What does it mean to be truly productive in life and ministry? In this episode, we talk with author Tim Challies about his book Do More Better and explore how missionaries and ministry leaders can steward their time, energy, and resources for God’s glory and the good of others.
Tim unpacks how productivity is not about doing more things—but about doing the right things, with the right heart, for the right reasons.
In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ How biblical productivity reshapes the way missionaries think about ministry
✅ Why busyness can be just as dangerous as laziness—and how both steal fruitfulness
✅ Why the absence of productivity is first a theological problem
✅ The principle of “planned neglect” and how missionaries can let go of good things to focus on the best things without guilt
✅ The key tools in Tim’s productivity system: task management, scheduling, and storing information
✅ Practical tips for managing email, WhatsApp, and multiple messaging platforms without drowning in digital clutter
✅ The importance of daily and weekly planning times
Tim is husband to Aileen and father to two daughters who are young adults and one son who is waiting for him in heaven. He worships and serves as an elder at Grace Fellowship Church in Toronto, Canada. He is the author of many books and a daily blog.
Show notes and links:
https://www.kylefarran.com/missionslife
We want to hear from you! Have a question, story, or idea for a future episode? Send us a message at kfarran@abwe.org with the subject “Podcast” or connect with us on Instagram: @kyle.farran Whether it’s a challenge you’re facing, a topic you’re curious about, or just a quick note to say hi—we’d love to hear it. Your feedback and ideas help shape the future of Missions Life!
Risk is an unavoidable part of following God’s call—especially in missions. But how should believers think about risk, make wise decisions, and find the courage to keep going when challenges feel overwhelming?
In this episode, Kyle talks with Scott Brawner, the founder of Concilium—an organization committed to equipping believers with practical tools and biblical wisdom for navigating risk in global ministry. Together, we explore what risk really means, how the Bible shapes our perspective, and practical frameworks for decision-making in uncertain or dangerous contexts.
Whether you’re preparing for the mission field, already serving, or sending others, this conversation will help you evaluate risk with wisdom, courage, and faith.
In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ How to define “risk” and why the world’s definition differs from a biblical perspective
✅ Truths to encourage believers who feel fearful about taking a step of faith
✅ The role of God’s calling when facing risky decisions
✅ A practical framework for deciding which risks are worth taking
✅ The importance of resilience in missions
✅ Ways to endure daily risk without losing heart—both theological encouragement and practical habits
Scott Brawner is the President/CEO of Concilium, a global nonprofit ministry helping Christians thrive where the Lord has called them and remain effective where He plants the. Scott is also the Executive Director of the Risk Management Network, a network of security professionals serving in Great Commission organizations. Scott is a theologically trained security practitioner who combines sound theological perspective with security best practices for Christian churches, mission agencies, humanitarian organizations, and persecuted Christians around the world. Scott lives in the Midwest with his wife and three children.
We want to hear from you! Have a question, story, or idea for a future episode? Send us a message at kfarran@abwe.org with the subject “Podcast” or connect with us on Instagram: @kyle.farran Whether it’s a challenge you’re facing, a topic you’re curious about, or just a quick note to say hi—we’d love to hear it. Your feedback and ideas help shape the future of Missions Life!
If you’ve ever felt soul-weary while still showing up for others, this conversation with author and former pastor Lance Witt will be like water for your soul. His wisdom, honesty, and practical tools will encourage any leader in ministry—especially those on the front lines of missions.
In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ Early warning signs of soul neglect and how leaders can drift into running on skill instead of the Spirit
✅ Why soul health is the most powerful leadership tool a pastor or missionary can develop
✅ How the pace of Jesus challenges our addiction to hurry—and the disciplines that help slow us down
✅ What Sabbath rest teaches us about trust, identity, and letting go of control
✅ A better pursuit than growth: choosing godliness over size and applause
✅ How to discern between wisdom and fear when facing hard leadership decisions
✅ Practical ways to invest in the spiritual and relational health of your team
Lance is the founder of REPLENISH ministries. Replenish is dedicated to helping people live and lead from a healthy soul.
