Podcasts about international missions

Victor Hou was born and spent part of his childhood in Asia before coming to the US with his family. Events in High School and college led him to faith in Christ and began to shape his vision for reaching the world with the Gospel. He spent a number of years in the business world before eventually moving overseas and using his gifts to reach people. Now, he serves as the Associate Vice President for Global Advance at the International Mission Board guiding urban strategies, refugee networks, global health and orality strategies. Learn more on this episode of Missions Today!For more information about International Mission Board

What is it like to serve overseas as a Regional Business Manager with the LCMS Office of International Mission? Regional Business Managers Joyce Erber (Africa Region), Stan Stigdon (Latin America and the Caribbean Region), and Sam Borgwardt (Asia Region), along with Rev. Dr. Mark Rabe, Director of Missionary Recruitment for the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy to talk about their roles as Regional Business Managers in the field, including how they serve on the field and some of the duties they have, who they get to work with, how their work supports those they serve alongside in their regions, what they've come to appreciate about the cultures in which they serve, and what makes a great candidate for service as a Regional Business Manager in the LCMS Office of International Mission. Find opportunities to serve at servenow.lcms.org. This episode originally aired on May 20, 2025. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Send us Fan MailA lot of people want to help vulnerable children, but few of us stop to ask the hardest question: what if we are the problem? Our support of children in adversity could be fueling family separation and making the situation worse. Dr. Laura Horvath sits down with Dr. Rebecca Nhep (Better Care Network) and Elli Oswald (Faith to Action Initiative) to unpack “radical courage” in global child welfare and care reform. Our guests discuss how embracing truth required us to change long-held assumptions with humility, publicly challenge orphanage models,  and face our own culpability in power dynamics. They candidly share when being courageous made them the focus of uncomfortable power dynamics within their communities and careers.Elli reflects on the courage of families on the ground, including parents navigating poverty, disability, and lack of services who may see residential care as their only option. Rebecca pushes us to reframe the common “abandonment” narrative and to take an honest inward look at the stories that make donors feel like saviors. Rebecca and Elli share their views on the topic addressed in our prior episode  (Barna Study) . She talks about how research on Christian support for institutional care reflects both positive and negative trends for change.She explains why action is slow to follow belief, why boldness must stay compassionate, how change requires listening well before speaking, and speaking with kindness presumed.Then we get practical about donor responsibility, the power attached to money, and what mutual partnership requires when evidence points toward family-based care, deinstitutionalization, and stronger child protection systems. We also address the “rice pot” problem of fundraising and marketing, plus the real safeguarding risks that can emerge when children become the commodity. The goal stays simple and demanding: keep a North Star on children's best interests, even when it costs us comfort, reputation, or relationships.If you care about family strengthening, Think Global, Do Justice WebsitePassionate about your faith and making a difference in the world? Check out this podcast! ________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html****** ____Organize a Rooted in Reality mission experience for your service club, church group, worship team, young adult or adult study. No travel required. Step into the shoes of people in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Helping Children Worldwide takes you into a world where families are facing impossible choices every day.Contact support@helpingchildrenworldwide.org to discuss how. ___________Family Empowerment Advocates support the work of family empowerment experts at the Child Reintegration Centre, Sierra Leone.  Your small monthly donation,  prayers, attention & caring is essential. You  advocate for their work to help families bring themselves out of poverty, changing the course of children's lives and lifting up communities. joinSupport the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

Send us Fan MailNinety percent of US Christians agree children thrive best in families. So why do so many of us still send money to orphanages and residential care? The latest Barna study puts real numbers on a problem we can't hand-wave anymore: 28% of Christians report supporting orphanages or children's homes, totaling an estimated $4.5 billion a year. That's not a villain story. It's a discipleship, storytelling, and “what do I do now?” story.We talk with Julie Walton, Head of Research and Learning at the Martin James Foundation, about what the Barna research (commissioned by Faith to Action) reveals beneath the surface. We dig into misconceptions about why children are placed in institutions, why the word “orphanage” carries emotional and spiritual weight, and why child sponsorship can feel so personal while still missing the bigger goal of family-based care. We also explore the real gap between belief and behavior, including the “feasibility gap” that keeps donors defaulting to familiar giving channels.The conversation gets practical and honest about the role of churches, mission trips, and proximity. Orphanage trips have shaped people's faith, but child safeguarding and dignity demand that we rethink how we create meaningful engagement without harming children. We also discuss the surprising finding that younger generations are giving more to residential care and how to invite their passion toward family strengthening, family preservation, and community-based child welfare.If you're ready to move from good intentions to better impact, listen now, then subscribe, share the episode, and leave a rating and review so more people can join the shift toward families.And for Laura: makin' bacon pancakes with auntie the bird:  Think Global, Do Justice WebsitePassionate about your faith and making a difference in the world? Check out this podcast! ________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html****** ____Organize a Rooted in Reality mission experience for your service club, church group, worship team, young adult or adult study. No travel required. Step into the shoes of people in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Helping Children Worldwide takes you into a world where families are facing impossible choices every day.Contact support@helpingchildrenworldwide.org to discuss how. ___________Family Empowerment Advocates support the work of family empowerment experts at the Child Reintegration Centre, Sierra Leone.  Your small monthly donation,  prayers, attention & caring is essential. You  advocate for their work to help families bring themselves out of poverty, changing the course of children's lives and lifting up communities. joinSupport the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

What role does pastoral recruitment play in Set Apart to Serve? The Rev. James Baumgartner (Manager, Pastoral Missionary Recruitment with the LCMS Office of International Mission) and the Rev. Dr. Quintin Cundiff (Director of Church Planting with the LCMS Office of National Mission) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about what they get to do in their respective positions, their journeys into church work vocations, the need for international pastors and what these pastors get to do, how church planting works and why it is important, and how we can continue to raise up new pastors by the work of the Holy Spirit. Learn more about serving internationally with the Office of International Mission at international.lcms.org and learn more about church planting by emailing church.planting@lcms.org. Christ's church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers. Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations. Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS: 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers. 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers. 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation. To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Message from Pastor Tom Hauser on March 22, 2026

We welcome Feri from the International Mission to the Jewish People (IMJP) today as he shared with us a message from Acts 4:11-12 that Jesus is the only way for Salvation

Bethel Baptist Church was honored to host Reverend Joel David, North America Baptist Vice President of International Missions, during this years NAB Detroit Area Missions Conference. 

