Edge of the Map

Beyond the Clinic

A medical degree can open doors around the world, but it cannot accomplish the Great Commission on its own.  In this conversation, an experienced physician reflects on the journey that led him from family practice in the United States to decades of serving alongside local churches and medical professionals across the globe. The discussion explores how healthcare becomes a bridge for relationships, discipleship, and gospel witness.  Through stories of healing, discernment, and collaboration, the episode demonstrates that lasting transformation happens when ministry empowers local leaders rather than replacing them. The conversation concludes with practical encouragement for students and professionals who sense God calling them into global missions.  Whatever your vocation, the invitation remains the same: faithfully follow Jesus where you are today while remaining open to wherever He may lead tomorrow. KEY TAKEAWAYS * God often uses ordinary careers for extraordinary Kingdom purposes. * Medical missions are most effective when they strengthen local churches and leaders. * Discernment is just as important as diagnosis. * Lasting community transformation requires multiplication, not dependency. * Every believer is called to make disciples, regardless of profession. * Faithfulness begins at home before it extends across the world. * Practical skills can become powerful tools for gospel ministry. ---------------------------------------- CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 A doctor's unexpected journey into missions 05:30 A worship service that changed everything 10:20 Seeing patients as whole people 16:00 Diagnosis, discernment, and the work of the Holy Spirit 21:00 Why local leaders matter most 27:00 Community health and sustainable ministry 33:00 Training church planters through practical healthcare 39:00 Advice for future medical missionaries 44:00 Every vocation belongs in God's mission Want to learn how GO International is planting the Church where it isn't - and what that could look like for you? Visit GO International [https://www.gointernational.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com] to give, go, or grow the movement.

The Church in a War Zone (feat. Stephanie Quick)

The modern Church often talks about faithfulness in theory. Stephanie Quick lives it in practice.  Speaking from northern Israel near the borders of Lebanon and Syria, she shares how a series of unexpected acts of obedience led her to a region she never planned to call home. The conversation explores life during conflict, what it means to minister in a place shaped by uncertainty, and how proximity to war changes one's perspective on worship, calling, and dependence on God.  Stephanie reflects on the grace that accompanies obedience and the surprising peace that can come when God places someone exactly where He intends them to be. The discussion then turns toward the deeper challenges facing the Church.  From polarization surrounding Israel and the Middle East to the temptations of tribalism within Christian communities, Stephanie argues that the cross remains the great equalizer.  In an age dominated by outrage, platforms, and competing narratives, believers are called to keep a tender heart, stay rooted in Scripture, and bear faithful witness to Jesus. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Obedience often leads where comfort never would. * Living near conflict exposes what we truly trust. * The cross dismantles tribalism and calls believers to love even those they consider enemies. * Ministry is strongest when it functions more like a table than a platform. * Scripture must remain the Church's primary source of formation in a distracted age. * The Church must resist offense and cultivate spiritual resilience. * Faithfulness requires both conviction and humility. ---------------------------------------- CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 Introduction and Stephanie's journey to Israel 03:00 Living near the borders of Lebanon and Syria 05:15 Worship, discipleship, and faith during conflict 11:45 The story behind Emmaus Table 14:30 Theology, Israel, and ministry in the Middle East 19:45 Why the cross confronts tribalism 24:30 Loving enemies in polarized times 27:00 A message to the Western Church 31:15 Keeping a tender heart in the last days Want to learn how GO International is planting the Church where it isn’t - and what that could look like for you? Visit GO International [https://www.gointernational.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com] to give, go, or grow the movement. To explore more of Stephanie's teaching, films, podcasts, and biblical resources, visit The Emmaus Table [https://www.theemmaustable.world/?utm_source=chatgpt.com].

The Village No One Visits (feat. Larry Montgomery)

There are still places in the world where the gospel has little presence. Villages without roads. Communities hidden deep beyond rivers and jungle trails. Places most people will never see. In this episode, we talk with Larry Montgomery about what it actually looks like to go there. Together we unpack the logistics, partnerships, risks, and spiritual realities behind ministry in hard-to-reach places. But this conversation goes deeper than stories of travel and hardship. It becomes a reflection on calling, obedience, and the way God changes people when they step beyond comfort for the sake of the gospel. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Why “all the easy places are taken” continues to shape frontier mission work * How local pastors, translators, drivers, cooks, and ministry partners make remote outreach possible * A powerful story of a father carrying his daughter for hours through the jungle seeking help * Why many people go for the adventure but return because they encounter the need for the gospel * The importance of preparation, partnership, and wisdom when entering difficult places * How mission experiences often reshape a person’s worldview and calling * Why no one is meant to sit out the work of the Great Commission CHAPTER MARKERS  00:00 — Welcome to Season Two and the reality of unreached places 03:20 — Entering Nueva San Martin for the first time 07:10 — Why GO continues pursuing hard-to-reach communities 11:15 — A miraculous story from deep in the Peruvian jungle 17:40 — The role of local partners and Peruvian believers 24:30 — Why strategy and partnership matter in frontier mission 29:10 — Adventure versus calling: what keeps people returning 33:00 — Risk, preparation, and trusting God in difficult places 39:25 — How mission work changed Larry’s life forever 45:00 — Encouragement for listeners sensing God’s invitation Want to learn how GO International is planting the Church where it isn’t - and what that could look like for you? Visit gointernational.org [http://gointernational.org] to give, go, or grow the movement.

