Missions Talk
A podcast that explains the too-often-overlooked connection between healthy churches and global missions. Missions Talk is produced in partnership with Reaching & Teaching International Ministries.
Episodes
On A Path to Being a Missionary
A new generation of missionaries doesn’t appear overnight. Ryan Robertson and Matt Bennett discuss their new book, The Path to Being a Missionary, and unpack how churches can identify, assess, prepare, and send faithful missionaries.
On John Paton
Who was John Paton, and why is he considered one of the greatest missionaries in church history? In this episode, Paul Schlehlein explores Paton’s life, theology, suffering, and enduring legacy as a missionary to the New Hebrides.
On Culture & Language Acquisition in Tokyo
What does it actually take for missionaries to learn a new language and culture? In this episode, missionaries serving in Japan share the challenges, lessons, and practical realities of language acquisition and cultural adaptation on the mission field.
On Global Cities Partnership
What is the Global Cities Partnership, and why does it matter for missions today?
On Risk Assessment in the Mission Field
How should missionaries, churches, and sending agencies think about danger on the mission field?
On Preparing & Planning for Tokyo
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson talks with David King, David Rainer, and Mindy Rainer about God’s providential leading of Concord Baptist Church to send the Rainers to Tokyo to plant a church.
On Reading The Bible Evangelistically
This episode with Isaac Stiles & Ethan English explores how evangelistic Bible studies can be a powerful, church-centered tool for reaching unbelievers, especially on college campuses.
On The Great Commission Congress
Ryan Robertson, Mack Stiles, Josh Manley, and Danny Davison discuss the vision behind the Great Commission Council and the upcoming Great Commission Congress, highlighting a shared call for theologically grounded, church-centered missions.
On Elenctics
Mack and Ryan discuss elentics and its missiological importance in this discussion with Daniel Strange and Ben Robin, highlighting the work of J.H. Bavinck.
On Prioritizing the Church in Missions
Join Ryan Robertson, Mack Stiles, John Folmar, and Scott Logsdon as they explore the importance of prioritizing the church in missions, highlighting how a strong ecclesiological foundation can transform missionary work and foster long-term impact across cultures.
On Ministry in Kuala Lumpur
Ryan talks with missionaries about life and ministry in KL.
On Hermeneutics & Missions
Join Ryan Robertson, Mack Stiles, Brian Parks, and Aubrey Sequeira as they explore the intersection of hermeneutics and missions, discussing how proper biblical interpretation can safeguard against the misapplication of scripture in cross-cultural contexts.
On Healthy Resources in Malaysia
Ryan talks with Massimo about the need for solid resources and healthy churches in Malaysia.
On Setting Strategic Priorities for Missions
Mack and Ryan discuss how local churches consider strategic missions priorities with Robert Cline and Jeffrey Timmons
On God’s Sovereignty and Missions
What is the relation between God’s Sovereignty and our role in Missions? Ryan and Mack talk to AJ Gibson about this important theological understanding and what the Bible teaches.
On Prioritizing Missions in the Church
In this live episode from RTIM’s Sending Church Summit, Ryan and Mack discuss the new volume, Prioritizing Missions in the Church, with its authors, Aaron Menikoff & Harshit Singh. Topics Discussed 01:20 -Origin and Goal of Missions Why missions is rooted in sending and establishing local churches—not just reaching individuals. 04:30 – Depth and Breadth […]
On Preparation for the Missions Field
In this episode, Ryan, Mac, Matt, & Hunter discuss what aspiring missionaries and their local churches should consider when preparing for overseas ministry.
On Church-Centered Missions
In this season opening of Missions Talk, Ryan and Mack talk with Jonathan Leeman about Church Centered Missions—highlighting how healthy local churches with a strong ecclesiology are vital for training missionaries, shaping strategy, and planting churches.
On Healthy Indigenous Churches
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan, Mack, and TJ explore the marks of a healthy indigenous church, highlighting key practices like regular gatherings and faithful preaching, while addressing the challenges missionaries face in establishing churches that are both biblically sound and culturally rooted.
