The Reflexio Podcast

In this episode of Reflexio, Don talks with Samir, an Afghan follower of Jesus whose story runs from rockets falling on Kabul to long, TikTok conversations about the gospel with hundreds of Afghans around the world. 

Samir talks about how Christ met his whole family in their desperation, freed him from the fear of death, and eventually called him out of a promising political career and into ministry. Samir reaches thousands of Afghans, both Muslims and ex-Muslims, through TikTok and Facebook live shows, engaging in open dialogue about faith, theology, and hope—even as he faces death threats on a weekly basis.

This is an exciting yet sobering window into what God is doing among Afghans today—and an invitation to carry Afghanistan on our hearts in prayer.

LINKS for follow up:

Lumens of Truth on TikTok

Lumens of Truth on Facebook

Lumens of Truth on YouTube

Lumens of Truth's Blog  

The Afghan Journal of Theology

Afghan Worship Songs 

Support Lumens of Truth

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In this insightful episode of the Reflexio Podcast, Don speaks with Rev. Dr. Mark Durie about his journey from a childhood in Papua New Guinea to a career in academic linguistics and eventually to pastoral ministry in Melbourne, Australia. Mark shares pivotal spiritual encounters, including experiences of personal deliverance and ministering to those with troubled backgrounds, highlighting the spiritual realities faced by many. 

The conversation explores his work with believers of Muslim background (particularly Iranians) who are navigating trauma and experience transformation after leaving Islam. Mark reflects on key differences between Islamic and Christian worldviews, spiritual warfare, and the unique challenges of discipleship among those from Islamic contexts. 

The conversation closes with wisdom for younger listeners, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's calling rather than self-fulfillment. This episode offers profound wisdom and practical insights for anyone interested in spiritual formation, cross-cultural ministry, and the power of genuine pastoral care.

Mark’s Webpage: https://markdurie.com/

Mark’s bio at Melbourne School of Theology: https://www.mst.edu.au/faculty/mark-durie/

Mark’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@markdurie

Below are several links to Mark Durie’s book: Liberty to the Captives: Freedom from Islam and Dhimmitude through the Cross

On Mark Durie’s website: Liberty to the Captives

Kindle Version: Liberty to the Captives

Paperback on Amazon USA: Liberty to the Captives

Paperback on Amazon Australia: Liberty to the Captives

Liberty to the Captives available in multiple languages at luke4-18.com

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In this gripping episode of the Reflexio podcast, Don Little interviews Iranian pastor Kaveh Hassanzadeh to unpack his dramatic journey from a turbulent youth in Iran, through exile and life‑threatening hardship as an asylum seeker, to radical conversion to Christ, supernatural healing, and bold church planting among Iranian Muslims in Australia. 

Pastor Kaveh shares how an illegal Farsi Bible, a storm‑tossed eighteen days on a smuggler’s boat, and a powerful deliverance from generational curses became turning points that reshaped his identity and ignited a dynamic ministry of spiritual liberation, discipleship, and inner healing for Muslim‑background believers. 

You’ll hear his remarkable stories of physical healing, emotional restoration, and deep pastoral formation, as well as how Mark Durie’s mentoring and the book Liberty to the Captives have helped forge a healthy Iranian church that breaks cycles of shame, fear, and control. This empowers ordinary believers to flourish, lead, and plant new congregations in Melbourne and Adelaide. 

Whether you’re passionate about missions, discipleship, or renewal in the Muslim world, this episode will inspire you to trust God’s bigger purposes, pursue authentic mentoring networks, and courageously step into costly, Spirit‑led ministry without fear.

Links:

Derek Prince sermon on Breaking Generational Curses

Below are several links to Mark Durie’s book: Liberty to the Captives: Freedom from Islam and Dhimmitude through the Cross

On Mark Durie’s website: Liberty to the Captives

Kindle Version: Liberty to the Captives

Paperback on Amazon.com: Liberty to the Captives

Liberty to the Captives available in multiple languages at luke4-18.com

Make sure to subscribe and give us a 5-star rating on your favorite podcasting platform.

Let your friends know about The Reflexio Podcast and encourage them to Subscribe to receive an email when new episodes drop!

This episode features a remarkable conversation with Ghazala Shafique, Pakistan’s first registered woman pastor and a fearless defender of persecuted minorities. Ghazala recounts her journey to Christ, her struggles with societal rejection, and her commitment to serving and championing the rights of the most vulnerable, especially women and children. 

She discusses her ministry’s impact, including public debates with Muslim scholars, rescue operations for kidnapped girls, and the importance of discipling new believers. The episode concludes with Pastor Ghazala’s passionate call for believers worldwide to leave their comfort zones and embrace their responsibility in advancing God’s mission.

Watch this compelling documentary produced by Ghazala’s daughter, Sijal: Unheard Voices: Shedding Light on the Forced Conversions & Underage Marriages in Pakistan 

Visit the channel of the Christian Debate Academy, led by Aamir Khadim, Ghazala’s son-in-law:

YouTube: Christian Debate Academy

Facebook: Christian Debate Academy 

You can contact Aamir Khadim directly:[email protected] 

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Zafrin Billah grew up in a highly respected, deeply devout Muslim family in South Asia and once found “peace” in persecuting Christians. In this episode, he shares with Don his conversion story as well as his call to full-time service in God’s Kingdom. 

Today, Zafrin serves as a missionary and pastor, working by faith in a context where over 90% of the population is Muslim and social pressure against Christians is intense. He leads a small, emerging ministry that combines outreach and discipleship with practical training for women from Muslim and Hindu backgrounds. In their training center, they weave together Scripture and gospel-based curricula with income-generating skills.

