Witness & Persecution with Nik and Ruth Ripken: Recent Episodes
Nik Ripken Ministries
Nik Ripken, with his wife Ruth Ripken, equip you with biblical principles and practices from believers in persecution to help you cross the street and cross the oceans with the love of Jesus.
Nik Ripken tackles one of the most pressing issues facing the modern church: Christian nationalism. Join Nik as he explores what it means to faithfully follow Jesus in a world where politics has been weaponized to divide, define, and instigate hatred. As Christians, we're confronted by a society that challenges our political views side-by-side with our faith. We’re left asking, “How should Christians think about Christian nationalism?”
With thoughtful biblical reflection and stories from his global experience, Nik offers wisdom about how Christians can navigate the tension between national identity and spiritual allegiance to the Almighty God. Whether you're seeking clarity or a deeper understanding, this episode will challenge and encourage you to think critically about how faith shapes your worldview.
Learn more about Nik Ripken ministries at NikRipken.comFollow us on our socials @nikripken on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
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In this episode, Nik Ripken tackles one of the most pressing questions many Christians have: "How should I think about Muslims?" 🌍 With more and more news media pushing out different narratives, especially about the Middle East and Islam - how are we called to view Muslims? With years of experience living and working among Muslim communities, Nik offers insightful, compassionate, and Christ-centered guidance for understanding and engaging with Muslims in our increasingly connected world.Learn more about Nik Ripken ministries at NikRipken.comFollow us on our socials @nikripken on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
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Almost 2 million people from over 40,000 churches embark on short-term international mission trips each year, driven by a desire to serve, make a difference, and spread hope. But how many of these trips actually leave a lasting impact? In this episode, join Nik and Anthony as they dig deep into the complexities of short-term missions and what it really takes to be a helpful volunteer abroad and answer the question "How do you know if a volunteer will be helpful overseas?". Nik shares a candid, eye-opening story about a volunteer he encountered that goes by the name, "Bum", and reflects on the challenges of evaluating a volunteer’s true effectiveness. From the initial excitement of joining a mission to the often-overlooked realities on the ground, this episode offers an honest look at the heart of service. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or considering your first mission trip, you won't want to miss Nik's insights and practical tips on how to ensure that your service truly matters.Learn more about Nik Ripken ministries at NikRipken.comFollow us on our socials @nikripken on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
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Nik and Ruth Ripken welcome Tim and Aileen Challies in this moving episode, where they share their journey through the grief of losing a child and how they’ve found hope and redemption through their faith in Christ. Through raw and honest conversation, they discuss the challenges of navigating such deep sorrow and how their faith has sustained them through the darkest moments.Join us as we dive deep into topics that resonate with the heart of ministry—grief, hope, redemption—and discover how these themes are lived out on the mission field and within the church. This episode serves as a reminder that our deepest wounds can become the source of our most powerful ministry.Learn more about the work of Tim Challies at Challies.comLearn more about Nik Ripken ministries at NikRipken.comFollow us on our socials @nikripken on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
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Join us for a powerful episode of Ripken Reports where Nik Ripken tackles the question: "How does knowing the context of the Bible help us in missions?" In this candid and insightful session, Nik shares his deep understanding and firsthand experiences from the mission field, explaining why understanding the Bible's context is crucial for effective mission work.
Learn more about Nik Ripken ministries at NikRipken.com
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Have you ever thought how powerful it is when you as a believer have the ability to lift up prayer requests directly to God? Nik discusses both the power and practice of prayer as it relates to the first step of evangelism.
Learn more about Nik Ripken ministries at NikRipken.comFollow us on our socials @nikripken on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
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Join us in this episode of Ripken Reports, for an insightful chat with Nik Ripken as he shares a fascinating story about the pitfalls of cultural misunderstandings on the mission field - all starting with a cold Coca-Cola. Ever wondered why getting culture right is so crucial? Join Nik and Anthony in an episode full of wisdom, humor, and great stories. Perfect for anyone curious about missions and cross-cultural experiences!
