How do believers respond to the situation in Iran?

In this episode, Scott Dunford talks with “Sam,” an ABWE missionary serving Persian and Iranian communities, about the crisis gripping Iran. Looking at ancient Persia's biblical roots, home of Daniel and Esther, to the 1979 Islamic Revolution that installed a Shiite theocracy, Iran’s story is both historic and volatile. Sam explains the regime’s ideology, the nationwide uprisings across hundreds of cities, and the crushing reality facing ordinary Iranians amid economic collapse and violent repression.

Yet in the shadows of persecution, the gospel is advancing. Iran’s underground house church movement continues to grow despite infiltration, imprisonment, and the killing of pastors and believers. Drawing from firsthand connections inside the country, Sam calls the global church to pray, stand with suffering Christians, and boldly engage Iranian neighbors with truth and hope.

• Iran’s biblical and ancient Persian heritage
• The 1979 Islamic Revolution and rise of the ayatollahs
• Shiite apocalyptic theology and its political implications
• Widespread protests and violent government crackdowns
• Economic crisis, corruption, and regional proxy conflicts
• The growth of Iran’s underground house church movement
• Practical encouragement for connecting with Iranian neighbors

*The views expressed in this episode are those solely of the participants and do not necessarily align with the views of ABWE or all of its representatives.

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This week Alex and Scott are joined by ABWE missionary and Western Europe regional director Kyle Farran to explore what true, godly grit looks like in ministry. Rather than defining resilience by personality or overcoming high-pressure moments, they discuss grit as being formed through daily faithfulness, perseverance in the mundane, and steady trust in the Lord.

Farran shares insights from Scripture and decades of missionary experience to show that spiritual grit is earned over time, not summoned on demand. This conversation challenges pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders to embrace hard things with confidence rooted in who God is, not merely in understanding His plans.

Key Topics

• The difference between worldly grit and biblical resilience
• Why daily faithfulness matters more than dramatic moments
• Trusting God’s character in seasons of uncertainty
• How adversity forms long-term ministry endurance
• Balancing courage, character, and consistency in leadership

Find more from Kyle Farran by visiting kylefarran.com. You can pre-order his new book, "Godly Grit: Unshakable Resilience and Grit for Life and Leadership" on Amazon.

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 reaching Thailand be the key to reaching all of Southeast Asia?

In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex sits down with ABWE missionary Benjamin Collins to discuss gospel work in Thailand, a nation with long-standing missionary access yet less than one percent Christian. Ben shares about his role supporting church planters across the country and explains why Thailand remains a crucial missions field where evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development are all urgently needed.

The conversation highlights the importance of long-term missions, language learning, and cultural understanding, as well as the growing collaboration among Thai churches to reach their nation together. Ben also reflects on ministry among at-risk communities in Bangkok, the hope he sees in emerging Thai leaders, and Thailand’s strategic role as a hub for reaching Southeast Asia with the gospel.

• Thailand’s spiritual landscape and the state of the church
• Church planting and gospel collaboration across denominations
• Ministry among at-risk children and marginalized communities
• Contextualizing the gospel in shame- and fear-based cultures
• Thailand as a strategic hub for reaching Southeast Asia

Do you love The Missions Show? 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 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.