What's the spiritual climate like in Bangladesh?

In this week's episode, Scott interviews Pastor Prodip Das, a Bengali church planter in New York City with ABWE's EveryEthne ministry. Together, they discuss the unique nature and conflict of Christianity and Islam within Bangladesh.

Prodip tells his personal testimony and what it is like growing up in a Christian family in the country. Prodip also talks about his ministry within New York City and discipling Muslim-background believers.

• The history of ABWE ministry in Bangladesh
• Prodip's personal testimony of growing up a Christian in Bangladesh
• The nature of persecution of Muslim-background believers in Bangladesh
• Prodip's church planting ministry in New York City

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Why is Japan the graveyard of missionaries?

In this episode, Alex talks with veteran ABWE missionary Bill Petite, who reflects on 35 years of ministry in Japan. Bill gives an honest look at the spiritual, cultural, and emotional realities of serving in one of the world’s least-reached nations.

Bill Petite also speaks candidly about the emotional and spiritual toll of long-term missions, sharing seasons of deep depression, discouragement, and even suicidal thoughts—contrasted with stories of God’s surprising providence.

• The paradox of Japan’s high morality and deep spiritual lostness
• Cultural barriers to understanding sin and truth
• Challenges of contextualization and discipleship in Japanese culture
• Japan as a “graveyard of missionaries” and the emotional cost of ministry
• Japan’s critical need for pastors, church planters, and long-term missionaries

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

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How does the gospel transcend cultural understandings like guilt/innocence, honor/shame?

In this episode, Alex is joined by longtime friend of the show, Dr. E.D. Burns, a missionary, author, and ABWE’s Executive Director for Training & Development. E.D. argues that many modern missionary methods fall into error by beginning with culture rather than Scripture. When missionaries adapt the message to perceived cultural needs: fear of spirits, desire for honor, community belonging, they risk redefining the gospel according to those felt needs instead of the Bible's central categories of sin, wrath, substitutionary atonement, and the imputed righteousness of Christ.

Dr. Burns illustrates how hyper-contextualized approaches can subtly blend works and faith, especially in cultures comfortable with karmic or performance-based religion. True gospel communication, he argues, must highlight penal substitution, justification by faith alone, and the supernatural transformation of the heart.

• The danger of culture-first vs. Bible-first missionary methods
• How methodology reveals underlying theology on the mission field
• The insufficiency of presenting the gospel only through honor/shame or fear/power lenses
• The centrality of penal substitutionary atonement and imputed righteousness
• The perennial battle to preserve faith alone in cultures predisposed to works-based religion

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

Premium Subscribers get access to:

• Exclusive bonus content
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The Missions Podcast 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@missionspodcast.com.