Episode 257: Zach and Audrey Langford

Episode 257: Zach and Audrey Langford

What happens when we stop trying to control the outcome, step out in obedience, and make room for God to work powerfully through our lives? This week on Advancing the Mission, we sit down with Zach and Audrey Langford, missionaries serving in Birkenhead, UK. Together, we explore what ministry looks like in a post-Christian culture and how building genuine relationships has become one of the most important ways people encounter Jesus. Zach and Audrey share what it’s like serving in a culture where many people have little connection to church or faith, and how relational ministry creates opportunities for meaningful conversations and authentic community. We discuss the challenges and beauty of stepping into a different culture, learning to listen well, and trusting God to work in people’s lives in His timing. One of the key themes of this conversation is the importance of simple obedience — allowing God to do the transforming work while we faithfully invest in relationships with others. We talk about what happens when we step outside of our comfort zones, how God often meets us in unfamiliar places, and why experiencing another culture can deepen both our faith and our understanding of the global Church. It’s a conversation about trust, relationships, and discovering how God moves when we make ourselves available to Him. We invite you to subscribe to Advancing the Mission on your preferred platform to stay connected with each new episode: Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/advancing-the-mission/id1675164009]Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6gdDPBz2P4SbUC2S7LpZfd?si=689c3b3b5efc42c3]Amazon [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6e524479-1b33-48e1-9e00-d4ca5e8989e7/advancing-the-mission]

Episode 256: Mindy Georgi

What happens when we step outside of our comfort zones and experience God in a completely different culture? This week on Advancing the Mission, we sit down with Mindy Georgi, County Line’s Hospitality Director and longtime leader of our impact trips to Village of Hope in Guatemala. Together, we talk about the heart behind impact trips, why they matter, and how God uses these experiences to transform both the people being served and the people going. Mindy shares what it’s been like leading teams over the years, the challenges and joys of serving in another culture, and why missions are about so much more than simply taking a trip. We discuss how impact trips open our eyes to God’s work around the world, deepen our faith, and help us better understand the global Church. We also talk about the importance of stepping away from comfort and routine, how God often moves powerfully when we make ourselves available, and why every believer should consider experiencing God in another culture at least once. It’s a conversation about obedience, growth, and discovering God’s heart for the world through serving others. We invite you to subscribe to Advancing the Mission on your preferred platform to stay connected with each new episode: Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/advancing-the-mission/id1675164009]Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6gdDPBz2P4SbUC2S7LpZfd?si=689c3b3b5efc42c3]Amazon [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6e524479-1b33-48e1-9e00-d4ca5e8989e7/advancing-the-mission]

Episode 255: Bradley Bell, Upstream Collective

What does it mean for the church to truly live on mission—both in our neighborhoods and among the nations? This week on Advancing the Mission, we sit down with Bradley Bell, Executive Director of Equipping with Upstream, to talk about the role missions should play in the life of every local church. Bradley shares how God shaped his passion for reaching the nations and why equipping believers to live on mission is central to the church’s calling. In this thoughtful conversation, we explore the biblical foundation for missions and where we see God’s heart for the nations woven throughout Scripture. Bradley helps us understand how the Great Commission shapes both local outreach and global engagement—and why the church was never meant to choose between the two. We also talk about the impact missions has on a church’s spiritual health, what happens when one side of the mission is neglected, and how organizations like Upstream are helping churches equip everyday believers to participate in God’s global story. Whether you’ve always had a heart for missions or are just beginning to wonder how God might use you, this episode offers practical encouragement and a renewed vision for living with gospel purpose. It’s a conversation about calling, obedience, and the joy of joining God in His mission to reach the world. For more information about Upstream, visit: https://upstreamsending.org [https://upstreamsending.org] We invite you to subscribe to Advancing the Mission on your preferred platform to stay connected with each new episode: Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/advancing-the-mission/id1675164009]Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6gdDPBz2P4SbUC2S7LpZfd?si=689c3b3b5efc42c3]Amazon [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6e524479-1b33-48e1-9e00-d4ca5e8989e7/advancing-the-mission]

Episode 254: Mason Snider, Auburn Campus Pastor

What does it look like to step into a new season of leadership and trust God to move in a fresh place and community? This week on Advancing the Mission, we sit down with Mason Snider, Campus Pastor at our Auburn campus, to hear his story and heart for ministry. From his first few months on campus to the journey that led him into pastoral leadership, Mason shares how God has been shaping his calling and preparing him for this role. In this episode, Mason reflects on the people and moments that have influenced his faith, the decision to say “yes” to Auburn, and where he’s already seeing God at work. We also talk about what makes the Auburn campus unique and the vision for what God could do in the years ahead. Mason opens up about his heart for people, what he longs for them to experience spiritually, what a healthy church community looks like, and the kind of environment he hopes to cultivate every time someone walks through the doors. He also shares how this role has deepened his understanding of who God is and how He moves through everyday faithfulness. It’s a conversation about calling, community, and stepping forward with faith into what God is building. We invite you to subscribe to Advancing the Mission on your preferred platform to stay connected with each new episode: Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/advancing-the-mission/id1675164009]Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6gdDPBz2P4SbUC2S7LpZfd?si=689c3b3b5efc42c3]Amazon [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6e524479-1b33-48e1-9e00-d4ca5e8989e7/advancing-the-mission]

Episode 253: Michelle Schoenefeld, A Hope Center

What does it look like to step into someone’s moment of uncertainty and offer hope, truth, and compassion when they need it most? This week on Advancing the Mission, we sit down with Michelle Schoenefeld, Executive Director of A Hope Center in Fort Wayne, to talk about how God is meeting women and families in moments of deep uncertainty and vulnerability. Through compassionate care, practical support, and a commitment to the dignity of every life, A Hope Center walks alongside those facing unplanned pregnancies with hope, truth, and grace. In this powerful episode, Michelle shares stories from the front lines—of women finding support when they felt alone, of families discovering unexpected strength, and of lives being changed through simple acts of compassion. We talk about the courage it takes to serve in emotionally complex situations, the importance of meeting people without judgment, and how faith motivates the work of offering both truth and love. We also explore how the local church can partner in this mission, creating a community where women and families know they are not forgotten. This conversation highlights the impact of presence, listening, and practical care in moments that can shape an entire future. It’s a conversation about courage, compassion, and the kind of faith that steps into difficult spaces with the hope of Christ. For more information about A Hope Center, visit: https://ahcfriends.org/ [https://ahcfriends.org/] We invite you to subscribe to Advancing the Mission on your preferred platform to stay connected with each new episode: Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/advancing-the-mission/id1675164009]Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6gdDPBz2P4SbUC2S7LpZfd?si=689c3b3b5efc42c3]Amazon [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6e524479-1b33-48e1-9e00-d4ca5e8989e7/advancing-the-mission]