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Prince William lightened the mood at Trump's Windsor arrival with the quip, “This is my dad,” before a lavish state banquet filled with s'more-inspired cocktails, tiaras, and a 52-yard table. Trump sat between Charles and Kate, praising her beauty multiple times in remarks that left royal watchers cringing, while body language experts noted he looked oddly subservient beside the Princess of Wales. Observers spotted makeup covering bruises on his hand, prompting questions after the Royal Family posted an unedited photo. Princess Anne was absent from the Trump pageantry—naturally, she was busy working in Scotland. And one columnist summed it up: Trump desperately wants to be British, but only Melania might actually pass the test.

The Trump visit was barely underway before scandal hit: four people were arrested after projecting an image of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle. Inside the gates, protocol debates sparked over handshakes vs. curtsies, Melania had a deeply symbolic fashion moment, and Kate and Melania teamed up for an outdoor event with young Scouts. Meanwhile, the royal charm offensive was overshadowed by Prince Harry's latest interview — one that some say betrayed his father just days after their private reconciliation. Also: reactions to William's chilly body language toward Prince Andrew at the Duchess of Kent's funeral.

Donald Trump lauded King Charles as a “great King” and praised William as a “remarkable son” while calling Kate “radiant and healthy” during his unprecedented second state visit. Kate and Melania teamed up at Frogmore Gardens with the Scouts' Squirrels programme, handing out honey-themed picnic lunches and building bug hotels with children. Insiders called the visit an “awesome spectacle,” while Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, aka “Major Eye Candy,” stole attention on duty. Trump's private carriage ride drew criticism as a “fairground ride,” the banquet sparked dueling headlines in the British press, and Meghan Markle's perfectly timed garden post in Montecito raised eyebrows.

Prince Andrew unexpectedly attends the Duchess of Kent's historic Catholic funeral, where Kate Middleton's hair sparks fresh chatter. Meanwhile, Donald Trump receives a royal welcome at Windsor Castle, complete with carriages, fighter jets, and a flypast. And Meghan's birthday photo for Harry fuels wild conspiracy theories.  

King Charles understood the assignment. In a display of peak royal pageantry, the King welcomed President Donald Trump to Windsor Castle for a full-blown state visit — complete with gold-adorned carriages, bagpipes, a 41-gun salute, a historic document viewing, and an impressively choreographed gift exchange.Melania's mysterious wide-brimmed hat stole attention, Kate's heels sunk into the grass, William was charming (but probably still annoyed about Andrew), and Trump said “Wow… that's so amazing” more than once.Meanwhile, outside Windsor's walls, protesters made their voices heard — and inside, Piers Morgan and Tom Sykes offered wildly different takes on the day's festivities.

 Prince Harry gets candid during his Ukraine trip—opening up about mental health, fatherhood, and media scrutiny. Meghan Markle celebrates his return with a subtle brand promo. Meanwhile, the Royal Family prepares for the historic Catholic funeral of the Duchess of Kent, and King Charles readies Windsor Castle for Donald Trump's second state visit. Tensions, tributes, and tea—all in one packed update.

In the crossover episode with 5 Daily Trivia Questions, we ask five questions about the Duke of Sussex on his birthday.Follow 5 Daily Trivia Questions for a quick fun game each weekday morning.

Happy Birthday, Prince Harry. The Duke of Sussex turns 41 amid praise for his recent UK engagements, but royal insiders warn he must “learn to keep quiet.” King Charles meets Harry without telling William, sparking tension, while commentators suggest William—not Harry—looked weaker this week. Plus, Kate and William boost security at Forest Lodge, confirm “Together at Christmas” concert, and plans for the Duchess of Kent's funeral.

Can empathy be a bad thing? This week, Alex and Scott sit down with Joe Rigney, Fellow of Theology at New Saint Andrew's College and pastor, as they explore the challenges of Christian leadership, ministry, and missions, and the dangers of emotional sabotage and untethered empathy. Rigney explains that in times of turmoil, leaders must maintain mission clarity and resist being derailed by reactive or manipulative pressures within their organizations. Joe Rigney discusses that rather than being an unqualified good, empathy can be wielded as emotional blackmail, steering ministries away from their God-given purposes. They also focus on principles of mobilization and missions. Rigney stresses that appeals to missions should be rooted not in guilt but in gratitude, joy, and faith in God's future grace. Key Topics The concept of mission drift and how institutions get derailed in anxious times Difference between biblical compassion and untethered empathy The dangers of empathy as emotional blackmail and manipulation How appeals to missions should be based on truth and joy, not guilt Building sober-minded, resilient leaders who can withstand cultural and emotional pressures Being a godly husband and father isn't about one big heroic act, it's about showing up every day. Men need a simple, practical plan to stay faithful in the daily grind. How To Lead Your Family is a no-nonsense guide, from author Joel Beeke, that gives the biblical foundation, Christ-centered encouragement, practical advice for men to purse the high standards that God calls them too. Get 20% off your copy today when you use the promo code: LEADABWE. Additionally, new email subscribers can get 10% off a future order. We are thankful for Reformation Heritage Books for their sponsorship of this episode! Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Prince Harry heads to Kyiv with his Invictus team, pledging to help war-wounded Ukrainians while critics question his security contradictions. Donald and Melania Trump's second state visit kicks off this week, Kate Middleton makes headlines with an improvised hair bun, and Paul Burrell launches a royal podcast. Plus, cancer vaccine theories, Graham Norton's royal wish list, Sarah Ferguson and Celebrity Traitors, and more.

