The Missions Show

By Alex Kocman and Scott DunfordSociety & Culture Religion & Spirituality Christianity Education Philosophy

The Missions Show episodes

March 24, 2024What Every Missionary Needs to Know About Language Acquisition: Jim Ruff Explains
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In this insightful episode, we explore the complex and often challenging journey of language learning for missionaries. Our guest, Jim Ruff, delves into a series of probing questions that shed light on common pitfalls, strategic decisions, and the spiritual dimensions of acquiring new languages in the mission field.
Key questions include:
What is the most significant mistake missionaries make while attempting to master a new language?
In the context of global homogenization and the reliance on lingua francas, is there still a necessity to learn local dialects?
How does learning grammar and languages impact one’s ability to interpret Scripture, preach effectively, and enhance overall communication skills?
Should non-missionaries consider embarking on the journey of learning a foreign language, and if so, why realistically?
How can God use missionaries despite their fears of imperfection in language skills and the occasional missteps in communication?
Join us as we navigate the intricacies of language acquisition in missionary work, offering practical advice, theological reflections, and motivational insights for both current and aspiring missionaries. Whether you're in the field, considering missions, or simply curious about the role of language in ministry, this episode promises to enrich your understanding and inspire your journey.
Jim Ruff, D.Min., is a retired missionary to Japan (20 years) and a trainer and associate director of training for ABWE for over 14 years. With his wife, he served for a term in church planting in the Chicago area. He is the author of one of the ABWE Bible courses and serves as a proctor for missionaries taking the Methods of Bible Study course. He has been an adjunct professor at Baptist Bible Seminary, Clarks Summit University, for 7 years. He and his wife, Jan, have 3 married children and 12 grandchildren. Hear more from Jim on his website.
Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon.
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The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].
46 min
March 21, 2024Why Language Learning Is Everything
Coming up this week: Jim Ruff joins to discuss the dos and don’ts of language learning.
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Supporter ($5/month): weekly bonus shows with more in-depth conversation, behind-the-scenes content, and spiritual insights
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Join at patreon.com/TheMissionsShow.
The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].
1 min
March 20, 2024 Cloud of Witnesses Ep. 2: Flying by Faith
Dear listener: our aim is to continue to equip you with exceptional content from the Lord’s global harvest. That's why, for the next five weeks, every Wednesday, we're introducing a new crossover show to the main feed: Cloud of Witnesses. Released last year, Cloud of Witnesses is now being made available to the broader community. You can listen to all ten episodes on-demand at cloudofwitnessespodcast.com, or search for it in your podcast feed. Alternatively, you can continue tuning in every Wednesday for the next five weeks to The Missions Podcast feed to get a taste of this enriching show now.
Also, keep an eye out for Season 2 of Cloud of Witnesses, premiering later this year. We'll recount the stories of faithful missionaries from the past generation whose zeal, boldness, and perseverance challenge us in our complacency and encourage us to stay faithful.
We hope you enjoy this journey through the lives of those who've gone before us, bearing witness to the faithfulness of God.
Original show notes: In this episode of Cloud of Witnesses, we hear from missionary pilot Steve Aholt, and his wife Sandy, who served in Papua New Guinea for 24 years in missionary aviation. Steve and Sandy share incredible stories of seeing God’s faithfulness firsthand while serving the people of Papa New Guinea and opening up about experiencing the devastating loss of their son, who was living in the United States while they were overseas.
Believe in our mission? Support the show at missionspodcast.com/support.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].
35 min
March 17, 2024Evangelism, Media, and Saving the Unborn With Jon Speed
This week, we delve into the crucial intersection of missions, evangelism, and the pro-life movement with Jon Speed, pastor of missions and evangelism at By the Word Baptist Church in Azle, Texas. Jon brings a unique perspective on why the fight for the unborn is not just a political issue but a gospel imperative for believers across the nation. We explore the current state of the national pro-life movement, the vital ministry outside abortion clinics, and the seamless integration of evangelism with deeds of mercy. Later, Jon challenges the notion that media and entertainment are mere distractions, urging Christians to engage these domains as mission fields. This conversation is a clarion call for believers to embody the gospel in every area of life, including the public square and the realm of culture and media.
Jon Speed is not only a pastor but also an entrepreneur, author, and filmmaker with a heart for the unborn. His 2019 stand against abortion catapulted him onto national platforms such as Fox News, highlighting his commitment to life ministry outside abortion mills. Jon's book, Evangelism in the New Testament (2009), and his involvement in the films Babies Are Murdered Here (2014) and Babies Are Still Murdered Here (2019), showcase his dedication to proclaiming truth and life. As a founding partner of Loor.tv, a Christian streaming service, Jon continues to influence the culture for Christ.
Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon.
Supporter ($5/month): weekly bonus shows with more in-depth conversation, behind-the-scenes content, and spiritual insights
Insider ($10/month): the weekly bonus shows, plus a private Signal group with the hosts, quarterly live chats with Scott and Alex, and a thank-you gift for first-time subscribers
Join at patreon.com/TheMissionsShow.
The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].
40 min
March 15, 2024 Cloud of Witnesses Ep. 1: Serving Through Suffering