Learn more about Nik Ripken ministries at NikRipken.com
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Nik reminds us that obeying the Great Commission is not brain surgery - all of us are equipped and capable of sharing Jesus and gathering people in our homes, neighborhoods, and places of work. Listen in as Nik unpacks the simple, everyday obedience that changes the world.
Learn more about Nik Ripken ministries at NikRipken.comFollow us on our socials @nikripken on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
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When is the right time to take significant risks for Jesus?On May 2024, it was announced that a missionary couple in Haiti, Natalie and Davy Lloyd, were murdered by a local gang. Their remains were sent home to Natalie's parents in Missouri. This news shocked the world and brought in a lot of questions when it came to the topic of missions and risks.Join us on this latest episode of Ripken Reports as Nik answers the question that this terrible event has brought back to the surface - "When is the right time to take significant risks for Jesus?"
Learn more about Nik Ripken ministries at NikRipken.com
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Tithing is a common practice in the West to which we rarely give much thought. But what do you do when you are on the edge of lostness with no storehouse in which to give your tithes? Nik sits down to address this issue, and how it relates to our obedience to the "more important matters of the law".
Learn more about Nik Ripken ministries at NikRipken.comFollow us on our socials @nikripken on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
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Welcome to our very FIRST Ripken Report. These shorter episodes are where Nik gives raw and honest answers to all of YOUR questions. This episode's question is "Should I go to seminary or should I get a job in the marketplace?". Tune in and hear what wisdom Nik has to share!Learn more about Nik Ripken Ministries at NikRipken.comFollow us on social media at:Facebook - NikRipkenInstagram - @NikRipkenX - @NikRipken
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After 7 years, our video-based, game-changing missions resource for the global Body of Christ is finally ready to be unveiled this Fall! Nik and Anthony sit down for a surprise conversation sharing the story of how this resource came to be, and what Nik and Ruth hope to see happen through learning from Believers in Persecution in this material.
Learn more about Nik Ripken ministries at NikRipken.com
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The essence of salvation and baptism are often controversial. When so many cultures view truth and relationships so differently, how do we know what comprises an authentic profession of faith in Jesus?
We also have a ton of new and game-changing updates coming to Nik Ripken Ministries, such as new resources, a new website, and new products. To stay up to date, follow us on our socials or check out our website - all listed below!Learn more about Nik Ripken Ministries at NikRipken.comFollow us on social media at:Facebook - NikRipkenInstagram - @NikRipkenX - @NikRipken
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This is a previously recorded speech from Liberty University's Convocation Ceremony titled, "Sheep Among Wolves". We thought it was a powerful message for anyone graduating, entering a new season of life, or needing some encouragement as we continue to walk this life as Jesus' followers, carrying the Good News across the streets and across the oceans. Listen in as Nik challenges students on what it truly means to share the Gospel in the hardest places on the planet.If you'd like to learn more about our ministry, you can learn more at www.NikRipken.com_______________________________________On September 15, 2014, at Convocation, North America's largest weekly gathering of Christian students, Nik Ripken addressed the student body at Liberty University. Nik kicked off Global Focus Week with recounts of his life as a believer and work overseas in Somalia. He talked about heavy lessons he learned about sharing the word of the Lord and the persecution of faith in Somalia. He challenged the students to share the word about the kingdom of God and to love their enemies.Nik and his wife Ruth are veteran overseas workers for over 30 years. Nik is also a bestselling author about faith in persecution.
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In our world of unlimited streaming options and instant gratification, it's easy to want "add-ons" to following Jesus. Join Nik as he discusses how we are tempted, whether in our own culture or on the mission field, to present the Gospel as "Jesus+" - trying to get material benefits from becoming a Christian beyond just getting Jesus Himself.Learn more about the ministry at NikRipken.com
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In this episode of Witness & Persecution with Nik and Ruth Ripken, Nik confronts one of the more confusing statements of Jesus regarding His identity and sharing the Good News: How do you know Jesus? And what is the most important thing about Jesus that you know?
Learn more about our ministry at NikRipken.com.
