Best Returned Missionaries Podcasts (2025)

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Returning Is Part of the Missionary Journey - EP160 22:33

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15d ago22:33

22:33

Missionaries inevitably come home, and this takes place for a plethora of reasons. The question is, how can missionaries navigate this difficult decision, and how can churches care well for their missionaries when they return? Join us as Scott and Keelan kick off a new season of The Sent Life with an important conversation on missionary wellness!…

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Passing the Baton: Raising Up Leaders on the Mission Field - EP163 25:11

2h ago25:11

25:11

Is missionary work only for natural evangelists? What place does discipleship have in the missionary task? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about a key element of the missionary task - leadership development - and how raising up leaders is vital to establishing indigenous churches.…

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Why the Next Generation Is Returning to Church - EP162 17:53

10d ago17:53

17:53

Why is church attendance among Millennials and Gen Z higher than other generations? And what does this mean for the ministry of the church? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan discuss a recent study from Barna Research and its surprising discoveries on the state of the church. Join us as we explore this fascinating trend and its impl…

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Episode CCLXXIV: The Serious, the Silly, and the Seven-Foot Missionary 57:38

3h ago57:38

57:38

We discussed the murders at the Catholic Church in Minnesota; Jay vented about media spin, “manifesto cherry-picking,” and how every press conference turns into a Rorschach test. The takeaway: the killer’s writings were a stew of depression, contradictions, and bigotry—awful, not profound. The murderer stated that "six million was not enough," yet …

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I Shared the Gospel... Now What? - EP161 24:34

18d ago24:34

24:34

We often talk about the importance of being obedient to share the Gospel with those around us. But what happens after you share the Gospel? And what happens if the person you shared with makes a profession of faith in Christ? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about how to navigate next steps after sharing the Gospel, especiall…

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Francesca Stavrakopoulou, "God: An Anatomy" (Knopf, 2022) 44:50

15d ago44:50

44:50

The scholarship of theology and religion teaches us that the God of the Bible was without a body, only revealing himself in the Old Testament in words mysteriously uttered through his prophets, and in the New Testament in the body of Christ. The portrayal of God as corporeal and masculine is seen as merely metaphorical, figurative, or poetic. But, …

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Episode CCLXXIII: Right of return, again. 32:47

1M ago32:47

32:47

Global Events and Personal Reflections Jay hosted a solo episode discussing recent events, including the meeting of international leaders to address the Ukraine war and the Category 5 Hurricane Aaron. He expressed gratitude to the show's long-term supporters and reflected on his personal evolution away from anarchist views. Fatal Crash Sparks Immig…

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Adriana Carranca, "Soul by Soul: The Evangelical Mission to Spread the Gospel to Muslims" (Columbia UP, 2024) 55:37

1M ago55:37

55:37

US-born Protestant evangelicalism has gone global to an extent of which many of us might be unaware. Soul by Soul: The Evangelical Mission to Spread the Gospel to Muslims (Columbia Global Reports, 2024) tells the story of Americans’ colossal mobilization to proclaim Christianity “to the ends of the Earth,” a movement that triumphed in the Global So…

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Episode CCLXXII: Genetics, Ads & Cancel Culture 1:02:38

29d ago1:02:38

1:02:38

Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad meltdown: who’s mad and why. Nature vs. nurture, lightning round—genetics matter, not destiny (Angel checked with Google’s AI). Cancel culture’s flop era; real extremists hide, the left eats itself. Side quests: Chuck E. Cheese brawls, Cincinnati jazz assault, and a PSA—if cake makes you combative, skip the open b…

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David D. Hall, "The Puritans: A Transatlantic History" (Princeton UP, 2019) 1:18:36

1M ago1:18:36

1:18:36

This book is a sweeping transatlantic history of Puritanism from its emergence out of the religious tumult of Elizabethan England to its founding role in the story of America. Shedding critical new light on the diverse forms of Puritan belief and practice in England, Scotland, and New England, David D. Hall provides a multifaceted account of a cult…

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Episode CCLXXI: it was an "accident." Right. 1:03:22

2M ago1:03:22

1:03:22

Unfortunately, nothing positive to discuss with this one. We aren't blackpilling, or doing our best not to. By Dan Palraz - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=126107179 Fairly Decent Golf on Insta YouTube & TikTok Rae Faba - fine art from the Great Lakes Team Mandalore - keep cycling weird i paint akron -Local a…

