Best Short Term Mission Trips Podcasts (2025)

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Our Circumstances Changed, Our Calling Didn't: When Health Forced Us to Leave - EP157 28:57

4d ago28:57

28:57

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 a…

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Stories of the Sent: The Cost of Conversion with Owen and Myla Stoddard - EP156 22:43

11d ago22:43

22:43

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 mi…

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Am I Really Responsible for the Whole World? - EP155 27:13

18d ago27:13

27:13

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.…

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Sending Healthy and Sustainable Missionaries with Scott Ray - EP154 25:22

25d ago25:22

25:22

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 pract…

1
Calling, Singleness, and Medical Missions with Dr. Rebekah Naylor - EP153 27:31

1M ago27:31

27:31

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,…

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Missions as a Family Calling with Phil Bartuska - EP152 22:26

1M ago22:26

22:26

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 …

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Mission Trips from the Students' Perspective with SEBTS Students - EP151 28:51

2M ago28:51

28:51

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…

1
How Short-Term Teams Benefit Long-Term Strategy - EP150 20:04

2M ago20:04

20:04

Do short-term trips really make a difference? Is there any benefit to the missionaries on the field? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about the impact short-term trips have for the field team's long-term strategy.By The CGCS

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Stories of the Sent: Missions in Beautiful but Dark Places with Phil Bartuska - EP149 24:43

2M ago24:43

24:43

What is it like being a missionary in a place that is widely considered a vacation destination? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan sit down with IMB missionary Phil Bartuska to talk about the unique opportunities and challenges of ministering in Vienna, Austria.By The CGCS

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Training for a Theological Endeavor - EP148 24:52

2M ago24:52

24:52

How important is theological education for the missionary and aspiring missionary? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about the significance of theological education for both the ministry and the life of those doing cross-cultural ministry.By The CGCS

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Maximizing the Moment: Missions and the Smartphone Generation - EP147 24:35

3M ago24:35

24:35

How can the church effectively engage and mobilize Generation Z for the Great Commission? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan discuss key characteristics of Gen Z, as well as the unique challenges and opportunities in reaching and sending them for the sake of the Gospel.By The CGCS

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America Idols Series: Comfort 34:47

3M ago34:47

34:47

In this episode, we dive into the growing trend of comfort, convenience, and entitlement within American Christian culture, particularly as it relates to the modern church experience. From coffee stations to children’s play areas and entertainment options, many churches in America offer a variety of amenities designed to make the experience as comf…

1
Discipling and Mobilizing Retirees - EP146 19:49

3M ago19:49

19:49

How do changing demographics shape the way we do ministry? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about a demographic trend that has significant implications for the mission of the church.By The CGCS

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Stories of the Sent: Navigating Culture Shock with Julie - EP145 17:52

3M ago17:52

17:52

What is it like going from a small American town to a densely populated South Asian city? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan sit down with Julie, an IMB missionary, to talk about culture shock as well as some of the unique opportunities and challenges of serving in South Asia.By The CGCS

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Beyond Borders: Virtual Reality and Digital Engagement in Japan with Daniel Rice - EP144 17:19

3M ago17:19

17:19

What role, if any, does virtual reality have in our missions strategy? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan continue the conversation with Daniel Rice, specifically focusing on his team's work in using digital strategies to reach people in Japan with the gospel.By The CGCS

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Stories of the Sent: Japan with Daniel Rice - EP143 19:27

3M ago19:27

19:27

What is it like being a missionary in a megacity? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan sit down with Daniel Rice, a missionary in Tokyo, Japan. Daniel talks about how he got to Japan and introduces us to some of the opportunities and challenges of doing missions in their context.By The CGCS

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You Don't Want to Miss This Season of The Sent Life! - EP142 10:25

4M ago10:25

10:25

Get ready for a great season of The Sent Life! We hope you will be encouraged and challenged as you hear from field personnel all over the world and how the Lord is using them for His glory. You won't want to miss this!By The CGCS

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The Lasting Legacy of Lottie Moon with Dr. Danny Akin - EP141 23:55

6M ago23:55

23:55

Many of us know the story of Lottie Moon and her incredible faithfulness as a missionary in China. Today on The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan sit down with the President of SEBTS, Dr. Danny Akin, to talk about how Lottie's legacy lives on through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and how our giving impacts the nations.…

1
Knowing and Doing the Will of God - EP140 23:22

6M ago23:22

23:22

How do we go about discerning God's will for our lives? And how do we counsel others who are asking this question for themselves? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott interviews Keelan about his journey of discerning and doing the will of God.By The CGCS

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American Idols Series: Size 38:46

6M ago38:46

38:46

Americans are obsessed with size, the bigger the better. In this episode, we examine how this value seeps into the American church and influences the way we approach our faith. We may not even notice how often we rely on size to make decisions or to determine the value of those things we engage with. And when it comes to the church, while we can cr…

1
Current Trends in Evangelism with Tim Dowdy - EP139 23:52

6M ago23:52

23:52

What are some of the themes we are seeing in evangelism, particularly in North America? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk with NAMB's Vice President of Evangelism, Tim Dowdy, about the current challenges and trends facing evangelism. Join us as we discuss how churches and associations can respond to these trends and help creat…

1
Lessons from the Mission Field with Walter Bowen - EP138 20:38

6M ago20:38

20:38

What can we learn from a missionary's personal experience overseas? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott sits down with Walter Bowen to talk about how the global church and an encounter with lostness has impacted his life and ministry today.By The CGCS

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Predicting the U.S. Presidential Race: Did Any of Us Get it Right? 40:12

6M ago40:12

40:12

Ten days before the 2024 election, we sat down to predict who would win the presidential race and why we came to that conclusion. Now that the results are known, listen in as we discuss our thought process and the implications for both the country and the church. As we head into the new year, we will be recording more episodes that examine how this…

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Exploring Leadership Styles with Jimbo Stewart - EP137 24:05

7M ago24:05

24:05

How useful are leadership evaluation tools in ministry? And how do we use them appropriately? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk with Jimbo Stewart about leadership styles and the helpfulness of evaluation tools for self-awareness in ministry.By The CGCS

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Raising Support for Missions with Drew Davis - EP136 28:40

7M ago28:40

28:40

Fundraising for things like a short-term mission trip or a church plant can be a challenge for several reasons, but there are ways to raise support well and with integrity. On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan sit down with Drew Davis to talk about how Christians can fundraise effectively and ethically.…

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America Idols Series: Safety 35:52

7M ago35:52

35:52

Do American Christians worship the idol of safety? In this episode, we look at how the value we place on safety starts to inform and shape our Christian practices in ways that may be counter to the way of Jesus. Many of our cultural values, like safety, come from well intentioned desires. But when we place them as the ultimate value around which ev…

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Understanding the Refugee Crisis with Walter Bowen - EP135 23:03

7M ago23:03

23:03

What are we as Christians to make of the refugee crisis in our world today? With international tensions raging in various countries, an unprecedented number of people are being forced to leave their homes in search of asylum. On this episode of The Sent Life, Keelan talks with Walter Bowen about how we should understand and respond to the refugee c…

1
Can You Go on a Short Term Mission Trip without Doing Harm? 36:00

7M ago36:00

36:00

The popularity of short term missions continues to increase year after year, and for many it has become a regular part of our Christian practice. And yet, there are so many ways in which our efforts can cause harm, not only to those with whom we visit, but even to the team that is making the effort. In this episode we focus on the reasons why short…

1
How Do We Measure Discipleship? Part 2 with Walter Bowen - EP134 25:50

7M ago25:50

25:50

Join us on this episode of The Sent Life as Scott and Keelan continue the conversation with Walter Bowen about measuring discipleship!By The CGCS

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You Asked: Would God Allow His Word to Be Mistranslated? 18:08

7M ago18:08

18:08

In this episode, we answer a viewer’s question about what the work of Bible translation involves, and whether God would allow the scriptures to be inaccurately translated. Our conversation begins with an acknowledgement that even the most conservative views on the inerrancy and infallibility of scripture affirm that these views only apply to the or…

1
How Should a Christian Steward a Vote? 42:48

8M ago42:48

42:48

As followers of Jesus, we are to steward every gift that God has given us for the sake of Jesus as citizens of His kingdom. Jesus and the apostles did not have the right to vote, but we live in a country where we do have that right. How are we to steward the privilege of voting for the sake of Jesus and His kingdom? In this episode we explore the d…

1
How Do We Measure Discipleship? with Walter Bowen - EP133 21:36

8M ago21:36

21:36

We tend to evaluate our discipleship efforts using various metrics, some of which do not really measure biblical discipleship. On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott sits down with CGCS Associate Director Walter Bowen to talk about how we can biblically measure discipleship in ministry.By The CGCS

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Why Are So Many Young People Leaving the Church? 52:30

8M ago52:30

52:30

Many of us are aware from our own experience that young people who grew up in the faith appear to be leaving the church in greater numbers. In this episode, we look at some of the top reasons cited by researchers who survey young adults about why they are leaving the church, and sometimes also leaving the faith. We talk about the impact that parent…

1
Challenges and Opportunities in North American Missions with Trevin Wax - EP132 21:55

8M ago21:55

21:55

What are some of the unique crises and opportunities that we are currently seeing in North American missions? And what does this mean for our church planting and ministry efforts? On this episode of The Sent Life, Keelan sits down with Dr. Trevin Wax to talk about some of the themes that impact North American missions today.…

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Why Are Christians So Afraid to Talk About Climate Change? 1:03:27

