The Missions Show

Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford · missionspodcast.com

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.

709 episodes

13d ago latest

weekly cadence

English language

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Episodes 300

Should Christians be Losers? Feat. D. Michael Clary
6d ago · 28:30
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
The Ultimate Happily Ever After: Christ’s Return and the Great Commission
13d ago · 28:32
If the world is ending, why bother with missions? This week, Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford are joined in the ABWE studio by Benjamin Vrbicek, lead teaching pastor of Community Evangelical Free Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and author of The Restoration of All Things (Baker Books). For most Christians, the doctrine of last things produces anxiety, charts, and headline-watching rather than comfort. Benjamin came to the subject the hard way, studying every major view of Christ’s return for his own ordination, and came out the other side convinced that the biggest truth in Scripture ought to
How to Know if You’re Ready to Be a Missionary
20d ago · 28:30
Does it take more than a calling to be a missionary? This week, Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford are joined by Matt Bennett and Ryan Robertson, co-authors of The Path to Being a Missionary, to explore a question that often gets overlooked: not simply, “Am I called?” but “Am I qualified?” Together, they discuss why churches should assess aspiring missionaries based on biblical character, sound doctrine, and proven competency rather than personal desire alone. Their conversation also looks at encouraging trends in missions today, including a renewed emphasis on theology, the local church, and caref
What Comes Next in Africa With Ron Washer
27d ago · 28:30
In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex sits down with veteran missionary Ron Washer to explore what God is doing across Africa after more than 50 years of ministry. From growing up as a missionary kid in Niger to serving in Togo and helping mobilize new workers, Ron shares how God has used faithful teams, medical ministry, church planting, and leadership development to establish thriving local churches. Ron reflects on God's providence in opening doors for ministry in Togo and the lasting impact of investing in local believers who now lead the work. He also challenges common assumptions ab
Ministry in Wartime: Challenges and Joys of Ministering in Ukraine
1mo ago · 28:30
Four years into the full-scale war in Ukraine, daily life is still marked by air raid alerts, uncertainty, and loss. Yet ABWE missionary Mike Gustafson and Pastor Zhenya Yashchenko share how God continues to build his church in the midst of the conflict. They discuss the realities of serving while missiles fall, caring for families under constant stress, and shepherding a church whose members have been drafted to the front lines. Despite the hardships, the gospel is reaching people who are searching for lasting hope. Through humanitarian outreach, church planting, and faithful gospel witness,
Does Physical Fitness Matter for Missions?
1mo ago · 31:50
Physical fitness may not be the first thing that comes to mind when we think about ministry, but should it be? In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford explore why caring for our bodies is part of faithfully stewarding God's calling. They discuss the relationship between physical health, spiritual discipline, and long-term ministry effectiveness, while avoiding legalism or unrealistic standards. The conversation also tackles the unique challenges pastors and missionaries face, from food-centered hospitality to sedentary work and ministry stress. Alex and Scott share
Missions in Kenya: Reaching Youth Through Soccer and Discipleship With Reuben Gitonga
1mo ago · 28:32
How do you reach one of the youngest populations in the world with the hope of the gospel? In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex and Scott welcome Reuben Gitonga, a Kenyan ministry leader serving with ABWE. Reuben shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Nairobi to leading a ministry that uses soccer, discipleship, and local church partnerships to reach young people living in Kenya's underserved communities. The conversation explores the unique opportunities and challenges facing Kenya's next generation, where many young people struggle with poverty, fatherlessness, and limited ac
What You Need Before Becoming a Missionary
1mo ago · 28:30
Do you have what it takes to be a missionary? In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex and Scott discuss the importance of spiritual readiness, personal holiness, and character formation as someone starts to explore their calling to the mission field. Drawing from Scripture and missionary examples like Hudson Taylor, they highlight the need for intentional training, self-discipline, and a serious pursuit of sanctification. The conversation also explores the role of the local church in shaping future missionaries. Alex and Scott encourage aspiring missionaries to embrace service, accountabili
What God is Doing in South Asia
2mo ago · 28:55