Zafrin trains house church members to be “salt” and “fruitful trees,” to resolve conflict biblically, to live by faith financially, and encourages every believer to make at least two new disciples each year, as they pray for the emergence of many more house churches and partners in prayer.

This episode will be an encouragement to anyone serving among Muslims or Hindus. Zafrin’s testimony is evidence of God’s faithfulness in the midst of challenging and difficult circumstances!

Maranatha Gospel Church: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DNAFa5Eyx/

Contact Zafrin by email: [email protected]

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Kenyan mission leader Peter Macharia never planned to become an apostolic catalyst to some of the least-reached Muslims in East Africa. In this conversation with Don Little, he traces a surprising journey that runs through war-torn Sudan, high-risk ministry in Djibouti, and a creative outreach hub on the coast of Kenya.

Peter has wrestled with Western theological teaching that doesn't touch people’s real fears, or address persecution, and discovered why discipleship and costly hospitality cannot be separated. He describes his life and work at Amani Acres, where he and Esther are quietly shaping a new generation of young African leaders to live and witness among Muslim communities.

Peter shares his conviction that ordinary believers in places like Africa, Latin America, and Asia are “11th-hour workers” called to live sacrificial, hospitable lives that make disciples among unreached Muslims.

If you care about discipleship, cross-cultural mission, or the future of Africans leading ministries to the Muslim world, you will not want to miss the stories, insights, and surprises in this episode.

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Don talks with Dr. Nelson Makanda about how God formed him from a village boy in western Kenya into a leader serving churches and institutions across Africa. Nelson recalls his family’s coming to faith, his mother’s healing, and how early discipleship in a small Pentecostal church and student leadership in high school and university began to shape his character and calling.​

He goes on to describe how his involvement with FOCUS Kenya, including mentoring relationships and early ministry roles, helped clarify his calling and opened doors into wider responsibility. The conversation traces key transitions from student ministry to pastoral work, to leadership of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, and now to his role as Vice Chancellor at Africa International University (AIU).

Nelson emphasizes AIU’s mission to train Christ-centered leaders, for the church and for the marketplace. He discusses the unique context of Africa as the “Christian continent of the future,” highlighting the need for ethical, missional, and global training for young people. He explains why a deep understanding of Scripture, Christlike character, and a well-rounded Christian education are important for the future of the church in Africa and its role in the world.

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If you want to better understand the spiritual, political, and human dynamics of what God is doing in Iran today—and how to stand with Iranian Christians in informed, hope-filled prayer—this conversation is a must-listen. 

Mehrdad traces the story of Iran’s modern spiritual awakening, beginning in the 1990s after the killing of several clergy, and the emergence of a movement that may now be described as one of the fastest-growing churches in the world. He describes how the majority of new believers are from a Muslim background, with estimates of at least one million Christians now in Iran, and how hunger for Scripture and leadership training has only intensified under persecution. 

He shares how Pars Theological Center began in response to this rapidly growing Iranian church in order to train leaders and pastors—many of them active in underground house fellowships across Iran and in the diaspora. This includes theological training, in-person formation conferences in nearby countries, a counseling ministry, and publishing resources in Farsi to disciple believers.

The conversation turns to the recent protests, crackdowns, and shocking mass killings—events that have profoundly shaken both the nation and the church. Mehrdad speaks candidly about Christians’ participation in the demonstrations, the high cost many have paid, and the deep lament, imprecatory prayer, and spiritual wrestling marking Iranian believers as they struggle to love their enemies while crying out for God’s justice. 

Mehrdad closes the episode with specific, practical ways listeners can pray: for a true regime change that leads to a democratic Iran, for the protection and freedom of the church, for the honoring of Iranians’ agency, and for the readiness and unity of Iranian believers in this moment of possible new beginnings.

Visit: Pars Theological Centre

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In this episode, Pastor Partha describes a childhood shaped by multiple household gods, Sanskrit chanting, and strict rituals. However, through the quiet witness of a faithful missionary as well as miraculous answers to prayer (provision of food, an uncle’s healing), his extended family was led to Jesus. Over time, the idols were removed from the home and a church was built on land owned by the family– land that once housed a “snake temple.” That church has now baptized more than 450 former Hindus!

Partha reflects with Don on discipling new believers amid persecution, and walking with God through bereavement. He also shares the exciting ways he reaches out to Muslims using the Qur’an as a bridge, as well as in public debates with Muslim scholars. Finally, Partha offers wise counsel to young adults as he encourages them to wait on the Lord, stay in Scripture, and seek out Christian mentors as keys to mature Christian discipleship.

Visit Partha's YouTube channel here: The Truth is Jesus

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Listen in as Don talks with Anwar, an Ethiopian brother, and discovers how dreams, Bible study, persecution and perseverance shaped Anwar’s conversion and discipleship journey. His quest for truth led him to study deeply both the Qur’an and the Bible, discovering that in Jesus, the Truth is found. Deciding to follow Jesus set him free– but also led to intense difficulties. He shares how he navigated family rejection, discrimination, and economic hardship after his conversion.

In his early years of ministry, despite these difficulties, Anwar shared the Gospel boldly with his family and friends, challenging them to discover what he did: new life in Christ. The miraculous healing of a friend led to many more coming to faith, and ultimately to Anwar’s decision to leave a lucrative job in order to serve God in ministry full-time. In time God blessed him with his wife from a solid and supportive Christian family. Over the past 20 years, Anwar has taught, discipled and mobilized dozens of people to reach Muslims in the Horn of Africa. 

Don’t miss this story of conviction, resilience, and hope in the face of adversity!

Visit: The Evangelical Theological College

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