The Missions Pastor Podcast

Today's conversation with Jody Ray. Jody is the Pastor of Missions at Chet's Creek Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Helping children in extreme poverty is a central focus of Chet's Creek. Jody share's how this came about and why it's so important.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, small things can make a big impact, like making sure a child has the proper uniform for kindergarten so they start strong in school. That changes their life forever. Second, tenacity is more important than having the right answers. Things will always need to be shifted and changed, but we'll only do those things when we are fully committed to never giving up.And finally, be smart enough to recognize that you don't have all the right answers and you need to educate yourself. Jody mentions “When Helping Hurts” and the Chalmer's Center. These resources and others are critical to making a positive impact with those in extreme poverty around the world.Learn more about Chet's Creek ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE

Today's conversation with Delmy Guajardo. Delmy is the Missions Director at BattleCreek Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. BattleCreek Church is a multi site church, which adds a level of complexity to developing a healthy missions ministry.  Delmy share her experience and wisdom on how to do this well. Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, find a single focus that's at the heart of the church as a whole and build a larger missions effort off of it that every site can be a part of.  Second, get to know the DNA of each individual campus, and develop smaller missions efforts that allow each site to have a unique approach.And finally, remember that every campus will look different, so as a missions pastor of a multi site church, you have to be very flexible.Learn more about BattleCreek ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE

Today's conversation with Rob Gribbin. Rob is the Associate Pastor for World Missions at Shenandoah Baptist Church in Roanoke, Virginia. Shenandoah Baptist's passion for world missions begins with their love for the missionaries they support. I asked Rob to share a little bit about why that is a foundational piece of their missions focus and how it has helped missions become a part of the DNA of the church. Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, the effectiveness of missions always follows the members having a deep understanding of their individual responsibility to be involved. Every follower of Christ should be engaged in missions in some way. Second, giving to missions should always be more than just a pledge of financial support. Instead, it should be an intentional act of faith that God is going to provide in order for us to give.And finally, successful missions can only happen in a church where the lead pastor makes missions the priority. If they're not leading the church toward this, it's an uphill battle.Learn more about Shenandoah Baptist ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE

Today's conversation with Melanie Williams. Melanie is the Missions Director at Antioch Bible Church in Redmond, Washington. Melanie and Antioch Bible believe that a healthy missions ministry is one that finds a good balance between local and global outreach. Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, everyone in your church is called to missions in one way or another. Having a good balance of opportunities both locally and globally allows them to find that fit. Second, as your members find their fit, they're able to grow and mature by taking advantage of these different options.And finally, never look as balance in a missions ministry as a ledger to measured. There are no cookie cutter answers. That means you have to slow down, take time to pray, and listen to the Holy Spirit. Learn more about Antioch Bible ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE

Today's conversation with Marty Scott. Marty is the Global Outreach & Fellows Program Pastor at Grace Bible Church in College Station, Texas. Grace Bible has gone through an important process in their missions and outreach efforts over the past few years, and as they've done that, they've learned some important lessons about the importance of good partnerships.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, you can't build good partnerships without trust - from both sides. Learn as much as you can about your potential partners' heart for ministry. Second, shared vision is critical. But that's more than just high level ideas. You have to be going after the same things for the partnership to work and that means understanding the details.And finally, establish clear communication in setting expectations and following through on those. Churches and missions partners need to have a clear pathway for communicating so that the partnership can thrive long term.Learn more about Grace Bible ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE

Today's conversation is with Robin Popplewell. Robin is the missions pastor at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee. Englewood Baptist sees church planting as a central focus of its missions work - both domestically and globally. Robin share why this important and the lessons they've learned along the wayWant to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, everything in church planting hinges on prayer. You can't be effective in sharing the Gospel if God doesn't open the right doors. And you can't walk through those doors if you aren't truly listening to what the Holy Spirit is saying. Second, look for the right people and ask them about becoming involved. So often, people are waiting for someone to ask for them before they take that first step. And finally, learn to lead from the back. Provide oversight and advice, but remember that the Holy Spirit within you is the same Holy Spirit in the people in your church who are being called to become part of your church planting program.Learn more about Englewood Baptist ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Ken Fifer, the missions pastor at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship in Carrollton, Texas. Bent Tree Bible Fellowship believes in missions and has many different opportunities for their members to engage in.  