What does everyday ministry look like in South Asia? In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex sits down with K.Y., a ministry partner serving in a predominantly Muslim country in South Asia, to discuss the realities of gospel ministry in one of the world’s most challenging mission fields. K.Y. shares how his ministry integrates theological education, discipleship, and church planting to strengthen local believers and equip leaders for faithful witness amid persecution and social pressure. K.Y. explains the risks Christians face when sharing their faith, the challenges posed by radicalized el
Are You Doing Short-Term Missions Trips Right?
2mo ago · 28:32
Are short-term missions trips more helpful or hurtful? In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex and Scott welcome Scott McCoy, Launch Point Missions Lead at ABWE, to discuss one of the most debated topics in modern missions: short-term mission trips. McCoy shares why he believes short-term missions remain valuable when they are thoughtfully designed around the needs of missionaries, local believers, and participating churches. The conversation explores common pitfalls churches should avoid, including cultural insensitivity and creating ministry models that local believers cannot sustain. McC
Helping the Poor Without Hurting the Mission
2mo ago · 28:32
Can compassion ministry and gospel proclamation work together? In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex and Scott sit down with Dave Phillips, founder and president of Children's Hunger Fund (CHF), to explore the relationship between gospel proclamation, mercy ministry, and the local church. Dave shares the remarkable story behind CHF’s founding, beginning with a life-changing visit to a pediatric cancer ward in Honduras and culminating in a providential donation of life-saving medicine that confirmed God’s call to launch the ministry. What started as a small step of faith has grown into a g
What 40 Years of Church Planting Can Teach Us
2mo ago · 29:12
Is Peru as reached as we think? In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex and Scott talk with veteran ABWE missionary Stephen Douglas to explore more than four decades of gospel ministry in Peru. Stephen shares how God led him and his wife Debbie to the city of Arequipa—a historic Roman Catholic stronghold known as the “Little Rome of Peru”—and how a small church-planting team, where no evangelical churches existed before, grew into a network of dozens of churches throughout the region. Stephen also recounts powerful stories of lives changed through discipleship, leadership development, and c
Listener Letter – When Spouses Disagree on Missional Calling
3mo ago · 28:30
This week, Alex and Scott tackle a difficult question from a missionary wife who, after experiencing significant trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, family challenges, and cultural stress during overseas service, no longer feels able to return to the mission field while her husband remains convinced they should continue. They explore the realities of missionary hardship, the emotional and spiritual toll of cross-cultural ministry, and the tension that can arise when spouses find themselves at odds over what they believe God is calling them to do. The conversation examines biblical concepts of
Bringing Masculinity Back to Missions With Chase Davis
3mo ago · 28:30
In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex and Scott welcome pastor, author, and former missionary J. Chase Davis to discuss the crisis of biblical masculinity and its implications for the church and missions. Drawing from his book Offensive Christianity, Davis argues that the modern church has often replaced robust discipleship with therapeutic, “nice” Christianity that neglects courage, conviction, and a biblical understanding of manhood. The conversation explores how theological anthropology, cultural movements like pietism, and modern evangelical trends have contributed to an increasingly
Crisis Response and First Responder Ministry
3mo ago · 28:30
In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex sits down with ABWE’s Director of International Security and Crisis Management, Bill Gruppen, to discuss the difficult balance between missionary safety and gospel risk-taking in some of the world’s most dangerous places. Drawing from decades of experience in law enforcement, emergency response, and security, Bill shares how God redirected his professional skill set into missions work through TACTICA Ministries and ABWE. Together, they explore how missionaries prepare for crises, make difficult stay-or-go decisions in conflict zones like the Middle Ea
How Missionaries Transform Cultures
3mo ago · 29:24
Christian missions has never existed in a cultural vacuum. From William Carey’s role in ending widow burning in India to Gladys Aylward confronting foot-binding in China, the spread of Christianity has often transformed entire societies. But where is the line between gospel transformation and cultural imperialism? When missionaries challenge practices rooted in paganism, are they discipling nations or exporting Western assumptions? In this episode, Alex and Scott explores the missionary task through the lens of Scripture, church history, and cultural theology. Looking at both Scripture and mis
Engaging Islam with the Truth of the Trinity With Dr. Imad Shehadeh
3mo ago · 28:30
How do you explain the Trinity to Muslims? On this episode of The Missions Show, Alex and Scott sit down with Dr. Imad Shehadeh, founder and president of Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary, to explore what it means to faithfully articulate and defend the doctrine of the Trinity in a Muslim-majority context. Drawing from decades of theological education and ministry, Shehadeh explains how misunderstandings about the Trinity and the assumption that Christians believe in three gods. He emphasizes that the core differences between Islam and Christianity ultimately stem from contrasting views
