Unconventional Ministry

Charting New Ministry Paths: MENA's Five Transformative Challenges with Dr. Terence Ascott S5 EP #147

Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series, where we delve into the dynamic landscape of the Middle East and North Africa with Dr. Terence Ascott, the visionary Founder and President of SAT-7. In this enlightening discussion, 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 from 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 as a pioneering broadcast media ministry is ingeniously addressing these challenges and fostering transformative change through innovative approaches.

In his gripping memoir, Dare to Believe! Stories of Faith from the Middle East, Dr. Terrence Ascott unveils his personal odyssey amidst civil unrest, detentions, and the birth pains of SAT-7. Seamlessly interwoven with his narrative are the compelling stories of Middle Eastern Christians and the exponential growth of SAT-7 into a beacon of hope, broadcasting across Arabic, Turkish, and Persian regions. With each chapter, Dr. Ascott paints a vivid picture of resilience, faith, and the unwavering commitment to illuminate the darkest corners with the light of the Gospel.

SAT-7 emerges as a powerful force for change, shedding light in the darkest recesses of the region. Dr. Ascott passionately articulates how your partnership and support fuel SAT-7's mission to make God's love visible and confront the prevailing challenges in the region head-on. As listeners, you're invited to join hands in this transformative journey, discovering actionable ways to contribute towards a brighter future for the marginalized, the questioning, and the Isolated Believers. Together, we can ignite a movement of compassion, understanding, and profound change in the Middle East and beyond. Join us in making a difference today. Visit https://www.sat7usa.org/get-involved to learn more.

You can download a sample chapter of the book or receive a downloadable PDF and ePub version of the complete abridged book as a thank-you for a gift of any amount. Visit http://sat7usa.org/daretobelievebook.

TCK Ministry: Bridging Cultural Borders with Nate and Katy Wiens S5 EP #146

In this compelling episode, listeners delve into the transformative journey that Nate and Katy Wiens experienced as they transitioned from coaching at a prominent American university to embarking on a profound international ministry with Avant Ministries and serving at Black Forest Academy – an accredited international Christian school. Through candid insights, they share the arduous process of navigating the challenges inherent in such a significant life shift. From the complexities of identifying a suitable sending agency to the daunting task of uprooting their lives from familiarity, the family sheds light on the intricacies of raising essential financial support and acclimating to a foreign culture and language. Their narrative underscores the resilience required to navigate the uncertainties of transitioning into the world of Third Culture Kids (TCK) while maintaining a steadfast commitment to their faith-driven mission.

At the heart of their narrative lies the family's poignant motto: "keeping our 'yes' on the table." This powerful mantra serves not only as a guiding principle but also as a testament to their unwavering faith and dedication to their missional journey. Through the lens of their experiences, listeners glean valuable insights into the profound impact of maintaining openness to life's myriad opportunities and challenges. Their story resonates as a testament to the transformative power of faith and perseverance in navigating the complexities of cross-cultural ministry and embracing the unknown with courage and conviction.

 

Another episode on the TCK

The Third Culture Kid (TCK) Cultural Adaptability in a Multicultural World EP #75. In this podcast episode, my guest, Brooke Wiens, delves into the intriguing topic of "Cultural Adaptability in a Multicultural World," focusing on Third Culture Kids (TCKs). Ms. Wiens, an Emergent Bilingual Teacher in North Kansas City Schools, shares her unique perspective as a TCK herself, having grown up in West Africa and experiencing the challenges of re-entry into the US every four years. With a rich background as a traveler and global thinker, she emphasizes the importance of creating a sense of safety and belonging for children from diverse cultural backgrounds. As a board member of Interaction International, a ministry dedicated to supporting TCKs, Ms. Wiens sheds light on the increasing global population of over 220 million TCKs. The episode explores her role as a teacher in connecting with families and fostering a sense of belonging for children navigating the complexities of cultural adaptation.

