Modern Day Missionaries: Recent Episodes
Modern Day Missions
Hey missionaries! This is a podcast created for YOU, where we talk about topics that affect your actual life on the mission field. We take a practical, personal, fun, and down-to-earth look at the day to day real challenges and joys of this crazy life God has called us missionaries into. Created by Modern Day Missions, a Christian missions partnering organization and hosted by fellow missionary, Stephanie Gutierrez.
Have you ever thought about leaving the mission field? Not just in a passing moment of frustration, but really thought about it? What would it actually cost you to stay? And how do you know the difference between a hard season and God genuinely closing a door?
In this episode, Stephanie sits down with David Joannes, founder of Within Reach Global and 28-year missionary, for one of the most honest conversations we have ever had. This is not about grinding harder or believing bigger. This is about what the decision to stay looks like from the inside, and what faithfulness actually requires when nothing around you is working.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- What the decision to stay actually costs and why the hardest seasons are often the ones that precede the greatest breakthrough
- How to tell the difference between a hard season and a closed door when you genuinely cannot tell which one you are in
- Why vulnerability with your supporters does not put your funding at risk and what 28 years on the field teaches you about letting people in
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
What if the financial ceiling you've been living under was never actually real?
Have you ever wondered if there's a limit to what your ministry can afford, and that limit was set the day you sent your first support letter? Have you ever felt stuck between cutting back again, asking supporters for more, or wondering if it's time to come home?
In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Elias Reyes, President of Modern Day Missions, to talk about secondary streams of income for missionaries. They unpack what these look like in real life, how to know if one fits your calling, and how missionaries throughout history have used their skills and circumstances to stay in the work God called them to.
This conversation might just open a door you haven't tried yet. You’ll be brimming with ideas by the end!
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- Why believing fundraising is your only option might be keeping you stuck when you don't have to be
- How to know if a secondary stream of income fits your calling instead of competing with it
- What questions to ask yourself to find a secondary income idea that actually fits your skills and your field
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
What do you do when one of you is terrified of fundraising and the other one grew up doing it like it's second nature? Danny and Stephanie Gutierrez found out the hard way, over twelve years, two daughters, and one very memorable $666 support check.
In this episode, Coach Ben sits down with them for a conversation about what they'd do differently, from how they divided the work, to what a “soft no” really costs, to the season neither of them saw coming until it was almost over.
If you've ever felt behind on fundraising, or married to someone who fundraises nothing like you do, this is the conversation you needed a few years ago. Listen to the full episode and find more resources for your marriage and your support raising at the link in our show notes.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- Why dividing fundraising by strength, not gender or tradition, changed everything for one couple's support-raising
- What it actually takes to fundraise beyond your needs, not just up to them
- How to tell the difference between a real no and a maybe that never resolves
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
What does your body already know that your mind hasn't caught up to yet? What if the thing most burning you out on the mission field is not the workload, the culture shock, or the lack of support, but something else? And what if the very traits that made you say yes to the field are the same ones slowly wearing you down?
In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Steve and Lisa Cuss, founders of Capable Life, to talk about the Big Five false needs and what happens when the missionary calling supercharges them. Steve is a former pastor and chaplain who hosts the Being Human podcast for Christianity Today, and Lisa is a trauma therapist who brings a clinical lens to everything they teach.
Together, they unpack why your body reacts before your brain does, how false needs and false beliefs are connected, and what it looks like to begin living from the gift underneath the need rather than the need itself. By the end, you will have language for something you have been carrying for a long time, and the tools to take the next right step.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- What the Big Five false needs are and how to locate yourself in them, including the physical signal that tells you which one is running the show.
- Why your body and your head can believe completely different things about your faith, your calling, and your capacity, and what to do when they do.
- How to move from living out of a false need to operating from the real gift underneath it, with practical tools you can start using this week.
Resources Mentioned:
Capable Life Free Resources
Being Human Podcast with Steve Cuss (Christianity Today)
SIFT by Dr. Dan Siegel
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
The missionaries burning out fastest are not the ones who stopped caring. They are the ones who cared the most. Mindy Caliguire, founder of SoulCare, joins the podcast to talk about what research with missionaries in the Global South revealed about soul health, the relational deficit nobody wants to touch, and what it actually takes to find your way back.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- Why the most devoted missionaries are often the most at risk, and how a can't-stop-won't-stop work mentality builds until the flywheel breaks.
- How prayer and Bible study can become fuel for the engine of service rather than practices for your own soul, and what finding your way back looks like.
- Why the relational deficit is the hardest to address, and what one accessible step looks like for the isolated missionary.
Links From the Episode:
Free Spiritual Friendship Guide
Monthly Retreat Guide
Ignite Your Soul by Mindy Caliguire
Lacey Mason research episode: Soul Care with Mindy, Episode 2
Soul Care with Mindy podcast
SoulCare website
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Two-thirds of global missionaries are women. And most of them will tell you they have never heard an episode like this one.
Denise Beck, Executive Director of Velvet Ashes, has spent years sitting with women in every season of missionary life, and she is not afraid to say what most people skip over. The single woman who wonders if anyone on her team actually values what she gave up. The married woman stretched between her family and her calling. The woman who has been pouring out for so long she has stopped asking what she needs. And the extraordinary strength that exists in all of them, often unrecognized, even by themselves.
This conversation goes to the places most missionary care conversations do not. We look at what it specifically costs women to serve on the field, what they uniquely bring to it, and what leaders, husbands, teammates, and fellow women can do to make sure the largest group of missionaries on the planet is actually being seen and supported well.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- What single and married women on the field are actually experiencing including the specific tensions around sacrifice, comparison, identity, and feeling unseen that rarely get named out loud
- How to stop running on empty and start building the rhythms and community that will actually sustain you for the long haul on the field
- What it looks like to practically support the women on your team, whether you are a man in leadership, a husband in ministry, or a fellow woman on the field who wants to show up better for the people around you
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Your MK’s are watching everything. They see how you handle the hard seasons, how you hold it together when everything is falling apart, and how much space there is in your family for the hard stuff to be said out loud. But what are they actually holding inside? And what do they wish you would ask?
In this episode, three young adults who grew up on the mission field sit down to share what that life actually formed in them, what they carried silently, and what they wish their parents had known. One of them is my own daughter, and I invited them all to be very honest. They were. Whether you are a missionary parent, an MK yourself, or someone who walks alongside missionary families, this conversation has something for you.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- What missionary kids are actually thinking when they go quiet, and why it is rarely what their parents assume
- The unexpected thing that shapes MKs more than the mission field itself, and what parents can do with that information
- What it looks like when a family decides to be missionaries together, not just parents on mission with kids in tow
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Have you ever been in a season where everything seemed to be working against you, and you could not tell if it was spiritual warfare, burnout, or just the hard reality of missionary life? When you can tell the difference, you know how to fight.
In this episode, evangelist, World Harvest founder, and Modern Day missionary Jacob Ebersole shares what spiritual warfare actually looks like on the mission field, the dramatic and the invisible, and the surprisingly practical ways missionaries can stand and fight without losing their joy in the process. You will walk away with new language for what you have already been carrying and a clearer picture of how to build the kind of team and foundation that holds when everything else is falling apart.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- How to recognize the difference between overt and covert spiritual attack, and why that distinction affects how you respond
- What Jacob discovered about building the kind of team that does not crumble when the opposition gets intense
- The unexpected thing that could carry you and your team through the hardest season of your ministry
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
What do you do when everything falls apart on the field? When the team fractures, the funding dries up, or a decision you made starts unraveling in ways you never anticipated? What if the way you respond in the first few hours determines whether your ministry survives?
In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Phil Cooke, filmmaker, media producer, PhD in theology, and one of the most sought-after crisis communications experts in the Christian world. Phil has worked in over 70 countries, walked countless ministry leaders through their worst moments, and written the definitive guide for churches and ministries navigating crisis. Together they pull back the curtain on what missionaries are almost never prepared for, why cover-ups always cost more than the crisis itself, how to build guardrails before you need them, and what to do in the first critical hours when something goes wrong. This is not a theoretical conversation. This is a plan.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- How to spot red flags in your team and your own life before they become a crisis.
- Why how you communicate in the first hours matters more than the crisis itself.
- The two phone calls Phil says every missionary needs to make when a crisis hits.
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Have you ever caught yourself angling the camera just right, choosing the words that make your ministry sound a little more impressive than it actually is? What if the pressure to perform is actually the thing standing between you and the life God designed you for? What if joy is closer to your insecurity than you ever imagined?
In this episode, Stephanie sits down with author, speaker, and former ambassador Bob Goff for a conversation that is equal parts hilarious and deeply freeing. From Bob's own struggle with insecurity to why we should all aspire to be Roombas, to the time he walked into San Quentin dressed as Santa Claus, this episode will make you laugh, exhale, and give you full permission to stop spinning.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- Why the most joyful people are often the most insecure, and what that means for the way you show up on the field
- How to tell the difference between leading from love and leading from fear, and why one of them is slowly exhausting you
- Why God delights in your small, bumbling, imperfect steps far more than you have been giving him credit for
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Are you preparing for your financial future, or are you hoping it takes care of itself? What does it actually look like to invest on a missionary income? And is it even possible when support fluctuates month to month?
In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Elias Reyes, president of Modern Day Missions and a financial consultant with 25+ years of experience serving missionaries and nonprofit leaders. They talk about the retirement realities most missionaries are not prepared for and simple steps they can take to get on track. This is a conversation about faith, stewardship, and practical things you can do right now, no matter where you are starting from.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
- Why waiting to invest is one of the costliest decisions a missionary can make, and what the numbers actually look like over time
- How to start investing on an inconsistent income, even if you can only set aside a small amount each month
- The difference between saving and investing, and why you need both working together to protect your family's future
Resources Mentioned:
- Modern Day Missions: modernday.org
- Contact Modern Day about the Guidestone retirement account: office@modernday.org
Investment Platforms Mentioned
- Fidelity: fidelity.com
- Charles Schwab: schwab.com
- TD Ameritrade: tdameritrade.com
- Guidestone: guidestone.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Ben Ankarlo, fundraising coach at Modern Day Missions, to unpack what is really happening beneath the surface of support raising. Together, they explore how fear unknowingly shapes decisions, why some missionaries default to self-funding or scarcity, and how embarrassment and control can distort the way we invite others into partnership. Ben shares from lived experience as a missionary who is still actively fundraising today.
You’ll learn why clarity builds trust, how to remove the awkwardness from the ask, and a simple text-to-text approach that helps you follow through with confidence. If support raising has felt emotionally draining or unnecessarily complicated, this conversation will help you approach it with steadiness, integrity, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Have you ever wondered what the Church really believes about Israel? Have you felt confused by replacement theology, one law teaching, or political noise around the Jewish people? And does any of this actually matter for missionaries today?
In this episode, Modern Day Missions Executive Director Marvin Slaton II and Gateway Center for Israel Pastor & Director David Blease explore the three prevailing theologies shaping the global Church’s view of Israel and unpack what Scripture says about covenant, identity, and God’s faithfulness. This conversation is not about politics — it’s about how we read our Bible and how that shapes our theology, our mission, and our confidence in God’s promises.
If you care about the Great Commission, the Jewish roots of your faith, and understanding your identity as a missionary, this episode will challenge and strengthen you.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
- How replacement theology so often subtly shapes modern missions thinking
- Why understanding Jew and Gentile identity matters for your calling
- Why unity in Christ does not erase identity
Resources Mentioned:
Israel Masterclass by Gateway Center for Israel
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
You didn’t move across the world to lose your family in the process. Mission life is full of purpose, but it can also pull at the very relationships we care about most.
Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter, missionary parents, writers, and trusted voices in cross-cultural life, open up about what it looks like to stay emotionally connected as a family in the middle of ministry, transition, and loss.
We talk about how to create your own family’s culture (or find it if you’ve lost it), recovering joy when life feels heavy, and how small practices like morning devotionals, Saturday rituals, and even silly moments can become anchors for your home
Your family matters. And it’s worth the work.
✍️ In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to recognize when your family is drifting—and what to do about it
- Creative ways to bring back joy, fun, and laughter when life feels heavy
- How to walk with your kids through change without losing connection
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
AI is changing everything—how we think, work, lead, create…How about how we hear from God? Without realizing it, are we letting it reshape our hearts, our habits, and our spiritual lives, too?
