Modern Day Missionaries

AI is changing everything—how we think, work, lead, create…How about how we hear from God? Without realizing it, are we letting it reshape our hearts, our habits, and our spiritual lives, too?

Today, we talk with Carey Nieuwhof about the very real tension missionaries face when using AI for ministry. From sermon prep to leadership decisions, we explore how to use this tool with wisdom, where it may be subtly weakening us, and how to stay rooted in the Holy Spirit with all of the noise around us.

This episode will encourage you to stay curious but also rooted, as we look at how to use AI in ways that align with your calling and keep your heart sensitive to God.

• How AI is already influencing your ministry, whether you realize it or not
• When AI becomes a helpful tool and when it starts replacing spiritual dependence
• Why using AI without discernment can lead to “brain rot” and spiritual drift
• How Carey uses AI for sermon prep and leadership without losing his voice
• What it looks like to stay mentally and spiritually sharp in the age of AI

Carey Nieuwhof

ChatGPT

Claude AI

The Art of Leadership Academy

We can all agree, just hearing “end of year support campaign” feels weighty and overwhelming. That’s why I created this comprehensive guide to help you approach your EOY campaign feeling lighter. 

Get your free digital download, walk the plan out step by step, and I believe you will see your fundraising efforts thrive this year! - Coach Ben

EOY Giving Campaign Field Guide 🗺️

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at [email protected]

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

Modern Day Missionaries is a podcast created specifically for missionaries navigating real life on the field.

We talk honestly about the questions missionaries actually ask—

• How do I retain supporters?
• Am I burned out… or heading there?
• How do I stay connected to my spouse in the middle of ministry chaos?
• What does it look like to flourish as a single missionary?

Our heart is simple: help you be well so you can serve well—and truly thrive in your faith, family, finances, and freedom.

Each episode features practical wisdom and encouragement from people who deeply understand the missionary life, including guests like Steve Shadrach, Bob Goff, David Joannes, Curt Thompson, Brian Barcelona, and Mary Ho—voices who love missionaries and get the realities of the field.

Every conversation is designed to give you tangible, practical ideas you can apply immediately, shared by people who know that missionaries live a different kind of life.

Hosted by Stephanie Leigh Gutierrez, who served overseas for a decade with her family, Modern Day Missionaries is the podcast she wishes she’d had on the field—and the one created now, just for you.

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or watch on YouTube, and join us as we help missionaries not just stay on the field—but thrive on it.

“Modern Day Missionaries” is a podcast series for Christian missionaries produced by “Modern Day Missions.”

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at [email protected]

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

You're serving full-time. You're pouring yourself out. And yet, you still feel like it's not enough.

Many missionaries live with an unnamed pressure, a constant inner drive to do more, be more, prove more. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Curt Thompson helps us uncover the role that shame plays in shaping our stories and how it may be calling the shots in your life and ministry without you even knowing it.

Could shame be behind your exhaustion, disconnection, or sense of not-enoughness? 

Discover why shame shows up so shockingly early in all of our lives, how it disconnects us, and what it looks like to become whole again, from the inside out. This episode is an invitation to name what’s really going on beneath the surface and begin a path toward healing, hope, and wholeness.

• Why shame starts early, before we even have words
• How shame can shape your identity and calling without you realizing it
• What happens when disintegration replaces connection in missionary life
• Why the antidote to shame isn't advice, but presence
• How to take your first steps toward healing and wholeness

We can all agree, just hearing “end of year support campaign” feels weighty and overwhelming. That’s why I created this comprehensive guide to help you approach your EOY campaign feeling lighter. 

Get your free digital download, walk the plan out step by step, and I believe you will see your fundraising efforts thrive this year! - Coach Ben

EOY Giving Campaign Field Guide 🗺️

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at [email protected]

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

Want to know how you can double your monthly donations this December? Statistics show that missionaries who take a few simple steps can significantly increase year-end giving—and in some cases, receive more in the final four days of the year than any other month. 

In this episode, Modern Day Missions president and financial consultant Elias Reyes shares how to make the most of this golden opportunity. Whether you’re nervous about overwhelming your donors or just unsure where to start, this conversation will give you practical tools, clear strategy, and the confidence to finish your year strong.

