Reach Beyond Podcast: Stories of hope, inspiration and transformation from around the world

As we approach our National Day of Prayer (THU, May 4), today's podcast guest also reminds us to pray for missionaries around the world. Dr. Jessie Ritchie, a missionary kid and past missionary herself, shares 10 practical ways we can lift up missionaries in prayer.

Most of us haven't lived in another country, another culture. We often have little understanding of the challenges missionaries face. What are they feeling? What are the conditions of their environment? How are they staying connected with other believers?

Today's discussion opens that window for us with candid conversation from Dr. Ritchie and Steve Harling, as they both share experiences and difficulties from years as missionaries.

In addition to the daily challenges missionaries face, there are also pressures to provide updates, concerns for the health and well being of their families, and the lack of opportunity for fellowship. The stark reality is that it's often tough for missionaries just to hold on.

This episode is a good reminder for all who support missionaries that prayer is such a critical part of supporting them. The insights shared by Dr. Ritchie give us guidelines for praying well. You'll find the free download of 10 ways to pray for your missionaries to be a great resource to equip you to pray for your missionaries! So listen and enjoy this episode now!

Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

10 Ways to Pray for Missionaries

On today's podcast, Jon Fugler and Steve Harling interview Paul Eshleman, director of Finishing the Task. Paul has a passion for taking the gospel to those who have never heard. From decades of work with CRU, including EXPO '72, and the Jesus Film, Paul has been a champion for the cause of Christ and a leader for challenging the church with innovative ways to evangelize.

Motivated from a deep conviction that everybody deserves to have one chance to hear how they can live forever, Paul describes moments that impacted his own life and propelled him to reaching people groups who had never heard the name of Jesus.

You will be enlightened and emboldened as you listen to the stories, challenges and passion of Paul. Discover how simple it is to become involved in the movement of Finishing the Task, and why now is one of the most exciting times for the church to step up and out in obedience to the call of the Great Commission.

Plug in, sit back, and prepare to become engaged!

Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Fill My Cup Water Campaign Phil Stacey Podcast - Episode 38 Learn more about Finishing the Task Learn more about International Day for the Unreached Download the Prayer Guide: 7 days of prayer for the unreached

Coming up on Easter, this episode brings lively discussion, reminding us of the 2 billion + people around the world who have yet to be reached with the message of hope and salvation in Jesus. From the core team members of International Day for the Unreached --(IDU), you will hear how God formed this Alliance to champion the cause of the most unreached and unengaged people of the earth. You'll hear from Steve Harling, president of Reach Beyond, along with other key leaders for IDU, a day which focuses on bringing awareness to the people and places around the world where little or no gospel, missionary, or Christian presence exist. You'll discover staggering statistics on the unreached, and be challenged to become involved in specific ways. Discover the story behind one key Alliance partner's roots. Hear how an unreached tribe of fierce headhunters came to Christ through one single copy of the gospel that was brought in by a brave missionary. This and other stories of the power of the gospel to transform lives is the motivation and purpose behind IDU. This exciting discussion will renew and reignite your own passion for the lost!

Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about International Day for the Unreached Download the Great Commission Action Guide

Join the 30-day Prayer Challenge

From Florida to Wyoming, and Indonesia to West Africa, American Idol finalist Phil Stacey has been touring the world as an ambassador for reaching the lost. Today he takes time out from his busy schedule to share about his clear calling and his heart to align with the mission of Reach Beyond.

Phil shares how God has used the platform of American Idol to open some :crazy doors" for him around the world. These open doors are giving him the opportunity to share the gospel with many who may never otherwise hear the message of Jesus.

You'll hear powerful stories from Phil's recent visit to Ghana with his wife Kendra, where they spent time with Reach Beyond teams and missionaries. Phil and Jon Fugler discuss the work that Reach Beyond and our partners are doing in that region – including radio ministry and providing clean water and sanitation for villages there.

As World Water Day approaches on March 22nd, Phil and Jon explain the clean water crisis in West Africa. They invite you to help build a well in that region through Reach Beyond's "Fill My Cup" campaign.

You will be inspired as you listen to the excitement and passion from Phil about effective ways we can work together as the body of Christ to be the voice and hands of Jesus.

Links and Resources mentioned in this Episode: Help us Build a water well in West Africa through the "Fill My Cup" campaign Download Phil Stacey's Single "Reach Beyond" Visit Phil Stacey's Website Download your free copy of our 30-day devotional "Jesus Did"

At a hospital in Quito, Ecuador, a woman whose child underwent surgery was in tears with amazement and gratitude. The nurse speaking to her had just explained that people in other countries who love Jesus gave money to the hospital so those like her child could be helped. "I want to love Jesus too" she replied.

