Engaging Missions

This week I’m really happy to bring you Brent Bazler (alias), who works with the Nashville base for Youth With a Mission (YWAM). In our time together, he shared some amazing stories of God’s faithfulness and offered a two-part framework for encouraging, supporting, and blessing missionaries in unconventional ways as well as the “M.L.P.” framework for making ministry decisions. Before becoming a missionary, Brent spent time as an educator, living for the summer mission trips until it finally became clear that he and his family needed to step into full-time ministry in order to be obedient to where God was leading them. Since that transition they have faced challenges and also seen amazing examples of God’s faithfulness. I so enjoy the way Brent delights in The Lord and trusts so fully. I’m sure that you will enjoy this interview. Key Scripture Challenges * How a 16th floor apartment, and angel, and a roll of film are part of the same story * What happened just before a dentist appointment * How God confirmed that Brent’s children had the right idea when it came time for a significatn life change (and investment) Revelation How God used a group of ladies from a church in California to challenge Brent and his family. And how that led to a new direction in their ministry. One Thing The one thing that Brent wishes he would have known when he just started out. And how he’s seen God’s faithfulness. Current Ministry * How ministry and children fit together for Brent and his wife. * A fun way that YWAM Nashville is supporting their community (hint: you can find out more and even be involved if you sign up here before May 10, 2014) * Some other exciting things that involve both Brent and YWAM Nashville What’s special about YWAM Nashville? There are a number of different missions organizations. Each tends to have their own focus and I believe that all are valuable. In our discussion, Brent offered up some things that he believes make YWAM unique. * YWAM is an extremely flexible organization, willing to move on short notice * YWAM Nashville is good at building and maintaining relationships. * Find out what an umbrella and a C.U.P. have to do with worship and the ministry direction of YWAM Nashville. * The “M.L.P.” framework for making ministry decisions. * Ministry (What should I do?) * Location (Where should I go?) * People (Who should I be involved with?) Level Up Brent offers some great “outside the box” ideas for what people can do to encourage and support missionaries. He shares a couple of ways that people have helped him and his family in the past. And he offers a framework for being able to discover those unconventional ways to support and encourage missionaries. Speed Round Best Advice Something someone did to support How Brent’s parents made a financial sacrifice that has paid dividends for the rest of their lives. Personal Success Habit Brent says that a key for him has been reading God’s word and praying some very particular kinds of prayers. Internet Resource TNTmpd – donor relationship software that not only tracks donors, but also helps build long-term relationships between missionaries and their supporters. Books * The ...

I’m excited to bring you a special guest this week – my wife, Katherine Entzminger. Ordinarily, she wouldn’t be interested in something like this but she’s really felt God moving her to share some of the stories from her time as a missionary. Right now Katherine is a full-time homemaker but she spent about 4 ½ years as a missionary with Youth with a Mission (YWAM). While in YWAM, she traveled to Mexico and Central America, Africa, India, and Central Europe. She also spent time as part of the support staff on a YWAM base. After her time with YWAM, she went back to school and re-entered the marketplace. And that was all before she and I ever met. In this week’s interview, you’ll discover: * One often-misattributed quote that has shaped how Katherine approaches both friendship and ministry * How Katherine ended up lost on a street, faced with armed military and how God brought her and another missionary back to where they were safe * One thing that God showed her that has released forgiveness in her life * What’s exciting Katherine right now and what she’s looking forward to * One thing you can do to encourage a missionary today * Some advice Katherine was given that sets her up to receive help * One thing that someone did to support her while she was a missionary and even while she was transitioning back into the marketplace * Internet Resource: Facebook * Book Recommendation: No Compromise * Amazon * iBooks * What Katherine would focus on for the first seven days in a new country and what she would do to ensure she wouldn’t be distracted from it. * Best contact: email (listen to the episode) Resources * Facebook * No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green * Leave a rating and review * Ratings on Pinterest * Ratings on Engaging Missions * Katherine’s email address (listen to the episode)

This week we’re spending some time talking with Garland Sam. Garland is the pastor of a church called Discover in the business district of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa and is the regional director of Scripture Union that spans from Pietermaritzburg to the region of KwaZulu-Natal In this week’s interview, you’ll discover: * What took Garland from the career he thought he wanted to full-time ministry, and how it involved some people from the United States. * How, even as a young man, the quote, “If not me, who? And, if not now, when?” shaped his life and applied to the scripture that is the foundation for his ministry. * How God provided for his financial needs in a surprising way. * What Garland and his wife did NOT do when they were having financial challenges, and what they did instead. * What led to Scripture Union’s “Holiday Clubs” (and what they are). * What young people really need. * Two things that are really exciting about the ministry at Scripture Union. * One thing that could shape your prayer for missions and missionaries. * Some great advice that he was given. * What a previous regional director taught Garland that has shaped his approach to ministry. * How something very challenging has contributed to his success * Internet Resource: WordPress * Book Recommendation: Unmerited Favor * What a hospital and sick people have to do with what Garland would do in a new and unfamiliar situation. * What Garland says we should think about. If you liked this show, please subscribe in iTunes and give us an honest rating and review. It will only take a minute and it goes a long way to helping other people find and connect with the stories of God’s faithfulness in the lives of missionaries around the world. Resources * Scripture Union, Pietermaritzburg * WordPress – Hosted, Self-Hosted * Unmerited Favor * E100 Program * Garland Sam – Twitter | Facebook | Email  

