The SEND938 Missions Podcast

In this episode of the Send 938 Missions Podcast, Steve Anderson sits down with Dr. Aaron Valdizan, Assistant Professor of Biblical Languages and Global Ministry at Shepherd’s Theological Seminary, for a thoughtful conversation on dispensationalism and its importance to global missions.Why does a dispensational view of Scripture matter for modern missionary work? In this discussion, they explore how a consistent literal, grammatical, historical hermeneutic shapes confidence in God’s promises, motivates Great Commission obedience, and informs the way missionaries think about the nations, the return of Christ, and the work of evangelism. They also address common misunderstandings about dispensationalism, the relationship between missions and compassion ministry, and why fellowship and unity matter even when theological systems differ. If you’ve ever wondered how dispensational theology intersects with missiology, this conversation offers a clear, biblical, and practical perspective.Subscribe for more conversations that equip, encourage, and inspire the next generation of missionary servants and the churches that send them. Send 938 Missions Podcast is a ministry of Baptist Mid-Missions.

In this episode of the Send 938 Missions Podcast, Steve Anderson sits down with Jonathan Laase to discuss AI in ministry—how missionaries, pastors, and church leaders can use artificial intelligence to save time, improve productivity, and strengthen ministry efforts without compromising wisdom, ethics, or spiritual integrity.Jonathan shares practical examples of how he uses AI every day for research, sermon prep, Bible study handouts, song selection, content formatting, and video production. The conversation also explores the risks of over-reliance on AI, the importance of discernment, and how tools like Claude, CapCut, Opus Clips, Riverside, and AI captioning are changing the way ministry teams create content and communicate.Whether you’re a pastor, missionary, church staff member, or simply curious about the future of AI in Christian ministry, this conversation offers practical insight and biblical perspective.Send questions and episode ideas to [email protected].

Pastor David Strope currently serves as interim pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He previously served as interim National Representative for the GARBC and has pastored churches in Iowa and New York.In this episode, Pastor Strope joins host Steve Anderson to talk about the unique calling of interim pastoral ministry and what it means to shepherd a congregation through transition with care and intentionality.

Glen Galbraith, UK native and BMM missionary to the UK for more than 20 years, has recently transitioned to a new role in the US - listen as he joins host Steve Anderson for an episode discussing the rise of conservatism in young men in the UK.

Join host Steve Anderson as he ponders the question of where the most attention should be focused for church planting and revitalization efforts: rural or urban settings. More information about Shepherding Healthy Renewal: https://www.bmm.org/news/shepherding-healthy-renewal-a-church-revitalization-module

Dave Ferguson, Vice-president for missionary services and founder of ¡PlayBall!, joins Host Steve Anderson for a conversation about the nature of sports oriented ministry through the lens of 20 seasons of ¡PlayBall! ministry in the Dominican Republic. EMAIL: [email protected]¡PlayBall! INFO: http://www.bmmplayball.orgWatch the video podcast: https://youtu.be/96aVCAt6mzo

Originally aired 7/13/22Dr. Matt Morrell, pastor of Fourth Baptist Church and President of Central Seminary in Minneapolis, MN, along with Dr. Patrick Odle join host Steve Anderson to discuss the priority and need for identifying, equipping, and raising up the next generation of leadership in our churches here in North America.   Email: [email protected]  www.bmm.org  www.centralseminary.edu

Join us this week for a reflective reading of Luke 2 as we remember and celebrate the birth of our Savior. We look forward to returning to regular weekly uploads in the New Year.Merry Christmas!!

Join Steve Anderson for a look at the looming crisis in pastoral leadership in the American church…and a frank discussion about what local churches must do now to avoid disaster.

Dr. Gary Anderson, president emeritus, joins host Steve Anderson for another BMM Moment In History; discussing the ingenuity and ability of our missionaries to respond to crisis, tragedy, and want in ways that demonstrate the goodness and grace of God our Sustainer and Savior.

In light of the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and devastating flooding in Alaska, we're republishing this episode of the SEND938 podcast to highlight the urgent need for World Relief support.In Jamaica, dozens of churches planted by BMM and national partners trained by BMM missionaries have been severely impacted and need immediate assistance. In Alaska, our team is on the ground ready to help displaced families after entire villages were destroyed or severely damaged by flooding.Your gift to the World Relief Fund directly supports these relief efforts.Give here: https://www.bmm.org/news/world-reliefOriginally aired 10/8/24Dr. Gary Anderson, President emeritus, joins us for a conversation about the history of BMM World Relief as well as the theology of compassion ministries done in the name of God, who reveals Himself over and over to be a God of mercy.

When Helping Hurts has sold over 450,000 copies and fundamentally reshaped how evangelical Christians approach poverty alleviation, arguing that well-intentioned charity often creates dependency rather than empowerment. Host Steve Anderson offers a critical and helpful analysis of both the book and the philosophy of aide and dependency in missions.  Authors Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert contend that poverty stems from broken relationships—with God, self, others, and creation—and that Western helpers often reinforce feelings of inferiority while feeding their own "god complexes." While the book champions asset-based community development and long-term relational engagement over short-term relief, critics argue it neglects structural injustices, political advocacy, and the urgent material needs that require immediate aid regardless of methodology. The framework has sparked both transformation and paralysis, with some readers so fearful of causing harm they've stopped helping altogether. This conversation explores the book's revolutionary insights, examines its theological and practical criticisms, and considers alternative perspectives that emphasize systemic change alongside relationship-based development.

In this episode Steve Anderson discusses the cultural momentum being driven by GenZ’s interest in spirituality and religion, the impact of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and the necessary distinctions between revival and great awakenings. Don’t miss this glimpse into the possibilities and opportunities laid before the church and our culture at large due to the responsiveness of GenZ to spiritual matters.BMM Israel Tour: https://www.bmm.org/israel-2026

Jon Casbohm, CEO of Ohio Baptist Camps, joins host Steve Anderson for a conversation about the challenges and opportunities inherent to leadership transition and how to avoid the long-term blight of faith based organizations; Mission Drift. 

Steve Gault joins host Steve Anderson for a conversation about reaching the nations in our backyard and overseas, along with a few more both/and issues in modern missions. 

You'll have to listen to find out what it is.  

Dr. Patrick Odle, BMM President, joins host Steve Anderson for part two of their discussion on global trends in missions today. 

Dr. Patrick Odle, BMM President, joins host Steve Anderson for a discussion about both the encouraging and the challenging trends in global missions developing today. 

Carl Kerby, founder of Reasons for Hope (rforh.org) joins host Steve Anderson for a conversation about the landscape of apologetics ministry across multiple generations, reasons for hope related to the future of GenZ, and challenges parents and pastors should be aware of as they seek to win and disciple the next generation. 

Is it the borders of a nation-state, ethnolinguistic similarities, or shared heritage, history, culture, language, and geography that make a "nation"? Or, is it something else entirely? Brian Trainer, chair of the World Missions Department of Faith Baptist Bible College joins host Steve Anderson for a conversation about the missiological challenge of varying views on the identity of "the nations" in scripture and how ones definition of "nation" impacts their Great Commission engagement. 

President emeritus, Dr. Gary Anderson joins host Steve Anderson for a look at the unique ways in which BMM stands apart as a modern organization; from unalterable Articles of Faith, to its governance structure, to its origin as a modern church council which has continuously met for 104 years. You will be surprised, encouraged, and blessed by this episode. BUY your copy of The Reward Unseen HEREhttps://resources.bmm.org/

Host Steve Anderson renews his ongoing series of missions book reviews, addressing in this episode the book by Paul Beals - A People For His Name: A Church Based Missions Strategy. 

"Stop calling it 'redemptive relationships' if there's no evidence of redemption."Pastor David Doran Jr. joins host Steve Anderson for a conversation about the nature, dangers, and wisdom in relational evangelism while reminding us of the necessary proclamation of gospel truth. Read David's substack blog here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-148764513

Are we in the middle of a giant cultural pendulum swing? Is there a looming opportunity for the church corporately and believers individually to participate in a harvest of should unlike anything recent generations have seen? Does the changing political and social climate in America mark the beginning of an opportunity to engage in moral, biblical, and redemptive conversations with those who would have previously rebuffed gospel proclamation? Host Steve Anderson and Jason Ormiston have an open and candid conversation about history, politics, revival, and the current vibe shift in American society. 

Originally aired 5/8/24Pastor Tim Potter, Grace Church of Mentor - ARCH Ministries, joins host Steve Anderson for a conversation surrounding his recent experience in pastoral transition at Grace Church as those he discipled for ministry moved into leadership roles while he transitioned to full-time ministry with ARCH Ministries. You won't want to miss the encouragement and wisdom surrounding the goal and blessing of intentional disciple-making culture at every level of church life. 

Host Steve Anderson provides insight and provocation for carefully thinking through the balance of divinely ordained institutions; human government and the church. Each institution has its own God-given directive and each must be honored in pursuit of the fulfillment of the other. 

Join us this week for a reflective reading of Luke 2 and a portion of Matthew 1 as we approach the Christmas season.We look forward to returning to regular weekly uploads in the New Year.Merry Christmas!!

President emeritus, Dr. Gary Anderson joins host Steve Anderson for a conversation about the necessity of properly defining missions, the challenges of poorly developed missiology, and the notion that "we're all missionaries, called to do what we can where we are."

Nancy Freund, veteran of the Global Ministry Center staff and resident historian joins host Steve Anderson for a conversation about her newly published biography of William Haas. The Reward Unseen is the definitive guide to the life and ministry of the man who God used to start a global revolution in missions ministry through Independent Baptist churches. You will not want to miss this story. Buy Your Copy of The Reward Unseen here: resources.bmm.org

Veteran missionary and BMM mk, Jim Leonard (Brazil), joins host Steve Anderson and Graham Foran (administrator for Brazilian ministries) for a discussion about the work he and his wife, Julie, have engaged in as they wind down their life of ministry in Brazil. Jim describes a concerted effort to finish the "final lap" as they leave a region of Brazil that BMM missionaries pioneered with the gospel almost 80 years ago. One of the defining features of this phase of their ministry is the partnership with national leaders working to plant churches and assume leadership in para-church ministries like camps and theological training centers. 

Jon Casbohm, Executive Director of SkyView Ranch and Camp Patmos joins host Steve Anderson for a conversation about their experiences in engaging a younger generation pursuing ministry who's biggest hurdle is their parent's encouragement to "Prepare for the real world." or "Get a real job." This isn't a bash on parents, but a challenge from two ministry leaders to carefully think about what one generation is preparing the next generation to do in pursuit of ministry as a way of life. 

Jonathan & Clarinda Halk join host Steve Anderson for a conversation about life and ministry in Zambia as well as the unique path from being saved in a BMM church plant in Alaska, to serving as a pastor in that church, to surrender to ministry in Zambia after a pre-field ministry visit from a BMM missionary couple headed to Zambia. You won't want to miss this episode. 

You can donate to World Relief for Hurricanes Helene and Milton Victims here:https://www.bmm.org/news/world-reliefDr. Gary Anderson, President emeritus, joins us for a conversation about t he history of BMM World Relief as well as the theology of compassion ministries done in the name of God, who reveals Himself over and over to be a God of mercy.

Art and Deb Brammer join host Steve Anderson for a conversation this week about their 26 year ministry in New Zealand. In an increasingly secular land, once proclaiming itself to be a christian nation, Art & Deb recently graduated a church plant and saw a member of their own flock raised up to pastor the church in Invercargill. Their insight on relational evangelism, long-term ministry endeavoring, and ministry in secularized western nations will be a challenge and encouragement to you. 

Dr. Jim Tillotson, President of Faith baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary joins host Steve Anderson for a conversation about the future of christian higher education, the amazing growth at FBBC, and some of the distinctions between the tangible blessings of God and the favor of God that may not be visibly evidenced. 

Caleb & Ecko Stein join host Steve Anderson for a conversation about the challenges, growth, and ongoing needs related to ministry in Peru, one of the most evangelized nations in South America and also one of the most spiritually poor nations in the Southern hemisphere. From the perspective of missionary, pastor, and theologian, the Steins open up about their lives and ministry as well as the reality of ministry in one of BMM's most dynamic fields. 

In this encore episode, we revisit a conversation between Dr. Dean Taylor and host Steve Anderson about the priority of preaching Christ in our pulpits. This is a practical discussion for the layman and the preacher and we trust you will be blessed...even if this isn't the first time you've listened to this episode. 

Pastor Jake Schopf joins us again, this time for a conversation about the dynamics of being the sending church pastor for his own daughter, Katie Schopf (Native Focus Ministry Team USA 2024). You won't want to miss this practical and encouraging conversation through the theology, philosophy, and practice that brought the Schopf family to this place. 

Martin Euku, Director of the Rural Pastors Institute in Central Uganda joins host Steve Anderson for a conversation about his experience with and perspective on the prosperity gospel's descent upon a nation, and a continent. Martin expertly directs the problem and explains why the soil in Uganda was so ripe for such a false gospel. You will be encouraged and informed by this conversation with a man who shares his lived experience in a nation afflicted by all the ills of this deception. 

On the 100th episode (NOT counting recycled episodes) President Patrick Odle and President Emeritus Gary Anderson join host Steve Anderson for a discussion about challenges we've faced and are facing, the dynamics of ministry under the banner of BMM, the role of a mission agency in view of the centrality of the local church in what God is doing, and the task of awaking the church to their responsibility in the global initiative of the modern missionary endeavor. 

Fred and Rachel Whitman, along with their administrator, Steve Gault, join host Steve Anderson for a conversation about their life and ministry in Italy, the graveyard of missionaries, as one of the last truly pioneer mission fields. They discuss the dynamics of surrender, calling, oppression, hardships, wide-open doors, and loss of co-workers on their missionary endeavoring. You won't want to miss this episode. 

Host Steve Anderson visits with a BMM family who recently left a Creative Access Nation due to God burdening their hearts for the international community right here in our backyards. You won't want to miss the passion they have for the church in America to take up the mantle of bringing the nations together under the banner of Christ in the body of the church. 

In this episode Pastor Jake Schopf (BMM Missionary Kid - Jake & Izzy Schopf, Brazil) joins host Steve Anderson to discuss what God has been doing in the Pacific Northwest amongst the second largest population of Brazilian ex-patriots, many of whom have been significantly afflicted by a religious cult in Brazil. 

Do pioneering ministry opportunities still exist? They do in the middle of the Mediterranean on an island first visited with the gospel by the Apostle Paul after a shipwreck. Hear the incredible story of how the Gospel was brought back to an island nation where the law was amended to allow for a Baptist church to be built and how God has moved to secure citizenship for the first missionaries given a religious workers visa on the Island of Malta. Joe and Jenny Mifsud share their story of coming to faith and surrendering to ministry in Joe's ancestral home. 

Jonathan Stilwell, BMM administrator for Latin America, joins host Steve Anderson for a conversation about the challenges and joys of new missionaries finding their place and fulfilling their calling in the context of well-established fields of service with existing field teams, ministries, and missionaries. 

In this first installment of a new feature to the Send938 podcast, host Steve Anderson offers an insightful review of one of the most influential missiology books on the market, Let The Nations Be Glad, by John Piper. 

Today's episode is the audio from one of our recent Revitalization Seminar sessions outlining the philosophy of ministry behind this effort to train men for revitalization work. We believe the health of a church rests on the shoulders of the under shepherd who has been given the responsibility of leading and feeding the flock. This session was the introduction to this year's 3 day seminar. If you'd like to hear more or be a part of our next seminar, send us a note at [email protected] with comments or questions. 

In this previously published episode, Host Steve Anderson and Dean Taylor (FBBC) discuss the nature and necessity of preaching Christ from every text of scripture. 

BI Director Tim Fink and Chief Language Consultant Troy Manning join host Steve Anderson for a conversation about the translation ministry of BMM and the 750+ people around the globe today engaged with translation work under the banner of BMM. You won''t want to miss this story of what God is doing to bring His Word to the heart language of men and women all over the globe. 

Pastor Tim Potter, Grace Church of Mentor - ARCH Ministries, joins host Steve Anderson for a conversation surrounding his recent experience in pastoral transition at Grace Church as those he discipled for ministry moved into leadership roles while he transitioned to full-time ministry with ARCH Ministries. You won't want to miss the encouragement and wisdom surrounding the goal and blessing of intentional disciple-making culture at every level of church life.