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What happens when you choose to live in a blighted neighborhood for nearly five decades? Jimmy Dorrell's remarkable story of incarnational ministry reveals the profound impact of genuine presence in marginalized communities.

After a world tour witnessing global poverty, Jimmy and his wife Janet made the countercultural decision to purchase a dilapidated 4,000 square foot house for just $12,000 in Waco's poorest neighborhood. With drug dealers and prostitutes as neighbors, they weren't there to implement programs but to build authentic relationships. This simple yet radical commitment has sparked transformative change over 47 years.

Jimmy shares how listening to community needs led to organic solutions for employment, addiction recovery, and housing. His Church Under the Bridge began when homeless individuals invited him to conduct a Bible study, growing into a vibrant 250-person congregation that meets outdoors year-round—a place where professors worship alongside those experiencing mental illness, creating a beautiful picture of God's kingdom.

Most compelling are Jimmy's insights about learning from those society pushes aside. He recounts how an apparently poor woman handed him $20 to help others—a modern widow's mite—and reflects on how seminary couldn't prepare him for the profound theology he's discovered among the marginalized.

Now at 75, Jimmy continues pioneering innovative solutions like Creekside Community Village, a tiny home community for the homeless. His enduring commitment is perhaps best symbolized by his plan to be buried among his homeless friends in the Pauper Cemetery—a final testament to the belief that transformation comes not through programs but through genuine relationships that bridge divides.

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What if everything we thought we knew about church and mission was backward? In this eye-opening conversation with veteran missionary Will Smith of E3 Partners, we explore a revolutionary perspective on discipleship that challenges conventional thinking about how churches function and grow.

Will shares powerful stories from his years in South Asia and his current work with migrant populations in Europe that illustrate a fundamental truth: "The client is the lost, not the church." This paradigm shift forces us to reconsider our priorities and methods. Are we building institutions or making disciples? Are we consumers of religious services or participants in God's mission?

The most compelling insight might be Will's assertion that "the resources are in the harvest." Rather than looking exclusively within established Christian communities for ministry partners, Will explains how new believers—those freshly harvested from fields white unto harvest—often become the most effective evangelists and disciple-makers. They haven't learned to compartmentalize their faith or delegate sharing the gospel to "professionals."

We also dive into an incredible case study from the Mexico-US border, where thousands of migrants in a temporary camp in Reynosa encountered the gospel. Within days, baptisms were happening in blue barrels, Bible studies were forming organically, and new believers were immediately sharing their faith. Though the transient nature of the population created unique challenges, the rapid multiplication of disciples demonstrated what's possible when we embrace biblical discipleship principles.

If you're tired of church-as-usual and long to see the kind of movement Jesus started, this conversation will both challenge and inspire you. Whether you're a pastor, missionary, or someone seeking to follow Jesus more authentically, Will's insights from decades on the mission field will equip you to think differently about discipleship in your context. Subscribe now and join the conversation about how we can effectively join God in all He's doing around the world!

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What happens when 33 people—from military pilots to business professionals to fifth graders—trade their spring break vacation for a mission trip to Cancun, Mexico? The answer lies not in resort experiences, but in the transformative power of serving others together.

In this heartwarming episode, Children's Minister Teresa and Associate Minister Staci share their experiences leading FBC's second annual family mission trip to Kingdom Academy, a school serving 37 children in the impoverished community of Cuna Maya. From building desks and teaching English to conducting a Vacation Bible School that drew over 100 neighborhood children, these families discovered the joy of stepping outside their comfort zones to make a tangible difference.

The most powerful moments came during home visits, where team members delivered food and necessities to families living in single-room homes. One grandmother, battling cancer and raising her granddaughter alone, received not only groceries but also found Jesus that day—a divine appointment orchestrated before anyone arrived. Another student named Joshua, unable to attend school because his specialized bicycle had broken, received a new bike and leg braces thanks to the spontaneous generosity of team members.

Perhaps most beautiful was watching children from different cultures connect without sharing a language, playing soccer and volleyball together while forming bonds that transcended words. Parents marveled as their sometimes introverted children blossomed in this new environment, exhibiting confidence and compassion previously unseen.

"Our kids love the song 'The Battle Belongs,'" Teresa shares, describing how American and Mexican children worshipped together despite language barriers. "They actually had a really fun time learning that song and then learning all the actions."

Whether you're curious about international missions, considering how your family might serve together, or simply need a reminder that God works in unexpected ways, this episode will inspire you to ask: How might God use my family to bless others? How could stepping outside my comfort zone change not just someone else's life, but my own perspective on what truly matters?

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Pam Arland's journey from Kansas City to the remote mountains of Western China unfolds as an extraordinary testament to how God uses the most unexpected gifts to reach the unreached.

"The greatest injustice on earth," Pam explains, is that millions of people in China would live their entire lives without the opportunity to hear about Jesus. This realization propelled her from being a self-described "geeky, nerdy" linguistics lover to becoming a Bible translator and church planter in one of the world's most challenging environments.

At elevations reaching 16,000 feet along the disputed borders of China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India, Pam learned three languages over seven years, bought a cheap bicycle to reach remote villages, and drew stick figures to share the gospel when language barriers remained. Her breakthrough came unexpectedly when a woman grabbed her coat and demanded, "I've heard you know about God and I want you to tell my entire family." This led to an entire household choosing to follow Jesus together – a powerful lesson in how collective cultures often make faith decisions as communities rather than individuals.