Today, we talk with Carey Nieuwhof about the very real tension missionaries face when using AI for ministry. From sermon prep to leadership decisions, we explore how to use this tool with wisdom, where it may be subtly weakening us, and how to stay rooted in the Holy Spirit with all of the noise around us.
This episode will encourage you to stay curious but also rooted, as we look at how to use AI in ways that align with your calling and keep your heart sensitive to God.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:* How AI is already influencing your ministry, whether you realize it or not * When AI becomes a helpful tool and when it starts replacing spiritual dependence * Why using AI without discernment can lead to “brain rot” and spiritual drift * How Carey uses AI for sermon prep and leadership without losing his voice * What it looks like to stay mentally and spiritually sharp in the age of AI
Resources Mentioned:Carey Nieuwhof
ChatGPT
Claude AI
The Art of Leadership Academy
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Modern Day Missionaries is a podcast created specifically for missionaries navigating real life on the field.
We talk honestly about the questions missionaries actually ask—
- How do I retain supporters?
- Am I burned out… or heading there?
- How do I stay connected to my spouse in the middle of ministry chaos?
- What does it look like to flourish as a single missionary?
Our heart is simple: help you be well so you can serve well—and truly thrive in your faith, family, finances, and freedom.
Each episode features practical wisdom and encouragement from people who deeply understand the missionary life, including guests like Steve Shadrach, Bob Goff, David Joannes, Curt Thompson, Brian Barcelona, and Mary Ho—voices who love missionaries and get the realities of the field.
Every conversation is designed to give you tangible, practical ideas you can apply immediately, shared by people who know that missionaries live a different kind of life.
Hosted by Stephanie Leigh Gutierrez, who served overseas for a decade with her family, Modern Day Missionaries is the podcast she wishes she’d had on the field—and the one created now, just for you.
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or watch on YouTube, and join us as we help missionaries not just stay on the field—but thrive on it.
“Modern Day Missionaries” is a podcast series for Christian missionaries produced by “Modern Day Missions.”
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
You're serving full-time. You're pouring yourself out. And yet, you still feel like it's not enough.
Many missionaries live with an unnamed pressure, a constant inner drive to do more, be more, prove more. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Curt Thompson helps us uncover the role that shame plays in shaping our stories and how it may be calling the shots in your life and ministry without you even knowing it.
Could shame be behind your exhaustion, disconnection, or sense of not-enoughness?
Discover why shame shows up so shockingly early in all of our lives, how it disconnects us, and what it looks like to become whole again, from the inside out. This episode is an invitation to name what’s really going on beneath the surface and begin a path toward healing, hope, and wholeness.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:* Why shame starts early, before we even have words * How shame can shape your identity and calling without you realizing it * What happens when disintegration replaces connection in missionary life * Why the antidote to shame isn't advice, but presence * How to take your first steps toward healing and wholeness
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
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Want to know how you can double your monthly donations this December? Statistics show that missionaries who take a few simple steps can significantly increase year-end giving—and in some cases, receive more in the final four days of the year than any other month.
In this episode, Modern Day Missions president and financial consultant Elias Reyes shares how to make the most of this golden opportunity. Whether you’re nervous about overwhelming your donors or just unsure where to start, this conversation will give you practical tools, clear strategy, and the confidence to finish your year strong.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:* Why the last four days of December are so critical for missionary fundraising * How to make a clear, confident ask without overwhelming your donors * What kind of messages to send—and when to send them—for the best results * How gratitude and follow-up can lead to long-term donor connection * How to set everything up in advance so you’re not scrambling during the holidays
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Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
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What’s really going on when you feel numb, irritable, or disconnected on the field—even when you’re doing what God has called you to do?
Why do high-functioning workers sometimes shut down emotionally, pull away from others, or lose the ability to feel God’s presence? How does long-term pressure affect your brain—and what can you do to move toward restoration?
If connection feels hard, there’s a reason—and a way through it. Psychiatrist Dr. Karl Lehman breaks down the neuroscience behind relational and spiritual disconnection.
You’ll learn why your brain sometimes shuts down connection as a survival mechanism, what “relational circuits” are, and how understanding them can help you re-engage with God, your community, and even your own emotions. Dr. Lehman shares tools you can use when you're feeling burned out, distant, or just stuck — and how Jesus meets us right in the middle of it.
Whether you're feeling fried or just wanting to learn how to connect more deeply with God and those around you, this episode offers insight and hope for reconnecting in the midst of pressure.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn* What happens in your brain during stress—and why it impacts your ability to connect * Why even high-capacity missionaries can feel numb, withdrawn, or disconnected * How “relational circuits” work—and simple ways to help them come back online * Practical tools to help you re-engage with God, people, and your own emotions * How Jesus meets us with gentleness and presence, even when we feel shut down
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
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What if the support you need is waiting on the other side of a bold conversation with the right person? Many missionaries feel unsure about how to connect with business leaders—and even more unsure about how to talk about money. But what if those very people are called to partner with you?
In this encore episode, we revisit our conversation with Lee Domingue—entrepreneur, author, and founder of Kingdom Builders. Lee offers a compelling vision for how missionaries and business leaders can join forces for global impact. He shares practical wisdom for building trust, communicating your calling clearly, and forming partnerships that advance the Gospel and energize both sides.
If you’ve ever struggled to raise support or wondered how to engage churches and donors with more clarity and confidence, this episode is packed with fresh perspective and encouragement.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- How to connect with business leaders who care about Kingdom impact
- Why fundraising isn’t just about asking—it’s about alignment and vision
- How to clearly and confidently communicate the “why” behind your mission
- What Kingdom Builders is—and why it’s changing the conversation around missions funding
- Why spiritual partnership often leads to greater financial provision
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
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What if the pushback you're getting from Gen Z missionaries isn’t rebellion—but an invitation to lead differently? Many leaders are navigating cross-generational tension in missions, unsure how to guide and motivate a generation that values autonomy, mental health, and meaning over traditional hierarchies and hustle culture.
In this conversation, leadership expert Dr. Tim Elmore joins us to unpack the cultural shift happening on the mission field. Drawing from decades of research and his new book, The Future Begins with Z, Tim explores what Gen Z needs most from their leaders—and why trusting them may be the key to shaping the future of missions. Whether you’re mentoring young missionaries or are one yourself, this episode will stretch your perspective and encourage healthy leadership that goes both ways.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- Why Gen Z often pushes back against authority—and how to respond without losing influence
- The surprising leadership shift required to gain trust from the next generation
- How to use the P.E.R.K.S. framework to better understand and empower Gen Z teammates
- What Gen Z’s focus on mental health and sustainability reveals about their view of missions
- How to lead with both wisdom and humility—creating space for Gen Z’s strengths to thrive
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
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What happens when your identity in Christ feels solid, but deep down, you’re still exhausted, fragmented, and unsure who you really are? Many missionaries live in a cycle of spiritual striving and internal disintegration—even while faithfully serving. The result? Burnout, weariness, and a haunting sense that something is off, even if they can’t name it.
This conversation gently opens the door to a new way of living. Our guest is Cheryl Scanlan—Master Certified Coach, director of Promised Land Living, and author of The Way of Rest. Together, we unpack the deep internal exhaustion that so many missionaries experience, and the quiet fragmentation that can happen when identity gets wrapped in ministry activity. Cheryl walks us through her seven-step process to move out of striving and into wholeness, rest, and delight in Christ.
If you’re longing for more than just surviving, this episode offers powerful insight and practical steps toward soul-deep restoration.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- How internal exhaustion can persist—even when you're doing what God has called you to do
- What it means to live with powerful dependence on God, not self-sufficiency
- Why spiritual burnout often stems from identity wrapped in performance
- How to notice your personal red flags that you're living from the false self
- What Cheryl’s seven-step shift process is—and how it leads to rest, delight, and reintegration
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
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What are missionary kids really carrying—and what can adults do to help lighten the load? From the pressure to perform, to the fear of disappointing others, MKs often carry invisible expectations they didn’t choose and can’t always name. These burdens can shape everything from their identity to their view of God.
In this conversation, we explore the emotional and spiritual weight many missionary kids carry and what it means to support them with greater empathy, patience, and grace. Our guest is Michèle Phoenix—author of Pieces of Purple, MK advocate, and lifelong TCK. Drawing from decades of personal experience and professional work with MKs, Michèle unpacks some of the most misunderstood parts of the MK journey and offers practical insight for families and leaders alike.
Whether you’re raising an MK, mentoring one, or unpacking your own experience growing up between worlds, this episode offers a compassionate lens and helpful tools for the journey.
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
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Send us a text :) We love answering questions and hearing what missionaries want to hear next!
Ever hosted a short-term mission team and wondered, Was that really worth it? Or maybe you're gearing up for your next one and already feeling the weight of logistics, expectations, and exhaustion.
In this episode, Jesse and Andrea Kroeze—leaders of Touch the World and seasoned missionaries—offer a fresh take on how short-term teams can become a strategic blessing instead of a draining burden. Having lived both as hosts and senders, they bring hard-earned wisdom, practical tools, and bold encouragement to help you align teams with your long-term mission.
If you've ever questioned how to make teams work for you (and not the other way around), this episode is for you.
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
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Send us a text :) We love answering questions and hearing what missionaries want to hear next!
Gen Z is stepping onto the mission field with big questions on their hearts. Is missions moral? Does the West still have a role to play? How do you navigate support raising in today’s world? And what does healthy emotional and spiritual sustainability really look like?
In this conversation, Mark Matlock—author, Insight Lead at Barna, and Executive Director of Urbana—helps us understand the shifts happening with today’s young adults. He shares how their imagination, honesty, and bold questions are shaping the future of missions, and what leaders can do to walk alongside them with wisdom and hope.
Whether you’re a young missionary yourself or mentoring the next generation, this episode will spark fresh insight into how Gen Z is changing the way we think about calling, leadership, and global missions.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- The tough questions Gen Z is asking about missions and why they matter
- How their imagination and creativity are reshaping global ministry
- Why mental health and emotional honesty are becoming strengths on the field
- Practical ways Gen Z can connect with supporters in their own style
- How older generations can mentor without shutting down curiosity
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
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Send us a text :) We love answering questions and hearing what missionaries want to hear next!
Are you frustrated by fundraising? Feeling stuck, under-supported, or embarrassed about the whole process?
In this episode, Dr. Steve Shadrach, author of The God Ask and one of the leading voices in personal support raising, helps reframe fundraising not just as a financial task but as a deeply spiritual journey. With decades of experience mentoring and training missionaries, Steve shares the fears that keep us from asking, the beliefs about God that shape our support journey, and why staying fully funded is one of the greatest ways to sustain your calling long term.
Whether you’re just getting started, stuck in the middle, or needing to re-engage supporters after time on the field, this episode will challenge and encourage you to take bold, faith-filled action.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- How fundraising can actually be a spiritual battle (and why it feels so hard sometimes)
- What “The God Ask” really means and how it can shift the way you approach support raising
- Why your view of God matters way more than you think when it comes to asking and receiving
- The simple prep most missionaries skip that makes support meetings go way better
- What it really takes to stay fully funded long term and why it’s worth it
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
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Send us a text :) We love answering questions and hearing what missionaries want to hear next!
Do you ever struggle with knowing how to keep your team motivated? Especially when the work is hard, the stakes are high, and the pay is low (or non-existent)? How can you create a team culture of health from the top down?
In this encore episode, we sit down with Nic and Rachael Billman, founders of Shores of Grace. They have spent over 14 years leading missionaries and staff in Brazil. They open up about the challenges and rewards of managing complex teams, from balancing paid staff and volunteers to navigating the complexities of cross-cultural leadership.
You’ll hear their practical tips on keeping teams unified, motivated, and healthy—plus some personal stories that are sure to resonate with anyone leading in ministry. Whether you’re running a small team or a large ministry, this conversation will inspire you with fresh ideas for leading your team in an effective and healthy way.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to keep your team motivated, even when life gets tough
- Simple ways to build unity across different cultures and personalities
- Practical ways to set a sustainable pace for your team’s long-term success
- Tips for handling conflict and keeping relationships healthy
- Why focusing on relationships and care makes all the difference in ministry
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
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Send us a text :) We love answering questions and hearing what missionaries want to hear next!
Are you constantly pouring out but feeling spiritually depleted?
You care deeply—for people, for God’s mission—but somewhere along the way, your soul has gone dry. What if one small shift could change everything?