What is a FORO? The Rev. Dr. Brian Gauthier (Managing Director, Global Mission Operations, LCMS Office of International Mission) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the structure of the LCMS approach to international mission, how missionaries and support staff are organized, how these missionaries and support staff are supported from outside the International Center, what a FORO is and how it supports mission work efforts, why church planting is such an important strategic priority, and how you can support the work of a FORO. Learn more at lcms.org/international and international.lcms.org. This episode originally aired on June 9, 2025. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

What does it look like for laypeople and rostered church workers to spread the Gospel overseas? The Rev. Dr. Mark Rabe (Director of Missionary Recruitment, LCMS Office of International Mission) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his own story of serving as a missionary in Africa, what he learned during his time of service that helps him encourage others to serve internationally, the current opportunities available to serve with LCMS International Mission, who is well-suited to serve in these positions, and how the LCMS trains and forms new missionaries for success on the field. Learn more and find your own opportunity to serve at servenow.lcms.org. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Send us a textWhat if the fix for burnout, donor fatigue, and stalled partnerships isn't another webinar, but a better conversation? We sit down with Tasha Van Vlack, founder and CEO of Nonprofit Hive, to unpack how simple one-to-one matchmaking helps nonprofit pros feel seen, swap solutions, and spark collaborations that actually stick. From role-based pairing to safety-in-strangers design, Tasha shares the small systems that turn isolation into momentum.We explore the pressures reshaping the sector—post-pandemic staffing gaps, rising expectations, and funding uncertainty—and talk through a practical reset: protect time for curiosity, treat networking as a creative tool, and measure connection like any other KPI. You'll hear why great partnerships create clarity rather than chaos, how to identify your organization's zone of genius, and when to gracefully pause a misfit collaboration. We also dig into the psychological hurdles—scarcity mindsets, local competition, and fear of idea theft—and offer tactics to lower the stakes while raising the value.Donors will find a candid roadmap for engagement beyond the glossy report. Think voice-memo updates, WhatsApp groups for real-time wins and needs, live video walk-throughs from the field, and small, transparent experiments that welcome learning—not just outcomes. Tasha's stories from global peers, from rural Uganda to national networks, reveal how consistent, human-scale rituals can restore hope and drive measurable impact.  Hive: https://thenonprofithive.com/If you believe radical collaboration beats going it alone, this conversation gives you concrete steps to start. Subscribe, share with a colleague who needs a lift, and leave a review with one low-stakes connection habit you'll try this week.A link to our website: helpingchldrenworldwide.org ____Firmly Rooted - A new documentary on orphanage response - the right way!To view the released trailer and sizzle reel, go to https://firmlyrootedfilm.com/or to https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org__________ ____Organize a Rooted in Reality mission experience for your service club, church group, worship team, young adult or adult study. No travel required. Step into the shoes of people in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Helping Children Worldwide takes you into a world where families are facing impossible choices every day.Contact support@helpingchildrenworldwide.org to discuss how. Give to a 25 year legacy - plant seeds of hope! ________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html******Support the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

Send us a textWhat if your partnership model unintentionally silences the very people it's meant to elevate? We sit down with Asia Blackwell, executive director of Maya Midwifery, to unpack how a well-intended collaboration in Guatemala drifted toward hierarchy by over-rewarding a few “standout” leaders while leaving many midwives underpowered. Asia lays out how they rebuilt trust with transparent systems, written agreements, and equitable pathways that spread training, decision-making, and visibility across the full team.Together, we reframe accountability as shared responsibility rather than control. Asia explains the pivot from informal, relationship-only trust to clear MOUs, role boundaries, and simple verification tools that protect everyone—midwives, boards, and donors. We challenge Western assumptions about leadership and administration, recognizing that Indigenous midwives already lead in their communities without needing titles to validate influence. When governance confuses literacy with legitimacy or paperwork with power, it narrows who gets heard and who gets help.Asia shares a vivid, Maya-inspired governance model built around the Ceiba, the sacred tree: midwives as the canopy, local admin as branches, the Guatemalan board as trunk, and US teams as roots. Donors become sun and water—vital, nourishing, and appropriately at a distance from day-to-day decisions. This design makes equity operational with feedback loops, shared metrics, and practical safeguards that honor local autonomy. The impact is palpable: midwives now present their own data, speak confidently in meetings, and describe renewed pride and energy at the birth center.If you're working in global health, philanthropy, or any cross-border partnership, you'll find practical guidance here: listen widely, rotate opportunity, document commitments, and let culturally grounded structures lead. Subscribe for more conversations on equitable, community-led maternal health, and share this episode with a colleague who's ready to rethink how power and accountability can truly work together. ____Firmly Rooted - A new documentary on orphanage response - the right way!To view the released trailer and sizzle reel, go to https://firmlyrootedfilm.com/or to https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org__________ ____Organize a Rooted in Reality mission experience for your service club, church group, worship team, young adult or adult study. No travel required. Step into the shoes of people in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Helping Children Worldwide takes you into a world where families are facing impossible choices every day.Contact support@helpingchildrenworldwide.org to discuss how. Give to a 25 year legacy - plant seeds of hope! ________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html******Support the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

This session will examine key considerations for leaders, senders, and international travelers/workers in the areas of duty of care, risk assessment, contingency planning, security, and common pitfalls ("lessons learned") in international mission work.

Send us a textA center for indigenous birthing practices grew out of an expatriate's dream and was realized as a thriving hub for Indigenous midwives in Guatemala. The ground shifted when a model of local ownership and global alliance collided with personal greed. Executive Director Asia Blackwell unpacks the full arc: early wins rooted in trust, warning signs revealed by governance training and a whistleblower policy, and the moment when cultural respect had to face corrupt realities, overcome personal threats, retaliation, forged elections, missing funds, and state-backed intimidation. After a democratic vote unseated entrenched leaders, a wave of retaliation brought lawsuits, threats, violence, and a dramatic raid with arrests of innocents. Trusted allies hadn't founded a nonprofit. They created a private society they owned, a structural flaw they leveraged for personal gain, through corruption. Rather than surrender, the midwives pivoted, formed a new association and reopened within weeks, keeping mobile clinics running with minimal interruption—proof of resilience under pressure. The most powerful takeaway emerges from within Maya cosmology: leadership is a calling, and midwifery and administration are each their own gift. By separating clinical decision-making from administrative management—while keeping both local—the entire leadership and collaborative team aligned structure with values and protected what matters most: maternal and newborn health, Indigenous knowledge, and community sovereignty. Expect practical insights on equitable partnerships, accountable systems, language access in elections, and how to design governance that stands up to real-world stress. If this story moved you, subscribe, share with a friend who cares about global health and nonprofit governance, and leave a review to help others find the show. ____Firmly Rooted - A new documentary on orphanage response - the right way!To view the released trailer and sizzle reel, go to https://firmlyrootedfilm.com/or to https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org__________ ____Organize a Rooted in Reality mission experience for your service club, church group, worship team, young adult or adult study. No travel required. Step into the shoes of people in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Helping Children Worldwide takes you into a world where families are facing impossible choices every day.Contact support@helpingchildrenworldwide.org to discuss how. Give to a 25 year legacy - plant seeds of hope! ________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html******Support the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

Send us a textWhat happens when we stop viewing rural communities as problems to be fixed and start recognizing them as powerful agents of their own transformation? The answer unfolds beautifully in this eye-opening conversation with Aminata Kamara and Sheku Mohamed Gassimu Jr. from One Village Partners (OVP), a Sierra Leonean organization revolutionizing how sustainable development happens in remote communities."Communities are not like a white paper. They have knowledge of their lives. They have knowledge of what a thriving community looks like," explains Aminata, OVP's Country Director. This profound respect for local wisdom forms the foundation of their approach, which they describe through the powerful metaphor of a "sharpening stone" – not doing the work for communities, but enhancing capabilities that already exist.Since 2010, OVP has partnered with 70 communities across Sierra Leone, impacting over 75,000 people through three interconnected programs that build local leadership, empower women economically, and enable communities to design and implement their own development solutions. Their methodology stands in stark contrast to traditional aid models, as they intentionally transfer decision-making power to community members at every step – from identifying needs through participatory assessments to collaboratively budgeting for solutions.The conversation delves into the challenges of this approach, including the struggle to secure flexible funding from donors who often prefer predetermined outcomes over community-defined indicators of success. Yet the transformations they witness – women gaining stronger voices in household decisions, men embracing more equitable gender roles, and communities independently solving complex problems – c________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html****** _____A bible study for groups and individuals, One Twenty-Seven: The Widow and the Orphan by Dr Andrea Siegel explores the themes of the first chapter of James, and in particular, 1:27. In James, we learn of our duty to the vulnerable in the historical context of the author. Order here or digital download ___________Family Empowerment Advocates support the work of family empowerment experts at the Child Reintegration Centre, Sierra Leone. Your small monthly donation, prayers, attention & caring is essential. You advocate for their work to help families bring themselves out of poverty, changing the course of children's lives and lifting up communities. join ____Organize a Rooted in Reality mission experience for your service club, church group, worship team, young adult or adult study. No travel required. Step into the shoes of people in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Helping Children Worldwide takes you into a world where families are facing impossible choices every day.Contact support@helpingchildrenworldwide.org to discuss how. Shout out to our newest sponsor: The Resilience InstituteSupport the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

