Relentless Pursuit Podcast

Raising support is one of the biggest obstacles to new missionaries heading to the field. How do we cultivate a godly perspective on this important task? Listen in as Andrew shares about the deep spiritual and relational blessings of partner development.   In this episode, we discuss: What partner development is Is asking for money unspiritual? The biblical foundation for raising support The obstacle of awkwardness Andrew's personal story   Books that Andrew recommends on support raising are: The God Ask by Steve Shadrach Funding Your Ministry by Scott Morton You can learn more about the training program Radius International here.  You can learn about our other training program partners International Project and Global Frontier Missions too.   Want to know more about missions and what going might look like? Come to Encounter 22.   You can take our survey here.

Content warning: violence, death, and infant loss Am I willing to lay down the American dream and embrace suffering for God's glory and the sake of others? There is a cost to taking the gospel to the nations and God is worthy of that cost. Elijah relates how God repeatedly brought this truth home to him and his wife as they served in two north African countries.   In this episode, we discuss: The precious process God uses to move our hearts to where He wants us to go Stories of the challenges Elijah and Emma faced and how neighbors got to see the beauty of the gospel through those situations What it is like to serve among Muslims Listen to Maverick podcast here: https://pioneers.org/maverick Take our survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PHQQRL7 Register for Encounter Conference: https://encounter.pioneers.org 

John and Pat Hazelwood currently serve as marriage coaches on Pioneers-USA pre-field ministry team. Before that, they served in southeast Asia as marriage coaches.    In this episode we discuss: Common issues in marriage How to protect against common issues in marriage Advice on how to have your marriage thrive on the mission field Resources: Check out the Hazelwood's marriage ministry https://www.yesmarriageworks.com/  and the book The Prodigal Marriage.   You can learn more about Encounter 22 at encounter.pioneers.org Take our survey to let us know what you want to hear more about here.

Our God is the God who sees! Listen in as Elyse shares a beautiful story of Jesus healing and delivering a young woman in South Asia. There are so many amazing layers to God's work in and through this young woman's life – all in the middle of an intense Covid-19 lockdown. God's power is unmatched. In this episode, we discuss: Storytelling as an effective means of sharing the gospel cross-culturally Particulars of sharing the good news in the South Asian cultural context Encouraging and releasing new believers to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance You can get involved by filling out a start form at www.pioneers.org/start

In what ways has God gifted you? Have you ever thought about how you might offer those gifts back to Him? Today, Jaden shares how God has used his love of photography to bring the faces of the unreached to the Church's attention. He challenges us with the truth that our infinitely creative God has a place to use each of us with our unique experiences, gifts, and skillsets to expand his kingdom among the nations. In this episode, we discuss: How the camera can be a bridge  Amazing stories of how God led Jaden in what seemed like a hopeless search for people of a certain persecuted minority group How traveling in difficult places and taking photos has furthered the Kingdom You can take the Next Steps Quiz at https://nextsteps.pioneers.org/

What is it like to trust that feelings will follow obedience? Listen in to how a three-minute conversation over a satellite phone drastically changed Jake and his high school sweetheart, Melissa's, lives. Hear how God wove together relationships and experiences, giving them a holy discontentment that led them to an amazing and challenging season in south Asia. In this episode, we discuss: Discerning God's voice Impact of a short-term Edge mission trip How to reach south Asians with the good news Resources: Jake talks about the impact of his short-term Edge trip with Pioneers. You can find out more about Edge here!

The truth that married couples represent Christ and the Church is popular. But is there a special truth about Christ that singles display to the world? In today's episode, Junia shares her insights into the beauty of singleness on the mission field.   In this episode, we discuss: Opportunities and advantages of being single on the mission field Safety concerns of living as a single in a foreign country Challenges of being a single missionary Theology of singleness Resources: Junia describes how taking a Perspectives class gave her a vision for missions and exhorted her to take a role in advancing God's kingdom. Find out more about Perspectives class here.   Junia mentions that short-term mission trips were really instrumental in her journey of going overseas long-term. Emily also discusses how a short-term trip helped her envision long-term service. If you're interested in tasting what missions is like by going on a short-term trip check out our Edge trips here.

