The Same Commission

The Same Commission Echoes International podcast Season 5 Episode 8 IMPACT IN ITALY with Alec, mission partner, Italy "As soon as I got to Naples, it was the strangest thing, I just felt a call of the Lord upon my life to preach the gospel to these people and I just felt a real affinity with the people and a love for these people." From socialist revolutionary to a follower of Jesus, mission partner Alec Catchpole, serving now in Italy, shares with Echoes International's team, Matt and Lesley, his journey to faith and then to mission in Italy. Alec considers the surprising ways in which the Lord works in our lives, and the unlikely partnerships in the gospel that have happened along the way.    🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today. Podcast participants: Matthew Pitts, Echoes International General Director and Lesley de Blieck, Echoes International Communications Manager, with Alec, mission partner, Italy  SOCIAL:Facebook: @echoesinternational @Chiesa Evangelica Pozzuoli - Fiume di Vita Instagram: @echoesinternational; @chiesaevangelicapozzuoli YouTube:  ⁨@fiumedivita1997⁩    PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: #faith #mission #Europe #Italy #missionary #missionaries #Christian #Gospel #prayer #church #believer #youthwork #Naples #partnerships    

The Same CommissionEchoes International podcast Season 5 Episode 7 TRAVELLING TO THAILAND with Adam, mission partner, Thailand "Working in the place that we do and working with the people that we do, we really need God's wisdom. Often ministries like this and the way that the politics works in Asia it can change overnight. With these changes that can come quite quickly, we need to ask God for wisdom." In this Season Five of The Same Commission, we're focusing on how people are called to cross-cultural mission. Today, mission partner Adam chats to Jim and Matt about how he became a mission partner and the journey that he took to get there. Listen back to how Adam became a Christian, who has encouraged him along the way, the challenges of serving in Thailand and the awkward road to marriage for Adam and his wife Nu Nu!    🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today. Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong and Matthew Pitts, Echoes International Directors, with Adam, mission partner, Thailand SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational Instagram: @echoesinternational PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: #faith #mission #Asia #serving #missionary #missionaries #Christian #Gospel #prayer #Myanmar #Thailand #Burma #refugees #school #church #teaching #discipleship #crosscultural #marriage  

with Dan, mission partner, South Asia "Here was an educated man, who knows something about the different religions of the world, who isn't solely stuck in his bubble, and yet in this unreached place, he had no idea of anything the Bible spoke to" Jim and Matt from The Same Commission met with Dan, who has recently started serving in mission in a country in South Asia. He describes the journey of how he ended up as a mission partner, the lengths it can take to get to the mission field, the challenges of beginning to live in a new place and who has encouraged him along the way.   🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today. Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong and Matthew Pitts, Echoes International Directors, with Dan, mission partner, South Asia SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational Instagram: @echoesinternational PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: #faith #mission #Asia #SouthAsia #unreached #closed #creativeaccess #Bible #serving #missionary #missionaries #Christian #Gospel #language #prayer

with Liz, mission partner, cross-cultural mission in the UK "That's an important lesson that I'm learning, that I don't have to be perfect for God to use me, I just need to be available and his power is made perfect in my weakness." In this episode of The Same Commission, Liz shares with Echoes International directors Matthew Pitts and Jim Armstrong about how she got to where she is today, serving cross-culturally in the UK with various ministries to women, particularly those who are refugees, and to families with children who have special needs. Listen to her describe her life story and her rich Christian heritage in India, and what got her personally interested in mission work. 🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today. Liz works in cross-cultural mission in Cardiff, working in particular Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong and Matthew Pitts, Echoes International Directors, with Liz, mission partner, cross-cultural mission in the UK SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational Instagram: @echoesinternational PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: #faith #mission #belief #Christian #crosscultural #women #refugees #migrants #specialneeds #autism #disabilities #care #church #support  

with Mike Packer, mission partner, France   "People are living a life but are lost and unless somebody tells them about the gospel, about Jesus, about his love for them, about his compassion and care for them that is why we've been put in this world, to go into all the world and make disciples." We're delighted to have Mike Packer in the Echoes International podcast studio today. As well as working in mission in France, Mike and Alison Packer also serve as Mission Partner Care Coordinators at Echoes International, supporting mission partners pastorally. In this episode, Mike shares of how he reluctantly became interested in mission in France, having been thrown out his French class at school! We follow his journey to France and the ways in which the Lord used people along his way to encourage him. 🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today. Mike, alongside his wife Alison, serve as mission partners in France. They are involved in evangelism, pastoral care, teaching, prison chaplaincy, Bible publication and distribution, youth and young adults' work, as well as being Mission Partner Care Coordinators with Echoes International. Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong and Matthew Pitts, Echoes International Directors, with Mike Packer, mission partner, France. SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational Instagram: @echoesinternational PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: #mission #faith #christianity #christian #believers #brethren #France #called #serve #prison #Bible #Publications #Missionpartners #Support #Mobilisation #French

