This week, Alex and Scott tackle a difficult question from a missionary wife who, after experiencing significant trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, family challenges, and cultural stress during overseas service, no longer feels able to return to the mission field while her husband remains convinced they should continue. They explore the realities of missionary hardship, the emotional and spiritual toll of cross-cultural ministry, and the tension that can arise when spouses find themselves at odds over what they believe God is calling them to do.

The conversation examines biblical concepts of calling, marriage, submission, family priorities, and the role of the local church in affirming missionary service. Alex and Scott encourage listeners to distinguish between personal desires, genuine calling, and God’s providential limitations, while emphasizing that husbands and wives must seek unity, wise counsel, and pastoral guidance when navigating major ministry decisions.

• The emotional, relational, and spiritual impact of missionary trauma and culture shock.
• How to distinguish between personal desires, ministry ambitions, and biblical calling.
• The local church’s role in affirming, evaluating, and guiding missionary service.
• Biblical perspectives on marital leadership, submission, and decision-making during disagreement.
• Balancing ministry commitments with responsibilities to spouse, children, and family health.
• Practical counsel for couples seeking unity when one spouse wants to continue missions and the other does not.

Here's the conversation from Scott Dunford and his wife about missions.

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In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex and Scott welcome pastor, author, and former missionary J. Chase Davis to discuss the crisis of biblical masculinity and its implications for the church and missions. Drawing from his book Offensive Christianity, Davis argues that the modern church has often replaced robust discipleship with therapeutic, “nice” Christianity that neglects courage, conviction, and a biblical understanding of manhood.

The conversation explores how theological anthropology, cultural movements like pietism, and modern evangelical trends have contributed to an increasingly feminized church culture that often struggles to challenge men toward sacrificial leadership and spiritual maturity. From a missions perspective, together they examine how an overemphasis on comfort and safety can weaken the church’s vision for gospel advance.

• The theological roots behind the modern crisis of masculinity
• Why “nice Christianity” can undermine bold discipleship
• The difference between meekness and weakness in missions
• How evangelical culture became increasingly “feminine coded”
• Recovering courage, risk, and conviction in missionary service
• Why churches must cast a stronger vision for men in missions

Learn more and get your copy of Chase's book, Offensive Christianity here.

Are you feeling called to the mission field, but don't know where to start? ABWE's 24-Hour DEMO is for those that are seeking opportunities and direction on how they can help fulfill the Great Commission. Find your role in global missions 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.

In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex sits down with ABWE’s Director of International Security and Crisis Management, Bill Gruppen, to discuss the difficult balance between missionary safety and gospel risk-taking in some of the world’s most dangerous places. Drawing from decades of experience in law enforcement, emergency response, and security, Bill shares how God redirected his professional skill set into missions work through TACTICA Ministries and ABWE.

Together, they explore how missionaries prepare for crises, make difficult stay-or-go decisions in conflict zones like the Middle East and Ukraine, and seek to remain faithful witnesses without embracing unnecessary danger. Bill explains how emergency response ministries can strengthen long-term church planting efforts by building relationships, serving communities in moments of suffering, and opening doors for gospel ministry.

• Why missionary safety and gospel risk must be held in biblical balance
• How ABWE missionaries navigate conflict zones and crisis situations
• Bill Gruppen’s journey from law enforcement and emergency response into missions
• The role of TACTICA Ministries in reaching first responders with the gospel
• ABWE’s vision for disaster relief and crisis response teams
• Encouragement to pray for missionaries and first responders serving under pressure

If you would like to know more about International Security and Crisis Management, visit International Security and Crisis Management. Support the work of Bill and Cindy Gruppen at Bill and Cindy Gruppen | give.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:

• Exclusive bonus content
• A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts
• Invite-only webinars
• A free gift!

Support The Missions Show and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionsshow.com/premium

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.