repentance and faith Sharing the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon. Supporter ($5/month): weekly bonus shows with more in-depth conversation, behind-the-scenes content, and spiritual insights Insider ($10/month): the weekly bonus shows, plus a private Signal group with the hosts, quarterly live chats with Scott and Alex, and a thank-you gift for first-time subscribers Join at patreon.com/TheMissionsShow. The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionsshow.com.

  2. 5d ago ·  Bonus · Subscribers Only

    OT: Staying Faithful When There Isn't Fruit (Ryan Denton)

    How do you stay faithful in evangelism when you aren't seeing fruit? In this Missions Show Overtime episode, Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford continue their conversation with evangelist and author Ryan Denton about persevering in gospel ministry, even when hearts seem closed to the message of Christ. Drawing from church history and his own experiences preaching in difficult places, Ryan reminds believers that God calls us to faithfully plant and water the seeds of the gospel while trusting him to bring the growth in his timing. The conversation explores the importance of prayer, personal spiritual growth, and the power of simple gospel proclamation. Ryan also shares practical ways churches and individuals can use his new book, Turn, Dear Reader: The Call of Christ to a Dying World, to reach unbelievers with the good news of Jesus Christ.

  3. Oct 18

    What to Expect as a Prefield Missionary With Ken Lorow

    What does it take to go from feeling called to missions to actually reaching the field? And how can you trust God through the challenges of raising support? In this episode of The Missions Show, hosts Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford welcome Ken Lorow, Director of PreField Ministry at ABWE, who helps prepare and coach new missionaries. Together, they discuss the steps toward missionary service, the biblical foundation for raising support, and why having someone walk alongside you can make all the difference. Through personal stories of God's faithfulness, including a young boy's gift of two pennies, Ken shares how God uses the support-raising journey to build faith, deepen relationships, and prepare missionaries for long-term ministry. They also offer practical advice for inviting others to partner in missions and explain why prefield ministry is about much more than raising funds. Whether you're exploring a call to missions or preparing to go, this conversation will encourage you to take the next step in faith. Key Topics How ABWE coaches prepare and support missionaries before and after reaching the field Why raising financial support is biblical and an invitation to partner in God's work Stories of God's provision during seasons of uncertainty Practical tips for building relationships and inviting ministry partners How prefield ministry builds faith, confidence, and spiritual maturity The value of prayer, church partnerships, and depending on the body of Christ Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon. Supporter ($5/month): weekly bonus shows with more in-depth conversation, behind-the-scenes content, and spiritual insights Insider ($10/month): the weekly bonus shows, plus a private Signal group with the hosts, quarterly live chats with Scott and Alex, and a thank-you gift for first-time subscribers Join at patreon.com/TheMissionsShow. The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionsshow.com.

  4. Oct 18 ·  Bonus · Subscribers Only

    OT: When Support is About More Than Finances (Ken Lorow)

    In this exclusive Overtime episode of The Missions Show, hosts Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford continue their conversation with ABWE missionary coach Ken Lorow about the vital role churches play in sending and supporting missionaries. They explore how churches can work together to provide stronger financial support, why building partnerships with both churches and individuals matters, and how sending churches can help missionaries connect with new ministry partners. Scott shares practical ways missionaries can find opportunities to share their calling, even when churches have limited time or resources. Ken also offers advice for veteran missionaries, encouraging them to strengthen relationships with their ministry partners through personal communication, prayer, and genuine care. Throughout the conversation, one message stands out: missionary support is about more than finances. It's about churches, missionaries, and ministry partners working together to advance the gospel.

  5. Oct 11

    How to Teach Theology Through Bible Stories

    How should missionaries teach deep biblical truth in cultures where storytelling, rather than reading, is the main way people learn? In this week's episode, Alex and Scott explore “character theology”—using the people, events, and overarching story of Scripture to help believers understand who God is and what he has done. They discuss why missionaries should resist choosing between biblical stories and systematic theology. Instead, the stories of Scripture can give life and context to doctrines that might otherwise seem abstract. Alex and Scott also consider what this means for pastors, teachers, and everyday Christians. From God’s holiness to Christ’s finished work, the Bible teaches theology through a sweeping story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. By becoming better biblical storytellers, Christians can help people better understand sound doctrine, see how all of Scripture points to Christ, and grasp the good news in a way that engages both the mind and the heart. Key Topics: Teaching theology in oral and preliterate cultures Balancing Bible storytelling with systematic theology How Scripture’s stories reveal the character of God Using chronological Bible storytelling in missions Connecting the Bible’s overarching story to Christ Applying biblical storytelling in preaching, discipleship, and evangelism Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon. Supporter ($5/month): weekly bonus shows with more in-depth conversation, behind-the-scenes content, and spiritual insights Insider ($10/month): the weekly bonus shows, plus a private Signal group with the hosts, quarterly live chats with Scott and Alex, and a thank-you gift for first-time subscribers Join at patreon.com/TheMissionsShow. The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionsshow.com.

