Inside Missions

49 Episodes

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Episode 49 - Critiques of Short-term Missions - Savior complexes, spiritual tourism, and economic effects: a transparent discussion on the history of short-term missions, its evolution, and how we can continue improving our impact responsibly.

2026-10-2601:31:00

Are short-term missions genuinely helping host communities, or could they be causing unintentional harm? Maranatha’s VP of Marketing, Julie Lee, leads a transparent discussion that addresses the most pressing ethical debates surrounding modern missionary service. Joined by Maranatha country director Elmer Barbosa, VP of Volunteer Services Lisandro Staut, and veteran mission leader Dr. Steve Case, this episode traces the roots of short term missions from their post-WWII idealistic origins to t...

Episode 48: High Schoolers Share Raw Mission Trip Experiences in the DR

2026-10-1541:31

What is it really like to go on a mission trip for high schoolers? Hear from teens Audrey Welty, Ezri Emmanuel, and Jonah Cicle as they give an unfiltered look at Ultimate Workout 36 in the Dominican Republic. From travel mishaps and initial culture shock to making lifelong friends and experiencing powerful spiritual breakthroughs, hear how service transformed their faith and perspective. Thanks for listening! Please subscribe, leave a review, and share the show. Visit maranatha.org for mor...

Episode 47 - Three Decades in India Comes to a Close

2026-09-2801:04:16

We reflect on Maranatha’s 28-year history in India as we prepare to close our effort there. Since opening a field office in 1998, Maranatha has completed approximately 3,600 projects across the country, including constructing more than 2,000 churches, 1,200 water wells, and 700 school structures. These extensive development efforts contributed directly to tremendous church growth, helping increase Seventh-day Adventist membership in India from around 200,000 to more than one million today, re...

Episode 46 - Young adult project at 12,500 feet in Peru: Catalyst 2026

2026-08-2501:03:20

Maranatha’s re-launched mission project designed specifically for young adults aged 18–28 landed in the high-altitude landscape of southern Peru in July 2026, where 40 volunteers faced the physical challenges of working at 12,500 feet, and the bitter cold to build a new church for the congregation in Calapuja. Two young adult participants, Maranatha’s new communications coordinator, Victoria Smith Alvarez, and project co-leader Corbin Weiss, share personal insights on why this age demographic...

Episode 45 - Ultimate Workout 36 - Dominican Republic - Maranatha’s mission trip for high schoolers

2026-08-1701:02:57

We dive into the heart of Ultimate Workout (UW), Maranatha’s mission project for teens, fresh off the 36th iteration of the longstanding project. For more than three decades, UW has been a defining experience for high school volunteers. In this episode, UW leaders go behind the scenes to discuss the intricate logistics, the challenges of orchestrating such a massive project, and the unique spiritual atmosphere that makes these trips so transformative. Beyond the construction stats and travel ...

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