8M ago1:03:27

1:03:27

Christians are not known for stewarding the earth. Instead, the majority of Christians appear to care very little about the planet and are often more concerned about discrediting any view that human activity is a factor in the changing climate. What is behind the refusal of so many Christians to work toward the scriptural mandate to care for the ea…

1
What Is a Disciple? - EP131 22:59

8M ago22:59

22:59

What is a disciple? A seemingly simple question that can have a devastating impact if not answered biblically. On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan lay the foundation for what we mean when we talk about making disciples of all nations by defining the term "disciple."By The CGCS

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Should We Display the American Flag in Church? 30:57

8M ago30:57

30:57

We may not even be aware how our attitudes about the flag and its display in houses of worship conflates our faith with our positive feelings about the country. One of the ways we can assess our own hearts on this issue comes when we consider what happens when we relocate the flag or remove it altogether. In this episode, we examine how the flag be…

1
The Missional Significance of Associations - EP130 28:05

9M ago28:05

28:05

What are associations, and why are they so important? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk with Bob Bickford about the beauty and necessity of partnering with other churches to fulfill the Great Commission.By The CGCS

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What Is Prayer Walking? - EP129 27:06

9M ago27:06

27:06

There are some very different perspectives on what we mean when we use the word "prayer walking." On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan explore an extreme and negative view of this idea and respond with a more biblical and positive understanding of prayer walking.By The CGCS

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Before You Go with Dr. Matthew Bennet - EP128 24:04

9M ago24:04

24:04

How do we effectively prepare to send missionaries or be sent as a missionary? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk with Dr. Matthew Bennett about his book Before You Go, which explores the heart matters that must be addressed when considering missionary work. You don't want to miss this season kickoff of The Sent Life!…

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Summer Lecture Series: Diaspora Missions - EP 127 45:38

10M ago45:38

45:38

What is diaspora missions, and why has it become such a relevant issue for us today? On this episode of The Sent Life's Summer Lecture Series, Scott and Keelan take a historical approach to a contemporary issue in missions.By The CGCS

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Quick Update from Scott And Keelan 0:54

10M ago0:54

0:54

Quick Update from Scott And Keelan by The CGCSBy The CGCS

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Summer Lecture Series: Culture and Worldview - EP126 47:02

11M ago47:02

47:02

How important is the distinction between culture and worldview when it comes to contextualization? This week on The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about how Christians should think about these ideas of culture and worldview, and why it is so important for ministry. Join us this week for a special, longer episode of The Sent Life!…

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You Asked: Does the Bible Condone Slavery? 39:56

12M ago39:56

39:56

We respond to a listener’s question and wrestle with the fact that the Old Testament did not abolish slavery, but actually endorsed the slavery of foreigners. While most of the slavery described in the Old Testament was debt-servanthood, and the Old Testament law provided protections and limitations around the practice that included the forgiveness…

1
Do American Christians Suffer from Main Character Syndrome? 37:03

12M ago37:03

37:03

Americans are known for their rugged individualism. But our value of individualism and wanting to be at the center of every narrative can derail our efforts to follow Jesus. In this episode, we examine the ways that our culture – and even our churches – have reinforced the idea that we are the main character in our worship and in our reading of the…

1
Jesus Drank Wine, Would He Smoke Marijuana? 38:01

1y ago38:01

38:01

Recreational use of marijuana will soon be legal in a majority of states. Is legalization the standard for followers of Jesus, or does the way of Jesus require that we exercise our freedom in favor of being sober minded? In this episode, we start with the experiences of those we know who have regularly used marijuana, and we ask whether marijuana i…

1
You Asked: Is Homosexuality Addressed in the New Testament? 35:31

1y ago35:31

35:31

We respond to a viewer’s question about whether the verses we commonly cite from the New Testament to address homosexuality are properly translated, and whether the issue was a significant concern for the biblical authors. We look at some of the passages where the issue is addressed and review the work of several scholars to conclude that while hom…

1
Leveraging Your Summer for the Great Commission - EP125 16:10

1y ago16:10

16:10

The summer season brings with it a plethora of new rhythms and opportunities. For Christians, the question arises, how do we leverage these new opportunities for the sake of the gospel? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan talk about ways we can leverage the summer season for the Great Commission.…

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Would Jesus Attend a Gay Wedding? 1:03:44

1y ago1:03:44

1:03:44

The title of our episode is one of the most frequently asked questions that pastors hear from their congregations and a topic that is often discussed in online forums. While there is room to debate the answer, the way we approach this question – and the way we treat those who might come to a different conclusion – says more about us than it does ab…

1
Engaging Internationals on the Field and in Our Communities - EP124 20:06

1y ago20:06

20:06

How do we extend our church ministries to reach the diverse people around us? On this episode of The Sent Life, Scott and Keelan reflect on a recent short-term mission trip that reveals helpful tools for engaging lost people with the gospel.By The CGCS

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Short Term Mission Trips Podcasts

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