This explosive episode of Palace Intrigue delivers shocking royal revelations that will leave you stunned. We dive deep into Tom Sykes' bombshell analysis of why King Charles revealed his terminal cancer diagnosis—and how it's triggering a dangerous power shift within the monarchy. As Charles grows visibly weaker, Prince Harry is desperately racing against time to reconcile with his father before Prince William's authority becomes absolute.Meanwhile, the monarchy faces its worst crisis in decades as public support plummets to just 51%—the lowest in 40 years. One in three Britons now question the royal institution's importance, with abolition support skyrocketing from 3% to 15%. We also expose Meghan Markle's latest disasters: her Netflix lifestyle series has bombed spectacularly, missing golden opportunities for product placement that could have saved her struggling brand. Royal experts suggest she should abandon lifestyle content and return to acting, with calls for Ryan Murphy or Shonda Rhimes collaborations.Plus, Princess Anne's secret £12 million fortune revealed, and we preview our explosive new series on Norway's royal rebels. Don't miss this jam-packed episode of royal drama, financial scandals, and family feuds that prove the crown is cracking.

Royal watchers are buzzing after Tom Sykes suggested King Charles' health disclosure has shifted power toward Prince William, putting pressure on Prince Harry to reconcile while there's still time. Meanwhile, a new survey shows public support for the monarchy has dropped to its lowest in 40 years. Meghan Markle faces criticism on two fronts — royal experts say she was never prepared for the sacrifices of royal motherhood, and her Netflix series has failed to boost sales of her As Ever brand. The LA Times even wonders if Meghan should ditch lifestyle projects and return to acting. Plus, Channel 5 names Princess Anne to the Royal Rich List with a fortune of £12 million.

Prince Harry and King Charles reunite for a 54-minute private meeting at Clarence House—Harry says his father is “great” and promises no leaks this time. He then wraps up his UK visit with a heartfelt appearance at the Diana Award and pledges $500,000 in Archewell donations to Gaza and Ukraine.Meanwhile, Kate Middleton tours silk mills just as Donald and Melania Trump prepare for their Windsor visit, with the Princess of Wales set to play a starring role.Piers Morgan isn't buying the Sussexes' redemption arc, Princess Beatrice hits the phones with Tom Hardy for 9/11 Charity Day, and the Royal Family opens a condolence book for Katharine, Duchess of Kent, ahead of a historic Catholic funeral.

Victoria Beckham's cheeky “David Beckjam” video has royal watchers wondering if it was a subtle dig at Meghan Markle's As Ever fruit spreads. Meanwhile, Kate Middleton's suddenly blonder, fuller locks have sparked wig and extension theories across the press.Prince Harry is being called “Old Harry” as he looks more relaxed without Meghan at his side, Deep Crown says the royal silence could mean serious talks, and insiders claim King Charles still doesn't trust his son.Over in Montecito, the Netflix-famous mansion from Harry & Meghan still can't find a buyer, and Spinal Tap II gears up for release with cameos from Elton John and Paul McCartney—plus a tongue-in-cheek plea for knighthood from The King.

Does studying classical philosophy have any relevance for missions today? In this episode, Alex and Scott talk with Dr. David Talcott, a philosopher and faculty member at New Saint Andrew's College, to discuss the intersection of philosophy, culture, and missions. They ask the famous question “What hath Athens to do with Jerusalem?”—whether philosophy and Scripture can meaningfully interact. Drawing from Acts 17, they explore how Paul's intellectual preparation and knowledge of Greek culture allowed him to engage with Stoic and Epicurean philosophers, modeling how missionaries today should understand and address the intellectual frameworks of their host cultures. The discussion broadens into how classical philosophy, particularly Plato and Aristotle, still speaks into modern challenges such as relativism, skepticism, and materialism. Dr. Talcott emphasizes that philosophy provides categories and arguments that can prepare hearts and minds for the gospel, acting as a kind of “preparatory grace.” Key Topics Covered: The question: “What hath Athens to do with Jerusalem?”—philosophy and theology in harmony Acts 17 as a model for missionary engagement with culture and thought Relevance of classical philosophy for confronting modern ideologies (materialism, relativism, skepticism) The role of “common grace” in pagan philosophies and cultures The movement to retrieve classical theology and its value for missions today Being a godly husband and father isn't about one big heroic act, it's about showing up every day. Men need a simple, practical plan to stay faithful in the daily grind. How To Lead Your Family is a no-nonsense guide, from author Joel Beeke, that gives the biblical foundation, Christ-centered encouragement, practical advice for men to purse the high standards that God calls them too. Get 20% off your copy today when you use the promo code: LEADABWE. Additionally, new email subscribers can get 10% off a future order. We are thankful for Reformation Heritage Books for their sponsorship of this episode! Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

My Top 10 Fruits! Plus thoughts on Alien: Earth, listener emails, fighting a cold, Regal’s Month of Movie Masterpieces and a ton more! Plus The Tribune! A bonus for Premium Subscribers, I talk about seeing Jaws in IMAX and my review of Weapons!Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distribution. Email the show at themidnightmailbag@gmail.com!