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In this episode of Witness & Persecution with Nik and Ruth Ripken, Nik shares the story of getting to interview Samuel Lamb, one of the most spiritually impactful men of God in the Chinese Church. Nik recounts lessons learned from Samuel Lamb about faithfulness in the midst of severe and heartbreaking persecution.
Learn more about the ministry at NikRipken.com
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Christian culture has bought into this lie: “If you love and serve Jesus, you are entitled to a long life, free from serious injury or illness. And you’ll never have problems within your family." Join Nik as he dives into what it truly means to be "crucified with Christ."
In western Christianity, we often fail to choose leaders in a biblical way. Persecuted believers also raise up and train leaders. Nik walks through the spiritual, biological, and cultural profiles of pastors, teachers, evangelists, and church planters in parts of the world defined by persecution.
Learn more about our ministry at NikRipken.com
Every persecuted believer gets knocked down at some point. Many of them, through Spirit-empowered victorious faith, get back up and stay in God's story. The unfortunate reality, though, is that some deny their faith or—worse—fill the role of Judas as betrayer. Nik shares several stories about the experiences of individuals enduring persecution.
- For the safety of those mentioned in this episode, their names have either been changed or edited out.
In light of Ramadan, we thought we'd share this episode from Our Urban Voices that Ruth Ripken was a part of. Here she shares insights from over 35 years in missions, 4 ways for Christians to overcome fear, why Christian women must be the ones to reach out to Muslim women with hospitality and what it means to love our neighbor well.
Learn more about our ministry at NikRipken.com
What is discipleship? Are you practicing it biblically? In this episode, Nik explores the true nature of biblical discipleship. Jesus modeled for us how to choose disciples, live in community, and raise up the next generation of leaders and workers.
Learn more about our ministry at NikRipken.com
As Ramadan approaches, Nik takes to dive into the practical elements of meeting and engaging your Muslim friends and neighbors. Nik shares special insight from 3 decades on the mission field and gives practical tools that every believer you can use to overcome fear of Islam and engaging Muslims.
Learn more about the ministry at NikRipken.com
We're taking a short break from recording new podcast episodes, so we thought we'd share this nugget of blessing with you all. Nik Ripken gave a talk at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary recently! Join Nik and the SEBTS community as he preaches from Matthew 27 on the hardships faced internationally by unbelievers and how it is our mission to go and tell them about our King, Jesus Christ.Thank you for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary for the opportunity and video!Learn more about the ministry at NikRipken.com
Nik and Ruth love college students! Not only have they been the recipient of years of encouragement and love at the hands of college and university students, but they have been able to pour back into them in recent years. In this epsiode, Nik shares a story of interacting with a Muslim-background college student, and the difficult truth that we can sometimes trade the truth of the real Gospel for an artifically flavored cultural Christianity.
Learn more about Nik Ripken's Ministries at NikRipken.com
Nik shares a story from believers in persecution that he has never told before. In this narrative, we see how persecution often repeats itself and is in present active tense. Nik challenges listeners to not view perseuction in present active tense, but the Bible in past tense.
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Diving deeper into the larger story of his time in the Ogaden region of the Ethiopian desert, Nik shares one of the most miraculous encounters he's ever experienced. "Are you the one? Have you come?" Nik asks this question of listeners who might need spiritual motivation to be the one who offers hope and truth in the darkest times of peoples lives.
Nik recounts his time coming face to face with the terrorist group al-ittihad in his Somali years. Encountering starving children on the brink of death, Nik confronts his own lack of faith and how he has personally seen that God works in present-active tense today.
Listen to more Witness & Persecution at nikripken.com
We're taking a quick break from recording new episodes for Witness and Persecution, but didn't want to leave you hanging! We thought we'd reintroduce you to our MOST LISTENED to episode of ALL TIME - "Somebody's Coming". Nik Ripken talks about what he wished he knew during his first year in Malawi and what God has taught him since.Check out more episodes and learn more about Nik Ripken Ministries at nikripken.com
We're taking a quick break from recording new episodes for Witness and Persecution, but didn't want to leave you hanging! We thought we'd reintroduce you to our MOST LISTENED to episode of 2023 - "Lies, Lies, and More Lies".
