Amazon to the Himalayas: Recent Episodes
Paul Akin
From the Amazon to the Himalayas God is accomplishing his mission! This podcast exists to share stories and conversations with the global church and for the global church about the mission of God in the world.
What does it look like to do missions and ministry in challenging contexts? This season is focused on that very question. We will talk with people who are working in Jungles, Mountains, Islands, and Rural Contexts around the world and here in North America, people living in extreme cold, and many other challenging environments and contexts.
I hope that this season will help us to understand some of the challenges that these missionaries face, how we can pray for them, and how we might be able to come alongside them.
We are going to kick off this season by talking with my friend John, who works in the deep recesses of the Amazon jungle.
The final phase of the Missionary Task is probably the most misunderstood. When is it time for the missionary that has uprooted their lives to pack up and go home? Or move on to another unreached location? Today we talk with Adam Hailes a veteran missionary who, along with his family, served many years off the coast of Africa in Madagascar. Recently, however, they have all relocated to East Africa.
Some of the questions addressed in this episode are... -In your opinion, is there a biblical warrant for Exit? -What are the markers/criteria you look for in Exit? -What is the process of exit like? How did you communicate that to the local leaders? What was the timeline like?
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For more information on the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu For information on Boyce College, go to BoyceCollege.com
Our guest today is Dr. Conrad Mbewe, pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia since 1987. His church has also planted about 20 churches in Zambia and around Africa. Today, he is on the podcast to discuss the importance of Leadership Development on the field.
Some of the questions addressed in this episode... -What do you look for in a potential leader for the local church? -How do you personally develop and train leaders? -What is the biggest challenge to pastoral training/leadership development in Africa today?
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For more information on the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu For information on Boyce College, go to BoyceCollege.com
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus proclaims that He will build His church, and nothing will be able to stop that great task. Therefore, Healthy Church Formation is an essential part of the Missionary Task. But how do we establish healthy churches as the Gospel spreads around the world? Our guest today is Mark Collins, a pastor and church planter who has been ministering in Asia for 18 years.
Some questions addressed in this episode are... -What is a church? How do we succinctly define church? -Would you see a distinction between a pastor and a church planter? Was Paul more of a pastor or church planter? -How do you establish and appoint elders and leaders in a newly formed church?
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For more information on the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu For information on Boyce College, go to BoyceCollege.com
Our guest today is Brian Harrell, a missionary with the IMB in Mozambique, Africa. Brian has served in Africa since 2004, working with unreached people groups influenced by Islam and animism. He joins us on the podcast today to discuss the importance of effective discipleship once someone comes to Christ, and what that looks like specifically in his context.
Some of the questions addressed in this episode are: -Where do we start with a new believer? First day? First week? -Who can disciple another? -How long does it take a missionary to disciple in the new language?
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For more information on the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu For information on Boyce College, go to BoyceCollege.com
Today's guest on the podcast is author and veteran missionary, Elliot Clark. Elliot served in Central Asia with his family and now works with Training Leaders International, equipping pastors for the work of the ministry all over the world. He is the author of "Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission as Strangers in Our Own Land" (TGC, 2019) and "Mission Affirmed: Recovering the Missionary Motivation of Paul" (Crossway, 2022).
Some of the questions addressed in this episode include: -How should we think about the “gift” of evangelism? Are some people just better than others? -What practical suggestions do you have for growing in evangelism? -One word of advice for people who are nervous or fearful about sharing the gospel?
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For more information on the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu For information on Boyce College, go to BoyceCollege.com
Learning the language of a people group that doesn't know your native tongue is essential for effective communication, especially when it comes to sharing the Gospel. But even in cultures that may know and converse in English (or another language), learning and communicating in a person's heart language helps us to get below the surface and share the treasures of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Matt, a missionary and speaker of over 4 languages is with us on the podcast today to discuss the importance of language learning.
Some of the questions addressed in this episode are: -What is the relationship between language and culture? -What is the appropriate level of language competency and cultural awareness necessary for effective missions? -What are some of the language learning strategies that you use?
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For more information on the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu For information on Boyce College, go to BoyceCollege.com
Billy and Anne, after selling their business in the States, packed up and moved to Southeast Asia to start a new life for the sake of taking the Gospel to those who have little access. However, they needed access to the people that they were trying to reach. In today's episode, they discuss what that process was like.
Some of the questions addressed on this episode are: -What is the Entry component of the Missionary Task and why is it important? -How do you go about gaining access to the people you are trying to reach? -One piece of advice you would give to a college student or young adult today thinking about taking a marketplace job in a global city (with a missionary focus)?
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For more information on the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu For information on Boyce College, go to BoyceCollege.com
Dr. Keith McKinley, Veteran Missionary and Missions Professor at Southern Seminary, joins us to discuss the Missionary Task.