How do you fully understand and explain the work of Jesus on the cross? In this episode, Alex and Scott explore the doctrine of the atonement, focusing on the concept of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) and contrasting it with other historical and theological views. The discussion walks through various atonement theories—including the Moral Influence, Ransom, and Christus Victor views and more—acknowledging elements of truth in each while highlighting their limitations compared to PSA. Lastly, they discuss the missiological implications, countering the claim that PSA is purely a Western, legalistic construct. Instead, they stress that guilt and innocence are universal moral realities recognized across cultures, and missionaries should faithfully present the biblical doctrine while adapting metaphors and illustrations for local understanding. Key Topics Importance of understanding the atonement for cross-cultural missions. Overview of major atonement theories: Moral Influence, Ransom, Christus Victor, Satisfaction, Governmental, and Scapegoat. Strengths and weaknesses of each theory compared to Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA). Scriptural foundations for PSA and its theological depth. Addressing the critiques of PSA. Practical considerations for contextualizing PSA in missionary work. Download the transcript for this episode. Being a godly husband and father isn't about one big heroic act, it's about showing up every day. Men need a simple, practical plan to stay faithful in the daily grind. How To Lead Your Family is a no-nonsense guide, from author Joel Beeke, that gives the biblical foundation, Christ-centered encouragement, practical advice for men to purse the high standards that God calls them too. Get 20% off your copy today when you use the promo code: LEADABWE. Additionally, new email subscribers can get 10% off a future order. We are thankful for Reformation Heritage Books for their sponsorship of this episode! Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

This week, EconoFact Chats features an abridged version of an Ask Me Anything Webinar held on July 17th, 2025, with Michael Strain, Director of Economic Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute. The discussion focused on how populist diagnoses of social and economic issues often assume an unhelpful zero sum mindset, leading to poor policy proposals, and on how 'forcing events' can expand the bounds of what is a politically feasible solution. Michael's latest book is 'The American Dream Is Not Dead: (But Populism Could Kill It).' EconoFact's monthly Ask Me Anything Webinars are exclusively available to our Premium Subscribers. The modest $50 annual fee for becoming a Premium Subscriber supports EconoFact and its efforts to bring timely, accessible, unbiased, and nonpartisan analyses on important economic and social policy issues to the public. You can sign-up for a Premium Subscription at https://secure.touchnet.net/C21525_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=157

How do we view other Christian factions like Catholics and Eastern Orthodox? Alex and Scott explore how Evangelical Protestants should view Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox believers in the context of global missions. They address the question of whether these groups are “reached” by the gospel, if they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, if they should be evangelized, and finally if we should consider those groups in our mission strategies. Alex and Scott stress that while unreached people groups deserve priority, revitalizing and strengthening existing Christian communities is also vital to prevent spiritual decline and that a balanced approach is needed in both breaking new ground and building up existing foundations. Key Topics Covered Definitions of “reached” vs. “unreached” in missiological terms. Theological and practical considerations for viewing Catholics and Orthodox believers as brothers in Christ. The historical precedent for re-evangelizing Christianized but nominal regions. The dangers of neglecting existing Christian communities in mission strategy. The need for unity in presenting the gospel across denominational lines. Download the transcript for this episode. Being a godly husband and father isn't about one big heroic act, it's about showing up every day. Men need a simple, practical plan to stay faithful in the daily grind. How To Lead Your Family is a no-nonsense guide, from author Joel Beeke, that gives the biblical foundation, Christ-centered encouragement, practical advice for men to purse the high standards that God calls them too. Get 20% off your copy today when you use the promo code: LEADABWE. Additionally, new email subscribers can get 10% off a future order. We are thankful for Reformation Heritage Books for their sponsorship of this episode! With over 3 billion people in the world who have never heard of Jesus, the global need is tremendous for workers to go into the harvest fields (Matthew 9:37-38). Is God calling you to missions? We'd love to have a conversation with you on how you can use your gifts and talents to advance the Great Commission at home and abroad. Visit abwe.org/SendMe for more information and to take your next step in missions. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

What does ministry fruitfulness look like in Papua New Guinea? Alex Kocman talks with Bill and Lori Smith, veteran ABWE missionaries who have served in Papua New Guinea (PNG) for nearly 40 years. The Smiths share their journey into missions, the unique cultural and spiritual challenges in PNG, and the dual nature of their ministry—training pastors and missionaries at Goroka Baptist Bible College and providing medical care through a high-volume clinic and foster care ministry. Bill and Lori emphasize that while PNG is often labeled a “Christian nation,” deep-rooted animism, syncretism, and spiritual oppression are prevalent, creating ongoing needs for evangelism, discipleship, and training indigenous missionaries to reach both remote PNG tribes and neighboring Pacific nations. They share real-life stories of God's miraculous interventions and how, through it all, God is allowing them to plant churches, one baby at a time. Key Topics Bill and Lori Smith's background and calling to missions in Papua New Guinea Cultural context: animism, syncretism, and hidden spiritual strongholds despite widespread Christianity Goroka Baptist Bible College: 50 years of ministry, 500 graduates, 300+ churches planted Medical ministry: serving 150 patients per day, maternal care, and gospel witness To find out more about the Smith's ministry and to get involved, visit abwe.org/png. You can also contact Bill and Lori by emailing bill.smith@abwego.org or lori.smith@abwego.org. Download the transcript for this episode. Being a godly husband and father isn't about one big heroic act, it's about showing up every day. Men need a simple, practical plan to stay faithful in the daily grind. How To Lead Your Family is a no-nonsense guide, from author Joel Beeke, that gives the biblical foundation, Christ-centered encouragement, practical advice for men to purse the high standards that God calls them too. Get 20% off your copy today when you use the promo code: LEADABWE. Additionally, new email subscribers can get 10% off a future order. We are thankful for Reformation Heritage Books for their sponsorship of this episode! Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