We know that Satan is a liar. But how many of his lies do we actually believe, whether we realize it or not? In this epsiode, Nik begins a journey of discovering the Top 10 lies that Satan has told the Church, and many in the Church that have believed them.
Check out more episodes and learn more about Nik Ripken Ministries at nikripken.com
As Christmas and New Year's approaches, Nik shares a Christmas cultural faux pas from their days in Malawi. Nik uses this illustration to dive into the materialism that infects much of the Western world's view of Christmas, and how Scripture challenges us to see the birth of Jesus from a totally different perspective.
Ruth sits down for a raw, honest, heart-felt discussion on the personal journey of pain and suffering that she and Nik have been walking over the last few years. Ruth details God's redemption through suffering, and provides hope and encouragement for those who are experiencing medical trauma, depression, anxiety, and the struggle of ministering to those inthe midst of suffering.
Read more at NikRipken.com/blog
Nik takes listeners to the bush of Sudan as he explores the timeless words of Jesus - "a new commandment I give you - love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you". Nik takes an in-depth dive into the Biblical practices of believers in perescution from a Muslim background as they navigate following Jesus when their persecutors are at their breakfast table.
Read more at NikRipken.com/blog
Inspired by the movie "The Insanity of God", Nik and Anthony sit down with Erskin to get the behind-the-scense story of Erskin and Nik's powerful new song, "Is He Worth It".
Read more on the blog at www.NikRipken.com/blog
Watch the music video for "Is He Worth It?" by Erskin at https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=Lw1FxlfW0yJCy_xA&v=PBllAXKx6m8&feature=youtu.be
In this epsiode, Nik looks back at 37 years of overseas work and wonders - "did we go about it the wrong way?" Listen in as he shares that if he were to start over, why he would start with the "HOW" of missions before the "WHERE". Read more on the blog at www.NikRipken.com/blog
As Nik Ripken continues this series on rediscovering the Biblical account of the Christmas narrative, he challenges listeners to ask "Imagine you were a parent, or Jesus, in this story". Understanding the context of Christmas allows us to discover how we apply the birth of Jesus to our lives and theology.
Learn more about Nik Ripken Ministries at:https://www.nikripken.com/
While the Israeli / Palestinian conflict rages, Nik records a special episode to address what this conflict is, and what it is not. Nik pushes listeners to maintain, and express, a Christian worldview that forces us to read the Bible, seek God's face, and step out in faith to fulfill the Great Commission in the hard places.
Did you know that the wise men of the Bible were ultimately unwise men? Their story isn’t a children’s story set in an elaborate Christmas pageant. It’s a story of persecution when Jesus was just a toddler. It’s a story filled with drama and the genocidal slaughter of children. Christians living in the west are stuck with a faith narrative in our heads that is dominated by the culture in which we live. Nik begins a multi-part series to learn how believers in persecution get the Christmas story right.
After Nik and Ruth had spent significant time in Somalia - witnessing horrific tragedies like war, abuse, and starvation - they learned and developed "best practices" for how to provide counseling and soul care to workers who had experienced the depths of human depravity. Learn how you can apply these lessons to those in the hardest places of the world.
In part one of a two-part series, Nik reveals their deeply personal journey of various traumas in life, ministry, and missions. How do you stay on the mission field, remain in your ministry, or keep your family when you walk through the unthinkable? Nik challenges listeners to understand how being obedient to go to the edge of lostness can bring intense suffering and trauma - but that God still redeems and uses these for His glory. In part one of a two-part series, Nik reveals their deeply personal journey of various traumas in life, ministry, and missions. How do you stay on the mission field, remain in your ministry, or keep your family when you walk through the unthinkable? Nik challenges listeners to understand how being obedient to go to the edge of lostness can bring intense suffering and trauma - but that God still redeems and uses these for His glory.