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Ian Johnson, "The Souls of China: The Return of Religion After Mao" (Pantheon, 2017) 1:14:16

2M ago1:14:16

1:14:16

Ian Johnson’s new book, The Souls of China: The Return of Religion After Mao (Pantheon, 2017), was called "a masterpiece of observation and empathy" by The New York Review of Books, and The Economist, who included the book on its Best of 2017 list, said the book, "Shows how a resurgence of faith is quietly changing the country." The Guardian said t…

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Episode CCLXX: Operation Cheddar Vault 1:10:21

2M ago1:10:21

1:10:21

In this hilarious deep dive, the gang uncovers one of America's cheesiest secrets—literally. From the rise of ice cream parlors during Prohibition to the government's bizarre stockpiling of surplus dairy, Kennedy walks us through a somewhat true conspiracy theory about how milk and cheese shaped U.S. history. Along the way, they unpack the origins …

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Summer Lecture Series: Missionary Resilience and a Theology of Risk with Rick Fraley - EP159 40:50

2M ago40:50

40:50

It's undeniable that missionary work is hard work. It comes with a unique set of challenges and trials that make staying on the field incredibly difficult at times. The question is, how can missionaries endure through trauma and hardship as they seek to obey God's call on their lives? On this installment of the Summer Lecture Series, Scott and Keel…

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Laurie Denyer Willis, "Go with God: Political Exhaustion and Evangelical Possibility in Suburban Brazil" (U California Press, 2023) 47:05

2M ago47:05

47:05

Through deep attention to sense and feeling, Go with God grapples with the centrality of Evangelical faith in Rio de Janeiro's subúrbios, the city's expansive and sprawling peripheral communities. Based on sensory ethnographic fieldwork and attuned to religious desire and manipulation, this book shows how Evangelical belief has changed the way peop…

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Episode CCLXIX: Bombs, Bacon &the Mothman’s Juicy Cheeks 1:22:40

2M ago1:22:40

1:22:40

U.S. Policies & Global What-the-Hecks Jay kicked things off with some spicy takes on recent U.S. foreign policy—mainly, “Why are we bombing Iran again?” He had high hopes that Trump would at least not start another war, but alas. He pointed out the double standard: bombs for Iran, crickets for Syria and Nigeria. Apparently, some countries get the “…

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John Eldevik, "Reading Prester John: Cultural Fantasy and Its Manuscript Contexts" (Arc Humanities Press, 2024) 34:26

2M ago34:26

34:26

Reading Prester John: Cultural Fantasy and its Manuscript Contexts by John Eldevik During the Middle Ages, many Europeans imagined that there existed a powerful and marvel-filled Christian realm beyond the lands of Islam ruled by a devout emperor they called “Priest John,” or “Prester John.” Spurred by a forged letter that mysteriously appeared aro…

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Wang Yi, Hannah Nation ed., "Faithful Disobedience: Writings on Church and State from a Chinese House Church Movement" (IVP Academic, 2022) 1:10:43

3M ago1:10:43

1:10:43

In this important body of theology, key writings from the Chinese house church movement have been compiled, translated, and made accessible to English speakers. The documents in Faithful Disobedience: Writings on Church and State from a Chinese House Church Movement (IVP Academic, 2022) give readers an inside look at how the unregistered churches o…

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Abeneazer G. Urga et al., "Reading James Missiologically: The Missionary Motive, Message, and Methods of James" (William Carey, 2025) 52:06

3M ago52:06

52:06

While books on a New Testament theology of mission abound, most of them focus on tried-and-true Scripture passages from the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles while ignoring the contribution of the General Epistles. Reading James Missiologically: The Missionary Motive, Message, and Methods of James (William Carey, 2025) addresses this gap in miss…

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Jonathan Teubner, "Charity After Augustine: Solidarity, Conflict, and the Practices of Charity in the Latin West" (Oxford UP, 2025) 1:24:45

3M ago1:24:45

1:24:45

Jonathan Teubner, Charity After Augustine: Solidarity, Conflict, and the Practices of Charity in the Latin West (Oxford UP, 2025) Through a unique blend of the personal and historiographical, Charity after Augustine is an exploration of why the Augustinian tradition’s attempts to build solidarity or social cohesion in the societies of the Latin Wes…