How do we adjust our expectations and redirect our hearts when a long-time passion doesn't fit our giftings? What if God doesn't call me to be miserable? Patrick lets us in on his and his wife Jessica's winding journey toward ministry in Japan. In this episode, we discuss: Journey to long-term call Planting an international church Contextualizing the gospel for honor and shame cultures Team culture in Pioneers Resources: Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation by Jason Mandryk Ministering in Honor-Shame Cultures: Biblical Foundations and Practical Principals by Jayson Georges and Mark Barke Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/pioneersusa

What if God has bigger dreams for us than we have for ourselves? God calls each of us on an exciting journey with Him. Listen in as the president of Pioneers and "peace child" Steve Richardson, shares how God led him and his wife Arlene to South East Asia and back to the US. In this episode, we discuss: Impact of a short term trip History of Pioneers Strategy for reaching Muslims What mobilization is Resources: Threads by Arlene Richardson. In this book, Arlene describes how God used a textile business she founded in their outreach to their SE Asian neighbors. When God Comes Calling by Ted Fletcher. In this book, Ted Fletcher describes in detail how God led him and his wife Peggy to start Pioneers. It is available for free download here. God used his vision trip in leading Steve to SE Asia. Pioneers offers short-term Edge trips where you can get your feet wet in cross-cultural missions with our long-term missionaries. Explore Edge trips here.

What does it look like to defy the cost of bringing the gospel to the ends of the earth? Jason grew up with his parents serving among the indigenous people on the Amazon. In this episode, he shares some of the amazing adventures and intense challenges of living in such a remote place. In this episode, we discuss: Persistence in sharing the good news with unreached people Strategy for reaching those hostile to the gospel Mobilizing indigenous peoples to reach their neighbors Crisis of faith due to intense suffering Resources: Watch a video about how tribal people tend to perceive the world—part of our WorldViews curriculum for kids. Explore stories from South America. Read a story about a missionary's experience in the Amazon jungle. Fill out a START form at www.pioneers.org/start or chat with us there! Text us at 407-917-8729

What if my calling doesn't come as a lightning bolt? How will I recognize that I'm called? What does ‘following the cloud' look like today? In this episode, Jessica shares how God led her to Japan through small steps of obedience. We also get a peek into what evangelism and discipleship looks like in Japanese culture. In this episode, we discuss: Impact of short-term missions Walking daily with God Preparing the soil Resources: Jessica was deeply impacted by watching long-term missionaries when she went to Guatemala on a short-term trip. Pioneers's short-term Edge trips similarly give you the opportunity to work alongside long-term missionaries. Learn more about Japan: Watch a video about ministry in Hiroshima, Of Donuts and Atom Bombs. Check out this infographic on the state of ministry in Japan from missionaries with a like-minded organization, TEAM. Journey through a Japanese city through this photo essay.

Do you wrestle with where to serve? How do you follow God and hear His voice? Are you passionate about sharing the gospel with those who have never heard? In this episode, Andrew shares how God led him to serve in Chad. Andrew's passion for evangelism shines throughout the conversation as we discuss his passion for Chad's nomadic peoples. Andrew challenges us to redirect our perspective. It is such a joy to serve God and share His good news, even through hard times. Listen in to hear stories of God's faithfulness in drawing nomadic Muslim people to Himself. Andrew was born to missionary parents in Senegal, West Africa, but spent most of his growing up years in the US. At a young age, he was inspired to give his life to reaching the unreached. Andrew is a grad of Moody Bible Institute, where he studied intercultural studies. He served with Operation Mobilization for two years before joining Pioneers in 2014. He now leads a church-planting team focused on reaching Arab nomads. In this episode, we discuss: Andrew's desire, from a young age, to go to the mission field The way God led him from aviation ministry to evangelism God's leading to serve in Chad The Sahel area of Africa The need for workers in Africa Andrew's heart for evangelism Stories of Arab nomads coming to faith Discouragement and perseverance on the field Links from the episode Missionary biographies impacted Andrew at a young age. Here are some of our recommendations. Sign up for email updates on how to pray for Chad. You can also adopt a people group in Chad to pray for them. Subscribe to hear the latest episodes! Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relentlesspursuitpodcast/ Episode notes: http://relentlesspursuitpodcast.org/2021/03/episode-9-where-should-i-go/

