The Missions Show

ABWE
ABWE
  • 4.8 (246)
  • Christianity
  • Updated 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. 6d ago

    Defining the Missionary Task: Establish (Part 2)

    Why must missionaries seek to establish churches? In part two of a four-part series on the missionary task, Alex and Scott move from evangelism to the next step: establishing healthy local churches. They explore why the church is not a Western institution or an optional addition to missions, but central to God’s plan for his people. Those who trust in Christ are saved into a community where believers gather to hear God’s word, observe baptism and the Lord’s Supper, care for one another, and grow together in faith. Alex and Scott also discuss what a biblical church can look like across cultures and why missionaries should focus on more than seeing individuals come to faith. Without healthy churches, new believers can lack the teaching, leadership, fellowship, and accountability they need to mature and reach others with the gospel. And while not every missionary will serve as a church planter or pastor, every missionary can use his or her gifts to help establish and strengthen local churches that worship God and make disciples. Key Topics Why establishing churches is central to the missionary task What Scripture teaches about the nature and purpose of the church The biblical marks of a healthy local church Adapting church forms across cultures without losing biblical foundations The dangers of making disciples without establishing healthy churches How every missionary can play a role in church planting and growth 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@missionsshow.com.

  2. Sep 6

    Defining the Missionary Task: Evangelism (Part 1)

    What is at the heart of the missionary task? In the first episode of a four-part series, Alex and Scott explore why essential to the missionary calling is that they must clearly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and call people to repent and believe. While mercy ministries, relationships, and other forms of service have an important place in missions, they cannot replace sharing the gospel in words. Alex and Scott also discuss what faithful evangelism looks like across cultures. Missionaries must learn the language, understand how people view God and sin, ask good questions, and patiently help people understand the story of Scripture. Yet cultural sensitivity should never become an excuse for silence. Whether the fruit comes quickly or takes years, missionaries are called to faithfully make Christ known and trust God with the results. Key Topics Why evangelism is essential to the missionary task Proclaiming the gospel through both words and actions Calling people to repent and believe in Jesus Christ Overcoming fear, rejection, and distractions in evangelism Sharing the gospel clearly across languages and cultures Using the story of Scripture to build a foundation for understanding the gospel 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@missionsshow.com.

  3. Aug 30

    Zeal Isn’t Enough for Missions With Brooks Buser and Pat Daly

    What does it take to send missionaries who are prepared not only to go, but to stay and faithfully serve for the long haul? Alex and Scott talk with Brooks Buser, president of Radius International, and Pat Daly of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary about the church’s role in sending well-equipped missionaries. They also discuss the upcoming Missionary Conference and its focus on helping churches recover a biblical vision for taking the gospel to people who have little or no access to it. Brooks and Pat make the case that zeal for missions must be matched by deep biblical knowledge and practical preparation. They explore why language is an important way to identify where gospel access is still lacking, how churches and training organizations can work together, and what can happen when workers enter cross-cultural ministry without adequate preparation. Key Topics: Why the local church must take the lead in sending missionaries Reaching unreached language groups with the gospel The need for both theological and practical missionary training Moving young missionaries from zeal to lasting biblical conviction The dangers of syncretism when cross-cultural ministry moves too quickly How churches, seminaries, and missions organizations can work together to prepare workers 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 demo.abwe.org. 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@missionsshow.com.

  4. Aug 30 ·  Bonus • Subscribers Only

    OT: What Radius and Greenville Seminary are Doing to Prepare Missionaries

    In this Overtime edition of The Missions Show, Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford continue their conversation with Brooks Buser of Radius International and Pat Daly of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Brooks shares how God is growing Radius through expanding training programs in Mexico, Asia, India, and Africa, as well as opportunities that introduce young people to missions. Pat describes similar growth at Greenville Seminary, where an increasing number of students are considering missionary service and praying about how God might use them among the nations. The conversation closes with a challenge to resist allowing the needs of our own churches and communities to eclipse Christ’s command to go: important work remains at home, but the nations still need to hear the gospel, and the church must continue preparing and sending faithful workers.