If you're thinking, "Empathy is overrated. People need tough love!" then this episode is especially for you. Drs. Bill and Kristi Gaultiere unpack how true empathy—the kind rooted in Christ—can become a powerful source of spiritual renewal. You’ll learn why many missionaries resist receiving empathy, how shame keeps us from asking for care, and what happens when we finally let ourselves be seen, heard, and felt.
This isn’t weakness. It’s spiritual strength. It’s the kind that restores your soul and revives your calling.
You’ll discover what Jesus-shaped empathy really looks like—and how it can transform your relationship with God, yourself, and others.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- Why many missionaries resist receiving empathy—and how that resistance could be draining your soul
- The difference between true empathy and enabling (hint: it’s not about coddling)
- How shame keeps us from asking for care, even when we desperately need it
- Why empathy is a strength, not a weakness, and how Jesus modeled it perfectly
- Practical ways to receive empathy—from God, from others, and even from yourself
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
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Send us a text :) We love answering questions and hearing what missionaries want to hear next!
Whether it’s pornography, mental health concerns, faith struggles, same-sex attraction, gambling, or emotional collapse—many missionaries are silently asking: What would happen if anyone knew?
In this episode, Dr. Janeen Davis joins us to talk about the silent battles missionaries face—and what it takes to tell the truth when shame tells you to hide. We talk about how secrecy steals your strength, why we’ve created a culture of judgment instead of grace, and how to become the kind of person—or organization—where confession leads to restoration, not rejection.
Whether you’re facing your own struggle or walking with someone who is, this conversation will help you move from fear to freedom, secrecy to healing.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- Why secrecy around “unmentionable” struggles can slowly erode your spiritual and emotional health
- The unintended ways our missionary and church culture creates judgment rather than restoration
- How shame silences people—and what it really takes to break that cycle
- The difference between gossip, venting, and biblical confession
- What safe, grace-filled restoration can look like—for both individuals and organizations
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
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Send us a text :) We love answering questions and hearing what missionaries want to hear next!
You felt sure. God gave you a vision, you raised the funds, you moved overseas. But then things didn’t go as planned. The vision changed—or maybe you changed. In this episode, Jonathan and Amanda Vining share their powerful story of navigating unexpected shifts, how they learned to walk with God in uncertainty, and why vision isn’t a one-time download—it’s something you live, adapt, and grow into.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- What to do when your vision shifts unexpectedly
- How to tell the difference between passion and calling
- Ways to communicate change with supporters
- Why small steps of obedience lead to breakthrough
- How to move forward when you're unsure what's next
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
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Send us a text :) We love answering questions and hearing what missionaries want to hear next!
How’s your fundraising working for you right now? Do you feel stuck? Are the methods you're using just not connecting with supporters anymore? In this episode, fundraising expert Mary Valloniand branding strategist Mike Kim share modern, proven strategies missionaries can use to fully fund their ministry without awkward sales pitches or burnout.
Learn how to keep donors through big transitions, build a small but powerful advocacy team, brand yourself in a God-honoring way, and tell the three essential stories every missionary needs. If you’re ready for fresh ideas that work in today’s world, this episode is for you.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- What’s really working now in missionary fundraising—and how to spot tactics that are wasting your time.
- Ways to approach donors so conversations feel natural, not like a sales pitch.
- How to identify and recruit three to five key advocates who will open doors you can’t open alone.
- A simple mindset shift that makes branding yourself feel God-honoring instead of self-promoting.
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
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Send us a text :) We love answering questions and hearing what missionaries want to hear next!
Do you ever feel like you’re running hard in ministry but still falling behind? Missionary life can be an endless swirl of urgent needs, unfinished to-do lists, and pressure to prove your worth through results.
In this episode, Amy Young of Global Trellis helps unpack the hidden productivity trap that drains your energy—and the surprising shift that frees you to focus on what truly matters.
Discover how to spot “fake wins,” embrace slow productivity, and protect your calling from burnout so you can finish well in the work God’s given you.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- The subtle signs you’re stuck in a productivity trap without realizing it
- How to tell the difference between urgent and truly important work in missions
- Why pseudo productivity can leave you drained but not effective
- Practical ways to slow down without losing momentum in your ministry
- How to align your daily actions with your long-term calling
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
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Send us a text :) We love answering questions and hearing what missionaries want to hear next!
Today’s encore episode is a masterclass in deep listening from executive coach, Cheryl Scanlan, a master certified coach and founder of Promised Land Living. Cheryl has trained more than 3,000 coaches and has 15,000 hours of coaching experience. Her ability to hear the hearts of her clients is unparalleled and consistently leads to dramatic growth and change.
In this conversation, she shares her secrets to deep listening with us, speaking directly to us, as missionaries. This is an episode you’ll want to listen to on repeat.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- How to identify your default listening style—and why it matters more than you think
- The difference between open and closed listening, and how each impacts relationships
- Why many missionaries unknowingly listen in a way that creates disconnection—and how to shift
- Ways to handle conversations where someone talks too much—without shutting them down
- A practical, biblical framework for transformational listening that missionaries can use daily
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
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Send us a text :) We love answering questions and hearing what missionaries want to hear next!
Do finances feel overwhelming, confusing, or just plain exhausting? Wondering how to run a budget, set up a nonprofit, or stay financially accountable, without a finance degree? We’ve got you covered.
In this episode, financial expert and missions CFO Vonna Laue joins us to share down-to-earth wisdom on how missionaries can manage money well, without losing their minds or their calling.
From personal budgeting tips to nonprofit setup, time-saving tools, and creative ways to get help (even if numbers aren’t your thing), this conversation is packed with practical, encouraging advice for your financial life on the field.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- What to do first when you're handed the keys to a new nonprofit
- One small shift that makes asking financial questions feel less intimidating
- How to find free help from people who actually love spreadsheets
- Where missionaries go wrong with expense reports—and how to fix it
- Creative ways AI can save you hours (without compromising your integrity)
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Send us a text :) We love answering questions and hearing what missionaries want to hear next!
What makes a strong family culture on the mission field? How do you keep your values intact when everything around you is shifting? And is it possible to raise emotionally healthy kids overseas—without losing yourself in the process? In this episode, Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter spill the tea about the joys and challenges of parenting abroad.
From bathroom disco lights and jet-skiing through monsoon floods to grief, transition, and adolescent pushback, they share honest stories and practical tools for keeping your family grounded, connected, and even playful in the midst of cross-cultural life.
If you’re longing to raise thriving kids and stay sane yourself, this one’s packed with the wisdom and grace you need.
Connect with the Trotters: www.trotters41.com
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- How to identify your family’s “secret sauce” — and what to do when you realize you’ve lost it.
- Why routines and rituals (yes, even Saturday showers) are a lifeline during hard seasons.
- What to say to yourself when your teen suddenly wants nothing to do with you.
- How to balance ministry and family without sacrificing either (spoiler: it starts with a pre-decision).
- What MKs really need to thrive — and how to create a culture that supports them long-term.
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Send us a text :) We love answering questions and hearing what missionaries want to hear next!
Have you ever felt like you were doing all the right things spiritually—reading, praying, serving—but still felt disconnected from God?
In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Geoff & Cyd Holsclaw—pastors, authors, and spiritual formation experts—walk us through the Landscapes of the Soul, a transformative framework rooted in attachment theory that reveals how our nervous system, relationships, and early experiences shape how we relate to God.
From the war zone to the desert, the jungle, and the pasture, they unpack how each of us connects—or struggles to connect—with God, and how we can begin to move toward healing, wholeness, and joyful connection.
Whether you’re in a season of spiritual dryness, ministry fatigue, or just craving deeper intimacy with God, this conversation will give you language, hope, and a pathway forward.
This episode will change how you see your story, your spiritual life, and your attachment to God—and open new doors of understanding for yourself and others.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- How to tell if you're operating in connection or protection mode—and why it matters in your walk with God
- The surprising way your nervous system reacts to spiritual practices (and how to work with it, not against it)
- Why some spiritual disciplines just don’t “work” for you—and how to find what actually helps you grow
- How your early relationships shaped your view of God—and what to do if that view feels distorted
- A simple question to ask yourself when you feel distant, dry, or emotionally numb in prayer
Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.org
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
What happens when your missionary journey includes parenting a child with special needs?How do you handle therapy, schooling, and support in a cross-cultural setting? How do you balance your calling with your kid’s unique needs?
In this very raw, hope-filled panel conversation, Stephanie, along with two missionary couples, the Maurers and Wurdemans, share their unique journeys of parenting children with special needs on the field—and all of the emotions that go with it!
Whether your child was diagnosed before you went overseas or while on the field, you’ll find encouragement, camaraderie, and practical wisdom here. We talk adoption, diagnosis, cultural stigma, guilt, sibling dynamics, marriage strain, faith struggles—and the surprising gifts God weaves through it all.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- What to say (and not say) when people in your host culture misunderstand your child’s needs.
- Why some missionary parents feel isolated—and where to find others who truly get it.
- How faith and frustration often show up together on this parenting journey.
- Creative ways to build community support, even when resources are scarce.
- The power of honest conversations with your sending church and supporters.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Have you ever felt angry on the mission field—and then guilty for it? You’re not alone. From cultural clashes to team tension to the things that just shouldn’t be, anger surfaces—and it often comes with a side of shame.
In this deeply honest conversation, counselor Erik Troyer helps us reframe our understanding of anger, not as something to suppress, but as an invitation to draw nearer to God. Whether your anger is loud or silent, clear or confusing, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a path forward.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- Why anger is normal—even for missionaries—and how to stop shaming yourself for feeling it
- How to recognize what’s under the surface of your anger, like fear, unmet expectations, or pain
- What to do when you’ve already blown up—or shut down—in unhealthy ways
- How to create safe space for others’ anger as a leader, parent, or teammate
- The difference between righteous anger and resentment—and how to tell which one you're dealing with
Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- What’s my typical response to anger—exploding, hiding, or something else?
- What am I really afraid of in the moments I feel most angry?
- Do I believe it’s safe to share my anger with God—or with someone else?
- Where do I need to ask for forgiveness—from God, from others, or from myself?
- What kind of support do I need to process the things that are still simmering beneath the surface?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
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Shonna Ingram is a missionary care specialist with over 17 years of experience supporting cross-cultural workers through transitions and trauma recovery. She serves as a Trauma Care and Career Transition Specialist with Pioneer Bible Translators and is the founder of Re-entry Experts, an organization offering coaching, resources, and community cohorts for global workers navigating re-entry. Shonna is also the creator of the Renewed Hope Approach, a faith-based, trauma-informed framework designed to guide individuals through healing and restoration. Her books include Beyond Broken: A Church’s Guide to Trauma and Growth and Navigating Life in Transition: A Global Worker's Guide to Discovering the Root of Stress, Loss and Anxiety.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
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Ever felt misunderstood, sidelined, or frustrated by a teammate who just sees things differently?
Serving on a cross-cultural team on the field can be one of the most rewarding—and challenging—parts of missionary life.
In this episode, cross-cultural leadership expert I’Ching Thomas shares practical wisdom and real-life stories to help long-term teams build trust, work through cultural tension, and grow together in unity.
Whether your team is brand new or you’ve been navigating these dynamics for years, this is one conversation you’ll want to share with your whole team.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- How we can navigate cultural differences with grace and clarity
- The simple (but powerful) shift that helps us build trust on diverse teams
- Why indirect and direct communication can cause confusion—and what to do about it
- How team leadership styles vary across cultures (and why it matters!)
- Tips for creating a team culture that’s unified without losing uniqueness
Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- Do I tend to assume someone’s personality… when it might actually be their cultural norm?
- How well do I understand my own communication style and how it impacts my team?
- Am I creating space for quieter voices to be heard on our team?
- Have I been more focused on tasks or people in how I engage my team lately?
- What’s one small step I could take to be more culturally curious and honoring this week?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Are you trying to hold it all together while quietly falling apart inside? Do you ever feel like you can’t afford to be honest about your struggles—especially as a missionary leader?
In this powerful conversation with Ian Morgan Cron, author of The Fix, we dive into the hidden world of addiction among missionaries—and not just the obvious kinds.
From people-pleasing and approval addiction to secret compulsions and burnout, Ian shares a compassionate, gospel-centered invitation to freedom, healing, and transformation. Whether you’re leading a ministry or simply trying to keep your head above water, this episode offers hope, truth, and practical steps toward becoming whole in Christ.
