What does everyday ministry look like in South Asia?

In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex sits down with K.Y., a ministry partner serving in a predominantly Muslim country in South Asia, to discuss the realities of gospel ministry in one of the world’s most challenging mission fields. K.Y. shares how his ministry integrates theological education, discipleship, and church planting to strengthen local believers and equip leaders for faithful witness amid persecution and social pressure.

K.Y. explains the risks Christians face when sharing their faith, the challenges posed by radicalized elements within society, and the importance of relationship-based evangelism that demonstrates Christ’s love through everyday interactions. The conversation also highlights encouraging evidence of God’s work as people from Muslim backgrounds come to faith in Christ through personal relationships, transformed lives, and, at times, extraordinary spiritual encounters.

• Ministry in a majority-Muslim South Asian context and the challenges of evangelism
• The role of theological education, discipleship, and church planting in strengthening the church
• Persecution, social pressures, and the realities facing Muslim-background believers
• Relationship-based evangelism and the importance of Christian character and witness
• Spiritual realities, including encounters with spiritism and testimonies of conversion
• Opportunities for prayer, support, and ministry partnership with local believers and church leaders

Support the vital work that K.Y. is doing in training pastors, theological education, and planting churches in the 10/40 window. Give to his ministry by visiting: https://give.abwe.org/projects/south-asia-discipleship

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The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.

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Are short-term missions trips more helpful or hurtful?

In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex and Scott welcome Scott McCoy, Launch Point Missions Lead at ABWE, to discuss one of the most debated topics in modern missions: short-term mission trips. McCoy shares why he believes short-term missions remain valuable when they are thoughtfully designed around the needs of missionaries, local believers, and participating churches.

The conversation explores common pitfalls churches should avoid, including cultural insensitivity and creating ministry models that local believers cannot sustain. McCoy emphasizes the importance of partnering closely with missionaries, preparing teams well, and viewing mission trips as discipleship opportunities that develop future ministry leaders and missionaries.

• The ongoing debate over the value and effectiveness of short-term mission trips
• How churches can design trips that create lasting impact for missionaries and local believers
• Common mistakes teams make when serving cross-culturally
• Using short-term missions as a tool for discipleship and leadership development
• Why short-term trips often become a stepping stone toward long-term missionary service

Is your church considering a short-term missions trip? Check out Launch Point Missions to find current opportunities and connect with our team on how you can host your own trip.

Explore your calling to global missions at ABWE's 24-Hour DEMO event. These events, held throughout the year, help individuals and churches explore how they can help fulfill the Great Commission and explore God's calling on their life and church. Learn more at demo.abwe.org.

Do you love The Missions Show? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!

Premium Subscribers get access to:

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The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionsshow.com.

Can compassion ministry and gospel proclamation work together?

In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex and Scott sit down with Dave Phillips, founder and president of Children's Hunger Fund (CHF), to explore the relationship between gospel proclamation, mercy ministry, and the local church. Dave shares the remarkable story behind CHF’s founding, beginning with a life-changing visit to a pediatric cancer ward in Honduras and culminating in a providential donation of life-saving medicine that confirmed God’s call to launch the ministry. What started as a small step of faith has grown into a global ministry serving suffering children and families through partnerships with local churches in more than 30 countries.

The conversation also tackles some of the most important debates in modern missions: the balance between word and deed ministry, the dangers of prosperity theology, the role of parachurch organizations, and how churches can engage in poverty alleviation without undermining local congregations.

• Dave Phillips’ testimony and the founding story of Children’s Hunger Fund
• How God used a providential donation of cancer medication to confirm CHF’s mission
• The relationship between gospel proclamation and mercy ministry
• Why addressing spiritual poverty must remain central to poverty alleviation efforts
• The biblical role of the local church versus parachurch organizations in missions
• Lessons from When Helping Hurts, short-term missions, and serving the poor with sound theology

Do you love The Missions Show? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!

Premium Subscribers get access to:

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The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionsshow.com.