How Christ Transformed a Former Iranian Revolution Leader With Dr. Shayesteh
4mo ago · 28:30
In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex and Scott sit down with Dr. Daniel Shayesteh. Dr. Shayesteh shares his powerful journey from a radical Muslim involved in the Iranian Revolution to a follower of Christ. Raised in a devout Islamic context that viewed Christianity as corrupt, he rose to prominence as a religious figure and political activist under Ayatollah Khomeini. But after witnessing deception and oppression, he became disillusioned, was imprisoned, and narrowly escaped execution before fleeing Iran. In Turkey, Shayesteh’s academic studies and unexpected encounters with Christians
Are Church Planting Movements Bad?
4mo ago · 30:08
Can church planting be done wrong? This episode of The Missions Show explores the debate around Church Planting Movements (CPMs), interacting with a Lausanne article that presents them as a highly effective missions strategy. Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford explain what CPMs are and why they generate both enthusiasm and concern, especially regarding their emphasis on rapid multiplication and minimal training. Alex and Scott raise key theological and practical questions about doctrine, discipleship, and the definition of the church. While affirming the desire for gospel growth, they caution again
Canada’s C9 Bill – Is God’s Truth Being Outlawed?
4mo ago · 28:30
Did Canada just pass a bill that outlaws particular Bible teaching? This episode of The Missions Show explores the implications of Canada’s Bill C9 (the “Combating Hate Act”) and its potential impact on religious freedom, gospel proclamation, and missions. Guest John Taylor, ABWE missionary in Canada, explains that while the bill aims to curb violence and protect marginalized communities, its vague definition of “hate” and removal of key legal protections for religious expression raise serious concerns. The conversation highlights how this cultural and legal shift may affect both local churche
A Defense Against Missions as Colonialism
4mo ago · 28:31
How do you respond when people say that missions is colonialism? In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex and Scott tackle the increasingly common claim that missions is inherently colonialistic with guest Will Maxson. Prompted by real-world examples and cultural trends, they explore why this critique has gained traction, even within Christian institutions. Maxson acknowledges that while missions and colonial expansion sometimes overlapped historically, the popular narrative often exaggerates or misunderstands that connection. He argues that Christianity’s missionary impulse is fundamentally
Sustaining Grace Through Tragedy: The Bowers Shoot Down, 25 Years Later
5mo ago · 31:10
In April 2001, tragedy struck deep in the jungles of Peru when a missionary flight carrying the Bowers family was mistakenly shot down during a counternarcotics operation gone wrong. Roni Bowers and her infant daughter, Charity, were killed. Jim Bowers and his young son survived. Twenty-five years later, Jim joins Alex and Scott to reflect on that day and what Jim has learned about loss, faith, and God’s sustaining grace. While the incident drew international attention and remains a sobering example of the dangers missionaries face, this episode moves beyond the news cycle. Jim shares what it
Protestant Missions and the Catholic Question
5mo ago · 29:24
How should we view Roman Catholicism on the mission field? In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex and Scott tackle the complex and often sensitive question of how Protestant missionaries should engage with Roman Catholics in the context of global missions. They emphasize that missions is not just about generic belief in Jesus, but about faithfully communicating the true gospel with doctrinal clarity. Alex and Scott explore key theological differences, especially regarding authority and salvation. The episode concludes with practical missiological insights, stressing the need to avoid assum
Reaching Muslim Refugees With the Gospel
5mo ago · 27:58
In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex and Scott speak with ABWE missionaries “Will and Beth McAuliffe” (pseudonyms) about their long journey toward serving among Arabic-speaking people. After years of preparation and ministry in the Middle East, their plans were unexpectedly disrupted when their daughter was born extremely premature with significant medical complications. The experience forced them to leave the field and wrestle with whether their missionary calling had changed, ultimately leading them to new refugee ministry opportunities in Europe. Now living in Berlin, Germany, where t
Demystifying the Order of Love
5mo ago · 28:35
How does Scripture order our affections? In this episode, Alex and Scott unpack the historic Christian concept of the ordo amoris—the “order of loves”—and why it matters for missions today. Drawing from Alex’s new book Ordered to Love, they explore how Scripture and theologians like Augustine and Aquinas teach that our loves must be rightly ordered, beginning with God and flowing outward to family, church, nation, and the nations. Together they address current cultural tensions—nationalism, global instability, and missionary urgency—and ask how Christians should prioritize their responsibiliti

