The Sent Life

Returning Is Part of the Missionary Journey - EP160

Missionaries inevitably come home, and this takes place for a plethora of reasons. The question is, how can missionaries navigate this difficult decision, and how can churches care well for their missionaries when they return? Join us as Scott and Keelan kick off a new season of The Sent Life with an important conversation on missionary wellness!

Summer Lecture Series: Missionary Resilience and a Theology of Risk with Rick Fraley - EP159

It's undeniable that missionary work is hard work. It comes with a unique set of challenges and trials that make staying on the field incredibly difficult at times. The question is, how can missionaries endure through trauma and hardship as they seek to obey God's call on their lives? On this installment of the Summer Lecture Series, Scott and Keelan sit down with IMB missionary Rick Fraley to talk about how he and his family endured through extreme circumstances. Stay tuned at the end of the episode for a song Rick wrote about the Lord's faithfulness in his family's story. You don't want to miss this episode of The Sent Life!

Summer Lecture Series: Is Missions Colonialism? - EP158

"Isn't missions colonial?" Some have made the claim that Christian missions is just modern-day colonization. But is that true? In our first episode of this year's Summer Lecture Series, Scott and Keelan address this question by looking back at missions history and discussing key contextualization issues. You don't want to miss this installment of The Sent Life!

Our Circumstances Changed, Our Calling Didn’t: When Health Forced Us to Leave - EP157

What happens when circumstances force missionaries to leave the field? How can missionaries grieve the loss of the field well, and how can their church families support them during that process? On this episode of The Sent Life, Keelan sits down with Walter Bowen to talk about how he and his wife have continued to trust the Lord through difficult and unexpected circumstances. Join us as we close this season of The Sent Life with a valuable discussion on faith, grief, and perseverance.

Stories of the Sent: The Cost of Conversion with Owen and Myla Stoddard - EP156

Being a missionary in contexts where there is significant opposition means that the cost for both the missionary and the local Christians is going to be high. But ministering in the midst of opposition also comes with great joy that is rooted in remembrance of the Gospel. On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk with international missionaries Owen and Myla Stoddard about their years of experience on the mission field in a difficult context. Join us as the Stoddard's discuss the challenges and joys of missionary work.

Am I Really Responsible for the Whole World? - EP155

The work of making disciples of all nations is often wrongly considered a job only for missionaries and church planters. But we know from Scripture that every follower of Christ is called to Great Commission obedience. On this episode of The Sent Life, Keelan sits down with Scott to talk about his new book, A Short Guide to Evangelism and Missions. Together, they explore the crucial role of every Christian in fulfilling the Great Commission. Whether you are a missionary, a church leader, or are discerning your own role in God's Great Commission, we trust this conversation will be a blessing to you.

Sending Healthy and Sustainable Missionaries with Scott Ray - EP154

What does it take to prepare missionaries who thrive on the field for the long haul? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk with Scott Ray, Senior Director of Global Deployment at the IMB, about how the IMB partners with churches to equip and send missionaries with long-term health and sustainability in mind. Join us for this practical discussion dedicated to helping churches send well.

Calling, Singleness, and Medical Missions with Dr. Rebekah Naylor - EP153

What does it look like to live in joyful obedience to God's call, even to challenging and unreached places? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and guest cohost Dr. Anna Daub talk with veteran medical missionary Dr. Rebekah Naylor about her many years of meeting needs and helping plant churches in India. Now serving as a mobilizer with the IMB, Dr. Naylor shares her honest reflections on the missionary call, singleness, and utilizing medicine on the mission field. You don't want to miss this episode of The Sent Life!

Missions as a Family Calling with Phil Bartuska - EP152

What does it look like to raise a family on the mission field? How do children factor into a family's call to serve overseas? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan sit down with IMB missionary Phil Bartuska to explore the joys, challenges, and unique dynamics of doing missions as a family. Whether you're already overseas or discerning a call, we think you will benefit from this conversation on family and missions.

Mission Trips from the Students’ Perspective with SEBTS Students - EP151

Last week, we talked about the benefit of short-term mission trips from the field team's perspective. But what about the perspective of the person going on the trip? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk with SEBTS students to get their thoughts on short-term mission trips and whether or not they are beneficial both personally and for the field team.