Is God calling me into missions? Where should I go? What should I do while I wait for the right timing? Kim's story gives a faithful example of what it looks like to wrestle with these questions, serve where we are and see God take us places we couldn't imagine. God planted a curiosity in Kim's life to explore missions through short-term trips. She traveled all over the world, learning from missionaries and serving. From this time, God grew her heart in alignment with His heart for the nations. Because of her Latina roots, Kim thought the Lord might lead her to serve in a Spanish-speaking country, but over time God directed her to the Middle East. This led her to spend three years intentionally learning the Arabic language so she could share the gospel with others in their heart language. She is heading back soon to serve in a neighboring country through partnering with a local church. In this episode, Kim shares her journey of taking the next step in global missions. Through accountability, the local church and much prayer, God led Kim to make His name known in the Middle East. In this episode, we discuss: Kim's journey into missions Role of short-term trips in launching her into long-term ministry How Kim prepared to go overseas when God said to wait The role of church leadership in going to the field Language and culture learning Loneliness and transition Life in the Middle East Resources: Kim shares how her experience on short-term trips helped direct her into long-term service. If you are interested in going on a short-term trip, check out Pioneers Edge trips. A Perspectives class helped prepare Kim to pursue living among unreached peoples. Check out the Perspectives website to find a class near you. Subscribe to hear the latest episodes! Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relentlesspursuitpodcast/ Episode notes: http://relentlesspursuitpodcast.org/2021/03/episode-8-how-do-I-prepare-to-go/

Are you willing to obey God to go wherever He takes you? Do you wrestle with what it practically means to walk with God in obedience? In this episode, Summer shares her journey of obedience. Summer doesn't see obedience to God as a burden but as the fruit of a loving relationship with God. Taking the next small step of obedience has led her to places and situations she never imagined. God has used Summer as a part of His larger plan to see churches formed among unreached peoples worldwide. Through challenging circumstances and difficult living conditions, Summer shares stories of God's protection over her, ways He led her into a deeper relationship with Him and churches forming in unreached areas. Summer is a storyteller, teacher and follower of Christ, devoted to following God where He leads her. She has spent time teaching at a school in Ethiopia, church planting in tribal Uganda, and is now going to work among the unreached in Central Asia.   The faithfulness of God is throughout Summer's story from her call to follow Jesus to her global adventures. Listen in to learn about obedience in the context of global missions and saying yes to big things. In this episode, we discuss: Obedience to God in the context of global missions How small steps of obedience lead to the next step Teaching at an international school Stories of living in a semi-nomadic warrior community in Uganda The blessings that come from obeying God even when things don't seem to make sense God's protection over our lives The impact of Bible storying God's glory displayed in our obedience The faith it takes to leave Subscribe to hear the latest episodes! Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relentlesspursuitpodcast/ Episode notes: http://relentlesspursuitpodcast.org/2021/02/episode-7-how-do-I-obey-when-it-doesnt-make-sense

Sara discusses her understanding of resiliency, ways she has seen it, and how to model resilient living for your family and those around you. Sara is a mother of two daughters, poet, author, songwriter and teacher making God known throughout Europe. Growing up as a pastor's kid, she knew what it was like to work in Christian service and strive after holiness. Through serving on the field and living with chronic illness, she is learning what it means to rest in God alone. Sara has spent time in many countries, from Mercy Ships ministry traveling throughout Europe and down the coast of Africa to church planting in Senegal and living in picturesque France. She currently resides in Germany. Through Sara's 22 years of field experience, she has learned it takes a daily submission to God to build resiliency. We must approach our problems with humility, open hands and an open heart to what God may bring. Dealing with the chronic illness in her daughter's life and her own has brought an understanding of what it means to find rest in God.  We can't bear the burdens of these things, but God can, and we can rest in Him. We can glean from Sara's experience and wisdom as we apply it to our journey of walking with God and pursuing His calling. Sara's song: https://youtu.be/wEkRlHoANRI What we discuss in this episode: What is resilience? Paul's model for resilience A posture of humility and dependence on God Resilience vs. resistance How Sara prepared for trials on the mission field Struggles with physical health Modeling a lifestyle of resilience Resting in God Subscribe to hear the latest episodes! Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relentlesspursuitpodcast/ Episode notes: http://relentlesspursuitpodcast.org/2021/02/episode-6-how-do-i-become-resilient

