Facilitating the Mission Podcast

Psalm 46:10'He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” ' "There's a season where your presence speaks louder than your actions." That was Pastor Jeff Jackson's counsel to a missionary living on the field under quarantine. The missionary was under the stress of knowing that his presence in the foreign country was being underwritten by contributors back home who were also struggling through a time of quarantine and possible financial strain. Pastor Jeff talks about the promise of God's presence as He walks with us through this season. Jeff Talks about the Tower of Siloam: 'Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” ' Luke 13:1-5 This is the second half of a podcast about missionary reciprocity. This is a season when we can learn so much from missionaries. Listen to part one of this series here.  Other resources mentioned in this podcast: » Reference to article about Trump cabinet member stating this is God's wrath» How to Thrive in Isolation blog post» 1615 Webinar info  

Because missionaries have voluntarily chosen to live a life of sacrifice, there's a lot we can learn from them as we collectively walk through a season of crisis and self-isolation. The world-wide quarantine in place directive we've been given has opened our eyes to how missionaries already live in their cross-cultural setting.  In part one of this podcast, we explore the things church leaders are learning from the missionaries they've sent to the field. Additionally, early in this episode, we discuss the unique relationship we discuss the relationship Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators has with Dr. Nick Yphantides, San Diego Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Nick has been on the front-lines in California's response to the COVID-19 crisis. He's a long-time member of the Board of Directors for Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators. » Dr. Nick's Book» Dr. Nick Facebook Profile» Shepherd's Staff Board of Directors Other resources mentioned: » 1615 Webinar info» Facebook post» YouTube link

We’re glad to have you with us for part four of our Covid-19 series where we’re podcasting during a world-wide lockdown. Despite social distancing, where blessed to hear how the communities of faith are coming around their missionaries to be a blessing. Check links below to earlier parts of this series for resources mentioned in this podcast series: » Part one» Part two» Part three

In this blog post, we continue the audio series about serving missionaries well during the worldwide COVOD-19 pandemic. Here are links to part one and part two. As Jeff has been working with churches, he's hearing about how churches are blessing their missionaries whether they are still on the field or have come home. Here's a list » Buy them Amazon gift cards» Get missionaries a copy of Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter's Book [Listen to interview with the Trotters here and here.]» Host a missionary in an AirBnB» Make your rental property or AirBnB available to missionaries on furlough» Set up a WhatsApp connection with missionaries» Set up a Signal connection with missionaries If you have other ideas, leave comments on our Facebook page or this blog post in the comments section. Other resources mentioned in this podcast: » Jackson Wu blogspot » World-o-meter

We're doing something a little different with our podcast while we're in world-wide lockdown in response to the Coronavirus epidemic. This is part two of a four part series that will be shared twice a week. Here's a link to part one. Check back Thursday as part three will be shared on our regular Thursday blogpost.

This is one of the craziest seasons in our lifetime. We've never seen the world in complete lockdown. In this episode of Facilitating the Mission we talk through doing ministry, caring for missionaries, working with churches, and being good neighbors in a world in crisis. Here are links to connect with some of what was discussed in part one of this podcast. » Blog post about Melanie and Andrew Mokgatla» Shades Mountain Baptist Church » Common Ground Church» Shades Blog» Jackson Wu Interview» Lone Survivor 

Interview with Jackson Wu Part Two In this edition of Facilitating the Mission, you're in for a real treat. Today's show is part two of our interview with author, missionary and theologian, Jackson Wu. Check the links below to listen to part one and to access other resources mentioned in the interview. Resources » Book by Jackson Wu: One Gospel for All Nations» Book by Jackson Wu: Reading Romans through Eastern Eyes» 2020 Honor Shame Conference» Honor Shame Conference Promo sheet» Mission One» Jackson Wu Blog» Jackson Wu on Facebook» Jackson Wu on Twitter

We're excited to have author and theologian Jackson Wu on Facilitating the Mission. Jackson Wu is the author of:» Saving God’s Face» One Gospel for All Nations» Reading Romans through Eastern Eyes In part one of our interview, Jackson Wu references the influence of Louie Giglio's teaching on missions at One Day Passion Conferences. He also mentions the influence of John Piper's teaching on the Glory of God. Connect with other Jackson Wu resources:» Blog» Facebook» Twitter

This is Part Two of our interview with authors David and Lorene Wilson. In today’s episode, we will be talking about the books the Wilson’s have written to help churches do missions well. Whether your church benefits from having a missions pastor on staff or not, the books the Wilsons have written are geared to a church audience that That desires to send and care for missionaries well. Church mission teams will love the way the Wilsons have organized and researched their books because it puts wisdom and resources all in one place. » Interview with David and Lorene Wilson Part Two» Book: Pipeline» Book: Mind the Gaps» Book: Transforming Missionaries: A Short-term Mission Guide» Avant Ministries» Camino Global

David and Lorene are leaders in church missions mobilization. They specialize in equipping churches to think through and plan sending missionaries into the mission field well, trained, and cared for. In this podcast, we get to know the Wilsons and learn more about their calling to missions. David is Director of Church Relations at Avant Ministries. He and Lorene make a great writing team. In part one of this two part series, we learn about three of the books they’ve written together: Transforming Missionaries: A Short-Term Mission Guide, Mind The Gaps: Engaging the Church in Missionary Care, and Pipeline: Engaging the Church in Missionary Mobilization. Visit their website. One other resource David mentions early in the podcast is Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby.