How do we theologically look at AI? Alex and Scott sit down with C.R. Wiley, an author, pastor, and podcaster on the theological and cultural implications of artificial intelligence (AI). Wiley outlines how AI—particularly large language models—presents both a technological revolution and a spiritual challenge. He frames AI development as not merely a technical progression but a competing eschatology—a vision of the future that rivals Christian hope. Wiley stresses that AI technologies—especially when perceived as sentient or divine—serve as modern idols that can fulfill spiritual functions, replacing prayer, human affirmation, and even "divine" guidance. This functional idolatry, he argues, should concern Christians deeply. Finally, Wiley calls the church to prepare not only ethically but also spiritually for a future increasingly shaped by machine intelligence. Key Topics: Large Language Models (LLMs) and their limitations The black-box nature of AI and the dangers of unintended outcomes Transhumanism as a form of rival eschatology to Christianity AI as a functional god/idol in a secular age Social, psychological, and pedagogical harms of AI Urgency for ethical and spiritual discernment in engaging AI technologies Download the transcript for this episode. Are you curious about global missions but not sure where to start? ABWE's 24-Hour DEMO is designed to help you find, explore, and encourage you to take your next step in missions. Find out more and register for the next event at demo.abwe.org. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

What constitutes a Muslim idiom Bible translation, and why is it dangerous? Alex and Scott sit down with Dr. Ant Greenham, a retired professor of Islamic Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, to address the theological and missiological dangers associated with Muslim Insider Movements (MIMs) and insider Bible translations. Dr. Greenham critiques the approach where biblical terminology is replaced with alternatives like to make the gospel palatable to Muslim audiences. Dr. Greenham explains the two major frameworks guiding missions: the theological approach, which emphasizes doctrinal faithfulness, and the anthropological approach, which focuses on cultural accessibility. Key Topics Muslim Idiom Translations (MITs) and Muslim Insider Movements Theological vs. Anthropological Approaches in Missions Concerns with omitting critical doctrines due to cultural accommodation Ethical Concerns: “Bait and Switch” Evangelism Proper Contextualization and Relationship Building Download the transcript for this episode. Is God calling you to missions? ABWE can help you find the opportunities and support you need to bring the gospel to the nations, plant churches, and disciple believers. Start the conversation with us today at abwe.org/sendme. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

In honor of Stand By Me Day, here are my Top 10 Coming Of Age Movies! Plus your emails, stories from my week in Chicago, and the Holi-Days like Legal Drinking Age Day! And we close things out with The Tribune! Premium Subscribers can stick around after the show for a list of Coming of Age movies that I have not seen and extra stories about Hub City Comedy Week In Chicago! Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distribution. Email the show at themidnightmailbag@gmail.com!

In this episode, Alex and Scott talk with Nate Bell, an ABWE missionary serving in Cape Town, South Africa. Nate shares his current focus on church planting and ministry among South Africa's diverse people groups. He explains the historical complexities of South Africa's racial and cultural dynamics, shaped by both Dutch and British colonization and apartheid. Nate details how these dynamics still influence communities today, including deep-seated divisions among white Afrikaners, white South Africans of British descent, and colored and black South Africans. Nate highlights that although about 80% of South Africans identify as Christian, many have a works-based understanding of salvation, especially within the Dutch Reformed Church tradition, and lack a clear grasp of the gospel message. Nate shared honestly about the challenges and learning curve of ministering in such a context as an American, stressing humility, continual learning, and reliance on the unity found in Christ. Key Topics The historical impact of Dutch and British colonialism and apartheid on South Africa's social dynamics. The divisions among South African communities: Afrikaners, British descendants, colored, and black South Africans. Challenges in articulating the true gospel in a culture with nominal Christian identity. The difficulty of planting multicultural churches in segregated and historically divided communities. The importance of humility, cultural sensitivity, and learning for missionaries. To reach out to Nate about his ministry in South Africa, you can email nate.bell@abwego.org. Download the transcript for this episode. God has already called many people to the mission field, but they need your support to get there. Help someone in Prefield get to where God is calling them by prayerfully supporting their ministry at abwe.org/Prefield. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

The Legend of The North Pond Hermit! Plus tales from my weekend in Wisconsin, your emails, and this week’s Holi-Days like International Nude Day! And we close things out as we always do, with The Tribune! Premium Subscribers can stick around after the show for a Midnight Movie Club where I discuss F1 and Superman! Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distribution. Email the show at themidnightmailbag@gmail.com!

How can the mundane of motherhood be extraordinary? Alex and Scott talk with Simona Gorton, an author, wife, and mother deeply engaged in local church ministry and missions. Drawing on her experiences with 9Marks and her work translating resources into over 60 languages, she emphasizes the importance of the local church as a training ground and the value of serving where God has placed you, even in seemingly ordinary roles. Simona also discusses her book Mothering Against Futility, which explores Ecclesiastes and the tension between the mundane and the eternal. She challenges mothers and young women to embrace the daily, unseen work as meaningful in the Kingdom of Heaven, connecting everyday tasks to God's eternal purposes. Key Topics The theological foundation of motherhood and everyday tasks Lessons from Ecclesiastes on finding meaning amid daily repetition Advice to young women considering missions: start with local service Encouragement for churches to affirm and support women and mothers in their roles Practical ways to disciple children to value godly character over recognition Download the transcript for this episode. Want to hear more of the conversation? Become a Missions Podcast Premium Subscriber to hear Alex, Scott, and Simona talk about the life of Elaine Townsend and how we can be encouraging young women and mothers in our churches. Sign up at missionspodcast.com/premium. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

This week, EconoFact Chats features an abridged version of the EconoFact Ask Me Anything Webinar held on May 27th with Bill Gale, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Co-Director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. Gale discusses the 'Big Beautiful Budget Bill,' noting that it will provide high-income households with large tax cuts, while likely lowering after tax resources for low-income households. He also stresses the importance of reining in the deficit, and outlines a few tax policy proposals that have broad consensus among economists -- notably lower tax rates, fewer deductions, a consumption tax, and a carbon tax. EconoFact's monthly Ask Me Anything Webinars are exclusively available to our Premium Subscribers. The modest $50 annual fee for becoming a Premium Subscriber supports EconoFact and its efforts to bring timely, accessible, unbiased, and nonpartisan analyses on important economic and social policy issues to the public. You can sign-up for a Premium Subscription at https://secure.touchnet.net/C21525_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=157