On Contextualization and the Bible
Ryan and Mack talk with Elliot Clark and Caleb Greggsen about the complexities of contextualization in missions—how to faithfully communicate the gospel across cultures with clarity, humility, and cultural sensitivity. Topics Discussed [00:00] What Is Contextualization? Definitions and biblical foundations for cross-cultural communication. [02:00] Guidelines for Faithful Contextualization Clarity over conformity, and why everyone […]
On Missions Work in Bangkok, with Matt Tyler and Daniel Davison
Ryan and Mack talk with Matt Tyler and Daniel Davison about missions work in Bangkok, the need for healthy churches, and gospel opportunities in Thailand. Resources Mentioned Bangkok City Baptist Church Systematic Theology, Vol. 1 by Stephen J. Wellum Great Commission Council (GCC) Articles
On Missions in Uganda, with Tony Gordon and Kris Mobbs
In this episode, Ryan & Mack speak with two missionaries serving in Uganda about ministry there and the state of the church in the country.
On Gospel Infrastructure, with Scott Logsdon
In this episode, Ryan Robertson and Mack Stiles speak with Scott Logsdon, pastor of Union Church in Istanbul about the importance of various elements of healthy gospel infrastructure for missions strategizing—including church planting, theological education, and pastoral training, amongst others.
On AI & Bible Translation, with Bethany Moore
Why is Bible translation important and how should we strategize translating the Bible into other languages? In this episode, Ryan and Mack speak with Bethany Moore about translation strategies and how local churches can learn more about translation efforts around the world.
On Ekklesia International
In this episode of Missions Talk, Mack Stiles and Ryan Robertson chat with Andy Johnson, John Folmar, and Josh Manley about Ekklesia International.
On Missions in North Africa
In this episode of Missions Talk, Mack Stiles and Ryan Robertson interview Joe and A.W., about their missionary work in North Africa.
On Pastoring in Japan
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson interview Ben Howard, a pastor at Yokohoma International Baptist Church, about pastoring in Japan.
On Serving as Missionaries in Japan
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson interviews Stephen and Alexandra Tipton about their missions work in Japan.
On Tokyo with a Japanese Brother
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson interviews Joe Yozawa about ministry in Tokyo.
On Missions in Urban Contexts, with Sam Martyn
In this episode of Missions Talk, Mack Stiles and Ryan Robertson interview Sam Martyn on the importance of urban contexts for missions.
On the Usefulness of Internships in the Preparation of Missionaries
In this episode of Missions Talk, Mack Stiles and Ryan Robertson interview John Folmar, David Lawrence, and Tanner Callison on the usefulness of internships for missionary training.
On the Preparation of Missionaries with Matt Rogers
In this episode of Missions Talk, Mack Stiles and Ryan Robertson interview Matt Rogers on the preparation of missionaries in the local church.
On the Families in the Field, with Joanne Parks and Brandy Spandler-Davidson
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson and Mack Stiles interview Joanne Parks and Brandy Spandler-Davidson about families in the field.
On Missionary Teams with Ryan Currie
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson and Mack Stiles interview Ryan Currie about the importance of theological and convictional unity in missionary teams.
On Missions Opportunities in Argentina
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan and Mack interview Sam Masters, Eric Abisror, and Jason Wright about God’s work in Argentina through seminaries and local churches.
On Strategic Studies Abroad, with Andy Johnson (Missions Talk, Ep.38)
Missions Talk is back for a new season! In this episode, Ryan Robertson and Mack Stiles talk with Andy Johnson about how the university students have the unique opportunities to share the gospel and fulfill the Great Commission overseas.
On William Carey (Missions Talk, Ep. 37)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Mack Stiles and Ryan Robertson interview Sam Masters, the Rector of Seminario Bíblico William Carey, about William Carey
On Missions Mobilization with Rachel Ware (Missions Talk, Ep. 36)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson and Mack Stiles interview Rachel Ware, the Director of Mobilization at Reaching and Teaching, about how local churches and pastors can help aspiring missionaries to discern their calling.