This is part two of our interview with missionary counselor/blogger/authors Elizabeth and Jonathan Trotter. At the very beginning of part two of our interview, we talk about this article written by Jonathan Trotter. In the rest of the interview, as the Trotters give us the story behind the creation of their book, we learn that writing as a husband and wife team is fraught with peril. But the result is both healing and well received by their publisher and readers. Please follow the resource links below to their book and other articles discussed in this interview: » Part One of the Trotter Interview» Jonathan's article: One thing we get terribly wrong in our response to abuse. And one way to get it right.» Jonathan's article: The simple tool I use with 90% of my pastoral counseling clients: The Shapes Diagram This piece has great diagrams and video. You'll find this is a great resource.» We mention the ministry of Gayle Erwin. Check it out here.» Their book on Amazon – Serving Well: Help for the Wannabe, Newbie, or Weary Cross-Cultural Christian Worker» Their book on their publisher's website

This is part one of an interview with Elizabeth and Jonathan Trotter. The Trotters are missionaries in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Their ministry is interesting, diverse and far-reaching. In part one of our podcast, we hear from the Trotter's about their call to the mission field and the beginning and evolution of their ministry. We are introduced to their writing ministry and blogging ministry that focuses on cross-cultural Christian service. Here are some of the resources mentioned in this podcast: » Their book - Serving Well: Help for the Wannabe, Newbie, or Weary Cross-Cultural Christian Worker» Ministry blog - A Life Overseas» Personal blog - The Trotter Family» Nate Saint» Team Expansion» 11 Missionary Blogs We Love» Writing by Jonathan on Relevantmagazine.com» Elizabeth's Book: Hats: Reflections on Life as a Wife, Mother, Homeschool Teacher, Missionary, and More  

In this podcast, we continue to explore the differences between individualistic and collectivistic cultures and why it's important for American missionaries to understand the distinct contrasts between them.

The Military as an Illustration of Collectivistic Culture In part one of this two part series, Jeff connects military culture as an example of the collectivistic culture missionaries suddenly find themselves immersed in when they go abroad into the mission field. For many Americans, culture shock is overwhelming because we're born into and immersed in a very individualistic culture. When one enters the military, you are taught to put the groups needs ahead of your own. This goes against the grain of everything we, as Americans, have ever learned or experienced. So much so, that military trainers intentionally deconstruct every facet of the a new recruit, and then, with extreme purpose, build the recruit into a new kind of person that puts the mission and organization's priorities ahead of one's own. This is the thinking American missionaries need to adopt as they move into other cultures.   Photo by Richard Catabay on Unsplash

With Thanksgiving approaching and 2019 winding down, we wanted to talk about missionary communication. In this podcast, we focus on a missionary newsletter done exceptionally well while talking about the ingredients of well-thought-through missionary digital communication. The newsletter (link) we focus on in this podcast is from Angelina Velasco, someone we've had on this podcast as a guest (meet Angelina in Orality Part Three and Orality Part Four). Here's a link to Angelina's website. Here are a few resources and Bible verses referenced in this podcast:» Radius International» Tethers of connection by Jeff Jackson Proverbs 25:17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you. Proverbs 25:11A word fitly spoken is like apples of goldIn settings of silver. Proverbs 25:25As cold water to a weary soul,So is good news from a far country.

Today we tune in to part two of the series "The benefits to churches that send their own to the mission field." In this episode, Jeff Jackson tosses around some church priority hot potatoes as he presses into the very real tension of reaching the world vs. reaching the local community. Both need to be done, but usually one happens at the expense of the other. God's design for the church is that it's scope of impact grows globally rather simply a larger geographical footprint in one locale. Here are a few thoughts shared by Jeff along with links to the resources. » Jonathan Edwards on Missions » Charles Spurgeon on missions Additionally, Jeff mentions this blog post.

When Jeff Jackson was sent to the mission field by his church, he had no idea that a future result would one day be the establishment of Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators. He also didn't fully know how the church that was sending him would benefit by sending his family to the mission field. In this two-part series, Jeff explains the ways churches benefit when they engage with the Great Commission by sending their own people to the mission field. Here are the resources mentioned in this episode:» Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators Beginnings Part One» Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators Beginnings Part Two » Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators Beginnings Part Three » Robertson McQuilkin | link 1 | link 2

In this podcast, Jeff Jackson concludes the narrative behind the founding of Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators. Below are some of the resources mentioned in this podcast: » part one » part two » ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, defined » Steve Saint

In this podcast, we conclude the fascinating and informative interview with Jeff Jackson about the origins of Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators. One of the topics discussed in this episode is the scalability of the Shepherd's Staff model. It doesn't only benefit a certain sized church whether big or small. Included are links below to related episodes: » Home Church Key Person Interview with Pastor Allen Snapp » Small Church Global Impact Part One » Small Church Global Impact Part Two » Small Church Global Impact Part Three » Sent from a House Church » Interview with Pastor Ed Taylor Part One » Interview with Pastor Ed Taylor Part Two

In this podcast we interview Jeff Jackson about the beginnings of Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators. It began as an idea for serving churches as they send missionaries to the mission field. Jeff's sending church was the model of sending well and excellent missionary care and he wanted to, the best of his ability - with God's help - provide the same experience for other missionaries as they were sent to the mission field by their churches. Resources discussed in this podcast: Missions Policy ACMC Advancing Churches in Missions Commitment Larry Walker Neal Pirolo