What are the implications if missionaries don't know their theology? Alex and Scott tackle the essential question of whether every missionary should also be a theologian. Drawing from personal experiences and their work with ABWE, they emphasize that missionaries often find themselves as the primary or sole theological resource in pioneer settings. This reality necessitates a strong foundation in theology, even for those not serving in overt teaching roles. The discussion also explores the challenges missionaries face in cross-cultural theological communication, including the lack of access to theological resources in native languages, differing worldviews, the prevalence of insider movements, and syncretism. Key Topics The importance of theology in missions work and why every missionary must be a theologian Real-world implications of inadequate theological preparation in cross-cultural settings The influence of Greco-Roman thought on Western Christianity and its impact on theological expression Use of systematic theology and story-based biblical teaching to bridge cultural gaps The need for deeper engagement with doctrine to counter heresy and build resilient churches Download the transcript for this episode. God has already called many people to the mission field, but they need your support to get there. Help someone in Prefield get to where God is calling them by prayerfully supporting their ministry at abwe.org/Prefield. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Can Scripture be translated into animation and be faithful to the text? In this episode of the Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott talk with Steve Cleary, founder of Revelation Media, about his groundbreaking work in creating the iBible—an animated, visual translation of the entire biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation. Steve Cleary launched a global multimedia project that seeks to reach oral and visual learners through a new medium of Scripture presentation, particularly in underserved regions. The conversation also addresses deeper theological and strategic implications of visualizing Scripture, especially for oral cultures and generations increasingly disengaged from print literacy. By producing these high-quality, biblically faithful episodes and offering them freely, Revelation Media aims to serve global missions with impactful tools that reflect the whole gospel. Key Topics The vision and development of the iBIBLE project The gap in oral and visual Bible access worldwide Challenges and theological considerations in adapting biblical content visually The theological safeguards and review process for script accuracy The importance of narrative in missions and reaching oral/visual learners Download the transcript for this episode. Explore your calling to global missions at ABWE's 24-Hour DEMO event. These events, held throughout the year, help individuals and churches explore how they can help fulfill the Great Commission and explore God's calling on their life and church. Learn more at demo.abwe.org. Want more of the conversation? Be a Missions Podcast Premium Subscriber and get access to our bonus Overtime episodes at missionspodcast.com/premium. Alex, Scott, and Steve go deeper into pitfalls of Christian media and his work on the animated Pilgrim's Progress movie. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

What does the data say about Christianity in the American church today? In this episode, Alex and Scott explore the emerging cultural and spiritual shifts among younger generations, particularly Gen Z, with guest Dr. Adam Rasmussen, Cultural Research Fellow and Dean of Arts & Humanities at Arizona Christian University. Drawing from recent data and studies by the Cultural Research Center and the American Bible Society, Rasmussen outlines a growing openness to spirituality and Christianity—especially among young men—despite the rise of secularism. Together they also examine the mental health crisis and its correlation with worldview, revealing that a stronger biblical worldview significantly lowers struggles with anxiety, depression, and more. Rasmussen warns of the post-COVID decline in biblical worldview and church attendance but sees signs of revival—particularly in increased male engagement and hunger for authentic, biblical discipleship. Key Topics Generational shifts in spiritual interest, especially among Gen Z Role of doubt and credibility in evangelism Mental health crisis and its link to biblical worldview strength Rise and dangers of syncretism in American Christianity Practical encouragement for churches and missionaries to seize the current cultural moment Download the Transcript for this episode. Explore your calling to global missions at ABWE's 24-Hour DEMO event. These events, held throughout the year, help individuals and churches explore how they can help fulfill the Great Commission and explore God's calling on their life and church. Learn more at demo.abwe.org. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Tonight, the story of a notorious bank robber and hidden loot in Kansas! Plus emails from you, and this week’s Holi-Days like National Dirty Book Day! And we close things out as we always do, with The Tribune! Bonus for Premium Subscribers, I have a Summer Movie Report about the John Candy classic, “The Great Outdoors!” Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distribution. Email the show at themidnightmailbag@gmail.com!

Why should Christians spend time reading fiction books? In this episode of the Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott talk with Dr. Marvin Newell, an accomplished missiologist, author, and missionary as they explore Newell's recent foray into fiction writing with his novel Taking You Under My Skin, a historically grounded narrative set during the Vietnam War. The story not only reflects a gripping tale of survival and love but also serves to awaken readers to the needs of unreached people groups, using fiction as a powerful tool for mobilization and imagination. Dr. Newell explores the often-overlooked role of imagination in Christian discipleship and missions as well as emphasizing the importance of Bible translation and storytelling in making the gospel accessible. Key Topics: The value of fiction in mobilizing Christians for missions. Summary of Taking You Under My Skin, Newell's fiction novel set during the Vietnam War. Use of redemptive analogies to communicate the gospel cross-culturally. Fiction and Non-Fiction Book recommendations for missions-minded believers and missionaries. Download the transcript for this episode. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