Along with speaking and consulting, Lance does individual life coaching and team development. Lance's newest book is called Your ONE Life: Own it, Live it, Love it. He is also the author of Replenish and High Impact Teams.
Show notes and links:
https://www.kylefarran.com/missionslife/26-replenishing-your-soul-for-ministry-lance-witt
We want to hear from you!
Have a question, story, or idea for a future episode?
Send us a message at kfarran@abwe.org with the subject “Podcast” or connect with us on Instagram: @kyle.farran
Whether it’s a challenge you’re facing, a topic you’re curious about, or just a quick note to say hi—we’d love to hear it.
Your feedback and ideas help shape the future of Missions Life!
The missionary road is hard—this resource will help prepare you.
In this episode of Missions Life, we talk with two seasoned missions practitioners and professors—Matt Bennett and Josh Bowman—about their book, Before You Go: Wisdom from 10 Men on Serving Internationally.
Whether you're preparing to head overseas, mentoring others who are, or serving in a sending church, this conversation is packed with real-world insights, hard-won lessons, and biblical wisdom for the journey ahead.
In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ Misconceptions about missions that often blindside new missionaries
✅ How missionaries can set realistic expectations
✅ How to discern your calling and prepare spiritually before heading to the field
✅ Key character traits and heart attitudes every missionary needs
✅ Common struggles in the first year—and how to prepare for them
✅ How to thrive on a team and avoid isolation or burnout
✅ The role of sending churches and how they can better care for missionaries
Matthew Bennett and his family lived in North Africa and the Middle East for seven years. He is now an Associate Professor of Missions and Theology at Cedarville University in Cedarville OH. He earned a PhD in Missiology at SEBTS and also holds an MA in Intercultural Studies and an MDiv in Intercultural Church Planting.
Josh Bowman graduated from Southern Seminary in 2002, and then served as a rural church planter in Zambia with the International Mission Board. His passion is to see healthy churches led by theologically sound leaders reach those who have never heard the Gospel. After eight years in Zambia, the Lord led his family to South Asia to focus on church strengthening, leadership development, and unengaged people groups. He is now a professor at Cedarville University where his desire is to raise up students with a passion for Jesus and the nations.
Show notes and links:
https://www.kylefarran.com/missionslife
We want to hear from you!
Have a question, story, or idea for a future episode?
Send us a message at kfarran@abwe.org with the subject “Podcast” or connect with us on Instagram: @kyle.farran
Whether it’s a challenge you’re facing, a topic you’re curious about, or just a quick note to say hi—we’d love to hear it.
Your feedback and ideas help shape the future of Missions Life!
In this episode, we talk with authors and veteran missionaries Emily Bennett and Amy Bowman about their devotional Before You Go, written by women, for women preparing to serve cross-culturally.
With warmth and transparency, they share the heart behind the book and how God used the stories of ten women to minister to others walking the same path. Whether you're preparing to go, already serving, or walking alongside someone who is, this conversation offers wisdom, clarity, and encouragement for the journey.
We also talk about the vital conversations couples and families should have before stepping into life overseas—and how anchoring your soul in Christ is the key to thriving in ministry, not just surviving.
In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ What they wish they had known before going to the mission field
✅ Key insights and standout wisdom from the book that every missionary woman should hear
✅ Crucial conversations husbands and wives should have before leaving for the field
✅ What to talk about with your kids as you prepare for overseas life
✅ The importance of clinging to Christ—and how that shaped their journey as wives, mothers, and missionaries
Amy Bowman, along with her husband and four children, served internationally for 17 years with the International Mission Board in rural Zambia and later in South Asia. Amy currently lives with her family in Cedarville, Ohio, where her husband is a professor at Cedarville University. They work remotely for Radius International and love mentoring the next generation who are called to the unreached.
Emily Bennett, along with her husband and three children served in North Africa and the Middle East for 7 years. She currently lives in Cedarville, OH where she works with an organization helping refugees and immigrants acclimate to life in The States. She is the editor of the book Before You Go, which seeks to equip aspiring missionaries.
We want to hear from you!
