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Mission Shift Podcast

Exploring the changing face of global missions and what it means to partner well in a new era.

About

Mission Shift is a podcast exploring how global missions is changing, especially as mission leadership and engagement increasingly come from everywhere to everywhere. Through conversations with global leaders, practitioners, and thinkers, each episode helps listeners pursue missions with humility, partnership, and wisdom.

Mission Shift Hosts

Carita Chen

Carita Chen serves on the Cru City Global team and has been on staff with the ministry of Cru for 27 years. In that time, she and her husband spent 3 years in East Asia training some of the first national staff in that country. They later returned to the States to help start and lead the Asian American ministry of Cru called Epic mobilizing laborers to Asia. Her deep love for connecting with people has led her to also become a certified Enneagram coach. She’s married to her childhood sweetheart, Dennis, and together they love spending time with their much prayed for son, Jacob. You can learn more about her family’s adoption story here.

Josh Irby

Josh Irby is Cru City Global’s Partnership Director for Europe. He has spent 13 of his 23 years of ministry in the Balkans, first in Croatia and then most recently in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina for 11 years. He holds a MDiv from Reformed Theological Seminary and is the co-author of the book Cross on a Hill: A Personal, Historical, and Biblical Search for the True Meaning of a Controversial Symbol. He loves traveling the world with his wife, Taylor, and their five third-culture kids. Read more from Josh here.

Season 1

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or anywhere you find your podcasts

Episode 0: Why Mission Shift?

Episode 1: The Big Shift

Guests

Paul serves with Development Associates International and is a missions and leadership consultant around the world. Previously, Paul taught on Global Christianity at Gordon College for 30 years. He is the author of Western Christians in Global Mission: What’s the Role of the North American Church? and Mission 3:16: God’s One-Verse Invitation to Love the World. You can connect with Paul here.

Carlos is the Director of the Costa Rican Missionary Federation (“FEDEMEC”), which mobilizes, sends, supports, and cares for missionaries from Costa Rica currently serving on five continents. Previously, Carlos served in several countries in Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe.

Adegbite Olanihun is a follower of Jesus Christ with over two decades in missionary service. He has been involved in missions mobilization, research, teaching/training, disciple-making and missions administration after working on a cross-cultural mission field. He is a Network Catalyst and Missions Consultant. He is passionate about followers of Jesus Christ living in daily obedience to the Word of God, reaching the nations of the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ until Christ is worshiped by the nations. He currently serves as the Head of Finance and Administration at the Nigeria Evangelical Missions Association (NEMA) (www.nemanigeriamissions.org), a missions network association of over 150 missions organizations and missional churches with over 15,000 Nigerian missionaries scattered all over the world. Adegbite is married with children. You can also read his posts at ancientword.org.

Professor Adadevoh currently serves as the Vice President of Global Leadership for Cru. Previously, he served in a variety of national-level and regional-level positions with Cru throughout Africa and the Middle East, he has overseen global ministries that are part of the Cru family, and now leads in the area of Leadership Development for the entire global organization. Dela has authored several books, including Leading Transformation in Africa, Transforming Africa Inside-out, and Empowering Leadership.

Episode 2: What Caused the Shift?

Guests

Derek currently serves as the East Asia and Mekong Region Operations Manager for Beyond, which catalyzes church planting movements to transform unreached people groups. He previously served as a missionary in East Asia, and worked as a consultant with the aerospace industry to help them identify and prepare for coming changes and disruptions. Derek wrote Innovation in World Mission: a Framework for Transformational Thinking about the Future of World Mission.

Cas is the Vice President of Missiology and Gospel Engagement for Family Life. Cas has a Ph.D. in North American and Applied Theology from SEBTS. Cas’ decades of ministry experience in the US and abroad stems from–and fuels–her passion to share the Good News of God’s kingdom. Connect with Cas and discover her work at her website here.

Dr. Phiri is the Vice Chancellor of Evangelical University in Zambia, Missiologist-at-Large with Pioneers, and frequent contributor for Missio Nexus. Through these roles, Dr. Phiri both prepares Zambian’s to participate in the global mission force, and invites the Western church to partner well with the Majority World church.

Steve is a catalyst for movements that multiply disciples and churches, everywhere. Steve has written five books, including Your Part in God’s Plan: 40 Days from Genesis to Revelation. You can connect with Steve here.

Professor Adadevoh currently serves as the Vice President of Global Leadership for Cru. Previously, he served in a variety of national-level and regional-level positions with Cru throughout Africa and the Middle East, he has overseen global ministries that are part of the Cru family, and now leads in the area of Leadership Development for the entire global organization. Dela has authored several books, including Leading Transformation in Africa, Transforming Africa Inside-out, and Empowering Leadership.

Episode 3: Rise of the Majority World Church

Guests

Dr. Phiri is the Vice Chancellor of Evangelical University in Zambia, Missiologist-at-Large with Pioneers, and frequent contributor for Missio Nexus. Through these roles, Dr. Phiri both prepares Zambian’s to participate in the global mission force, and invites the Western church to partner well with the Majority World church.