📌 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- What addiction looks like beyond substances—and why missionaries are especially vulnerable
- Why willpower and ministry pressure aren’t enough to overcome our internal struggles
- How the 12 Steps can lead to spiritual transformation (even if you don’t consider yourself an addict)
- What to do when you’re leading while secretly falling apart
- How grace—not grit—is the real path forward
💭 Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- What am I turning to for comfort, control, or a sense of worth?
- Where do I feel unmanageable inside—even if everything looks fine on the outside?
- Have I been trying to fix myself, or have I given God full permission to transform me?
- What’s one ‘sneaky’ compulsion in my life that I’ve been excusing or hiding?
- Who are the safe people I can process this with—and what’s keeping me from reaching out?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Feel like your finances are always playing catch-up? Wondering how to plan for the future when you're just trying to make it through the month?
In this financial masterclass for missionaries, Dr. Keith Webb brings both wisdom and lived experience to the table. After two decades on the field and years training missionary coaches, Keith shares the top financial mistakes missionaries make—and what to do instead.
From emergency funds to long-term planning, he offers a better way to think about support, sustainability, and staying on the field for the long haul. If money stress is wearing you down, this episode is your next step toward freedom.
📌 In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- Why trimming your support budget too low can actually cut your ministry short
- What a healthy missionary budget really looks like—including future expenses most people forget
- How to build a margin mindset instead of living donation to donation
- Why emergency funds are essential—and how to start one
- What it takes to prepare for the future without sacrificing present ministry
💭 Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- Am I building my finances based on vision—or just survival?
- What beliefs about money might be shaping how I raise and use support?
- Do I have a plan for unexpected expenses—or am I just hoping nothing breaks?
- How would I approach money differently if I saw it as a tool for ministry, not a burden?
- What small change could I make this month to move toward financial sustainability?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Marriage on the mission field can be one of your greatest sources of strength—or one of your biggest stressors.
In this powerful conversation with Danny and Stephanie Gutierrez, hosted by Amy Young, we get real about the challenges missionary couples face and the hope available even when things feel messy. Whether you’re in crisis or just need to reconnect, this episode is packed with honest stories, laughs, and practical ways to strengthen your marriage starting today.
From crisis moments to everyday connection, this episode will leave you feeling seen, encouraged, and equipped to move toward each other again.
📌 In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- How to recognize when your marriage needs attention before it hits a crisis point
- What to do if you and your spouse are growing apart on the field
- Why practical needs (like rest or privacy) really do affect connection
- The power of intentional curiosity and how to rediscover each other again
- Where to start if you feel stuck, disconnected, or just plain tired
💭 Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- Where are we right now? Are we thriving, surviving, or slowly drifting apart?
- Am I making my marriage a priority over ministry or just assuming it will "be fine"?
- What kind of small connection moment do we need more of right now?
- How open am I to really listening to my spouse's experience?
- What is one intentional step I can take this week to move us closer?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Have you ever been asked, “How did you know you were called to be a missionary?” Or maybe you’re the one wrestling with that question right now. This episode with Marvin Slaton is more than a conversation—it’s a practical resource you can share with friends, family, or future missionaries to help them discern their calling.
Marvin and Stephanie break down the three key ways God speaks, how to recognize the difference between a calling and a burden, and how to move forward in a way that’s wise, healthy, and God-honoring.
If someone’s asking you about missions, this is a tool you can send them—and a thoughtful way to walk with them through it.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
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What if your child can’t “just push through” like the other MKs? What if loud music, long travel days, or even sticky hands after a meal in community send them into sensory overload? And what if… God still called your family, with all its unique challenges, to the mission field?
In this very honest and beautifully grounded episode, Jenilee Goodwin—former missionary, mom of three daughters on the autism spectrum, and certified life coach—shares her story of raising neurodivergent kids overseas. From navigating diagnoses on the field to creating stabilizing rhythms in unpredictable places, Jenilee offers insight, empathy, and hard-won wisdom for families serving in complex realities.
This conversation is a wake-up call to rethink resilience, ditch the guilt, and embrace a vision where your kids—just as they are—can thrive and be used mightily by God.
📌 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- How to spot the hidden signs of neurodivergence in your kids—especially when you're overseas and in constant transition
- What it looks like to set boundaries for your family when the ministry pace doesn't slow down
- Why giving your kids the right language to advocate for themselves can transform your home life
- How to build rhythms of stability in an unpredictable, cross-cultural world
- What happens when you finally release the pressure to conform—and embrace how God uniquely wired your child
💭 Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- Where have you seen your child struggle in ways that others might miss or misunderstand?
- Are there any expectations—yours or others'—that need to be re-examined in light of your child’s unique wiring?
- How do you typically respond to your child’s sensory overload moments—and what might compassionate advocacy look like instead?
- What are some small ways you could bring stability or predictability into your family’s current season?
- How might God be using your child’s differences to bless others in unexpected ways?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions
X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
What if humility is the key to real leadership influence—and not a weakness to overcome? How do you lead with confidence while fully owning your flaws and limits?
In this powerful conversation with Dr. Josh Wymore, executive coach and author of Humbler Leadership, we explore why missionaries who lead with humility don’t just serve better—they last longer. Josh unpacks practical ways to grow self-awareness, release the pressure to have all the answers and build leadership rhythms that last.
If you’ve ever wrestled with insecurity, pride, or imposter syndrome, this episode will show you how to lead from a place of greater health, grounded in faith and humility.
📌 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- Why humility helps you lead longer and healthier
- The 4 key traits of humble, grounded leadership
- How to invite feedback and lower pressure in leadership
- What it looks like to build trust without needing to prove yourself
- Simple habits to grow humility without losing confidence
💭 Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- Am I carrying the pressure to always have the answers?
- Where am I leading from ego instead of greater purpose?
- What’s my relationship with feedback—do I seek it or avoid it?
- Do I see humility as a strength—or as a weakness?
- What’s one way I could lead more like Jesus this week?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Have you ever found yourself reacting bigger than the moment called for—and not really knowing why? Or maybe you’re trying to be the best parent, teammate, or leader you can be, but something keeps tripping you up.
In this episode, we talk with Mike Foster about the seven primal questions that shape how we show up in life and relationships. This conversation is full of lightbulb moments and honest reflections, helping you name the need behind the scramble, and find language for what’s been stirring in you for a while. It’s a conversation about self-leadership, grace, and the surprising strengths that come from our deepest needs.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
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Ever found yourself confused by cultural “rules” you didn’t even know you were breaking? Wondering why some of your most sincere efforts aren’t landing the way you hoped? And how do you build real connection when it feels like you're speaking a different language—even when you're technically not?
In this perspective-shifting episode, we talk with Dr. Linda Saunders—a former missionary, scholar, and cross-cultural mentor. Together, we explore how cultural dynamics affect everything—from your relationships to your gospel witness—and why many of us need a refresher once we’re actually on the field. (Spoiler: It’s like reading a parenting book after having kids—it just hits different.)
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/
Why do you still feel exhausted, even after you rest? What if the kind of rest you think you need isn’t the one that will actually restore you? In this episode, Dr. Sandra Dalton-Smith unpacks the seven types of rest, and they are going to completely change the way you think about fatigue and burnout.
As a physician, Dr. Dalton-Smith has seen firsthand how exhaustion isn’t just about needing more sleep, and as someone who loves missionaries, she speaks right to the heart of what we need to stay in this work for the long haul.
If you’ve been feeling depleted, stretched too thin, or just plain exhausted, this episode is for you. This conversation has the potential to change the way you see rest and the way you experience it.
Rest is about to feel a whole lot more possible.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
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What if one of the biggest ministry transitions isn’t a move to a new country, but welcoming a baby into your family—far from home? How do you navigate prenatal care, birth plans, and cultural expectations in a foreign medical system?
In this episode, Chandler Gilow, founder of The Global Birth Coach, shares insights from her own overseas birth experience and equips missionary families with the wisdom, resources, and community they need for this season.
Whether you're an expecting parent, a teammate, or a supporter back home, this conversation will change the way you think about birth on the mission field.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
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Unresolved team conflict is one of the biggest reasons missionaries decide to leave the mission field prematurely. How can we grow in this critical area? Dr. Janeen Davis has made it her life's work to help teams actively pursue peace. She joins us to uncover the myths and attitudes we unconsciously hold about conflict resolution that keep us miserable and without solutions. Learn about the Peace Pursuit model and find out steps we can take to begin the hard but rewarding work God calls us to of making peace.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/
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What if the biggest threat to your ministry isn’t your workload, but your own anxiety? Have you ever found yourself over-functioning, trying to manage others' emotions, or carrying the weight of unrealistic expectations?
In this episode, Steve Cuss unpacks how chronic anxiety sneaks into leadership, relationships, and ministry—often without us realizing it.
Drawing from his experiences as a chaplain and pastor, Steve shares practical tools to notice, name, and diffuse anxiety, so you can lead with greater peace, presence, and resilience. Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation that could change the way you navigate the pressures of missionary life!
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:
✅ How to spot the hidden false needs that keep us overworking, over-explaining, and over-functioning.
✅ Why anxiety is contagious (and how to stop spreading it)
✅ A simple three-step tool to notice, name, and diffuse anxiety before it spreads.
✅ What to do when criticism hits harder than it should
✅ A simple practice to stay grounded when ministry feels overwhelming
QUESTIONS TO PONDER AS YOU LISTEN:
🔹Where do I catch myself absorbing other people’s anxiety?
🔹How much of my stress comes from pressure I put on myself?
🔹What false expectations am I carrying in ministry?
🔹When do I feel the need to over-explain or prove myself?
🔹How would my leadership change if I felt more at peace?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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Are you struggling to expand your support network? Do you feel like you’ve already asked everyone you know and aren’t sure where to turn next?
What if there were dozens of potential partners hiding in plain sight—just waiting for an invitation to be part of your mission?
In this episode, we sit down with Russell Cooper and Deb Evans from Tailored Fundraising, who have coached thousands of missionaries to become fully funded. They’re breaking down five simple, practical steps to help you grow your network, invite people with confidence, and find new supporters without feeling awkward or overwhelmed.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in fundraising, this conversation will give you fresh hope and a clear plan forward!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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Have you ever wondered how growing up overseas shapes a child—both the good and the challenging? What if some of the struggles TCKs face could be prevented with the right support? And as a missionary parent, how do you balance your own well-being while making sure your kids are emotionally cared for?
In this episode, from her research of more than 2,000 third culture kids, TCK expert Tanya Crossman unpacks groundbreaking statistics and new information on the hidden struggles of Third Culture Kids, including the impact of trauma, emotional neglect, and parental stress.But don’t worry—this conversation is packed with hope!
Tanya shares powerful ways to help TCKs heal, build resilience, and thrive in their unique upbringing.
Whether you're raising TCKs, serving them, or one yourself, this episode is full of eye-opening insights and practical tools you won’t want to miss!
Resources Mentioned:
1. TCK Training
📌 Website: https://www.tcktraining.com/
TCK Training provides research-based resources, training, and coaching for Third Culture Kids (TCKs) and their families. Their work focuses on helping TCKs develop resilience, navigate transitions, and process childhood experiences.
- Resources for TCKs: https://www.tcktraining.com/courses
- Includes guides, videos, courses and tools to help TCKs navigate challenges.
- Research Reports & White Papers: https://www.tcktraining.com/research
- Publishes research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and mental health in TCKs.
- Offers downloadable white papers on findings related to TCK well-being.
2. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study
📌 Overview: The ACE study examines how difficult childhood experiences impact mental and physical health in adulthood. The TCK Training team applied this research to TCKs, finding that TCKs often have higher ACE scores in certain areas (such as parental mental health challenges and emotional neglect).
📌 Learn More: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html
3. Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs)
📌 Overview: PCEs research, led by Dr. Christina Bethel, looks at protective factors that help children build resilience despite adversity.
📌 Key Factors for Resilience:
- Strong relationships with at least two caring adults (not just parents).
- Feeling part of a community.
- Having a sense of belonging in school or a peer group.
- Engaging in meaningful traditions.
📌 Learn More: https://bit.ly/43GP2qA
4. "Misunderstood" by Tanya Cro
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Are generational differences making teamwork tricky on your missions team?
Do you find yourself navigating the unique perspectives of Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z…and wondering how on earth to bring everyone together? You’re not alone! Join us for a conversation with Dr. Tim Elmore, author and founder of Growing Leaders, as we dive into practical ways to turn generational clashes into team strengths.