Have a question, story, or idea for a future episode?
Send us a message at kfarran@abwe.org with the subject “Podcast” or connect with us on Instagram: @kyle.farran
Whether it’s a challenge you’re facing, a topic you’re curious about, or just a quick note to say hi—we’d love to hear it.
Your feedback and ideas help shape the future of Missions Life!
What if the greatest threats to your team’s health aren’t the obvious ones?
In this episode with Elizabeth Smith, we talk about the often-overlooked impact of small traumas—the subtle, cumulative wounds that can quietly fracture trust and unity on a missions team.
✅ What “small traumas” are and why they matter in a missions context
✅ Real examples of how trauma can show up in leadership or daily team life without being recognized
✅ How unresolved pain shapes team dynamics, communication, and spiritual health
✅ Signs your team may be impacted by unspoken trauma
✅ The role of leaders in fostering psychological safety and building healing spaces
✅ Mistakes leaders often make that deepen trauma instead of addressing it
✅ Mindset shifts needed to lead with compassion and resilience
Whether you're leading a team or serving on one, this conversation will help you navigate the hidden emotional challenges of life in ministry with greater empathy and intentionality.
We’ve invited Elizabeth back because she recently wrote the book Trauma-Informed Leadership , which is a book that combines over a decade of leadership experience with her expertise as a certified Trauma-Informed Care Practitioner. She equips leaders to identify and address the subtle, everyday traumas that can quietly undermine team trust and effectiveness.
Her leadership background includes ministry and missions work, as well as her current role as COO of TCK Training, a company recognized for its commitment to emotional safety in the workplace. As an international speaker and full-time traveler, Elizabeth brings a globally-informed perspective to the practical strategies she offers to missions leaders and teams looking to strengthen their team dynamics.
Show notes and links:
We want to hear from you!
Have a question, story, or idea for a future episode?
Send us a message at kfarran@abwe.org with the subject “Podcast” or connect with us on Instagram: @kyle.farran
Whether it’s a challenge you’re facing, a topic you’re curious about, or just a quick note to say hi—we’d love to hear it.
Your feedback and ideas help shape the future of Missions Life!
Today on the podcast, we have with us Richard Blackaby. Richard is the president of Blackaby Ministries International and the eldest son of Henry and Marilynn Blackaby. He holds a Ph.D. in church history from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has served as both a senior pastor and seminary president. Richard speaks internationally on topics such as spiritual leadership, experiencing God, revival, and God in the marketplace. He regularly works with Christian CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and hosts The Richard Blackaby Leadership Podcast. He and his wife Lisa live in Atlanta, and they are blessed with three children who all serve in ministry and eight grandchildren.
In this conversation, we dive into the heart of Spiritual Leadership.
We talk about how leadership isn’t just about vision, goals, or strategies—but about knowing and following God. Richard shares powerful insights on what makes spiritual leadership different from secular leadership, and why character, prayer, and obedience are at the core of leading well.
✅ How to define leadership from a biblical perspective
✅ How to balance wise planning with trusting God's direction
✅ How spiritual leaders can stand firm against the pressures of popularity and criticism
✅ Why spiritual maturity must be prioritized over visible success
✅ How to build a deep, resilient prayer life as a leader
✅ How to raise up the next generation of spiritual leaders
If you want to grow into the kind of leader God can use, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.
Show notes and link:
https://www.kylefarran.com/missionslife/22-the-heart-of-spiritual-leadership-richard-blackaby
We want to hear from you!
Have a question, story, or idea for a future episode?
Send us a message at kfarran@abwe.org with the subject “Podcast” or connect with us on Instagram: @kyle.farran
Whether it’s a challenge you’re facing, a topic you’re curious about, or just a quick note to say hi—we’d love to hear it.
Your feedback and ideas help shape the future of Missions Life!
Based on the book Overflowing: Ministry and Missions That Flow From the Heart
Topics: Spiritual Growth • Leadership Development • Missions • Christian Character • Heart Transformation
In this episode, we talk about one of the most important—and often overlooked—questions in ministry and missions:
Why does God use some people more than others?