Marketplace Kingdom-Minded Entrepreneurs with Rylee Meek S5 EP #145

In this episode, learn from Rylee Meek, Founder of The King's Council – a nonprofit ministry that serves as an extension of the local church. Their mission is to disciple Christian entrepreneurs in order to increase the tithe and initiate radical generosity for the purpose of Kingdom advancement here on earth.

The King's Council equips Kingdom-minded entrepreneurs with the tools, systems, and frameworks necessary to discover, develop, and deploy their God-given vision into the marketplace. 

Previous episodes you will find interesting:

• EP #143 Grandparents –The Most Neglected in the Church with Dr. Don Hawkins. Among the local church ministries, grandparents are the most overlooked and neglected resource of the local church. Dr. Hawkins is now changing the statistics! Through The Master Life Coach Training Institute's GrandCoaching™ course – an easy-to-use multimedia presentation that you can take at your own pace – grandparents can bond with their grandchildren, set a godly example, and communicate biblical truth to them to help shape their worldview.

 

• EP #130 An Innovative Sustainable Solution for Church Planting with Sean Benesh. Do we need to throw out many of the present “rules” in the church planting ministry?

 

Innovation to Reduce Your Nonprofit’s Loan Payments with Todd Tarbert S5 EP #144

Would realizing savings of up to 60% on your monthly loan payments help your church? In this episode, learn from Todd Tarbert, Founder and CEO of Semble, an innovative and unique approach to lowering your nonprofit’s monthly loan payments. Semble is a company that addresses loan needs for churches, nonprofits, and ministries, and typically, through Semble’s innovative and unique approach, they can lower a nonprofit’s monthly loan payments by 40% to 60% to help further their mission.

Todd shares how Kingdom Impact Investing can be a game changer for your ministry. Nonprofits are providing some of the most vital services in the life of their communities, but resources are perpetually in short supply. Without another dollar given, learn how Semble solves this by bringing a customized solution that can free up significant dollars for nonprofits and ministries that have loan needs.

Thank you to the sponsor of the Unconventional Ministry podcast: SAT-7 USA. The SAT-7 broadcast media ministry is making God’s love visible in the Middle East and North Africa, where nearly 97% of the people are non-Christian. While many of these countries are closed to the Gospel, SAT-7's four satellite TV channels and online media bypass censorship. Viewers are coming to faith, and Christians are growing in their faith. For many believers in the Middle East and North Africa, SAT-7 is their sole connection to other Christians.

Grandparents – The Most Neglected in the Church with Dr. Don Hawkins S5 EP #143

In this episode, learn from Dr. Don Hawkins why it is important for grandparents to be empathetic listeners, ask cultivating questions, and have compassionate communication with their grandchildren. Cancel culture, sexual distortion, and other cultural shifts have penetrated our public education system and our society. Clearly, we live in a post-Christian era. But there is hope … godly grandparents.

Among the local church ministries, resources for the grandparents are the most overlooked and neglected segment of the local church. Dr. Hawkins is now changing the statistics! Through The Master Life Coach Training Institute's GrandCoaching™ course – an easy-to-use multimedia presentation that you can take at your own pace – grandparents can bond with their grandchildren, set a godly example, communicate biblical truth to them to help shape their worldview, and perhaps lead them to personal faith in Christ. For more information, visit https://grandcoaching.org/.

Dr. Don Hawkins is a veteran conference and seminar speaker with pastoral experience, former president of a Bible College, former Vice President and Executive Director of the Minirth Meier Clinic, author or co-author of over 20 books. He served at Back to the Bible as co-host and was producer of the Back to the Bible radio program. He has also hosted the live nationwide call-in program, Life Perspectives, and was also President/CEO of Encouragement Communications and General Manager of The Worship Channel. Now he is the host of “Encouragement Live” heard on Saturday evening at American Family Radio. The SAT-7 ministry is a regular guest on the program.