He shares practical tips to smooth out tensions, build trust, and bring your team together in a way that actually works.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re caught in the middle of a generational tug-of-war, this episode is for you!
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IT'S OUR 100th EPISODE! And we've got a great one for you today, listeners! What makes someone pack up their life, move across the world, and step into the unknown for the sake of the gospel? How do missionaries keep going when the sacrifices pile up and the rewards feel far away? Missionaries—you know you’re unique, but do you know how? What sets us apart?
Today, we sit down with the author of The Mind of a Missionary, David Joannes—a longtime missionary himself––to talk about the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From smuggling Bibles into China and facing interrogation to the lessons learned from missionary heroes, David shares what fuels those who say yes to God’s call—even when it gets tough.
Whether you're on the field, thinking about going, or supporting those who serve, this conversation will challenge, encourage, and remind you that you're part of something much bigger.
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Have you ever felt overwhelmed by tax season as a missionary? Wondering if you should opt out of Social Security? Confused about how 1099s, housing allowances, and foreign-earned income exclusions actually work?
In this episode, CPAs Maggie Walker and Brooke Calhoun break down everything missionaries need to know about taxes—from maximizing tax benefits to avoiding financial surprises. Whether you’re filing for the first time or catching up on years of returns, this conversation will equip you with practical tips to navigate tax season with confidence. Grab a notebook—this is one episode you don’t want to miss!
- FREE Housing Allowance Worksheet
- Foreign Earned Income Exclusion Explained
- Missionary Taxes: CPA's Maggie Walker and Brooke Calhoun of BDM Texas both specialize in doing taxes for cross-cultural workers. You can reach out to them HERE
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Is social media just a distraction—or could it also be one of the most powerful tools for spreading the gospel?
Is it possible to use it effectively without falling into the trap of performance and pride? Brian Barcelona shares how he and his team at One Voice have reached millions with the gospel through digital evangelism, the unexpected ways God has moved online, and practical strategies for missionaries to use social media well as a tool for outreach and connecting with supporters. Plus, he gets real about the dangers of fame, the importance of authenticity, and how to steward your calling well in the digital space.
If you've ever wondered whether social media is worth your time or struggled to know how to use it well, this conversation is for you!
✍️ In this episode, you'll learn:
- Simple ways to create impactful content without fancy equipment
- How to keep social media from becoming a pride trap
- Why storytelling makes our message more powerful and personal
- Practical tips for using social media without getting addicted
- Why authenticity matters more than polished content online
💡 Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- What story can I share that might encourage someone today?
- Am I stewarding my platform in a way that honors God?
- Am I using social media as a tool or is it a distraction?
- What’s holding me back from being consistent in sharing?
- How can I stay authentic while engaging a digital audience?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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What does fundraising have to do with spiritual formation? You’re about to find out!
Maybe you have been approaching fundraising as just another task on your missionary to-do list. We’ve all been there! But what if it’s not just about the money?
Could fundraising actually be a tool God uses to transform you?
Heather Winchell and Andy Brennan of Provisio Fundraising unpack how the way we fundraise profoundly shapes our dependence on God, reveals how we see God, and reflects what our mission actually is.Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply looking for a fresh perspective, you’ll learn how to let fundraising form you instead of deform you, filling you with fresh purpose and confidence.
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What might God be calling you to start, stop, or step into this year?
What if asking the right questions could launch you into the most impactful year of your life?
In this episode, we give you an activity you can do today to launch you strong into the new year!
Marvin Slaton, executive director of Modern Day Missions, shares five profound questions to help missionaries reflect, realign, and reimagine their calling for the new year and beyond.
Let them help you discover what the Lord wants to birth, refine, and resurrect in your life this year. Grab a pen or reflect as you listen—this episode is packed with inspiration to launch you into your best year yet!
✍️ In this episode, you'll learn:
- How pruning can lead to fresh growth and freedom.
- Why revisiting past passions or goals could bring fresh life into our calling.
- How to reflect on ministry with fresh eyes and open hearts.
- Practical ways to evaluate and deepen our current ministry efforts.
- How to identify what God is calling us to start or create this year.
💡 Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- What are the things God is wanting to birth or bring to life in you? (birth)
- What is the ministry God has for you to jump into or go deeper in? (ministry)
- Are there things God is calling you to put to death, learn from, and move on from? (death )
- Is God wanting to resurrect an area of your life that was thriving before but currently needs new life? (resurrection)
- What is God calling you to ascend, complete, fulfill, or overcome or conquer? (ascension)
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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Are you feeling overwhelmed, unsure if your stress is too much—or maybe not enough? Wondering how to find a healthy rhythm for the demands of missionary life?
In this episode, Dr. Kristi Gaultiere joins us to unpack the reality of stress and how it impacts missionaries uniquely.
We look at the difference between healthy and unhealthy stress, how to recognize the signs of being "stressed in" or "stressed out," and what adrenaline addiction is and how it can quietly sabotage your life and ministry.
Discover how to align your rhythms with Jesus’ easy yoke and cultivate a sustainable, grace-filled approach to life and mission.
If you’re ready to learn how to thrive under pressure without burning out, this conversation is for you!
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Join us for an unforgettable conversation with Rod Plummer, a missionary and church planter in Japan for over 20 years. Rod shares the incredible story of how he and his wife, Viv, and their family and team became part of a wave of God’s movement in one of the world’s most challenging mission fields.
You’ll be amazed at some of the approaches the Plummers took and how surprisingly effective they were, challenging conventional missions wisdom. They now have 17+ campuses throughout Japan and Asia and a thriving team of missionaries and nationals reaching people for Christ.
From practical strategies to divine inspiration, this episode will inspire you to think differently, give you new ideas, and challenge you to step boldly into the impossible. Tune in for a conversation that could redefine your perspective on missions strategies!
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Have you ever looked back on a really hard season on the field, a huge thing God asked you to do, or a big unexpected change and thought, Wow, I’m SO glad I didn’t know that was coming? Because I would have run for the hills!
In this episode, we sit down with Vonna Laue, author of the upcoming book Glad I Didn’t Know, to discuss life’s unexpected twists and turns in the world of missions. Vonna shares her journey, from unplanned moves and family challenges to the unique pressures and joys that missionaries face when God’s plans unfold in surprising ways.
She offers wisdom and concrete ways to live fully in the moment while trusting God with what’s to come. Whether you’re on the field or supporting others who are, this conversation will remind you of the resilience and hope that carries us through, even when the future feels uncertain.
✍️ In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How we can find peace in the unknown, even when life surprises us
- Why it’s okay (and even good) to be glad we didn’t know everything ahead
- How our personal journeys strengthen our calling in missions
- Practical ways we can stay grounded, no matter what life brings
- Tips for balancing structure with flexibility in our daily lives and ministries
💡Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- Where in my life have I felt grateful not to know what was coming?
- How do I usually respond to unexpected twists—am I open or resistant?
- What stories from my past show God’s faithfulness through surprises?
- How can I stay flexible and trusting when plans suddenly change?
- In what ways might God be calling me to release control right now?
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How do you handle team conflicts when your cultural values clash? What’s the secret to building trust in a team of people from very different backgrounds?
You may have learned about the culture you are going to serve, but did you learn about the cultures of the people you are serving with? Missions is much more complex and beautiful than we could ever know!
The makeup of teams serving overseas are changing. If you don’t already serve with people from various countries, you likely soon will. This is an exciting challenge, and one we need to know more about.
In this episode, we’re joined by cross-cultural expert I’Ching Thomas, who gives excellent advice on how to build strong relationships among culturally diverse teams.
With real-life examples and strategies, I'Ching helps us explore how to bridge cultural gaps, deepen trust, and build a unified team that reflects the love of Christ. Don’t miss this conversation on creating stronger, more resilient cross-cultural teams!
✍️ In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How we can bridge cultural gaps on diverse mission teams
- Practical ways to build trust and unity among teammates from different backgrounds
- Tips for handling team conflicts when values and communication styles clash
- Why it's essential to approach our teammates with humility and openness
- How we can create a strong, Christ-centered team culture
💡Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- How do I usually respond when misunderstandings arise with teammates from different cultures?
- What cultural biases might I bring into my team interactions?
- Am I intentional about building relationships, or do I focus mainly on tasks?
- How often do I pause to truly listen and learn from my teammates' perspectives?
- What steps can I take to create a more inclusive and understanding team environment?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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Do you ever wonder if your prayers are really making a difference? Or feel frustrated when you don’t see results? If you pray and something doesn’t happen, was it worth it or a waste of time? Does God already have planned out what he’s going to do anyway?
In this episode, we talk with missionary Peter Warren, a leader in YWAM, who brings a fresh take on how prayer works and why it matters. We dive into what it means to co-create with God through prayer, if prayer can actually change things, and what role persistence plays. If you've ever struggled with prayer or questioned its impact, this conversation will encourage you and give you a whole new perspective!
✍️ In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How we can partner with God through prayer to impact real outcomes
- Why some prayers take time and how persistence plays a key role
- How to align our prayers with God’s will and desires
- What it looks like to persist in prayer, even when we feel discouraged
- What it means to co-create with God
💡Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- Do I really believe my prayers can change things, or do I feel like I’m wasting time?
- How do I approach prayer—am I expecting God to respond, or just checking a box?
- Am I praying for what God wants, or am I trying to steer things my own way?
- What does it look like for me to partner with God through prayer?
- How can I keep praying when it feels like nothing’s happening?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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What does surrendering to God mean? Can someone be walking in faith and be surrendered to God? Is surrender giving up? How do we balance the reality of suffering with believing in God as our provider and healer? How can we know when we’re using faith as a way to try and control God versus having faith that pleases him?
Uff. Suffering brings up SO many questions. In this week’s episode, we wade into the waters of suffering, surrender, faith, and hope with former missionary, member care veteran, and ordained Anglican priest Scott Shaum.
This conversation is rich, challenging, comforting and discerning. You’ll receive fresh insights and new ways of seeing whatever difficulty you may be walking through.
✍️ In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How we can navigate the tension between faith and surrender in difficult times.
- Practical ways to walk through pain while still holding onto hope and faith.
- How suffering can be a key part of our spiritual growth and maturity.
- Insights on how our view of God shapes how we handle suffering and hardship.
- How we can trust God’s presence even when we don’t get the answers we want.
💡Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- Am I truly surrendering to God, or am I trying to control outcomes with my faith?
- How do I see God as both my healer and provider, even in seasons of suffering?
- What does it look like for me to hold onto hope while walking through pain?
- How can I embrace surrender without feeling like I’m giving up?
- Am I allowing God to use my challenges to shape me, or am I resisting His work?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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Have you ever wondered why people respond to trauma in such different ways? In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of trauma with Dr. Jamie Aten, a leading expert in the field. We explore the multifaceted nature of trauma, breaking down why people's experiences and reactions to it can be so widely different.
Dr. Aten gives practical, effective strategies that those of us who work in high-stress and emotionally charged settings can use to work through trauma in our own lives while also giving compassionate care to those around us who have experienced it.
This isn't just an academic discussion; the episode is laden with real-world applications. Dr. Aten shares tools from his spiritual aid toolkit and gives a sense of hope for anyone grappling with the challenges of trauma. Whether you're a missionary, a caregiver, or someone looking to better understand the human experience, this episode is a must-listen.
✍️ In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why people experience and respond to trauma in such different ways
- Practical tips for missionaries to recognize and manage their own trauma
- How to provide compassionate care for those facing trauma in high-stress environments
- Real-life strategies for building emotional resilience in your daily life
- The importance of self-care when working in challenging, trauma-filled settings
💡Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- How do I typically respond to stress or trauma in my life?
- What strategies have I used to help others cope with difficult experiences?
- In what ways can I improve my emotional resilience as a missionary?
- How might understanding different trauma responses help me care for those around me?
- What role does self-care play in managing my own emotional well-being in tough environments?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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Do you ever struggle with knowing how to keep your team motivated? Especially when the work is hard, the stakes are high, and the pay is low (or non-existent)? How can you create a team culture of health from the top down?
In this episode, we sit down with Nic and Rachael Billman, founders of Shores of Grace. They have spent over 14 years leading missionaries and staff in Brazil. They open up about the challenges and rewards of managing complex teams, from balancing paid staff and volunteers to navigating the complexities of cross-cultural leadership.