Nik walks through the most dangerous statement: "It's time". What decision do you need to make to be obedient right now? What situation is God commanding you to reconcile? Where is God commanding you to step out in faith? Nik shares he and Ruth's personal journey to discovering "It's time" to be obedient to the commands of Christ.
Identifying with the persecuted is much more than just a day or week of prayer! Join Nik and Ruth as they share ways that we can develop a regular, consistent lifestyle of praying for, and identifying with, believers in persecution around the world.
Nik and Ruth conclude a series on worship in the home by giving us a personal look into how they pray and worship around their breakfast table - whether as a couple, a family, with guests, and even the lost. Additionally, they share with listeners how they end their day in prayer and worship with a global perspective.
Join Ruth as she gives us an inside look at her personal devotion and worship time. She'll share not only the mechanics of how she conducts her devotions, but why they play a critical role in your spiritual life, both in "open" countries and countries where there is no place to go have your worship needs met.
Whether you are overseas or in the Bible Belt of America, one of the most basic and crucial components of healthy believers is worship in homes. Nik and Ruth are joined by the their grandsons, Jonah and Maddox, to model the joy-filled and simple practice of family devotions. Come join them in their living room as they show you how to worship and pray together as a family!
For those of us in the "open" countries, it's easy for us to dress up the suffering of believers in persecution. In this episode, Nik challenges listeners to identify with the real blood, sweat, and tears of the stories of persecution, truly grasping the human reality of suffering, and the real lives of people involved.
Check out the show notes and blog post related to this episode at https://www.nikripken.com/blog Learn more about Nik Ripken's ministry at https://www.nikripken.com
Nik concludes a series investigating why Unreached Peoples are still unreached by exploring the practical components that keep churches from sending and going. Nik looks at everything from the cost of personnel to weather. There are surprising reasons that are hard to overcome on our way to the hard places of the world.
As we reflect on the persisting challenge of unreached countries, Nik Ripken invites us to reconsider our approach. By embracing the hard places and equipping local believers, we unlock the untapped potential to reach the darkest corners of the world. By choosing to go to the hard places, we foster sustainable movements, bridge cultural divides, and empower communities to become biblical advocates.
Check out the show notes and blog post related to this episode at https://www.nikripken.com/blog Learn more about Nik Ripken's ministry at https://www.nikripken.com
In this episode, Nik Ripken explains the challenging task of reaching the unreached nations. He candidly addresses the notion that the efforts required to reach just one believer in hard and unresponsive places might not seem cost-effective. It often demands substantial resources and even the lives of dedicated believers. However, Nik's unwavering conviction is that the mission to reach the unreached is not about cost-efficiency: it's about obedience to the Great Commission.
Check out the show notes and blog post related to this episode at https://www.nikripken.com/blog Learn more about Nik Ripken's ministry at https://www.nikripken.com
If you're a mother considering missionary service, or simply curious about the challenges faced by families on the mission field, this episode is a must-listen. In this episode, Ruth dives deep into the common fears that mothers often experience when contemplating a life of service on the mission field.
Best friends Nik and Pastor Tim sit down for an authentic conversation about how pastors and churches can effectively connect church members to every part of the Great Commission.
Check out the show notes and blog post related to this episode at https://www.nikripken.com/blog/ Learn more about Nik Ripken's ministry at https://www.nikripken.com
In this episode, Nik unveils a heartfelt tale that transcends borders and celebrates the profound beauty of cultural exchange. He teaches us about the Xhosa naming ceremony for newborns. What does the naming culture in Xhosa teach us about authentic community?
Check out the show notes and blog post related to this episode at https://www.nikripken.com/authentic-community/ Learn more about Nik Ripken's ministry at https://www.nikripken.com
Jesus gives us a direct command on how we are to treat our "neighbor". To fulfill that command, what should it look like, and to whom is it directed? In this episode, Ruth takes a deep dive into the world of Biblical hospitality, offering wisdom and tips gathered from decades overseas amongst various cultures. Check out the show notes and blog post related to this episode at https://www.nikripken.com/who-is-my-n...Learn more about Nik Ripken's ministry at https://www.nikripken.com
In this episode, Nik Ripken delves into the profound distinction between merely going through the motions of church life and truly embodying the essence of what it means to be a follower of Christ. Drawing from his extensive global experiences and encounters with persecuted Christians, Nik sheds light on the challenges, misconceptions, and transformative power that comes with living out an authentic faith.
