Missions Pulse

Join us for a conversation about following God’s call all the way, from a Beverly Hills stockbroker’s office to a community in Nakuru, Kenya! 🌍
In this episode, Dave Hatfield, founder and president of Livingstone Global and author of I’m Not a Grasshopper, shares how he gave his life to Christ at 46, took a ten-day trip to Kenya, and never went back to his old life. He tells how a preschool of 18 children was lost, started over with $273, and now serves over 400 students. He also shares what happened when God sent him to bring peace between rival groups.
Dave walks through the founding of Maisha Mapya school, a Bible study that grew into Light and Love Church, a former bar turned coffee shop, rebuilding a team of 62 after losing nearly everyone, and his dreams for a boarding school and a restoration home for women.
Key takeaways:* Say yes and take the next step. Dave never planned to be a missionary. He simply responded to God one step at a time, and God opened the way.* Love means staying. Programs and meals matter, but the deepest impact came from being present through loss, betrayal, and hard seasons.* Short-term trips form us. In Mark 4, Jesus tells the disciples to cross the lake. The point was to form them, and Dave found the same is true for anyone who goes.* Become who God needs you to be. Dave wanted to expand sooner, but God was shaping his character first. The fruit of the Spirit grows through difficult seasons.* Hold the work loosely. Even founders are called to make room for others. Dave’s next step of faith is learning to step back so the ministry belongs to the community.
🙏 Connect with Dave and Livingstone Global:https://www.livingstoneglobal.org/https://dave-hatfield.com/home/ 
Timestamps:00:00 Welcome to Missions Pulse02:00 Saved at 46: A Stockbroker Meets Jesus03:10 All In: Taking the Whole Family Back to Kenya05:23 An American Dream Kid and the Wrong Playbook08:27 Why “I’m Not a Grasshopper”?10:09 Painting a Picture of Life in Nakuru12:39 Starting a Preschool with 18 Children15:16 “Do It Again”: Starting Over with $27316:45 The Girl Who Graduated from Grade Nine18:23 “Daddy Dave”22:44 The Missionary Who Didn’t Leave24:54 Peace Between Rival Groups28:22 Reading the Bible on the Steps30:06 Light and Love Church32:35 From a Bar to a Coffee Shop34:05 A Peace That Passes Understanding35:47 “Let’s Go to the Other Side of the Lake”39:52 Formation: Becoming Like Jesus44:29 Created in His Image46:04 The Power of Presence47:23 Inside Maisha Mapya School50:41 Dreams for a Boarding School and a Restoration Home54:05 Rebuilding: From 5 Staff to 6255:18 A Trilogy and Learning to Step Away57:19 How to Support Livingstone Global1:01:30 Closing Blessing
What’s one moment from Dave’s story that stood out to you? Drop it in the comments!
Subscribe for more inspiring stories and insights on missions and faith!https://withinreachglobal.org/missions-pulse
#Missions #GreatCommission #Kenya #ShortTermMissions #LivingstoneGlobal

Join us for a conversation about holding God's calling with an open hand, from teenage dreams of green mountains in Thailand to a house of prayer in Chiang Mai, Thailand! 🌏
In this episode, Johnny Yeverino, raised on the border of El Paso, Texas and Juárez, Mexico, shares how God put Thailand on his heart at 15, how he spent the next ten years being prepared rather than sent, and what happened when God asked him to surrender the very nations He had given him.
Johnny walks through his time at Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, a month-long trip to Turkey and Kazakhstan, six months in Taiwan, and the unlikely connection that finally brought him to Chiang Mai.
Key takeaways:* Don't ignore the tug in your heart. If God is stirring something in you, keep the fire burning and stay informed about the state of the global church.* Take the small steps. A short-term trip, a Bible school, an outreach: it's hard to steer a parked car, but God can guide one that's moving.* Hold your calling with an open hand. God gave Johnny dreams and nations, but He is the goal and the mission. Everything else is a gift to hold loosely.* Identity comes before works. In Buddhist Thailand and in the church alike, people try to earn their standing. Jesus wants your wholeness first, and the works flow from that.* Prayer fuels missions. From the Moravians to modern houses of prayer, worship and intercession have always sent people to the unreached.
🙏 Connect with Johnny:www.instagram.com/theonecoolmexican_/
Timestamps:00:00 Welcome to Missions Pulse01:53 Dreams of Thailand at Fifteen07:58 Youth Leader at Sixteen and Vino Nuevo09:28 "You Will Take a Step Back"11:54 Christ for the Nations: Ruined for the Ordinary13:14 Identity and Destiny: A Two-Sided Coin15:57 Works Before Identity: Karma and Christian Striving19:03 Houses of Prayer and Worship21:36 The Moravians and 100 Years of Unbroken Prayer22:44 Two Closed Doors to Thailand23:58 Turkey and Kazakhstan25:04 "Would You Surrender Turkey?"26:12 "Look in My Hands"28:24 Forty Days of Fasting from Questions30:48 Advice to Fifteen-Year-Old Johnny33:55 Amy Carmichael and the God Who Reroutes35:47 Small Steps Before the Big One36:55 How Johnny Found Within Reach Global37:23 Five Things: Prayer, Coffee, the 10/40 Window, Persecuted Church, Discipleship40:23 Where Will Johnny Be in Ten Years?42:51 Revelation 7:9 and the Reward of the Lamb43:47 A Challenge to the Hispanic Church45:09 Closing
What's one moment from Johnny's story that stood out to you? Drop it in the comments!
Subscribe for more inspiring stories and insights on missions and faith!https://withinreachglobal.org/missions-pulse
#Missions #GreatCommission #Thailand #HouseOfPrayer #ChristForTheNations