From Revival to Mission (feat. Zach Meerkreebs)

Revival has never been the finish line. Throughout history, moments of spiritual awakening have always pushed the Church outward - toward evangelism, justice, and the nations. Yet today many believers feel uncertain about mission. Some are reacting to broken models from the past. Others simply feel unsure how evangelism fits in a skeptical culture. In this episode, Ron Halp sits down with Zach Meerkreebs to reflect on what they are seeing around the world right now. From growing prayer movements in Europe to a renewed hunger among younger believers to share their faith, this conversation explores a simple but critical truth: encounter with God must eventually lead to mission. Revival is not meant to stop in the prayer room. ---------------------------------------- KEY TAKEAWAYS * Revival and mission have always moved together throughout church history. * Many younger believers are rediscovering a passion for evangelism and global mission. * Encounter with God is meant to propel the Church outward toward the lost. * Every Christian lives with a dual identity: both the object of God’s mission and an agent of God’s mission. * The global Church is increasingly leading global mission - from Brazil to Mongolia to South Korea. * Unity among churches and mission organizations multiplies the reach of the Gospel. * Short-term mission experiences often shape lifelong discipleship and calling. ---------------------------------------- CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 - The Current Moment in Global Missions Why enthusiasm for missions declined in recent years and why that may be changing. 04:30 - Signs of Spiritual Hunger Around the World Encouraging stories from Europe, Australia, and beyond. 10:30 - Revival and Mission: Two Sides of the Same Coin Why historic awakenings always produced evangelism and social transformation. 18:30 - The Missed Opportunity of Revival Without Commissioning Lessons from recent spiritual movements and the need to mobilize believers. 24:30 - Object and Agent of God’s Mission Understanding the dual identity of every follower of Jesus. 30:00 - The Nations Going to the Nations How the global Church is increasingly leading global mission. 34:30 - Encouragement for Young People Sensing a Call Why action often clarifies calling. 40:00 - Why Mission Experiences Matter How stepping into unfamiliar places shapes lifelong discipleship. 46:00 - A Word to Parents and Grandparents The role of releasing the next generation into God’s mission. Want to learn how GO International is planting the Church where it isn’t - and what that could look like for you? Visit gointernational.org [http://gointernational.org] to give, go, or grow the movement.

From Revival to Mission (feat. Zach Meerkreebs)

Revival has never been the finish line. Throughout history, moments of spiritual awakening have always pushed the Church outward - toward evangelism, justice, and the nations. Yet today many believers feel uncertain about mission. Some are reacting to broken models from the past. Others simply feel unsure how evangelism fits in a skeptical culture. In this episode, Ron Halp sits down with Zach Meerkreebs to reflect on what they are seeing around the world right now. From growing prayer movements in Europe to a renewed hunger among younger believers to share their faith, this conversation explores a simple but critical truth: encounter with God must eventually lead to mission. Revival is not meant to stop in the prayer room. ---------------------------------------- KEY TAKEAWAYS * Revival and mission have always moved together throughout church history. * Many younger believers are rediscovering a passion for evangelism and global mission. * Encounter with God is meant to propel the Church outward toward the lost. * Every Christian lives with a dual identity: both the object of God’s mission and an agent of God’s mission. * The global Church is increasingly leading global mission - from Brazil to Mongolia to South Korea. * Unity among churches and mission organizations multiplies the reach of the Gospel. * Short-term mission experiences often shape lifelong discipleship and calling. ---------------------------------------- CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 - The Current Moment in Global Missions Why enthusiasm for missions declined in recent years and why that may be changing. 04:30 - Signs of Spiritual Hunger Around the World Encouraging stories from Europe, Australia, and beyond. 10:30 - Revival and Mission: Two Sides of the Same Coin Why historic awakenings always produced evangelism and social transformation. 18:30 - The Missed Opportunity of Revival Without Commissioning Lessons from recent spiritual movements and the need to mobilize believers. 24:30 - Object and Agent of God’s Mission Understanding the dual identity of every follower of Jesus. 30:00 - The Nations Going to the Nations How the global Church is increasingly leading global mission. 34:30 - Encouragement for Young People Sensing a Call Why action often clarifies calling. 40:00 - Why Mission Experiences Matter How stepping into unfamiliar places shapes lifelong discipleship. 46:00 - A Word to Parents and Grandparents The role of releasing the next generation into God’s mission. Want to learn how GO International is planting the Church where it isn’t - and what that could look like for you? Visit gointernational.org [http://gointernational.org] to give, go, or grow the movement.