Season 6 Finale: Dr. Ted Esler on Missions and Imago Dei

Season 6 Finale: Dr. Ted Esler on Missions and Imago Dei

Global Missions and the Power of Imago Dei concludes season six of the Blackfire Podcast with special guest Dr. Ted Esler, president of Missio Nexus. Dr. Esler shares his journey from computer science to church planting in the Balkans during the 1990s civil wars, highlighting powerful stories of gospel transformation among unreached Muslim communities. The episode also explores his vision for Imago Dei missiology — a missions approach rooted in mutual respect, relationship, and recognizing the image of God in every person. This inspiring finale offers wisdom for the next generation of missionaries, encouraging humility, resilience, and long-term faithfulness in ministry.

S6E7 - From the Movement to the World Stage: The Legacy of Andrew Young

In this episode, we explore the journey of Andrew Young—from working alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in the Civil Rights Movement to becoming a Congressman and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under Jimmy Carter. This is a story of faith, strategy, and stepping into the spaces where real change happens—from the streets to the global stage. 🔥 If you’re ready to turn conviction into impact, this episode is for you.

S6E6 - The Life and Legacy of Andrew Foster

In this episode of the Blackfire Podcast, we delve into the extraordinary life of Andrew Foster, a man who refused to let deafness or racial segregation limit the calling God placed on his heart. Born in 1925 in Ensley, Alabama, Foster overcame immense educational barriers in the segregated South to become the first African American to graduate from Gallaudet University.   Driven by a passion for the forgotten, Foster dedicated his life to establishing schools for the deaf across the African continent. When he first arrived in Africa in 1957, there were only 12 schools for the deaf on the entire continent; through his tireless obedience, he and his wife, Berta, eventually opened schools in different nations.   Join us as we reflect on Foster’s enduring legacy and explore what it means to say "yes" to God's calling, even when conditions are far from perfect. We hope this highlights how one person’s obedience can provide a voice to millions and create an eternal impact in the Kingdom of Heaven.

S6E5 - Will You Fuel the Fire? 🔥

In this episode of the Black Fire Podcast, Pastor Cyrena Denniston shares the powerful journey behind Black Fire Ministries—from a childhood passion for missions to a defining moment in 2020 that sparked a global calling. She unpacks the vision to raise and release next-generation mission catalysts across the African diaspora, highlighting the challenges of building a ministry from the ground up and the importance of obedience and sacrifice. The conversation explores key elements of the movement, including Blaze Team mission trips, the Four Pillars (Ignite, Transform, Catalyze, Amplify), and the role of partnerships in sustaining impact—using the “fire” analogy to illustrate how different supporters fuel the mission.

S6E4 - Fruit of the Spirit: Self control

In this short episode, Daniel Thring unpacks the power of self-control as a vital fruit of the Spirit. With practical insight and spiritual depth, he explores how self-control shapes our choices, strengthens our character, and aligns our lives with God’s purpose. This episode will challenge and encourage you to move beyond impulse and into intentional, Spirit-led living.