In this special extended episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and ABWE president Paul Davis engage in a wide-ranging, deeply reflective conversation with Paul Washer of HeartCry Missionary Society. Washer recounts the founding and growth of HeartCry, emphasizing the importance of supporting both indigenous and cross-cultural missionaries. He stresses that indigenous missions must be grounded in strong local churches with biblical eldership and doctrinal integrity. Paul Washer also tackles how local churches can develop missions strategies, emphasizing prayer, discernment, and doctrinal clarity over formulaic planning. Washer calls for renewed focus on developing biblically qualified leaders through discipleship and robust prayer life. Key Topics Origins and philosophy of HeartCry Missionary Society The role of indigenous vs. cross-cultural missionaries Biblical qualifications of missionaries How churches can prayerfully discern mission priorities Practical discipleship for young men sensing a call to ministry The dangers of performance-driven or celebrity church culture Download the show transcript Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Should Christians reject or embrace wealth and prosperity? In this episode of The Missions Podcast, Scott talks with Josiah Stowe, co-founder of Dominion Wealth Strategists, on the often-overlooked yet vital subject of money and prosperity theology in the context of missions and ministry. Their conversation explores the tensions missionaries face regarding finances—especially retirement planning, family provision, and legacy—while challenging the assumption that piety must equate to poverty. Josiah argues that wealth-building can and should align with biblical stewardship and that Christians are called to be faithful stewards who multiply their resources for God's glory and the good of future generations. Their discussion critiques both the prosperity gospel and the poverty gospel, emphasizing a balanced, exegetically rooted theology of money. Finally, Josiah emphasizes the importance of legacy planning—wills, trusts, insurance, and investments—as essential tools for sustaining ministry impact across generations. Key Topics Covered Misconceptions about wealth in missions (piety vs. poverty) Biblical foundations for wealth building Distinction between biblical stewardship and prosperity gospel teachings The moral imperative for Christians to build and steward wealth wisely The need for long-term financial planning including retirement and legacy With over 3 billion people in the world who have never heard of Jesus, the global need is tremendous for workers to go into the harvest fields (Matthew 9:37-38). Is God calling you to missions? We'd love to have a conversation with you on how you can use your gifts and talents to advance the Great Commission at home and abroad. Visit abwe.org/SendMe for more information and to take your next step in missions. Show Transcript Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Tonight I’m ranking my Top 10 Tom Cruise Movies! Plus I have to talk about the insanity of the Karen Read trial and we have daily celebrations for things like National Dog Rescue Day! Also, I read your emails and as always we close things out with The Tribune! BONUS: for Premium Subscribers we have a story about an insane bet that should have topped last week’s list!Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distribution. Email the show at themidnightmailbag@gmail.com!

Has modern evangelicalism forgotten about key aspects of who God is? In this episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott welcome Dr. Peter Sammons, Associate Director of Academic Development at Founders Seminary, to discuss the "forgotten attributes" of God—those less-discussed incommunicable aspects of God's nature. Sammons argues that modern Christians tend to focus on God's relational and communicable attributes (like love and kindness) because they are easier to grasp and more emotionally resonant. Sammons stresses that a proper understanding of God's essence and metaphysical attributes is crucial for true worship and doctrinal precision. The discussion also explores why understanding God's immutable nature is essential, especially in missions. Many pagan and world religions depict gods as moody and human-like, but the Christian God stands apart as wholly other, unaffected by human emotion or manipulation. This, Sammons emphasizes, highlights the necessity of theological depth for missionaries. Without it, missionaries risk portraying God as just another tribal deity. Key Points Forgotten Attributes: Focus on God's immutability, impassibility, and aseity, which are often overshadowed by more "relatable" attributes. Essence of God: Importance of understanding God's essence versus merely his relational attributes. Modern Challenges: Cultural and intellectual laziness has led to theological illiteracy and avoidance of difficult doctrines. Missional Importance: Proper theological understanding is critical for distinguishing the Christian God from false deities in missions work. Training Solutions: Founders Seminary offers a Master of Arts in Cultural Apologetics and Missions to deepen theological literacy for missionaries, even remotely. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

This week, EconoFact Chats features an abridged version of the EconoFact Ask Me Anything Webinar held on April 22nd, featuring Maurice Obstfeld, former Chief Economist at the IMF, and a member of the Council of Economic Advisors. Maury answers questions on the role of international trade in the US economy, tariffs and their consequences, dollar weakness, and prospects for the U.S. and the global economy. EconoFact's monthly Ask Me Anything Webinars are exclusively available to our Premium Subscribers. The modest $50 annual fee for becoming a Premium Subscriber supports EconoFact and its efforts to bring timely, accessible, unbiased, and nonpartisan analyses on important economic and social policy issues to the public. You can sign-up for a Premium Subscription at https://secure.touchnet.net/C21525_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=157

I’m in Vegas and we’re running down the 10 Most Outrageous Bets Ever Made! Plus we have celebrations for things like National Nylons Day, your emails, and more! As a bonus for Premium Subscribers on Patreon we have a Midnight Movie Club with a deep dive on a classic summer movie! Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distribution. Email the show at themidnightmailbag@gmail.com!

Are we thinking about persecuted Christians incorrectly? What should our and the church's response be? In this episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott talk with Andy Coleman, president of the Christian Emergency Alliance and author of the new book In Days of Darkness: A Manual for Ordinary Christians Facing Unusual Times. The discussion explores the realities of Christian persecution worldwide, especially in regions like Syria and Nigeria, and how Western believers should respond both spiritually and practically. Coleman, who has years of on-the-ground experience in conflict zones, offers a measured, informed perspective that resists both sensationalism and apathy. Coleman emphasizes the need for “connective tissue” in the global Church—awareness, prayer, and meaningful support between believers in safer contexts and those in peril. He discusses the nuanced and often hidden complexities of persecution, where violence is often localized, and government complicity or neglect plays a key role. The conversation also introduces his book, which seeks to equip everyday Christians to stand firm and act faithfully amid increasing pressures, both abroad and closer to home. Key Points Understanding Persecution Without Sensationalism What's Happening to Christians in Syria Analyzing the Intense Persecution Crisis in Nigeria The Role of the Church with Persecuted Brothers and Sisters Book Highlight: In Days of Darkness: A Manual for Ordinary Christians Facing Unusual Times Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

I had an insane flight from DC! Going to tell you all about it plus we’ve got listener emails and The Tribune, along with our Holi-Days of the week, like The Great American Grump Out! Plus so much more! And for Premium Subscribers on Patreon we have a Midnight Movie Club! We talk about The Accountant 2, Sinners, and Thunderbolts! Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distribution. Email the show at themidnightmailbag@gmail.com!