Drawing from the first chapter of Overflowing: Ministry and Missions That Flow From the Heart, we explore what sets certain individuals apart in God's plan—not in talent, platform, or performance, but in character.
In this episode, we'll answer:
✅ What kind of person is God looking to use?
✅ Why is who you are more important than what you do?
✅ How can we become useful vessels for God’s purposes?
✅ What does 2 Chronicles 16:9 teach us about God's search for wholehearted servants?
✅ How do humility, holiness, and faithfulness prepare you for greater impact in ministry?
We dig deep into how God’s strong support rests on those whose hearts are fully His, and how developing godly character is the foundation for fruitfulness in life and leadership.
This episode is not just about doing more for God, but about becoming the kind of person God looks to use. If you’re in ministry, missions, or simply want to live a life that counts for eternity, this message will help you evaluate where you are—and where God is calling you to grow.
If you want your life, ministry, or organization to be one that God uses and blesses with His strength—it all starts with character.
This episode is based on Chapter 1 of my book, Overflowing. If you want to keep exploring what it means to become the kind of person God looks to use, you can get the full book on Amazon.
We want to hear from you!
Have a question, story, or idea for a future episode?
Send us a message at kfarran@abwe.org with the subject “Podcast” or connect with us on Instagram: @kyle.farran
Whether it’s a challenge you’re facing, a topic you’re curious about, or just a quick note to say hi—we’d love to hear it.
Your feedback and ideas help shape the future of Missions Life!
Resilient leadership isn’t about toughness—it’s about strength, flexibility, and endurance.
In this episode, we sit down with Tod Bolsinger, author of Tempered Resilience and How Not to Waste a Crisis, to discuss what it really takes to lead through challenges without burning out.
Leadership is hard. How do leaders survive the pressure, setbacks, and stress of leading change?
In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ What it means to be “tempered” as a leader – strong yet flexible
✅ Why resilience is built through stress, not comfort
✅ How missionaries can develop a grounded identity under pressure
✅ The importance of rest rhythms in sustaining resilience
✅ How to grow through mistakes instead of being crushed by them
✅ Balancing mission work with self-care
“The question is not ‘Can I learn the skills I need to lead?’ but ‘Can I survive it?’” – Tod Bolsinger
Whether you're a missionary, church leader, or nonprofit worker, this episode will help you build resilience and sustain your calling through faith, wisdom, and healthy leadership habits.
Listen now to learn how to strengthen your leadership without burnout!
Tod Bolsinger has his MDiv, PhD, and is the co-founder and principal of AE Sloan Leadership, Inc, an executive coaching and consulting firm that works with church, non-profit, university, and marketplace leaders in leading change. He is also the Executive Director of the De Pree Center Church Leadership Institute and Associate Professor of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary. Before his educational career, he served as a pastor for 27 years.
Tod is the author of nine books, including Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory, Tempered Resilience: How Leaders are Formed in the Crucible of Change, and the Practicing Change Series.
Show notes and links:
We want to hear from you!
Have a question, story, or idea for a future episode?
Send us a message at kfarran@abwe.org with the subject “Podcast” or connect with us on Instagram: @kyle.farran
Whether it’s a challenge you’re facing, a topic you’re curious about, or just a quick note to say hi—we’d love to hear it.
Your feedback and ideas help shape the future of Missions Life!
Today on the podcast, I share some practical tips on how to start gospel conversations.
Sometimes, it can be awkward to start talking to someone. Let alone talk to them about God. During some conversations, there is a natural opening for a clear and bold gospel presentation. But if you are like me, you may have sometimes found it hard to start these conversations.
Most evangelism tools assume you are already in a conversation with someone. These tools help us present the gospel, but I have personally not found them helpful to start conversations.
So in this podcast I wanted to share on a two key topics:
Show notes and links:
https://www.kylefarran.com/missionslife/19-practical-steps-to-start-gospel-conversations-kyle-farran
Join me for a conversation with Peg Forrest as we explore how pride can subtly take root in our hearts—and what true humility looks like.