Obedience through baptism is a non-negotiable part of missions and church planting. What does - and should - baptism look like in cross-cultural contexts and among believers in persecution?
For 7 years, Nik and Ruth ministered in one of the harshest environments in Somalia. Faced with severe famine, starvation, destruction, and war, Nik gives poignant insight on what it means to not only take risks for Jesus, but what it truly means to be a witness for the Gospel.
In this episode of the Witness & Persecution Podcast, Nik Ripken reflects on how missionaries are able to learn languages so quickly. He has extensive experience as a missionary in some of the most challenging and remote regions of the world. Nik emphasizes the importance of immersion in the local culture and language, as well as the value of building relationships with native speakers. He also stresses the need for patience, perseverance, and a willingness to make mistakes and learn from them.
In this episode, Nik explores the challenges that Christian believers face when they move from countries where they are persecuted for their faith to the West, where they expect to find religious freedom. Unfortunately, many of these believers struggle with disillusionment. Emotional and physical scars from persecution lead to cultural and social challenges. An alarming number of believers abandon their faith after coming to the West. Why is this?
In this podcast episode, we discuss the lie of Satan that causes single women who desire to go on mission trips to feel conflicted about getting married. We explore how this lie can be overcome by prioritizing obedience to God’s calling and embracing one’s unique gifting. Ruth Ripken shares her experiences as a missionary worker and how she has seen women fulfill their purpose and impact lives even without a husband by their side. Join us as we debunk this lie and find a better way forward for single women who want to pursue their passion for missions and marriage.
Global travel has become more accessible than at anytime in history. With that accessibility has arisen a new and complex facet of missions: short term trips. Nik addresses a major lie of Satan that correlates with short term missions and the local church.
The hardest task is not going, but sending. In this episode, Nik unpacks the lie that too many parents, families, and churches have believed about God's command to go to the nations.
One of the biggest lies the Church has believed is that there is simply too much need in our own backyard to even think about going overseas. Nik dispels this lie and discusses how we often try to find exemptions to the Great Commission. Additionally, Nik addresses how the root of racism often prevents us from going to our "Judea" and beyond.
In this episode, Nik deconstructs a fundamental lie from Satan that impacts how we view evangelism and the Great Commission. What's the difference between a command and a calling? How we answer that question will ultimately change the way we reach Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.
Continuing "10 Lies Satan Has Told the Church", Nik explores the topic of the miraculous. Is it true that God is working in different ways overseas than He is here in the West? What lie have we believed about God's power that we think doesn't apply to how He is working in our lives today? Sign up for a Night of Worship on Sunday, February 26, 2023, featuring Shane & Shane, Nik Ripken, and Erskin: https://www.nikripken.com/worship/
We know that Satan is a liar. But how many of his lies do we actually believe, whether we realize it or not? In this epsiode, Nik begins a journey of discovering the Top 10 lies that Satan has told the Church, and many in the Church that have believed them.
Buckle up! Nik follows up with the final 2 of the 4 questions that we need to answer to be an effective witness. These questions bring powerful conviction, and perhaps for many of us, an introspective diagnosis of where we might need to change our lifestyles and philosophies.
In today's world, many countries remain restrictive in their religious practices and beliefs. This has made it increasingly difficult for mission teams to bring the gospel to those living there. In this episode, we'll answer two of our four questions around being an effective witness in other nations. What do we say, and who do we say it to? Join Nik Ripken as he explains why it's key to start with the elders.
Nik recounts a powerful lesson from Somalia - "why would you lie to me?" The hardest of hearts can change when we give people a chance to see the light and say "yes" to Jesus.
Do you skip over the genealogies of the Bible? We may view them as just a list of names, but believers in persecution recognize that they are God telling His own story. Nik shares powerful teaching on the critical importance of a genealogy of faith amongst the unreached.