Carlos is the Director of the Costa Rican Missionary Federation (“FEDEMEC”), which mobilizes, sends, supports, and cares for missionaries from Costa Rica currently serving on five continents. Previously, Carlos served in several countries in Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe.

Pastor Adrian is the Vice President for Partnership Development at Asian Access, and founder of a missionary church planting movement in Sri Lanka–which now has a presence in several other Asian countries. Pastor Adrian is an advocate for partnership and mutuality between those in the West and in the Majority World.

Jake is the Executive Director of Cru City, an adult-discipleship ministry of Cru. Born in India, Jake has also lived in the Philippines, Australia, and the US.

Derek currently serves as the East Asia and Mekong Region Operations Manager for Beyond, which catalyzes church planting movements to transform unreached people groups. He previously served as a missionary in East Asia, and worked as a consultant with the aerospace industry to help them identify and prepare for coming changes and disruptions. Derek wrote Innovation in World Mission: a Framework for Transformational Thinking about the Future of World Mission.

Episode 4: God’s Mission Unshifted

Guests

Steve is a catalyst for movements that multiply disciples and churches, everywhere. Steve has written five books, including Your Part in God’s Plan: 40 Days from Genesis to Revelation. You can connect with Steve here.

Cas is the Vice President of Missiology and Gospel Engagement for Family Life. Cas has a Ph.D. in North American and Applied Theology from SEBTS. Cas’ decades of ministry experience in the US and abroad stems from–and fuels–her passion to share the Good News of God’s kingdom. Connect with Cas and discover her work at her website here.

Jake is the Executive Director of Cru City, an adult-discipleship ministry of Cru. Born in India, Jake has also lived in the Philippines, Australia, and the US.

Episode 5: A New Invitation

Guests

Pastor Adrian is the Vice President for Partnership Development at Asian Access, and founder of a missionary church planting movement in Sri Lanka–which now has a presence in several other Asian countries. Pastor Adrian is an advocate for partnership and mutuality between those in the West and in the Majority World.

Paul serves with Development Associates International and is a missions and leadership consultant around the world. Previously, Paul taught on Global Christianity at Gordon College for 30 years. He is the author of Western Christians in Global Mission: What’s the Role of the North American Church? and Mission 3:16: God’s One-Verse Invitation to Love the World. You can connect with Paul here.

Professor Adadevoh currently serves as the Vice President of Global Leadership for Cru. Previously, he served in a variety of national-level and regional-level positions with Cru throughout Africa and the Middle East, he has overseen global ministries that are part of the Cru family, and now leads in the area of Leadership Development for the entire global organization. Dela has authored several books, including Leading Transformation in Africa, Transforming Africa Inside-out, and Empowering Leadership.

Adegbite Olanihun is a follower of Jesus Christ with over two decades in missionary service. He has been involved in missions mobilization, research, teaching/training, disciple-making and missions administration after working on a cross-cultural mission field. He is a Network Catalyst and Missions Consultant. He is passionate about followers of Jesus Christ living in daily obedience to the Word of God, reaching the nations of the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ until Christ is worshiped by the nations. He currently serves as the Head of Finance and Administration at the Nigeria Evangelical Missions Association (NEMA) (www.nemanigeriamissions.org), a missions network association of over 150 missions organizations and missional churches with over 15,000 Nigerian missionaries scattered all over the world. Adegbite is married with children. You can also read his posts at ancientword.org.

Jake is the Executive Director of Cru City, an adult-discipleship ministry of Cru. Born in India, Jake has also lived in the Philippines, Australia, and the US.

Derek currently serves as the East Asia and Mekong Region Operations Manager for Beyond, which catalyzes church planting movements to transform unreached people groups. He previously served as a missionary in East Asia, and worked as a consultant with the aerospace industry to help them identify and prepare for coming changes and disruptions. Derek wrote Innovation in World Mission: a Framework for Transformational Thinking about the Future of World Mission.

Episode 6: Mission Without Empire

Guests

Pastor Adrian is the Vice President for Partnership Development at Asian Access, and founder of a missionary church planting movement in Sri Lanka–which now has a presence in several other Asian countries. Pastor Adrian is an advocate for partnership and mutuality between those in the West and in the Majority World.

Dr. Phiri is the Vice Chancellor of Evangelical University in Zambia, Missiologist-at-Large with Pioneers, and frequent contributor for Missio Nexus. Through these roles, Dr. Phiri both prepares Zambian’s to participate in the global mission force, and invites the Western church to partner well with the Majority World church.

Professor Adadevoh currently serves as the Vice President of Global Leadership for Cru. Previously, he served in a variety of national-level and regional-level positions with Cru throughout Africa and the Middle East, he has overseen global ministries that are part of the Cru family, and now leads in the area of Leadership Development for the entire global organization. Dela has authored several books, including Leading Transformation in Africa, Transforming Africa Inside-out, and Empowering Leadership.

Marek is a member of the Agape Europe Regional Team, Cru’s European ministry consisting of 40+ national movements engaging students, families, leaders, and those in need. Marek is passionate about helping people develop to the full potential of who God made them to be. In his career he has served as the national leader of Poland and Area leader of Eastern Europe.

