Tiffany Owens Reed unpacks how suburbs, towns and cities can impact their inhabitants. She talks about how understanding the way a city works can impact ministry, allowing churches to better serve their congregants and steward their neighborhoods. She also reveals how churches can better reflect the incarnational gospel where life happens in the daily interactions among residents. Check out her City Discoveries Toolkit. Part 1 of 2 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Four dynamics that are unique to metro areas How understanding the design of a community can empower ministry How a ministry of proximity can be impactful in the city and…

Josh Collins serves with Global Gates. Having completed social media training just before pandemic-related lockdowns, he was prepared to communicate the gospel online. He shares some of the big differences between social media outreach and being in person. Plus, he offers ways you or your church can meaningfully communicate the gospel on line. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Three things Christ-followers can do and one thing not to do when sharing the gospel online Two of the biggest challenges of ministry in cities like NYC About the difference in disciplining a new believer from an online connection ABOUT THE GUEST:  Josh and…

Dr. Yousaf Sadiq shares the uniqueness of the Punjabi Psalms — a successful example of contextualizing scripture for a culture with strong oral traditions. Collectively known as Zabur, these songs are an interdenominational source of strength. They unify Punjabi Christians who are often persecuted as a religious minority in Pakistan. Dr. Sadiq has a new book, The Contextualized Psalms (Punjabi Zabur): A Precious Heritage of the Global Punjabi Christian Community. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Why the Punjabi Psalter was well received after the Urdu Psalter was not A South Asian perspective on Jesus meeting the woman at the well What the…

Dr. Bill Merrifield worked cross-culturally in Beirut, Lebanon for 17 years while his family grew. Considering how faithful Christians can think critically and engage the culture without compromise, he breaks down different ways that honor the gospel. He currently serves as the Vice President of Engagement for IDEAS. Dr. Merrifield maintains a blog where he recently shared a vision for transformation in the midst of brokenness. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: The importance of unearthing your own cultural assumptions How Christians can think critically and be faithful in multireligious settings A vision for transformation, standing firm in the cultural currents FEATURED BONUS: …

Elizabeth Black is the co-founder of Kaleidoscope, a ministry dedicated to “Providing LGBTQ+ people opportunities to engage with tangible expressions of Christ” and joining the Spirit of God where He is already at work among LGBTQ+ folks in NYC. She shares some surprises and challenges in reaching out to the LGBTQ+ community, contextualizing the gospel message and the vital role of the local church. 21% of Gen Z adults (aged 18-26) self-identify as not being heterosexual; and NYC has the largest population of LGBTQ+ folks in the country, many of whom move to metropolitan areas as a sanctuary. WHAT YOU’LL…

Rebeca Castillo felt at home the first time she traveled to the Middle-East. Considering the differences in social customs, she looks at the importance of Christ-followers offering and receiving hospitality, building deep relationships, sharing their lives in the Lord and how to start. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: How to share hospitality inside and outside of your home What Jesus said to His disciples about being a good guest Four common mistakes to avoid when hosting Muslims ABOUT THE GUEST:  Rebeca serves domestically and abroad; she regularly ministers through hospitality. SCRIPTURE RELATED TO EPISODE: Genesis 1: 2 – 2: 6, God creating…

Brad Vaughn (formerly Jackson Wu) breaks down how the interpretation of Jesus’ atonement impacts an individual, the church and perceptions of God’s character. Understanding the atonement can be heavily influenced by culture, worldview and holding metaphors more closely than scripture itself. Brad shares from his recently published a book, The Cross in Context: Reconsidering Biblical Metaphors for Atonement. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Where to look for greater understanding about Christ’s atonement About the influence the Western church has in some traditional cultures About the impact of culture and worldview on understanding atonement ABOUT THE GUEST: Brad Vaughn (Ph.D., SEBTS) is the…

Most recent years, about 1 million international students come to the United States to study. Elizabeth Wolf discovered a heart for Muslims while serving abroad. Today, she serves among international students on an urban campus in the United States. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: About some differences in reaching out to Muslim students in Gen Z What it means to give students opportunities to experience Christ’s presence Where and how to take the first step in international student ministry ABOUT THE GUEST:  Elizabeth is a small-town girl doing ministry in a big city as campus minister to international students. She’s been passionate…

Seven years on the mission field gave Dr. Matthew Bennett the opportunity to see the American church with fresh perspective. As a missionary and professor at Cedarville University, he invites American evangelicals to look at the American church like someone on the outside looking in. Without the sentiments or idealizations that can come with familiarity, he shares a Hope for American Evangelicals: A Missionary Perspective on Restoring Our Broken House. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Why it’s important to survey the broken places in American churches The gospel and the implications of not understanding the worldview of your neighbors Spiritual lessons from…

Zamary Texeira found a path to financial freedom. She shares insights and offers advice for anyone who wants to get out of debt and stop the cycle from continuing in the next generation. She is now a Ramsey preferred coach, encouraging others on their own path to financial freedom. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: What needs to happen before you call a financial coach Why financial freedom is not about the math How fear and shame work against financial freedom ABOUT THE GUEST:  I love teaching, encouraging, and leading people to improve their lives, so they can thrive. On mission trips, I…