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Candace Lukasik, "Martyrs and Migrants: Coptic Christians and the Persecution Politics of US Empire" (NYU Press, 2025) 50:58

3M ago50:58

50:58

Coptic Orthodox Christians comprise the largest Christian community in the Middle East and are among the oldest Christian communities in the world. While once the objects of American missionary efforts, in recent years Copts have been in the spotlight for their Christianity. A spate of ISIS-related bombings and attacks have garnered worldwide atten…

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Summer Lecture Series: Is Missions Colonialism? - EP158 48:08

3M ago48:08

48:08

"Isn't missions colonial?" Some have made the claim that Christian missions is just modern-day colonization. But is that true? In our first episode of this year's Summer Lecture Series, Scott and Keelan address this question by looking back at missions history and discussing key contextualization issues. You don't want to miss this installment of T…

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Episode CCLXVIII - Don't Shoot the Messenger... Unless You're in Minnesota? 1:09:54

3M ago1:09:54

1:09:54

1. Defending Catholic Priests and the Faith Jay and Elliott opened the show with a candid conversation about the portrayal of Catholic priests, focusing on the sacred seal of confession. Jay shared statistics showing that while abuse within the Catholic Church must never be ignored, it represents a smaller percentage compared to other sectors. Elli…

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Fuck You Friday Reboot - Inaugural Knobbies 1:08:32

3M ago1:08:32

1:08:32

🎙️ Knobby Awards and Media Critique We kicked things off by christening our very first “Knobby Awards,” and guess who snagged Best Spaceflight? Bobby nominated the Blue Origin space flight for a Knobby, criticizing the media's coverage and the lack of qualifications of some of the participants compared to real astronauts. Angel provided information…

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Episode CCLXVI - Episcopal & SPLC nonsense 1:02:25

4M ago1:02:25

1:02:25

1. Episcopal Church Ends Refugee Program The Episcopal Church announced it will shut down its refugee resettlement arm after refusing to accept white South African farmers—despite having opposed apartheid for decades. The decision followed the Trump administration’s designation of white South Africans as refugees, which drew criticism from both the…

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Sven Trakulhun, "Confronting Christianity: The Protestant Mission and the Buddhist Reform Movement in Nineteenth-Century Thailand" (U Hawaii Press, 2024) 38:54

4M ago38:54

38:54

Siam had been dealing with Christian missionaries for centuries, but from the 1830s a new wave of Protestant missionaries began to work in Siam, just as the European imperial powers were encroaching on Southeast Asia. They brought with them modern science and technology, which was of interest to the Siamese elite, but at the same time they challeng…

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Freeing Japan's Forgotten: Missionary Hamilton Davis Interview 1:13:50

4M ago1:13:50

1:13:50

Send us a text He Lived in Japan for 8 Years—Now He’s Helping Orphans No One Else Will. What happens to Japanese orphans when they turn 18? Most are forgotten, cut off from support, and left with no clear path to adulthood. In this powerful episode of The Narrow Road Home, we sit down with missionary Hamilton Davis, who spent 8 years in Japan uncov…

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Ryan Klejment-Lavin, "Evil: A North Korean Christian Refugee Perspective" (American Society of Missiology, 2024) 46:02

4M ago46:02

46:02

The purpose of Evil: A North Korean Christian Refugee Perspective (American Society of Missiology, 2024) is to describe how the North Korean refugee understanding of evil can shape missionary practice in the Korean Peninsula. The central research question guiding this study is, How do North Korean Christian refugees describe evil based on their liv…

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Our Circumstances Changed, Our Calling Didn't: When Health Forced Us to Leave - EP157 28:57

4M ago28:57

28:57

What happens when circumstances force missionaries to leave the field? How can missionaries grieve the loss of the field well, and how can their church families support them during that process? On this episode of The Sent Life, Keelan sits down with Walter Bowen to talk about how he and his wife have continued to trust the Lord through difficult a…

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Episode CCLXV - Viral Outbreaks, Lottery Fails, and Rock Star Contradictions 1:06:44

