Best The CGCS Podcasts (2025)

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What Does the Christmas Story Teach Us About God's Mission? - EP174 19:34

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2d ago19:34

19:34

Unfortunately, it is easy to grow numb to the wonder of the Christmas story. In this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan reflect on the astonishing reality of Jesus’ incarnation and ask what the greatest story ever told reveals about the mission of God. Join this special holiday conversation as they draw out missional insights from the Chris…

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Should Missionaries Celebrate American and Christian Holidays on the Field? - EP173 19:32

9d ago19:32

19:32

Holidays have a way of bringing out our nostalgia and moving us emotionally. And for Christians, days like Christmas and Easter are packed with meaning. But what happens when you’re a missionary, serving somewhere your favorite holidays aren’t on anyone else’s calendar? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan dive into what it really fee…

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A Scary Task: Raising Kids to Obey the Great Commission with Meredith Cook - EP172 28:14

16d ago28:14

28:14

If you’re a parent, the idea of your kids growing up and leaving home can feel a little scary. But as Christians, we also know that following Jesus means joining Him in His Great Commission. So how can parents help their kids grow into this kind of obedience that may even lead them to dangerous places? In this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Ke…

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Language Learning: An Act of Love with Dr. Todd Borger - EP171 27:42

23d ago27:42

27:42

In an age where we can translate things in a moment's notice, why should missionaries study language at all? Is this simply an archaic practice we should leave behind? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk with Dr. Todd Borger about his experience as a missionary in Indonesia. Join us as we talk about the increasing value of learn…

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How Do I Find People Groups in My City? - EP170 24:00

1M ago24:00

24:00

People from all around the world are moving to the U.S., and as Christians, we believe that we have an opportunity and a responsibility to reach the nations right next door. But how do we even go about finding these people groups in our very own communities? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about how to go about finding diasp…

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What About the Places We Can't Go? - EP169 23:08

1M ago23:08

23:08

We know that Jesus told us to go to all the nations, but the reality is that there are places where it seems impossible for us to go for a variety of reasons. What do we do about these people groups? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk philosophy and strategy of reaching seemingly impossible places with the Gospel. Pray for Unre…

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From Strangers... to Journeyman Partners with Lydia and Jade - EP168 26:09

2M ago26:09

26:09

What is it like being ministry partners overseas with someone you just met? And what are some principles and practices that help you to get along with this person as you do life and ministry together daily? On this episode of The Sent Life, Keelan talks with two returned Journeymen, Lydia and Jade, who served together on a team in South Asia. Join …

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Am I Called to Persuade People to Believe? with Walter Bowen - EP167 22:59

2M ago22:59

22:59

What does the Bible mean when it talks about persuading and reasoning with people? And what implications does this have for missions and evangelism? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott sits down with Walter Bowen to talk about receptivity and persuasion in Gospel ministry.By Southeastern Seminary

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When Team Feels Like Family with Elizabeth Andrews - EP166 16:06

2M ago16:06

16:06

Team dynamics are often cited as one of the main reasons missionaries return from the mission field. But what does it look like to have a healthy and unified missionary team? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott sits down with missionary Elizabeth Andrews to talk about her testimony of a positive team experience on the field. Join us as Elizabet…

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How Are Southern Baptists Reaching Unreached & Unengaged People Groups? with John Pratt - EP165 33:55

2M ago33:55

33:55

Jesus tells us to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. But how do we reach the unreached and unengaged with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan sit down with missionary John Pratt to talk about the IMB's initiative to find and reach the unreached, unengaged people groups of the world. Tune in for a po…

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An Update on Southern Baptist Cooperation with Dr. Jeff Iorg - EP164 35:54

3M ago35:54

35:54

What happens when thousands of churches link arms for the sake of the Great Commission? The Cooperative Program is the engine of the Southern Baptist Convention and the strategy that Southern Baptists have implemented to partner in taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan sit down with SBC Execu…

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

3M 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

3M 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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I Shared the Gospel... Now What? - EP161 24:34

3M 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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Returning Is Part of the Missionary Journey - EP160 22:33

