Today on the Pod, we challenge the obsession with outward ministry metrics and argue that lasting fruit in missions depends on the inner life with God. We talk through discipleship in community, hard heart issues, and the spiritual disciplines that keep workers joyful, rested, and faithful.

Find out more at PMPod.org

• defining discipleship as the Holy Spirit revealing identity in Christ
• building community early by involving seekers with family and other believers
• shaping a simple house group rhythm of singing, Scripture, prayer, and sharing
• reading the Bible with purpose through Ephesians, Acts, and the whole redemption story
• addressing heart issues like addiction, pornography, fear, marriage, and parenting from the start
• practicing hospitality that models love, service, and a different kind of family life
• reclaiming Sabbath as wise rhythm rather than legalism
• naming screens, scrolling, and news as counterfeit rest for many of us
• describing fasting as embodied hunger for God’s will, often paired with solitude
• redefining solitude as being alone with God in private prayer
• rejecting “just do more” prayer and pointing to Christ praying in us
• making the case for scripture memorization for temptation, teaching, and witness
• reframing self-denial as total surrender to a good Father
It’s okay to be normal.

Today on the Pod, I talk to a woman who has raised her kids in war zones, discipled illiterate church leaders, and has shown the incredible power of having enduring hope on the field.

Read more at PMPod.org

Timeline

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:00 First Impressions and real Arab Women
• 02:52 The Joy and Stress of Lawlessness
• 04:53 Language, Culture, And Earned Respect
• 06:16 Marriage Kids And Social Authority
• 08:32 Polygamy and the Real Struggles of Women
• 11:27 Women’s Power Inside Family Systems
• 14:34 Discipleship That Changes Social Patterns
• 16:56 Teaching Forgiveness In A No Forgiveness Culture
• 19:27 Figuring out Education on the Field
• 27:44 Raising Third Culture Kids
• 32:35 Deciding Whether To Stay During War
• 39:48 Crisis Creates Hunger And Open Doors
• 42:15 Why Women Respond Powerfully To Jesus
• 47:59 Discipling Illiterate Women
• 52:28 Barriers In Discipling Women Long Term
• 56:45 The Power of Endurance

On today's episode, we look at the effects of staying close to the Father, what real success on the field is, how to bolster both your effort for God and your rest in God, the power of weakness, what makes a good leader, and how understanding where we came from will help us deal with the challenges we face now.

For more information, go to PMPod.org

Timeline

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:00 At 16 years old asking God where to serve
• 06:12 Resting in God, and working hard are not opposites
• 9:44 Feeling weak and useless is the path to trusting God
• 14:00 How missions has changed since the 1990s
• 21:28 What makes a trustworthy leader?
• 30:34 How to avoid cynicism
• 34:53 The History of Missions and Innovation Cycles
• 41:50 Understanding where we came from helps us address the the challenges we face now