Join us for a powerful conversation about a lifetime of saying yes to God, from a ship crossing the Atlantic to printing presses in Thailand! 📖 In this episode, Kendall Cobb, missionary kid turned career missionary and leader of Axco Printing and Bible Way Ministries in Chiang Mai, Thailand, shares the story of his family's decades of mission work across Madagascar, Germany, Hong Kong, China, and Thailand, and how getting God's Word into people's hands has unlocked gospel access for millions. 
Key takeaways:* Legacy isn't built in a day. A family that stays faithful for decades can shape generations of believers.* Live by faith, not finances. When God gives the vision, He provides the way, even when the budget is a shoestring.* The printed page lasts. Tens of millions of pieces of Christian literature have been printed in dozens of languages for Chinese, Thai, and Indian churches.* Don't say yes to God unless you're willing to follow. The calling comes with sacrifice, but it's His dream, not ours.
🙏 Partner with this mission:The work Kendall describes is still growing, with new ministry in India and a long-awaited vision for a Christian hub in Chiang Mai that launches people out to the nations. You can be part of it. Pray for the team, and consider becoming a monthly, annual, or one-time partner so more people can hold the gospel in their own language. Give or learn more here: https://www.biblewayinc.org
Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Missions Pulse00:13 A Family on Mission for Decades01:24 Meeting Kendall Cobb: A 30-Year Friendship02:59 Four Years Old on a Ship to Madagascar06:00 Church Planting and Early Missionary Life11:45 Surviving a Revolution13:09 The Call to West Germany17:47 The Castle Church: A Lighthouse for Soldiers24:10 Answering the Call to Hong Kong25:53 Bibles for China: Gospel Access in a Closed Country33:05 Shenzhen Border Stories37:14 Printing Bibles on the Third Shift42:05 The Vision Behind Bible Way Ministries47:02 Attempting Great Things for God48:15 Closing the Hong Kong Chapter50:00 Starting Over in Thailand51:57 The Jesus Film and Language Recordings54:10 Revelation 7:9: Every Tribe and Tongue58:28 Partnering with the Morse Family in Chiang Mai01:02:06 Printing 1.2 Million Gospel Booklets01:06:00 Debt-Free: ActsCo Printing Grows01:09:13 Holding the Ropes: The Role of Partners01:15:08 Land Waiting 20 Years for Kingdom Use01:19:08 Expanding into India and the ActsCo Bookhouse01:22:05 A Father's Legacy01:24:16 Decrease So He Increases01:25:10 A Call to Say Yes and Follow01:26:34 Closing
What's one story from Kendall's journey that stood out to you? Drop it in the comments!
Subscribe for more inspiring stories and insights on missions and faith!https://withinreachglobal.org/missions-pulse
#Missions #GreatCommission #BibleMissions #Thailand #KendallCobb