with Mia, mission partner, Middle East "Everything we needed, at the right time, He was providing it. When the tough times came, when we were struggling with things I'd remember that." Mission partner Mia (not her real name) joins Echoes International directors Matthew Pitts and Jim Armstrong, as she shares how she and her family arrived in the Middle East as mission partners. From unlikely family beginnings, through Mia's search for a mission role in Africa, to her work with women today, Mia shares the ways in which the Lord led her to the Middle East and how she was mobilised and equipped for mission.   🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today. Mia and her family work in the Middle East, where they provide support in finance and admin for an organisation, alongside outreach and discipling. Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong and Matthew Pitts, Echoes International Directors, with Mia, mission partner, Middle East SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational Instagram: @echoesinternational PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: #mission #outreach #discipleship #MiddleEast #Christian #believers #mobilisation #equip  

with Blair, mission partner, South East Asia "So sport if you like is the bridge, the bridge then enables us to make relationships. Once you have those relationships that are strong, we are very intentional about doing discipleship." Series 5 of The Same Commission podcast takes a new turn - each week of this season, we'll hear from a different guest sharing their story of how they ended up serving in cross-cultural mission! Today, Blair (not his real name), who works in South East Asia in sports ministry, looks back on God's call on his life, and the challenges and encouragements that accompanied him along the way. 🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today. Blair, Eleanor and their sons Robin and Cameron serve in a country in South East Asia, where they use sports to help plant churches to reach unreached people groups. They are mission partners associated with Echoes International. Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong, General Director, Echoes International, Matthew Pitts, Missions Director, Echoes International and Blair, mission partner in South East Asia SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational; Instagram: @echoesinternational; PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: #Christianity #Witness #Evangelism #Faith #Mission #CrossCulturalMission #Evangelism #sports #sportsministry #football #soccer #goodnews #believers #Asia #SouthEastAsia

with Peter Turtle, mission partner, Moldova There are 28 villages without an evangelical church, so it equates to 0.4% of the population that are followers of Jesus In this episode, Peter shares his story of moving from Northern Ireland to Moldova and the reasons why he is serving there today. From his initial conversion, he takes us on the journey of being called to mission, shares of those who have inspired him along the way and chats about what mission looks like in Moldova today. 🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today. Peter and Debbie Turtle and their family serve in Moldova, where they are involved in church planting, children's ministry, evangelism and humanitarian aid. They are mission partners associated with Echoes International.   Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong, General Director, Echoes International, Matthew Pitts, Missions Director, Echoes International and Peter Turtle, mission partner, Moldova SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational; Instagram: @echoesinternational; PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: #Mission #Faith #Belief #Moldova #Orthodox #Gospel #Aid #Believers #Church #Churchplanting      

"Bearing in mind that we're trying to reach the unreached, we're trying to reach those who are migrant, we're trying to reach into areas where there are vast cities, there's all sorts of priorities that align with some of the things that Lindsay brought out in his podcast" To finish Season 4, Jim and Matt take a look back at the purpose of The Same Commission, give some of their highlights of the past few seasons, particularly from Lindsay Brown and Prof. John Lennox, and reflect on how Echoes International is trying to respond to changing models in mission. They also call for feedback on what mission topics we might cover in future editions of The Same Commission, so please send in your thoughts! 🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today. Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong and Matthew Pitts, Echoes International Directors SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational Instagram: @echoesinternational PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: #faith #mission #belief #Christian #strategy #missional #Biblical #BibleTranslation #unreached #peoplegroups #prayer #brethren #priorities #strategy #modelsofmission  

with Lindsay Brown "We argue a lot over different Bible translations we have and we argue about the circumstances surrounding the second coming of the Lord Jesus, when most people haven't heard about His first coming and haven't read about it" In this final episode with Lindsay Brown on The Same Commission, we look at the role of Bible translation in mission, sharing the 'voice of God' through Scripture. He looks at the issue of unreached people groups, who have yet to hear the gospel, the missional aspect of migration and the growth of megacities on mission strategy today. Jim, Matt and Lindsay then reflect on the suffering faced by believers persecuted for their faith, proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ around the world. 🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today. Lindsay Brown is a native of Wales and was involved in student ministry with IFES for over 45 years. He has also headed up the Fellowship of Evangelists in the Universities of Europe, the FEUER network, and served as the International Director for the Lausanne Movement for World Evangelization. Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong and Matthew Pitts, Echoes International Directors, with Lindsay Brown SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational Instagram: @echoesinternational PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: #faith #mission #belief #Christian #persecution #migration #strategy #missional #Bible #Biblical #BibleTranslation #Translation #cities #megacities #urban #unreached #peoplegroups  

