Unconventional Ministry

Theology, Technology, and SAT-7 with Ray Heinen S5 EP#176

In this powerful episode, I sit with Ray Heinen, the Senior Director of Ministry Partnership for SAT-7 USA, to explore his inspiring journey of faith and service. Originally from Egypt, Ray shares his experiences of living across several Arab countries for over two decades before moving to the United States with his wife, Sue, in 2010. Being an early viewer of SAT-7’s broadcasts, Ray brings a unique perspective on how this satellite ministry has transformed lives across the Middle East, offering encouragement and hope to Christians and seekers alike in challenging contexts.

Join us as Ray discusses the impact of SAT-7’s work and how it has been a crucial resource for the Church in the Middle East. Discover ways you can support SAT-7’s mission and help bring the light of the Gospel to millions. Every dollar enables one year of life-changing programming for a viewer, spreading God’s love where it’s most needed. Learn how to be part of this extraordinary ministry at SAT-7 USA.

Phone Calls, Sticky Notes, and SAT-7 with Andrea Harrison S5 EP#175

In this episode of the Unconventional Ministry podcast, Andrea Harrison, the Donor Relations Coordinator and Accounting Assistant at SAT-7, shares insights from over 20 years of serving as the "voice of SAT-7." Known for her warmth and gentle spirit, Andrea has become a trusted presence for ministry partners, answering questions, praying with callers, and encouraging them in their journeys. Her role goes beyond traditional customer service; she treats every call as an opportunity to provide support, showing love through empathy and kindness.

Andrea’s dedication highlights the importance of building relationships. She approaches each interaction with a genuine desire to foster community, ensuring ministry partners feel valued not only for their contributions but also as individuals. Through prayer and compassionate conversations, Andrea reflects on how a ministry mindset in customer service can turn routine exchanges into meaningful moments, reminding listeners that even a simple phone call can become a powerful act of love and service.

Radio Host, NASCAR, and SAT-7 with Brian Nelson S6 EP#174

In this episode, hear from Brian Nelson, SAT-7 USA Ministry Development Director, as he shares his journey from Christian radio hosting to producing a NASCAR race coverage program for a national radio network and ultimately joining SAT-7 USA in 2022. Learn about Brian’s perspective on stewardship and fund raising, and discover how his past prepared him for his work with SAT-7 USA. Don’t miss Brian’s impactful Holy Land story.

Learn more about SAT-7 USA leadership at www.sat7usa.org/about-us/#staff

Innovative Heart-Language Bible Distribution with Dirk Smith S5 EP#173

In this episode, Dirk Smith with EEM explains how their innovative heart-language Bible distribution ministry is making Bibles and Bible materials available to the nations of Eastern Europe and beyond. Learn what it means to be a collaborative, coming alongside ministry that is empowering their ministry partners.

“When someone reads the Bible for the first time in their language, they realize just how much the God of the universe loves them,” continues Smith. “This is how God’s Word transforms us.” 

Today, EEM publishes and prints Bibles and New Testaments as well as Teen Bibles, Children’s Bibles and Bible activity books, distributing them through a vast network of partner churches and organizations reaching more than 35+ countries and 25+ languages, including Farsi and Arabic, and in nations like Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan.

Building Your Spiritual Tool Kit with Dr. Ivan Filby S5 EP#172

In this episode of Unconventional Ministry, Dr. Ivan Filby discusses the spiritual journey and his "spiritual tool kit." With forty years in ministry and higher education and as a former business professor, business school dean, university president, and now the president and CEO of Seedbed, Dr. Filby has experienced much success in his career. Yet, despite his deep dive into the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit, he candidly admits that he continues to struggle with knowing exactly what the Spirit desires for his life. Why does he still face doubts and questions? What spiritual tools do we all need to navigate our faith? Join us for an inspiring and honest conversation about the realities of following the Spirit and the tools that can help sustain us in times of uncertainty.

Dr. Filby's new book Speak Tenderly: Prophetic Ministry Seasoned with Grace is available from Seedbed Publishing. Filby leaves readers with a toolkit of resources to make this area of ministry not only accessible, but also practical!

Unseen Chains: Breaking Human Trafficking with Marilyn Arnold S5 EP#171

In this episode, our topic is human trafficking. My guest is Marilyn Arnold, CEO of Success by Design. Learn about the harsh realities of human trafficking. Did you know that 90% of trafficking victims come into contact with healthcare workers while they are actively being exploited, but less than 5% are identified? Learn what the symptoms are to look for.

An estimated 50,000 people are trafficked into or within the country each year, though exact figures are difficult to determine due to the hidden nature of the crime. Of these, a significant proportion are minors. Marilyn shares how this is even happening in the church. We are losing our children to human trafficking. Marilyn is working very hard to educate law enforcement, ER personnel, teachers, and parents.