I’m excited to be bringing Autumn Kerr to you this week. She’s the executive director of Visiting Orphans, a Nashville-based ministry that partners with orphanages, schools, and ministries around the world that care for children and communities. They organize short-term trips for churches, schools, and other organizations to places like Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Ukraine. In our time together, Autumn shared several stories of God’s amazing grace in her life and ministry. In this week’s interview you’ll discover * One scripture that many people dislike but has been a key to Autumn’s life * How a job change turned into an opportunity for God’s provision and a new direction * How she was able to make it through the process of adopting a boy from Ethiopia as a single woman * How reading The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?set her up for her first mission trip * What her team has done over the last year and how they are able to create ministry teams out of people who have never met * Where you can go to learn more and get involved * How you can increase your support for a missionary or ministry without increasing your financial commitment * The advice that has helped Autumn be available to do her best at the things God has called her to do * The significance of hundreds of painted tree leaves * The habit that has allowed her to start a personal blog and is the key to raising her adopted son as a single mother * Resources: * Visiting Orphans * My Single Adoption * Book Recommendation: Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible * How she would take advantage of the situation if she found herself in a new country. * Her recommendation for how to let God guide decisions [Tweet “Consider it all joy…”] Resources [wc_box color=”secondary” text_align=”left”] FREE BOOK You can get the audio version of The Purpose Driven Life OR Sun Stand Still for free if you sign up for, Audible.com's free 30-day free trial. That's a great way to check out their service and discover the joy of audio books. And, if you've already read those books, there's no reason to worry. With over 150,000 titles to choose from, you're sure to find something you like. [/wc_box] [wc_row][wc_column size=”one-third” position=”first”] [/wc_column][wc_column size=”two-third” position=”last”] * Visiting Orphans * My Single Adoption * A Discipleship Journey: A Guide for Making Disciples That Make Disciple-Makers * Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Da...

I’m really excited to be able to bring you Darius Walker of Be a Fully Funded Missionary this week. Darius is a missionary and is the author of Be a Fully Funded Missionary and Money for Missionaries. I do need to say that “Darius Walker” is a pen name that he’s chosen to use for security reasons. I first learned of Darius while looking for some fundraising ideas for a couple friends of mine in Kenya and Australia. When I found Be a Fully Funded Missionary I checked it out and then recommended they check it out. It’s more than a book – it’s a complete guide to raising funds for long-term missions. In this week’s interview you’ll discover: * What’s unique about Be a Fully Funded Missionary * How One step at a time has shaped his behavior and how it helped him in everything from learning languages to launching his website * Why one person’s counsel was proven right, but a year later * How God used Paul’s letters to get Darius and his family through a difficult season * How thankful Darius is for the team he works with and why it’s important to ask questions before joining a team * Four specific things you can do today that will encourage and support a missionary without spending any money * What D.A. Carson said that has shaped how Darius teaches and preaches * What one person did that helped Darius and his family as they were raising support * One thing that does every day that has helps him learn and grow * Resource recommendation: Lift App (and how it’s helping Darius develop new habits) * Book recommendation: Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder * Audible.com (free if you sign up) * Blinkist.com (summary, free) * Amazon.com * The two things that Darius would do if he was in a new country with nothing but $500 and a computer that you can do at home right now (hint: it doesn’t involve using the computer) * How you can apply “Take a risk for the Kingdom. Ultimately, you’ve got nothing to lose.” whether you feel called to missions or not * How you can get a free copy of Called or Crazy by Darius Walker Resources: [wc_box color=”primary” text_align=”left”] Get a book for free! You can get Antifragile (the book Darius recommended), for free if you sign up for a new account with Audible.com. [/wc_box] [wc_row][wc_column size=”one-third” position=”first”] [/wc_column][wc_column size=”two-third” position=”last”] *

Alan Smith is a homeland missionary based in the US, just outside of Nashville, TN. He works with Community Servants, a local ministry that provides low-cost housing and education opportunities for refugees and low-income families. He's also the Assistant Missions Pastor at Springhouse Worship and Arts Center. In today's interview, he shares some of his story – the challenges as well as the victories, including how he learned that being an authentic friend to other missionaries was one of the greatest ministry opportunities. In this interview, you'll learn * How Colossians 4:7-8 has shaped his ministry * How Alan worked through a personal failure * A story of God's faithfulness in the birth of their son * One simple act of focus that Alan's Missions Pastor did to encourage missionaries (and how Alan used that to deeply encourage another missionary) * What made Alan say, “Man, I'm not called to be a missionary but I can do that.” * Some exciting life transitions that are opening up new ministry opportunities * The best advice Alan has ever received * Something that really encouraged Alan before he even started to raise support * Internet resources: YouVersion and GodTube * A personal habit that has contributed to Alan's success * Book recommendation: The Sending Church: The Church Must Leave the Building * The surprising thing Alan would do if he was in a new country with nothing but $500 and a laptop but didn't have to worry about food and shelter. More resources:   * CoffeeCupMinistries.org * Facebook.com/CoffeeCupMinistries * SpringhouseSmyrna.com/missions * CommunityServants.org * Alan's email If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe in iTunes to make sure you get more of the great inspiring and encouraging stories from missionaries in the field and at home. And, it would really help spread the word if you'd take a minute to give us an honest rating and review in iTunes. It helps more than you know.   Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”