Unconventional Ministry

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.

Remember to share this episode with those that might have an interest in the topic. You can also subscribe to the podcast so you do not miss an episode.

Finding Meaning in the Midst of Personal Tragedy with Beth Thorpe S4 EP#100

In this episode, you will hear the powerful story of how Beth Thorp and her husband turned a personal tragedy, the death of their teenage son Mitchell, into something meaningful, while keeping faith in God’s plan.

When there is a serious childhood illness in the family, 75% of families will divorce or separate. The Thorps created the Mitchell Thorp Foundation in honor of the tragic death of their son. Mitchell Thorp Foundation's mission is to support families whose children suffer from life-threatening illnesses, diseases, and disorders by providing financial, emotional, and resource support to their desperate situations. It is based on the experience the Thorpe family went through (www.mitchellthorp.org). To date, none of the hundreds of families and thousands of kids they have helped have ended in divorce or separation.

Beth Thorp has recently published Mitchel’s story called ANEW Creation: Finding Meaning in the Midst of Tragedy. More information about the story is available at www.anewcreation.org.

Overcoming Fear to Meet a Refugee’s Biggest Need with Nikki S4 EP#99

In this episode, learn how a local church member, Nikki, was able to overcome her biggest fear and help meet a refugee’s biggest need – to have a genuine friendship! Her church recently formed a food drive ministry to meet the practical physical needs of Afghan refugees, which opened the door to conversations, relationships, and spiritual conversations.

Their ministry further led to them providing ESL/English help for the refugee women, and more recently, several of the men were also able to learn English. Nikki’s encouragement to listeners is to be willing to take risks. It is important to get over our basic fear, the fear of failure.

Conversational Apologetics That Results in Transformational Relationships with Dr. Fouad Masri S4 EP#98

In this episode, learn from author, lecturer, founder and CEO of the Crescent Project, Fouad Masri. Fouad grew up in Beirut, Lebanon, and he is a third-generation ordained pastor who has written 14 books, including his newest book Sharing Jesus With Muslims.

 

In Sharing Jesus with Muslims, Fouad Masri shares a step-by-step strategy for Christians to set aside fear, excuses, and differences in order to share the good news of Jesus. Rich with stories and conversation starters, the book gives readers tangible and respectful ways to initiate friendships and minister to the felt needs of Muslims.

The 3 Essentials of Transformational Church Growth Capital with Dirk Scates S4 EP#97

In this episode, you will learn why church growth is about more than just church attendance. Only when a church is properly resourced with the three essentials of transformational capital can church growth happen and lives be transformed. My Unconventional Ministry guest is Dirk Scates, Vice President of Ministry Development with CDF Capital. 

While CDF Capital sounds might sound like an investment firm, their focus is really on discipleship and church growth! Since 1953, CDF Capital has been helping churches get the resources they need to transform lives and communities.