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The Missions Show

Episodes 300

Should Christians be Losers? Feat. D. Michael Clary

The Ultimate Happily Ever After: Christ’s Return and the Great Commission

How to Know if You’re Ready to Be a Missionary

What Comes Next in Africa With Ron Washer

Ministry in Wartime: Challenges and Joys of Ministering in Ukraine

Does Physical Fitness Matter for Missions?

Missions in Kenya: Reaching Youth Through Soccer and Discipleship With Reuben Gitonga

What You Need Before Becoming a Missionary

What God is Doing in South Asia

Are You Doing Short-Term Missions Trips Right?

Helping the Poor Without Hurting the Mission

What 40 Years of Church Planting Can Teach Us

Listener Letter – When Spouses Disagree on Missional Calling

Bringing Masculinity Back to Missions With Chase Davis

Crisis Response and First Responder Ministry

How Missionaries Transform Cultures

Engaging Islam with the Truth of the Trinity With Dr. Imad Shehadeh

How Christ Transformed a Former Iranian Revolution Leader With Dr. Shayesteh

Are Church Planting Movements Bad?

Canada’s C9 Bill – Is God’s Truth Being Outlawed?

A Defense Against Missions as Colonialism

Sustaining Grace Through Tragedy: The Bowers Shoot Down, 25 Years Later

Protestant Missions and the Catholic Question

Reaching Muslim Refugees With the Gospel

Demystifying the Order of Love

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Episodes 300

Should Christians be Losers? Feat. D. Michael Clary

The Ultimate Happily Ever After: Christ’s Return and the Great Commission

How to Know if You’re Ready to Be a Missionary

What Comes Next in Africa With Ron Washer

Ministry in Wartime: Challenges and Joys of Ministering in Ukraine

Does Physical Fitness Matter for Missions?

Missions in Kenya: Reaching Youth Through Soccer and Discipleship With Reuben Gitonga

What You Need Before Becoming a Missionary

What God is Doing in South Asia

Are You Doing Short-Term Missions Trips Right?

Helping the Poor Without Hurting the Mission

What 40 Years of Church Planting Can Teach Us

Listener Letter – When Spouses Disagree on Missional Calling

Bringing Masculinity Back to Missions With Chase Davis

Crisis Response and First Responder Ministry

How Missionaries Transform Cultures

Engaging Islam with the Truth of the Trinity With Dr. Imad Shehadeh

How Christ Transformed a Former Iranian Revolution Leader With Dr. Shayesteh

Are Church Planting Movements Bad?

Canada’s C9 Bill – Is God’s Truth Being Outlawed?

A Defense Against Missions as Colonialism

Sustaining Grace Through Tragedy: The Bowers Shoot Down, 25 Years Later

Protestant Missions and the Catholic Question

Reaching Muslim Refugees With the Gospel

Demystifying the Order of Love