The Back to Jerusalem Podcast

What if there were two Jesuses to choose from? Eugene explores the story of Pastor Jing Dianying and the Jesus Family in China, revealing how Jing was forced to choose between a kingdom built through force and one built through love, sacrifice, and faith. He connects this choice to the surprising story of Jesus Barabbas and asks which Jesus we are choosing today.

Eugene examines how China’s 2017 restrictions on NGOs drove most foreign organizations out of the country. He argues that the loss of these organizations, many of them Christian, has left China with fewer resources to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian needs, while persecution of Christians continues to impact the nation.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly shaping how information is shared, but who decides what is true? Eugene Bach examines AI bias, the growing race to control data centers, and why Back to Jerusalem is investing in secure digital infrastructure to protect Scripture, missionary resources, and the freedom to share the gospel.

Four newly discovered Chinese biographies changed everything Eugene thought he knew about the Back to Jerusalem vision. In this episode, he uncovers a remarkable pattern hidden throughout its history: the overlooked influence of courageous women whose faith helped shape one of China's most enduring missionary movements.

In today’s Back to Jerusalem podcast, Eugene shares why legacy matters for missions and how the Chinese church is carrying the faith of our fathers across the 10/40 window. From growing up without a father to discovering a spiritual family that stretches from Adam and Abraham to modern Chinese missionaries, this episode connects biblical genealogies to real mission fields today.

BREAKING UPDATE: Pastor Ezra Jin, founder of Beijing's Zion Church, has been released from prison in China and reunited with his family in Los Angeles, arriving on July 3, just before America's 250th Independence Day celebration. Eugene shares the full story.

Eugene Bach reports from Germany, reflecting on Pope Leo's recent comparison of AI to the Tower of Babel. Eugene digs into Genesis 11 and offers a mission field perspective the pope didn't mention: that Babel's true failure was resisting God's first command to go forth, multiply, and scatter across the earth. He traces this east versus west movement throughout scripture, ties it to the Great Commission, and shares how he actually uses AI in missions work today. A thoughtful, unexpected take on a hot topic through the lens of reaching the nations.

Eugene Bach reports live from Dubai after days with underground house church leaders from across the Middle East. He connects a 100 year prayer movement started by persecuted Moravian believers under Count Zinzendorf to the missionaries God is raising up from China today. Many of these workers are serving in the most dangerous regions on earth, and war has forced some to move their families to safety. Eugene shares what they're facing and how you can help support missionaries caught in the middle of active war zones.

Eugene Bach reports from a secret meeting on an island in Asia where veteran Chinese missionaries gathered to form their first-ever Chinese-led mission board. These leaders, some with 20+ years on the field, outlined four strategic priorities: multiplying small independent mission groups, investing in the next generation, advancing business as mission, and publishing indigenous training materials. A historic moment for the global Chinese missions movement.

Iran appears increasingly isolated, yet missiles and drones keep flowing. A new China–Iran railway through Central Asia may help explain why. Drawing on years of travel in the region, Eugene examines the corridor, its geopolitical implications, and what it could mean for the future of the Middle East.

When President Trump and his entourage — including Elon Musk and Tim Cook — traveled to Beijing, they left behind something they NEVER part with: their phones, laptops, and iPads. Most people missed what that really means. Back to Jerusalem missionaries have been warning about China's aggressive digital surveillance for years — and now the world's most powerful tech leaders and political figures are confirming it with their own actions.

Eugene is experiencing things that haven't been possible in China for as long as he can remember. No visas, no VPNs, easier than ever to travel in and around China... but are these things good?

Was Jesus racist? A Buddhist professor and a progressive California pastor both claimed this passage in Mark 7 proves Jesus only cared about Jews. Eugene unpacks the story of the Syrophoenician woman through a lens he learned sitting with China's underground house church, revealing layers in the text that reframe everything. Sometimes the most powerful Bible teaching comes not from those with the most resources, but from those with only crumbs.