Beyond her personal ministry, Pam offers valuable insights into church planting movements, particularly regarding gender balance. Her research revealed that movements with either too many women or too many men often fail to transform entire societies. The most successful movements maintain balanced involvement, recognizing both genders as vital to reaching all segments of a community.

Today, Pam serves as editor for Perspectives, a curriculum that has transformed nearly 300,000 people's understanding of God's global purposes. Her story reminds us that whether it's diagramming sentences, riding bicycles at high altitudes, or drawing stick figures, God can use our seemingly ordinary skills for extraordinary kingdom purposes. What gifts might you offer that could make His name great among the nations?

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What if I told you that Christianity is growing faster globally today than at any point in history? While many American Christians see a church in decline, the reality beyond our borders tells a dramatically different story.

In this eye-opening conversation with Blake McDaniel, a veteran mission mobilizer with the Navigators, we unpack striking statistics that reveal God's extraordinary work in our lifetime. Blake shares how the percentage of evangelical Christians worldwide has exploded from just 3% at World War II to 12% today—with the growth curve now pointing straight up. Places like Nepal have seen Christian communities grow from nearly non-existent to hundreds of thousands of believers in just three decades.

Yet this growth isn't evenly distributed. Using Jesus' parable of yeast in dough, Blake explains how the gospel remains concentrated in certain regions while 40% of the world has virtually no access. The regions containing most of the world's Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims receive only a tiny fraction of our missionary resources.

Drawing a fascinating parallel between Coca-Cola's global marketing strategy and Christian missions, Blake challenges us to think strategically about resource allocation. If a beverage company can achieve global market penetration in 150 years, what's taking the church 2,000 years to accomplish the same with the gospel?

Blake's personal journey from systems analyst to missions mobilizer inspires us to maintain open hands before God. When initially approached about overseas service, his immediate "no" eventually transformed into a different "yes" that has led to hundreds of missionaries being sent where he himself couldn't go.

Join us for this thought-provoking discussion that will transform how you see God's work in the world today and challenge you to find your unique role in His global mission. Whether you're called to go, mobilize, or support in other ways, there's a place for everyone in this extraordinary global movement.

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Join us for an inspiring conversation with Nicole Parks, who shares her heart for missions and the transformative experiences that shaped her calling. From rediscovering the meaning of short-term mission trips to understanding God's Great Commission, Nicole unpacks the complexity of mobilization. Her firsthand account from impactful trips to the West Bank of Israel and China demonstrates how personal experiences can ignite transformative faith.

Nicole highlights her books aimed at demystifying mission theology, making it approachable for anyone eager to understand their role in God’s mission. With an emphasis on the importance of partnerships and collaborative efforts within the church, she offers practical insights on how believers can actively participate in the work of evangelization. Explore the critical discussions surrounding Israel’s missional calling and how it relates to the church today, moving beyond traditional narratives to an inclusive understanding of God’s global mission.

As you listen, be inspired to join in the work already being done across the globe. We encourage your engagement—share your thoughts, subscribe, and leave a review. Together, let’s work to make God’s name known among the nations!

Check out Nicole's Ministry at: Cafe 1040

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Join us for a transformative conversation on the dynamics of disciple-making in today’s church. In this enlightening episode, Pastor Chad welcomes Jeff Lewis to discuss how God is actively engaging churches across the country to foster a culture of discipleship that goes beyond traditional structures. As they dive into essential topics like the role of mobilization, the significance of Scripture, and the importance of building authentic communities, listeners are encouraged to consider what it means to be a true disciple-maker in their context.

Through thoughtful insights and personal stories, Jeff challenges common perceptions about being goers versus making true disciples of Christ. What does it mean to be a mobilizer who nurtures growth and engagement both locally and globally? This episode provides listeners with practical tools and perspectives on embracing a kingdom-centered approach to community engagement.

Filled with wisdom and real-life applications, this episode serves not merely as theoretical musings but as a call to action for believers to step into their roles as light bearers and bless others around them. Discover how you can contribute to the work God is doing in your life, church, and community, and find inspiration to create ripples of change that reflect His glory. Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to help spread the message!

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In this vivid and enlightening episode, Ron and Star Nelson share their incredible journeys from the secular workforce to embodying the calling of Christ in global missions. With decades of experience, they illuminate the powerful impact that individual lives can have when they integrate faith into action, guiding listeners through their fascinating story of transformation and purpose.

The conversation delves deep into their motivations, revealing how personal struggles and divine encounters paved the way for their mission to mobilize communities, especially within the African-American context. As they recount various experiences from mission trips to countries like Haiti, Belize, and Kenya, they illustrate the significance of connection and representation in missions.

Listeners will uncover the importance of showcasing diverse role models in mission work while being challenged to consider their own involvement—it’s a poignant reminder that everyone has a part to play in God’s greater narrative. As Ron and Star offer encouragement through their stories, they advocate for the necessity of prayer and preparation, highlighting that even one person can inspire an entire community to join the mission field.

Let the Nelsons’ infectious passion for spreading love and hope encourage you! Dive into this eye-opening episode to understand how your blessings can echo beyond borders and what it truly means to fulfill the Great Commission. Don't miss out—subscribe, leave a review, and share your mission stories with us!

Check out their website here: Sowing Seeds of Joy