Paul serves with Development Associates International and is a missions and leadership consultant around the world. Previously, Paul taught on Global Christianity at Gordon College for 30 years. He is the author of Western Christians in Global Mission: What’s the Role of the North American Church? and Mission 3:16: God’s One-Verse Invitation to Love the World. You can connect with Paul here.

Carlos is the Director of the Costa Rican Missionary Federation (“FEDEMEC”), which mobilizes, sends, supports, and cares for missionaries from Costa Rica currently serving on five continents. Previously, Carlos served in several countries in Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe.

Derek currently serves as the East Asia and Mekong Region Operations Manager for Beyond, which catalyzes church planting movements to transform unreached people groups. He previously served as a missionary in East Asia, and worked as a consultant with the aerospace industry to help them identify and prepare for coming changes and disruptions. Derek wrote Innovation in World Mission: a Framework for Transformational Thinking about the Future of World Mission.

Episode 7 (Part 1): New Era, New Approach

Guests

Greg is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Elgin, IL. Greg has seen both his own life and his church be deeply impacted and blessed by their partnership in Ghana with Two Pennies Ministries.

Pastor Adrian is the Vice President for Partnership Development at Asian Access, and founder of a missionary church planting movement in Sri Lanka–which now has a presence in several other Asian countries. Pastor Adrian is an advocate for partnership and mutuality between those in the West and in the Majority World.

Jeff is the Missions Pastor at Dunwoody Baptist Church in Dunwoody, GA. Jeff works to see his congregation involved in global missions in ways that reflect the new era of missions–both through formal missions opportunities and organic participation and partnership.

Episode 7 (Part 2): New Era, New Approach

Guests

Professor Adadevoh currently serves as the Vice President of Global Leadership for Cru. Previously, he served in a variety of national-level and regional-level positions with Cru throughout Africa and the Middle East, he has overseen global ministries that are part of the Cru family, and now leads in the area of Leadership Development for the entire global organization. Dela has authored several books, including Leading Transformation in Africa, Transforming Africa Inside-out, and Empowering Leadership.

Ron & Star Nelson are the founders and directors of Sowing Seeds of Joy, which exists to be a bridge to the nations for Black, African American, and People of Color communities through cross-cultural missions training, discipleship, and spiritual formation for the work of advancing God’s Kingdom.

David & Susan have served as missionaries with Cru both in the US and in Europe for several decades. From Europe, David led a movement to start campus ministries in locations all around the world. They currently live in Liverpool, England, where they serve and contribute to the efforts of immigrant churches to raise up laborers to take the gospel back to their home country.

Pastor Adrian is the Vice President for Partnership Development at Asian Access, and founder of a missionary church planting movement in Sri Lanka–which now has a presence in several other Asian countries. Pastor Adrian is an advocate for partnership and mutuality between those in the West and in the Majority World.

Episode 8: Shifting Missions into the New Era

Guests

Paul serves with Development Associates International and is a missions and leadership consultant around the world. Previously, Paul taught on Global Christianity at Gordon College for 30 years. He is the author of Western Christians in Global Mission: What’s the Role of the North American Church? and Mission 3:16: God’s One-Verse Invitation to Love the World. You can connect with Paul here.

Dr. Phiri is the Vice Chancellor of Evangelical University in Zambia, Missiologist-at-Large with Pioneers, and frequent contributor for Missio Nexus. Through these roles, Dr. Phiri both prepares Zambian’s to participate in the global mission force, and invites the Western church to partner well with the Majority World church.

Derek currently serves as the East Asia and Mekong Region Operations Manager for Beyond, which catalyzes church planting movements to transform unreached people groups. He previously served as a missionary in East Asia, and worked as a consultant with the aerospace industry to help them identify and prepare for coming changes and disruptions. Derek wrote Innovation in World Mission: a Framework for Transformational Thinking about the Future of World Mission.

Steve is a catalyst for movements that multiply disciples and churches, everywhere. Steve has written five books, including Your Part in God’s Plan: 40 Days from Genesis to Revelation. You can connect with Steve here.

Adegbite Olanihun is a follower of Jesus Christ with over two decades in missionary service. He has been involved in missions mobilization, research, teaching/training, disciple-making and missions administration after working on a cross-cultural mission field. He is a Network Catalyst and Missions Consultant. He is passionate about followers of Jesus Christ living in daily obedience to the Word of God, reaching the nations of the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ until Christ is worshiped by the nations. He currently serves as the Head of Finance and Administration at the Nigeria Evangelical Missions Association (NEMA) (www.nemanigeriamissions.org), a missions network association of over 150 missions organizations and missional churches with over 15,000 Nigerian missionaries scattered all over the world. Adegbite is married with children. You can also read his posts at ancientword.org.

Marek is a member of the Agape Europe Regional Team, Cru’s European ministry consisting of 40+ national movements engaging students, families, leaders, and those in need. Marek is passionate about helping people develop to the full potential of who God made them to be. In his career he has served as the national leader of Poland and Area leader of Eastern Europe.

Greg is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Elgin, IL. Greg has seen both his own life and his church be deeply impacted and blessed by their partnership in Ghana with Two Pennies Ministries.