Join us for an eye-opening conversation about parenting, discipling, and reaching Generation Alpha in a digital-first world! 📱✨ In this episode, we sit down with two leading voices on next-gen ministry:Shane Pruitt (@shane_pruitt78) — Next Gen Director at the North American Mission Board (@namb_sbc) and author of Reaching Generation Alpha, 9 Common Lies Christians Believe, Calling Out the Called, Revival Generation, and Not My Jesus.Dr. Shelly Melia (@shellymeliadbu) — Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Ministry and Professor of Childhood Education at Dallas Baptist University. Before DBU, she spent over 25 years as a children's and family minister in Oklahoma, Florida, and Texas. She's also a Licensed Professional Counselor, served as an editor and contributor for Children and Salvation, and co-authored Reaching Generation Alpha with Shane.Together, they unpack what makes this generation distinct, the discipleship war being waged for their hearts and minds, and how parents, grandparents, and churches can step boldly into the conversation. Key takeaways:* Gen Alpha isn't just "changed by technology" like Gen Z was — they're being formed by it from birth, making this the first generation raised alongside AI.* It's no longer a question of whether your kids are being discipled — 100% of them are. The real question is who or what is doing the discipling.* Silence is not neutral. If the church doesn't speak into sexuality, gender, and mental health, culture will fill that void completely.* Kids don't need parents to be perfect — they need parents who are present, honest about their own struggles, and willing to have the awkward conversations first.Connect with Shane and Shelly:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shane_pruitt78 & https://www.youtube.com/@gensendWebsites: https://shanepruitt.net/ and https://shellymelia.com/Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Missions Pulse00:01 Understanding God's Heart for Missions00:13 Understanding God's Ongoing Mission01:15 Introducing Generation Alpha02:46 The Distinct Nature of Generation Alpha04:40 Hope and Identity in a Changing World07:48 Building a Biblical Worldview10:50 The Challenge of Authority and Truth12:22 Discipleship in a Digital Age16:04 Defining Discipleship Today20:44 Navigating Identity and Sexuality Issues23:50 Creating Open Conversations with Kids28:53 Understanding Digital Curiosity and Exposure32:00 Surviving and Thriving in a Digital World35:35 Navigating Friendships in the Digital Age37:02 The Future of Ministry and Real-Life Connections37:56 The Importance of Play in Child Development40:37 Grounding Techniques for Anxiety Management42:39 The Power of Presence and Childhood Experiences49:56 Empowering Generation Alpha in Faith52:15 The Role of the Church in Shaping Future Generations56:56 Hope for Generation Alpha and Their ImpactWhat's one insight from Shane and Shelly's conversation that hit home for you as a parent, grandparent, or ministry leader? Drop it in the comments!Subscribe for more inspiring stories and insights on missions and faith!https://withinreachglobal.org/missions-pulse#Missions #GenerationAlpha #Discipleship #Parenting #NextGen

Join us for an energizing conversation about sharing your faith boldly, contextually, and without fear! 🔥 In this episode, Greg Stier — founder of Dare to Share Ministries, author of Radical Like Jesus and Unlikely Fighter, and creator of the Life in Six Words app — shares three decades of stories on turning awkward gospel conversations into life-changing moments.
Key takeaways:
Winning the argument isn't the goal — winning the soul is. Build a bridge, don't just make your case.
"Ask, admire, admit" — a simple framework for gospel conversations that actually build trust.
Every world religion is a ladder you climb; only the gospel is a chair you rest in.
Health before numbers — a healthy, gospel-sharing family or youth group leads to lasting growth.
Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Missions Pulse00:18 Understanding God's Heart for Missions00:30 Introduction to Sharing Faith03:18 The Heart of Evangelism07:45 Grace vs. Truth in Conversations12:21 Personal Testimonies and Transformative Experiences18:23 Understanding Gospel Access and Its Importance22:51 The Role of Mentorship in Evangelism27:45 Living and Speaking the Gospel29:42 The Joy of Hope in Christ30:38 Sharing the Gospel: The Cure for Spiritual Needs31:37 Transformative Stories of Faith32:49 Children Sharing the Gospel: Innocence and Impact36:09 The Importance of Stopping for the One36:59 Shifts in Evangelism: Engaging Conversations39:10 Dare to Share: Empowering Youth for Evangelism43:24 Global Youth Evangelism: A Movement of Change45:35 Health vs. Numbers: The Goal of Evangelism49:27 Simple Steps to Start Sharing Your Faith53:05 Introduction to Missions Pulse53:07 Understanding God's Heart for Missions
What's one story from Greg's journey that stood out to you? Drop it in the comments!
Subscribe for more inspiring stories and insights on missions and faith!https://withinreachglobal.org/missions-pulse
#Missions #GreatCommission #Evangelism #DareToShare #GregStier