Here are several recent podcasts episodes you may find interesting:

• #141 Telling Stories That Shape One’s Imagination - Heather Pubols. How does telling stories shape one’s imagination? What is the storytelling role of the ministry nonprofit? Heather shares about the lack of funding for good storytelling in mission agencies and churches, emphasizing the importance of stories in transforming people's imagination and involvement in missions.  Learn how to revitalize global ministry and engage the Church with stories!
  
  
• #140 A Soccer Ball with a Goal - Mike Morris' goal was to energize the world's children with the Gospel message. Learn how God put an innovative idea in their mind, resulting in a multicolored soccer ball in their hand to reach their goal. 

Making The Impossible Possible with Dr. Terence Ascott S5 EP #142

In the episode, learn from Dr. Terrence Ascott, a pioneering innovator in Middle East Christian media who founded SAT-7. Learn how what was thought to be impossible was made possible – a broadcast media ministry aiming to make the gospel available across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Dr. Ascott shares his epiphany moment when he realized the power of television in making the Gospel available to people who are not functionally literate, the poor, women, and children.

Learn how SAT-7's (SAT-7 USA) unique model differs from traditional Christian television stations by giving a platform to local churches and focusing on culturally appropriate programming. Over the past 27 years, SAT-7 has witnessed significant changes in media technology and societal attitudes in the Middle East and North Africa, presenting both challenges and opportunities for sharing the Christian faith. Learn more by visiting www.terenceascott.com for more ministry information about Dr. Ascott's captivating book "Dare to Believe."

“Dare to Believe! Stories of Faith from the Middle East” is the memoir of SAT-7 Founder and President Dr. Terrence Ascott. The book combines his exciting personal story of living through civil wars, kidnappings, detentions, and deportation with the courageous witness of Middle East Christians and the birth and growth of SAT-7 into a media network that today broadcasts to millions in Arabic, Turkish, and Persian.

You can download a sample chapter of the book or receive a downloadable PDF and ePub version of the complete abridged book as a thank-you for a gift of any amount. Visit http://sat7usa.org/daretobelievebook/ to learn more.

Telling Stories That Shape One’s Imagination with Heather Pubols S4 EP #141

In this episode, learn from guest Heather Pubols as we discuss the role of the Christian nonprofit in telling stories that shape one’s imagination.

Heather Pubols is an experienced nonprofit communications leader, a passionate storyteller, the founder of Le Motif, and editor of Missio Nexus’ Evangelical Missions Quarterly (EMQ).

How does telling stories shape one’s imagination? What is the storytelling role of the ministry nonprofit? Heather shares about the lack of funding for good storytelling in mission agencies and churches, emphasizing the importance of stories in transforming people's imagination and involvement in missions.

Learn how to revitalize global ministry and engage the Church with stories!

Several recent podcasts focused on the Middle East. Here are the links:

• EP #139 Resiliency in the Midst of Crisis – A Holy Land Update with Pastor Hanna Massad. In this episode, Dr. Hanna Massad discusses the challenges faced by Christians in Gaza, including limited resources and persecution. He emphasizes that despite these difficulties, the Christian community remains strong in their faith and support for one another.
• EP #138  Unique Firsthand Perspectives of the Iranian Church with Rev. Tat Stewart. Rev. Tat Stewart masterfully and humorously tell the story of how God wove the details of his life together and raised him up to become an influential part of the spiritual awakening in Iran in the 1970s. At a time when few foreigners could observe the impact of the Iranian Revolution, Tat, being no stranger to the people of Iran, was given a unique window to see firsthand how the Gospel spread like wildfire there.

A Soccer Ball with a Goal with Mike Morris S4 EP #140

In this episode, learn from Mike Morris, founder of Children's Evangelistic Ministries (CEMI) and creator of the multicolored soccer ball. Mike’s goal was to energize the world's children with the Gospel message. Learn how God put an innovative idea in their mind, resulting in a multicolored soccer ball in their hand to reach their goal.