• Why the last four days of December are so critical for missionary fundraising
• How to make a clear, confident ask without overwhelming your donors
• What kind of messages to send—and when to send them—for the best results
• How gratitude and follow-up can lead to long-term donor connection
• How to set everything up in advance so you’re not scrambling during the holidays

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We can all agree, just hearing “end of year support campaign” feels weighty and overwhelming. That’s why I created this comprehensive guide to help you approach your EOY campaign feeling lighter. 

Get your free digital download, walk the plan out step by step, and I believe you will see your fundraising efforts thrive this year! - Coach Ben

EOY Giving Campaign Field Guide 🗺️

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at [email protected]

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

What’s really going on when you feel numb, irritable, or disconnected on the field—even when you’re doing what God has called you to do? 

Why do high-functioning workers sometimes shut down emotionally, pull away from others, or lose the ability to feel God’s presence? How does long-term pressure affect your brain—and what can you do to move toward restoration? 

If connection feels hard, there’s a reason—and a way through it. Psychiatrist Dr. Karl Lehman breaks down the neuroscience behind relational and spiritual disconnection.

You’ll learn why your brain sometimes shuts down connection as a survival mechanism, what “relational circuits” are, and how understanding them can help you re-engage with God, your community, and even your own emotions. Dr. Lehman shares tools you can use when you're feeling burned out, distant, or just stuck — and how Jesus meets us right in the middle of it.

Whether you're feeling fried or just wanting to learn how to connect more deeply with God and those around you, this episode offers insight and hope for reconnecting in the midst of pressure.

• What happens in your brain during stress—and why it impacts your ability to connect
• Why even high-capacity missionaries can feel numb, withdrawn, or disconnected
• How “relational circuits” work—and simple ways to help them come back online
• Practical tools to help you re-engage with God, people, and your own emotions
• How Jesus meets us with gentleness and presence, even when we feel shut down

We can all agree, just hearing “end of year support campaign” feels weighty and overwhelming. That’s why I created this comprehensive guide to help you approach your EOY campaign feeling lighter. 

Get your free digital download, walk the plan out step by step, and I believe you will see your fundraising efforts thrive this year! - Coach Ben

EOY Giving Campaign Field Guide 🗺️

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at [email protected]

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

What if the support you need is waiting on the other side of a bold conversation with the right person? Many missionaries feel unsure about how to connect with business leaders—and even more unsure about how to talk about money. But what if those very people are called to partner with you?

In this encore episode, we revisit our conversation with Lee Domingue—entrepreneur, author, and founder of Kingdom Builders. Lee offers a compelling vision for how missionaries and business leaders can join forces for global impact. He shares practical wisdom for building trust, communicating your calling clearly, and forming partnerships that advance the Gospel and energize both sides.

If you’ve ever struggled to raise support or wondered how to engage churches and donors with more clarity and confidence, this episode is packed with fresh perspective and encouragement.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How to connect with business leaders who care about Kingdom impact
• Why fundraising isn’t just about asking—it’s about alignment and vision
• How to clearly and confidently communicate the “why” behind your mission
• What Kingdom Builders is—and why it’s changing the conversation around missions funding
• Why spiritual partnership often leads to greater financial provision

We can all agree, just hearing “end of year support campaign” feels weighty and overwhelming. That’s why I created this comprehensive guide to help you approach your EOY campaign feeling lighter. 

Get your free digital download, walk the plan out step by step, and I believe you will see your fundraising efforts thrive this year! - Coach Ben

EOY Giving Campaign Field Guide 🗺️

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at [email protected]

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

What if the pushback you're getting from Gen Z missionaries isn’t rebellion—but an invitation to lead differently? Many leaders are navigating cross-generational tension in missions, unsure how to guide and motivate a generation that values autonomy, mental health, and meaning over traditional hierarchies and hustle culture.

