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

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.

Funding What God is Doing (feat. Phillip Petrie)

For generations, the funding of missions has followed familiar patterns: churches send missionaries, donors give financially, and organizations coordinate the work. But what if the future of missions requires something more diverse? In this episode, Curtis Elliott sits down with Lexington business leader Philip Petrie to explore how the marketplace can become a meaningful part of global mission.  Drawing from years of entrepreneurship and international engagement, Philip shares how business leaders can think about stewardship, generosity, and the responsibility that comes with resources. Their conversation challenges assumptions about return on investment, control, and the role of business in the Great Commission. The result is a thoughtful exploration of what it means to fund and participate in the mission of God with open hands. ---------------------------------------- KEY TAKEAWAYS * Marketplace leadership can be a genuine calling - not separate from mission but integrated with it. * Kingdom generosity grows when leaders see resources as something entrusted to them, not owned by them. * Relationships often reveal where God is inviting believers to give or participate. * Sustainable mission models increasingly prioritize empowering local leaders. * Marketplace-based mission approaches can create deeper cultural engagement. * Early generosity forms habits that shape long-term stewardship. * The future of missions may include smaller, more contextualized expressions of impact. ---------------------------------------- CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 — The Question of Funding the Future of Missions Curtis introduces the episode and the importance of kingdom investment. 01:16 — Business Calling and Christian Identity Philip reflects on how entrepreneurship and faith have become integrated in his life. 03:22 — Marketplace Community in Lexington The influence of relationships among Christian business leaders. 04:58 — A Hard Business Decision That Changed Everything Closing company markets to rebuild culture and align the business with kingdom values. 06:54 — How Kingdom Culture Connects to Global Missions Why relationships often reveal where God is calling believers to participate. 10:30 — The Problem with Measuring Kingdom ROI Why obedience matters more than calculating spiritual returns. 13:27 — Stewardship vs Ownership The danger of controlling resources instead of holding them open-handedly. 16:21 — Prayer, Discernment, and Giving Decisions How Philip and his wife approach generosity together. 18:08 — Advice for Young Entrepreneurs Why generosity should begin early, even when resources are limited. 20:26 — The Future of Missions Marketplace engagement, local leadership, and new models of mission impact. ---------------------------------------- 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.