Ken shares how they work to help their members find their fit in missions while honoring the needs of the churches and communities they serve in. Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, they understand that each member of Bent Tree has a unique gift and calling. It's not about trying to squeeze a member into a program. It's about helping them find the right fit. Second, the churches and communities Bent Tree serves in aren't one size fits all either. Bent Tree works to find ways to support and strengthen the local churches in these countries. And they're OK with stepping away if they don't see a way they can help without hurting. And finally, this approach requires both Ken and Bent Tree and the churches and countries they serve to take time to really let the Holy Spirit do His work. There's no reason to try to force something to happen just to say there's a partnership in place. Learn more about Bent Tree Bible FellowshipLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Kevin Duffy wears at The Village Baptist Church in Fayetteville, NC. One of those is Missions Pastor. Kevin has been serving there since 2005, and he has a lot of wisdom to share. He joins us to share about The Village Baptist Church's “Face to Faith” initiative. Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here! First, Face to Faith began out of the heart of a member of The Village Baptist Church. The church released a member to step into what God had put on his heart. When we do this, something powerful happens.  Second, context changes the way programs are implemented, but the Gospel is the same. Face to Faith may look slightly different in different countries, but the goal and foundation is till sharing Christ's love.  And finally, we can help kids and widows and the poor with clean water, food, medicine and schooling, but if we don't share the Gospel we're missing the whole point. The greatest form of poverty is Spiritual Poverty. We have to remind ourselves of this every day. Learn more about The Village Baptist ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

This week's episode is with Tony Arnett. Tony is the missions pastor at Central Church in Charlotte, NC. Central Church believes that the Great Commission should be taken literally, and this impacts everything they do from the nursery to the senior citizens and everything in between. Tony shares how this has impacted both the church as a whole, the missionaries they serve alongside, and the individuals within the church. Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, missions isn't a ministry of the local church; it's THE ministry of the local church. It permeates and guides everything from the nursery to the senior citizens. Second, when this reality sets in, the focus of every ministry in the church becomes more clear and the results are indescribable. And finally, these results aren't measured by dollars given, but by lives changed. A good reminder is the story of the widow who gave two mites at the Temple. The financial gift she provided was insignificant but the offering was great.Learn More About Central ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

This week's episode is with Nathan Nelson, the Pastor of Mission & Outreach at Bethany Community Church in Seattle, Washington. Nathan is also a contributor to Re-Imagining Short-Term Missions, where he shares his insight into why partnership in missions is a better way. Nathan joins us to discuss how integrating missions locally and globally that takes into account the strengths of our missions partners creates a healthier, long lasting approach to missions and outreach. Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, the issue of poverty is complex and doesn't have simple solutions. Rather than expecting quick fixes and programmatic responses, we need patience to make lasting improvement over time.Second, the issues people face on the other side of the world are the same issues that we face in our own communities. Having a strategy that takes this into account will result in a more healthy, integrated ministry.And finally, take a step back and look at your global partners to see what they're doing well, and then find ways to learn from them. There is so much wisdom around us if we are open to it.Learn More about Re-Imagining Short-Term MissionsLearn More about Bethany Community ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Susanne Klovdahl, the Missions & Outreach Ministry Director at Northwest Church in Federal Way, Washington shares how Northwest Church has learned that intentional prayer for missionaries they support begins with strengthening the relationships with these missionaries first. Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, missionaries need more than prayer support; they need support in many other very practical ways. Training. Resources. Reentry assistance are all a part of how your church can put actions to your prayers. But sometimes, the most important thing you can do is just truly get to know them.Second, ministry has changed, and that's OK. God uses these changes to lead us into new opportunities. Don't feel the pull to go back to the way things used to be in your missions ministry. Instead, seek what God wants going forward.And finally, missionaries aren't the only ones who need relationships and support - you do too. Seek to build relationships around you with those who also help build you up and encourage you.Learn More About Northwest ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Casey Norkett, the Missions Pastor at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, shares how Hickory Grove has become an overwhelmingly generous to missionaries and ministries around the world. That's all possible because of the commitment the church members have to giving above and beyond their regular tithes to help fund this outreach. And it all started with what the church calls the “Plus 1 Missions Challenge.”Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, a little extra can go a long way. As members commit to giving just 1% more of their income, they see lives changed and the church grows. And this continues to bring in more giving and more impact. It's exponential. Second, for this type of approach to work, the local church must also provide opportunities for those giving to pray and serve. And finally, it's critical to put a name and a face with what people are giving to. Let them see the impact and even become a part of it. Otherwise, missions just becomes a line item in the budget.Learn More About Hickory Grove Baptist ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Edgar Aponte is the Minister of Global Missions at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida. But he's also spent years teaching on missions and outreach in seminaries and leading the missions efforts of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention - the world's largest missions sending organization. Edgar shares his learnings from these roles. Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, missions in the local church will only work if the lead pastor of the church is fully committed to it. Without that, you're fighting a battle you probably won't win.Second, if the church views missions as something done for one weekend a year at a missions conference or for a few days in the summer on a trip, we are failing. Missions is a part of the life of the church and should be emphasized as such year round. And finally, if a church is challenging its people to be involved in missions, the church must also equip them to fulfill that challenge. Otherwise, it's a lot of empty talk.Learn More About Idlewild Baptist ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Chris Conner is the Missions And Outreach Pastor at Mountaintop Community Church in Birmingham, Alabama. But that's not the role Chris was originally hired for. Chris began his ministry and Mountaintop Community as the Youth Pastor. He shares the lessons he's learned through this transition.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, keep your expectations realistic. It's great to dream big. And we serve a God who does big things. But we also need to understand that He's working a plan that's bigger than us and our church. So, we can dream big, but plan realistically. Second, embrace the unexpected. Chris had no idea that a fourth of his first year in this role would be functioning as a general contractor for another church's vision of opening a coffee house for their community. But I know Chris wouldn't trade that experience for following the plan he had in place when the year began.And finally, take time at the end of every year to look back, and adjust your expectations and plans going forward. There are great lessons to be learned when we see what God has done and prayerfully ask what He wants us to do moving into the future.Learn More About Mountaintop Community ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Laurel Fishbook has worn a lot of hats at over the years at Christ the King Church in Bellingham, Washington - most recently as Director of Missions. One of Christ the King's primary values is being outward focused, and to see every person who attends involved in missions and outreach. Laurel shares how she became Director of Missions and how she's helped transition the church to a different model of outreach.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, be willing to change. Just because something has worked for years doesn't mean it's the right way to keep doing things in the future. These changes may breathe new life into your missions ministry. Second, serving in missions can grow someone's heart for missions. Laurel always understood how important missions is, but didn't really become passionate about it until she began leading this ministry. The same thing can happen for anyone in our churches. And finally, the end goal of all of this should be relationships. Our missionaries and those serving in outreach need to know they're loved and cared for. Anything we can do to deepen those relationships is critical to their health and the health of our outreach ministries.Learn More About Christ the King ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Brent Altman, the Director of Missions at Grace Family Church in Tampa, Florida, is committed to seeing the missions and outreach of Grace Family flowing through local church partners around the world. Brent shares some of the lessons he's learned and the advice he believes can help churches move toward this focus. Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, working through local church partners takes time, but it's well worth it. When you partner with local churches to support and strengthen the work they're doing in their own context, great things happen. Second, these partnerships require you to let go of some control. This isn't easy for any of us to do. But we can't expect these local church partners to be effective if we're micromanaging them every step of the way. And finally, find other missions pastors and churches who are seeking to work through local churches, and learn from them. The greatest teacher is someone else's experience.Learn More About Grace Family ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Travis Janousek, the Serve Pastor at New City Church in Charlotte, NC, believes that all missions partnerships should begin with the goal of being "mutually beneficial." He shares what that means, why its important, and how a big part of that means letting go of control. Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, don't be afraid to "chase the wild goose." Hold your plans loosely. Look for where the Holy Spirit is leading and then follow; even when it doesn't make sense. Second, remember that you don't have all the answers. Mutually beneficial ministry requires humility and a willingness to listen. And finally, look for missions partners who have shared values. You can't develop mutually beneficial missions ministry if one side has a completely different framework for ministry.Learn More About New City ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Liberty Bible Church is a historic church that has existed for nearly 100 years. For any church to thrive over such a significant period of time, there has to have been lots of changes and growth. Kevin Cram, Pastor of Global & Local Engagement, shares how a church like Liberty has remained committed to keeping their members engaged with missions for so long.