You'll hear their practical tips on keeping teams unified, motivated, and healthy—plus some personal stories that are sure to resonate with anyone leading in ministry. Whether you're running a small team or a large ministry, this conversation will inspire you with fresh ideas for leading your team in an effective and healthy way.
✍️ In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to keep your team motivated, even when life gets tough
- Simple ways to build unity across different cultures and personalities
- Practical ways to set a sustainable pace for your team’s long-term success
- Tips for handling conflict and keeping relationships healthy
- Why focusing on relationships and care makes all the difference in ministry
💡 Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- What are a few ways we can help team members take ownership of their roles and responsibilities?
- How do we lead well when our team members have different expectations or backgrounds?
- What are some creative ways to motivate our team during tough seasons?
- How can we better support our team’s emotional health, especially in seasons of high stress?
- What steps can we take to foster deeper relationships and trust within our team?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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Being an MK––or parenting an MK––is a journey like none other! If you’re the parent of missionary kids or you grew up as an MK or TCK––or if you know MK’s and just want to understand them better––today, we dive into the wild world of growing up overseas!
What makes today’s missionary kids different than the MK’s who came before them? How can those of us who love them understand their world a little better so we can support them and help them flourish?
Today, Dr. Rob Hoskins, MK, TCK, parent of MK's, and President of OneHope, which has given away more than 2 billion Bibles to children and youth around the world, shares strategic ways to engage culture as a family and how to have fun in the process!
Join us for this vulnerable and powerful encore episode with Rob about MK’s as we dig into the great parts, the hard parts, and how we can help MK’s thrive.
✍️ In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Specific ways missionary parents can balance the demands of ministry while making their children's well-being a priority.
- What it’s really like to grow up as a missionary kid today, from adapting to different cultures to handling the unique dynamics of missionary family life.
- One of Rob’s keys to helping MK’s thrive in their unique circumstances.
- The ways the digital age is reshaping the challenges MK’s face today and what that means for their upbringing.
- Practical, relatable advice for parents on how to navigate the tension between their calling and raising healthy, happy kids.
💡 Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- How can we create a sense of belonging and inclusion for our kids while balancing the demands of ministry?
- What intentional steps can we take to ensure our children are thriving emotionally and spiritually, even in challenging environments?
- How is digital culture affecting our kids, and what can we do to help guide them through its challenges?
- How can we manage the tension between fulfilling our calling and making sure our children's well-being comes first?
- What are some practical ways to involve our children in the mission without overwhelming or isolating them from the joys of childhood?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast
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Are generational differences causing tension on your missions team? Do you find it challenging to bring Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z together in a unified way? Join us as we sit down with Dr. Tim Elmore, author and founder of Growing Leaders, to explore how to overcome generational clashes and turn those differences into strengths.
This conversation will give you tools to handle tensions, build trust, and create a more unified, effective team. If you’ve ever wondered how to bring different generations together without losing your cool, this episode is for you!
✍️ In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to bridge generational gaps for stronger teamwork.
- Strategies for turning generational tensions into strengths.
- Key differences between Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z, and how to leverage them.
- Tips for improving communication across generations.
- How embracing generational diversity can make your team more effective.
💡 Questions to ponder as you listen:
- What generation is most difficult for me to understand? What confuses/frustrates me about them? What did Tim share that is helping me see them in a new light?
- What are some specific ways generational differences are showing up on my team, and what challenges are they creating?
- What’s one thing I could do to help bridge the gap between older and younger team members?
- What strengths from different generations on my team might I be overlooking?
- What is one practical way I can encourage teammates of different generations to work together?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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In this episode, we explore a topic every missionary needs to know about—the incredible potential of end-of-year giving. We sit down with fundraising expert Russell Cooper to look at why December is such a big deal for missionaries and how they can make the most of it.
Did you know some missionaries raise up to 30% of their annual budget in just one month?
Russell's shares incredibly practical tips on how to get ready, communicate effectively, and make the most of your year-end efforts. He’ll cover everything from crafting the perfect letter to following up without overwhelming your supporters, and even how to create that sense of urgency—without sounding desperate. Whether you’re a seasoned missionary or just getting started, there’s a lot to take away from this episode to help you finish the year on a high note!
✍️ In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why December is such a big deal for nonprofit fundraising and how it can boost your financial support.
- Simple tips to help you prepare and communicate better before year-end giving.
- How to write a donation letter that really connects with your supporters.
- Smart ways to follow up with donors that build urgency without feeling pushy.
💡 Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- What specific actions can I take this week to ensure I’m fully prepared for year-end giving and that my supporters feel appreciated?
- How can I create a clear, actionable message that motivates donors to give without making them feel pressured?
- What kinds of letters do I find compelling? What makes them connect with me? How could incorporate those element into a letter that would deepen my relationship with supporters and encourage them to give generously?
- How can I plan my follow-up process to keep donors engaged and appreciated without overwhelming them?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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How long have you been on the mission field? Did you know that the challenges you’re facing and the perspective you’ve developed are likely more similar to others at your stage than you might think?
In this episode, authors and missionaries Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter share the five stages of the missionary life cycle they’ve observed. They also share the potential pitfalls and opportunities in each stage. What stage are you in? We talk about the ups, downs, and everything in between. It’s so good to know that we are not alone in our feelings and experiences!
💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:
- The five stages of the missionary life, as observed by Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter.
- Common challenges and opportunities that arise in each stage of missionary work.
- How to identify where you are in your own journey and what that means for your growth.
- Great suggestions for handling the ups and downs of missionary life while staying hopeful and grounded.
✍️ Questions to Think About as You Listen:
- How long have you been on the mission field, and how has your perspective shifted over time?
- What challenges are you currently facing, and how do they compare to earlier stages of your journey?
- Can you identify with any of the five stages of the missionary life the Trotters discuss? If so, which one?
- Have you noticed patterns in your own experience that resonate with the stages mentioned in this episode?
- What opportunities do you see in your current season to grow, connect with others, or find renewed strength?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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Have you ever felt caught between your faith and the political chaos around you? Are you unsure how to navigate conversations with supporters who expect you to take sides? Or maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed by the political headlines and wondering how to stay focused on your mission.
We dive deep into these questions and more with Dr. Russell Moore, editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, as we explore how to navigate the complex intersection of faith and politics without losing sight of your calling. ✍️ In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to process the confusion and overwhelm that comes with engaging in the political landscape, especially from abroad.
- Practical ways to stay grounded in your faith and calling when politics feel chaotic.
- How to navigate divisive politics as a missionary without losing focus on your mission.
- How to handle political pressures from supporters back home who expect you to take sides.
- Strategies for avoiding cynicism and maintaining hope in a world that feels increasingly divided.
- How to lean into your unique missionary strengths, like cross-cultural communication, to navigate political tensions more effectively.
💡 Questions to Ponder as You Listen:
- What steps can I take to navigate political conversations without losing focus on my mission?
- Have I ever felt pressure from supporters to take a political stance? How do I currently handle that? What is a better way?
- What are some specific ways living abroad changes my perspective on the political climate back home?
- What is one thing I can do to stay grounded in my faith when political issues feel overwhelming?
- Do I feel cynical about politics? How might God be calling me to engage or pull back from politics in this specific season?
- In what ways can my skills as a missionary help me better navigate cross-cultural political tensions?
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Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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Are you looking to connect with business leaders to partner with you financially in your missions work? In this episode, we sit down with Lee Domingue, the visionary behind Kingdom Builders, a movement that's revolutionizing how missions are funded around the world. Lee shares how you can effectively engage with business leaders and churches to accelerate your impact and fund the work God has given you to do.
💡 Discover how to:
- Build strategic partnerships with business leaders.
- Communicate your vision with confidence.
- Unlock resources to propel your mission forward.
Lee's wisdom and passion will inspire you to think bigger and bolder about the possibilities for your ministry. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand, this episode is packed with practical advice and spiritual encouragement that you don't want to miss. Get ready to forge new relationships that will further Kingdom growth!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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In this episode, we dive deep with Dr. Sammy Wanyonyi, a passionate missionary and evangelist who’s not only spreading the Gospel but staying grounded in his faith despite a very active and ever-changing schedule.
Sammy shares powerful insights on maintaining intimacy with Jesus, even when life is pulling him in multiple directions—whether he's in the U.S., Ethiopia, Kenya, Korea, the Netherlands, or anywhere in between.
Discover how Sammy prioritizes his relationship with God over everything else, and how that decision has transformed his ministry. If you're struggling to stay connected to God in the midst of overwhelming demands, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Lean in to glean some practical wisdom on grounding your faith and thriving in your missions work and life!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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Do you ever struggle with the need to control others? Have you noticed how easily offenses can build up, even to the point of making you question your calling? What if the key to lasting leadership isn't about keeping everyone in line but about something much deeper?
In a day and age where scandals are shaking the church and leaders are dropping like flies, how can we become healthy leaders who last? In this episode, we hear from Andrew McMillan, long-term missionary and founding pastor of Comunidad in Medellín, Colombia, on how to become a leader that lasts!
As you listen to this episode, consider asking yourself:
- Am I creating an atmosphere where people feel empowered by the Holy Spirit, or am I inadvertently taking His place by trying to manage everything?
- What is one area where I need to lay down my control and trust God more deeply?
- What are some ways I have allowed fear to drive my decisions in leadership? How has that affected my relationships with those I serve?
- Do I trust the Holy Spirit to guide others, or do I feel the need to micromanage every detail?
- What kind of atmosphere am I creating within my ministry or team? Is it one of freedom, joy, and trust, or one of pressure and control?
- How do I handle offenses? Am I quick to forgive, or do I let them build up?
- What wells am I digging in my ministry? Am I focusing on keeping people in, or providing a source of life that draws them closer to God?
- How can I cultivate more “sweetness” and joy in my leadership, reflecting the heart of Jesus?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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Do you ever wonder if your past or struggles with your identity are holding you back in your mission work?
In this episode, Tom Hallas opens up about his journey of discovering what it really means to be a child of God. From the struggles of his upbringing to the lessons learned in Youth With A Mission, Tom shares how letting go of false identities—whether tied to nationality, education, or gender—can set you free.
We look at the most common false identities missionaries take on and how to break free from those. Tom shows how understanding who God truly is can dramatically reshape your life, your leadership, and your calling as a missionary.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself as you listen:
- What false identities might I be holding onto?
How might I be defining myself by my nationality, education, or other external factors rather than by my identity as a child of God?
- How do I perceive God's character?
Do I truly see God as compassionate, gracious, and abounding in love, or am I projecting negative experiences from my past onto Him?
- How do my past experiences influence my relationship with God and others?
Are there unresolved issues or false beliefs from my upbringing that might be affecting how I see God, myself, and my mission?
- What steps can I take to embrace my eternal sonship in Christ?
How can I live out my identity as a child of God more fully in my personal life and ministry?
- Am I leading and disciplining others from a place of love and compassion?
How can I reflect God's character more accurately in my leadership and interactions with others?
- How can I better align my actions with the true nature of God?
What areas of my life and ministry need to be reshaped to reflect God's compassion, grace, and faithfulness?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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Have you ever felt puzzled by how differently Christians experience and express their faith? How can we walk in unity when we sometimes see things so differently?
In this episode, member care and missionary veteran Harry Hoffmann shares five unique spiritual worldviews, all rooted in the Bible and the dogma of the Christian faith. From the warrior-like approach of spiritual warfare to the nurturing Father Heart of God, Harry shows us how these different perspectives, can complement and enrich our spiritual journeys, and help us to understand one another better!
Which worldview is yours? Which one is hardest for you to connect with? After listening to the five worldviews, what aspect of God’s character might he be inviting you to learn more about? How can you use this new understanding to connect with someone you know?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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If you feel called to be a missionary, today is for you! Get out your pen and paper, because in this encore episode, Modern Day Missions executive director Marvin Slaton gets extremely practical with next steps to take once you’ve discerned God is calling you to the field.
You’ll learn about the five options for being sent, the three key areas of preparation, and how to form a plan of action. At Modern Day, we are passionate about empowering missionaries to be sent where God is calling them!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org
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This episode is packed with so much wisdom from the electric Lou Engle. He shares on the powerful topics of dreams, prayer, fasting, and the unique call God has on women's lives. Lou also shares some very specific things God has put on his heart that he believes God is calling women into in this season. Get ready to be deeply energized in your faith!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Do you feel confused, fired up, or just deeply sad about everything you’ve been hearing in the news lately about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? There is so much conflicting information out there and even more anger coming at us from both sides. How can we know what to believe and feel? What is a godly, compassionate response?