Join us for a fascinating conversation about unreached peoples, persecution, and the movements of God sweeping across the globe! 🌍 In this episode, David Garrison — missiologist, author of Church Planting Movements and Wind in the House of Islam, and 31-year veteran of the International Mission Board — unpacks decades of firsthand accounts of the gospel breaking through in the hardest places on earth. Key takeaways:* God has been at work in unreached places long before we noticed — our job is to join Him, not lead Him.* Persecution and gospel growth are often found together, not apart.* Contextualizing the gospel is our job; indigenizing it is the Holy Spirit's.* Raising a family for comfort can work against the very challenges we were designed to overcome.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to David Garrison00:13 Introduction to God's Mission01:07 David Garrison's Journey and Missionary Calling05:16 The Importance of Reaching the Unreached08:29 Experiencing God's Work in the World09:50 The Role of Church Planting Movements14:10 Defining Church Planting Movements17:54 Contextualization vs. Indigenization in Missions23:34 The Challenge of Leadership Transition in Missions27:11 Persecution: A Catalyst for Faith30:29 Stories of Faith Amidst Persecution34:13 The Role of Women in the Iranian Church37:31 Rethinking Missions for the Next Generation45:28 Embracing Challenges in the Great Commission45:48 Introduction to Missions Pulse45:49 Understanding God's Heart for MissionsWhat's one story from David's journey that stood out to you? Drop it in the comments!Subscribe for more inspiring stories and insights on missions and faith!https://withinreachglobal.org/missions-pulse#Missions #GreatCommission #ChurchPlanting #UnreachedPeoples #WindInTheHouseOfIslam

Prayer, War, and the Next Generation: A Conversation with Dennis MelnichukJoin us for a raw and moving conversation on how God is moving through prayer, sacrifice, and a rising generation in the middle of war. 🌍 In this episode, we sit down with Dennis Melnichuk, founder of Awakened Generation, to explore historical prayer movements, his journey from missions in China to planting a prayer room and coffee shop ministry in Ukraine, and what it's meant to lead through a full-scale invasion.Key takeaways:* God moves through ordinary obedience, even when it costs everything.* Prayer and missions are inseparable — one fuels the other.* Young people are rising to fill the leadership vacuum left by war.* Real success in ministry means raising up people who no longer need you.Timestamps:00:23 Introduction to Missions Pulse00:25 Understanding God's Heart for Missions00:36 Introduction to Historical Prayer Movements03:22 The Impact of Prayer on Missions06:23 Experiences in Ukraine During the War09:24 The Role of Young People in Missions12:24 Awakened Generation: Vision and Mission15:29 The Power of Spiritual Adoption18:20 Fusing Prayer and Action in Missions21:19 Creating Community Through Prayer and Business24:22 Crossing the Secular and Sacred27:23 The Heart of Prayer and Action30:18 The Moravian Movement and Its Legacy33:02 Performance-Driven Models vs. Spiritual Fulfillment34:30 Crisis Mentality and Its Impact on Ministry35:57 The Importance of Heart Softness in Missions39:32 Experiencing God in the Midst of Chaos42:47 The Power of Simple Acts of Service46:24 Living as Ministers of Reconciliation52:01 Defining Awakening and Its Impact52:52 Obstacles to Revival and Missions55:02 The Path to Success in Ministry58:13 Introduction to Missions Pulse58:14 Understanding God's Heart for MissionsWhat's your biggest obstacle to stepping into God's mission for your life? Drop it in the comments!Subscribe for more inspiring stories and insights on missions and faith! http://missionspulse.com#Missions #Ukraine #PrayerMovement