That nurse was Sheila Leech, VP of Reach Beyond's Global Healthcare. And "That" she said, referring to the woman receiving Jesus, "is what it's all about. Sharing compassion and love for individuals that Jesus died for."

You will not want to miss this episode, as Sheila tells amazing stories and the incredible journey that God has taken her on over the past 24 years serving with Reach Beyond. From work in community development, to medical caravans in Ecuador, to blindness prevention projects near Colombia, teaching in jungles, disaster relief in Haiti, and much more. Sheila has worked shoulder to shoulder with women throughout the world, empowering and encouraging them to come to Christ and be nurtured in him.

Listen as Sheila shares stories of women in underprivileged areas of the world are impacting their entire communities and taking the initiative at home to bring change and teach values. You will hear Sheila challenge women everywhere to step out and be open to God's calling.

This is an episode that is full of powerful stories, and good inspiration for your day!

Links and Resources mentioned in this Episode:

Download Your Free 30-day Devotional Shelia's Latest Blog post

Support Shelia Leech Email Sheila

As this month brings an international focus on Social Justice, today's podcast highlights how Reach Beyond is passionately involved in acts of social justice combined with evangelism globally.

Today's young emerging leaders are passionate about social justice. They want to engage in being part of the solution. Micah 6:8 reminds us to "Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God."

Listen to Steve Harling and Jon Fugler as they tell powerful stories of redemption and life transformation. You'll hear how God is using acts of justice that demonstrate the love of Jesus to clear the way for evangelism. Much like Jesus did -- when he met personal physical needs first, that opened the way for others to receive his message of salvation.

From the jungles of Ecuador to the borders of Nepal, you'll hear real stories of lives that have been pulled from the pits of darkness through the ministry and partnerships of Reach Beyond.

If you have a heart and passion for social justice, you won't want to miss this episode. Grab a latte, tune in, or get plugged in, and listen to ways you can be involved in acting justly around the world!

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed." – ECC. 4:9

Do you know the God-given purpose of your marriage? Do you wonder how you and your spouse can best serve the Lord together? On today's podcast, you'll hear how God has designed marriage for ministry "as vast and creative as God is", and discover the keys to unlocking God's purpose for yours. As marriage 'coaches', Greg and Julie Gorman share scriptural insights, wisdom and truth for building God-centered marriages. Listen to ways you can learn to plant seeds of love, be "inspirationally disciplined" and reciprocate God's unconditional love to one another. You won't want to miss this dialogue for empowering you and your spouse to greater love, and for building a marriage that thrives! ]

Resources

Today's episode will challenge and inspire you to be bold and passionate in sharing your faith with others. Hear how Shazam Mohamed with Reach Beyond Canada is using creative technology to reach thousands of internationals and Muslims. Be encouraged as you listen to Shazam talk about overcoming fears to reach out to others with the gospel, and how to make the most of opportunities before us.

You'll also hear how God brought Shazam from working in the secular world to where he never thought he'd be – in full-time ministry!

Today the outreach of Reach Beyond Canada includes reaching many who have never even met a Christian before. If you want to know how to make cross-cultural connections and what it takes to be an effective witness for Christ, you won't want to miss this podcast!

RESOURCES

What will it take in 2017 to make significant progress in 'finishing the task' of reaching the unreached and unengaged?

Casting vision for this in the new year is more than just making resolutions. It's a call to take action. That's what you'll hear from Reach Beyond President Steve Harling in this episode.

Two key strategies of the vision involve (1) a paradigm shift in how we view missions as a whole, and (2) for missions agencies and churches to form strategic partnerships.

You'll want to hear Steve outline the steps for accomplishing the vision in 2017 and beyond. Steve outlines five key areas of focus, with the overarching goal in mind: that all people will hear the gospel, and getting the name of Jesus into unreached people groups.

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Finishing the Task

Contact Steve Harling

Everyone loves a good story. And do we have stories to tell in this episode.

Hear some incredible tales from around the world, as told by the Reach Beyond staff that serve behind the scenes. You'll hear stories of real people whose lives have been changed through this ministry this year. Now many of these are celebrating Christmas for the first time this year.

Hear about how a community in Burkina Faso has come to faith and is now thriving, through our radio outreach there.

Listen to the story of Pablo who lives in a remote village along the Amazon in Brazil. Through a partner ministry, MP3 players are being distributed to some of the most unreached places of this region, and the gospel is changing lives.

From the Asia Pacific region comes riveting stories of total life transformation. You'll hear about one couple who was prevented from committing suicide after hearing about the love of Jesus on a partner radio station.

These are just a few of the life-changing stories in this episode. You'll also hear stories from Ghana, West Africa, Indonesia, Latin America and more. Through partner ministries around the globe, Reach Beyond is being the hands and voice of Jesus to bring his love to those who have been unreached. God is bringing forth much good fruit through these outreaches.

Listen and enjoy these stories with us!