SO THAT Missions Podcast | FBC Boerne

• Episode 75: NORTH AFRICA Beyond Comfort: Following God's Call to Unreached Peoples

  Send us a textWhat does it really take to uproot your family and move to one of the most spiritually unreached regions on earth? J & K pull back the curtain on their remarkable two-year journey serving in North Africa, where Christians represent less than 1% of the population and open evangelism is prohibited.This conversation shatters misconceptions about what modern missions can look like. J's engineering expertise has become their ministry platform, working with date sugar processing facilities while building authentic relationships that open doors for deeper conversations. Rather than the stereotypical missionary approach, they've discovered how professional skills and genuine community integration create pathways for gospel influence in places hostile to traditional ministry.Their story reveals the extraordinary challenges of cross-cultural work – from the grueling 2,000 hours of language study (equivalent to learning Mandarin) to navigating security concerns with biblical wisdom. When K developed shingles from the stress of language acquisition, they embraced the mantra "language is our ministry" to persevere through the difficulties. Their children have shown remarkable resilience, initially struggling with apartment living but ultimately forming friendships that have them reluctant to leave during home visits.What stands out most is their thoughtful approach to risk and calling. They've rejected both recklessness and paralysis, instead applying Jesus' instruction to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" in how they navigate their environment. Their testimony challenges us to reconsider our definitions of safety, comfort, and purpose – reminding us that God's global mission requires ordinary people willing to make extraordinary commitments.Whether you're considering cross-cultural service or simply wondering how your professional skills might serve God's kingdom, this conversation will expand your vision of what's possible when we follow God's call to make His name known among the nations. How might God be calling you to use your unique gifts in places where Christ isn't yet known?

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• Episode 74: Kelly Nelson MALAWI MISSION TRIP REPORT: From Popsicle Sticks to Pig Pens: How Nine People Changed a Village

  Send us a textEver wonder what happens when ordinary people say an extraordinary "yes" to God's call? In this captivating conversation, Kelly Nelson shares her journey leading nine people from First Baptist Church to Missinja Village in Malawi, Africa – a place where new Christians are blossoming into spiritual leaders for their communities.The mission's impact extends far beyond the team that traveled. Kelly reveals how church members who couldn't physically go still participated meaningfully – their photos mounted on popsicle sticks to show villagers the "army" supporting them, handwritten letters delivered each morning to team members, and donated supplies filling nine 50-pound bags. This beautiful partnership between senders and goers demonstrates how everyone can play a vital role in global missions.At the heart of their work was "Foundations Training" – teaching core biblical stories to over 230 people across different age groups. These participants, including village chiefs who were baptized just last year, sat for hours in the sun absorbing these truths. Now equipped, they're beginning to share these stories throughout their own villages, creating a multiplication effect that's transforming the region.The team's efforts weren't limited to spiritual training. They established a pig farm that will eventually sustain the entire ministry financially, supporting a school serving hundreds of children daily. This holistic approach addresses spiritual hunger alongside physical needs, creating lasting transformation.Perhaps most remarkable was an unexpected divine appointment when their van broke down on the final day. As darkness fell at a trading center, over 50 unplanned listeners gathered to hear team members share the gospel stories under the stars – a beautiful reminder that God's plans often work through our interrupted ones.What started with one person's obedience has blossomed into a movement touching thousands of lives. Whether you're curious about global missions, considering your own role in God's work, or simply drawn to stories of transformation, this episode will inspire you to discover how your "yes" to God might ripple farther than you could imagine. What step of faith is He calling you to take today?

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• Episode 73: Mark & Linda: Global Christians welcome us like family!