In this conversation, leadership expert Dr. Tim Elmore joins us to unpack the cultural shift happening on the mission field. Drawing from decades of research and his new book, The Future Begins with Z, Tim explores what Gen Z needs most from their leaders—and why trusting them may be the key to shaping the future of missions. Whether you’re mentoring young missionaries or are one yourself, this episode will stretch your perspective and encourage healthy leadership that goes both ways.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn

• Why Gen Z often pushes back against authority—and how to respond without losing influence
• The surprising leadership shift required to gain trust from the next generation
• How to use the P.E.R.K.S. framework to better understand and empower Gen Z teammates
• What Gen Z’s focus on mental health and sustainability reveals about their view of missions
• How to lead with both wisdom and humility—creating space for Gen Z’s strengths to thrive

We can all agree, just hearing “end of year support campaign” feels weighty and overwhelming. That’s why I created this comprehensive guide to help you approach your EOY campaign feeling lighter. 

Get your free digital download, walk the plan out step by step, and I believe you will see your fundraising efforts thrive this year! - Coach Ben

EOY Giving Campaign Field Guide 🗺️

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at [email protected]

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

What happens when your identity in Christ feels solid, but deep down, you’re still exhausted, fragmented, and unsure who you really are? Many missionaries live in a cycle of spiritual striving and internal disintegration—even while faithfully serving. The result? Burnout, weariness, and a haunting sense that something is off, even if they can’t name it.

This conversation gently opens the door to a new way of living. Our guest is Cheryl Scanlan—Master Certified Coach, director of Promised Land Living, and author of The Way of Rest. Together, we unpack the deep internal exhaustion that so many missionaries experience, and the quiet fragmentation that can happen when identity gets wrapped in ministry activity. Cheryl walks us through her seven-step process to move out of striving and into wholeness, rest, and delight in Christ.

If you’re longing for more than just surviving, this episode offers powerful insight and practical steps toward soul-deep restoration.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn

• How internal exhaustion can persist—even when you're doing what God has called you to do
• What it means to live with powerful dependence on God, not self-sufficiency
• Why spiritual burnout often stems from identity wrapped in performance
• How to notice your personal red flags that you're living from the false self
• What Cheryl’s seven-step shift process is—and how it leads to rest, delight, and reintegration

We can all agree, just hearing “end of year support campaign” feels weighty and overwhelming. That’s why I created this comprehensive guide to help you approach your EOY campaign feeling lighter. 

Get your free digital download, walk the plan out step by step, and I believe you will see your fundraising efforts thrive this year! - Coach Ben

EOY Giving Campaign Field Guide 🗺️

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at [email protected]

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

What are missionary kids really carrying—and what can adults do to help lighten the load? From the pressure to perform, to the fear of disappointing others, MKs often carry invisible expectations they didn’t choose and can’t always name. These burdens can shape everything from their identity to their view of God.

In this conversation, we explore the emotional and spiritual weight many missionary kids carry and what it means to support them with greater empathy, patience, and grace. Our guest is Michèle Phoenix—author of Pieces of Purple, MK advocate, and lifelong TCK. Drawing from decades of personal experience and professional work with MKs, Michèle unpacks some of the most misunderstood parts of the MK journey and offers practical insight for families and leaders alike.

Whether you’re raising an MK, mentoring one, or unpacking your own experience growing up between worlds, this episode offers a compassionate lens and helpful tools for the journey.

We can all agree, just hearing “end of year support campaign” feels weighty and overwhelming. That’s why I created this comprehensive guide to help you approach your EOY campaign feeling lighter. 

Get your free digital download, walk the plan out step by step, and I believe you will see your fundraising efforts thrive this year! - Coach Ben

EOY Giving Campaign Field Guide 🗺️

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at [email protected]

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

Ever hosted a short-term mission team and wondered, Was that really worth it? Or maybe you're gearing up for your next one and already feeling the weight of logistics, expectations, and exhaustion.

In this episode, Jesse and Andrea Kroeze—leaders of Touch the World and seasoned missionaries—offer a fresh take on how short-term teams can become a strategic blessing instead of a draining burden. Having lived both as hosts and senders, they bring hard-earned wisdom, practical tools, and bold encouragement to help you align teams with your long-term mission.

If you've ever questioned how to make teams work for you (and not the other way around), this episode is for you.

We can all agree, just hearing “end of year support campaign” feels weighty and overwhelming. That’s why I created this comprehensive guide to help you approach your EOY campaign feeling lighter. 

Get your free digital download, walk the plan out step by step, and I believe you will see your fundraising efforts thrive this year! - Coach Ben

EOY Giving Campaign Field Guide 🗺️

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at [email protected]

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/