Ron & Star Nelson are the founders and directors of Sowing Seeds of Joy, which exists to be a bridge to the nations for Black, African American, and People of Color communities through cross-cultural missions training, discipleship, and spiritual formation for the work of advancing God’s Kingdom.

Cas is the Vice President of Missiology and Gospel Engagement for Family Life. Cas has a Ph.D. in North American and Applied Theology from SEBTS. Cas’ decades of ministry experience in the US and abroad stems from–and fuels–her passion to share the Good News of God’s kingdom. Connect with Cas and discover her work at her website here.

Season 2

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you find your podcasts

Coming out of Season 1 of Mission Shift, we were left with a nagging question: In this new era of missions–when mission engagement is from everywhere to everywhere–how do we in the West partner well with believers in locations traditionally labeled as mission fields?

S2 Ep1: Power and Partnership in Global Missions

In today’s espisode we take the first steps to answer this question.

Mission Shift is a narrative podcast, so we encourage you to listen to each season in order so you catch the full range of voices and wisdom, of encouragement and growth, as we listen to missions leaders and practitioners from around the world.

Guests

Rev. Dr. Forrest Inslee is the Associate Director of Circlewood, and the host of the Earthkeepers podcast. He has also served as a graduate professor of international community development for 20+ years at Northwest University. He earned a BA, MA, and PhD from Northwestern University in Chicago, and an MA in Theology from Regent College. He is the co-editor with Angel Burns of the book Re-Imagining Short-Term Missions.

Professor Adadevoh currently serves as the Vice President of Global Leadership for Cru. Previously, he served in a variety of national-level and regional-level positions with Cru throughout Africa and the Middle East, he has overseen global ministries that are part of the Cru family, and now leads in the area of Leadership Development for the entire global organization. Dela has authored several books, including Leading Transformation in Africa, Transforming Africa Inside-out, and Empowering Leadership.

Dr. Phiri is the Vice Chancellor of Evangelical University in Zambia, Missiologist-at-Large with Pioneers, and frequent contributor for Missio Nexus. Through these roles, Dr. Phiri both prepares Zambian’s to participate in the global mission force, and invites the Western church to partner well with the Majority World church.

Layo Leiva, originally from El Salvador, is currently the facilitator for Latin America and the Caribbean of Cru’s Leader Strategies Network. For 45 years, Layo has developed, mentored, and served as a coach, teacher, and life coach to multiple generations of students, professionals, and entrepreneurs, helping them become principled leaders and make a transformational impact in their areas of influence. His international work has led him to reside, in addition to his native country, in Mexico, the United States and for the last 10 years, in San José, Costa Rica.

“CCH” experienced a call to ministry at Explo ‘74 in Seoul, Korea. Since then, he has served and led in many ministry strategies and types, including high school and college, military, professionals, executives/marketplace, church ministry, and theological education. He has served at the local, national, and regional level. He is currently the President of East Asia School of Theology (EAST) in Singapore, and during the COVID years, founded LEAD Academy in Manilla with a vision for evangelism, discipleship, and transformational leadership among all sectors of society.

Mary Lederleitner, PhD, is the Executive Director of Missional Intelligence LLC. She worked for Wycliffe for 20 years in a number of global leadership positions. She has taught graduate ministry courses at Wheaton College and in the M.Div. Program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. She currently teaches as an Adjunct Professor in Trinity’s D.Min. Program. She chairs the Global Board of Operation Mobilization and serves on the board of Catalyst Services. She is the author of Cross-Cultural Partnerships; Women in God’s Mission; and she was the lead editor for Formation in Mission: Discipleship and Identity for Emerging Adults.

Alfie and Julie have served with SEND International since 2001. Before moving back to the states in 2018, they and their three children, served in Kyiv (3 years) and Odessa (12 years) in the areas of church planting and theological education. Julie currently serves as the Director of Mobilization to Eurasia for SEND. Alfie currently serves as Director of Theological Education for Eurasia and as a staff member of SEND U (SEND’s missionary training arm).

Steve is a catalyst for movements that multiply disciples and churches, everywhere. Steve has written five books, including Your Part in God’s Plan: 40 Days from Genesis to Revelation. Steve’s most recent book is Acts and the Movement of God: From Jerusalem to the Ends of the Earth. You can connect with Steve here.

S2 Ep2: Recognizing Power

We find our understanding of power in global missions to be challenged and expanded.

Guests

Andy McCullough was born and raised in Cyprus, is married to Jessica, who is South African, has four children who were born in London, and lived in Turkey from 2009-2016. He has a Master’s Degree in Contextual Theology with Mission from All Nations Christian College, and currently works as Teaching Pastor for Reading Family Church in the UK. He is passionate about cross-cultural church planting, and is involved in coaching and developing churches and leaders, mostly in the Eastern Mediterranean/West Asia region. He leads the Unreached Network, facilitating best practice in cross-cultural mission across the wider Newfrontiers family. Andy is the author of Global Humility: Attitudes for Mission and The Bethlehem Story: Mission and Justice in the Margins of the World and the forthcoming (2024): Made Flesh: John’s Gospel, Mission and the Global Church.