Send us a textDr. Hunter Farrell challenges everything you thought you knew about short-term missions with compelling insights drawn from his 30+ years of global mission experience and anthropological research. He reveals startling statistics about our mission economy: American Christians spend $3.5-5 billion annually sending 1.6 million people on short-term trips, yet often these efforts fall short of creating lasting change.What's gone wrong? Farrell introduces the concept of "selfie missions" – our cultural shift from changing the world to changing ourselves. This individualistic approach positions Western Christians as saviors rather than companions, creating problematic power dynamics. Drawing from interviews with over 1,400 mission leaders across denominational lines, he offers a radical alternative: a "theology of companionship" centered around breaking bread together and embracing mutual vulnerability.The most transformative insight comes through examining Jesus's own mission approach. Christ consistently engaged from a position of weakness, empowering those on society's margins by giving them agency rather than treating them as passive recipients of charity. This challenges our typical Western approach where we arrive with all the answers and resources, positioning ourselves at metaphorical "help desks" distributing solutions.Farrell remains optimistic about short-term missions despite these critiques, seeing them as powerful "liminal spaces" where deep transformation can happen when approached correctly. The key lies in co-development – recognizing that true change requires mutual participation guided by the principle: "What you do for us without us is not for us." His powerful Congolese fable about Ngalula illustrates how communities already possess what they need for transformation.Ready to reimagine mission work? Subscribe to hear our upcoming episode on child sponsorship models and how they're evolving to support sustainable community development.________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html****** _____A bible study for groups and individuals, One Twenty-Seven: The Widow and the Orphan by Dr Andrea Siegel explores the themes of the first chapter of James, and in particular, 1:27. In James, we learn of our duty to the vulnerable in the historical context of the author. Order here or digital download ___________Family Empowerment Advocates support the work of family empowerment experts at the Child Reintegration Centre, Sierra Leone. Your small monthly donation, prayers, attention & caring is essential. You advocate for their work to help families bring themselves out of poverty, changing the course of children's lives and lifting up communities. join Shout out to our newest sponsor: The Resilience InstituteSupport the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

What does it look like to step into the role of Regional Business Manager in Eurasia? Sean McHugh (LCMS Regional Business Manager for Eurasia) along with his wife Hanna, and Anne Gonzalez (Manager, Lay Missionary Recruitment, LCMS Office of International Mission) join Andy and Sarah to share Sean and Hannah's stories of coming to Lutheranism, how they learned about opportunities to serve as missionaries with the LCMS, their journey to accepting the appointment as Regional Business Manager, what they've found valuable in their training and preparation to deploy in 2026, and what they're looking forward to as they get ready to serve. Learn more about the McHughs and how to support their work at lcms.org/mchugh. Find your opportunity to serve at servenow.lcms.org and lcms.org/careers! As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

This week we heard from Manna Stafford's Teaching Team member and Operations Lead, Josh Gaita, as he shared a powerful message titled A Leader's Heart.  In this message, Josh reminds us that leadership isn't about titles—it's about influence. Drawing from Scripture and the example of Jesus, he outlines five key character traits of a godly leader: thinking others first, expecting the best, responding with courage, accepting responsibility, and hungering for wisdom. Join us this Sunday as we start our annual Reach Out Celebration (ROC) when we spend time focusing on our International Missions and Local Outreach partners.  Website: https://mannastafford.church/Find us on: Facebook:   / mannastafford  Instagram:   / manna.stafford  TikTok:   / manna.stafford

Send us a textThe remarkable journey of an 11-year-old girl named Em demonstrates the life-changing power of cross-border collaboration in child protection. When Em was trafficked from her home in Liberia to Sierra Leone under false promises of education, she instead found herself forced into domestic labor and street selling. After becoming separated from her trafficker and lost on the streets, local authorities connected her with the Child Reintegration Center (CRC).Through counseling sessions, CRC discovered Em wasn't from Sierra Leone at all, presenting a complex international challenge. What happened next showcases the extraordinary impact of professional networking in child welfare. George Kulanda from CRC and Prezton Gonkerwon Vaye from Red Meets Green had previously met at a child protection training workshop where they exchanged contact information. This connection became the crucial link in Em's rescue, demonstrating how seemingly small professional relationships can transform lives.The multinational effort expanded to include multiple stakeholders across both countries, coordinating Em's safe transport to the border, completing necessary documentation, and arranging temporary placement while family tracing continued. In a touching development, Em's parents learned about their daughter's whereabouts and traveled to claim her, resulting in an emotional reunion filled with "joyful tears." Today, Em is back in school and dreams of becoming a doctor to serve her village community. Her mother now educates neighbors about trafficking risks, creating ripple effects of protection throughout their community.This story reminds us that behind every trafficking statistic stands a child with dreams and potential. When organizations unite across borders, even the most complex cases find resolution. As Elena, the youth co-host wisely observed: "There's always light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to be resilient and willing to seek it." Subscribe now to hear more inspiring stories of hope and resilience on Optimistic Voices: A Child's View.________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html****** Shout out to our newest sponsor: The Resilience InstituteSupport the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

Send us a textWhat does it really mean to empower people? Beyond buzzwords and good intentions lies a complex reality that social impact organizations grapple with daily. This conversation with researchers Dr. Thomas Crea and Dr. Sarah Neville dives deep into the messy, thought-provoking questions that challenge conventional thinking about empowerment.The discussion takes us beyond simplistic notions of "teaching a man to fish" to examine whether we're creating the fishing holes people need to sustain themselves. As Dr. Crea points out, true empowerment begins when "communities recognize and define the issues affecting them" rather than having external definitions imposed. Yet the structures of international aid, academic research, and nonprofit funding often create barriers to this community-centered approach.We explore the tension between research that feels extractive and communities' immediate needs for jobs, healthcare, and education. Both researchers share candid reflections on working across contexts from Sierra Leone to Chelsea, Massachusetts, revealing how power dynamics play out similarly whether internationally or locally. The conversation challenges Western individualism through Dr. Neville's observation that "nobody is a self-made person" and questions whether traditional metrics can capture what matters most in human flourishing.Perhaps most provocatively, we question whether empowerment can be measured at all. Some of the most important outcomes—belonging, dignity, community connection—resist quantification but remain essential. As Dr. Neville notes, "We seem to want short-term, inexpensive solutions to have life-changing, transformative impact," yet meaningful change often requires longer-term investment and humility about what we can________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html****** _____A bible study for groups and individuals, One Twenty-Seven: The Widow and the Orphan by Dr Andrea Siegel explores the themes of the first chapter of James, and in particular, 1:27. In James, we learn of our duty to the vulnerable in the historical context of the author. Order here or digital download ___________Family Empowerment Advocates support the work of family empowerment experts at the Child Reintegration Centre, Sierra Leone. Your small monthly donation, prayers, attention & caring is essential. You advocate for their work to help families bring themselves out of poverty, changing the course of children's lives and lifting up communities. join ____Organize a Rooted in Reality mission experience for your service club, church group, worship team, young adult or adult study. No travel required. Step into the shoes of people in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Helping Children Worldwide takes you into a world where families are facing impossible choices every day.Contact support@helpingchildrenworldwide.org to discuss how. Shout out to our newest sponsor: The Resilience InstituteSupport the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