The multicolored soccer ball was inspired by Mike’s 20 years working for CEF and using The Wordless Book. The Wordless Book works as a powerful evangelism tool, using colored pages to share the Gospel with children – even with no words! Evidence points to it being invented by the famous London Baptist preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon in a message given on January 11, 1866, to several hundred orphans regarding Psalm 51:7.

To order multicolored soccer balls, hacky sack balls, soap, and handmade bracelets, visit the website Energia Products to learn more and order products. Energiaproducts.org is the product arm of CEMI, developed to make it easier to obtain Energia products.

Please consider ordering some soccer balls for your church, ministry, kids club, or Sunday school class. If you type into the discount code at checkout SAT723 you will receive a 10% discount on all products until the end of the year. 

Resiliency in the Midst of Crisis – A Holy Land Update with Pastor Hanna Massad S4 EP #139

Pastor Hanna Massad was born and raised in Gaza and is the first from Gaza to pastor Gaza Baptist Church. In this episode, Dr. Hanna Massad discusses the challenges faced by Christians in Gaza, including limited resources and persecution. He emphasizes that despite these difficulties, the Christian community remains strong in their faith and support for one another.

Pastor Hanna, Founder and CEO of the Christian Mission to Gaza, provides practical and spiritual assistance to persecuted Christians, refugees, orphans, and widows, not only in Gaza, but also in the West Bank, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon. For more information on the Christian Mission to Gaza, contact Dr. Hanna Massad via email at hannamassad@cm2g.org​

Check Out Previous Podcast Episodes:

• EP #135 The New Center in Global Christianity – Now What? with Dr. Allen Yeh. In this episode, learn about how the global center of Christianity has shifted away from America and is now represented by young, female, black, or brown individuals from the Global South who are poor and uneducated. This shift impacts how missions should be approached, with a focus on equipping and training rather than traditional evangelism.
  
  
• EP #137 Writing the Book You Always Wanted to Write - Gary Brumbelow In this episode, Gary Brumbelow shares about his journey to write a novel, sharing helpful hints as well as some challenges. He discusses why many books are abandoned by readers, emphasizing the importance of crafting believable and relatable stories.

 

Unique Firsthand Perspectives of the Iranian Church with Rev. Tat Stewart S4 EP #138

In this episode, listen to Rev. Tat Stewart masterfully and humorously tell the story of how God wove the details of his life together and raised him up to become an influential part of the spiritual awakening in Iran in the 1970s. At a time when few foreigners could observe the impact of the Iranian Revolution, Tat, being no stranger to the people of Iran, was given a unique window to see firsthand how the Gospel spread like wildfire there. Learn how his experience of living among Iranians prepared him to be an effective shepherd for a whole new generation of Iranian Christians as an influential leader and teacher in the Iranian Church. Rev. Tat Stewart recently published his new book "No Stranger: to Iran, its People, and its Church," available on Amazon.

Rev. Stewart has a weekly Farsi language program, answering viewers' questions on the SAT-7 PARS Farsi satellite channel.

Rev Stewart is also the Founder and Editor of SHABAN MAGAZINE, a Farsi pastoral journal for Farsi-speaking ministers. You can reach Rev. Tat Stewart through his email tatstewart@comcast.net.

Recent Unconventional Ministry podcast episodes you will enjoy: 

• S4 EP #131 The Social Media Phenomenon in the Asbury 2023 Revival - Dr. Mark Elliot. Hear Dr. Mark Elliot's firsthand perspectives on what he personally observed and learned during the Asbury University revival in February 2023. Learn about the social media phenomenon that was unique in the Asbury 2023 Revival.
• S4 EP #134 Empowering Women in International Ministry - CJ Callahan. In this episode, a volunteer worship leader with Thrive Ministry discusses the purpose and unique aspects of the organization. Thrive Ministry aims to provide spiritual resources and support for North American women doing ministry overseas. CJ shares her personal experience as a worship leader at these retreats and highlights how they have positively impacted the missionary women.