Send us a text

Have you ever walked where ancient apostles once trod? Imagine standing in Laodicea, gazing across miles of ancient landscape to see the literal source of Jesus' "lukewarm" analogy from Revelation. This transformative experience was just one highlight from our recent mission trip spanning Turkey and Georgia.

Mark and Linda Turley join us to share their journey through biblical lands and modern faith communities. Their candid reflections reveal how physical connections to Scripture—touching the white marble of Ephesus or exploring the recently excavated ruins of Laodicea—bring biblical narratives to vibrant life. These aren't just archaeological curiosities but touchpoints that fundamentally reshape how we understand familiar texts.

The most profound moments, however, came through unexpected human connections. Linda describes a divine appointment with a Canadian-Turkish woman named Nell who had recently found faith after multiple suicide attempts. Meanwhile, Mark found himself fielding deep theological questions from a young Turkish man hungry for spiritual guidance. These spontaneous encounters highlight how missions often means simply showing up for God's already-unfolding work.

The contrast between massive Turkey and the tiny Republic of Georgia (population 3.5 million) reveals different facets of global Christianity. Georgian believers demonstrated extraordinary hospitality, making our team feel instantly adopted. Their relational approach—where people always take priority over schedules—culminated in an unforgettable feast in Sonori village, where locals had butchered a pig specifically for our visit and prepared homemade everything from bread to wine. During this perfect evening under ideal weather conditions, we witnessed a man named David being celebrated for his recent decision to follow Christ after years of prayer from his family.

Whether you're considering your first mission trip or have traveled extensively, this conversation will inspire you to see how God works across cultures while giving practical insights into what makes international ministry meaningful. As Mark advises those considering missions: "Don't think too hard about it, just go. It'll change your heart. It'll change your life forever."

Send us a text

What does it mean to truly live as an exile? Meet Andy, Natalie, and their daughter Jenda – a family who has spent over fifteen years crossing borders, learning languages, and building relationships in some of the most challenging environments imaginable.

Their story begins in unlikely places: Natalie from deep South Texas, where Christianity was simply part of the cultural package, and Andy from Boulder, Colorado, where "you could believe anything you wanted, as long as it wasn't Jesus." Through separate journeys of discovery, they found themselves drawn to cross-cultural ministry, eventually meeting in East Asia where they witnessed extraordinary spiritual openness during what they called "Miracle Mondays."

The conversation takes us through their evolution as a missionary family navigating constant uncertainty. From police interrogations to sudden evacuations during COVID without even returning home to pack, they've experienced a level of instability most of us would find terrifying. Yet within this uncertainty, they've discovered profound truths about God's faithfulness. "We don't live that rough," Natalie reflects, comparing their challenges to those of the early apostles while acknowledging the very real sacrifices their lifestyle entails.

Perhaps most fascinating is hearing from Jenda, their oldest daughter and a self-described "Third Culture Kid" now preparing for college in America. Her perspective challenges our assumptions about what constitutes hardship, as she reveals her most difficult "exile" experience wasn't overseas but in San Antonio during COVID, where familiar community structures were absent.

The family's testimony powerfully illuminates Jeremiah 29's message to the exiles in Babylon – that God's promise of "plans to prosper you" isn't about material comfort but about his faithful presence even in displacement. Their lives demonstrate that following Jesus means embracing uncertainty while discovering that in losing our grip on stability, we often find something far more valuable.

Ready to rethink what it means to follow Christ beyond cultural comfort zones? This conversation will challenge your perspective on security, purpose, and what constitutes a blessed life.

Send us a text

What happens when American teenagers step outside their comfort zones and experience a completely different way of life? In this heartfelt conversation, high school students Brooklyn and Julianne open up about their transformative first mission trip to Cancun, Mexico—far away from the tourist resorts and beaches most Americans associate with the region.

These young women share candidly about answering what felt like an unexpected calling from God: "It wasn't that I had a want to go," Brooklyn explains, "it was that I had a need to go." From fundraising challenges to language barriers, they faced numerous obstacles before even boarding the plane. Yet what awaited them would forever change their perspective on happiness, generosity, and purpose.

Working at Kingdom Academy—a school serving children from a former squatter's village—mixing concrete by hand under the hot sun, conducting Vacation Bible Schools, and visiting homes with dirt floors and outdoor bathrooms, Brooklyn and Julianne encountered profound joy amid material scarcity. "I don't know how all these people are so happy when they have nothing," Brooklyn reflects with wonder. Meanwhile, Julianne was stunned by the hospitality she experienced: "The minute I walked in, I was handed food. But in America if you go to someone's house, they're like 'why are you here' and kick you out."

The most challenging aspect wasn't the physical labor or cultural differences—it was reconciling their experience with returning to comfortable American lives. Both teens now grapple with maintaining this newfound perspective while surrounded by abundance. Their strategies include consistent prayer, physical reminders like handmade bracelets, and sharing their stories whenever possible.

Whether you're considering your first mission trip, wondering how to maintain spiritual growth after a transformative experience, or simply curious about seeing the world through fresh eyes, this conversation offers honest insights from two young hearts forever changed by stepping beyond their comfort zones. Listen now and rediscover what true joy might look like in your own life.