Alfie and Julie have served with SEND International since 2001. Before moving back to the states in 2018, they and their three children, served in Kyiv (3 years) and Odessa (12 years) in the areas of church planting and theological education. Julie currently serves as the Director of Mobilization to Eurasia for SEND. Alfie currently serves as Director of Theological Education for Eurasia and as a staff member of SEND U (SEND’s missionary training arm).

Milan and Zdenka are founders and leaders of CityChurch.cz. They live in Ostrava / Czech Republic. They have 4 adult children and 5 grandchildren. God‘s call on their lives is establishment of new churches in the Czech Republic and Central and Eastern Europe.

Layo Leiva, originally from El Salvador, is currently the facilitator for Latin America and the Caribbean of Cru’s Leader Strategies Network. For 45 years, Layo has developed, mentored, and served as a coach, teacher, and life coach to multiple generations of students, professionals, and entrepreneurs, helping them become principled leaders and make a transformational impact in their areas of influence. His international work has led him to reside, in addition to his native country, in Mexico, the United States and for the last 10 years, in San José, Costa Rica.

Barry serves as the Director of Global Collaboration with SEND International, leading their efforts to train and mobilize people from outside North America, sending them to unreached people groups around the world. In his 37 years with SEND, Barry has been involved in church planting and other ministry efforts and training in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Brian Virtue has been on staff with Cru since 1998 and has served on campus at Stanford University, in Global Missions, and in Leadership Development for Epic Movement. He and his wife Christine and three kids lived in Manila, Philippines from 2013-2021 as they served on the faculty of IGSL, the International Graduate School of Leadership. He graduated from UCLA with degrees in history and political science, completed an MA in Transformational Leadership and MDiv from Bethel Seminary, and finished his Ph.D. in Peace Studies from IGSL and the Asia Graduate School of Theology in 2022. His dissertation research explored how leadership negotiation in cases of power asymmetry leads to either flourishing or diminishing outcomes, with the United States and Southeast Asia in view. Brian continues to teach leadership and peacemaking at IGSL virtually, while also serving currently as the Director of IGSL’s Advanced Degree Programs, which include doctoral programs in Leadership, Peacemaking, and Theology.

Together, Greg and Charmaine share a passion for people to experience the joy of living all out through freedom in Jesus. They have made His name known leading teams and living in Serbia, Russia, Italy, Berkeley, Austin, and Orlando where for 10 years they were National Directors of the Worldwide Student Network, which launched 367 new ministry locations in 66 countries. Most recently Greg was Vice President of Cru USA, and served three years on the FamilyLife Board of Directors and is now the Chief Growth Officer for FamilyLife. In addition to leading in Family Life, Charmaine is coaching leaders and consulting teams in their productivity. The Lillestrands have two young adult kids, and live in Carlsbad, California.

S2 Ep3: Removing the Power Hat

As we hear from Madan & Deepali Valvi (India), Barry Remple (USA), Steve Addison (Australia), Greg Lillestrand (USA), Elvis Filote (Romania), Andy McCullough (UK), Milan Michalko (Czech), we wrestle with the humility required to partner well.

Guests

Madan & Deepali Valvi are Global Partnership Directors for South Asia for Cru City Global. They have served with Cru for 16 years out of 32 years of ministry among International community. Both were born and brought up in North India and are blessed with four children and a grandchild. They live in the U.S. and Madan ministers among CEOs, CFO’s and professionals in the Marketplace. Madan holds MA degree in Ministry Leadership and MDiv in Bible and Theology from Alliance Theological Seminary, NY. He is gifted in Evangelism and Leadership Training. In his free time Madan enjoys reading and running. Deepali holds MA degree in Intercultural Studies from  Alliance Theological Seminary., NY. She facilitates studies among Women and travels globally along with Madan for ministry. She loves meeting women from different cultures and chats over a coffee. She enjoys gardening and cooking. When home Madan & Deepali cherish their time over long walks and spending time with their children.

Steve is a catalyst for movements that multiply disciples and churches, everywhere. Steve has written five books, including Your Part in God’s Plan: 40 Days from Genesis to Revelation. Steve’s most recent book is Acts and the Movement of God: From Jerusalem to the Ends of the Earth. You can connect with Steve here.

Together, Greg and Charmaine share a passion for people to experience the joy of living all out through freedom in Jesus. They have made His name known leading teams and living in Serbia, Russia, Italy, Berkeley, Austin, and Orlando where for 10 years they were National Directors of the Worldwide Student Network, which launched 367 new ministry locations in 66 countries. Most recently Greg was Vice President of Cru USA, and served three years on the FamilyLife Board of Directors and is now the Chief Growth Officer for FamilyLife. In addition to leading in Family Life, Charmaine is coaching leaders and consulting teams in their productivity. The Lillestrands have two young adult kids, and live in Carlsbad, California.

 Elvis is co-owner at Synergic Team, Global Leader Strategy & Insights at LeaderImpact, trainer & coach on leadership development & team performance. He is passionate to empower executives and multinational teams to explore motivating solutions, accelerate performance and achieve remarkable results driven by a motivating vision and a collaborative environment. Elvis is dedicated to help build communities of influential leaders who serve as change agents for positive impact and mentors for emerging leaders.