How can missionaries use the prevailing cultural narratives and longings of the heart to awaken others to the gospel without sacrificing the truth? In this episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott continue their conversation with Dr. E.D. Burns, focusing on cultural apologetics and its application in missionary work. E.D. shares insights into different approaches to apologetics, including cultural, presuppositional, classical, and evidential apologetics. He emphasizes the importance of appealing to the imagination and “longings of the soul” to awaken a deeper interest in Christianity. Finally, E.D. details how the Celtic Sun Cross is a great historical perspective of cultural apologetics. Key Points: Distinctives of apologetic approaches The importance of asking good questions to uncover worldview inconsistencies The universal longings of the soul for home, belonging, and truth Historical examples of cultural apologetics with the celtic cross Application of cultural apologetics for missionaries When was the last time your church did a missions conference, and how did it go? ABWE wants to help your church do a missions conference that will challenge your congregation to send. It's called Send Sunday. Click here to download your free resources including: sermon notes, small group discussion questions, song selections, children's activity pages, and more! Join with ABWE and other churches on Pentacost Sunday to pray and ask God to send someone from your church. With over 3 billion people in the world who have never heard of Jesus, the global need is tremendous for workers to go into the harvest fields (Matthew 9:37-38). Is God calling you to missions? We'd love to have a conversation with you on how you can use your gifts and talents to advance the Great Commission at home and abroad. Visit abwe.org/SendMe for more information and to take your next step in missions. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

What doctrinal disagreements are driving wedges into your ministry? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott sit down with Dr. Joshua Howard to discuss how to handle theological conflict among Christians. They hit on topics of theological triage, hierarchies of theological concepts, and how the theology of the end times (eschatology), can both unify believers and divide them. Josh Howard is Pastor at New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Monroeville, PA. He's the host of Eschatology Matters podcast and author of "A Primer for Conflict: Drawing a Line in the Sand". Get a free digital copy of the book at missionspodcast.com/conflict . What more of the conversation? Join our Premium Podcast Subscribers and get access to the Overtime episode as Alex, Scott, and Joshua discuss how we live in light of eschatological disagreements. Sign up at missionspodcast.com/premium. With over 3 billion people in the world who have never heard of Jesus, the global need is tremendous for workers to go into the harvest fields (Matthew 9:37-38). Is God calling you to missions? We'd love to have a conversation with you on how you can use your gifts and talents to advance the Great Commission at home and abroad. Visit abwe.org/SendMe for more information and to take your next step in missions. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

What is going on in the Asian church? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott sit down with an ABWE missionary to East Asia. He details the translation work he did during his time on the field as well as the current needs and struggles of the Chinese church. This ABWE missionary has helped develop the Bible Study Toolbox, a website of theological resources translated into Chinese to equip national pastors. Visit yanjingbooks.com to view that resource. With over 3 billion people in the world who have never heard of Jesus, the global need is tremendous for workers to go into the harvest fields (Matthew 9:37-38). Is God calling you to missions? We'd love to have a conversation with you on how you can use your gifts and talents to advance the Great Commission at home and abroad. Visit abwe.org/SendMe for more information and to take your next step in missions. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

What does missionary life look like in a hard place like East Asia? In this week's episode, Alex and Scott sit down with two ABWE missionaries to East Asia. Together they talk about what ministry looked like during their time in Asia, the benefits and struggles of living on the field with kids, and how family is used in holistic ministry. Want more of the conversation? Become a Missions Podcast Premium Subscriber to get early access to an additional conversation with this ABWE missionary about specifics of his ministry in Asia and the struggles of Chinese pastors. Get access to that episode and more at missionspodcast.com/premium. God has already called many people to the mission field, but they need your support to get there. Help someone in Prefield get to where God is calling them by prayerfully supporting their ministry at abwe.org/Prefield. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Are our strategies of evangelism getting in the way of God's strategy to advance the gospel? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott talk with returning guest Caleb Morrell, Assistant Pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C. Together they talk about the history of Capitol Hill and the balance of local and global engagement. Caleb Morell is an Assistant Pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church. He is a doctoral student at Midwestern Theological Seminary and he also oversees the internship program at Capitol Hill to train pastors. Caleb wrote a new book "A Light on the Hill: The Surprising Story of How a Local Church in the Nation's Capital Influenced Evangelicalism" available through Crossway. This week's Overtime episode dives into how to create a long-term vision for your local church. Get access to that conversation at missionspodcast.com/premium. Family worship is a crucial part of building faith within our families. Reformation Heritage Books has a resource to help guide you in creating an uplifting and Biblically strong worship time with their new Family Worship Bible Guide. Go to heritagebooks.org/familyworship and pick up your copy. Use promo code: MISSIONSPOD for a 10% discount on any order. When was the last time your church did a missions conference, and how did it go? ABWE wants to help your church do a missions conference that will challenge your congregation to send. It's called Send Sunday. Go to missionspodcast.com/SendSunday to download your free resources including sermon notes, small group discussion questions, song selections, children's activity pages, and more! Join with ABWE and other churches on Pentacost Sunday to pray and ask God to send someone from your church. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Who gets to call themselves a missionary and why does it matter? In today's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott sit down with Matthew Ellison and Denny Spitters to revisit the question of "who is a missionary?". There is still great confusion in the church about what the Great Commission is and the need to go to the unreached. Does missions require crossing cultures? What is the biblical definition of missions? What's the big deal if we say that everything is missions? Matthew Ellison is President of 1615, an organization that helps churches clarify their global mission, develop mission strategies, and take steps toward that strategy. Denny Spitters is a Coach with 1615. Together, they are releasing the second edition of their book, "When Everything is Missions". They also host their own podcast, When Everything is Missions. In this week's Overtime episode, the group discusses the results from a recently commissioned Barna study on what are pastors are currently saying about missions. Get access at missionspodcast.com/premium. Family worship is a crucial part of building faith within our families. Reformation Heritage Books has a resource to help guide you in creating an uplifting and Biblically strong worship time with their new Family Worship Bible Guide. Go to heritagebooks.org/familyworship and pick up your copy. Use promo code: MISSIONSPOD for a 10% discount on any order. When was the last time your church did a missions conference, and how did it go? ABWE wants to help your church do a missions conference that will challenge your congregation to send. It's called Send Sunday. Click here to download your free resources including sermon notes, small group discussion questions, song selections, children's activity pages, and more! Join with ABWE and other churches on Pentacost Sunday to pray and ask God to send someone from your church. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