Have you ever imagined becoming an international missionary? Can you think of someone in your life who would make a good missionary?   In this third International Mission 101 episode, Erin invites her colleague Anne Gonzalez to the Lounge to answer common questions about missionary recruitment.   Who is qualified to be an LCMS missionary? What mission roles are open to (and even ideally suited to) Lutheran lay women? What's the recruitment process like?   DCE Anne Gonzalez is manager of lay missionary recruitment for the LCMS Office of International Mission.   Click to learn more about LCMS International Mission, what missionaries do, types of missionary service, and current mission service opportunities.   Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Send us a textWhat happens when tragedy and opportunity collide in the life of a child? Dr. Aruna Stevens' story answers this question with breathtaking resilience and hope. Born just before Sierra Leone's devastating civil war, Aruna's childhood was shattered when his father was killed and his extended family of twenty separated. He experienced homelessness, hunger, and the daily struggle for survival in a community where healthcare was virtually non-existent—where people routinely died from treatable conditions simply because there were no doctors available.The turning point came when the Child Rescue Centre welcomed young Aruna, providing stability and education for the first time in his life. Despite studying by candlelight and walking long distances to school, he persevered. This foundation eventually led him to graduate from Sierra Leone's only medical college and serve as chief medical director at Mercy Hospital for five years. Now pursuing a PhD in tropical medicine and infectious diseases at Tulane University, Dr. Stevens explains how his difficult past fuels his passion for creating sustainable healthcare solutions in his homeland.Throughout our conversation, Dr. Stevens shares the motivation he finds in his two-year-old son, Godfrey, who remains in Sierra Leone while he completes his studies. His ultimate goal transcends personal achievement—he envisions transforming Mercy Hospital into a self-sufficient institution and establishing research teams to address neglected tropical diseases. "Begin every journey with an end in mind," he advises our listeners, emphasizing that true fulfillment comes from focusing on the broader impact of your work. Join us for this powerful reminder that how a child's journey ends isn't determined by how it begins, but by the decisions, support, and determination they find along the way. Listen now and discover how you might become part of someone else's journey toward hope.________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html****** Shout out to our newest sponsor: The Resilience InstituteSupport the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

Send us a textWhat makes some children overcome unimaginable trauma while others struggle to recover? Is resilience something you're born with, or can it be cultivated? These questions drive our fascinating conversation with Dr. Nicole Wilke, author and Director of Research at Christian Alliance for Orphans.Drawing from her extraordinary background—growing up in a family that fostered 70 children and personally experiencing severe health challenges as a teenager—Nicole brings professional expertise and lived experience to this critical topic. Her insights challenge conventional wisdom, revealing that resilience is less "bouncing back from" and more "growing through" adversity.The heart of resilience, Nicole explains, lies in relationships. "When I'm weak, I can borrow from your strength," she shares, highlighting how humans were designed for interdependence rather than independence. This perspective transforms how we approach trauma recovery, shifting focus from individual grit to supportive connections. For children who've experienced separation, abuse or neglect, healing happens primarily through consistent, attuned relationships that communicate worth and belonging.What's particularly striking is how science and faith align in understanding resilience. Nicole unpacks research showing that spirituality correlates with better recovery outcomes, while biblical principles like finding purpose in suffering parallel scientific concepts of post-traumatic growth. This intersection offers practical strategies for parents, social workers, and anyone walking alongside vulnerable children.The conversation takes a powerful turn when addressing systems change, advocating for family-based solutions over institutional care and locally-driven approaches ________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html****** _____A bible study for groups and individuals, One Twenty-Seven: The Widow and the Orphan by Dr Andrea Siegel explores the themes of the first chapter of James, and in particular, 1:27. In James, we learn of our duty to the vulnerable in the historical context of the author. Order here or digital download ___________Family Empowerment Advocates support the work of family empowerment experts at the Child Reintegration Centre, Sierra Leone. Your small monthly donation, prayers, attention & caring is essential. You advocate for their work to help families bring themselves out of poverty, changing the course of children's lives and lifting up communities. join ____Organize a Rooted in Reality mission experience for your service club, church group, worship team, young adult or adult study. No travel required. Step into the shoes of people in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Helping Children Worldwide takes you into a world where families are facing impossible choices every day.Contact support@helpingchildrenworldwide.org to discuss how. Shout out to our newest sponsor: The Resilience InstituteSupport the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, takes some time during the Gathering to talk about Christ's life and Christian love for all human life.   Bio: The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison has served as president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) since 2010. As president, he is the chief ecclesiastical supervisor of the Synod and is responsible for the ministries directed by LCMS International Center staff, including the Office of International Mission and its nearly 150 missionaries serving around the globe. Before becoming president, Harrison served for nine years as executive director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care (2001–2010), which expended over $100 million for mercy efforts done in the clear name of Christ. These efforts included caring for people after 9-11, Katrina and many hurricanes, the great Asia tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and many other disasters and humanitarian efforts. Harrison also managed relationships with some 120 LCMS Recognized Service Organizations and other inter-Lutheran social ministry organizations, worked in consultation with LCMS partner/sister churches to build capacity during numerous mercy outreach efforts, and managed LCMS pro-life efforts. From 1995 to 2001, Harrison served as pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. Prior to that, he served St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Westgate, Iowa (1991–1995). Ordained in 1991, he has served in a number of elected and appointed positions in the LCMS and on various entity boards of directors. Harrison is co-founder and chairman of the board of The International Lutheran Society of Wittenberg (Old Latin School), which hosts some 40 students and church planters from the European Union and beyond who are studying to become ordained pastors. In addition, Harrison chairs the board of the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty and serves on the executive committee of the International Lutheran Council. Harrison is also active in the prolife movement and frequently speaks at such events. A native of Sioux City, Iowa, Harrison holds a bachelor's degree in religious studies from Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa. He attended Concordia University, Nebraska, in 1984. He has M.Div. and S.T.M. degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Harrison has pursued additional graduate study at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Furthermore, he has received honorary doctorates from Concordia University Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Mich., and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Since 2010, Harrison has served as assistant pastor of Village Lutheran Church, Ladue, Mo. He has translated and edited five volumes of essays and letters by Lutheran theologian Hermann Sasse (published through Concordia Publishing House [CPH]). He has also revised C.F.W. Walther's The Church and the Office of the Ministry (CPH) and written several other books, including Christ Have Mercy, A Little Book on Joy and At Home in the House of My Fathers. Harrison has been married to Kathy (Schimm) Harrison since 1981, and they have two sons (Matthew M.L. married to Courtney, and Mark M.C. married to Tara). The Harrisons have two grandchildren, Rosie and Shiloh. In his spare time, Harrison enjoys reading, writing, vintage Jeeps, old banjos and books, and — most of all — time with family. Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life Ministry: lcms.org/life  Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Send us a textThe difference between helping and hurting often comes down to one critical question: are we empowering and dignifying people or creating dependencies and disabilities? In this eye-opening conversation with Sheree Reece, Global Missions Director for a UMC Mega Church - Church of the Resurrection, Laura and Yaz unpack the profound shift happening in mission work worldwide—moving from traditional charity models that often foster dependence to sustainable approaches that build genuine capacity and dignity.Drawing from her 14 years of experience coordinating global missions across Africa, Asia, and Haiti, Sheree reveals why simply showing up with resources and doing things for communities ultimately creates more harm than good. She shares powerful examples of transformation, including how one Haitian community went from passively waiting for outside help after the 2010 earthquake to confidently leading their own recovery efforts when Hurricane Matthew struck in 2016.What makes this episode particularly valuable is the practical wisdom Sheree offers. She explains how organizations can make this difficult transition, emphasizing the patience required with both donors and partners. The importance of building trust before sending resources, identifying true community leaders rather than just the loudest voices, and creating "50-50 covenants" where both parties contribute their unique assets all feature prominently in her approach.Most compelling is Sheree's reminder that Jesus himself modeled empowerment—not by dictating solutions but by engaging people in their own transformation, preserving their dignity, and recognizing their God-given abilities. Whether you're involved in mission work, charitable giving, or simply want to make a more meanin________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html****** _____A bible study for groups and individuals, One Twenty-Seven: The Widow and the Orphan by Dr Andrea Siegel explores the themes of the first chapter of James, and in particular, 1:27. In James, we learn of our duty to the vulnerable in the historical context of the author. Order here or digital download ___________Family Empowerment Advocates support the work of family empowerment experts at the Child Reintegration Centre, Sierra Leone. Your small monthly donation, prayers, attention & caring is essential. You advocate for their work to help families bring themselves out of poverty, changing the course of children's lives and lifting up communities. join ____Organize a Rooted in Reality mission experience for your service club, church group, worship team, young adult or adult study. No travel required. Step into the shoes of people in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Helping Children Worldwide takes you into a world where families are facing impossible choices every day.Contact support@helpingchildrenworldwide.org to discuss how. Shout out to our newest sponsor: The Resilience InstituteSupport the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