Peg has a deep passion for teaching and discipling women. With years of experience as a missionary in Kenya, a counselor, a Bible study teacher, and the Dean of Women at Arizona Christian University, she brings wisdom and insight to this discussion. She and her husband, a former 6'10" NBA center for the Phoenix Suns, founded FOCUS Ministries in 1992 after returning from Africa. Together, they travel the world, sharing the gospel and teaching about Christ through their life stories and experiences.
Show notes and link:
https://www.kylefarran.com/missionslife
In this episode, we dive into how the right perspective on challenges can help you develop strength, resilience, and grit—essential qualities for anyone in missions and leadership.
This is the podcast episode I wish I had before starting my journey in missions. If you're a missionary, leader, or someone navigating difficult seasons, you know that challenges can rob you of joy. A wrong mindset can drain your energy and motivation, but shifting your perspective can turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.
Over the past few years, these life-changing insights have been like water for my soul, reshaping how I face difficulties. I truly believe that they can transform your mindset and impact your life too!
Tune in now to learn how to:
✅ Reframe challenges to fuel growth, perseverance, and faith
✅ Avoid the joy-draining trap of a negative perspective
✅ Cultivate mental and spiritual resilience in leadership & missions
✅ Embrace hardships as stepping stones to strength
🎧 Listen now and start transforming your challenges into opportunities!
Show notes and links:
Join us for a conversation centered on when missionaries have to transition off the field. Amy Medina spent almost half her life on the continent of Africa, first as an MK in Liberia and then sixteen years in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Amy's ministry was at Haven of Peace Academy as a teacher and administrator. The Medinas relocated to Southern California in 2020, and she now serves with ReachGlobal as a coach, placement specialist, and trainer for pre-deployed missionaries. Amy blogs at www.amy-medina.com.
Show notes and links:
Burnout is real—but it doesn’t have to define your ministry. Join us as we dive into an insightful conversation with Steph Boon, a missionary in Tanzania, counselor, and PhD psychology student specializing in burnout recovery and prevention. Together, we unpack the role of expectations in ministry burnout and explore practical ways to guard your heart, mind, and calling. Don’t miss this powerful episode!
Steph and her family have been serving with ABWE in Tanzania since 2012. Steph and Aaron have 5 children; plus several more who have lived with them over the years and call them parents. Steph is a counselor, PhD social psychology student and social and behavioral researcher; specializing in burnout recovery and prevention, social cognition and cultural adjustment, clinical traumatology, conflict resolution and group counseling. She loves Scripture and is passionate about sharing it professionally and personally with anyone who will listen. She helps run a non-profit called Sifa Collective which gives young women the hope of the gospel and tools to launch their own local businesses. She also co-runs and counsels at a community counseling center that offers counseling both locally and abroad as well as help train local churches to provide biblical counseling to their members and communities.
Show notes and links:
https://www.kylefarran.com/missionslife/15-exploring-expectations-and-burnout-steph-boon
Join us for a conversation with Ken Sande, author of The Peacemaker, and Rich Douglass. We discuss practical ways to resolve conflict on teams and between individuals. Team conflict is one of the biggest reasons missionaries leave the field. Sooner or later, everyone faces it. This podcast will help prepare you to navigate the challenges of conflict.
Ken Sande is the founder of Peacemaker Ministries and RW360. Trained as an engineer, lawyer, and mediator, Ken has conciliated hundreds of family, business, church, and legal conflicts. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including The Peacemaker, which has sold over 500,000 copies in twenty languages. He teaches internationally on biblical peacemaking, Christian conciliation, and relational wisdom, which is an enhanced form of emotional intelligence that helps people “get upstream of conflict” by improving their ability to read and manage emotions in themselves and others. These resources are being used to strengthen relationships, promote teamwork and reduce and resolve conflict in churches, families, businesses, schools and military bases around the world. Ken is a Certified Emotional Intelligence Instructor with TalentSmartEQ and a Certified Relational Wisdom Conciliator, Coach, and Instructor. He has served as a church elder, an Editorial Advisor for Christianity Today, a Certified Professional Engineer and as a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the Montana Bar Association.