Andy McCullough was born and raised in Cyprus, is married to Jessica, who is South African, has four children who were born in London, and lived in Turkey from 2009-2016. He has a Master’s Degree in Contextual Theology with Mission from All Nations Christian College, and currently works as Teaching Pastor for Reading Family Church in the UK. He is passionate about cross-cultural church planting, and is involved in coaching and developing churches and leaders, mostly in the Eastern Mediterranean/West Asia region. He leads the Unreached Network, facilitating best practice in cross-cultural mission across the wider Newfrontiers family. Andy is the author of Global Humility: Attitudes for Mission and The Bethlehem Story: Mission and Justice in the Margins of the World and the forthcoming (2024): Made Flesh: John’s Gospel, Mission and the Global Church.

Milan and Zdenka are founders and leaders of CityChurch.cz. They live in Ostrava / Czech Republic. They have 4 adult children and 5 grandchildren. God‘s call on their lives is establishment of new churches in the Czech Republic and Central and Eastern Europe.

S2 Ep4: The Pace of Good Partnership

Our guests shine the spotlight on “relationship” and its place in global missions.

Guests

Milan and Zdenka are founders and leaders of CityChurch.cz. They live in Ostrava / Czech Republic. They have 4 adult children and 5 grandchildren. God‘s call on their lives is establishment of new churches in the Czech Republic and Central and Eastern Europe.

Alfie and Julie have served with SEND International since 2001. Before moving back to the states in 2018, they and their three children, served in Kyiv (3 years) and Odessa (12 years) in the areas of church planting and theological education. Julie currently serves as the Director of Mobilization to Eurasia for SEND. Alfie currently serves as Director of Theological Education for Eurasia and as a staff member of SEND U (SEND’s missionary training arm).

Beatrice Tse lives in Hong Kong, where she has served with SEND International’s East Asia Sending Council for 12 years, where she is currently a Mission Coach and Missionary Care Coach. Her passion is to walk alongside people to discover their call to engage the unreached. As an INFP, she loves learning new skills, cooking, and art appreciation.

Andy McCullough was born and raised in Cyprus, is married to Jessica, who is South African, has four children who were born in London, and lived in Turkey from 2009-2016. He has a Master’s Degree in Contextual Theology with Mission from All Nations Christian College, and currently works as Teaching Pastor for Reading Family Church in the UK. He is passionate about cross-cultural church planting, and is involved in coaching and developing churches and leaders, mostly in the Eastern Mediterranean/West Asia region. He leads the Unreached Network, facilitating best practice in cross-cultural mission across the wider Newfrontiers family. Andy is the author of Global Humility: Attitudes for Mission and The Bethlehem Story: Mission and Justice in the Margins of the World and the forthcoming (2024): Made Flesh: John’s Gospel, Mission and the Global Church.

Slavko Hadžić lives in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he has pastored a local evangelical church for 17 years. He is married to Sanja and they have two grown up children. His passion is evangelism and preaching.  Slavko is a Langham Preaching Associate Director for Europe & Caribbean, President of the “Good News” Association and chairman of the Feuer (Fellowship of Evangelists in the Universities of Europe). He is co-author of the evangelistic book “Cross on a hill”.

Mark has spent more than 30 years in ministry, and fourteen of those years were in Bosnia-Herzegovina as an international worker with the Christian & Missionary Alliance. Over the last 11 years Mark has been Missions Pastor at Alliance Church in Appleton, WI.  Years of ministry in Europe, traveling the world, and being a church mission-mobilizer have given Mark a focus on connecting the global church with the local church. Mark and his wife, Debbie, have raised three young women and now navigate the empty-nesting lifestyle together. When he gets a chance, he enjoys hiking in beautiful locations and visiting new places around the globe. Mark enjoys hanging with friends over a great cup of coffee along with reading and seeing a great movie.

Together, Greg and Charmaine share a passion for people to experience the joy of living all out through freedom in Jesus. They have made His name known leading teams and living in Serbia, Russia, Italy, Berkeley, Austin, and Orlando where for 10 years they were National Directors of the Worldwide Student Network, which launched 367 new ministry locations in 66 countries. Most recently Greg was Vice President of Cru USA, and served three years on the FamilyLife Board of Directors and is now the Chief Growth Officer for FamilyLife. In addition to leading in Family Life, Charmaine is coaching leaders and consulting teams in their productivity. The Lillestrands have two young adult kids, and live in Carlsbad, California.

S2 Ep5: The Posture of Good Partnership: Greater Together

In this episode, we'll learn about the powerful and enjoyable outcome of good partnership.

Guests

“CCH” experienced a call to ministry at Explo ‘74 in Seoul, Korea. Since then, he has served and led in many ministry strategies and types, including high school and college, military, professionals, executives/marketplace, church ministry, and theological education. He has served at the local, national, and regional level. He is currently the President of East Asia School of Theology (EAST) in Singapore, and during the COVID years, founded LEAD Academy in Manilla with a vision for evangelism, discipleship, and transformational leadership among all sectors of society.