On Church in Hard Places, with Matthew Spandler-Davidson and Francisco Puente (Missions Talk, Ep. 35)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan and Mack interview Matthew Spandler-Davidson and Francisco Puente about planting, revitalizing, and pastoring churches in hard places.
On Local Churches and Sending Agencies (Missions Talk, Ep. 34)
In this episode of missions talk, Ryan Robertson and Mack Stiles talk about the relationship between local churches and sending agencies.
On Conversion, with Brooks Buser and Michael Lawrence (Missions Talk, Ep. 33)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson and Mack Stiles talk with Brooks Buser and Michael Lawrence on the doctrine of conversion and how it relates to missions.
On Work Amongst the Moi with the Whatleys (Missions Talk, Ep. 32)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson interviews the Whatleys about their work amongst the Moi people.
On Hurdles to Missions Mobilization, with Luke Womack and Matt Sonke (Missions Talk, Ep. 31)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson and Mack Stiles interview Luke Womack and Matt Sonke from Airo Missions about the potential hurdles for future missionaries and how the church can help overcome them.
On Fundraising with Chad Ireland and Dylan Eagle (Missions Talk, Ep. 30)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan and Mack chat with Chad Ireland and Dylan Eagle about fundraising for missions.
On Great Commission Council (Missions Talk, Ep. 29)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson interviews Mack Stiles about Great Commission Council and how pastors and churches could benefit from GCC.
On Visiting Missionaries Overseas, with Tim Hamer and Aaron Menikoff (Missions Talk, Ep. 28)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Mack Stiles and Ryan Robertson interview Tim Hamer and Aaron Menikoff on visiting missionaries overseas.
On Single Women Serving Overseas, with Kim and Rey (Missions Talk, Ep. 27)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Mack and Ryan interview Kim and Rey on how the local churches can help and benefit from missionaries who are single.
On Campus Ministry in the Middle East, with Nathan Matthews (Missions Talk, Ep. 26)
What does a Campus Ministry look like overseas and where does the local church fit in? In this episode of Missions Talk, Mack Stiles and Ryan Robertson interview Nathan, who is a director of a campus ministry in the Middle East.
On Mission Affirmed (Missions Talk, Ep. 25)
In this episode, Ryan and Mack interview Elliot Clark on his recent book “Mission Affirmed” and his writing on the ministry and motivation of Paul.
On Evangelism to Muslims, with Matthew Bennett and Ayman Ibrahim (Missions Talk, Ep. 24)
In this episode, Ryan and Mack interview Matthew Bennett and Ayman Ibrahim on how Christians should interact and evangelize to Muslims.
On the Insider Movement, with Matt Bennett & Doug Coleman (Missions Talk, Ep. 23)
In this episode, Ryan and Mack speak with Matt Bennett and Doug Coleman about the history and practice of Insider Movement methodologies.
On Adoniram Judson, with Jason Duesing (Missions Talk, Ep. 21)
In this episode, Ryan & Mack interview Jason Duesing about various aspects of Judson’s childhood, conversion, marriage, suffering, and his ministry in Burma.
On Short-Term Missions, with Mack and Leeann Stiles (Missions Talk, Ep. 20)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan chats with Mack and Leeann Stiles about short-term missions.
On Sending Churches and Local Churches and Missionaries and Agencies, with Miller Johnson and Caleb Greggsen (Missions Talk, Ep. 19)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Mack and Ryan interview Miller and Caleb Greggsen about the relationship between missionaries and sending churches.
On the Strategic Value of Missions Work in Global Cities, with Scott Logsdon and Will Sutton (Missions Talk, Ep. 18)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Mack and Ryan interview Scott Logsdon and Will Sutton on the strategic value of missions work in global cities
On the Missionary Calling, with Greg Gilbert and Bobby Jamieson (Missions Talk, Ep. 17)
The hosts chat with Greg Gilbert and Bobby Jamieson about how to view the missionary calling biblically.
