In this episode of Amazon to the Himalayas, host Paul Akin speaks with Pastor Paul Reese, lead pastor of Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh, Scotland. Paul shares his journey from a Christian upbringing in Cardiff, Wales, to leading one of the UK’s historic evangelical churches. They discuss the unique challenges and gospel opportunities in Scotland, the state of the evangelical church in Edinburgh and across the UK, and signs of renewed spiritual interest among younger generations. Drawing on more than 16 years at Charlotte Chapel, Reese reflects on cultivating a mission-shaped congregation, church planting and revitalization, and the importance of prayer, community engagement, and a faithful biblical foundation for gospel ministry both locally and globally.

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The Online PhD at Southern Seminary

https://www.sbts.edu/online-phd/

In this episode of Amazon to the Himalayas, Dr. Paul Akin talks with Pastor Martin Smith of Hawick Baptist Church in Scotland’s Borders. Martin shares his journey to faith, his call to ministry, and his heart for serving rural Southeast Scotland. Together they explore the cultural and spiritual realities of the Borders, the story of Hawick Baptist Church, and the challenges and hope of gospel ministry in a post-industrial, largely unreached region. The episode highlights the perseverance required for church revitalization and a vision for future gospel work and church planting in the area.

Mentioned in this episode:

Doctorate of Missiology at Southern Seminary

In this episode of Amazon to the Himalayas, Paul Akin speaks with Dr. Miguel Núñez about the urgent need for theological education in Latin America. They discuss training local pastors, the region’s growing role in global missions, and key theological challenges, including the influence of Pentecostalism. The conversation highlights the importance of sound doctrine, humility, and learning from the global church as Latin America continues to shape the future of missions.

In this episode of Amazon to the Himalayas, Paul Akin talks with Dr. Miguel Núñez about the growth and challenges of Christianity in Latin America. They explore the region’s theological history, the influence of prosperity teaching, and the expanding global impact of Latin American churches. Dr. Núñez emphasizes the importance of Reformed theology, well-trained pastors, and the energy of young believers who may be fueling a renewed movement. They also discuss the need for accessible theological education and celebrate initiatives like Southern Seminary’s online training programs.

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Doctorate of Missiology at Southern Seminary

In this episode of Amazon to the Himalayas, Paul Akin, provost and professor of Missions at Southern Seminary, talks with Dr. Jimmy Bledsoe, a veteran missionary with 13 years in East Africa. They discuss the crucial role of theological education in strengthening local churches, the challenges pastors face in accessing solid training, and how cultural influences shape Christianity in the region. Dr. Bledsoe offers valuable insight into the current needs, obstacles, and opportunities for gospel-centered education in East Africa.

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Save Money by Studying On-Campus

In this episode of Amazon to the Himalayas, Paul Akin, provost and professor of Missions at Southern Seminary, talks with Dr. Jimmy Bledsoe, a veteran missionary with 13 years in East Africa. They discuss the crucial role of theological education in strengthening local churches, the challenges pastors face in accessing solid training, and how cultural influences shape Christianity in the region. Dr. Bledsoe offers valuable insight into the current needs, obstacles, and opportunities for gospel-centered education in East Africa.

In this episode of Amazon to the Himalayas, Paul Akin talks with Bradley Bell of the Upstream Collective about the vision of the “sending church.” Bell explains how Upstream equips churches to reclaim their central role in missions through training, resources, and partnerships. They discuss common obstacles, the importance of prayer and biblical grounding, and real-world efforts—including work in Cameroon—that demonstrate the powerful potential of churches in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Mentioned in this episode:

Doctorate of Missiology at Southern Seminary

In this episode of Amazon to the Himalayas, host Paul Akin talks with Pastor Matt Tyler about his journey from Arkansas to Bangkok. Matt shares how he and his wife Emily followed God’s call overseas, eventually leading him to pastor Bangkok City Baptist Church. They discuss the challenges of ministry in a Buddhist-majority city, the value of English-speaking churches in global hubs, and Matt’s hope for developing indigenous church leaders in Thailand.

Mentioned in this episode:

Doctorate of Missiology at Southern Seminary

In this episode of Amazon to the Himalayas, host Paul Akin talks with Dr. Scott Logston, co-author of Prioritizing the Church in Mission. Drawing on his experience in church planting, pastoral ministry, and mission work, Dr. Logston explains why the local church must remain central to global missions. They discuss the risks of sidelining the church, practical ways to align mission strategies with biblical priorities, and how modern individualism has shaped today’s mission efforts.

In this episode of Amazon to the Himalayas, Paul Akin speaks with Pastor Matthias Lohmann of the Free Evangelical Church in Munich. They discuss the decline of Christianity in Germany, the challenges of evangelism in a secular culture, and encouraging signs of renewal through new churches and growing interest in ministry. Loman also shares his journey from agnosticism to pastoral leadership and offers prayer requests for the church in Germany.

Mentioned in this episode:

Doctorate of Missiology at Southern Seminary