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.

MISSIONS SHOW OVERTIME

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  1. 2d ago

    MISSIONARY Conference: Brad Buser and Raising Up Indigenous Leaders

    In this special episode of The Missions Show, recorded at Missionary 2026, Alex and Scott sit down with veteran missionary and Radius International leader Brad Buser to discuss the challenges of developing biblical leadership on the mission field. Drawing from his 20 years of church planting among the Eteddi people of Papua New Guinea, Buser emphasizes the importance of patience, discipleship, and spiritual maturity when raising up indigenous church leaders. He challenges modern missions methodologies that prioritize rapid multiplication, explaining why godly character, biblical qualifications, and long-term faithfulness must take precedence over natural leadership ability or quick results. The conversation also explores one of the most difficult aspects of missionary work: knowing when and how to leave. Buser explains why missionaries must intentionally prepare local believers to take ownership of their churches while resisting the temptation to leave prematurely or create unhealthy dependence. Ultimately, this episode offers practical wisdom for missionaries, pastors, and church leaders seeking to build healthy, sustainable churches that will continue faithfully proclaiming the gospel for generations. Key Topics: Developing Biblical Church Leaders: Why spiritual maturity and godly character matter more than natural leadership abilities. The Danger of Rapid Church Planting: Examining the weaknesses of speed-driven missions methodologies and premature leadership appointments. Preparing Indigenous Churches for Independence: Equipping local believers to take ownership of their churches and raise up future generations of leaders. Knowing When to Leave the Mission Field: Balancing the dangers of leaving too early with the need to avoid long-term dependency on missionaries. The Emotional Cost of Missionary Transitions: Navigating grief, lost relationships, cultural readjustment, and the challenges of returning home. Endurance and Long-Term Faithfulness: Why effective missions requires perseverance, deep relationships, and a lifelong commitment to the church. 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! Support The Missions Show and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionsshow.com/premium 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@missionspodstg.wpengine.com.

  2. Nov 2

    MISSIONARY Conference: Paul Schlehlein and Courageous Service Amid Suffering

    In this special episode of The Missions Show, recorded live at Missionary 2026, Alex and Scott sit down with missionary and author Paul Schlehlein to explore the cost of following Christ and the lasting impact of faithful missionaries. Drawing from his years of ministry in Africa and his study of Scottish missionary John Paton, Paul shares how the examples of past missionaries can inspire Christians today. From Paton’s remarkable courage in the face of suffering to his commitment to preaching the gospel, Paul highlights why missionary biographies should do more than inform us, they should inspire us to act. Paul also shares practical lessons from raising nine children on the mission field, planting churches led by local believers, and reaching communities where the gospel has yet to take root. He discusses the importance of patient evangelism, the role of family worship in raising future missionaries, and the need for more gospel workers in Africa. Key Topics: How stewardship and gratitude for God’s blessings can motivate missions Lessons in courage, suffering, and faithfulness from missionary John Paton Why missionary biographies can inspire the next generation of gospel workers Raising a family on the mission field and navigating the risks of missionary life Planting self-sustaining churches through patient evangelism and discipleship Why Africa still needs missionaries and the challenges of reaching underserved communities 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! Support The Missions Show and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionsshow.com/premium 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@missionspodstg.wpengine.com.

  3. Nov 1 ·  Bonus · Subscribers Only

    OT: Spiritual Warfare and the Challenges of Cross-Cultural Missions (Paul Schlehlein)

    In this bonus episode of The Missions Show: Overtime, missionary and author Paul Schlehlein joins Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford for a deeper discussion on spiritual warfare and the challenges of applying biblical truth across cultures. Drawing from his experiences in Africa and the life of missionary John Paton, Paul shares how Christians can respond to witchcraft and spiritual oppression with confidence in Christ and the Word of God. The conversation also explores difficult questions missionaries face when discipling new believers, including how to navigate traditional religious practices, family expectations, bribery, and polygamy. Paul explains why effective missions requires more than preaching the gospel—it takes time to learn a culture, build relationships, and help believers apply Scripture to everyday life. Through it all, he emphasizes the importance of biblical wisdom, church history, and patient discipleship in equipping Christians to stand firm in their faith.

  4. Oct 26

    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 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! Support The Missions Show and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionsshow.com/premium 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@missionspodstg.wpengine.com.

  5. Oct 25 ·  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.

  6. Oct 19

    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 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! Support The Missions Show and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionsshow.com/premium 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@missionspodstg.wpengine.com.

  7. 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.

  8. Oct 12

    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 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! Support The Missions Show and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionsshow.com/premium 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@missionspodstg.wpengine.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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