S2E7: The Space Engineer Called to Ministry | Eric Mock

Welcome to The Go and Send Podcast! In this episode, Eric Mock shares how God redirected his path from aerospace engineering and the space program to serving believers across the former Soviet Union with Slavic Gospel Association. Eric talks about the moment a colleague's question shattered his comfortable Christianity, the radical shift from managing aerospace programs to pastoring while overseeing ministries in 13 countries, and discovering that availability matters more than ability when God opens unexpected doors. This conversation includes honest reflections on preaching in freezing Ukrainian churches under fire, supporting national missionaries as tent-makers, working to make churches self-sustaining, and learning that God often strips away our dreams to give us His purpose. Eric shares practical wisdom about discipleship-focused ministry, trusting God when life is hard, and taking that first step even when you don't feel ready. If you're wondering how your skills could serve in missions or struggling with God's call, Eric's testimony will challenge you to walk through whatever door opens next. Contact us at [email protected] Resources & Links:Slavic Gospel Association: https://www.sga.orgEncountering Hope Podcast: https://www.sga.org/podcast/The Cup and the Glory by Dr. Greg HarrisTrusting God When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges 00:00 -- Introduction to Eric Mock and Slavic Gospel Association01:16 -- SGA History: Founded in 1934 and Broadcasting the Bible04:24 -- Training Students and Serving 6,000 Churches07:20 -- Connection With HCJB and Voice of the Andes09:26 -- The War in Ukraine and SGA's Response13:00 -- Making Churches Centers of Hope: 2.2 Million Heard Gospel18:30 -- They Don't Attend Church, They ARE the Church21:03 -- Growing Up Wanting to Be an Astronaut23:22 -- Working on Stealth Bomber, F-22, and Space Station25:54 -- Colleague's Question That Changed Everything27:48 -- Conversion: "I Want to Be More Like Jesus"30:03 -- First Mission Trip: Wife Chooses Siberia Over Peru33:00 -- Joining SGA and Taking a 65% Pay Cut33:39 -- Planting a Church in Small Village 17 Years Ago35:20 -- Traveling 1/3 of the Year to Serve Churches36:25 -- Teaching Pastors and Visiting Front Lines40:14 -- Preaching in 25-Degree Church With Tank Outside42:36 -- Pastoring While Traveling: Learning From Overseas Churches43:52 -- Discipleship Over Programs and Processes46:29 -- Next Man Up Mentality From Ukrainian Believers49:20 -- Never Imagined Going Into Ministry51:35 -- First Time Preaching: 650 People With No Preparation54:28 -- Seminary Students Missing the Point54:55 -- It's Not Your Ability, It's Your Availability56:24 -- Woman Asked: "Did God Bring You to Plant a Church?"58:12 -- Goal: Work Ourselves Out of a Job01:00:09 -- Supporting 394 National Missionaries as Tent-makers01:04:17 -- Overcoming Fear and Trusting God's Grace01:08:55 -- Encouragement to the Next Generation01:10:26 -- Test the Waters and Find Your Giftedness01:13:28 -- Preach Truth When Sky Is Blue, Not When It's Dark01:14:43 -- Book Recommendations and SGA Resources To learn more about SonSet Solutions, go to our website or follow us on social media @SonSetSolutions.Website: https://www.sonsetsolutions.org