The Roots Network Podcast

What happens when Western expectations collide with East African culture?In this episode of The Roots Network Podcast, Adam and Patrick unpack the missionary phrase TIA ("This Is Africa") through real stories from Rwanda. From gas pump mishaps and chaotic traffic to lessons about justice, humility, perseverance, and grace, they explore how God uses cultural differences to shape believers into people who reflect Kingdom Culture.Whether you're involved in missions, preparing for a mission trip, serving cross-culturally, or simply seeking spiritual growth, this episode offers both laughter and meaningful reflection.Scriptures discussed:Ephesians 4:25James 1:3Philippians 2:3Proverbs 3:5Ephesians 3:17-19

In our inaugural episode, we dive into the heart of The Roots Network and the unexpected cultural lessons learned over 7 years in Rwanda.Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:34 How we Named the Podcast01:24 Meet Patrick03:56 Meet Adam06:02 Call to Ministry07:31 TRN History / Family Relocation08:13 TRN Staff08:56 Podcast Origins11:01 TRN Mission, Vision, and Strategy15:42 Cross-Cultural Discussion17:35 Adam & Patrick's Connection19:10 Giving vs. Going21:15 Book: Ministering in Honor/Shame Cultures24:31 Honor/Shame vs. Guilt/Innocence28:43 Learning the Hard Way37:23 Kingdom Culture40:36 Compassion is Key42:57 Transparency43:29 An Anecdote About Compassion49:18 No Takebacks, But Redemption50:31 Sending Point52:31 ConclusionEpisode Summary: Top 3 Main TopicsThe Roots Network Strategy (Start, Strengthen, Serve, Support): Adam and Patrick break down the evolution of their mission from 2018 to today, introducing the newest pillar: Support. They discuss how the ministry has shifted, since relocating his family back to the US after living in Rwanda for 7 years, from leading and serving with his team on the ground to now empowering a local team of 12 as they continue to serve in East Africa. Bioethics in the Mission Field: Patrick introduces the intersection of science and faith, explaining how ethical principles like autonomy and justice are perceived differently in East Africa compared to the Western world, and why "compassion" is the bridge between them.Cultural Clashes - Honor-Shame vs. Guilt-Innocence: A deep dive into the "psyche" of different cultures. The hosts share a revealing story about an orthodontic training session gone wrong, illustrating how direct Western communication can unintentionally cause deep shame in an Eastern context.Resources Mentioned:The Roots Network Website: https://www.therootsnetwork.org/Get the Book "Ministering in Honor-Shame Cultures": https://a.co/d/099PRVI3In This Episode:"It is not our purpose as believers to go make another culture look like ours... it is our purpose to make both of our cultures look like Jesus." —Adam Koelling"I destroyed that relationship by shaming a doctor... I had the heart, but I didn't have the training to communicate in an honoring way." —Patrick Briscoe

Real stories. Raw missions. Rooted in love. Hosted by Adam Koelling and Patrick Briscoe. They discuss everything from cultural clashes to the deep lessons in compassion that changed our lives. 🔔 Episode 1 drops publicly this week! Hit that Subscribe/Follow button right now so you don't miss the launch.Are you a TRN Alum? Check your email for exclusive early access to the full premiere episode.