It's a story of joyful mission service with two LCMS Lutheran Lady Missionaries! In this delightful conversation (recorded in person at the LWML Convention in Omaha), the Ladies welcome Deaconess Carol Halter, the LCMS's longest-serving missionary, and Chelsea Irwin, one of the youngest LCMS missionaries, to share their stories of serving as international missionaries.   Did they always want to serve overseas? What do they actually *do* as a missionary? How have they seen Jesus at work in the lives of the people they serve? Did Carol's story *really* influence Chelsea in her vocational path?  Deaconess Carol Lee Halter has served as an evangelistic missionary among the Chinese people in Hong Kong since 1981. From 1969 to 1981, Carol served as a missionary with the Chinese Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit in San Francisco. For three and a half years before that, she was a volunteer missionary in Hong Kong. Carol does humanitarian, evangelistic and educational work among Chinese people of all ages who live in Hong Kong. Her prayer is that all Chinese people will hear the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ — especially from each other.  Chelsea Irwin serves the Lord through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in the Eurasia region as missionary coordinator for volunteer opportunities. Based out of Český Těšín, Czech Republic, she works with LCMS missionaries and local church partners to place and send volunteers to serve in Eurasia. These individuals or groups engage in projects such as English Bible Camps, theological education and mission education, to name a few. Chelsea seeks to challenge volunteers to live out the Great Commission by viewing each day as a mission trip. She encourages them to support and stay connected to the Eurasia region, as well as serving in their own churches and communities.    To learn more, check out the following links:    Deaconess Carol Halter – The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod  Chelsea Irwin – The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod  International Mission – The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod   LCMS International Mission Facebook Page  How you can serve: Missionary Service – The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod   Erin's *other* podcast: 5 Minutes with a Missionary Archives – KFUO Radio   Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

International Mission Sunday Dan Bouchelle August 3, 2025 www.clearcreekcoc.org

Send us a textWhat happens when a struggling father refuses to let disability define his family's future? Hannah Smith's remarkable story reveals the transformative journey from family separation to triumphant reunion in post-war Sierra Leone.Hannah's story begins in hardship—her disabled father, a determined blacksmith, made the heartbreaking decision to place his children in an orphanage when he couldn't provide basic necessities. Though initially grateful for education and proper care at the Child Rescue Center, Hannah and her siblings soon felt a profound emptiness without their father's presence. "Every day spent without him, it was like, 'When are we going to see our dad again?'" Hannah shares, revealing how even well-intentioned institutional care cannot replace family bonds.The turning point came through empowerment, not charity. The CRC's microfinance program equipped Hannah's father with business training and initial capital that allowed him to expand his blacksmith work creating farming tools and even open a small cinema for community football viewings. Crawling on the ground to perform his craft during difficult rainy seasons when orders decreased, this remarkable man refused to surrender to circumstances. He transformed from a parent who couldn't provide into a successful entrepreneur who trained others and rebuilt his family's future.Today, Hannah pursues higher education inspired by her father's extraordinary example. "He's our strong pillar... despite his condition, he's always keeping a deep smile to tell people that yes, even though he's disabled, all is not lost." Her powerful message reminds us that determination coupled with the right support can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Subscribe now to hear more inspiring stories of resilience and hope—and learn how you can help ensure more children grow up where they belong: in families.________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html****** _____A bible study for groups and individuals, One Twenty-Seven: The Widow and the Orphan by Dr Andrea Siegel explores the themes of the first chapter of James, and in particular, 1:27. In James, we learn of our duty to the vulnerable in the historical context of the author. Order here or digital download ___________Family Empowerment Advocates support the work of family empowerment experts at the Child Reintegration Centre, Sierra Leone. Your small monthly donation, prayers, attention & caring is essential. You advocate for their work to help families bring themselves out of poverty, changing the course of children's lives and lifting up communities. join Shout out to our newest sponsor: The Resilience InstituteSupport the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

Inspired by the LCMS Youth Gathering, the Ladies round the homestretch with part three of their summer series celebrating young Lutheran ladies.    In this eye-opening multicultural International Mission 101 conversation, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel welcome to the Lounge missionary teens Bella (daughter of the Rev. Dr. J.P. and Aimee Cima, serving in Cambodia) and Lydia (daughter of the Rev. Dr. Carl and Chenhsi Hanson, serving in South Korea).   What does daily life look like for these third-culture kids? Where do they go to school? What comfort foods do they enjoy? Do they drive? What is church like for them? What do they wish more folks knew about life on the mission field?   Click to learn more about, pray for, or support these mission families in the field:   Rev. Carl and Chenhsi Hanson - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod  J.P. and Aimee Cima - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod  Square Two: The Cima Family Website  Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

In this episode, Mike speaks with Jordan Faker, a former youth pastor and current missionary in the Basque Country of Spain. Jordan shares lessons from his eight years in youth ministry and reflects on the realities of bivocational life—working a regular job while faithfully shepherding students. He offers practical encouragement for preachers navigating time constraints, limited resources, and the tension of dual callings.The conversation also explores the spiritual climate of post-Christian Europe, the urgent need for long-term missionaries, and how today's young people (Gen Z and Gen Alpha) are spiritually searching in unexpected ways.This episode is especially relevant for those preaching in small churches, ministering cross-culturally, or wrestling with how to balance faithfulness and sustainability in gospel work.Follow Jordan's journey:

Co-Funded by the European Union Ambassador Mark Gitenstein US Ambassador to the European Union, 2021-2025 US Ambassador to Romania, 2009-2012 How is the EU accession process proceeding with Moldova, Ukraine and other aspiring entrants in the region? Ambassador Gitenstein will offer an assessment of the European Commission's application of its various enforcement tools to ensure compliance by member states of their treaty obligations. He will additionally discuss the role of the United States in supporting those processes and the role played by hostile powers like Russia in undermining them. Furthermore, Ambassador Gitenstein will consider the disturbing deterioration of independent media in the region as the essential bulwark for democracy, free markets and against corruption and backsliding. Ambassador Audra Plepytė Ambassador of Lithuania to the United States and Mexico, 2021-Present Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nations, 2017-2021 Ambassador Audra Plepytė was appointed as Lithuania's Ambassador to the United States of America and to the United Mexican States in 2021. Before this she was a Lithuanian Permanent Representative to the United Nations where she facilitated several negotiations, led the Group of Friends, and was elected to executive bodies of UN instruments and institutions, including being elected as the President of the Executive Board of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in 2021. As a career diplomat for over 30 years, she has held numerous positions within the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dealing with bilateral and multilateral issues, heading the European Union Department (2014–2017), the Personnel Department, and International Missions and Conflict Prevention Division. She was also Lithuania's ambassador to Spain, World Tourism Organization from 2010 till 2014. Ambassador Plepytė has BA and MA in Philosophy at Vilnius University. She also has a diploma from the Institute of International Relations at Vilnius University, as well as a certificate of Diplomatic studies at Oxford University in UK. _______________________________ Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Send us a textThe systematic abduction and militarization of Ukrainian children by Russian forces represents one of the most devastating yet underreported aspects of the ongoing war. In this eye-opening conversation, Ukrainian historian and religious scholar Vladislav Haverlov reveals the shocking scope and calculated nature of Russia's deportation campaign targeting Ukrainian youth.His research with the Institute of World History at Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences and his work documenting war crimes with multiple humanitarian organizations exposes the brutal reality behind Russia's euphemistically labeled "evacuations." Since February 2022, Russian authorities have forcibly transferred thousands of Ukrainian children from occupied territories to Russia, with official counts identifying 19,546 deported children. Most alarmingly, only 1,366 have been successfully returned after three years of war.Children are taken by bus or train, processed through filtration camps & dispersed across a network of "temporary accommodation centers" throughout Russia. Many are deliberately sent to remote regions like Siberia. In these facilities, Ukrainian children undergo systematic indoctrination, losing their documents, language, and cultural identity. They are funneled into paramilitary organizations like "Young Army" where children as young as eight receive military training. Read more________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html****** _____A bible study for groups and individuals, One Twenty-Seven: The Widow and the Orphan by Dr Andrea Siegel explores the themes of the first chapter of James, and in particular, 1:27. In James, we learn of our duty to the vulnerable in the historical context of the author. Order here or digital download ___________Family Empowerment Advocates support the work of family empowerment experts at the Child Reintegration Centre, Sierra Leone. Your small monthly donation, prayers, attention & caring is essential. You advocate for their work to help families bring themselves out of poverty, changing the course of children's lives and lifting up communities. join ____Organize a Rooted in Reality mission experience for your service club, church group, worship team, young adult or adult study. No travel required. Step into the shoes of people in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Helping Children Worldwide takes you into a world where families are facing impossible choices every day.Contact support@helpingchildrenworldwide.org to discuss how. ____________________Become an episode or show sponsor or an Optimistic Affiliate. Contact us at OVP@helpingchildrenworldwide.orgOr simply support the show with a paid subscription! Use the link below, subscribe and access Paid Subscriber Perks!Support the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

Send us a textEver wondered what life is really like for families living on the edge of extreme poverty? Most of us have only seen poverty through statistics or images, but a new immersive experience called "Rooted in Reality" is changing how we understand this complex reality.When a team of college students traveled to Sierra Leone to develop this groundbreaking poverty simulation, they discovered something profound. People experiencing poverty don't define their situation primarily by their lack of material resources – they define it by feelings of powerlessness, inferiority, and hopelessness. "We feel like garbage that other people throw out," one person shared during a World Bank study. "We don't matter to the world and it is our destiny to be poor."This mindset revelation transformed the team's approach. Rather than creating a simulation focused solely on material deprivation, they crafted an experience that plunges participants into the emotional reality of poverty – the impossible choices, the systemic barriers, and the cumulative stress of living without safety nets. During beta testing, participants emerged feeling "incredibly stressed" and "very anxious," gaining valuable insight into the psychological toll of poverty.What makes Rooted in Reality uniquely powerful is its authenticity. Every scenario is based on real stories gathered from families in Bo and Freetown, Sierra Leone. The team worked closely with case managers at the Child Reintegration Center and staff at Mercy Hospital to ensu________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html****** _____A bible study for groups and individuals, One Twenty-Seven: The Widow and the Orphan by Dr Andrea Siegel explores the themes of the first chapter of James, and in particular, 1:27. In James, we learn of our duty to the vulnerable in the historical context of the author. Order here or digital download ___________Family Empowerment Advocates support the work of family empowerment experts at the Child Reintegration Centre, Sierra Leone. Your small monthly donation, prayers, attention & caring is essential. You advocate for their work to help families bring themselves out of poverty, changing the course of children's lives and lifting up communities. join ____Organize a Rooted in Reality mission experience for your service club, church group, worship team, young adult or adult study. No travel required. Step into the shoes of people in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Helping Children Worldwide takes you into a world where families are facing impossible choices every day.Contact support@helpingchildrenworldwide.org to discuss how. ____________________Become an episode or show sponsor or an Optimistic Affiliate. Contact us at OVP@helpingchildrenworldwide.orgOr simply support the show with a paid subscription! Use the link below, subscribe and access Paid Subscriber Perks!Support the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

Send us a textPrincess was just six years old when someone finally spoke up about the abuse she was suffering. That brave act by a Child Reintegration Center alumnus became the first link in a chain of compassionate interventions that would transform her life.Reverend Olivia Fonney, Director of the Child Reintegration Center in Sierra Leone, takes us through Princess's journey from trauma to healing. When Princess first arrived at the CRC, she was understandably confused and frightened. Rather than place her in the dormitory setting of their interim care facility, Reverend Olivia made the compassionate decision to take Princess into her personal quarters - recognizing that institutional care, however well-intentioned, cannot replicate the warmth of a family environment.Despite their best efforts to prepare Princess's biological parents for reunification, initial attempts failed when they couldn't keep her safe from her abuser. This setback led to placement with a foster parent - a nurse who provided Princess with stability, nurturing, and specialized care for her emotional needs. This therapeutic environment became the foundation for Princess's remarkable transformation.Today, Princess is thriving. She's confident, expressive, and truly connected to her family after successfully reunifying with her prepared biological parents. She attends school regularly, has developed a love for reading, and dreams of becoming a teacher. As Reverend Olivia powerfully states, "No child is ever too lost or too broken to find her way back to love and stability."Princess's story reminds us of the critical importance of speaking up when we see abuse, the power of trauma-informed care, and how communities working together can change a child's life trajectory. What role might you play in protecting the vulnerable children in your community? Subscribe now to hear more stories of resilience and hope on Optimistic Voices: A Child's View.________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html****** _____A bible study for groups and individuals, One Twenty-Seven: The Widow and the Orphan by Dr Andrea Siegel explores the themes of the first chapter of James, and in particular, 1:27. In James, we learn of our duty to the vulnerable in the historical context of the author. Order here or digital download ___________Family Empowerment Advocates support the work of family empowerment experts at the Child Reintegration Centre, Sierra Leone. Your small monthly donation, prayers, attention & caring is essential. You advocate for their work to help families bring themselves out of poverty, changing the course of children's lives and lifting up communities. join ____________________Become an episode or show sponsor or an Optimistic Affiliate. Contact us at OVP@helpingchildrenworldwide.orgOr simply support the show with a paid subscription! Use the link below, subscribe and access Paid Subscriber Perks!Support the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