  Send us a textHave you ever walked where ancient apostles once trod? Imagine standing in Laodicea, gazing across miles of ancient landscape to see the literal source of Jesus' "lukewarm" analogy from Revelation. This transformative experience was just one highlight from our recent mission trip spanning Turkey and Georgia.Mark and Linda Turley join us to share their journey through biblical lands and modern faith communities. Their candid reflections reveal how physical connections to Scripture—touching the white marble of Ephesus or exploring the recently excavated ruins of Laodicea—bring biblical narratives to vibrant life. These aren't just archaeological curiosities but touchpoints that fundamentally reshape how we understand familiar texts.The most profound moments, however, came through unexpected human connections. Linda describes a divine appointment with a Canadian-Turkish woman named Nell who had recently found faith after multiple suicide attempts. Meanwhile, Mark found himself fielding deep theological questions from a young Turkish man hungry for spiritual guidance. These spontaneous encounters highlight how missions often means simply showing up for God's already-unfolding work.The contrast between massive Turkey and the tiny Republic of Georgia (population 3.5 million) reveals different facets of global Christianity. Georgian believers demonstrated extraordinary hospitality, making our team feel instantly adopted. Their relational approach—where people always take priority over schedules—culminated in an unforgettable feast in Sonori village, where locals had butchered a pig specifically for our visit and prepared homemade everything from bread to wine. During this perfect evening under ideal weather conditions, we witnessed a man named David being celebrated for his recent decision to follow Christ after years of prayer from his family.Whether you're considering your first mission trip or have traveled extensively, this conversation will inspire you to see how God works across cultures while giving practical insights into what makes international ministry meaningful. As Mark advises those considering missions: "Don't think too hard about it, just go. It'll change your heart. It'll change your life forever."

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• Episode 72: Faithful in Exile: A Family's Missional Journey

  Send us a textWhat does it mean to truly live as an exile? Meet Andy, Natalie, and their daughter Jenda – a family who has spent over fifteen years crossing borders, learning languages, and building relationships in some of the most challenging environments imaginable.Their story begins in unlikely places: Natalie from deep South Texas, where Christianity was simply part of the cultural package, and Andy from Boulder, Colorado, where "you could believe anything you wanted, as long as it wasn't Jesus." Through separate journeys of discovery, they found themselves drawn to cross-cultural ministry, eventually meeting in East Asia where they witnessed extraordinary spiritual openness during what they called "Miracle Mondays."The conversation takes us through their evolution as a missionary family navigating constant uncertainty. From police interrogations to sudden evacuations during COVID without even returning home to pack, they've experienced a level of instability most of us would find terrifying. Yet within this uncertainty, they've discovered profound truths about God's faithfulness. "We don't live that rough," Natalie reflects, comparing their challenges to those of the early apostles while acknowledging the very real sacrifices their lifestyle entails.Perhaps most fascinating is hearing from Jenda, their oldest daughter and a self-described "Third Culture Kid" now preparing for college in America. Her perspective challenges our assumptions about what constitutes hardship, as she reveals her most difficult "exile" experience wasn't overseas but in San Antonio during COVID, where familiar community structures were absent.The family's testimony powerfully illuminates Jeremiah 29's message to the exiles in Babylon – that God's promise of "plans to prosper you" isn't about material comfort but about his faithful presence even in displacement. Their lives demonstrate that following Jesus means embracing uncertainty while discovering that in losing our grip on stability, we often find something far more valuable.Ready to rethink what it means to follow Christ beyond cultural comfort zones? This conversation will challenge your perspective on security, purpose, and what constitutes a blessed life.

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• Episode 70: MX MISSION REPORT Sawyer Werab God's Purpose Beyond Our Comfort Zone

  Send us a textA spontaneous decision with just three days' notice led Sawyer Werab to his first international trip—a mission journey to Mexico that would profoundly transform his understanding of faith. Having grown up in church, Sawyer thought he understood Christianity until that moment when everything changed.Speaking with remarkable candor, Sawyer shares how seeing joy in those who "had nothing" challenged his independent, analytical mindset. The team's practice of constant prayer—"praying when something went right, praying when something went wrong"—revealed a depth of dependence on God he'd never experienced in his comfortable Bernie, Texas lifestyle. "I didn't truly understand deep down how deeply I needed God," he confesses. "I knew all the words to say, I knew all the responses, but until I actually lived a life dependent on God, I didn't understand what I needed to be doing."Now preparing for engineering studies at Clemson University, Sawyer discusses how his Spanish language skills opened unexpected ministry doors and how pride was checked during his second Mexico trip when stepping aside allowed God to work powerfully through others. His story beautifully illustrates how stepping outside our comfort zones—whether it's the "Bernie bubble," the "Texas bubble," or the "American bubble"—creates space for authentic spiritual growth.For listeners considering mission work, Sawyer offers this compelling invitation: "If you're looking for a way to meet God in new ways, to truly understand why you believe what you believe, go to Mexico and work for God." The transformation, he explains, comes not primarily through the work itself but through relationships formed and a new understanding of dependence that's difficult to grasp in our self-sufficient American culture.Subscribe to hear more stories of how God is working beyond our comfortable boundaries and discover your own place in His global mission.

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