The Missions Show

In this special, unplanned episode, Alex and Scott share their raw reflections on this week’s wicked events and how mission-minded Christians must respond in the present hour.

Does studying classical philosophy have any relevance for missions today?

In this episode, Alex and Scott talk with Dr. David Talcott, a philosopher and faculty member at New Saint Andrew’s College, to discuss the intersection of philosophy, culture, and missions. They ask the famous question “What hath Athens to do with Jerusalem?”—whether philosophy and Scripture can meaningfully interact. Drawing from Acts 17, they explore how Paul’s intellectual preparation and knowledge of Greek culture allowed him to engage with Stoic and Epicurean philosophers, modeling how missionaries today should understand and address the intellectual frameworks of their host cultures.

The discussion broadens into how classical philosophy, particularly Plato and Aristotle, still speaks into modern challenges such as relativism, skepticism, and materialism. Dr. Talcott emphasizes that philosophy provides categories and arguments that can prepare hearts and minds for the gospel, acting as a kind of “preparatory grace.”

Key Topics Covered:

Being a godly husband and father isn't about one big heroic act, it's about showing up every day. Men need a simple, practical plan to stay faithful in the daily grind. How To Lead Your Family is a no-nonsense guide, from author Joel Beeke, that gives the biblical foundation, Christ-centered encouragement, practical advice for men to purse the high standards that God calls them too. Get 20% off your copy today when you use the promo code: LEADABWE. Additionally, new email subscribers can get 10% off a future order. We are thankful for Reformation Heritage Books for their sponsorship of this episode!

Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon.

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].

How do you fully understand and explain the work of Jesus on the cross?

In this episode, Alex and Scott explore the doctrine of the atonement, focusing on the concept of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) and contrasting it with other historical and theological views. The discussion walks through various atonement theories—including the Moral Influence, Ransom, and Christus Victor views and more—acknowledging elements of truth in each while highlighting their limitations compared to PSA.

Lastly, they discuss the missiological implications, countering the claim that PSA is purely a Western, legalistic construct. Instead, they stress that guilt and innocence are universal moral realities recognized across cultures, and missionaries should faithfully present the biblical doctrine while adapting metaphors and illustrations for local understanding.

Key Topics

Download the transcript for this episode.

Being a godly husband and father isn't about one big heroic act, it's about showing up every day. Men need a simple, practical plan to stay faithful in the daily grind. How To Lead Your Family is a no-nonsense guide, from author Joel Beeke, that gives the biblical foundation, Christ-centered encouragement, practical advice for men to purse the high standards that God calls them too. Get 20% off your copy today when you use the promo code: LEADABWE. Additionally, new email subscribers can get 10% off a future order. We are thankful for Reformation Heritage Books for their sponsorship of this episode!

Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon.

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].

What does it mean to follow Jesus in one of the most dangerous places in the world? How do believers live out their faith in Gaza—caught between Hamas, Israeli forces, and deep cultural hostility?

This week, Alex and Scott sit down with Pastor Hanna Massad, former pastor of Gaza Baptist Church, to hear his firsthand story of shepherding believers in a context of persecution, poverty, and war. Pastor Hanna shares the history of the Christian presence in Gaza, the challenges of ministering in “three fires,” and how even today the small evangelical community continues serving their neighbors with food, water, and the hope of Christ.

Together, they explore the heartbreaking realities of life in Gaza, the opportunities for the gospel in the midst of conflict, and the importance of remembering our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer far from the world’s headlines.

Key Topics Covered

This episode is sponsored by Reformation Heritage Books, publisher of How to Lead Your Family by Dr. Joel Beeke—a short, practical guide to biblical leadership in the home.

With more than 3 billion people who have never heard the name of Jesus, the harvest is still plentiful but the workers are few (Matthew 9:37–38). Is God calling you to the mission field? Visit abwe.org/SendMe to begin the conversation.

Do you love The Missions Podcast? Support the show and get access to bonus content, a private Signal thread, webinars, and more by becoming a Premium Subscriber at patreon.com/TheMissionsShow.

The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more at abwe.org.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].

Catch the third and final season of Cloud of Witnesses at cloudofwitnessespodcast.com.

How do we view other Christian factions like Catholics and Eastern Orthodox?

Alex and Scott explore how Evangelical Protestants should view Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox believers in the context of global missions. They address the question of whether these groups are “reached” by the gospel, if they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, if they should be evangelized, and finally if we should consider those groups in our mission strategies.

Alex and Scott stress that while unreached people groups deserve priority, revitalizing and strengthening existing Christian communities is also vital to prevent spiritual decline and that a balanced approach is needed in both breaking new ground and building up existing foundations.

Key Topics Covered

Download the transcript for this episode.

Being a godly husband and father isn't about one big heroic act, it's about showing up every day. Men need a simple, practical plan to stay faithful in the daily grind. How To Lead Your Family is a no-nonsense guide, from author Joel Beeke, that gives the biblical foundation, Christ-centered encouragement, practical advice for men to purse the high standards that God calls them too. Get 20% off your copy today when you use the promo code: LEADABWE. Additionally, new email subscribers can get 10% off a future order. We are thankful for Reformation Heritage Books for their sponsorship of this episode!

