Unconventional Ministry

A Retirement Hobby - Dennis Wiens S4 EP#120

In this week's episode, learn how Dennis Wiens found his retirement hobby. As Dennis approached retirement age, various people had numerous suggestions of various hobbies he could consider doing in his retirement. None seemed to appeal to or fit his skill set and experience.

One aspect of his work with SAT-7 USA is the opportunity to travel and do networking. He enjoys meeting new people, hearing their stories, and learning from them. During his travels, he has found it inspiring to see how God works through so many people across America in fun, engaging, innovative, and creative ways! After hearing so many stories, Dennis decided to share his encounters through podcasting.

Each Tuesday, there is a new episode of the Unconventional Ministry Podcast hosted by Dennis. The podcast is a conversation about fresh ministry ideas, new approaches, and collaborative efforts.

Dennis also is the host of the SAT-7 USA's Beyond Borders Prayer Zoom, a monthly meeting connecting ministry partners and friends of the ministry with on-the-ground SAT-7 staff from the Middle East and North Africa. It is a time to hear firsthand about the challenges of ministering in a region where 97% of people are non-Christian and how to pray more effectively to make God’s love visible. Here is a link to register for the monthly Beyond Borders Prayer Zoom.

Check out all of the past Unconventional Ministry Podcast episodes here.

Why Culture Listens Better to Artists Than to Preachers with Rev. Dr. Byron Spradlin S4 EP#119

In this episode, learn why today’s culture listens better to artists than to preachers. The guest Rev. Dr. Byron Spradlin, Founder and CEO of ACT International. The American Church has not always adequately understood and embraced artistic people, strategies, and methods; consequently, there are few places that integrate innovative and artistic ministry people into the life and ministry of the Church. A biblical definition of the term "craftsman" is a person unusually wise at imaginative design or expression. The Church needs imaginative expression specialists and ministerial strategists.

The Church is losing the assets of some of the Church’s most powerful and effective servants.

Generation Z and Their Apologetic of Action with Brian Grasso S4 Ep#118

In this episode, hear about the inspiring work of Simple Charity and their mission to inspire Christian college students to live in solidarity with people experiencing poverty and injustice. Words are not enough – Gen Z needs an apologetic of action! Featured in the podcast episode is co-founder Brian Grasso who discusses the organization's approach to living out six practices of trust, gratitude, prayer, fasting, giving, and service.

Learn valuable insights into how to evaluate charity nonprofits that are truly making a difference in serving the poor and advancing God's Kingdom by sharing the criteria that Simple Charity uses to select their partner organizations. Simple Charity believes that, as Christians, we are responsible for serving those in need and working towards a more just society. We do this by partnering with organizations that are making a real difference in the lives of the poor and by providing opportunities for students to get involved in service projects and advocacy efforts.

#socialaction #community  #volunteer #getinvolved #socialchange #generationz #genz

Keeping Kids Connected in Deployed Military Families with Mitchell Aguirre S4 #117

In this episode, learn about the war being waged on our children. They are being negatively influenced in school, at home, and on the internet. This is especially true of the 1,200,000 million military children of active-duty members worldwide and the nearly 2 million “total-force dependent children.” Military children struggle with 3 things: depression, loneliness, and bullying.  

My guest is Mitchell Aguirre, the founder of a unique approach to changing these statistics. Mitch founded the Keeping Kids Connected ministry as the nonprofit arm of Adventures Of, his for-profit company that helps adults stay connected to kids long-distance.

Their initial campaign is targeting 840,000 military kids between the ages of 3 – 11. They use personalized and customized adventure stories where a child and parent become the main characters. Instead of the child receiving a complete book at one time, they receive one chapter every three weeks for an entire year.

The Christian-themed stories teach kids godly principles and lessons while experiencing adventures, challenges, and fun. This brings them closer to their parent and Jesus Christ.