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, the goal we should focus on is keeping our members engaged in missions, not continuing to do it the same way we've always done it. Our focus needs to stay on what we're trying to accomplish and not so much on how we're doing it. Second, gather a team around you to help you in engaging the church in missions. You don't have to it alone. God has already brought some supporters into your church who want to help you. Look for them and ask for their help.  And finally, constantly keep your pastor engaged. In reality, your senior pastor should be the first person you are working to engage in missions. Keep them updated. Bring them on short term missions trips. Let them hear stories of exciting things God is doing on the mission field. The church will only be as engaged in missions as the senior pastor.Learn More About LIberty Bible ChurchCheck out GO: A Great Commission PodcastLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Dr. Jay Madden, the Executive Pastor at Peachtree Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Rush Creek doesn't really have a missions program. One of the most common ways for churches to engage in missions is through short-term missions trips. But the pandemic slammed the door shut on most of these trips for several years. Dr. Madden is passionate about seeing Peachtree and other churches re engage in these efforts, and she shares his advice on how to do that effectively.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, we all love the lessons we learned during the pandemic about how to utilize communications advances to improve our relationships with our missions partners. But nothing is better than being present with those partners for a few days. Dr. Madden reminds us that short term ministry trips are critical for healthy missions relationships.  Second, don't just restart missions trips by going back to the way your church did them before the pandemic. See this as an opportunity to evaluate what you want your short term missions program to be and how it can benefit both your church and your missions partners.  And finally, always seek to add real value to your missions partners when you plan to bring a team to serve alongside them. Dr. Madden reminds us that the first rule of the Hippocratic Oath should also be the first rule of missions partnership: do no harm.Learn More About Peachtree ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Brian McFadden, the Compassion Pastor at Rush Creek Church in Arlington, Texas. Rush Creek doesn't really have a missions program. Rush Creek truly believes that everything they do is about outreach both locally and globally. And that means that every member needs to be engaged in sharing the Gospel every day.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!Brian passionately share that when a church fully commits to the Great Commission, amazing things happen. And that results in transformation both internally and externally.Brian also helps us understand that missions trips don't have to be for individuals. There's something very powerful that can happen when whole families engage together in serving in a foreign context together.  And finally, Brian shows that missions doesn't have to be something done only through a third party organization. While Rush Creek's child sponsorship program started with a ministry like OneChild, it grew into something that the church took on completely by itself in order to become even more connected to it.Learn More About Rush Creek ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Scott Allen, the Minister of Missions & Single Adults at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley, South Carolina. Scott has helped lead Rock Springs Baptist to develop a missions process that has resulted in their church being involved in missions all around the world. That strategy is called "Pray, Give, Go."Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, Scott reminds us that when we get the people in our churches truly praying for missions and outreach, it changes them from the inside out. This always leads to a deeper involvement in other ways. Second, Rock Springs doesn't just "talk the talk" when it comes to giving, it "walks the walk." They're committed to seeing anyone who feels called to participate in a missions trip, go. And they back that up financially. This moves the rest of the church to become more involved in giving to missions because their own friends and family are actively involved. And finally, as we've heard so many times before, when individuals and families within Rock Springs Baptist participate in short term missions opportunities, it leads to a stronger walk with Christ and even more involvement in taking the Gospel across the street and around the world. Learn More About Rock Springs Baptist ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Mike McLanahan, the Missions Pastor at Hendersonville First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Mike works to carry out the church's vision to see churches around the country experience revitalization in order to bring the Gospel to their communities and send the Gospel to the nations.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, it's clear from this conversation that the men of North Metro Baptist are active in missions and outreach because they see Dr. Cox engaging in the community in these areas. It's one thing to hear about loving and serving others from the pulpit on Sunday. It's a completely different thing when you see your pastor doing that at the local high school football games every Friday night. Second, Dr. Cox reminds us that men want to be involved, but you have to give them ways that fit who they are. The men of North Metro Baptist are involved in everything from picking up people and bringing them to church, to leading trips to Guatemala. Give men different ways to be involved that fit their personalities. And finally, as a pastor or missions pastor, Dr. Cox stresses that you have to equip men to share their faith. Teach them what that looks like. Help them understand how to have those conversations. Then unleash men who love Jesus into the world and watch what happens.Learn More About Hendersonville First Baptist ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Dr. Frank Cox, the Senior Pastor at North Metro Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Dr. Cox believes that the men of the local church should be on the front lines of missions, outreach and evangelism, and he works with the men of North Metro Baptist Church to help them lead in this area.