Mobilizing Gen Z with Jolene Erlacher

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If we want to see the name of Jesus made famous in every tongue, tribe, people, and nation, we must send more missionaries. In order to do that, we will have to contextualize the missions message to the next generation of believers. Tune in today as Dave chats with Jolene Erlacher, co-author of the new book, Mobilizing Gen Z. This episode will inspire and equip you to mobilize the next generation of missionaries. Here's what the two discussed:

  1. What motivated you and Katy to write this book?

  2. What are some cultural influences we should be aware of when mobilizing Gen Z?

  3. What are some unique characteristics of Gen Z as it relates to missions?

  4. In your book, you write about a “New Mind of Mobilization.” What do you mean by that?

  5. What are 3 specific strategies to mobilize Gen Z?

Show Notes:
Mobilizing Gen Z book by Jolene & Katy
Leadingtomorrow.org
Previous books by Jolene Erlacher
Previous Podcast Episode: Generational Differences with Jolene Erlacher
Previous Podcast Episode: 5 Tips for Mobilizing College Students with Katy White

Mobilizing Introverts with Daryl VanDyken

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Is there a common misconception that missionary work is only for extroverts? How might introverts go about fundraising and evangelism if they dislike public speaking? In this episode of the Missionary Mobilization Podcast, Dave interviews Daryl Vandyken, an electrical engineer with TWR. Tune in to discover ways you can journey alongside introverts, helping them realize that God has important ministries for them on the missions field. Or, you could skip this episode and go curl up with a good book instead, but you'd miss all this introverted fun!

Here’s what the two discussed…

  1. Before we get into the discussion, how are we defining the terms, introverts and extroverts?

  2. Is missions work only for extroverts? Why or why not?

  3. What are some specific challenges in mobilizing introverts to the field?

  4. How can introverts raise funds if they are uncomfortable with speaking in front of people?

  5. What are some other missions strategies/platforms aside from traditional church planting that may be appropriate for introverts?

  6. How can we better mobilize those that don't have theological training?

  7. What types of introvert ministry positions does TWR have overseas?

  8. What would you say to young people who are considering missions?

Show Notes:
TWR
TWR 360
Book: Today’s Tentmakers
Contact Daryl: dvandyken@twr.org

Pre-Field Theological Assessment with Dennis Greeson

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How important is theological training for missionaries? Are there better ways to assess missionary candidates as they prepare for the field? Listen in today as Dave chats with Dennis Greeson, the Dean of the BibleMesh Institute. You’ll learn some new methods for assessment and discover what theological training might look like in the future.

Show Notes:
BibleMesh Website
BibleMesh Facebook Page
BibleMesh Twitter Page

Contact Dennis:
dennis.greeson@biblemesh.com
https://twitter.com/Dennis_Greeson

Specific questions the two talked about:

  1. Why is pre-field theological assessment so important, especially for our current moment in Western culture?

  2. What is at stake given the cultural changes taking place in Western Christianity, especially among evangelicals?

  3. Why is theological training so important? Doesn't such training distract from field deployment, offer little that is of practical use, or emphasize theological precision over missional praxis?

  4. How is the landscape of theological education, and higher education more broadly, changing?

  5. What are some issues that this raises and opportunities that this affords?

  6. How does pre-field theological training serve the mission?

  7. What are some areas and methods of assessment organizations need to think about?

The Plane Crash of Missionary Joyce Lin

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In the early morning hours of May 12th, 2020, on the island of Papua, Indonesia, missionary pilot Joyce Lin took off from the runway to deliver COVID-19 test kits and other essential supplies to a remote jungle tribe. But just two minutes after take off, something went wrong. Listen to this episode as Joyce's co-worker, Peter Santana, recounts what happened and how Joyce's legacy can inspire and mobilize a new generation of missionaries.

Mobilizing Churches to Engage UPGs in America with Mike Urton

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Are there really unreached people groups in the U.S.? Um, yep! (spoiler alert). How can we help believers engage these peoples? Join host Dave Jacob as he talks with Mike Urton, the Director of Immigrant Mission for the EFCA. You'll hear some great ideas and valuable resources to help activate your church to engage unreached peoples in your area.