What is a FORO? The Rev. Dr. Brian Gauthier (Managing Director, Global Mission Operations, LCMS Office of International Mission) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the structure of the LCMS approach to international mission, how missionaries and support staff are organized, how these missionaries and support staff are supported from outside the International Center, what a FORO is and how it supports mission work efforts, why church planting is such an important strategic priority, and how you can support the work of a FORO. Learn more at lcms.org/international and international.lcms.org. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Send us a textThe global movement to transition children from orphanages to families is gaining momentum, but significant challenges remain. In this thought-provoking episode, David Titus Moussa hosts a conversation with Stephen Usembe, a care leaver and founder of Kenya Society of Care Leavers, and Phil Aspergren, executive director of Casa Viva in Costa Rica, as they unpack key insights from the recent Rising Tide Conference.Stephen shares his unique perspective as someone who grew up in institutional care, emphasizing the critical need for research and data to drive meaningful policy change. "When we know better, we have a responsibility to do better," he reminds us, highlighting how institutions isolate while families embrace. The experts discuss how poverty, misguided funding models, and entrenched attitudes continue to separate vulnerable children from families that could care for them with proper support.Phil recounts a powerful story of transformation: when 26 adolescents in a well-run children's home were asked what they wanted most, every single one answered, "I want to live in a family." This led to a complete transition from institutional care to family placements for all 26 youth—proving that change is possible even in challenging circumstances. He challenges listeners who support orphanages not to withdraw funding, but instead to use their influence to ask important questions and encourage transition toward family-based solutions.The conversation explores practical strategies for redire________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html****** _____A bible study for groups and individuals, One Twenty-Seven: The Widow and the Orphan by Dr Andrea Siegel explores the themes of the first chapter of James, and in particular, 1:27. In James, we learn of our duty to the vulnerable in the historical context of the author. Order here or digital download ___________Family Empowerment Advocates support the work of family empowerment experts at the Child Reintegration Centre, Sierra Leone. Your small monthly donation, prayers, attention & caring is essential. You advocate for their work to help families bring themselves out of poverty, changing the course of children's lives and lifting up communities. join ____Organize a Rooted in Reality mission experience for your service club, church group, worship team, young adult or adult study. No travel required. Step into the shoes of people in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Helping Children Worldwide takes you into a world where families are facing impossible choices every day.Contact support@helpingchildrenworldwide.org to discuss how. ____________________Become an episode or show sponsor or an Optimistic Affiliate. Contact us at OVP@helpingchildrenworldwide.orgOr simply support the show with a paid subscription! Use the link below, subscribe and access Paid Subscriber Perks!Support the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

Send us a textChild welfare is undergoing a profound transformation worldwide as organizations shift away from institutional orphanages toward family-based care models. But what does this transition actually look like on the ground? How can we redirect well-intentioned support toward solutions that truly serve children's needs?This eye-opening conversation brings together true pioneers in the global care reform movement. Stephen Ucembe draws from his lived experience growing up in a Kenyan orphanage to advocate for family care through Hope and Homes for Children and Transform Alliance Africa. Phil Aspegren shares his remarkable journey from orphanage founder to family care champion as Executive Director of Casa Viva, supporting transitions across Latin America. Together with host David Titus Musa of Sierra Leone, they unpack myths about orphanages that perpetuate family separation.The statistics are sobering: for every three months in an institution, a child loses approximately one month of development. Yet there's tremendous hope in the successful transitions happening worldwide. We hear about a Honduran children's home that reunified all 40 children with families, then redirected their resources to support 125 vulnerable families in the community, preventing separations before they happen.Whether you're a donor, volunteer, or simply care about vulnerable children, this conversation presents a compelling vision for reform. Family isn't just a nice option – it's essential.Family is the foundat________Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html****** _____A bible study for groups and individuals, One Twenty-Seven: The Widow and the Orphan by Dr Andrea Siegel explores the themes of the first chapter of James, and in particular, 1:27. In James, we learn of our duty to the vulnerable in the historical context of the author. Order here or digital download ___________Family Empowerment Advocates support the work of family empowerment experts at the Child Reintegration Centre, Sierra Leone. Your small monthly donation, prayers, attention & caring is essential. You advocate for their work to help families bring themselves out of poverty, changing the course of children's lives and lifting up communities. join ____Organize a Rooted in Reality mission experience for your service club, church group, worship team, young adult or adult study. No travel required. Step into the shoes of people in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Helping Children Worldwide takes you into a world where families are facing impossible choices every day.Contact support@helpingchildrenworldwide.org to discuss how. ____________________Become an episode or show sponsor or an Optimistic Affiliate. Contact us at OVP@helpingchildrenworldwide.orgOr simply support the show with a paid subscription! Use the link below, subscribe and access Paid Subscriber Perks!Support the showHelpingchildrenworldwide.org

What is it like to serve overseas as a Regional Business Manager with the LCMS Office of International Mission? Regional Business Managers Joyce Erber (Africa Region), Stan Stigdon (Latin America and the Caribbean Region), and Sam Borgwardt (Asia Region), along with Rev. Dr. Mark Rabe, Director of Missionary Recruitment for the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy to talk about their roles as Regional Business Managers in the field, including how they serve on the field and some of the duties they have, who they get to work with, how their work supports those they serve alongside in their regions, what they've come to appreciate about the cultures in which they serve, and what makes a great candidate for service as a Regional Business Manager in the LCMS Office of International Mission. Find opportunities to serve at servenow.lcms.org. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

What have you always wanted to know about LCMS International Missions (but were maybe afraid to ask)?   In this second International Missions 101 conversation, Erin draws on insights from her day job as Director of Short-term Mission for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to answer common questions about how the LCMS equips and sends missionaries and engages in missions throughout the world.   How does the LCMS do missions? What is the central focus and goal of all mission activities? How do we decide where to plant new missions? What kinds of people become missionaries (are they all pastors?), and what kind of work do they do?   To learn more, check out the following links:   International Mission – The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod  LCMS International Mission Facebook Page How you can serve: Missionary Service – The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod  Short-term mission opportunities: Serve Now – Mission service opportunities  Erin's *other* podcast: 5 Minutes with a Missionary Archives – KFUO Radio  Coffee Hour episodes with missionaries: Short Term Mission Stories  Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Neal Shusterman is in New Zealand for Verb and the Auckland Writers Festival, with talks specifically for teenagers squeezed into his schedule.