I think God is calling me to go. I want to be sent to serve among those with little access to the gospel. What do I need? In this episode, we talk with Steve about how mobilization is the work of missions. Luke 10 calls us to pray for more laborers; this is a call to mobilization. Pioneers is passionate about teams displaying God's glory together. We can't be passionate about teams if we aren't passionate about mobilizing people to the teams. Steve has been serving with Pioneers since 1998. He started his journey in missions working in the Caribbean and Haiti. He then set sail on a medical missions ship traveling across Europe and the African Coast, where he met his wife, Sara. Together they planted their home in Senegal, working among the Wolof people. When his daughter was born needing special medical attention, they transitioned to working in France. After immigrating to France, they spent 15 years there leading a church planting team. He now oversees a few regions within Pioneers including Europe. He currently lives with his wife and two daughters in Germany. Steve shares his story of how God guided and moved him worldwide to serve His purposes. Because of Steve's role in mobilization, he interacts with many potential missionaries and team leaders. Steve gives tips for those preparing to go and insight into what teams are looking for in new teammates. Steve helps us look critically at whether our view of spiritual need is connected to physical poverty. He argues that even wealthy countries in Europe have a tremendous spiritual need. In this episode, we discuss: What mobilization is How leaving Senegal taught Steve a lesson in mobilization Qualities teams look for in potential candidates The importance of teachability Why we need a passion for Christ, love for people, and flexibility Impoverished countries versus the spiritual need The need for workers in Europe Rethinking the 10/40 window Creating a mentality of home, where ever God has you Being all in where God has you Book recommendations from Steve: Conversations on When Everything is Missions: Recovering the Mission of the Church by Denny Spitters and Matthew Ellison Pipeline – Engaging the Church in Missionary Mobilization by David and Lorene Wilson Mission in Motion by Jay Matenga Subscribe to hear the latest episodes! Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relentlesspursuitpodcast/ Episode notes: http://relentlesspursuitpodcast.org/2021/01/episode-5-what-makes-a-good-missionary

You want to leverage your life for God's mission, but fear and questions pop up. Where will God take me? Will I hate it? Will it be harmful to me? Will I get sick and never recover? What will others say? Is this really what God wants from me? What do we do with this fear that follows when we decide to live as a world Christian? We chat with Joe who was a missionary to Central Asia.  Joe shares about his struggle to discern a calling and choosing from two really good paths in life: academia or missions. What if he could be used better in a university? What if he showed up overseas and was completely useless? Listen in to hear how God gave everything and more back to Joe when he decided to simply take the next step.  Subscribe to hear the latest episodes! Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relentlesspursuitpodcast/ Episode notes: http://relentlesspursuitpodcast.org/2020/10/episode-1-what-i…od-doesnt-use-me

Content Warning: depictions of violence and trauma. When Ann left for the field, she expected life to be hard. She knew the Christian life included suffering, but she didn't expect it to come to her. We get the privilege of looking back with Ann, seeing the way God has woven His grace, provision, and presence throughout Ann's life. As a new missionary, Ann was adjusting to Central Asian culture and learning the language. Suddenly, an event dramatically changed her life. Listen in to hear her story of a home break-in and attack just nine months after arriving in her new country. She shares the effects on her faith, relationship with locals, and how God used it.  “Suffering can mean many different things, but biblical suffering is to bear or tolerate pain or loss that has not been of my own doing, to bear what God brings for His sake and to accomplish His purposes.” The Bible tells us we will suffer. But God also says He will walk with us in the suffering. It is not without purpose or hope. Join us as we discuss questions like these: Should we expect suffering in the Christian life and kingdom work? How does this fit with our faith? How does God meet us in the struggle? Can it be used for His glory? We can learn so much from Ann's humility, strength and dependence on God in hard times. She is an encouragement to press forward in dependence on God as we seek to pursue His calling in our lives. What we discuss in this episode: How to we define biblical suffering Expectations before going to the field Ann's story of a home break-in while serving in Central Asia God's provision of peace in moments of crisis God's presence with us Perseverance in suffering Ways God can use our suffering for His good. How God can redeem our mistakes for His glory. How Ann's story of suffering paved the way for the gospel. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relentlesspursuitpodcast/ Show notes: http://relentlesspursuitpodcast.org/2021/01/episode-what-if-i-suffer