3M 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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Summer Lecture Series: Missionary Resilience and a Theology of Risk with Rick Fraley - EP159 40:50

5M 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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Summer Lecture Series: Is Missions Colonialism? - EP158 48:08

6M 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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Our Circumstances Changed, Our Calling Didn’t: When Health Forced Us to Leave - EP157 28:57

7M 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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Stories of the Sent: The Cost of Conversion with Owen and Myla Stoddard - EP156 22:43

7M 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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Am I Really Responsible for the Whole World? - EP155 27:13

7M ago27:13

27:13

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

7M 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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Calling, Singleness, and Medical Missions with Dr. Rebekah Naylor - EP153 27:31

8M 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

8M 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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Mission Trips from the Students’ Perspective with SEBTS Students - EP151 28:51

8M 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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How Short-Term Teams Benefit Long-Term Strategy - EP150 20:04

8M 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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Stories of the Sent: Missions in Beautiful but Dark Places with Phil Bartuska - EP149 24:43

9M 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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Training for a Theological Endeavor - EP148 24:52

9M 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

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Maximizing the Moment: Missions and the Smartphone Generation - EP147 24:35

9M ago24:35

24:35

How can the church effectively engage and mobilize Generation Z for the Great Commission? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan discuss key characteristics of Gen Z, as well as the unique challenges and opportunities in reaching and sending them for the sake of the Gospel.By The CGCS

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Discipling and Mobilizing Retirees - EP146 19:49

9M ago19:49

19:49

How do changing demographics shape the way we do ministry? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about a demographic trend that has significant implications for the mission of the church.By The CGCS

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Stories of the Sent: Navigating Culture Shock with Julie - EP145 17:52

10M ago17:52

17:52

What is it like going from a small American town to a densely populated South Asian city? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan sit down with Julie, an IMB missionary, to talk about culture shock as well as some of the unique opportunities and challenges of serving in South Asia.By The CGCS

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Beyond Borders: Virtual Reality and Digital Engagement in Japan with Daniel Rice - EP144 17:19

10M ago17:19

17:19

What role, if any, does virtual reality have in our missions strategy? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan continue the conversation with Daniel Rice, specifically focusing on his team's work in using digital strategies to reach people in Japan with the gospel.By The CGCS

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Stories of the Sent: Japan with Daniel Rice - EP143 19:27

10M ago19:27

19:27

What is it like being a missionary in a megacity? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan sit down with Daniel Rice, a missionary in Tokyo, Japan. Daniel talks about how he got to Japan and introduces us to some of the opportunities and challenges of doing missions in their context.By The CGCS

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You Don’t Want to Miss This Season of The Sent Life! - EP142 10:25

10M ago10:25

10:25

Get ready for a great season of The Sent Life! We hope you will be encouraged and challenged as you hear from field personnel all over the world and how the Lord is using them for His glory. You won't want to miss this!By The CGCS

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The Lasting Legacy of Lottie Moon with Dr. Danny Akin - EP141 23:55

12M ago23:55

23:55

Many of us know the story of Lottie Moon and her incredible faithfulness as a missionary in China. Today on The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan sit down with the President of SEBTS, Dr. Danny Akin, to talk about how Lottie's legacy lives on through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and how our giving impacts the nations.…

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Knowing and Doing the Will of God - EP140 23:22

1y ago23:22

23:22

How do we go about discerning God's will for our lives? And how do we counsel others who are asking this question for themselves? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott interviews Keelan about his journey of discerning and doing the will of God.By The CGCS

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Current Trends in Evangelism with Tim Dowdy - EP139 23:52

1y ago23:52

23:52

What are some of the themes we are seeing in evangelism, particularly in North America? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk with NAMB's Vice President of Evangelism, Tim Dowdy, about the current challenges and trends facing evangelism. Join us as we discuss how churches and associations can respond to these trends and help creat…

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Lessons from the Mission Field with Walter Bowen - EP138 20:38

1y ago20:38

20:38

What can we learn from a missionary's personal experience overseas? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott sits down with Walter Bowen to talk about how the global church and an encounter with lostness has impacted his life and ministry today.By The CGCS

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Exploring Leadership Styles with Jimbo Stewart - EP137 24:05