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, it's clear from this conversation that the men of North Metro Baptist are active in missions and outreach because they see Dr. Cox engaging in the community in these areas. It's one thing to hear about loving and serving others from the pulpit on Sunday. It's a completely different thing when you see your pastor doing that at the local high school football games every Friday night. Second, Dr. Cox reminds us that men want to be involved, but you have to give them ways that fit who they are. The men of North Metro Baptist are involved in everything from picking up people and bringing them to church, to leading trips to Guatemala. Give men different ways to be involved that fit their personalities. And finally, as a pastor or missions pastor, Dr. Cox stresses that you have to equip men to share their faith. Teach them what that looks like. Help them understand how to have those conversations. Then unleash men who love Jesus into the world and watch what happens.Learn More About North Metro Baptist Church Learn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Todd Bussey, the Ministry Development Pastor at Christ's Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Todd's decades of experience in leading outreach and missions programs has taught him that empowering local leaders in these efforts is the key to long-lasting success.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!Todd's challenges us to keep our eyes open for people we wouldn't expect. There are people already serving in areas whom God has called to reach those in their own circles of influence. Look for them.    Second, releasing local leaders into ministry is challenging for lots of us. We have to be willing to let people who think differently and understand the context of where they are serving do things differently than we do them. And finally, Todd reminds us that praying for missions is another form of releasing control of missions. It's hard for us to do, but we really are placing the future of God's work in the nations back in God's hands.Learn More About New Life Christ's ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Ferrill Gallaway, the Missions Pastor at New Life Christian Fellowship in Jacksonville, Florida. Over the course of the previous episodes of this podcast, many missions pastors have emphasized the need for the missions ministry of churches to focus on prayer. I asked Ferrill to explain why this is so important in missions. Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!First, Ferrill reminds us that prayer isn't about reciting a list of needs for a few minutes and hoping God does something about it. Prayer is about truly understanding who our missionaries are, the challenges they face, and then uniting in prayer for these missionaries. Then, when God answers those prayers, the church needs to learn about those answers so they can celebrate together.    Second, praying together for our missionaries connects the church together locally and globally. And as that happens, it creates a sending culture within the church. As our members see God moving in missions, they catch a passion for missions themselves which leads to some responding to God's call to the nations.And finally, people in our churches love connecting with a vision. There's something within us that wants to be a part of the Gospel going around the world. Keep those stories constantly in front of your church and use that as fuel for prayer. Learn More About New Life Christian FellowshipLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Shane Mikeska, the Missions Minister at Central Baptist Church in College Station, Texas. Shane's 15 years as a missionary has given him an important perspective as he helps shape the missions efforts of Central Baptist Church. I asked Shane to share some of these lessons.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!Shane reminds us that missions ministry works best when everything is done for a reason. He calls this “purposefulness and intentionality.” Every decision you make as a missions pastor should be through the lens of how something fits within the specific vision God has given you and your church for outreach.   Shane also challenges us to consistently communicate that vision to our churches, encouraging them to live it out in their daily lives. Missions isn't just about what happens across the ocean. It's just as much about what happens in the grocery store or with international students in your own community. And finally, it's crucial for you as a missions pastor and for those you serve in your church to keep the main thing, the main thing. Shane's encouragement for us to remember the importance of daily walking with Christ is something that all of us need to remember. Learn More About Central Baptist ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Todd Hampton, the High School Pastor at West Ridge Church in Dallas, Georgia. A vital component to West Ridge Church's student ministry is taking them to work in Nicaragua so they can experience missions first hand. Todd shares how this element has helped the students at West Ridge Church grow deeper in their faith.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!Most American teenagers have never experienced anything close to what they will when visiting a foreign country and serving those who have less than they do for an extended period of time. Todd shares how giving the young people at West Ridge the opportunity to step out of their limited context, causes them to come back with a clearer picture of how they can be a part of advancing the Kingdom of God. Second, West Ridge takes full advantage of the momentum gained through their missions trips by continuing to give students the chance to contribute to helping those same communities through prayer, giving and other projects throughout the year. West Ridge makes sure these students see the importance of lasting support beyond the week they travel there in person.And Todd gives some advice to missions pastors whose student pastor hasn't led an international missions trip before: be patient with them and build a support system around them. Help them see the value of these opportunities and work with them to organize a trip that becomes a part of the regular rhythm of the student ministry at your church.Learn More About West Ridge ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Dr. Lynne Ellis-Gray, the Serve the World Pastor at Overlake Christian Church in Redmond, Washington. A question that drives the outreach at Overlake is: “What would our world look like if every person was living with purpose, joining God's mission in the world?” I asked Lynne why this is such an important question to answer?Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!Lynne shares that outreach works best when those we lead see themselves are part of a bigger story. It isn't just about the missions and strategies of individual churches. It's about how those missions and strategies fit into God's greater mission and how we all are a part of what He's doing in the world.She also emphasizes that when our individual members see themselves engaging in God's bigger plan around the world, they see how they can then take what they've been a part of in another country and context and apply that across the street in their own areas of influence. Engaging in global outreach always motivates our members to engage in local outreach.And finally, Lynne encourages us not to over-plan our missions and outreach. Leave some space in your budget and your strategy for moments when God shows up to do the unexpected. You never know what will happen if you do.Learn More About Overlake Christian ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Jake Mills, Missions and Outreach Pastor at Beltway Park Church in Abilene, Texas. One of the unique characteristics of Beltway Park's missions efforts is an emphasis on taking the Gospel to the Jewish people both in Israel and around the world.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!Jake shares that Beltway Park has always been committed to giving a percentage of their offerings directly to missions and then increasing that amount year over year. It doesn't matter what that starting percentage is, set it aside, and then slowly raise that percentage annually and see who much of an impact that can make. Jake also shares that it doesn't matter if it's Jewish evangelism or outreach to any other people group or nation, the best people to share the Gospel in a culture are people from that culture. This isn't always easy, especially when dealing with unreached people groups. But once the opportunity presents itself to have Christians from inside that group reaching out to their own people, this transition must happen. And finally, Jake reminds us that getting started in missions isn't as difficult as we sometimes make it. But we still need to take a step back and be practical. Look at the budget and set aside the funds to be used. After that, take action. Get a team together, find a partnership you trust, and get to work. The rest is just details.Learn More About Beltway Park ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Dr. Paul Colton, the Pastor of International Missions at Calvary Church in Tampa, Florida. For most churches, missions ministry begins with giving to an offering or participating in a short term ministry trip. But at Calvary Church, it begins before that. Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!Paul explains that first, missions should be a critical element in integrating new church members into the life of the church. Equip to Send is the culmination of Calvary Church's four week orientation process. The message that is sent to new members is that being engaged in Great Commission work is the goal for every member. Second, Brian encourages churches to choose great partners. Know who you're working with. What they're all about. Their goals and strategies, along with their needs. Having a clear understanding of this is critical to Paul's final piece of advice which is to…  Communicate. Communicate. Communicate. Constantly highlight these partners and the people they reach out to in services and other creative ways. As church members understand their calling to be a part of Great Commission work, and you communicate partners you trust and have confidence in, these members will begin to participate in amazing ways you'd never be able to predict.Learn More About Calvary ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Brian Gay, the Missions Pastor at First Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Brian has been the Missions Pastor there for more than 15 years. But before that, he was a missionary kid, serving alongside his parents in Ecuador and Mexico.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!Brian stresses that we have to keep the kids of missionaries in mind when we pray and minister to them. When missionaries your church supports are spending extended time here in the US, remember that their kids are here too. Find ways to include them in the life of your church if possible. Help them develop friendships here. Do whatever you can to make them feel supported, not just their parents. Second, Brian has seen firsthand - from both sides of the relationship - the power of strong ministry partnerships. And more often than not, when our the people in our churches engage deeply with these missions partners, it changes them as much or more than those they minister to.  And finally, Brian reminds us that getting a missions ministry started in your church doesn't have to be complicated. Pick a specific people group. Begin praying for them and learning about them. And God will open doors. And then remember, you don't have to go it alone. Your church denomination or network probably has some great resources to help you get started. Another tool is connecting with an organization like OneChild to help you begin to engage with churches serving kids living in hard placesLearn more about First Baptist Church, MontgomeryLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Becky Kyle, the Director of Missions at Christ Fellowship in Florida.  Becky is passionate about seeing Christ Fellowship boldly win the right to share the Gospel by meeting people's needs unconditionally.