Some Resources For You To Learn More In Helping Make A Difference:

The Human Trafficking Training Center  

Paradigm Shift Training and Consulting 

Marilyn Arnold 

SAT-7: Meeting Middle East Youth Where They Are with Juliana Sfeir S5 EP#170

In this episode, Juliana Sfeir, Arabic Public Engagement Manager with the Middle East and North Africa's media ministry, SAT-7, shares her inspiring journey.

SAT-7 is a groundbreaking Middle East broadcast media ministry that has been transforming lives in the Middle East and North Africa for 28 years. Starting with a vision to create a new media model and narrative for the region, the ministry now offers an innovative, multilingual, video-on-demand platform, SAT-7 PLUS – the first of its kind in the region.

Please tune in to hear Juliana discuss SAT-7’s unique approach, their challenges, and how they’ve become a pioneering force, delivering hope, education, and faith-based content to millions.

Previous Episodes You Will Find Informative:

Episode #166 SAT-7 Ministry Strengthening Middle East Christianity with Rami Al Halaseh. This episode focuses on SAT-7, the leading Christian media brand in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Learn from Rami Al Halaseh, Executive Director of Arabic Channels and Digital Media, how SAT-7 has become a crucial spiritual lifeline for Christians in the region, many of whom are unable to attend physical churches. SAT-7 is a media-based ministry that provides faith-based programming to foster and sustain its viewers' spiritual lives.

Episode #147  Charting New Ministry Paths: MENA's Five Transformative Challenges with Dr. Terence Ascott. Dr. Ascott navigates through five pressing challenges confronting the region today and their profound impact on the Church and ministry. From escalated conflicts to restricted press freedom and limited education access to the deprivation of women's and religious rights, each issue presents a unique hurdle. However, Dr. Ascott unveils how SAT-7 is ingeniously addressing these challenges and fostering transformative change through innovative approaches.

 

Are You Missing Half of the Gospel? With Dr. Matt O’Reilly S5 EP#169

In this episode, Dr. Matt O'Reilly, author of Free to Be Holy and pastor of Christ Church Birmingham, reflects on his experiences as a church-going teenager who felt deeply frustrated with his Christian faith. Despite his active participation in church activities, he felt something essential was lacking.

He began to question whether there was more to Christianity than the rituals and teachings he had grown accustomed to. This led him on a journey of discovery, where he realized that he had only understood part of the Gospel. Something he feels many others in the American Church are also missing.

In the podcast, Dr. O'Reilly explains this missing part of the Gospel and how it can transform a believer's faith journey. He discusses how many Christians in America may find themselves in a similar position, attending church regularly but feeling disconnected from the full power and promise of the Gospel. Through his own experiences and insights, Dr. O'Reilly invites listeners to explore the deeper, often overlooked aspects of Christianity that can lead to a more fulfilling and vibrant spiritual life.

Visit www.theologyproject.online to learn more about his ministry.

Healing From Past Trauma Through God Stories with Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch S5 EP#168

In this episode, you will learn from the remarkable journey of Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch, Founder and CEO of Altered Stories. Mischelle is dedicated to helping Christian women across the globe heal from past trauma and brokenness through the power of faith-filled God stories.

In this episode, Mischelle shares her own transformative experience with a cult during her early childhood years. She opens up about how this traumatic event became a pivotal moment in her life. Through her personal testimony, Mischelle sheds light on the importance of embracing and sharing redemptive and transformational stories that showcase God’s grace and healing power.

Altered Stories is a platform that amplifies these powerful narratives, providing hope and encouragement to women everywhere. By listening to these stories, women are empowered to overcome their pasts and find strength in their faith. Join us as we explore Mischelle’s incredible journey and learn how Altered Stories, filled with inspiration, hope, and the undeniable power of God’s love, is making a profound impact in the lives of countless women.

Ending Intergenerational Incarceration Cycle with Mike Broyles S5 EP#168

Research shows that 70% of inmates' children will end up incarcerated. In this episode, guest Mike Broyles, Executive Director of Lifeline Global Ministries, shares what he has learned visiting over 90 prisons in America and around the world. In all the prisons Mike has visited, he has only met one male inmate who had a father who was a good role model at home. Crime follows from generation to generation.

Learn how Lifeline Global is working to end intergenerational incarceration. Learn how you can participate in programs like Malachi’s Dad and Hannah’s Gift and bring hope to incarcerated parents of minor children.

Mike Broyles is the author of a fascinating book called Only God: Transforming One Inmate and Family at a Time.