Show Notes
Journey to Jesus, by Mike Urton
EFCA All People Youtube Channel
Joshua Project
South Asia Friendship Center in Chicago
Barna's Study on Evangelism and Millennials
Book:  A Muslim & Christian in Dialogue
Say Hello
Global Missiology
Feed My Starving Children
Building Christ-centered Friendships with Muslims, Grow to Serve Course
Mike's Research on Academia.edu
Agency Mobilizer Training Survey Report

The Life & Legacy of John Chau with Mary Ho

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Missionary John Chau was martyred on the North Sentinel Islands on November 17, 2018. You may recall the story as it made national news. But, the public opinion was mixed. Some people—including some Christians—were upset that he attempted to bring the gospel to these unreached people. Listen in today as Dave chats with Dr. Mary Ho, the International Executive Leader of All Nations, John’s sending agency. She recounts what led up to his decision to go, and what happened the day he died, even reading parts of his personal journal. This episode will inspire you to persist in mobilization and can even be shared with those interested in missions. Who will go in John’s place?

Show Notes:
News Story about John Chau
All Nations
Joshua Project
Trinity Bible College
All Nations Facebook Page

Contact All Nations: comm@allnations.international

Stories That Inspire: The Greatest Missionary Generation with Larry Sharp

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Do you need a little bit of encouragement today? Tune in as Dave talks with Larry Sharp, author of the book, The Greatest Missionary Generation. You'll hear true stories such as how God used a former sniper in Hitler's army to bring the gospel to an unreached tribe and many more. This episode will inspire you as well as those you're mobilizing to keep pressing on and trusting God for the harvest.

Here's what the two discuss:

  1. Why did you choose this title? Is this simply a book on the history of missions?

  2. What motivated many of the missionaries from this generation to go?

  3. Tell us the story of David & Esther Scovill and their impact in Papua.

  4. Your parents were a part of this greatest missionary generation. Tell us about them and their ministry.

  5. You include a chapter in your book titled, "God's Girls." What motivated you to include a chapter highlighting women?

  6. Your book includes a story about a former sniper in Hitler's army. Who was he and what did God do in his life?

  7. Where do we go from here? What do you hope this book accomplishes?

  8. Do you have any recommended books on future strategies in missions?

Making the Most of Short-Term Missions Trips with Larry McCrary

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Are short-term mission trips doing more harm than good? How can we plan short-term mission trips to make the most impact? Listen to this episode today as Dave interviews Larry McCrary from The Upstream Collective. Larry is the author of Listen: How to Make the Most of Your Short-Term Mission Trip and provides important advice for those planning or participating in a short-term trip this summer. Here's what the two discuss:


  1. Tell us about the Upstream Collective and Upstream Sending.

  2. Your new book is called, Listen: How to Make the Most of Your Short-Term Mission Trip. Why did you title it, Listen?

  3. There are some who believe short-term mission trips do more harm than good. What are your thoughts about that?

  4. The first section of your book is titled, "Before You Go." Can you highlight a few of the points you write about when it comes to pre-trip planning?

  5. What can happen if short-term mission teams don't plan well before they go?

  6. What advice do you have for short-term mission teams and hosts during the trip?

  7. Studies have shown that proper follow-up is crucial for an effective short-term mission trip. Do you agree? How can team leaders do follow-up well?

Thanks for listening!

The Impact of Missions Events with Evi Rodemann

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Do missions events and conferences really make for lasting change in the participants' lives? Listen in as Dave talks with Evi Rodemann, CEO of LeadNow. Evi has researched missions events and conferences around the world and shares some of her discoveries with us. You'll hear about the importance of personal invitations and learn some best practices for exhibiting your ministry at your next event.

Dave asked Evi the following questions:

  1. When do young people come to faith? What has your research revealed?

  2. How do mission events seek to call young people into missions?

  3. What effects do event organizers and proponents hope will occur?

  4. Is hosting a missions event/conference worth the money?

  5. Briefly explain how you measured the impact made on those who attended.

  6. What were some of the other discoveries you made?

  7. What recommendations would you have for missions organizations that exhibit at missions events?

Rethinking Global Mobilization with Ryan Shaw

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In this episode, Dave talks with Ryan Shaw, Lead Facilitator of Global Mission Mobilization Initiative (GMMI), a resourcing ministry equipping the Church for mission mobilization through practical tools, teaching, training, and strategies. The two discuss Ryan's new book, Rethinking Global Mobilization. Shaw shows us that the success of the local church is not about its buildings, bodies, or bucks. Rather, he helps us understand that the biblical purpose of the church begins with missions mobilization movements. If you want to see God receive the worship He deserves from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation, listen to this episode! Here are some more topics the two discussed:


1. What are some of the major areas you highlight in your book that need to be "rethought"?
2. What does a holistic, comprehensive perspective of mission mobilization look like?
3. The book identifies many types of mobilizers that go well beyond the traditional concept of a mobilizer. Explain some of these types and who they are.
4. The book seems to prioritize mobilizers raising the flag of the depth of spiritual life alongside missions education itself. Why is that piece highlighted?
5. What is your vision for mission mobilization across the global body of Christ?


Show notes:
rethinkingmobilization.com
globalmmi.net
Contact Ryan: rshaw@globalmmi.net

Engaging and Unleashing Believers into Digital Missions

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In a world that is becoming ever more connected through technology, reaching the unreached and mobilizing the next generation has never been more possible. Listen in as Nick Wu from Idigitous explains how to mobilize those who are tech savvy to reach the unreached. He offers a fresh perspective on how missionaries and missions mobilizers can use technology as an effective tool in reaching the unreached and mobilizing the next generations with digital missions. Here's what our host, Dave Jacob asked Nick during the interview:

  1. What is Indigitous Serve?

  2. Why is there a need for digital missions?

  3. Some of our listeners may be leery of digital missions. Can you really make disciples digitally?

  4. One of your projects is a Christian hackathon. Tell us about that.

  5. Nick, you lead something called, Indigitous Cohorts. What are those?

  6. How can you reach people that a traditional missionary perhaps can’t?

  7. How would you advise a missions mobilizer who is not tech savvy to mobilize others towards digital missions?

Show Notes:

Indigitous

Indigitous Hackathon

Serve with Indigitous

Email Indigitous - idserve@indigitous.org

Indigitous on Instagram

A Missionary's PTSD Journey with Don Mingo

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"Have you ever been around tired, whipped, worn-out missionaries? Man, are they crabby!"

Listen in as missionary, author, and life-coach Don Mingo speaks of his experiences in the mission field and his personal journey with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. As mobilizers, it is important to recognize the significance of missionary mental health and take the necessary steps to prepare those we are about to send. Being involved in missions work can be one of the most fulfilling ministries. It takes believers to new places all over the world and offers extraordinary experiences that stretch them physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This episode will equip you to address these issues as you mobilize and mentor future missionaries.

Show Notes

Baptist Bible Fellowship International

Missionary to Missionary Care

Books by Don Mingo

Gen Z's Thoughts on Missions

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Today’s students are tomorrow’s missionaries and mobilizers. Even now Gen Z is preparing to enter and presently entering God’s harvest fields. Knowing and understanding their views on missions is key for missions organizations. In this special episode of the Missionary Mobilization Podcast, Host Dave Jacob sits down with students from Trinity Bible College to get their thoughts and ideas on missions.

Questions Dave asked in this episode:

  1. What are some barriers preventing Gen Z from getting to the missions field?

  2. Is it beneficial for someone who feels called but doesn't know where to start to have a mentor?

  3. What excites Gen Z about missions?

  4. When you think about missions, what are some fears or concerns that you have?

Show Notes:
The Porch: Best Practices in Mobilizing Gen Z

Seven Healthy Rhythms of a Mobilizer

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Are you tired or stressed from ministry? Do you feel burned out? Listen to this episode of the Missionary Mobilization Podcast, as host David Jacob sits down with Missions Mobilizer Mark Stebbins. Mark offers 7 key insights regarding healthy rhythms for a Missions Mobilizer. You'll hear life-giving advice on how to engage in healthy routines for longevity in missions ministry.

Best Practices in Missions Marketing with Matt Green

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Listen in today as Dave chats with Matt Green, the VP of Marketing for Pioneers, USA. Matt shares how his team strategizes to promote missions for the purpose of mobilization. He talks about simple missiology, content marketing, and why it's important to market to the younger generations. You'll learn several best practices to help you market missions for mobilizing more missionaries (even on a shoestring budget).