Extending Christian Radio Broadcasting Through Digital Technology with Teddy Caputo S4 Ep#116

In this episode, learn how Teddy Caputo, Digital Media Director, and Mars Hill Network is modernizing through digital technology. Hear about how blending the established radio with new digital media expands their impact and reach to new audiences and meets the needs of their growing audience.

Learn what their challenges are in establishing digital media for a traditional radio ministry. Their multi-faceted digital media approach, like their Faith Feature video series, brings hope to the journey from wherever you are. Teddy interviews Christian community members about their faith & personal testimony in Jesus Christ, how their faith helps them get through their life challenges, and how God is leading His followers in ministry.

#UnconventionalMinistry #christianradio #christianmusic #radio #DigitalTechnology #MarsHillNetwork #hopeinthejourney 

Triaging Competing Voices – The Sound of Leadership with Dr. Jules Glanzer S4 Ep#115

In this episode, Dr. Jules Glanzer shares insights from his many years of experience in leadership, both in the Church as well as in Christian higher education. Looking at the 7 basic sectors of society: family, entertainment, media, business, religion, education, and government, Dr. Glanzer shares his thoughts on:

• Where is leadership in America today?
• Is there a crisis of leadership?
• How is the American church being impacted?
• 3 basic differences between a person who is driven by kingdom leadership versus various types of marketplace leadership.

His book Sound of Leadership shares his kingdom notes to fine-tune your life and influence. Available at https://www.inviteresources.com/lp/sound-of-leadership-landing.

Sharing Hope through the Sports Philanthropy Network with Kayla Bradham S4 Ep#114

In this episode, my guest Kayla Bradham shares how the Sports Philanthropy Network works with professional athletes. Their mission is to assist athletes, teams, leagues and other sports organizations in harnessing the power of sports to create hope and possibility. Kayla shares how many of the athletes have great faith, and most people will never hear about the great work they are doing or WHY they are doing it.

Learn why Kayla thinks she has the best job in the world. If it’s your vision, it’s your mission!

#sportsphilanthropy #sports #hope #purpose #unconventionalministry

Revolutionizing Church Mission Displays – Creating an Interactive Experience with Paul Douglas S4 Ep#113

In this episode, learn how Digital Missions Display, a ministry providing technology solutions for churches, is revolutionizing church display boards with an engaging, interactive experience.

This ministry helps bring missionary engagement in the local church into the 21st century by using touchscreen technology that allows church members to interact with the information, and access emails, websites, videos, QR codes, and more, all at their fingertips in real-time.

For far too long, an overwhelming number of church congregants were unable to identify the missionaries they support, let alone know their names and missions. To transform this disheartening reality, Paul Douglas explains his interactive touchscreen display that features world and continental maps, allowing church members to easily access information on their supported missionaries with just the touch of a finger. Through this innovative approach, they aim to cultivate deeper connections and foster a greater understanding of the church’s global missions.

In International Development, How You Help Matters with Tim Brokopp S4 EP#112

In this episode, learn from TCK (Third Culture Kid) Tim Brokopp, Founder and Executive Director of the Amoveo Group. Growing up in Africa as a TCK has given Tim a unique approach and perspective on local, sustainable solutions in international development.

Amoveo Group is a non-profit development organization that exists to see broken systems fixed in communities all over the world. Hear how they mobilize people, materials, and financial investments in projects which spur sustainable solutions to physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. The model of ministry a ministry operates by will drastically affect its ministry’s impact. A must is for the local people to identify what is broken and not working and then collectively seek a local, sustainable solution. #internationaldevelopment #development #africa #nonprofit #sustainabledevelopment #charity #changemakers

Christian Media in Hard-To-Reach Places with Dr. Ron Harris S4 EP#111

In this episode, hear from Dr. Ron Harris and the efforts of Media Alliance International to strengthen local Christian media in the hardest-to-reach places. Ron shares his thoughts on ministry partnerships and global Christian media trends.

As Dr. Harris has observed the growth of the SAT-7 media ministry over several decades, what stands out most to him? He notes a leadership trait other ministry leaders could learn from.