Deaconess Sandra Rhein, Sacred Music Educator in Asia for the LCMS Office of International Mission, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about Easter hymns! Learn about Lutheran Service Book 458 "Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands," Lutheran Service Book 476 "Who Are You Who Walk in Sorrow," and Lutheran Service Book 466 "Christ is Arisen, Alleluia." Read Deaconess Rhein's story and how to support her work at lcms.org/rhein. This episode originally aired on April 6, 2021. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

In this final episode of the Lent Podcast, youth leader Cole Jones and Youth Ministry Director C.J. Lord discuss the recent OG Youth Mission Trip to Costa Rica in partnership with Asociación Ministerial Maná (Manna Ministerial Association). They discuss the trip, the Christian faith of the people in Costa Rica, and where they are finding Hope

How can you serve at the upcoming English Bible Camp in Taiwan? Mindy Thews, LCMS Lutheran Education Coordinator in Taiwan, and Erin Alter, Director of Short-term Missions with the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy to talk about what happens at an English Bible Camp. Tune in to hear some highlights from last year's English Bible Camp in Taiwan, how volunteers serve, and what last year's participants have shared about their experiences. Learn more and join this year's team at servenow.lcms.org/opp/2025-english-bible-camp-taiwan. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

You have the opportunity to serve on a short term mission trip to South Africa for Bible Camp! Shara Osiro (serving the Lord in Africa as Regional Shared Ministries manager) and Erin Alter (Director of Short-Term Missions for the LCMS Office of International Mission) join Andy and Sarah to discuss Shara's work managing and supporting ministries across the region, her experience as a short-term volunteer prior to serving full-time, and what it was like for her to serve with Bible Camp alongside our partners in the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa last year. Tune in to hear how you can serve in a capacity similar to this, and what the team will be doing at Bible Camp! Find Shara's prayer card and support information at lcms.org/osiro. Learn more and apply to serve on the Bible Camp team at servenow.lcms.org/opp/bible-camp-team-south-africa. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

In this episode, Erin's launching an exciting NEW series of episodes entitled “International Mission 101.” Beginning with the startling revelation that she is not, in fact, a full-time professional podcast host but rather a 25-year veteran of the LCMS Office of International Mission, Erin here shares her own mission origin story.   How did an unemployed physical therapist end up first as a missionary to Japan and then as a director of short-term missions at the LCMS? (You'll just have to hear the story to believe it.)  As you listen, you may find yourself asking: How might God be calling me to mission service? If so, Erin ends the episode by sharing some ideas and opportunities.   Learn more at the links below about:  International Mission - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod  How you can serve: Missionary Service - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod  Short-term mission opportunities: Serve Now - Mission service opportunities  Erin's *other* podcast: 5 Minutes with a Missionary Archives - KFUO Radio  Coffee Hour episodes with missionaries: Short Term Mission Stories  Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Re-live the BEST of the 2024-2025 season on Let's Go! with the most memorable guests across sports and entertainment.Andy Reid discusses how he's staying focused after back-to-back Super Bowl wins, then Nick Saban, Coach K, and Joe Torre talk about coaching greatness, leadership, and maximizing potential in a special Coaches Roundtable. Next, Dana Carvey gives his best impressions of 40 years of American Presidents, David Letterman learns more about football, Snoop Dogg discusses his International Mission during the Olympics, Charles Barkley reminisces about the late great Bill Russell, Jim Harbaugh reflects on a successful season with the Chargers, Jared Goff looks back at a record-setting season with the Lions, and Tom Brady remembers back to that special 2002 campaign.

LCMS Office of International Mission has many great resources for families and congregations to use! Stephanie Hovland, Deaconess Intern with the LCMS Office of International Mission (OIM), joins Andy and Sarah to talk about her work as a deaconess intern with OIM; the benefits of learning about international missions in the local congregation and home; available resources, including the Missions Unpacked series; the flexibility of these resources for almost any situation; and how others have used them. Find Missions Unpacked for Kids, English Bible Camp, and other resources at international.lcms.org/resources. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Reverend Michael Parris shares his inspiring journey from retirement back to missionary work in Asia, highlighting the profound impact of sharing God's love across diverse cultures. With a background as a pastor, English teacher, and church planter, Michael emphasizes the unique challenges and rewards of ministering in a context whereffect interpersonal relationships. He reflects on how important it is to adapt preaching styles to prioritize the messages of grace and forgiveness, especially for those who have lived under oppressive systems. Michael also recounts memorable interactions that illustrate the curiosity and openness of people in Asia toward Christianity, showcasing moments when individuals express their desire to le honor and shame significantly aarn more about God. Through his experiences, he encourages listeners to consider the vital role of prayer and personal connection in supporting missionary efforts around the globe.Reverend Michael Parris, a passionate missionary dedicated to spreading the Word of God, shares profound insights from his extensive ministry experience in Asia. Serving in a bustling city of 200 million people, he focuses on preaching to both foreigners and local nationals, aiming to build meaningful relationships through Bible studies and catechism. Michael emphasizes the transformative power of understanding that people genuinely desire to know a God who loves them, a message he believes is often overshadowed by the burdens of law and guilt prevalent in many cultures. His journey has taken him from being an ESL teacher and church planter in Nebraska to becoming a missionary with the Office of International Missions, where he has faced diverse challenges and blessings in sharing the Gospel.Michael reflects on the culturalntered while tra shifts he encounsitioning from a pastoral role in the United States to missionary work in Asia. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the differing worldviews shaped by shame and honor, rather than guilt and forgiveness, which are more prevalent in Western contexts. This insight has informed his approach to preaching and teaching, as he learns to prioritize the message of grace and love before addressing the law. Through engaging storytelling and personal anecdotes, Michael demonstrates how he navigates the complexities of teaching English while simultaneously introducing biblical principles, creating a unique platform for outreach and spiritual growth.As he discusses the current state of the church in Asia, Michael conveys a senseortunity. He describes an increasing curiosity about Christianity among the local population, which he attributes to their quest for hope and peace. Despite facing challenges like bureaucratic hurdles and cultural differences, he remains optimistic about the prospects for growth and connection. The episode culminates with Michael's reflections on his legacy, expressing a desire to be remembered as someone who shared God's love and care with those he encountered, reinforcing the episode's central theme: the vital importance of conveying the message that Jesus loves everyone, a truth that resonates deeply in every context. of hope and oppTakeaways: Reverend Michael Parris emphasizes the importance of sharing God's love in his ministry. His transition from pastor to missionary involved overcoming cultural and language barriers abroad. Michael's approach to teaching combines English language skills with biblical lessons, fostering deeper connections. He highlights the significance of understanding the shame and honor culture in Asia for effective ministry. Michael's legacy as a missionary focuses on demonstrating God's love and care to those he serves. The growing interest in Christianity in Asia reflects a deep desire for hope and peace. Links referenced in this episode:

In this episode of Pastor Matters, Dr. Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board (IMB), discusses the vital role of the IMB in addressing global lostness through missionary work. Dr. Chitwood shares insights on the IMB's history, its current challenges, and the exciting advancements in gospel outreach amidst global crises. The conversation emphasizes the importance of prayer, support, and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering in sustaining missionary efforts worldwide. We hope this episode is encouraging to you today! Let us know how this episode encouraged you or share any feedback you have by emailing us at pastorscenter@sebts.edu. Resources in this episode:  For more information about IMB and how to donate, please visit www.IMB.org Pastor Matters is produced by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find out how Southeastern can equip you to GO by visiting sebts.edu.