Do we need to hear a direct voice from God to participate in His global purpose? Does God use our strengths and desires when directing us where to go? Maybe you are asking yourself these same questions. Listen to hear Rachel share how God led her to take part in His kingdom work while living in Paris. Rachel didn't grow up wanting to be a missionary, but over her college years and beyond, she began to see that the Church is the means God uses to accomplish His global purpose in the world. She spent her first three years post-college with The Traveling Team, mobilizing college students and churches to serve among the world's unreached peoples. She now leads a team in Paris working alongside a local church and mobilizes new workers to serve in Europe.  At first, she felt missions was not for her. After learning about God's heart for the nations, Rachel began to ask herself, "What can I do to work towards this mission?" We hear how she views calling and God's many small steps to lead her to serve in France. We discuss how God can use our strengths and desires to direct us where to serve within His will. There is a balance between being willing with open hands for God to use us anywhere for anything and looking to see where our gifts may play a part in that leading. We hear stories of struggle from Rachel's first years living cross-culturally and the joys she experienced through intimacy with God during those hard times. We talk about singleness on the field: the blessings it brings and how it draws us to trust the Lord. Rachel brings us clarity and perspective as we daily surrender our lives in small steps towards discovering God's calling for our lives. In this episode, we discuss: Rachel's story of God leading her into cross-cultural ministry What does a calling from God look like? Surrendering the image of what life “should” look like to follow God's calling Short-term mission trips like Pioneers Edge trips Calling through moving in a general direction and trusting God for the details Is there a connection between our strengths and desires and God's calling? Rachel shares about dependency on God and intimacy with God Is calling a one-time thing? Calling as a daily surrender Singleness on the field Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relentlesspursuitpodcast/ Show notes: http://relentlesspursuitpodcast.org/2021/01/how-do-i-know-im…lled-to-missions

What if we were meant to be transformed? What if following Jesus means taking steps seen as risky, but what follows is our transformation? Listen in as we talk with Chris about risk, how it transforms us, and how we can shift our attitude to see the benefits we gain in saying yes. Chris shares stories of transformation in his own life and beauty in seeing others' lives transformed by the gospel's power. Chris served in Central Asia for 14 years as a physician with his family. He has seen how God uses our yes to change us as He works toward His mission in the world.   Throughout this episode, we hear Chris talk about risk, suffering and the joy found in the sacrifice.  Chris starts by defining risk as the choices we make. He also talks about how the arc of scripture opens our eyes to see a more remarkable story. Even the Bible talks about risk. When we see our neediness in our sin and the grandness of Christ's sacrifice, the risk of our sacrifice seems small in comparison. Chris's story explores how the call to missions involves risk and suffering, but the things given up pale compared to the things we gain from joining God's purpose. Christian life transforms and changes us.  Chris shares his early years' struggling on the field battling culture shock, sickness, and disagreements with his wife. Through this, he learned a deeper dependency on God and the importance of hearing and knowing God's will. In his 14 years on the field, God gave him great joy in seeing people's hearts transformed by the power of the gospel. Listen to hear stories and encouragement from Chris as we seek to be transformed together through obeying God. Together let's stop and ask ourselves, “What would happen if I said no to the risk God gives me? Would I be denying other people or denying myself of the transformation to come?” In this episode, we discuss:  What is risk, and how does it affect the choices we make? How risk is woven throughout God's story What we may see as a sacrifice, ultimately is us gaining so much more Joy in sacrifice  Struggle in the early years on the field Transformation and power of the gospel Discipleship, risk, obedience, transformation and following Jesus   Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relentlesspursuitpodcast/ Show notes: http://relentlesspursuitpodcast.org/2021/01/episode-2-what-if-its-too-risky

Welcome to the Relentless Pursuit Podcast.  You love God, and you want to do His will for your life. However, fear and uncertainty get in the way.  In this podcast, we hear stories from missionaries who have struggled with those exact things. They've wrestled through tough seasons in pursuit of God's glory among the nations.  Their raw stories will inspire you in your walk with God.  So, grab a cup of coffee and lean in to grow and be stretched. Produced and created by Pioneers-USA.