The Sent Life

Halloween is a complicated and controversial holiday among Christians. Some say it is better not to participate; some say it is okay to celebrate; and still others say it is a great opportunity for Christian witness. On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about how believers can think through and approach this holiday from a Christian perspective. Join us for a practical and timely conversation on Christianity and Halloween!
 
Have a question you would like answered on the podcast? Write to us using this form for a chance to have your question read and discussed on an episode of The Sent Life! https://www.thecgcs.org/write-to-the-sent-life/

Our personal holiness matters greatly in evangelism. And yet, every day we fail to live out our faith perfectly. The question is, how do we deal with these two realities as we seek to be witnesses for Jesus in the world? How do we take seriously the significance of godly character, while also not allowing failure to hinder us from sharing the Gospel? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about personal holiness and how it relates to our practice of evangelism. If you have ever felt inadequate to share the Gospel due to failures in your walk with Christ, we hope this conversation will serve as an encouragement and a challenge to you!
 
Have a question you would like answered on the podcast? Write to us using this form for a chance to have your question read and discussed on an episode of The Sent Life! https://www.thecgcs.org/write-to-the-sent-life/

The word "missionary" is found nowhere in the Bible, and yet many Christians have dedicated their lives to what we call "the missionary task." The question is, where in Scripture does the idea of a missionary come from, and why do we place so much emphasis on it today? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about the biblical foundations for the missionary role.
 
Have a question you would like answered on the podcast? Write to us using this form for a chance to have your question read and discussed on an episode of The Sent Life! https://www.thecgcs.org/write-to-the-sent-life/

"I've always been a Christian." This is not an uncommon statement to hear in some parts of the world. But how do we as Christians respond when speaking with someone who may be culturally Christian? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about nominalism and how to engage people who are far from God. Whether you live in the "Bible Belt" or in a context where it's normal to wear the title of "Christian," we hope this conversation encourages and equips you to share the Gospel with those around you.
 
Have a question you would like answered on the podcast? Write to us using this form for a chance to have your question read and discussed on an episode of The Sent Life! https://www.thecgcs.org/write-to-the-sent-life/
 
Resources:
The Unsaved Christian: Reaching Cultural Christianity with the Gospel by Dean Inserra - https://www.amazon.com/Unsaved-Christian-Reaching-Cultural-Christianity/dp/0802418805 

There has been a lot of talk in recent years about the necessity of investing in and mobilizing the next generation. But what would it look like practically for young adults to participate in the life of a church plant, and why do we need young adults in our church planting efforts? On this episode of The Sent Life, Keelan continues the conversation with Jon Chasteen, Director of Next Gen Mobilization at NAMB. This time, Jon shares with us about why the North American Mission Board is placing such an emphasis on mobilizing young adults, and how they are inviting younger followers of Christ to join in God's mission. Join us as we examine what it looks like when Next Gen helps plant churches.
 
Have a question you would like answered on the podcast? Write to us using this form for a chance to have your question read and discussed on an episode of The Sent Life! https://www.thecgcs.org/write-to-the-sent-life/

Boston, Massachusetts is one of the most historic cities in America, and it is not far from the birthplace of the first Baptist church in the U.S. However, along with its rich American history, Boston, like much of New England, has a great need for Gospel-preaching churches. On this episode of The Sent Life, Keelan sits down with Jon Chasteen, a church planter in Boston and Director of Next Gen Mobilization at NAMB. Join us for a conversation about the unique opportunities and challenges that come with planting in New England!
 
Have a question you would like answered on the podcast? Write to us using this form for a chance to have your question read and discussed on an episode of The Sent Life! https://www.thecgcs.org/write-to-the-sent-life/

One of the challenges of sharing the Gospel with Hindus is the fact that they often seem very accepting of whatever you say. Many Hindus are even happy to add Jesus to the shelf of idols in their home. The question is, how do we share that Jesus is the Truth when those we are speaking with do not seem to think about truth in the same way we do? On this episode, Scott and Keelan talk with a missionary to South Asia about her experience in working with Hindus. Join us for a conversation on how to lovingly share the Gospel with those who practice Hinduism!
 
Have a question you would like answered on the podcast? Write to us using this form for a chance to have your question read and discussed on an episode of The Sent Life! https://www.thecgcs.org/write-to-the-sent-life/

One of the unique challenges missionaries face is leaving behind loved ones in order to proclaim the Gospel to those who have never heard or accepted. This becomes especially difficult when friends or family members don't fully support the missionary's decision to go. On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan consider the question, how can missionaries leave well for the mission field? Specifically, how can they love those around them well as they take steps towards the field, even if their families or friends are either not saved or don't support the work they are doing?
 
Have a question you would like answered on the podcast? Write to us using this form for a chance to have your question read and discussed on an episode of The Sent Life! https://www.thecgcs.org/write-to-the-sent-life/

Is security really something we need to worry about for a 10-day trip? And if so, how do we best prepare ourselves and our missionary partners when going on short-term mission trips? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan have the opportunity to talk with Stephen Haber from the International Mission Board about how those going on and sending short-term trips can minimize security issues for themselves and their missionary partners. Join us for practical conversation about some best practices to prepare for your next mission trip!
 
Have a question you would like answered on the podcast? Write to us using this form for a chance to have your question read and discussed on an episode of The Sent Life! https://www.thecgcs.org/write-to-the-sent-life/
 
Resources:
Short-Term Trip Security Checklist: https://keelancook.com/library/trip-security-checklist/ 

We often talk about the idea of calling, but what is the missionary call specifically? Is it a mystical experience? Is it a sense of being out of place? Or is it something else? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about how to think about and discern a call to the work of missions. Whether you are discerning a call to missionary work personally, or are walking alongside someone who is, we hope this episode provides a helpful framework through which to think about God's call on your life.
 
Have a question you would like answered on the podcast? Write to us using this form for a chance to have your question read and discussed on an episode of The Sent Life! https://www.thecgcs.org/write-to-the-sent-life/
 
Register for the Short-Term Mission Trip Security Training on August 29th! https://www.thecgcs.org/short-term-missions-workshop-2026/