In this episode, Nik and Ruth Ripken take listener questions about life, ministry, missions, and everything in between.
In the West, we often equate our ability to share Jesus with the rights and privileges afforded us by governments. But is that really true? In this episode, Nik Ripken shares from believers in persecution how our witness is not tied to any government, military, or constitution.
"Like the sun rising in the East". That's how one believer categorized persecution for followers of Jesus. In this episode, Nik Ripken walks us through the first foundational principle of persecution, where we learn the Biblical relationship between our faith and suffering.
In this episode, Nik Ripken addresses the foundational understanding of persecution. What IS persecution, and why does it happen? Walking through another component of the "DNA of the Resurrection", Nik shares what believers in persecution know to be true about the cause of their suffering.
Do you see the Church as a critical necessity? Caring for one another as the Body of Christ is a crucial part of the DNA of the Resurrection. In this episode, Nik Ripken discusses what true Biblical community looks like in places defined by persecution, and how the Western Church can adopt practices that will align themselves with a more Scriptural understanding of being the Body of Christ together.
Knowing God's Word is instrumental in helping believers thrive in persecution, and helping believers face the challenges of life. But how much of God's Word do you know? Nik Ripken walks us through the importance of internalizing the Word, and handing it down from generation to generation. Additionally, Nik shares extremely important missiological principles of oral learning and church planting in indigenous contexts.
How do you pray? In this episode, Nik Ripken documents the powerful, intimate, faith-filled prayer lives of believers in persecution. Continuing the "DNA of the Resurrection", he explores how believers experience victorious living through their genuine communication with God Almighty.
The defining characteristic of believers in persecution is their victorious living through Jesus, in spite of severe suffering. In this episode, Nik teaches the first building block of the "DNA of the Resurrection". What must we have to live victoriously, and to understand both crucifixion and resurrection? Nik answers these questions and more through the story of believers in persecution throughout the Persian-speaking world.
You might know the story of Dimitri from "The Insanity of God". But did you know that only scratches the surface of his amazing testimony and victorious faith in Jesus? Nik Ripken walks through Dimitri's life, incarceration, and how God used him powerfully even after 17 horrific years in a Soviet prison.
In this episode, Nik Ripken shares insights into the methods of persecution from the former Soviet Union. Nik walks us through the different responses that churches and church leaders had to persecution within the former Soviet Union, where "top down" persecution resulted in bite by bite, incremental swallowing up of the Church. He also gives valuable teaching on not repeating certain mistakes here in the West.
Journeying through war, famine, and devastation, Nik Ripken is confronted with the depths of human despair and brokenness in a Somali hospital. What would compel us to sacrificially go to the unreached and least reached with the love of Jesus? Nik shares a heart-breaking story about what it costs when we don't go to the nations.
Russia. Iran. Eritrea. Afghanistan. We are bombarded every day with the evils of this world. But we often filter it through the lens of secular media and news sources. Using principles learned from believers in persecution, Nik teaches how we as followers of Jesus can have a Biblical and Christ-centered response to the evils we encounter.
Every believer gets knocked down at some point. But the important thing is to get back up! Nik recounts his first time in a Somali refugee camp - what he learned about second chances, and God's heart for the toughest people and places on the planet.
Nik Ripken shares a gut-wrenching story from inside the war zones of Somalia, and introduces us to a hero in the faith. In the midst of suffering and chaos, he gives us insight into the power of singing God's heart and Word back to Him.
How can we as the local church walk alongside believers to carry out the work of missions? Nik Ripken shares insights gained from meeting with believers in persecution and has a message for the body of Christ.
Ruth Ripken shares about her conception of missions at the beginning of her time on the mission field and our misconception of missions and the application of scripture to help our understanding of missions.
Nik Ripken talks about what he wished he knew during his first year in Malawi and what God has taught him since.
Hear how Nik and Ruth Ripken began this journey equipping and teaching biblical principles from believers in persecution. We also discuss the idea of command verses calling and hear the story of how Nik & Ruth met.