On Missions Work in Asian Sub-continent, with Clyde Davidson and Tom Roberts (Missions Talk, Ep. 16)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan and Mack chat with two missionaries from Asia’ sub-continent. Though they’re both Westerners, they’ve learned the language and now serve as elders in indigenous local churches.
On the Yembi Yembi, with Brooks and Nina Buser (Missions Talk, Ep. 15)
Twenty years ago, the Yembi Yembi tribe had no Christians and no written language. Today, they enjoy the ministry of a healthy local church and the Scriptures in their own tongue. Hear the amazing story in today’s episode Missions Talk with special guests Nina and Brooks Buser.
On Building a Missions Culture in a Young Church (Missions Talk, Ep. 14)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson and Mack Stiles chat with Thomas Gamble about building a missions culture in a young church.
On Missions Work in Central Asia, with Tyler Markson and George Jamieson (Missions Talk, Ep. 13)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan and Mack chat with two missionaries in Central Asia about their ministry and work.
On What Is the Mission of the Church, with Kevin DeYoung (Missions Talk, Ep. 12)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan and Mack interview Kevin DeYoung about his book, What Is the Mission of the Church?
On the CROSS Conference, with Matt Schmucker and Shawn LaCount (Missions Talk, Ep. 11)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan and Mack interview Matt Schmucker and Shawn LaCount, the organizers of the Cross Conference.
On Why the Local Church Matters in Missions with Chip Bugnar, Andy Johnson, and Scott Logsdon (Missions Talk, Ep. 10)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson and Mack Stiles interview pastors about why the local church matters for missions work.
On Why a Biblical Understanding and Practice of Prayer Matters in Missions, with Caleb Morell and Jordan Wolfe (Missions Talk, Ep. 9)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson and Mack Stiles talk about the importance of biblical understanding and practice of prayer in the mission field.
On Why Biblical Church Leadership Matters in Missions with Brian Parks, Mark Collins, and Eric White (Missions Talk, Ep. 8)
In this new episode of Missions Talk, our hosts discuss the importance of biblical leadership with three missionaries from around the world.
On Why a Biblical Concern for Discipleship and Growth Matters in Missions, with Anand Samuel & Jeff Kelly (Missions Talk, Ep 7)
Mack and Ryan chat with Anand Samuel—a pastor in the UAE—and Jeff Kelly—a pastor and former missionary to N. Africa—about discipleship and growth on the mission field. Is it all that much different?
On Why Biblical Church Discipline Matters in Missions, with Ken Mbugua and Aubrey Sequeira (Missions Talk, Ep. 6)
Churches on the mission field aren’t exempt by Jesus’ command to practice church discipline.
On Why Biblical Church Membership Matters in Missions, with David Lawrence, Chariot Lu, and Caleb Greggsen (Missions Talk, Ep. 5)
Ryan and Mack chat with three pastors—from Central Asia, from the Middle East, and from East Asia—about the biblical principle of church membership.
On Why Conversion and Evangelism Matters in Missions, with Pastor Harshit and Josh Manley (Missions Talk, Ep. 4)
A poor understanding of evangelism and conversion will have disastrous effects, especially among cultures where there’s little familiarity with the gospel. In this episode of Missions Talk, Mack and Ryan chat with two overseas pastors about this.
On Why Gospel Doctrine Matters in Missions with Brooks Buser and Matt Tyler (Missions Talk, Ep. 3)
In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson and Mack Stiles chat with Brooks Buser and Matt Tyler about the necessity of sound doctrine—whether you’re in the deep jungle of Papua New Guinea or a global city with 25 million people.
Episode 2: On Why Expositional Preaching Matters in Missions (with John Folmar and Christian Lwanda)
Does expository preaching matter in missions? Is it essential to a church’s health among every language, people, and nation?
Episode 1: On the Reasons We Started Missions Talk
In this inaugural episode of Missions Talk, Jonathan Leeman and Mark Dever chat with Mack Stiles and Ryan Robertson about why conversations about ecclesiology are so necessary in the missions world.