The SEND938 Missions Podcast

What does it really take to become a missionary, and what if your biggest fears are exactly what God can use? This live Advance Weekend: Global Summit conversation pulls back the curtain on Baptist Mid-Missions’ vision for sending, supporting, and sustaining missionaries for the long haul.

Dr. Odle hosts a wide-ranging conversation with Travis Gravley and Dr. Jeff Newman in front of a live audience, unpacking how BMM is thinking about the future of missions, where new workers are needed, and how the organization is making it easier for people to take their next step. From short-term service to long-term calling, this episode is packed with practical pathways for anyone sensing God might be leading them to go.

You’ll discover how BMM is using its new strategic vision, Amplify, to enlist more missionaries, equip churches and workers, and expand into new fields where the gospel is still desperately needed. Travis breaks down the different ways people can get involved, including First Look, internships, short-term missionary service, and the flexible Global Fit model for those with unique circumstances. He also shares why BMM is praying over 17 specific nations and why 14 of them still have less than a tenth of a percent evangelical Christian presence.

Jeff Newman then takes the conversation into the heart of missionary care with Safe Haven for Missionary Soul Care. He explains why relational support matters long before a crisis hits, how he and Sherry intentionally build trust with missionaries across deputation, first term, furlough, and beyond, and why feeling anxious, inadequate, or unfinished does not disqualify someone from serving God.

If you’ve ever thought, “I could never be a missionary because…,” this episode will challenge that assumption with biblical clarity and real encouragement. Perfect for pastors, church leaders, missions-minded believers, students, and anyone discerning a call to serve. This is the kind of conversation that helps you see both the need and the next step.

In this episode of the Send 938 Missions Podcast, Steve Anderson sits down with Dr. Aaron Valdizan, Assistant Professor of Biblical Languages and Global Ministry at Shepherd’s Theological Seminary, for a thoughtful conversation on dispensationalism and its importance to global missions.

Why does a dispensational view of Scripture matter for modern missionary work? In this discussion, they explore how a consistent literal, grammatical, historical hermeneutic shapes confidence in God’s promises, motivates Great Commission obedience, and informs the way missionaries think about the nations, the return of Christ, and the work of evangelism. They also address common misunderstandings about dispensationalism, the relationship between missions and compassion ministry, and why fellowship and unity matter even when theological systems differ. If you’ve ever wondered how dispensational theology intersects with missiology, this conversation offers a clear, biblical, and practical perspective.

Subscribe for more conversations that equip, encourage, and inspire the next generation of missionary servants and the churches that send them. Send 938 Missions Podcast is a ministry of Baptist Mid-Missions.

In this episode of the Send 938 Missions Podcast, Steve Anderson sits down with Jonathan Laase to discuss AI in ministry—how missionaries, pastors, and church leaders can use artificial intelligence to save time, improve productivity, and strengthen ministry efforts without compromising wisdom, ethics, or spiritual integrity.

Jonathan shares practical examples of how he uses AI every day for research, sermon prep, Bible study handouts, song selection, content formatting, and video production. The conversation also explores the risks of over-reliance on AI, the importance of discernment, and how tools like Claude, CapCut, Opus Clips, Riverside, and AI captioning are changing the way ministry teams create content and communicate.

Whether you’re a pastor, missionary, church staff member, or simply curious about the future of AI in Christian ministry, this conversation offers practical insight and biblical perspective.

Send questions and episode ideas to [email protected].

Pastor David Strope currently serves as interim pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He previously served as interim National Representative for the GARBC and has pastored churches in Iowa and New York.

In this episode, Pastor Strope joins host Steve Anderson to talk about the unique calling of interim pastoral ministry and what it means to shepherd a congregation through transition with care and intentionality.

Glen Galbraith, UK native and BMM missionary to the UK for more than 20 years, has recently transitioned to a new role in the US - listen as he joins host Steve Anderson for an episode discussing the rise of conservatism in young men in the UK.

Join host Steve Anderson as he ponders the question of where the most attention should be focused for church planting and revitalization efforts: rural or urban settings. 

More information about Shepherding Healthy Renewal: https://www.bmm.org/news/shepherding-healthy-renewal-a-church-revitalization-module

Dave Ferguson, Vice-president for missionary services and founder of ¡PlayBall!, joins Host Steve Anderson for a conversation about the nature of sports oriented ministry through the lens of 20 seasons of ¡PlayBall! ministry in the Dominican Republic. 

EMAIL: [email protected]

¡PlayBall! INFO: http://www.bmmplayball.org

Watch the video podcast: https://youtu.be/96aVCAt6mzo

Originally aired 7/13/22

Dr. Matt Morrell, pastor of Fourth Baptist Church and President of Central Seminary in Minneapolis, MN, along with Dr. Patrick Odle join host Steve Anderson to discuss the priority and need for identifying, equipping, and raising up the next generation of leadership in our churches here in North America.
 
 Email: [email protected]
 
 www.bmm.org
 
 www.centralseminary.edu

Join us this week for a reflective reading of Luke 2 as we remember and celebrate the birth of our Savior. 

We look forward to returning to regular weekly uploads in the New Year.

Merry Christmas!!

Join Steve Anderson for a look at the looming crisis in pastoral leadership in the American church…and a frank discussion about what local churches must do now to avoid disaster.