With over 3 billion people in the world who have never heard of Jesus, the global need is tremendous for workers to go into the harvest fields (Matthew 9:37-38). Is God calling you to missions? We'd love to have a conversation with you on how you can use your gifts and talents to advance the Great Commission at home and abroad. Visit abwe.org/SendMe for more information and to take your next step in missions.

Do you love The Missions Show? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!

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Support The Missions Show and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionsshow.com/premium

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].

What does ministry fruitfulness look like in Papua New Guinea?

Alex Kocman talks with Bill and Lori Smith, veteran ABWE missionaries who have served in Papua New Guinea (PNG) for nearly 40 years. The Smiths share their journey into missions, the unique cultural and spiritual challenges in PNG, and the dual nature of their ministry—training pastors and missionaries at Goroka Baptist Bible College and providing medical care through a high-volume clinic and foster care ministry.

Bill and Lori emphasize that while PNG is often labeled a “Christian nation,” deep-rooted animism, syncretism, and spiritual oppression are prevalent, creating ongoing needs for evangelism, discipleship, and training indigenous missionaries to reach both remote PNG tribes and neighboring Pacific nations. They share real-life stories of God’s miraculous interventions and how, through it all, God is allowing them to plant churches, one baby at a time.

Key Topics

To find out more about the Smith's ministry and to get involved, visit abwe.org/png. You can also contact Bill and Lori by emailing [email protected] or [email protected].

Download the transcript for this episode.

Being a godly husband and father isn't about one big heroic act, it's about showing up every day. Men need a simple, practical plan to stay faithful in the daily grind. How To Lead Your Family is a no-nonsense guide, from author Joel Beeke, that gives the biblical foundation, Christ-centered encouragement, practical advice for men to purse the high standards that God calls them too. Get 20% off your copy today when you use the promo code: LEADABWE. Additionally, new email subscribers can get 10% off a future order. We are thankful for Reformation Heritage Books for their sponsorship of this episode!

Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon.

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].

How do we theologically look at AI?

Alex and Scott sit down with C.R. Wiley, an author, pastor, and podcaster on the theological and cultural implications of artificial intelligence (AI). Wiley outlines how AI—particularly large language models—presents both a technological revolution and a spiritual challenge. He frames AI development as not merely a technical progression but a competing eschatology—a vision of the future that rivals Christian hope.

Wiley stresses that AI technologies—especially when perceived as sentient or divine—serve as modern idols that can fulfill spiritual functions, replacing prayer, human affirmation, and even "divine" guidance. This functional idolatry, he argues, should concern Christians deeply. Finally, Wiley calls the church to prepare not only ethically but also spiritually for a future increasingly shaped by machine intelligence.

Download the transcript for this episode.

Are you curious about global missions but not sure where to start? ABWE's 24-Hour DEMO is designed to help you find, explore, and encourage you to take your next step in missions. Find out more and register for the next event at demo.abwe.org.

Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon.

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].

What constitutes a Muslim idiom Bible translation, and why is it dangerous?

Alex and Scott sit down with Dr. Ant Greenham, a retired professor of Islamic Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, to address the theological and missiological dangers associated with Muslim Insider Movements (MIMs) and insider Bible translations. Dr. Greenham critiques the approach where biblical terminology is replaced with alternatives like to make the gospel palatable to Muslim audiences.

Dr. Greenham explains the two major frameworks guiding missions: the theological approach, which emphasizes doctrinal faithfulness, and the anthropological approach, which focuses on cultural accessibility.

Download the transcript for this episode.

Is God calling you to missions? ABWE can help you find the opportunities and support you need to bring the gospel to the nations, plant churches, and disciple believers. Start the conversation with us today at abwe.org/sendme.

Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon.

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].

In this episode, Alex and Scott talk with Nate Bell, an ABWE missionary serving in Cape Town, South Africa. Nate shares his current focus on church planting and ministry among South Africa’s diverse people groups. He explains the historical complexities of South Africa’s racial and cultural dynamics, shaped by both Dutch and British colonization and apartheid. Nate details how these dynamics still influence communities today, including deep-seated divisions among white Afrikaners, white South Africans of British descent, and colored and black South Africans.

Nate highlights that although about 80% of South Africans identify as Christian, many have a works-based understanding of salvation, especially within the Dutch Reformed Church tradition, and lack a clear grasp of the gospel message. Nate shared honestly about the challenges and learning curve of ministering in such a context as an American, stressing humility, continual learning, and reliance on the unity found in Christ.

To reach out to Nate about his ministry in South Africa, you can email [email protected].

Download the transcript for this episode.

God has already called many people to the mission field, but they need your support to get there. Help someone in Prefield get to where God is calling them by prayerfully supporting their ministry at abwe.org/Prefield.

Want more of The Missions Show? Our premium content now lives on Patreon.

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].