We are a self-supporting community.  Join us in the following ways: Premium Subscribers - Join by making yearly donations.  Benefits include access to our back catalog of over 1300 episodes and periodic bonus episodes like open talks. Sustaining Partners  - Join by making monthly donations for one year.  You will receive recovered podcast merchandise, like tee shirts, coffee mugs, and water bottles.  Your name will also be announced each month you donate. Episode Sponsors: Join by making a one-time donation. Your name will be announced as an episode sponsor each time you donate. Calling Sponsors - You can sponsor our show by donating your vital experience, strength, and hope.  Add content to the show.  Call in and donate your valuable time.   Recovery Literature Links (Amazon Affiliate Links): The Big Book - Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Worry Less Now - Co-Host Gigi L. Powerless But Not Helpless - Co-Host Buddy C. 10 Years Sober - Listener Hannah B. When Bad Things Happen to Good People - Harold S. Kushner   Contact mark@recoveredcast.com Recovered Podcast Website   Show Notes: Journey back to the roots of Alcoholics Anonymous with our new podcast series, "Voices of the Founders." Hear the actual voices of Bill W., Dr. Bob, Ebby T., and Sister Ignatia, the pioneers who brought this life-saving fellowship to the world. Through rare recordings and archival material, we'll explore their personal struggles, their triumphs, and their unwavering belief in the power of connection. Gain a deeper understanding of the principles that guide us today and the profound impact of their message. This is a unique opportunity to connect with the heart and soul of AA's origins. Join us for this inspiring series and discover the timeless wisdom of those who paved the path to recovery.

Have you ever read Philippians through a missional lens? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott dive into Alex's new book, Striving For The Faith: A Journey through Philippians for Life on Mission, and how Paul's letter to the Philippian church is so much richer when thinking about the missional context that Paul and the church itself was in. Join us for the Overtime episode where Alex and Scott talk about how you can start writing your first book. Get access at missionspodcast.com/premium. Family worship is a crucial part of building faith within our families. Reformation Heritage Books has a resource to help guide you in creating an uplifting and Biblically strong worship time with their new Family Worship Bible Guide. Go to heritagebooks.org/familyworship and pick up your copy. Use promo code: MISSIONSPOD for a 10% discount on any order. When was the last time your church did a missions conference, and how did it go? ABWE wants to help your church do a missions conference that will challenge your congregation to send. It's called Send Sunday. Click here to download your free resources including sermon notes, small group discussion questions, song selections, children's activity pages, and more! Join with ABWE and other churches on Pentacost Sunday to pray and ask God to send someone from your church. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Do you know your theology of the church? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott talk with AW, missionary with Reaching and Teaching, who lives in North Africa. Together, they discuss the Biblical theology of the church, the differences and similarities of the North African church and the North American church, and the importance of having a robust understanding of the church. Family worship is a crucial part of building faith within our families. Reformation Heritage Books has a resource to help guide you in creating an uplifting and Biblically strong worship time with their new Family Worship Bible Guide. Go to heritagebooks.org/familyworship and pick up your copy. Use promo code: MISSIONSPOD for a 10% discount on any order. When was the last time your church did a missions conference, and how did it go? ABWE wants to help your church do a missions conference that will challenge your congregation to send. It's called Send Sunday. Click here to download your free resources including: sermon notes, small group discussion questions, song selections, children's activity pages, and more! Join with ABWE and other churches on Pentacost Sunday to pray and ask God to send someone from your church. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

How do you cultivate a mature Christian community in a Muslim-majority country? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott sit down with William (name changed for security), who is an ABWE missionary in South Asia. They discuss challenges that national believers and missionaries face in that context including church worship, child-rearing, financial difficulties, and the need to develop a strong Christian community. William is an ABWE missionary serving in South Asia. He works primarily doing theological education to develop church leaders and resources for the local south Asian church. Family worship is a crucial part of building faith within our families. Reformation Heritage Books has a resource to help guide you in creating an uplifting and Biblically strong worship time with their new Family Worship Bible Guide. Go to heritagebooks.org/familyworship and pick up your copy. Use promo code: MISSIONSPOD for a 10% discount on any order. When was the last time your church did a missions conference, and how did it go? ABWE wants to help your church do a missions conference that will challenge your congregation to send. It's called Send Sunday. Click here to download your free resources including sermon notes, small group discussion questions, song selections, children's activity pages, and more! Join with ABWE and other churches on Pentacost Sunday to pray and ask God to send someone from your church. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.