  6. Oct 4

    What Is God’s Mission? With Justin Schell

    What is God’s mission—and how does the church fit into it? Christians often talk about being “on mission,” but before asking what we should do, we need to understand what God is doing. In this episode, Alex and Scott talk with Justin Schell, author of The Mission of God and the Witness of the Church, about the biblical story of God revealing himself and drawing people into communion with him. From Genesis to the Great Commission, they trace how God’s desire to dwell with his people shapes our understanding of both the church and missions. The conversation also explores the church’s role as God’s witness in the world. Good works can display something true about God, but people need the proclaimed gospel to know the saving work of Jesus Christ. Rather than viewing the church simply as a tool for accomplishing mission, Schell explains how God’s mission leads to a people who know him, worship him, and invite others to share in that joy. Key Topics: What we mean by “the mission of God” God’s desire for communion with his people Why the church is more than a means to accomplish mission The church’s calling to bear witness to Christ The relationship between good works and gospel proclamation How the Great Commission fits into the whole story of Scripture Explore your calling to global missions at ABWE's 24-Hour DEMO event. These events, held throughout the year, help individuals and churches explore how they can help fulfill the Great Commission and explore God's calling on their life and church. Learn more at https://demo.abwe.org. Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon. Supporter ($5/month): weekly bonus shows with more in-depth conversation, behind-the-scenes content, and spiritual insights Insider ($10/month): the weekly bonus shows, plus a private Signal group with the hosts, quarterly live chats with Scott and Alex, and a thank-you gift for first-time subscribers Join at patreon.com/TheMissionsShow. The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionsshow.com.

  7. Oct 4 ·  Bonus · Subscribers Only

    OT: Does God's Mission Shape How We Preach? (Justin Schell)

    In this bonus Overtime episode, Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford put the main episode’s theology into practice by asking a simple question: How should God’s mission shape the way we preach Scripture? Looking at their recent sermons from Psalm 110 and Romans 6, they explore how Christ’s reign, the call to repentance, our role as his ambassadors, and our joyful obedience to God all carry implications for missions. Their conversation shows that preachers don’t need to force a missions application into every passage. Instead, faithful preaching will regularly reveal God’s purpose to draw people from all nations to himself—and challenge believers to consider how their whole lives can serve the cause of the gospel.

  8. Sep 27

    Defining the Missionary Task: Entrust (Part 4)

    In the final installment of the Defining the Missionary Task series, Alex and Scott explore what it means to entrust the mission to others. The missionary task doesn’t end when people are evangelized, churches are established, and leaders are equipped. Healthy churches should grow into sending churches—taking responsibility for making disciples, planting churches, and carrying the gospel to other peoples and places. But multiplication rarely happens overnight. Alex and Scott discuss why lasting missions movements are built through patient, faithful work rooted in Scripture rather than shortcuts or strategies designed to produce quick results. Missionaries must lay strong foundations while trusting God for the fruit, helping churches mature enough to carry the mission forward. The result is a growing, global partnership in which churches that once received missionaries become churches that send them. Key Topics Entrusting the Great Commission to local churches and leaders Why healthy churches should become sending churches Pursuing multiplication through patient, faithful ministry Building strong biblical foundations for future generations Balancing the needs of mature churches with reaching the unreached Measuring faithfulness without relying only on numbers or quick results Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon. Supporter ($5/month): weekly bonus shows with more in-depth conversation, behind-the-scenes content, and spiritual insights Insider ($10/month): the weekly bonus shows, plus a private Signal group with the hosts, quarterly live chats with Scott and Alex, and a thank-you gift for first-time subscribers Join at patreon.com/TheMissionsShow. The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionsshow.com.

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The Missions Show answers hard questions about theology, missions, and practice to help goers think and thinkers go. We are conservative, evangelical, and gospel-centered. The Missions Show is powered by ABWE International, a missions agency with a force of more than 1,000 workers serving across 90+ countries with a focus on evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.

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