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!Becky challenges missions pastors and outreach staff to find areas of need where their churches can make a difference, and then be consistent. It's so much more effective to build relationships with the same people over and over again, then to go an inch deep and a mile wide.She also encourages missions ministries to become ministries that say “yes.” The needs in our communities and around the world are many. When we learn to say “yes” to these needs that God brings our way, God is faithful to meet our needs as well.And finally, Becky reminds us that one of the most important things an outreach ministry can do to create lasting impact is to commit to being a “ministry of presence.” Be at the community events. The football games. Whatever you can think of. You know your context better than anyone. The key is just finding out where the people in your community are, be there with them, and meet needs. Learn more about Christ FellowshipLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Pastor David Wigington. David pastors Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Bloomington, Indiana. He's the author of God of the Long View: Trusting a Timeless God in a Hurried World. And David has led his church to make missions central to everything they do. Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!David discusses why missions ministry isn't just another ministry of the local church; it must be the church's very heartbeat. David shares how Cornerstone have been able to make such a major impact around the world because missions is central to everything they do. Every member of Cornerstone is encouraged and even expected to be engaged in missions. It could be giving a suggested amount at a major missions offering; participating in a short term missions trip; hosting a missionary and their family for a meal in their home; or sponsoring a child in the Dominican Republic through OneChild. But because missions is central to Cornerstone's DNA, it's critical that everyone has an opportunity to be a part of missions. And finally, David share why effective missions ministry has to be planned out. David lives this out so intentionally that he plans out the missions efforts of Cornerstone more than he plans out his sermon series. David explains that he understands that the entire purpose of the local church is to take the Gospel to the world, and because of this everything the church does is built around fulfilling that calling.Check out David's book "God of the Long View"Learn more about Cornerstone Christian FellowshipLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation is with Amanda Brown, the Missions Pastor at Flatirons Community Church in Colorado. The vision of Flatirons is to bring the awesome life of Christ to people in a lost and broken world, and Amanda's passion is to see the church develop lasting relationships with their missions partners in order to see that happen.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!Amanda reminds us that it's critical not only to offer something to our missions partners around the world, but but that they have a great deal to offer to us as well. Partnership is built off of really leaning into each other's strengths.Amanda shares how that while COVID and lockdowns have forced Flatirons to get creative about how they cultivate relationships with missions partners, they've realized they can't sit back and become dependent on ZOOM meetings and virtual missions trips. It's time they start thinking about how to get face to face with their missions partners again, because you can't replace the power of that type of connection.And finally, when Flatiron's chooses a missions partner, they do so based on shared values and passions, and then commit to long term relationship with them. Doing this makes it easier to extend grace to each other when things get hard or don't work out as smoothly as they'd hoped. Relationships require commitment, so choosing the right partner in the first place is critical.Learn more about Flatirons Community ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

Today's conversation with with Pam Seaburg. Pam is the Outreach Director of Victory Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Nothing drives Pam more in ministry than the overwhelming reality of God's love for all mankind and that He has invited us to share in the mission of presenting this redeeming truth to all those “not yet in the fold”.Want to learn how your church can partner with OneChild to bring HOPE to kids living in hard Places? Click Here!Pam shares how local and global outreach feed off of each other. They're not mutually exclusive. When our church communities engage in local outreach, it grows into a passion for global outreach. But the same is also true. When people participate in short term ministry trips and other overseas missions opportunities, they come back committed to reaching their own communities for Christ.Pam also shares how smaller churches can still have big impact when they remember that it isn't the size of their missions budget that matters; their God is big and He desires every church to engage in global missions. And finally, Pam reminds us that everything we do in our missions ministries flows from prayer. We have to be humble. Take time to listen. And always remember that God has a plan for our churches to be actively engaging in both local and global outreach. Learn more about Victory ChurchLearn more about OneChild HERE!

"Kids need now what they have always needed, and that's hope: a belief that a better future is possible."Scott C. Todd, PhD - President of OneChildDr. Scott C. Todd, a sought-after speaker and author, brings to audiences his global experience in relief and development, passion for helping children in hard places, and conviction that hope — serious hope — is essential for resilience and sustainable change. Hear why Dr. Todd is passionate about bringing hope to the hardest places, creating a global community of Child Champions, building a generational church, and listening attentively to kids to help them thrive.Join Dr. Todd and your host, David Jesse, as they discuss why bringing HOPE to hard places is the passion of OneChild.