The Voice of Petra: John Schlitt on Addiction, Redemption, and Six Decades of Rock
Join us for a powerful conversation about rock and roll, addiction, and the redemption that changed everything! 🎸 In this episode, John Schlitt — former lead singer of Head East and Grammy Award-winning frontman of Petra — opens up about the highs of touring life, the addiction that nearly cost him everything, and the moment God rescued him from the edge. 
Key takeaways:
Success and fame can't fill the emptiness inside.
God can use even the most broken moments for redemption.
Ministry doesn't require a stage — every skill set can be used for the Kingdom.
The church is meant to be a training ground, not a hideout.
Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to John Schlitt 00:55 Starting Out Young: Three Chords and a Garage Band 03:42 A Stage Memory with Josh McDowell He'll Never Forget 07:54 Head East's Rise and the Pressures of Touring Life 11:26 When the Dream Becomes Routine 14:24 The Rock Bottom Moment That Changed Everything 15:49 Walking Into a Pastor's House, Walking Out Different 16:52 Five Years Away From Music, Rebuilding From Nothing 19:36 The Call From Bob Hartman: Joining Petra 23:01 How the Church and the World Responded to Christian Rock 28:52 The New Album "Hope" and What's Ahead 34:00 Advice to His Younger Self 35:01 His Hands-On Ministry Work in Nashville Today 39:39 Final Challenge to the Church
What's one thing that's stood out to you from John's story? Drop it in the comments! Subscribe for more inspiring stories and insights on missions and faith! 
https://withinreachglobal.org/missions-pulse
 #Missions #FaithJourney #Petra #ChristianRock #Redemption

The Harvest and the Few: Nathan Burd on Laborers, the Unreached, and Ordinary Obedience Join us for an inspiring conversation on how God is using ordinary people to fulfill His mission around the world! 🌍 In this episode, we explore the heart of missions and how everyone can play a role in sharing the Gospel.Key takeaways:* God is at work among unreached people groups.* Ordinary individuals can make a significant impact.* The importance of being laborers, not just leaders.* How to engage with your community and share your faith.Timestamps:00:30 Introduction to Missions Pulse00:31 Understanding God's Heart for Missions00:43 Introduction to God's Mission03:24 Understanding the Mission of God06:32 Personal Transformation and Calling09:17 The Role of Ordinary People in Missions10:37 Understanding Gospel Access and Its Importance10:49 Combating Gospel Poverty Through Local Missions12:34 The Importance of Laborers15:39 The Journey of Faith and Surrender18:38 The Power of One-on-One Evangelism21:47 Moving from Event-Based to Lifestyle Christianity26:35 Career Opportunities at Within Reach Global26:37 Discovering Your God-Given Calling34:13 The Foundation of Following Jesus34:43 The Power of Human Connection36:16 Stripping Away the Mysticism of Evangelism38:34 Emerging Spiritual Hunger Worldwide40:44 The Power of Simple Evangelism43:28 The Role of Ordinary People in Missions45:46 Simplicity in Missions and Evangelism49:22 The Role of Gen Z in the Great Commission51:23 Affirmations and Confrontations from Jesus51:43 Unlocking Gospel Privilege52:11 The Impact of Gospel Privilege56:15 The Importance of Obedience in Mission58:52 The Heart of Jesus and Our Mission01:02:23 Practical Steps for the Spiritually Stuck01:05:22 Introduction to Missions Pulse01:05:24 Understanding God's Heart for MissionsWhat's your biggest challenge with sharing your faith? Drop it in the comments!Subscribe for more inspiring stories and insights on missions and faith! http://missionspulse.com#Missions #FaithJourney #Thailand

Join us for a powerful conversation about rock and roll, addiction, and the redemption that changed everything! 🎸 In this episode, John Schlitt — former lead singer of Head East and Grammy Award-winning frontman of Petra — opens up about the highs of touring life, the addiction that nearly cost him everything, and the moment God rescued him from the edge. Key takeaways:* Success and fame can't fill the emptiness inside.* God can use even the most broken moments for redemption.* Ministry doesn't require a stage — every skill set can be used for the Kingdom.* The church is meant to be a training ground, not a hideout.Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to John Schlitt 00:55 Starting Out Young: Three Chords and a Garage Band 03:42 A Stage Memory with Josh McDowell He'll Never Forget 07:54 Head East's Rise and the Pressures of Touring Life 11:26 When the Dream Becomes Routine 14:24 The Rock Bottom Moment That Changed Everything 15:49 Walking Into a Pastor's House, Walking Out Different 16:52 Five Years Away From Music, Rebuilding From Nothing 19:36 The Call From Bob Hartman: Joining Petra 23:01 How the Church and the World Responded to Christian Rock 28:52 The New Album "Hope" and What's Ahead 34:00 Advice to His Younger Self 35:01 His Hands-On Ministry Work in Nashville Today 39:39 Final Challenge to the ChurchWhat's one thing that's stood out to you from John's story? Drop it in the comments! Subscribe for more inspiring stories and insights on missions and faith! https://withinreachglobal.org/missions-pulse #Missions #FaithJourney #Petra #ChristianRock #Redemption