As a missions community, we felt it was important for us to take a week to look at this biblical, spiritual, and global issue. We talk to Nic Lesmeister, the executive director of Gateway Center for Israel, and he gives an extremely balanced, loving, and wise perspective that is sorely needed in today’s controversial climate. He also shares what we can do and how we can pray. We hope you find it helpful!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Whether your marriage is on the breaking point or just in need of some fresh ideas and perspective, we’ve got you covered. In this episode with Danny and Stephanie Leigh Gutierrez (guest hosted by Amy Young), we talk very honestly about what to do if your missionary marriage is in crisis. We also look at how couples can get back on the same page if they find themselves growing apart, and we give practical steps they can take to find each other again.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
If you’re curious what a sabbatical is and if it is something you need…or if you’re skeptical about it and are wondering if sabbaticals are even a real thing, today is for you!
Jeff Simons of The Way Between answers all your sabbatical questions: why, how, where, how much and if! And make sure to listen all the way to the end, because Jeff has a great giveaway for the first few missionaries who take him up on the offer!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
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Obedience. Why do we sometimes have a visceral reaction to that word? Or maybe you don’t struggle with obedience and find it easy to follow God, but your struggle is discerning if something is his voice or not? Or have you ever noticed that obeying God in the small things can be even harder than obeying him in the big things?
In this episode, we are joined by Modern Day missionaries Jonathan and Amanda Vining for a refreshing and inspiring real talk on obedience.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
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On this episode, we're tackling a crucial topic: burnout among missionaries, and we’re joined by Laura Howe, founder of Hope Made Strong.
We explore the unique pressures of cross-cultural ministry and examine what sustainable self-care looks like. There’s even a link to burnout quiz you can take to see where you’re at.
Join us today for real life examples and actionable strategies to help you make great choices and keep your passion for ministry alive.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
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Do you ever feel like you just don’t get Gen Alpha? Dr. Jolene Erlacher breaks down this fascinating generation for us. She explains the unique way they see the world, the challenges they face, and the strengths they bring to the table.
They’ve been born into a crazy world unlike any previous generation, and God has a unique call on their lives. How can we nurture that call, help them understand what truth is, and take steps to understand them and connect with them, drawing out their full potential and learning from them at the same time? How can we raise, mentor, and support resilient, compassionate, and innovative kids?
This episode is a wealth of knowledge. Together, let’s help set these kids up to be the world-changers God has called them to be!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
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Have you ever had a season when everything in you wanted to quit and leave the field, the church, the project, the team, the miracle you’ve been believing for But deep in your spirit, you knew God was asking you to keep standing.
There are moments in life when God asks us to persevere in areas that feel too much for us. How can we keep from quitting? How can we gain the fresh strength we need to keep going? Marvin Slaton, Modern Day’s executive director unpacks what persistent faith looks like in overwhelming circumstances.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Click here to send us a text! We'd love to hear from you!
In this encore episode, Dirk Smith, vice president of Eastern European Mission, shares his very personal story of losing his wife to ALS last year. Dirk’s story is honest and it is also filled with hope. He shares real and helpful ways missionaries—and anyone—can navigate loss well and trust that it is not the end of our story, but is the beginning of something new.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Click here to send us a text! We'd love to hear from you!
Hey single missionaries, we see you. You make up a third of missionaries on the field, and 80-85 percent of you are women. We need to know the unique challenges you face and the unique strengths you bring! In this interview with Sarita Hartz, we explore the common things you experience on the field. We also discuss how those of us who serve you and work with you, can empower you to be all God’s called you to be.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Send us a text! We'd love to hear from you!
In this episode, we take a look at what today’s missionary looks like and explore some of the similarities and differences to missionaries in the past. We’re joined by Dr. Mary Ho, the executive director of All Nations. Mary gives us a behind-the-scenes look at All Nations missionary John Chow, who was killed a few years ago on mission and whose story was feature in a Disney Plus documentary.
What does it mean to be a missionary today? How do different cultures view our calling? And how can missionaries care for themselves and be cared for by their senders in ways that are healthy and sustainable?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed in life, relationships, or ministry? In this encore episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Margaret Nagib, looks at the role our body plays in overwhelm.
We talk about common physical symptoms missionaries experience when they are in overwhelm, and Margaret looks at the ways God speaks to us through not only our spirit and soul, but our body. What is good stress versus bad stress? How can we learn to crucify our flesh without crucifying our bodies? What can happen when we get our WHOLE self aligned with God’s purpose for us?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Spiritual warfare. It’s a topic, that for most people, either gets them fired up and ready to battle the enemy, or it leaves a bad taste in their mouth because of how they’ve been taught or seen it used. Whether you love it or are repelled by it, there’s no denying spiritual warfare is real, and Scripture calls us to it. And as missionaries, we especially cannot ignore it. We are all fighting battles for those we serve, for the countries and cities we are called to, and for our teammates, families, and friends.
So, what is a healthy approach to this complex topic? How do we explain it to our kids and others in a way that will empower them instead of scare them? For the last 40 years, Dean Sherman has been a leader in YWAM and worldwide, is a recognized authority on spiritual warfare. He gives missionaries a Scripturally-based, easy-to-understand approach to spiritual warfare that will encourage and embolden you to fight from a place of peace and confidence in Christ.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Missionaries, how would you answer this question: “Are you holding a secret that if your supporters, sending church, or sending organization knew about it, could jeopardize you being on the field?” Amy Young, LPC, president of Global Trellis and former missionary, asked this question of 358 global workers, and boy, did they answer!
Senders, you’re going to want to know the profound answers and surprising results they shared. Missionaries, find out what your brothers and sisters around the world are dealing with, and know you’re not alone. Everyone, these stats might be sobering, but we don’t end there. This episode is full of hope and ideas of what we can do next. Join the conversation!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Today’s episode is a masterclass in deep listening from executive coach, Cheryl Scanlan, a master certified coach and founder of Promised Land Living. Cheryl has trained more than 3,000 coaches and has 15,000 hours of coaching experience. Her ability to hear the hearts of her clients is unparalleled and consistently leads to dramatic growth and change.
In this conversation, she shares her secrets to deep listening with us, speaking directly to us as missionaries. This is an episode you’ll want to listen to on repeat!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Are you frustrated by fundraising? In this episode with Dr. Steve Shadrach of Via Generosity and author of The God Ask, one of the most well-known books on raising support, we talk about the fear of rejection, feeling stuck, and how the way we see God affects our ability to be successful in support raising.
Dr. Shadrach shares practical advice on how to increase your monthly support and gain long-term financial stability on the field.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Is your soul weary and in need of some rest? Do you feel weighed down by life and ministry? Are you in need of a reset? Today Lynne Themelaras, pastor, counselor, and author of Soul Detox, looks at the types of debris that clutters up our souls and gives practical steps for us to begin our own soul detox.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
In this interview with Grant Haynes, president of Global Frontier Missions, we look at some of the specific spiritual battles and struggles missionaries face on the field...things like finding our identity in being a missionary, attacks on team relationships, our marriages, and our souls. We talk about the roots of these struggles, how to prepare for the attacks that come, and how to stand strong in the midst of them.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
In this encore episode of one of our most listened-to episodes of our second season, we talk transitions.
If you are in or soon to be in a season of transition and you need some strategies to navigate it well, you won’t want to miss this incredibly practical and encouraging conversation with transition coach and former missionary, Sara Simons, of The Way Between.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
From serving as a nun to becoming a widow to earning a Ph.D. to winning an Emmy to becoming an esteemed professor to living in refugee camps to losing a leg to working as an advisor to the Clinton administration to serving on Desmond Tutu’s peace council…and that’s not even all of it!—you’ve NEVER met anyone like Dr. Judith Mayotte.
Judy's life has been filled with more ups and downs than a loop-de-loop roller coaster! Yet in all of the inconsistency of her life, her purpose for living has stayed firm, and she illuminates the lives of everyone around her. Judy’s story of faith, determination, and joy will put fresh wind into your sails!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Did you know two-thirds of missionaries have this in common?: They are women! We can’t afford to not understand the majority, and often underestimated and overlooked powerhouses, that are women missionaries.
In this episode, Denise Beck, executive director of Velvet Ashes, delves into the unique challenges faced by female global workers and the unique gifts they have to offer! From single missionaries grappling with feelings of being overlooked to married women navigating the complexities of balancing family and ministry, Denise shares insights that will challenge your assumptions and inspire a deeper understanding of the vital role women play in spreading the gospel.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
On today's episode, we're looking at resilience. What are some of the common factors in people who are resilient––specifically missionaries? Geoff Whiteman, a marriage and family therapist, and researcher on missional resilience breaks this down, taking it from theory to your actual life on the field.
This episode includes a powerful activity Geoff shows in real time that you will be able to do on your own to help build your missional resilience.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
On one of our top episodes of the last season, we were joined by leadership expert, bestselling author, and founding pastor of Connexus Church, Carey Nieuwhof. We talk boundaries, burnout, time management, and so much more.
This encore episode brings you brilliant advice on how to live more intentionally, avoid burnout and be at your best in missions and in life.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Have you experienced team tension on the field or worked with missionaries who have? Unresolved team conflict is one of the biggest reasons missionaries decide to leave the mission field prematurely. How can we grow in this critical area?
Dr. Janeen Davis has made it her life's work to help teams actively pursue peace. She joins us to uncover the myths and attitudes we unconsciously hold about conflict resolution that keep us miserable and without solutions. Learn about the Peace Pursuit model and find out steps we can take to begin the hard but rewarding work God calls us to of making peace.
Find out more about Janeen Davis, the Peace Pursuit model, and all resources mentioned during the episode at https://mdmpodcast.org/podcast/team-conflict-mission-field-janeen-davis/.
Find the episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/CjcZTPsuXd8
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Is the vision and mission for both your life and ministry clear? Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr., author of Grace to Grow and president of Converge, shows missionaries how they can discover, develop, and communicate their purpose.
How can we turn the passion inside us into a clear, inspiring destination with a well-defined path to reach it? And what practical steps can we take to communicate our vision and mission effectively to supporting churches and those who invest in us?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Emotions can be exhausting—our own and other people's. We know God gave us feelings, but what do we do about the ones we don’t like or understand? Drs. Bill & Kristi Gaultiere, founders of Soul Shepherding, use the tool of the Enneagram to show missionaries how understanding our emotions and unique personalities can set us free to know who and how God really made us to be so we can grow in our relationship with ourselves, with God, and with others.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
The complex topic of sexuality is everywhere—including on the mission field—and it can be hard to know how to engage it well, especially when you add in cross-cultural factors! How can we find the holy balance between truth and love? How can we invite instead of isolate? How can we help the kids, teenagers, and adults in our families and those we are serving who are asking the hard questions? In today’s episode, Michele Okimura, founder and director of Explicit Movement and Releasing Generations, shows us where to begin.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
If you'll be traveling back "home" for Christmas—or anytime soon!—former global worker, author, and TCK expert Michael Pollock has excellent advice on how you can prepare well emotionally, mentally, and logistically for your trip back to your passport country. This encore episode is back just in time to set you up for success on your next visit back to the country that used to be home.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Want to know how you can double your monthly donations this December? In this episode, Modern Day’s president, Elias Reyes shares how! Statistics show that if you take a few simple steps, you have the potential to supercharge your end-of-the-year gifts. Discover how you can make the most of this golden opportunity and end your year with a financial boost!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Whether you’re getting ready to transition from the mission field or to it, you’ll love hearing from father and daughter Nathan and Zoe Grams. As both an MK and missionary himself, Nathan has transitioned between countries many times. In this episode, he and Zoe share what things they have found to be most essential for any person or family determined to transition well.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
What can we do when things in life turn out very different from what we had planned? In one of our most popular episodes from the last season, we talk with counselor and missionary Zach Lowrie about how to walk well through seasons of confusion and disappointment. If you missed this episode the first time around, we’re so glad you’ll have another opportunity to listen in and be encouraged!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
In this episode, John and Pat Hazelwood founding directors of Yes! Marriage Works, look at what happens when unexpected (and expected) changes threaten to disrupt a missionary couple’s marriage. From their experience as missionary coaches, they share how couples can navigate both external and internal change well. John and Pat share proactive ways couples can build resiliency in their relationships and effective ways to respond when any kind of change comes their way.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
This special episode on the stress of living off missions support was recorded with Modern Day's President, Elias Reyes, for the Church Mental Health Summit last month. In it, we share very practical ways to alleviate the anxiety that these financial challenges can produce by looking at four essential mindset shifts and three actionable steps missionaries can begin to walk out today.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
In this episode, financial coaches to missionaries Anita Bosworth & Allie Black share how to create powerful support teams. Their innovative approach introduces the notion of crafting distinct roles within your support team, and it has the potential to make a major impact on your fundraising support team, relationally and financially.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
On this episode, we take a deep look at personal loss and how we can walk through it with grace, strength, and compassion. Dirk Smith, vice president of Eastern European Mission, shares his very personal story of losing his wife to ALS this year. Dirk’s story is honest and it is also filled with hope. He shares real and helpful ways missionaries—and anyone—can navigate loss well and trust that this is not the end of our stories, but is the beginning of something new.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
What are the best ways for missionaries to keep learning and growing while on the field? Mark and Julie Morgenstern talk about the vital importance of purposeful, ongoing learning for missionaries and how to make it doable and fun! They share practical tips and insights to help us navigate the ever-evolving world of knowledge in today's info-packed age.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Pastors, missionaries, and MK’s Taylor Barriger and Jesiah Hansen open up about transitioning from being pastors' kids to growing up and deciding to serve with their parents in ministry. They talk about the delicate balance of honoring their parents' legacy while finding their own ministry voice, and they share the powerful decisions their parents made to help them in that journey. We look at both the challenges and beauty of generational ministry and the importance of open-handed leadership, trust, and empowering the next generation to discover the unique ways God is calling them to follow Him.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Margaret Nagib, talks to us about overwhelm––the role our body plays, how it tries to communicate with us, and how we can learn to listen. We also talk about common physical symptoms missionaries experience when they are in overwhelm.
