The Reflexio Podcast

Don Little

Reflexio, Latin for “reflection,” helps us think deeply about the implications of the exciting shifts in the global mission movement. Reflexio’s purpose is to contribute to conversations within our global Christian community by sharing thoughtful and respectful conversations with men and women from across the globe. We highlight the voices of mission practitioners who are seldom part of our conversations to better learn from one another. Meet the Host Don Little In addition to producing and hosting the Reflexio Podcast, Don serves as Pioneers’ Missiologist-at-Large. In this role, he serves as a ministry consultant and mission theologian—encouraging, counseling, and training missionaries around the world. He is also co-founder, director, and professor at the Lilias Trotter Center, which equips Christians for thoughtful and informed engagement with Islam and with Muslims. Don wrote the vital resource: Effective Discipling in Muslim Communities: Scripture, History and Seasoned Practices. (IVP, 2015) We want to thank Jenn Chen for co-hosting Reflexio's first ten episodes. Together with her husband Jenn co-leads Summit Clear, a leadership mentoring ministry. Jenn is the author of Dim Sum and Faith: How our Stories Form our Souls. (IVP, 2025)

  1. Finding Home After Islam: A Conversation with Bishop Yassir Eric

    1 day ago

    Finding Home After Islam: A Conversation with Bishop Yassir Eric

    Bishop Yassir Eric grew up hostile to Christianity, viewing it as a foreign, Western religion. In this episode, he shares how Jesus met him through the miraculous healing of his cousin in a hospital. An eight‑hour late‑night conversation with Coptic believers led to a simple prayer expressing faith in Christ that began his lifelong journey of discipleship. Forced to flee for his life after coming to Christ, Yassir describes losing his community, finding a new spiritual family with German missionaries in Kenya, and eventually moving to Germany to study theology and plant churches.   Bishop Eric explains why leaving Islam is never just changing beliefs; it often means losing family, community, and identity. Many believers of Muslim background are deeply isolated and without a church home. The burden of this reality led to the formation of Ekkios, a non‑geographical global church network that connects believers of Muslim background across languages and regions. Along with challenging the church in the West to a higher Christology, he urges the global church to pray daily for the Muslim world, to welcome believers of Muslim background into genuine fellowship, and to trust that Jesus is building his church in the midst of war, suffering, and the long-standing conflicts in the Middle East and beyond.   Links: Ekkios on Facebook Ekkios Website The Ekkios App - access to resources Yassir Eric on the Global Anglican’s (Gafcom) site (scroll down a little) Email contact: info@ekkios.com An article about Bishop Yassir Eric in Christianity Today: I Was the Enemy Jesus Told You to Love Yassir’s Autobiography in German. Hass gelernt, Liebe erfahren. Vom Islamisten zum Brückenbauer (Learned Hatred, Experienced Love. From Islamist to Bridge‑Builder) Eric’s Testimony Video on YouTube: I Lost Everything to Follow Jesus… And Found Life Yassir speaks at a Missions Conference in 2026. Mission Conference 2026 - Yassir Eric   Bank Details, for donations:  EKKIOS - IBAN: DE32520604100005039355 BIC: GENODEF1EK1, Evangelische Bank   Make sure to subscribe and give us a 5-star rating on your favorite podcasting platform. Let your friends know about The Reflexio Podcast and encourage them to Subscribe to receive an email when new episodes drop!

    31 min
  2. 3 Jun

    Set Free to Serve: Deliverance, Calling, and Mission with Mark Durie

    In this insightful episode of the Reflexio Podcast, Don speaks with Rev. Dr. Mark Durie about his journey from a childhood in Papua New Guinea to a career in academic linguistics and eventually to pastoral ministry in Melbourne, Australia. Mark shares pivotal spiritual encounters, including experiences of personal deliverance and ministering to those with troubled backgrounds, highlighting the spiritual realities faced by many.  The conversation explores his work with believers of Muslim background (particularly Iranians) who are navigating trauma and experience transformation after leaving Islam. Mark reflects on key differences between Islamic and Christian worldviews, spiritual warfare, and the unique challenges of discipleship among those from Islamic contexts.  The conversation closes with wisdom for younger listeners, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's calling rather than self-fulfillment. This episode offers profound wisdom and practical insights for anyone interested in spiritual formation, cross-cultural ministry, and the power of genuine pastoral care. Links for follow up: Mark’s Webpage: https://markdurie.com/ Mark’s bio at Melbourne School of Theology: https://www.mst.edu.au/faculty/mark-durie/ Mark’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@markdurie Below are several links to Mark Durie’s book: Liberty to the Captives: Freedom from Islam and Dhimmitude through the Cross On Mark Durie’s website: Liberty to the Captives Kindle Version: Liberty to the Captives Paperback on Amazon USA: Liberty to the Captives Paperback on Amazon Australia: Liberty to the Captives Liberty to the Captives available in multiple languages at luke4-18.com   Make sure to subscribe and give us a 5-star rating on your favorite podcasting platform. Let your friends know about The Reflexio Podcast and encourage them to Subscribe to receive an email when new episodes drop!

