Unconventional Ministry

Lessons Learned Visiting 57 Immigrant Churches with John Yoder S4 EP#110

In the episode, hear from John Yoder, Founder and President of Immigrant Ministry Connections. John has visited 57 immigrant churches in Minneapolis. Learn why the immigrant Church and the American Church struggle to work together.

The Immigrant Ministry Connections website is a valuable collection of resources for the American Church. One resource is the Directories of partner-friendly ministry agencies. Other resource categories are: "Best websites for beginners," "Ministry specialist organizations," "American partnering organizations," and "Canadian partnering organizations." Visit https://www.immigrantministry.com/networking to learn more.

Simply Put – How Jesus Saves Us with Dr. Joshua McNall S4 EP#109

In this episode, author and professor Josh NcNall talks about his 10-year-old daughter’s struggle. Although they experienced a recent death in the family that caused sadness, Jesus’ death was called "good news." During their devotions one evening, she asked her dad, “How does Jesus save us by dying on the cross?” It was not a simple and straightforward answer.

While atonement is a central theme of Christianity, the ensuing question “How?” demands attention. How does a brutal and shameful crucifixion provide salvation?

Josh was prompted to write about atonement theology – how God reconciles us to Himself through Christ’s atoning death and resurrection, yet in a way everyone can understand. The book is called “Jesus Saves Us” and is available where books are sold.

A Ministry Game Changer for On-The-Go Audiences with Shady Francis S4 EP#108

In this episode, hear from SAT-7's Arabic Channels Digital Director Shady Francis. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions have some of the world's most prolific social media users. As a result, social media is now highly integrated into people's daily lives.

Learn how social media sources are often more trusted than traditional media. Family and friends pass on news and other information via Facebook and other platforms, implicitly endorsing it, and they become trusted sources of information.

Shady shares what this means for Christian ministries like SAT-7, an established and trusted broadcast media ministry based in the MENA region.

What does this mean for the Church? What does this mean for your ministry?

Music’s Powerful Force in Healing People From Trauma with Dr. Connie Fortunato S4 EP#107

In this episode, learn how music is a powerful force in individual development – academically, emotionally, and socially. Music heals young people from trauma and gives them hope and self-confidence.

My guest Connie Fortunato is the Founder and CEO of Canticum Novum International. Canticum Novum International, which consists of two divisions, Music Camp International and Musedics International, is a non-religious NGO registered in the United States, Romania, Ukraine, and Poland. They work across all barriers – political, geographic, religious, social, economic, and ethnic – to include all young people. Their mission is "Transforming youth, communities, and countries through the power of music."

Because music integrates all parts of the brain, many children that have difficulty in traditional academics excel in music. And because Canticum Novum International provides a unique approach to learning, children with special needs are able to be integrated into the program.

How to Provide Spiritual Trauma Relief in Natural Disasters with Dr. Rex Rogers S4 EP#106

In this episode, learn how the Middle East broadcast media ministry SAT-7 provides spiritual trauma relief to those affected by the Türkiye and Syrian earthquakes.

My guest is Dr. Rex Rogers, President of SAT-7 USA, former president of Cornerstone University, prolific author, blogger, and host of the Discerning What Is Best podcast.

In natural disasters like the Türkiye and Syrian earthquakes, the first wave of relief is search, rescue, and recovery. The immediate need is for the physical relief with providing food, clothing, shelter, health and medical care, and safety.

The second wave of relief needed is for PTSD, panic attacks, anxiety, and depression, when people ask existential questions like “Where is God?” or “Does He care?” “What happened to my friend who died?” “What happens to me if I die?”

Learn how SAT-7 is providing Spiritual Trauma Relief, not only to the affected areas of the natural disaster but to the nation and the diaspora, all asking these existential questions.

Ending the Epidemic of Poor Vision in the Developing World With Greg Wiens S4 EP#105

In this episode, learn how Global Vision 2020 was founded to help end the epidemic of poor vision in the developing world. Their innovative and unique system enables the delivery of corrective eyeglasses in minutes for a few dollars per person.

My guest Greg Wiens, pastor at Westwood Community Church, is a missions mobilizer and the Faith-Based Coordinator at Global Vision 2020. Greg works with Multiply, the international development wing for the Mennonite Brethren denomination.

Over 2.5 billion people lack access to an optometrist. This results in their limitations in education, prosperity, and self-sufficiency. In the United States, there’s about one optometrist for every 8,000 people. However, in many developing nations, there can be as few as one optometrist for every 1 million people, making it difficult to screen and provide eyeglasses for those who need them.

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The Missing Ingredient to Desired Significant Relationships with Derrick Steele S4 EP#104

In this episode, hear how to captivate hearts, minds, and imaginations with the "adventure" that life with God is meant to be! A look at a refreshing return to an unapologetically sacred, historical, and Jesus-focused ministry. My guest is Derrick Steele, author, screenwriter, pastor, and founder of The Warriors Path ministry.  

While there are many obstacles and distractions in our modern culture and society, there is importance in creating a convergence between a man's religious thinking and his often disconnected desire to live a meaningful, significant, and heroic (Christian) life.

One of the central themes of The Warriors Path is the deep significance we attach to our relationships and the conviction we hold firmly to: that having “fellowship,” or people to walk with through life’s adventures, is a huge portion of life’s joy – and a sadly missing ingredient in most of our modern western lives.

A Deaf-led Sustainable Church Planting Movement with Dr. Rob Myers S4 EP#103

In this episode, learn why deafness is more than just hearing loss; it is a unique culture, a rich language, and a community of over 70 million people globally! While 90% of the deaf are born to hearing parents, about 85% of those parents choose not to learn sign language or to sign with their deaf children. Why is that? Ron Myers, CEO of DOOR International, the largest Christian ministry focused on seeing Deaf people reached with the Gospel, joins the Unconventional Ministry Podcast to explain.

Deaf people, even those who grow up in Christian homes, can be so close to the Gospel and yet so far from it. Those of us in the hearing world tend to think of deafness as a disability, but many deaf do not regard their deafness as a physical handicap. It is simply how they are and is a distinction they live with. 

DOOR International‘s goal is that 50% of the world’s 70 million Deaf will have access to God’s Word in their heart language and a Deaf-led sustainable church planting movement among their own people group by the year 2025. Rob shares how close they really are to their goal.

Learn practical ways you can advocate for the deaf as well as help DOOR International reach its 50% sustainable church planting movement goal. Check out The Facts.

Missions Innovation in the Context of Urbanization, Globalization, and Multidirectional Migration with Dr. Jared Looney S4 EP#102

More than half of the global population has migrated to or near cities. By 2050, two-thirds of the population will live in metropolitan areas. Urbanization and immigration are transforming the makeup of our cities. Is it time to rethink how the Church in America does missions? How should the local church respond?

In the episode, learn from Dr. Jared Looney with Global City Mission as they promote an innovative local church missions model in the context of rapid urbanization, globalization, multidirectional global migration, and postmodernity.

Please share this episode with your church missions team.

Pastor Retirement – Why Too Few Plan or Prepare with Mark Senseman S4 EP#101

In this episode, you will learn why planning for retirement is vitally important. People will spend about 25% of their lives in retirement years; however, most pastors, missionaries, and full-time ministry people do not plan or prepare for it! 

The number one reason why most church pastors don't retire is that they can't afford to. My guest Mark Senseman with Servant Solutions explains the reasons why this is the case and offers practicable doable solutions.

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