  5. Aug 28 ·  Bonus • Subscribers Only

    Exclusive Webinar: Why Missionaries Struggle—and How to Finish Well

    This exclusive premium episode of The Missions Show explored the spiritual challenges missionaries can face on the field and after returning home. Alex Kocman, Scott Dunford, and several missionaries discussed how isolation, fatigue, cultural pressure, unmet expectations, and difficult transitions can leave field workers vulnerable to discouragement, disillusionment, moral failure, or even abandoning the faith. They emphasized the importance of strong theological preparation, meaningful accountability, pastoral care, healthy missionary teams, and consistent involvement in a local church. The conversation also examined what it means to finish well in missions. Scott candidly reflected on his own unexpected departure from the field and encouraged missionaries to slow down, rest, care for their families, invite wise counsel into major decisions, and avoid making transitions from a place of exhaustion or frustration. Ultimately, the group stressed that a missionary’s identity must remain rooted first in Christ—not in a particular ministry, location, or role—and that sending churches carry a serious responsibility to prepare, shepherd, and support those they send.

  6. Aug 26 ·  Bonus • Subscribers Only

    IMPORTANT UPDATE for Subscribers: Premium Content Moving to Patreon

    The Missions Show is consolidating its premium membership on Patreon, creating one central home for The Overtime Show and other exclusive features that aren’t easily supported through Apple Podcasts. Because Apple doesn’t share subscriber information, memberships cannot be transferred automatically. To avoid paying twice, cancel your Apple subscription by opening your iPhone’s Settings, tapping your name, selecting Subscriptions, choosing The Missions Show, and tapping Cancel Subscription. You’ll keep your premium access through the end of your current billing period, and The Overtime Show will continue to be published on Apple for the full term you’ve already purchased. Annual subscribers can simply set a reminder to switch when their subscription expires. When you’re ready, visit Patreon.com/TheMissionsShow using a web browser and use promo code WELCOMEBACK50 to receive 50% off your first month. The code is valid through November 23. Thank you for supporting The Missions Show. Your support matters more than you know, and we look forward to bringing you more bonus episodes, premium content, and exclusive features on Patreon.

  7. Aug 23

    Should Christians be Losers? Feat. D. Michael Clary

    Should Christians want to be losers? In this episode of The Missions Show, hosts Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford talk with pastor and author D. Michael Clary about the ideas behind his book, Loser Theology. Clary challenges the belief that Christians are somehow more faithful when they are suffering, struggling, or losing. Scripture teaches believers how to endure hardship faithfully, but that does not mean suffering should become the goal. For missionaries and ministry leaders, this distinction matters: faithfulness may require sacrifice, but Christians should not seek hardship simply to prove their devotion to Christ. The conversation also explores a healthier view of success in missions. Faithful ministry often means years of patient work with little visible fruit, and results ultimately belong to God. Yet that truth should not lead Christians to passivity. God calls his people to take initiative, use the gifts and opportunities he has given them, proclaim the gospel, love their neighbors, and pursue the Great Commission with courage. Key Topics: Why suffering should not become a measure of Christian faithfulness The danger of romanticizing martyrdom and difficult ministry How missionaries can remain faithful when they see little visible fruit Balancing God’s sovereignty with human initiative and responsibility Why ordinary, faithful Christian service has eternal value Taking risks for the Great Commission while trusting God with the results 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@missionsshow.com.

  8. Aug 23 ·  Bonus • Subscribers Only

    OT: Is the Church the Biggest Loser?

    In this OverTime episode of The Missions Show, Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford continue their conversation with D. Michael Clary about “loser theology,” turning their attention to the church’s place in culture. They explore whether Christians should view declining cultural influence as a sign of faithfulness or whether that mindset can become an excuse for passivity. Building on their discussion of suffering, success, and Christian agency, the conversation challenges believers to resist measuring faithfulness simply by whether the church appears to be winning or losing. Instead, Christians should faithfully pursue the Great Commission, seek the good of their neighbors, and use the influence and opportunities God has given them for his glory rather than assuming cultural retreat is inherently virtuous.

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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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