Here are some of the questions Dave asked Matt:

  1. Share with us a little bit of the overall marketing strategy for Pioneers.

  2. What's the size of your marketing team? What positions do you have?

  3. Tell us the story of recently adding a young person to your marketing team.

  4. Why do you focus your marketing efforts on the younger generations?

  5. Can you share how you market missiology in simple ways?

  6. How is your team innovating?

  7. How would you advise a smaller mission agency with a limited budget?

Church and Missions Partnerships with Randy Jumper

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Do you ever get frustrated with the church/agency relationship? Take a listen to today's episode as Dave talks with Missions Pastor, Randy Jumper from First North Little Rock Church. Randy unpacks what he calls, With-ing, a concept that does missions together and goes beyond partnership. He expounds on keeping the local church as the main driver of missions without the church having a self-centered, self-fulfilling missiological strategy. You'll learn why missionary re-entry training is more essential than ever and why mission agencies should consider hiring non-missionaries for agency leadership roles. Specifically, Dave asked Randy the following questions:

  1. In your article, you write that "The church views itself as a 'with-ing' partner rather than a sending partner." Can you explain that a little bit?

  2. What factors have influenced this shift to “with-ing"?

  3. Are there any negative implications of shifting from a sending mindset to a with-ing mindset?

  4. Randy, in your article, you mention some suggestions for denominational sending agencies. Can you share some of those with us?

  5. What are some ways missionaries can partner better with churches? 

  6. What are some suggestions for churches in partnering with missionaries and sending agencies?

Mobilizing Missionaries to Dangerous Places with Anna Hampton

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"The Kingdom of God does not advance when we stay safe." - Anna Hampton

How can we help others navigate the potential dangers of the mission field? Listen to Anna Hampton, who has lived in war-torn Afghanistan, the Middle East, and other dangerous places. She is a global expert on cross-cultural risk and chats with Dave about the theology of risk and how mobilizers can help potential goers overcome their fear of danger.

They specifically discussed the following:

  1. How did you handle the potential dangers before you first went to Afghanistan?

  2. Can you share about a time when you helped a missionary deal with a dangerous situation?

  3. How does the Bible talk about risk?

  4. What does the church need to understand about risk in the context of missions?

  5. How can the church better respond to missionaries who live in dangerous contexts?

  6. What should missionaries do when they face risk?

  7. What advice would you have for mobilizers and pastors to help potential missionaries navigate risk and danger on the field?

Show Notes:

The Mandate's Effect on Mobilization with Jeff Boesel

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How does the vaccine mandate affect mobilization?

Today our guest is Jeff Boesel. After graduating from Westmont College and getting married, Jeff managed a restaurant, worked in a warehouse, and then became an air traffic controller before serving as a missionary at age 36. Jeff currently serves the One Challenge mobilization center as the Director of Mobilization.

Regardless of opinion on this hot button issue, this episode hopes to encourage you to look at the vaccine not from a political point of view, but rather a biblical one. Dave and Jeff discuss the fact that the world is watching how organizations handle Covid-19 vaccine mandates. As individuals and organizations continue to navigate this difficult situation, it’s important to dialogue on this topic in healthy and constructive ways.

Questions Discussed:

  1. Let's talk about IMBs decision to require the vaccine for all of their missionaries. 

  2. The Brigada newsletter has also addressed this topic. What have been some of the reactions?

  3. What feedback have you heard since the news broke about IMB's requirement?

  4. Do you know of other agencies (besides IMB) who are mandating the vaccine?

  5. Unfortunately this has become a political hot button topic. How do we keep things biblical?

  6. Do you think some missionaries will resign because of this requirement?

  7. Will we see a decline in new missionaries going to the field due to the mandate?

Mobilizing All Professions with Dale Losch

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Here’s what Dave asked Dale:

  • Why should we engage believers from all professions to reach the world? 

  • How can mission agencies train professional workers who do not have previous formal Bible training?

  • Is it still important to send traditional vocational missionaries?

  • How does a secular professional find time for ministry?

  • What do secular professionals do on the mission’s field?

  • What are some tips for mobilizing secular professionals?

  • What kinds of professions are being used on the field in creative ways?

How can we help believers in the marketplace understand the important role they play in the Great Commission? How can we best mobilize secular professionals like plumbers, educators, social workers, or health care professionals?

In this episode, Dave converses with Dale Losch, the CEO of Crossworld, a missions agency committed to sending ministry workers from all professions. This episode will equip you to mobilize believers from all walks of life.

Show Links: