Missionize with the Missions Guys

Jesus said that His house was to be called a “House of Prayer,” so Sam and Clint discuss some options to intentionally build prayer into your worship service. The discussion is based upon this article by Chuck Lawless: https://chucklawless.com/2025/11/9-ways-to-build-prayer-into-a-worship-service/

Sam & Clint discuss an article by Dr. Chuck Lawless regarding mission drift in a local congregation and speak of a new effort in Arkansas focused on church revitalization. The original article can be found at https://chucklawless.com/2025/11/12-signs-that-a-church-is-in-mission-drift/.

December is the time when Southern Baptists focus on International Missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Kimberly and Randy Windham, retired IMB missionaries, join Sam and Clint on this episode to discuss their journey to answering God’s call and being open to going where God sends.

Sam and Clint discuss the importance of assessing the previous year, celebrating the victories, and setting goals. They also address a surprising characteristic of growing churches.

Sam and Clint remember the life and legacy of Dr. Don Moore, retired Executive Director of the ABSC, and discuss a resource that he wrote for young pastors. View Dr. Moore's final encouragement: http://bit.ly/4pm7QD2

Sam and Clint are joined by Greg Varndell, Association Missions Strategist for the North Pulaski Baptist Association, to discuss how local Baptist associations have evolved through the years and the valuable role they play for the local church.

In this episode, you'll get to know Laura Bramlett, the newest member of the Missions Team! Laura and her family live in Hope, Arkansas and have a huge heart for missions. We are excited for her to lead as the new Arkansas WMU Executive Director.   To give to the Legacy of Hope Moore Mission Fund, visit the link below: https://app.easytithe.com/App/Form/db2e0e3f-09d9-497e-bec3-a38b834d281a

Dr. Mark Dance, new Executive Director of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, joins Sam and Clint to discuss the journey to his new position and lessons learned along the way.

Sam and Clint reminiscence about influential school teachers and discuss an article by Chuck Lawless on the need to pray for public school teachers. The article can be found at https://chucklawless.com/2025/08/7-reasons-we-need-to-pray-for-teachers/.

Thomas Guinee and Matthew Stubbs, two BCM Campus Ministers, join Clint to continue the Missionize discussion on Gen Z and God’s work on college campuses.

Warren Gasaway, team leader for the Evangelism and Church Health Team of the ABSC, joins Sam and Clint to discuss how God is moving among Gen Z, and specifically how He is working on college campuses in Arkansas.

Jay Ham joins Clint to discuss affinity-based churches and ministries, intentional evangelism, and much more.

As a leader in the church, it's good to evaluate from time to time! In this podcast, we address some ways you can assess how your church is handling the Great Commission that Jesus gave us. Here is the blogs referenced from Chuck Lawless: https://chucklawless.com/2025/06/10-evangelism-questions-for-church-leaders-to-ask/ and https://chucklawless.com/2025/05/a-simple-way-to-start-telling-the-good-news/

Here is the blog referenced from Chuck Lawless: https://chucklawless.com/2025/06/9-simple-ways-to-begin-reaching-your-community-for-christ/

Here is the link to the Send Network AR Day: absc.org/events/send-network-one-day/

This episode features Randy Garrett, the director of Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief. Get to know Randy's story - and hear about a powerful ministry that meets people in the midst of disaster. Want to bring Help, Healing and Hope to the world around you? Join the 2,000+ volunteers of the Disaster Relief Team! Visit abscdisasterrelief.org for more information on upcoming trainings. Special thanks to generous donors who give through the Cooperative Program, the Dixie Jackson Arkansas Missions Offering, and through special donations. You make it possible for our Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief teams to always be ready for deployment.

Join the podcast today as we do some missions math! Our guest Rusty Gunn serves as the director of Send Network Oklahoma. The conversation focuses on the biblical principle of multiplication, particularly as it relates to church planting and disciple-making.

Content Note: This episode contains references to sensitive and potentially distressing topics. Listener discretion is advised at timestamps [10:48-11:08] and also at [28:28-29:08]. Jair and Jared from Touch Peace are here to share about an incredible, world-wide, 24/7 resource that connects people to emotional support - and ultimately the Good News of Jesus. You can visit the Touch Peace website at: touchpeace.app

In this episode of Missionize, Clint and Dr. Sam get excited about VBS! Tune in to learn how to utilize the week of VBS as a missions opportunity for your church.  Link to the article: https://chucklawless.com/2021/06/9-reasons-i-love-having-a-church-full-of-vbs-kids/

In this episode, Travis McCormick joins the Missions Guys for a conversation about creative missions discipleship strategies. Travis a big part of the Missions Team and he helps lead several different replicable missions events that encourage Arkansas Baptists across our state.

Dr. Nick Floyd serves as Senior Pastor of Cross Church Northwest Arkansas. Prior to becoming Senior Pastor, Nick had served at Cross Church for 10 years, and was Lead Teaching Pastor & Staff Leader, teaching weekly at the Fayetteville campus. To learn more about Nick, visit crosschurch.com/staff/nick-floyd/

JJ Washington joins us for an interview and shares some insight about creating a culture of evangelism. If you are looking for assistance or resources, you can reach out to our Missions Team here at the ABSC.   If you would like to contact JJ, you can reach him at: [email protected]

Clint and Dr. Sam sit down with Dr. Jeff Iorg in this special episode of Missionize with the Missions Guys. Dr. Jeff Iorg is an author, pastor, church planter, teacher, speaker, and former seminary president. He is currently serving as the President/CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.

Springtime is a great time to share the Good News throughout Arkansas. In this episode, Clint and Dr. Sam discuss the four different stages of the Spring Outreach Strategy. Join us this year as Arkansas Baptists preach the message of John 3:16 on 3/16, serve our communities, gather on Easter Sunday, and celebrate with baptism.  Register your church now to receive updates, resources, and exclusive materials to help you engage with the Spring Outreach Strategy: absc.org/sos

Tim Wicker joins Clint and Dr. Sam to talk about church planting. Tim is currently serving as director of SEND Network Arkansas and has been serving churches faithfully for many years.

Clint and Dr. Sam talk about intercessory prayer and books that have helped in their practicing of prayer. They also think through some of the suggestions from Chuck Lawless about interceding from a missional perspective. Here are links to the different articles referenced in the show: https://chucklawless.com/category/prayerwalking/ https://www.absc.org/resources/serve-local-prayer-walking-guide Email [email protected] to request “Taking Prayer to the Streets” and “Praying for my FRANs”. Want to win your very own Missionize coffee mug? Send your book recommendations on prayer to [email protected] to be entered into the drawing!

This episdoe features our very own Dr. Rex Horne. In this episode, Dr. Horne and the Missions Guys sit down to discuss several church trends heading into the new year. Dr. Horne has served in a variety of roles as pastor, university president, and now as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. If you would like to explore the articles that were referenced: churchanswers.com/blog/five-reasons-why-2025-will-be-a-pivotal-year-for-many-churches/ careynieuwhof.com/church-trends-2025/

You might be surprised to know that your 'small' church is actually a fairly normal sized group. Clint and Dr. Sam sit down to discuss the benefits of 'normative-side' churches and how they play key roles in the Kingdom of God.

In this special episode, Clint and Dr. Sam have compiled a "wish list" from various missionaries. As you listen along to each of the requests, you can use this as an opportunity to pray for them. Have a Merry Christmas! We'll be starting the new year with more episodes from the Missions Guys. Stay tuned!

This episode, Cliff Case reflects on his journey into missions and shares some God-stories with Clint and Dr. Sam. Cliff and his wife are missionaries for the IMB.

In this episode, we want to turn our hearts toward giving thanks. Tune in to hear from Arkansas Baptists as they share their gratitude for many testimonies and provisions from the Lord!

As a pastor, you can expect every 7 to 10 years to encounter a major local, national or world crisis that will test your church. In this episode, Clint and Sam sit down with Pastor Fred Luter of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church and discuss his experience of Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005 and how it affected the church. Pastor Fred Luter, Jr., former President of the Southern Baptist Convention, is the Senior Pastor at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, Louisiana. Pastor Luter says that Franklin Avenue’s mission statement is simple: To spiritually impact our families, neighborhoods, city, and state by Exalting the Savior, Equipping the Saints, and Evangelizing the Sinners. You can read more about Pastor Fred Luter here: https://www.franklinabc.com/about/our-pastor    

Takeaways from One Day: 1. The ministries can be duplicated in any church.   2. The impact of cooperation.   3. The importance of knowing your community and being creative to meet needs.   4. The importance of intentional evangelism.   5. People still respond to the Gospel. It remains Good News.   6. Arkansas Baptists are great people.

Bill Newton joins Clint and Dr. Sam to discuss ways to engage and empower the next generation in their ministry giftings. If you would like to learn more, you can connect with Bill Newton at [email protected]. Bill is the Next Gen and Discipleship Strategist for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.   Link to original article: https://chucklawless.com/2023/10/10-steps-to-raising-up-and-calling-out-the-next-generation-of-gospel-workers/  

The Missions Guys sit down with fellow team member Steve Lasiter as he shares about his role on the team and different ways for your church to be connected with missions efforts around our state, nation and world.

The fall season is a great time to connect with your local community. In this episode of Missionize, Clint and Dr. Sam present several different ways you and your church can 'build bridges' during this time.

When our small groups become too inwardly focused, what should we do? Join Clint and Dr. Sam as they examine 7 practical steps to help turn your group’s focus outward.   Link to the article by Chuck Lawless: https://chucklawless.com/2024/03/7-ways-to-turn-your-small-group-in-an-outward-direction/

When we think about missions discipleship, do we think of curriculum or of relationship? Clint and Dr. Sam sit down with Travis McCormick and Debbie Moore of the Missions Team to discuss missions discipleship.   Travis McCormick is the Men & Boy's Missions Strategist for the Missions Team and Debbie Moore is the WMU Executive Director.

Clint and Dr. Sam expound on a talking point in last episode's discussion about a globally-minded church. No matter the size of your church, there are ways to budget for - and become involved in global missions. If you would ever want more information, don't hesitate to give us a call!

Sam Roberts and Clint Ritchie dive into ten different characteristics that are found in globally minded churches. Get ready for some helpful perspectives, relatable commentary and fresh insight!

In this episode, Sam Roberts and Clint Ritchie continue their talk with Jeff Gin about fulfilling God's missional call. Jeff Ginn serves as the vice president for mobilization at the International Mission Board. This is just half of their conversation. Listen to last week's part one if you missed it!

In this episode, Sam Roberts and Clint Ritchie talk with Jeff Ginn about fulfilling God's missional call. Jeff Ginn serves as the vice president for mobilization at the International Mission Board. This is just half of their conversation. Stay tuned for next week's part two!

In this episode, Sam and Clint talk with Sandy Wisdom-Martin, the executive director of Woman's Missionary Union. They discuss the vitality of laypeople praying for missionaries on the field and how support from God's people really does matter! Sandy also talks about God's provision and His love for every individual.

In this episode, Sam and Clint sit down with Jamie N. to talk about ministering to the nations right here in Arkansas! Jamie currently serves as a Cross-Cultural Strategist for the Church Planting Team of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.

In this episode, Sam and Clint talk with Brandon Moore about how sports impact our churches. Brandon serves as BCM Campus Minister in Conway. The three discuss sports from the persepctive of parents and ministers. As a formal baseball player, Brandon showcases the wonderful missions opportunity that athletes can use to engage their teams with the Gospel.

Clint Ritchie and Vince Blubaugh, the Church Planting Team Leader for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, discuss the current state of church planting, as well as the need for more churches. The two also talk about how your church can play a role in the process of seeing more churches come to life.

This episode was recorded with Sam and Clint at the 2024 Statewide Conference on Evangelism + Church Health. They sit down with Todd Kaunitz, a speaker at the event, as the three talk about prayer. Todd Kaunitz is the lead pastor of New Beginnings Baptist church, located in East Texas. You can view all of the sermons from this conference here.

This episode was recorded at the 2024 Statewide Conference on Evangelism + Church Health. Mark Clifton, a featured speaker at the event, is the Executive Director of Replanting and Revitalization at the North American Mission Board. Mark talks with Sam and Clint about church replanting and revitalization, as well as the need for missions in it all. Listen to Mark's podcast here.

Sam and Clint sip some coffee and talk about leveraging the church calendar for ministry impact. In doing so, they hone in on a current initiative for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention's Missions Team – Spring Outreach Strategy. All of March, Arkansas Baptists will serve local by ministering to their church's community in practical ways of service, while strategically sharing the Gospel throughout the month. Learn more at absc.org/sos.

In this episode, Sam Roberts and Clint Ritchie sit down with two pastors who serve in "seemingly unimportant places." BJ Chatman serves as pastor at First Baptist Church in Marvell, and Steven Price serves as pastor at First Baptist Church in Marianna. The four discuss how loving God's people propels ministry and the vital role smaller membership churches play in reaching their communities.