Some of the questions addressed in this episode are: -What is the missionary task? -How do we know when we are being successful? -What is the role of theological education?
Follow Amazon the Himalayas on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
For more information on the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu For information on Boyce College, go to BoyceCollege.com
Our guest today is Jennie Hatchel. Jennie and her husband, Boyd are veteran missionaries with the IMB. In this episode, Jennie offers practical advice on ways to parent well while being an overseas worker.
Our guest this week is Wilson Geisler. Wilson is the Director of Global Research for the International Mission Board. Our discussion with Wilson covers how and organization has large as the IMB keeps track of what is happening all around the world.
This week we are talking about short term missions! Our guest this week is Mack Stiles. Mack has been a missionary for decades. He has pastored churches, written books and has much experience with our topic this week!
Our guest this week is Dr. Jeremy Pierre. Dr. Pierre serves as the chair of the department of biblical counseling and the Lawrence and Charlotte Hoover Professor of Biblical Counseling at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Pierre is also an elder at Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.
Andy Kampman is the Longterm Mobilization Director at The Austin Stone. Andy joins us on this episode to help share practical advice on what a sending pipeline is and how to implement it in your church.
Luke Womack, founder and director of TheGoFund, joins us to discuss common barriers missionaries face on their way to the field.
Our guest this week is Todd Lafferty. Todd serves as the Executive Vice President of the IMB. In this episode, Todd explains how the IMB thinks through and prioritizes the categories of reached and unreached in the missionary task.
Our guest this week is Ryan Robertson from Reaching and Teaching. Ryan helps us think through the appointment process for christians and their local church to walk through when considering overseas work.
In this episode, we are pleased to have Zane Pratt, VP of Global Training for the IMB, as our guest. Zane brings clarity to the role of the sending church and the Great Commission. He also explains what characteristics his organization believes a healthy should have or be striving towards.
This week we interview Vance Pitman. Vance is the Senior Pastor of Hope Church Las Vegas, and an author of multiple books on church planting and the Christian life. He is a well known church planter in the western US and serves as a mobilizer for the NAMB. Vance seeks to inspire people to join in God’s eternal, redemptive mission of making disciples and planting churches among every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.
In this episode, Dr. Akin interviews Dr. Jimmy Scroggins. Jimmy is a pastor in South Florida. He has faithfully served the Lord in his work in West Palm beach for years and takes a missional approach to reaching his city.
In this episode, Dr. Akin interviews Stephen, a regional leader in East Africa. Stephen has served and lived in Nairobi for many years and offers a helpful insight into doing ministry in this part of the world.
In this episode, Dr. Akin interviews Paul, a church planter in Kuala Lumpur (KL). Paul has spent many years as a missionary and educator. His insights apply beyond KL to much of the unreached world.
In this episode, Dr. Akin interviews Stephan Pues who serves with City to City in Frankfurt, Germany.
In this episode, Dr. Akin interviews Ricky, who serves as a missionary in Moscow, Russia. Ricky is a capable leader and sharp thinker with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
In this episode, Dr. Akin interviews Rick in Mexico City, Mexico. Rick serves with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in Mexico and has spent many years living and serving as a missionary.
In this episode, Dr. Akin interviews Alex in London, England. Alex is Brazilian, but serves with the IMB in London and has spent many years living and serving in various locations in Europe.
In this episode, Dr. Akin interviews IMB Missionary Reid Karr about his church planting work in Rome, Italy.
In this episode, Dr. Akin interviews Edward Dima from South Sudan. Edward is a refugee pastor in Northern Uganda.
In this episode, Dr. Akin interviews Aaron Cavin. Aaron serves as the lead pastor of Life Community Church in Quincy, Massachusetts (Greater Boston). He planted that church in 2008 and has seen God do some amazing things in the city over the past decade.
In this episode, Dr. Akin interviews Jeremy in Central Asia. Jeremy and his family have lived and served in Central Asia for over 30 years. They are tremendous examples of obedience and faithfulness to the Great Commission in one of the most difficult places on the planet.
In this episode, Dr. Akin interviews Dr. Aubrey Sequeira. Dr. Sequeira is a PhD graduate from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently serves as the Senior Pastor of The Evangelical Community Church in Abu Dhabi, UAE. A native of India, Dr. Sequeira worked in Engineering and IT prior to his conversion and call to ministry. He and his family now live and serve the Lord in the Middle East.
In this episode, Dr. Akin interviews 2 Mission leaders from Brazil. Fernando Brandoa serves as the Executive Director of the Brazillian Baptist Home Mission Board. Guy Key is a second generation missionary with the IMB who serves as a global catalyst for Brazil.
In this episode, Dr. Akin interviews Adam and Andrea. Adam and Andrew live in a large megacity in Asia where they have lived for over 15 years. Through health struggles, loss of teammates, and a variety of other challenges they have remained faithful to the Lord, to the work in Asia, and to his calling on their life.