Layo Leiva, originally from El Salvador, is currently the facilitator for Latin America and the Caribbean of Cru’s Leader Strategies Network. For 45 years, Layo has developed, mentored, and served as a coach, teacher, and life coach to multiple generations of students, professionals, and entrepreneurs, helping them become principled leaders and make a transformational impact in their areas of influence. His international work has led him to reside, in addition to his native country, in Mexico, the United States and for the last 10 years, in San José, Costa Rica.

Andy McCullough was born and raised in Cyprus, is married to Jessica, who is South African, has four children who were born in London, and lived in Turkey from 2009-2016. He has a Master’s Degree in Contextual Theology with Mission from All Nations Christian College, and currently works as Teaching Pastor for Reading Family Church in the UK. He is passionate about cross-cultural church planting, and is involved in coaching and developing churches and leaders, mostly in the Eastern Mediterranean/West Asia region. He leads the Unreached Network, facilitating best practice in cross-cultural mission across the wider Newfrontiers family. Andy is the author of Global Humility: Attitudes for Mission and The Bethlehem Story: Mission and Justice in the Margins of the World and the forthcoming (2024): Made Flesh: John’s Gospel, Mission and the Global Church.

Rev. Dr. Forrest Inslee is the Associate Director of Circlewood, and the host of the Earthkeepers podcast. He has also served as a graduate professor of international community development for 20+ years at Northwest University. He earned a BA, MA, and PhD from Northwestern University in Chicago, and an MA in Theology from Regent College. He is the co-editor with Angel Burns of the book Re-Imagining Short-Term Missions.

Together, Greg and Charmaine share a passion for people to experience the joy of living all out through freedom in Jesus. They have made His name known leading teams and living in Serbia, Russia, Italy, Berkeley, Austin, and Orlando where for 10 years they were National Directors of the Worldwide Student Network, which launched 367 new ministry locations in 66 countries. Most recently Greg was Vice President of Cru USA, and served three years on the FamilyLife Board of Directors and is now the Chief Growth Officer for FamilyLife. In addition to leading in Family Life, Charmaine is coaching leaders and consulting teams in their productivity. The Lillestrands have two young adult kids, and live in Carlsbad, California.

Sophia Wang serves with SEND International as a Mission Catalyst in the area of Church Engagement. She previously served in Spain for 7 years. Sophia shares her journey as an American-born Chinese woman called into full-time ministry, so that the Church might develop into a greater, fuller picture of God’s heart for the world and mission. She is a learner and teacher, with her MA in Education, a Perspectives instructor, Simply Mobilizing mobilizer and Head Facilitator, and has also recently studied at Fuller Theological Seminary.  She is working on launching a new project with Asian Americans to create spaces of contextualized Kingdom discipleship to empower each one to work out and walk fully in their God-designed calling. Sophia looks forward to seeing God multiply and unify His diverse global workforce sent into His harvest field — followers of Jesus from every tongue, tribe, and nation, to here, beyond, and to the ends of the earth, until the Church reflects fully the vision given in Revelation 7.

Barry serves as the Director of Global Collaboration with SEND International, leading their efforts to train and mobilize people from outside North America, sending them to unreached people groups around the world. In his 37 years with SEND, Barry has been involved in church planting and other ministry efforts and training in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

S2 Ep6: Viewing Money through the Lens of “Greater Together”

Much of today’s episode centers around our learning and conversation with Mary Lederletiner, author of Cross-Cultural Partnerships: Navigating the Complexities of Money and Mission.

Guests

Mary Lederleitner, PhD, is the Executive Director of Missional Intelligence LLC. She worked for Wycliffe for 20 years in a number of global leadership positions. She has taught graduate ministry courses at Wheaton College and in the M.Div. Program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. She currently teaches as an Adjunct Professor in Trinity’s D.Min. Program. She chairs the Global Board of Operation Mobilization and serves on the board of Catalyst Services. She is the author of Cross-Cultural Partnerships; Women in God’s Mission; and she was the lead editor for Formation in Mission: Discipleship and Identity for Emerging Adults.

S2 Ep7: Viewing Short Term Missions through the Lens of "Greater Together"

Much of today’s episode centers around our learning and conversation with Forrest Inslee, co-editor of Re-Imagining Short Term Missions.

Guests

Rev. Dr. Forrest Inslee is the Associate Director of Circlewood, and the host of the Earthkeepers podcast. He has also served as a graduate professor of international community development for 20+ years at Northwest University. He earned a BA, MA, and PhD from Northwestern University in Chicago, and an MA in Theology from Regent College. He is the co-editor with Angel Burns of the book Re-Imagining Short-Term Missions.

S2 Ep8: Becoming a Person Who Partners Well

As we wrap up this season, we take a look inside and consider what it takes to become a person who partners well.

Guests

Mary Lederleitner, PhD, is the Executive Director of Missional Intelligence LLC. She worked for Wycliffe for 20 years in a number of global leadership positions. She has taught graduate ministry courses at Wheaton College and in the M.Div. Program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. She currently teaches as an Adjunct Professor in Trinity’s D.Min. Program. She chairs the Global Board of Operation Mobilization and serves on the board of Catalyst Services. She is the author of Cross-Cultural Partnerships; Women in God’s Mission; and she was the lead editor for Formation in Mission: Discipleship and Identity for Emerging Adults.

