This week I’m really happy to bring you Brent Bazler (alias), who works with the Nashville base for Youth With a Mission (YWAM). In our time together, he shared some amazing stories of God’s faithfulness and offered a two-part framework for encouraging, supporting, and blessing missionaries in unconventional ways as well as the “M.L.P.” framework for making ministry decisions.

Before becoming a missionary, Brent spent time as an educator, living for the summer mission trips until it finally became clear that he and his family needed to step into full-time ministry in order to be obedient to where God was leading them. Since that transition they have faced challenges and also seen amazing examples of God’s faithfulness.

I so enjoy the way Brent delights in The Lord and trusts so fully. I’m sure that you will enjoy this interview.

Key Scripture

Challenges

* How a 16th floor apartment, and angel, and a roll of film are part of the same story

* What happened just before a dentist appointment

* How God confirmed that Brent’s children had the right idea when it came time for a significatn life change (and investment)

Revelation

How God used a group of ladies from a church in California to challenge Brent and his family. And how that led to a new direction in their ministry.

One Thing

The one thing that Brent wishes he would have known when he just started out. And how he’s seen God’s faithfulness.

Current Ministry

* How ministry and children fit together for Brent and his wife.

* A fun way that YWAM Nashville is supporting their community (hint: you can find out more and even be involved if you sign up here before May 10, 2014)

* Some other exciting things that involve both Brent and YWAM Nashville

What’s special about YWAM Nashville?

There are a number of different missions organizations. Each tends to have their own focus and I believe that all are valuable. In our discussion, Brent offered up some things that he believes make YWAM unique.

* YWAM is an extremely flexible organization, willing to move on short notice

* YWAM Nashville is good at building and maintaining relationships.

* Find out what an umbrella and a C.U.P. have to do with worship and the ministry direction of YWAM Nashville.

* The “M.L.P.” framework for making ministry decisions.

* Ministry (What should I do?)

* Location (Where should I go?)

* People (Who should I be involved with?)

Level Up

Brent offers some great “outside the box” ideas for what people can do to encourage and support missionaries. He shares a couple of ways that people have helped him and his family in the past. And he offers a framework for being able to discover those unconventional ways to support and encourage missionaries.

Speed Round

Best Advice

Something someone did to support

How Brent’s parents made a financial sacrifice that has paid dividends for the rest of their lives.

Personal Success Habit

Brent says that a key for him has been reading God’s word and praying some very particular kinds of prayers.

Internet Resource

TNTmpd – donor relationship software that not only tracks donors, but also helps build long-term relationships between missionaries and their supporters.

Books

* The ...