    1hr 9min
  3. 20 May

    Healed, Delivered, Called: The Remarkable Journey of an Iranian Pastor

    In this gripping episode of the Reflexio podcast, Don Little interviews Iranian pastor Kaveh Hassanzadeh to unpack his dramatic journey from a turbulent youth in Iran, through exile and life‑threatening hardship as an asylum seeker, to radical conversion to Christ, supernatural healing, and bold church planting among Iranian Muslims in Australia.  Pastor Kaveh shares how an illegal Farsi Bible, a storm‑tossed eighteen days on a smuggler’s boat, and a powerful deliverance from generational curses became turning points that reshaped his identity and ignited a dynamic ministry of spiritual liberation, discipleship, and inner healing for Muslim‑background believers.  You’ll hear his remarkable stories of physical healing, emotional restoration, and deep pastoral formation, as well as how Mark Durie’s mentoring and the book Liberty to the Captives have helped forge a healthy Iranian church that breaks cycles of shame, fear, and control. This empowers ordinary believers to flourish, lead, and plant new congregations in Melbourne and Adelaide.  Whether you’re passionate about missions, discipleship, or renewal in the Muslim world, this episode will inspire you to trust God’s bigger purposes, pursue authentic mentoring networks, and courageously step into costly, Spirit‑led ministry without fear. Links: Derek Prince sermon on Breaking Generational Curses Below are several links to Mark Durie’s book: Liberty to the Captives: Freedom from Islam and Dhimmitude through the Cross On Mark Durie’s website: Liberty to the Captives Kindle Version: Liberty to the Captives Paperback on Amazon.com: Liberty to the Captives Liberty to the Captives available in multiple languages at luke4-18.com   Make sure to subscribe and give us a 5-star rating on your favorite podcasting platform. Let your friends know about The Reflexio Podcast and encourage them to Subscribe to receive an email when new episodes drop!

  4. 22 Apr

    Hardship, Healing, and House Churches in South Asia

    Zafrin Billah grew up in a highly respected, deeply devout Muslim family in South Asia and once found “peace” in persecuting Christians. In this episode, he shares with Don his conversion story as well as his call to full-time service in God’s Kingdom.  Today, Zafrin serves as a missionary and pastor, working by faith in a context where over 90% of the population is Muslim and social pressure against Christians is intense. He leads a small, emerging ministry that combines outreach and discipleship with practical training for women from Muslim and Hindu backgrounds. In their training center, they weave together Scripture and gospel-based curricula with income-generating skills. Zafrin trains house church members to be “salt” and “fruitful trees,” to resolve conflict biblically, to live by faith financially, and encourages every believer to make at least two new disciples each year, as they pray for the emergence of many more house churches and partners in prayer. This episode will be an encouragement to anyone serving among Muslims or Hindus. Zafrin’s testimony is evidence of God’s faithfulness in the midst of challenging and difficult circumstances! Maranatha Gospel Church: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DNAFa5Eyx/ Contact Zafrin by email: maranathagospelchurch.bd@gmail.com   Make sure to subscribe and give us a 5-star rating on your favorite podcasting platform. Let your friends know about The Reflexio Podcast and encourage them to Subscribe to receive an email when new episodes drop!

    1hr 2min
  5. 25 Mar

    Nelson Makanda’s Journey into training Christ‑Centered African Leaders

    Don talks with Dr. Nelson Makanda about how God formed him from a village boy in western Kenya into a leader serving churches and institutions across Africa. Nelson recalls his family’s coming to faith, his mother’s healing, and how early discipleship in a small Pentecostal church and student leadership in high school and university began to shape his character and calling.​ He goes on to describe how his involvement with FOCUS Kenya, including mentoring relationships and early ministry roles, helped clarify his calling and opened doors into wider responsibility. The conversation traces key transitions from student ministry to pastoral work, to leadership of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, and now to his role as Vice Chancellor at Africa International University (AIU). Nelson emphasizes AIU’s mission to train Christ-centered leaders, for the church and for the marketplace. He discusses the unique context of Africa as the “Christian continent of the future,” highlighting the need for ethical, missional, and global training for young people. He explains why a deep understanding of Scripture, Christlike character, and a well-rounded Christian education are important for the future of the church in Africa and its role in the world.   Make sure to subscribe and give us a 5-star rating on your favorite podcasting platform. Let your friends know about The Reflexio Podcast and encourage them to Subscribe to receive an email when new episodes drop!

    47 min

About

Reflexio, Latin for “reflection,” helps us think deeply about the implications of the exciting shifts in the global mission movement. Reflexio’s purpose is to contribute to conversations within our global Christian community by sharing thoughtful and respectful conversations with men and women from across the globe. We highlight the voices of mission practitioners who are seldom part of our conversations to better learn from one another. Meet the Host Don Little In addition to producing and hosting the Reflexio Podcast, Don serves as Pioneers’ Missiologist-at-Large. In this role, he serves as a ministry consultant and mission theologian—encouraging, counseling, and training missionaries around the world. He is also co-founder, director, and professor at the Lilias Trotter Center, which equips Christians for thoughtful and informed engagement with Islam and with Muslims. Don wrote the vital resource: Effective Discipling in Muslim Communities: Scripture, History and Seasoned Practices. (IVP, 2015) We want to thank Jenn Chen for co-hosting Reflexio's first ten episodes. Together with her husband Jenn co-leads Summit Clear, a leadership mentoring ministry. Jenn is the author of Dim Sum and Faith: How our Stories Form our Souls. (IVP, 2025)