Shagufta Kausar spent 8 years in a Pakistani death row cell for blasphemy—beaten, isolated, and offered freedom if she'd deny Jesus. Instead, she prayed for her enemies, saw visions of Christ, survived prison earthquakes, and watched God turn guards into friends who begged for her prayers. Her kids witnessed torture yet held onto faith through trauma. Now free, her story screams: Nothing can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:38-39).

Joseph joins Eugene on the podcast to discuss the horrors of the modern-day slave trade happening right now inside of Pakistan. You will be shocked by the number of people who are experiencing this nightmare.

Something has been bothering Eugene today, so he had to do a quick podcast to share something with you. Not only does he think that Tucker Carlson's recent comments are wrong, they are dangerous.

Mac joins Eugene to discuss starting businesses on the mission field and his journey from restaurant owner to training missionaries in food-based enterprise. Is it possible for missionaries to become fully self-sustaining and never need donations from Western churches?

Eugene wanted to share insights from recent conversations with underground house church pastors in China. They revealed many disturbing things, including widespread misinformation aimed at downplaying the persecution occurring there.

Eugene wanted to take a moment to share something that he believes is crystal clear in the Bible and may relate to what we're seeing in Iran today. The similarities and symbolism of this Biblical prophecy and what we're seeing in the news today was too overwhelming not to share.

This is the audio from a recent livestream. As you have been seeing on the news, the situation in Iran is extremely dire. Eugene has been working in Iran for more than 20 years but he has never received more messages from Christians inside of Iran than right now. Here's the latest.

Just shortly before recording this podcast, Eugene was able to sit down with one of the pastors that was able to escape from being arrested when the Chinese police raided meetings of the Zion House Church. He shares an update with the latest known information on those who were arrested in October 2025.

Before boarding a flight in Korea, Eugene has some very exciting news to share with you. Baptisms in Afghanistan, doors opening in North Korea, and more.

The world is not going to be the same after today. What we have just witnessed is not only the killing of a leader, president, or military leader, but the death of the highest religious leader of Shia Islam. What does this mean for the Church in Iran?

Doing business inside of closed countries is one of the best, most practical ways of preaching the Gospel. We'd love for you to join us at our next Business as Missions conference in the Middle East. Chinese missionaries who are starting and operating businesses inside of places like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yeme, UAE, Oman, and Kuwait will be sharing about what they're doing and finding new ways to collaborate together to further the Gospel.

Eugene just met with an underground house church pastor who shared something urgent: Bibles are being confiscated in raids across China and the need has never been more desperate. BTJ is pushing to get 200,000 Bibles into China this year and just three US dollars gets one Bible into the hands of a believer who is asking for it right now.

It's the 10-year anniversary of the Back to Jerusalem Podcast and Eugene is recording it the same way he's recorded every other episode... alone, on his phone, mid-hike, somewhere inside the borders of..... Eugene reflects on a decade of sharing from the underground church, the critics who called him out, the stranger in Ephesus who recognized his voice, and why he's still doing it the same way he did it on day one. All the while, standing on the same beaches where missionary Robert Morrison landed 200 years ago and on the 500th anniversary of William Tyndale illegally smuggling the Bible into England.

Eugene discusses the unfolding crisis in Iran, where hundreds are dying in their fight for freedom from the Islamic regime. Yet, many of the same voices that cried “Free Palestine” are now silent. In this episode, Eugene reveals three powerful reasons behind that silence. You won't hear these anywhere else.

In this episode, Eugene examines Candace Owens' recent defense of China's crackdown on Pastor Ezra Jin and the Zion underground house church. She echoes CCP claims of CIA and Mossad infiltration through Christianity. Discover the reality of religious persecution in China and why unregistered believers risk everything to follow their faith freely.

There has been wall-to-wall coverage on the deadly shooting in Australia that took place during the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah by the Sea. In this podcast, Eugene hopes to reveal why we are seeing attacks like this and why it is part of a broader pattern that Christians and Jews cannot afford to ignore.

Everything you're hearing in the news about Nigeria is wrong. Christians in Nigeria are suffering. There is an ongoing genocide and the support for this violence runs deep. Eugene shares the latest.

Eugene Bach shares rare insights into North Korea’s underground church and urgent Bible needs. Drawing from 25+ years in China, he tells stories of faith, persecution, and hope—revealing how believers thrive through Back to Jerusalem’s Gatekeepers program.

Last week, Chinese police ramped up their persecution against Christians when they conducted dawn raids on churches in several provinces, cutting power, breaking down doors, and arresting believers including 30 pastors and leaders in a house church network known as Zion House Church.

Eugene shares how, in the last 10 years, the UK has experienced a massive social and spiritual shift. As the Muslim population rises in some areas, several churches in the UK have chosen not to host BTJ speakers who’ve faced persecution in Muslim nations, fearing that their own churches could become targets of persecution from local Muslim populations.

Eugene shares the story of a friend’s daughter who is applying for the BTJ Martyr Scholarship Fund; a fund created to help children of missionaries who have suffered for their faith. He also reflects on the painful reality many children face when their parents’ decisions to follow Christ bring persecution and hardship. Please visit our website to learn how you can support this important fund.

Eugene delivers a powerful message from within China's borders following the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk. Drawing from 25+ years of mission experience across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, Eugene reveals the spiritual warfare behind attacks on free speech and truth-tellers.

China may face plenty of criticism, but one thing they do well is controlling information and monitoring the internet. After years of trying the world's leading VPNs, nothing could penetrate the "great firewall" inside of China, until our incredible BTJ Hackers created their own VPN... and it actually works! Download the BTJ VPN: https://www.yournew.cloud/solutions/vpn/

Eugene has spoken at universities across the world, and he believes there’s something unique about the new generation God is raising up. In this episode, he shares the story of a 19-year-old preparing to head to the mission field. The question is: is he ready?

After spending the summer in China, Eugene offers a firsthand look at what’s happening on the ground as the U.S. and China work through trade negotiations—an issue he believes could shape the world more than any other right now.

Eugene challenges the old model of missions funding and shows how business can open new doors for missionaries to continue sharing the gospel.

Join Eugene as he shares powerful, never-before-told stories from inside North Korea in this special mountain-top podcast recording. After decades of working with the underground church and smuggling Bibles into the Hermit Kingdom, Eugene reveals the incredible truth: Jesus never left North Korea.

Myles and Eugene from Back to Jerusalem return with another free-range conversation exploring the gospel in closed countries, touching on topics like the Body of Messiah in Iran, Chinese missionaries in the Muslim world, the future of Gaza, Israel’s military strategy, and the intersection of the spiritual and natural realms.

Believing in Biblical prophecy and End Times as it relates to the war between Israel and Iran might make you a racist, or at least that is the idea one walks away from when reading CNN’s latest article entitled “Prophecy, not politics, may also shape America’s clash with Iran.”

Eugene Bach reveals the untold spiritual story behind Iran's current crisis and why millions are turning to Christ despite persecution. Discover the real battle happening in Iran right now.

There has been a massive–and seemingly permanent–shift in international missions. Eugene is seeing unprecedented scrutiny related to funds being used for missions... and it's not only in the most restrictive closed countries that you may be thinking of.

Eugene is often asked this simple question, "how did the church in China grow so big?" In a country full of persecution and crackdown on practicing Christianity, how are thousands of Chinese being saved every single day?

Two years ago, Iranian pastors requested secure communication. Now, Eugene was able to deliver the first BTJ Black Phone—developed by one of our BTJ hackers—to support safe connections for underground church leaders.

During Eugene's last trip inside of China he saw something that he has not seen in a very long time: a gathering of over 300 pastors and leaders for training. Why is this so exciting and shocking?

Eugene has a few thoughts to share after a recent trip to Bhutan with a group of our BTJ GateKeepers and supporters.

BTJ’s latest book reveals China’s most controversial missionary, preacher, and government spy and it is bound to shake the foundations of what you think you know about missions in China. 

Banu joins us again on the podcast to discuss some disturbing news coming out of India. There has been a call for 5,000 Hindu extremists to attack Christians in central India on March 1.