S2E4: From Park Ranger to Pioneer Missionary | Brad Shaw

Welcome to The Go and Send Podcast! In this episode, Brad Shaw shares how God redirected his path from studying biology and working as a park ranger in Alaska to becoming a pioneer missionary among the Quechua people in Peru's Cotahuasi Canyon. Brad walks through his college years wrestling with atheistic professors, a supernatural moment when Scripture suddenly made sense, and a weekend gospel trip to an Alaskan village that changed everything. He talks about learning medical skills as a physician assistant, partnering with Quechua believers to reach isolated mountain communities, and watching God open doors for both FM and shortwave radio ministry that now reaches potentially millions across the Andes Mountains. This conversation includes honest reflections on cross-cultural ministry challenges, the importance of theological clarity in syncretistic contexts, persevering through five-year waiting periods for licenses, and trusting God's sovereignty through technical breakdowns and rural isolation. Brad shares practical encouragement about being faithful in small things, pursuing generalist skills, and filtering decisions through an eternal perspective. If you're wondering how God might use your background in missions or what pioneer ministry actually looks like day-to-day, this episode will challenge you to trust God's leading and make your life count for eternity. Contact us at [email protected] Resources & Links:Quechua Missions website: https://www.quechuamissions.comSIM (Serving In Mission): https://www.sim.orgContact Brad: [email protected] 00:00 -- Introduction to Brad Shaw and Ministry Among the Quechua01:08 -- The Cotahuasi Canyon and Quechua People04:29 -- Growing Up With Christian Grandparents06:09 -- University Ministry and Wrestling With Science Professors08:36 -- Supernatural Moment: The Bible Becoming Clear14:27 -- God Big Enough to Handle Doubts and Filter Through Eternal Perspective18:22 -- Working as Park Rangers in Alaska19:22 -- A Weekend Gospel Trip That Changed Everything22:24 -- Leaving Environmental Work for Long-Term Missions24:58 -- Training as a Physician Assistant for Healthcare Ministry28:06 -- Short-Term Trips and Learning About Cross-Cultural Ministry31:09 -- Importance of Being Involved in Local Church34:24 -- Discovering Peru and the Quechua People36:22 -- First Visit to Cotahuasi Canyon: Everything Fit Like a Glove39:08 -- Early Days Partnering With Quechua Believers41:03 -- Showing Jesus Film and Trekking Into Villages43:18 -- Vision to Reach 17,000 People in 50 Remote Villages44:43 -- Pursuing FM Radio License: Five-Year Process47:02 -- Learning Contentment and Perseverance Through Challenges49:46 -- Discovering Shortwave Radio to Reach Millions50:40 -- How FM vs. Shortwave Radio Works52:41 -- Installing Shortwave With Sonset Solutions53:28 -- Signal Reaching Iceland and Asia56:47 -- Typical Day: Morning Devotions and Ministry Center Life58:45 -- Evening Discipleship Groups and Village Church Meetings01:00:32 -- Were the Quechua a Reached People Group?01:02:42 -- Confronting Syncretism and Works-Oriented False Gospels01:04:39 -- Vision for Bible Institute by the Air01:05:41 -- Story of Faustino Teaching Himself to Read With the Bible01:09:17 -- Encouragement: Be Faithful in Small Things and Pursue God To learn more about SonSet Solutions, go to our website or follow us on social media @SonSetSolutions.Website: https://www.sonsetsolutions.org