Neighbors and Nations

She knew early on nursing was her avenue to serving the mission of God! Hear about Vanessa's adventure from Mercy Ships to North Africa—and all that God did and is doing in between the two—and her commitment to going to the nations with the message of the gospel. 

Hear the story of F.L.A.S.H., a sports ministry of FFC that was birthed in the heart of RJ Parks. It's a locally-focused, seed-sowing ministry with neighbors at the center of its bulls eye. More in this interview! 

As President of Converge, Scott Ridout has a front row seat to missions among both neighbors and nations. Whether you're a pastor or parishioner, you'll hear practical and motivating insights from his life and ministry that will inspire and encourage you to give your life to making disciples both near and far.

Inner-city ministry to neighbors who are often from other nations is the focus of this interview with Anna Koelher, who worked in Minneapolis with her husband in exactly this type of role. Hear her perspective as she relays both the ups and downs of life as a young mom, wife, and missionary in the middle of her urban context.    

A wide and varied background enables Tim to speak with insight into both local and global issues that affect missions and outreach. Listen as Tim brings a compelling clarity to the task making disciples of all nations.

5 pastors/planters in the 435 Network sit down to talk outreach, evangelism, and missions in this group conversation that highlights strategies, tactics, and stories, all with a common foundation: both neighbors and nations matter.

An engineer (GA Tech grad), pastor (DMin from Southwestern), and all-around country boy, Paul Miller is perhaps the most intelligent redneck on the planet. He's also a stirring communicator of God's truth who models an Acts 1:8 lifestyle, and in this episode Paul shares what he's learning about pastoring people towards a "both/and" mindset regarding neighbors and nations.

As a discipleship pastor at Fellowship West (KS) and a CPC for the Send Network, Matt lives and breathes multiplication. Hear how God brought him to faith, lessons from his early mistakes, what he's currently learning, and his passion for evangelism to those closest to him. It's a "don't miss" interview for anyone with a heart for neighbors and nations.

Founder and President of 1615, a missions-coaching ministry dedicated to helping the local church fulfill the Great Commission, Matthew is a leading voice in missiology and a true friend to churches who desire to impact the nations. Hear his own journey to a robust view of missions, and learn why and how precision in language can be one of the best first steps in thinking correctly about both neighbors and nations.

A wife, mother, entrepreneur, and general get-it-done kind of woman, Sarah Farnsworth knows neighbors. Hear how she has seen many of her "Who's Your 1?"'s come to Christ through the years, and gain insight into making routine life something far more than that to those around you.

Noah Oldham is Senior Director of Deployment for the Send Network, and pastor of August Gate Church in Belleville, IL. A passion for the gospel and church planters is easily seen and heard in Noah, and it comes out in every way on this episode. Hear his own conversion story and the ripples it has had in his family as he opens up about evangelism, the call to ministry, and multiplying from the very beginning. Plus, the story about his dad is a don't-miss!

A former missionary in Peru and current pastor of Grace Church in Des Moines, Phil is uniquely qualified to discuss both neighbors and nations. Hear about the hardest times, the best times, and so many of the in-between times in this candid interview with a man who has seen life from both sides of the neighbors and nations fence.

"Over-churched and under gospeled" is a phrase I first heard from Chase Abner, my guest on this episode of Neighbors and Nations. Chase is a Lead Church Planting Cataylst for the North American Mission Board, and has experience in collegiate ministry as well. Hear his story of 'neighbor' impact, as well his heart for 'nation' impact, in what will prove to be an episode of encouragment about God's work in all kinds of places.

Inner-cities contain a rich blend of both neighbors and nations, and Mindy Jamison has over two decades of experience serving in that context specifically. Hear stories and lessons from her time in Des Moines, as well learn about her new opportunity in SC. You'll gain solid and practical steps for engaging the inner-city in this episode of Neighbors and Nations.

With over 50 languages in his church, Vance Pitman, Senior Pastor of Hope Church Las Vegas and the author of UNBURDENED: Stop Living for Jesus So Jesus Can Live Through You, lives and serves with both neighbors and nations in full view. In this interview, Vance discusses no-nonsense tactics and strategies with Todd that will help both pastors and members live on-mission. You'll be inspired as you hear how an AL boy wound up in the western US making disciples and planting churches.

Hear Todd's father, Dr. Roger Stiles, draw on a wellspring of memories about God's work in his own life regarding neighbors and nations, as well as principles that have proven effective over generations for keeping Christ's last words our first concern.

From Proctor & Gamble to NAMB, Kim Robinson has one of the most amazing stories of conversion you’ll hear! An almost-ruined marriage, a demanding job, a patient and faithful friend—God used it all to give Kim a new start! It’s a beautiful example of the power of neighboring. Hear more from him in this conversation that provides so much insight into local outreach, including a concrete runway for business people who desire to use their platform for reasons beyond the bottom line.

David has been both pastor and missions mobilizer, and is currently the founder of TTI (The Timothy Initiative). TTI is a global organization that plants churches, especially in areas where there is little access to the gospel. Yet, ask him about the secret sauce, and he’ll tell you it’s all about making disciples who make disciples. Hear more about David’s common denominators for evangelism among both neighbors and nations, and what it takes — and doesn’t take — to see churches planted.

Founder of Radius Int’l, a regular speaker for Perspectives, and a missions practitioner with years of real-life experience in an unreached people group in PNG, Brad is a leading influence regarding how to mobilize neighbors for the nations. You’ll hear why in this conversation as he shares his own story of and his deep passion for God’s glory among all peoples.

Tim currently leads the Baptist Convention of Iowa (BCI), a state convention of churches that participates with the SBC. But Tim’s heart is far bigger than Iowa! He has years of experience as a missionary, both in Korea and Turkey, and has worked on a church staff as a global ministry director. Hear how God has led and used Tim from the days of his conversion as a high schooler in rural Iowa to now as a multi-church influencer for the spread of the gospel both locally and globally.

In episode 6, Todd talks with Dr. Kevin Ezell, President of the North American Mission Board, about the importance of modeling and multiplying, his top key actions in his first nine years as President of NAMB, and what he did as a pastor to keep both neighbors and nations front and center for his flock. And you’ll no doubt enjoy his plainly compelling sense of humor!

A young church planter in a rural setting, Eric Trout has brought his church along to participate in missions far beyond his small town. Hear how, plus how he and his wife’s journey of adoption gave them a platform for local outreach. Be refreshed by this planter/pastor who lives out a calling for both neighbors and nations.

Ronnie shares why pastors shouldn't negotiate the priority of evangelism, how business people are critical to the mission of the church, and gives practical tips for both pastors and members from his time at Cross Church in Arkansas. Plus, hear Ronnie's own story of conversion and calling, and why every town, city, state, and nation matters when it comes to world evangelization.

An undying passion for missions, even when her husband was murdered on the mission field, is the beautiful story Sara shares as she talks with Todd about life as a single woman in the mission force.wycliffe.org

Hear the heartbeat behind the genesis of the podcast and what makes this topic the aim of all the interviews.Related Links: www.firstfamily.church

Hear why sowing gospel seeds matters, and why one should never underestimate the power of a simple invitation to church. Johnny Hunt’s story illustrates this perfectly! Listen in as Todd interviews Johnny about his own conversion, the need to persevere in witnessing, why your testimony can be a powerful tool, and how sending your own can be the spark that ignites a global perspective in your church.