4M ago1:06:44

1:06:44

Cruise Ship Norovirus Outbreak & Protocols 🚢🤢 Jay shared the gory details of a Norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship that left 150 people, including guests and crew, battling stomach cramps, vomiting, and the dreaded diarrhea. The cruise line stepped up its sanitation game, but it’s not the first time this has happened. Chris and Angel chimed in with…

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Alan Strathern, "Converting Rulers: Global Patterns, 1450-1850" (Cambridge UP, 2024) 1:18:01

4M ago1:18:01

1:18:01

Why did so many rulers throughout history risk converting to a new religion brought by outsiders? In his award-winning Unearthly Powers (2019), Dr. Alan Strathern set out a theoretical framework for understanding the relation between religion and political authority based on a distinction between two kinds of religion - immanentism and transcendent…

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Stories of the Sent: The Cost of Conversion with Owen and Myla Stoddard - EP156 22:43

4M ago22:43

22:43

Being a missionary in contexts where there is significant opposition means that the cost for both the missionary and the local Christians is going to be high. But ministering in the midst of opposition also comes with great joy that is rooted in remembrance of the Gospel. On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk with international mi…

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Astrid von Schlachta, "Anabaptists: From the Reformation to the 21st Century" (Pandora Press, 2024) 1:02:51

5M ago1:02:51

1:02:51

The Anabaptists, alongside the Lutheran and Reformed churches, were the third major current in the sixteenth century Reformation movements. From their beginnings, the Anabaptists were highly diverse and yet they shared some central beliefs and practices for which they were quickly persecuted – for example, defenselessness and nonresistance, the ref…

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Am I Really Responsible for the Whole World? - EP155 27:13

5M ago27:13

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The work of making disciples of all nations is often wrongly considered a job only for missionaries and church planters. But we know from Scripture that every follower of Christ is called to Great Commission obedience. On this episode of The Sent Life, Keelan sits down with Scott to talk about his new book, A Short Guide to Evangelism and Missions.…

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Stephanie Schmidt, "Child Martyrs and Militant Evangelization in New Spain: Missionary Narratives, Nahua Perspectives" (U Texas Press, 2025) 49:20

5M ago49:20

49:20

A cornerstone of the evangelization of early New Spain was the conversion of Nahua boys, especially the children of elites. They were to be emissaries between Nahua society and foreign missionaries, hastening the transmission of the gospel. Under the tutelage of Franciscan friars, the boys also learned to act with militant zeal. They sermonized and…

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Sending Healthy and Sustainable Missionaries with Scott Ray - EP154 25:22

5M ago25:22

25:22

What does it take to prepare missionaries who thrive on the field for the long haul? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk with Scott Ray, Senior Director of Global Deployment at the IMB, about how the IMB partners with churches to equip and send missionaries with long-term health and sustainability in mind. Join us for this pract…

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Episode CCLXIV: Epstein Scandal, Tree Crimes, Kangaroo Smackdowns & a German in Argentina 1:07:31

5M ago1:07:31

1:07:31

🚪 Death, Trees, and Power Games Things took a serious turn as we discussed the tragic death of Virginia Giuffre, a survivor of Epstein’s horrific crimes. We questioned the "official" story (as one does), vented about the shady Epstein client list that’s locked down tighter than Fort Knox, and demanded real justice for the victims. Jay dove deep int…

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Las G. Newman, "To Die in Africa’s Dust: West Indian Missionaries in Western Africa in the Nineteenth Century" (Langham, 2024) 1:28:52

5M ago1:28:52

1:28:52

Christian mission in the modern era has generally been conceptualized as a Western endeavor: “from the West to the rest.” The rise and explosive growth of world Christianity has challenged this narrative, emphasizing Christian mission as “from everywhere to everywhere.” Dr. Las Newman contributes to this revitalized perspective, interrogating our u…

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Calling, Singleness, and Medical Missions with Dr. Rebekah Naylor - EP153 27:31

5M ago27:31

27:31

What does it look like to live in joyful obedience to God's call, even to challenging and unreached places? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and guest cohost Dr. Anna Daub talk with veteran medical missionary Dr. Rebekah Naylor about her many years of meeting needs and helping plant churches in India. Now serving as a mobilizer with the IMB,…

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Missions as a Family Calling with Phil Bartuska - EP152 22:26