In this episode, Dr. Akin interviews IMB Missionaries Ross and Dena Frierson. Ross and Dena live and serve in Western Europe. Prior to that, they lived and served in Russia where they were involved in evangelism and church planting. They currently live in Wales and have been foundational in a new church plant in the city of Cardiff.
In this episode Dr. Akin interviews Andrew Scott. Andrew Scott serves as the President of Operation Mobilization (OM USA). Scott is a native of Northern Ireland and the author of the book "Scatter." He is a keen missions strategists and leader and currently resides with his family in Georgia.
In this episode Dr. Akin interviews Brooks Buser from Radius International. Brooks serves as the President of Radius International. Radius is a missions organization based in North America that is committed to effectively training missionaries before they deploy overseas. Brooks and his wife (Nina) served previously as missionaries in Papua New Guinea.
In this episode Dr. Akin Akin interviews Dr. David Garrison. David Garrison currently serves as the Executive Director for Global Gates. Garrison is a missionary veteran of 30 years, an author, and a well-known missions leader in North America and around the world. Garrison currently lives in Colorado.
In this episode Dr. Akin Akin interviews Persian Church leader Kambiz Sagheay. Kambiz currently serves as the Director for Persian Leadership Development at Southeastern Seminary where he helps train pastors in Farsi to in an effort to strengthen the theological and ecclesiological foundation of the Persian church. Kambiz is originally from Iran and has ministered in various locations across Central Asia and the Middle East.
In this episode Dr. Akin interviews Pastor Kenneth Mbugua from Emmanuel Baptist Church in Nairobi, Kenya. Ken Mbugua serves as a Council member of the Gospel Coalition Africa and also as the Managing Director of Ekklesia Africa which promotes biblical resources for building healthy churches across the continent of Africa.
In this episode Dr. Akin talks with Dr. Paul Chitwood. Dr. Chitwood serves as President of the International Mission Board (IMB). Dr. Chitwood previously served as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC) and also as a pastor in several local churches. He is a 2x graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently lives in Richmond, VA.
In this episode Dr. Akin talks with scholar Dr. Ayman Ibrahim. Dr. Ibrahim serves as the Bill and Connie Jenkins Professor of Islamic Studies at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also serves as the Director of the Jenkins Center for a Christian Understanding of Islam. Dr. Ibrahim was born and raised in Egypt and has completed 2 PhD degrees. He is an author and leading voice for a Christian understanding of Islam.
In this episode Dr. Akin talks with Jesse and Shanee. Jesse and Shanee help train and lead missionary teams across Asia. Jesse and Shanee live with their family in a large urban city in South Asia. They have lived and served in South Asia for over 15 years.
In this episode Dr. Akin talks with Mark. Mark leads several church planting teams across West Africa. He shares about the ways Christ is building his church in one of the more physically challenging places on the planet. Mark and his family have been living and serving in West Africa for over 15 years.
In this episode Dr. Akin talks with Jacob. Jacob serves as the IMB affinity leader for the European peoples. Jacob shares some of the challenges and exciting things that God is doing across Europe! Jacob and his family live and serve in the United Kingdom.
In this episode Dr. Akin talks with Radford who lives and serves in the Himalayas! Radford and his family live in South Asia. They work in one of the most remote places on the planet and love sharing good news with people in the mountains!
In this episode Dr. Akin talks with Daniel who serves in the Amazon Jungle! Daniel lives and serves with his family in South America. Hear what God is doing is one of the vastest and most fascinating places on the planet.
In this episode Dr. Akin talks with Dr. Nik Ripken. Ripken is one of the world's leading voices on the persecuted church around the world. He shares about his experiences in Africa and the Middle East, his research and travel around the globe, and the nature of persecution of Christians in the world today.
In this episode Dr. Akin talks with Marwan Aboul-Zelof. Marwan is the planting pastor of City Bible Church in Beirut, Lebanon. The City Bible Church building was less than 600 meters away from the recent Beirut explosion. Pastor Marwan talks about his call to the Middle East, the bomb blast, and his prayer for the city of Beirut.
In this episode Dr. Akin has a conversation with John Musyimi. John serves as a pastor on staff at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Nairobi, Kenya. John writes and contributes to TGC Africa and is the author of the recently released book "A Counterfeit Gospel."
From the Amazon to the Himalayas God is accomplishing his mission in the world. This podcast exists to share conversations with the global church and for the global church about the mission of God in the world. What is God doing around the world? Where is he working? How should we think about this? How do we get involved? How can we pray? Hear the voices of your brothers and sisters around the world tell the stories of God's redemptive and saving grace from the Amazon to the Himalayas and everywhere in between!