Dear listener: our aim is to continue to equip you with exceptional content from the Lord’s global harvest. That's why, for the next five weeks, every Wednesday, we're introducing a new crossover show to the main feed: Cloud of Witnesses. Released last year, Cloud of Witnesses is now being made available to the broader community. You can listen to all ten episodes on-demand at cloudofwitnessespodcast.com, or search for it in your podcast feed. Alternatively, you can continue tuning in every Wednesday for the next five weeks to The Missions Podcast feed to get a taste of this enriching show now.
Also, keep an eye out for Season 2 of Cloud of Witnesses, premiering later this year. We'll recount the stories of faithful missionaries from the past generation whose zeal, boldness, and perseverance challenge us in our complacency and encourage us to stay faithful.
We hope you enjoy this journey through the lives of those who've gone before us, bearing witness to the faithfulness of God.
Original show notes: In this pilot episode, we hear the story of Tim Bahula, from ABWE Canada, who served with his wife in Trinidad and Tobago for eight years. While home on furlough, the Bahula’s received the unexpected and devastating news that Jane had been diagnosed with cancer, and within months passed away. Tim opens up about the struggles of resuming life without Jane and discovering the importance of leaning on church family and friends when you’re going through hardships.
Believe in our mission? Support the show at missionspodcast.com/support.
The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].
30 min
March 13, 2024The Problem With the Pro-Life Movement
Coming this week: pastor and pro-life minister Jon Speed joins us to discuss what it truly means to engage in life-saving work with a gospel-driven, missionary mindset.
Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon.
Supporter ($5/month): weekly bonus shows with more in-depth conversation, behind-the-scenes content, and spiritual insights
Insider ($10/month): the weekly bonus shows, plus a private Signal group with the hosts, quarterly live chats with Scott and Alex, and a thank-you gift for first-time subscribers
Join at patreon.com/TheMissionsShow.
The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].
1 min
March 10, 2024Who Was John Nevius? Joshua Bowman on the Missionary to China and Three-Self Missiology
Who was John Nevius, and why does his legacy continue to influence missions today? In this captivating episode of The Missions Podcast, we delve into the life and groundbreaking work of John Nevius with the insights of Joshua Bowman, a seasoned missionary with extensive experience in Zambia and South Asia, and currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Missions and Theology at Cedarville University. Bowman sheds light on Nevius’ remarkable contributions and critiques of missionary strategies in China over a century ago. Together, we discuss Nevius’ three-self approach advocating for self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating churches and its vital relevance to contemporary missions. Join us for an engaging conversation that not only honors a pioneering figure in missions history but also explores the lasting impact of his methods on the spread of the gospel today.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
The Planting And Development Of Missionary Churches (John Nevius)
The ‘Nevius Method’: Retrieving Theological and Missiological Criteria for Money in Missions (Joshua Bowman)
Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon.
Supporter ($5/month): weekly bonus shows with more in-depth conversation, behind-the-scenes content, and spiritual insights
Insider ($10/month): the weekly bonus shows, plus a private Signal group with the hosts, quarterly live chats with Scott and Alex, and a thank-you gift for first-time subscribers
Join at patreon.com/TheMissionsShow.
The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].
33 min
March 06, 2024Coming Up: Who Was John Nevius?
This Sunday, Joshua Bowman of Cedarville University joins us to discuss an unsung missionary hero.
Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon.
Supporter ($5/month): weekly bonus shows with more in-depth conversation, behind-the-scenes content, and spiritual insights
Insider ($10/month): the weekly bonus shows, plus a private Signal group with the hosts, quarterly live chats with Scott and Alex, and a thank-you gift for first-time subscribers
Join at patreon.com/TheMissionsShow.
The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].
1 min
March 04, 2024Preserving Missionary Fervor in Our Lives and Institutions: Brooks Buser and Pat Daly Discuss ‘Missionary’
Brooks Buser of Radius International has been galavanting around the world on pilgrimage, touring the sites connected with six famed, historic missionary heroes in the filming process for a new documentary series. What did he learn in the process about the mettle needed for the missionary task? Brooks joins Alex to discuss, along with Pat Daly of Greenville Seminary, what it means to keep the Great Commission flame alive in our lives, our churches, and our Christian institutions.
Learn more about Missionary, the new docuseries and conference taking place in October 2024, at missionary.net.
Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon.
Supporter ($5/month): weekly bonus shows with more in-depth conversation, behind-the-scenes content, and spiritual insights
Insider ($10/month): the weekly bonus shows, plus a private Signal group with the hosts, quarterly live chats with Scott and Alex, and a thank-you gift for first-time subscribers
Join at patreon.com/TheMissionsShow.
The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].
37 min
February 28, 2024Building Missional Institutions
Coming up this week, we’re joined by Brooks Buser and Pat Daly to discuss what it takes to build sacrificial, faithful, mission-minded churches, educational institutions, and families. Tune in Sunday night at 7 p.m.
Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon.
Supporter ($5/month): weekly bonus shows with more in-depth conversation, behind-the-scenes content, and spiritual insights
Insider ($10/month): the weekly bonus shows, plus a private Signal group with the hosts, quarterly live chats with Scott and Alex, and a thank-you gift for first-time subscribers
Join at patreon.com/TheMissionsShow.
The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].
1 min

About The Missions Show

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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.