5M ago22:26

22:26

What does it look like to raise a family on the mission field? How do children factor into a family's call to serve overseas? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan sit down with IMB missionary Phil Bartuska to explore the joys, challenges, and unique dynamics of doing missions as a family. Whether you're already overseas or discerning …

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Episode CCLXIII: Fish on Drugs, Mormons in Hot Water & the Great Hooters Meltdown 1:11:37

5M ago1:11:37

1:11:37

Pre‑Flight Chaos Jay kicks things off by rapid‑firing clichés—saucy Italians, hairy Greeks, and (uh‑oh) drunk Irish folk—only to sigh when the last one immediately materializes in real life. The culprit? An unnamed U.S. cargo pilot in Dublin who blew a breathalyzer high score at 5 a.m. on 17 Sept 2024. Irish Aviation Authority yanked him off the fl…

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Mission Trips from the Students' Perspective with SEBTS Students - EP151 28:51

5M ago28:51

28:51

Last week, we talked about the benefit of short-term mission trips from the field team's perspective. But what about the perspective of the person going on the trip? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk with SEBTS students to get their thoughts on short-term mission trips and whether or not they are beneficial both personally and…

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Episode CCLXII: top men.. 52:30

5M ago52:30

52:30

Grab your headphones, folks—this episode is spicier than a pepperoni pizza at an all-you-can-eat Italian buffet! We’ve got courtroom drama, super-secret psychic shenanigans, and the world’s most underwhelming Dairy Queen robbery. Buckle up and prepare for the strangest joyride of current events you never knew you needed. First up: Judge Leslie Ann …

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How Short-Term Teams Benefit Long-Term Strategy - EP150 20:04

6M ago20:04

20:04

Do short-term trips really make a difference? Is there any benefit to the missionaries on the field? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about the impact short-term trips have for the field team's long-term strategy.By The CGCS

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Wafik W. Wahba, "Global Christianity and Islam: Exploring History, Politics, and Beliefs" (InterVarsity Press, 2025) 1:00:54

6M ago1:00:54

1:00:54

Together, the adherents of Christianity and Islam make up over half of the world's population, and their numbers are expected to keep growing. The influence of these two faiths—and their relations with each other—is seen in politics, economics, and social interactions. Religious identity and aspirations remain powerful and appealing to people aroun…

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Episode CCLXI: Ghost Chimp & Bangkok Sewer 1:01:20

6M ago1:01:20

1:01:20

👻🐵This episode kicks off with Jay and Chris discussing a ghost chimp in Dorset that apparently can’t keep its ectoplasmic hands to itself. Is it tragic? Absolutely. Is it also weirdly hilarious? Definitely. The conversation then takes a turn (downward, into the depths of horror) as Jay shares a tale of a Bangkok sewer disaster—because if there’s on…

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Episode CCLX - Postmodern Madness 1:08:53

6M ago1:08:53

1:08:53

🎨 Roasting Postmodern Art The gang goes off on postmodern art disasters. Rae kicks it off with a disturbing story about an artist who wanted to let piglets starve—yes, really. 🐷❌ Jay brings up Piss Christ (a crucifix in pee) 😬💦, and Rae rants about art losing all meaning. Angel presents a light switch installation that literally just… turns on and …

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Stories of the Sent: Missions in Beautiful but Dark Places with Phil Bartuska - EP149 24:43

6M ago24:43

24:43

What is it like being a missionary in a place that is widely considered a vacation destination? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan sit down with IMB missionary Phil Bartuska to talk about the unique opportunities and challenges of ministering in Vienna, Austria.By The CGCS

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Episode CCLIX: the turks mostly peaceful proxy murderers 1:01:16

6M ago1:01:16

1:01:16

Syrian Conflict & Capital Punishment The discussion turned serious with a dive into the violence in Syria, particularly the turk-backed HTS murdering terrorists targeting of the Alawite minority and the struggles of Christian communities. The team strongly criticized neoconservative foreign policies. They also debated the recent execution by firing…

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Training for a Theological Endeavor - EP148 24:52

6M ago24:52

24:52

How important is theological education for the missionary and aspiring missionary? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about the significance of theological education for both the ministry and the life of those doing cross-cultural ministry.By The CGCS