Andy McCullough was born and raised in Cyprus, is married to Jessica, who is South African, has four children who were born in London, and lived in Turkey from 2009-2016. He has a Master’s Degree in Contextual Theology with Mission from All Nations Christian College, and currently works as Teaching Pastor for Reading Family Church in the UK. He is passionate about cross-cultural church planting, and is involved in coaching and developing churches and leaders, mostly in the Eastern Mediterranean/West Asia region. He leads the Unreached Network, facilitating best practice in cross-cultural mission across the wider Newfrontiers family. Andy is the author of Global Humility: Attitudes for Mission and The Bethlehem Story: Mission and Justice in the Margins of the World and the forthcoming (2024): Made Flesh: John’s Gospel, Mission and the Global Church.

Brian Virtue has been on staff with Cru since 1998 and has served on campus at Stanford University, in Global Missions, and in Leadership Development for Epic Movement. He and his wife Christine and three kids lived in Manila, Philippines from 2013-2021 as they served on the faculty of IGSL, the International Graduate School of Leadership. He graduated from UCLA with degrees in history and political science, completed an MA in Transformational Leadership and MDiv from Bethel Seminary, and finished his Ph.D. in Peace Studies from IGSL and the Asia Graduate School of Theology in 2022. His dissertation research explored how leadership negotiation in cases of power asymmetry leads to either flourishing or diminishing outcomes, with the United States and Southeast Asia in view. Brian continues to teach leadership and peacemaking at IGSL virtually, while also serving currently as the Director of IGSL’s Advanced Degree Programs, which include doctoral programs in Leadership, Peacemaking, and Theology.

Steve is a catalyst for movements that multiply disciples and churches, everywhere. Steve has written five books, including Your Part in God’s Plan: 40 Days from Genesis to Revelation. Steve’s most recent book is Acts and the Movement of God: From Jerusalem to the Ends of the Earth. You can connect with Steve here.

Slavko Hadžić lives in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he has pastored a local evangelical church for 17 years. He is married to Sanja and they have two grown up children. His passion is evangelism and preaching.  Slavko is a Langham Preaching Associate Director for Europe & Caribbean, President of the “Good News” Association and chairman of the Feuer (Fellowship of Evangelists in the Universities of Europe). He is co-author of the evangelistic book “Cross on a hill”.

Rev. Dr. Forrest Inslee is the Associate Director of Circlewood, and the host of the Earthkeepers podcast. He has also served as a graduate professor of international community development for 20+ years at Northwest University. He earned a BA, MA, and PhD from Northwestern University in Chicago, and an MA in Theology from Regent College. He is the co-editor with Angel Burns of the book Re-Imagining Short-Term Missions.

Jim Reed is an elementary school teacher who founded Two Pennies Ministry in 2011 with his wife Stephanie and friend Moses Kofie.  Jim and Stephanie have three teenage children.  Through their work with Two Pennies, they have led projects to train pastors and teachers, build a business to promote local jobs in Ghana, they have worked with schools to raise funds for a medical clinic, maternity ward, cassava mill, computer lab, and library.  Their home church helped start Two Pennies and funds projects every year.  Forty individuals have gone on Journeys, with over half of those taking multiple trips.  We are currently working to start a training center that teaches business principles, computer skills, and automotive repair.

Justin serves as the National Director for Tandem Ministries (Cru in New Zealand) and the Regional Director for Cru South Pacific. He came to the U.S. on a tennis scholarship to play at Butler University and came to know Jesus as a twenty-year-old through Cru. Justin and his wife Heather have now served with Cru for 25 years, with 21 devoted to reaching Justin’s home country of New Zealand. They also pioneered a campus ministry in Provence, Southern France, and spent a few years working on the Indianapolis campus team in Heather’s home state of Indiana.

Together, Greg and Charmaine share a passion for people to experience the joy of living all out through freedom in Jesus. They have made His name known leading teams and living in Serbia, Russia, Italy, Berkeley, Austin, and Orlando where for 10 years they were National Directors of the Worldwide Student Network, which launched 367 new ministry locations in 66 countries. Most recently Greg was Vice President of Cru USA, and served three years on the FamilyLife Board of Directors and is now the Chief Growth Officer for FamilyLife. In addition to leading in Family Life, Charmaine is coaching leaders and consulting teams in their productivity. The Lillestrands have two young adult kids, and live in Carlsbad, California.

Sophia Wang serves with SEND International as a Mission Catalyst in the area of Church Engagement. She previously served in Spain for 7 years. Sophia shares her journey as an American-born Chinese woman called into full-time ministry, so that the Church might develop into a greater, fuller picture of God’s heart for the world and mission. She is a learner and teacher, with her MA in Education, a Perspectives instructor, Simply Mobilizing mobilizer and Head Facilitator, and has also recently studied at Fuller Theological Seminary.  She is working on launching a new project with Asian Americans to create spaces of contextualized Kingdom discipleship to empower each one to work out and walk fully in their God-designed calling. Sophia looks forward to seeing God multiply and unify His diverse global workforce sent into His harvest field — followers of Jesus from every tongue, tribe, and nation, to here, beyond, and to the ends of the earth, until the Church reflects fully the vision given in Revelation 7.