Rich Douglass is an experienced leader of multinational Christian and secular organizations offering expertise in developing successful growth strategies, training both team leaders and individual representatives and creating dynamic events and environments that engage. Rich and his wife both served in the Air Force. After retiring from the Air Force they served as missionaries in Kenya and Palau (Palow) and have lived in Japan, Germany, France, and Italy.
In addition to pastoral assignments, Rich was the South Carolina FCA Endurance Coordinator while Donna served on the National Leadership Board. During their time with FCA-E, they had the chance to develop and teach evangelism to Christian Athletes nationwide:
Rich now feels very privileged to serve on staff with RW 360 and looks forward to what the Lord is going to do in the years to come!
Show notes and links:
This is an episode with just us where we share things we have personally learned and found helpful in preparing for and navigating furloughs. This can be helpful for missionaries as well as for family members or churches who would like to better understand the ups and downs of furlough/home assignment.
Show notes and links:
Join us for a conversation with Brooks Buser about preparing for difficulties in missions. Missions is hard, and being prepared will help us endure.
Brooks is the President of Radius International. Brooks and his wife served among the Yembiyembi people of Papua New Guinea for 13 years. During their time among the Yembiyembi they learned their language, developed an alphabet for them, taught them to read and write, translated the Scriptures, and established a strong New Testament church among the Yembiyembi people. In 2016 they returned to the U.S. and Brooks assumed the leadership of Radius International, a missionary training school that prepares those going to the last unreached language groups of the world.
Show notes and links:
https://www.kylefarran.com/missionslife/12-how-to-prepare-for-difficulties-in-missions-brooks-buser
Join us for a conversation with Brian and Dianna Nester about how to prepare MKs for college and life. The Nesters have been involved in missions for over 4 decades. Dianna is an MK from Jamaica. When in youth ministry Brian led his first short term mission trip. As missionaries 1988-1994 they homeschooled and sent their children to Hungarian schools. Since 1994, Brian has served as Director of the Global Outreach office at Cedarville University. Brian and Dianna are the staff advisors for the Cedarville MK organization, MuKappa.
Show notes and links:
https://www.kylefarran.com/missionslife/11-preparing-mks-for-college-and-life-brian-dianna-nester
Join us for a conversation with Dr. Rick Hicks about how to build healthy missionary teams. Rick has worked with missionary teams for many years and is currently serving as the Special Assistant to the International Director of Operation Mobilization, as well as training Boards of OM Fields in effective board governance. Operation Mobilization is a non-denominational, international mission agency, working in over 130 countries around the world, and comprised of about 5200 missionaries from over 100 countries. Rick’s previous roles in OM include President of OM USA for 14 years and North America Area Leader for 6 years.
At the end of 2023, Rick retired from WCM Investment Management, after serving for ten years as their Chief Culture Officer. His role there involved helping the company focus on organizational health to identify and stay true to their culture, develop a leadership team, and help employees understand themselves, the culture, and how they fit into the organization.
In addition to his current responsibilities in OM, Rick speaks at conferences, churches, colleges, businesses, and a variety of other groups throughout the country and around the world to promote world missions. He also speaks on the topics of effective board governance, organizational health and culture, the understanding of temperaments, value development, and generational differences, thus promoting understanding within groups. His Ph.D., although in Education, actually focused more on Developmental and Organizational Psychology.
Show notes and links:
https://www.kylefarran.com/missionslife/10-building-healthy-missionary-teams-rick-hicks
Hans Finzel is a successful author, speaker and trusted authority in the field of leadership. For 20 years he served as President of an international non-profit WorldVenture, working in over 65 countries. Hans speaks, writes, and teaches practical leadership principles. He has written eleven books, including his international bestseller The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make (David C Cook). Having trained leaders on five continents in his career, his books have been translated into over twenty-five foreign languages. Today he serves as President of HDLeaders and teaches, consults, and speaks globally on all things leadership.
Show notes and link:
https://www.kylefarran.com/missionslife/9-leadership-in-missions-the-art-of-delegation-hans-finzel