1y ago24:05

24:05

How useful are leadership evaluation tools in ministry? And how do we use them appropriately? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk with Jimbo Stewart about leadership styles and the helpfulness of evaluation tools for self-awareness in ministry.By The CGCS

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Raising Support for Missions with Drew Davis - EP136 28:40

1y ago28:40

28:40

Fundraising for things like a short-term mission trip or a church plant can be a challenge for several reasons, but there are ways to raise support well and with integrity. On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan sit down with Drew Davis to talk about how Christians can fundraise effectively and ethically.…

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Failure to Thrive: A Call to Action for Christian Leaders 30:50

1y ago30:50

30:50

Are you feeling stuck, afraid, or unsure about launching into your ministry? You’re not alone! In this interactive discussion, we will explore the common barriers that hinder us from embracing our calling, including fear of rejection, self-doubt, and the weight of responsibility.Don’t let fear hold you back any longer! This is your opportunity to i…

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Understanding the Refugee Crisis with Walter Bowen - EP135 23:03

1y ago23:03

23:03

What are we as Christians to make of the refugee crisis in our world today? With international tensions raging in various countries, an unprecedented number of people are being forced to leave their homes in search of asylum. On this episode of The Sent Life, Keelan talks with Walter Bowen about how we should understand and respond to the refugee c…

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Prophetic Update: What Season is the World In? 31:50

1y ago31:50

31:50

Welcome to today’s episode! I want to share a very specific word that the Lord has placed on my heart regarding the season that the Body of Christ is in right now. After much prayer and seeking His guidance, I believe we are indeed currently in the Great Tribulation. This is a sobering message, but one I feel led to share so that we can better unde…

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How Do We Measure Discipleship? Part 2 with Walter Bowen - EP134 25:50

1y ago25:50

25:50

Join us on this episode of The Sent Life as Scott and Keelan continue the conversation with Walter Bowen about measuring discipleship!By The CGCS

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Becoming A Christian Leader 37:17

1y ago37:17

37:17

In this session, I’ll cover:My leadership journey and lessons learned 🌱The importance of Healing on Purpose to lead effectively ❤️This event will equip and inspire you to embrace healing as part of your leadership journey, helping you lead with wholeness and purpose. 🙏Don't forget to like, follow, and share this video with others who would benefit …

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How Do We Measure Discipleship? with Walter Bowen - EP133 21:36

1y ago21:36

21:36

We tend to evaluate our discipleship efforts using various metrics, some of which do not really measure biblical discipleship. On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott sits down with CGCS Associate Director Walter Bowen to talk about how we can biblically measure discipleship in ministry.By The CGCS

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Challenges and Opportunities in North American Missions with Trevin Wax - EP132 21:55

1y ago21:55

21:55

What are some of the unique crises and opportunities that we are currently seeing in North American missions? And what does this mean for our church planting and ministry efforts? On this episode of The Sent Life, Keelan sits down with Dr. Trevin Wax to talk about some of the themes that impact North American missions today.…

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What Is a Disciple? - EP131 22:59

1y ago22:59

22:59

What is a disciple? A seemingly simple question that can have a devastating impact if not answered biblically. On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan lay the foundation for what we mean when we talk about making disciples of all nations by defining the term "disciple."By The CGCS

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The Missional Significance of Associations - EP130 28:05

1y ago28:05

28:05

What are associations, and why are they so important? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk with Bob Bickford about the beauty and necessity of partnering with other churches to fulfill the Great Commission.By The CGCS

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What Is Prayer Walking? - EP129 27:06

1+ y ago27:06

27:06

There are some very different perspectives on what we mean when we use the word "prayer walking." On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan explore an extreme and negative view of this idea and respond with a more biblical and positive understanding of prayer walking.By The CGCS

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Before You Go with Dr. Matthew Bennet - EP128 24:04

1+ y ago24:04

24:04

How do we effectively prepare to send missionaries or be sent as a missionary? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk with Dr. Matthew Bennett about his book Before You Go, which explores the heart matters that must be addressed when considering missionary work. You don't want to miss this season kickoff of The Sent Life!…