Dr. Nagib looks at the ways God speaks to us through not only our spirit and soul, but our body, and what happens when we get our whole self aligned with God’s purpose for us and our identity in Him.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Author, leader, and long-time missionary Cynthia Anderson looks at your family as the ultimate team God has called you to lead. We dive into real-life ideas for making your kids active members of what God has called you to do. From navigating emotional highs and lows to creating unforgettable experiences, we look at life-giving ways you can include your kids and help them feel excited that God has a purpose for them on the field too.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
In this compelling episode, we talk to trauma psychologist Dr. Jamie Aten about the complexities of trauma and how it impacts people in such varied ways.Dr. Aten shares practical strategies tailored for missionaries, who often face emotionally intense scenarios, to both manage their own trauma and support others who are affected. Filled with real-world applications and hope, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate the challenges of trauma effectively.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Leadership in a cross-cultural setting can be both richly rewarding and hugely challenging. Today, global missions pastor and former missionary Charley Elliott looks at common mistakes cross-cultural leaders make and the unique skills and attitudes they need to effectively serve those they lead
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by life, you’re not alone. Today, we talk with leadership expert, bestselling author, and former pastor, Carey Nieuwhof, about boundaries, time management, avoiding burnout, and how to be at your best in missions and in life.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
If you feel called to be a missionary, today is for you! This episode is the second of a special two-part series on the pull you feel toward missions. Today, Modern Day's executive director, Marvin Slaton, gets extremely practical with the next steps to take once you’ve discerned God is calling you to become a missionary.
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Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Have you wondered if you might be called to be a missionary? In part one of this two-part series, Modern Day's executive director, Marvin Slaton, walks you through how to know if you’re called to be a missionary and if so, what next steps to take. We encourage you to share these episodes with people in your life who are discerning their call to missions!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Wondering how you can strengthen the cross-cultural relationships in your life? Whether it’s your marriage, your team, or those you serve, knowing how to develop and manage relationships well is essential.
Born in two different countries and having lived in three countries, and pulling on their experiences as ministry workers, entrepreneurs, coaches, and former missionaries and pastors, Dany & Misty Escobar have great insights into overcoming challenges and maximizing opportunities.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Nic Leismeister exposes three common thought patterns that most people are unaware of and that the enemy uses to hold us back in missions and in life. Nic is a member of the board of Modern Day Missions, a pastor of Gateway Church in Dallas, Texas, and the executive director of the Gateway Center for Israel.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Join us in this life-giving conversation with counselor Curtis McGown, LMHC, LPC, as we discuss how not to get caught off guard or knocked down by the struggles we face on the field. What are some practical ways we can lean into the experience and learn to struggle well?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
We cannot ignore the powerhouse that is Gen Z. How can we understand and care for these young people as Jesus calls us to? Dr. Jolene Erlacher gives us a crash course in Gen Z and shares fascinating insights and powerful, down-to-earth ways we can connect with this unique generation.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
In this encore episode, we hear from JoAnn Kraft, a former marriage and family therapist, life coach, and counselor to pastors and missionaries, as she breaks down what soul care really is, why it is so critical to our health on the mission field, and how to do it like Jesus did.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Ever had that little, nagging voice pop up in your subconscious, telling you you’re not doing enough, being enough, or accomplishing enough on the mission field? You’re not alone. The burden to feel “successful” as a missionary and prove your worth to your supporters is a heavy one.
In this encore episode, Amy Young, a counselor and former global worker, addresses this pressure missionaries feel to produce. Hear how she challenges and redefines the idea of success on the mission field.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
What are practical steps missionaries can take to increase their income now and also plan for their financial future? Elias Reyes, President of Modern Day, breaks down healthy, doable ways missionaries can invest, manage assets, and increase their income.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
What can we do when things in life turn out very different from what we had planned?
Today, we talk with counselor and missionary Zach Lowrie about how to walk well through seasons of confusion and disappointment.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Do you ever feel like obeying God in the small things can be even harder than in the big things? How can we be so good at following Him to the ends of the earth and then get tripped up in the day-to-day things He’s asking us to do? In this episode, we talk about the struggles and joys of obedience with Modern Day missionaries Jonathan and Amanda Vining.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Are you in a season of transition right now? Or would you like to know how to navigate transition more successfully the next time you’re in one? Sara Simon of The Way Between shares tools you’ll definitely want to add to your transition toolbox!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Where are you at on YOUR journey of the soul? Join Dr. Kristi Gaultiere as she shares about the six stages of faith and how to live fully in Christ in each one.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
How can we best communicate with church leaders and business owners who are looking for great soil to invest in and are trying to decide where their funds and support should go?
Tim Heard shares what generous church leaders and business people are looking for when they decide what missionaries and mission organizations to partner with.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Adversity is no stranger to missionaries, so how can we strategically use it to grow stronger, rather than let it take us out of the game? Brian Gibson of TRAIN International & Joel Bates of Discovery Ministries share ways we can intentionally engage adversity to build the resilience we need.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Meet a fascinating man who BEGAN his missionary adventure with his wife in their 70s. You don’t want to miss this conversation with Evangelist Al Furey on faith, adventures, and serving God at any age and in any stage. Get ready to be inspired!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
How can you strengthen your relationship with your partner churches? Chris Howles of From Every Nation shares key ways to communicate with the churches and organizations that support us.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Flourishing or floundering? Living with intention or distraction? Life-giving or life-draining? How can we be healthy missionaries producing healthy disciples of Christ?
Dr. Matt Turvey shares two of the most significant challenges missionaries face and how whole-life discipleship changes everything.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Could your marriage use some fresh energy? Join Danny & Stephanie Gutierrez in this conversation on the realities of marriage on the mission field and ways to breathe life into your most important relationship.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Have you ever felt God calling you to do something that sounded crazy? And then wondered if it was really Him or just a crazy idea? How can you know the difference? What risks are worth taking? What do you have to lose if things don’t seem to work out? What do you have to gain?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Do you ever feel embarrassed, nervous, or awkward when raising missions funds? You’re not alone! Rob Parker from The Fully Funded Missionary shares concrete ways to communicate with confidence–– and even enjoy doing it!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Feeling stressed or discouraged by your fundraising efforts? Rob Parker shares some game-changing insights, mindset switches, and practical steps that will set you up for support raising success!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Join us in this fascinating conversation with counselor Curtis McGown, as we talk about how not to get caught off guard or knocked down by the struggles we face on the field. What are some practical ways we can lean into the experience and learn to struggle well?
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
In part 2 of this episode with Dr. Rob Hoskins of OneHope, we look at what makes today’s MK's different than any other previous generation, strategic ways to engage culture as a family, and how to have some fun in the process.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Are you the parent of missionary kids, or did you grow up as an MK or TCK? Join us for part one of this vulnerable and powerful conversation about MKs with Dr. Rob Hoskins as we touch on trauma, parenting, guilt, strategy, and hope.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
This week, we're joined by British missionaries, Mark (an active extrovert) & Anna (a pensive introvert) on creative ways anyone can learn to fall in love with prayer, no matter what their personality or season of life.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
In this episode of Modern Day Missionaries, Marvin Slaton, shares some shocking statistics on how end-of-the-year giving really works. He gives timely advice- that when put into practice, could make a dramatic impact on your financial support this December!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
In this episode of "Modern Day Missionaries," we're joined by Amy Young, a charismatic counselor, author, and former global worker in China. She speaks about the stress missionaries feel to prove their worth, and she offers an empowering, fresh biblical perspective––challenging and redefining the way we measure success on the mission field.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Today marriage and missions pastors, Mark and Pam Johnson, share some tools to use, rhythms to develop, and ideas to spark your missionary marriage––or any relationship in your life!
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
In this episode of "Modern Day Missionaries," we talk with Robert Barriger, veteran missionary to Peru, pastor of Camino de Vida church, and founder of the Haciendo Iglesia church network. We discuss how to stay in missions for the long term, and how when life leaves us lonely and dry, community and consistency can help our relationship with Jesus thrive.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Join JoAnn Kraft, former marriage and family therapist, life coach, and counselor to pastors and missionaries, as she breaks down what soul care really is, why it is so critical to our health on the mission field, and how to do it like Jesus did.
Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org, find us on Instagram at @modernday.missions, and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/moderndaymissions.
Our support team! What would we do without them? These incredible churches, organizations, and individuals believe in the call of God on our life to missions, and they partner with us to make it happen.
- How can we most effectively communicate with these critical people so that lack of finances doesn't pull us off the field?
- What should we do so we can thrive in our team relationship with them?
- What percentage of time should we spend invest in our communication with them?
- And how do we find new supporters
President of Modern Day Missions and Harvard MBA grad, Elias Reyes, shares some of his best tips on how to best communicate with supporters. Plus, he shares some surprising tips on how to manage your finances on the field that you probably won't see coming!
This week, we at Modern Day, launched a brand new podcast by missionaries, for missionaries.
Rather than put the focus on missions trends, evangelism, or church (because there are already some great podcasts doing that), our heart is to put the focus on you, the missionary.
Why? We want to help you be your very best, so you can give your very best.
What does that look like, exactly?
Well, when we surveyed missionaries this year, they shared with us what is big in missionaries' heart and heavy on their minds. They came back with four things:
- Faith (having a vibrant relationship with God)
- Freedom (soul care, emotional and mental health, self-care)
- Family (marriage, parenting, singleness)
- Finances (management of, fundraising, mindset)
They wanted to learn about them from a missionary perspective.
Have you ever read a book or an article, or listened to a speaker and thought, Gosh, I love the principle of what they are sharing, but as a missionary, the examples they are giving don’t fit my life at all!
You need someone who gets it. Who gets you and your wild, awesome life. Who speaks the missionary language, has the missionary heart, and has lived the missionary life.
The guests on Modern Day Missionaries will be people who either have lived themselves as missionaries, are current missionaries, or who serve missionaries. They speak the language. They are not only experts in the four areas you want to hear about, but they can talk about it from a missionary perspective––which is what will make all the difference.
Your host is Stephanie Gutierrez, a missionary of 11 years, who served 10 years on the ground in Lima, Peru, with her family. She and her husband, Danny, have been married for 23 years and have two daughters, one with profound special needs who is their little buddy for life, and one in college. They recently transitioned their base to Minnesota, as they continue to serve the church in Peru and churches throughout Latin America. Stephanie is a pastor, a certified life coach, and she and Danny lead marriage retreats with Chick-fil-A’s Winshape Foundation. Stephanie is passionate about missions and missionary health, and she is a brilliant thinker and communicator who makes everything more fun.
Get ready for some incredible conversations that will get your wheels turning!