Season 4 Episode 4 A ROLE FOR ME: THE FUTURE OF MISSION with Lindsay Brown "It will enrich believers and enhance their sense of dignity - not only am I adopted into God's family but He has a role for me where He has placed me" Following on from the first episode with Lindsay Brown about threats to mission, Lindsay now moves on to the strategic opportunities for mission today and some potential pitfalls in each of these areas. From student ministry to the importance of doctrine to applying Biblical faith in the workplace to the impact of technology to the power of partnership, this far-ranging podcast considers the future of mission and our role in the Lord's work. Check out the following episode for the final mission opportunities today.   🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today. Lindsay Brown is a native of Wales and was involved in student ministry with IFES for over 45 years. He has also headed up the Fellowship of Evangelists in the Universities of Europe, the FEUER network, and served as the International Director for the Lausanne Movement for World Evangelization. Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong and Matthew Pitts, Echoes International Directors, with Lindsay Brown SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational Instagram: @echoesinternational PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: #mission #opportunities #partnerships #workplace #faith #studentministry #christianity

Season 4 Episode 3 THREATS TO 21ST CENTURY MISSION with Lindsay Brown "The clear teaching of Scripture is that Jesus Christ is unique and He's not one way, He's the only way" Lindsay Brown joins Matt and Jim for three episodes, with an extended look at mission in the 21st century. In this episode Lindsay explains about the 'golden age' of evangelism and the expansion of the church to the ends of the earth 'from everywhere to everywhere'. Yet there are some external threats facing believers today, such as pluralism, persecution, fundamentalism and secularism, and internal challenges within the church, including how believers relate to the world and how we should behave biblically. Check back for the next two episodes which focus on opportunities for mission in the future. 🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today. Lindsay Brown is a native of Wales and was involved in student ministry with IFES for over 45 years. He has also headed up the Fellowship of Evangelists in the Universities of Europe, the FEUER network, and served as the International Director for the Lausanne Movement for World Evangelization. Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong and Matthew Pitts, Echoes International Directors, with Lindsay Brown SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational Instagram: @echoesinternational PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: #mission #future #threats #opportunities #challenges #church #secularism #pluralism #fundamentalism #persecution #Biblical #Scriptural #Christians #believers #evangelism #evangelical #brethren  

with Professor John Lennox "This is no innocent little thing that will sit on the periphery of our experience, it's going to influence almost everything and we need to get ready" In this The Same Commission conversation, Professor John Lennox – mathematician, author of 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the AI Revolution, and respected Christian apologist – explores the profound ethical and spiritual challenges posed by artificial intelligence. From the dangers of surveillance states and facial recognition to the widening gap between rich and poor, Lennox unpacks how AI is already transforming society — and why believers must respond. He challenges Christians to engage seriously with the reality of AI, the illusion of consciousness in machines, and the urgent need for hope rooted in the return of Christ. Whether you're curious about AI's role in mission, concerned about freedom and control in a digital world, or looking for a biblical perspective on the future, this conversation will inform, equip, and inspire. 🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today. 📖 Learn more about 2084 and other works by John Lennox at: https://www.johnlennox.org/ John Lennox is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University and is an internationally renowned speaker on the interface of science, philosophy and religion. He regularly teaches at many academic institutions, is Senior Fellow with the Trinity Forum and has written a series of books exploring the relationship between science and Christianity. He is President of The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong, General Director, Echoes International, Matthew Pitts, Missions Director, Echoes International and Professor John Lennox SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational; @profjohnlennox Instagram: @echoesinternational; @profjohnlennox PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: #AI #JohnLennox #ChristianityAndAI #2084 #Surveillance #Mission #ChristianEthics #ArtificialIntelligence #ChurchAndTechnology   

with Professor John Lennox "So you can say very modestly but truly that you do believe that there is a fixed point and you can witness to your faith in Christ" Professor John Lennox joins us for the first episode of Season 4 of The Same Commission to explore how we can share our Christian faith today 'without fear' in this unstable world. John Lennox engages with questions of faith and apologetics in both a dominant secular society and cross-culturally. We look at the need for Christians to pursue 'persuasive evangelism' and how believers can naturally witness to their faith with friends and family. Considering persecuted Christians around the world, John encourages us to remember Jesus' promise that in whatever situation we're placed, the Lord will give us the words to say. Whether you're feeling unsure about how to share your new-found faith in Christ or have been on the mission field for years, this practical and engaging conversation will challenge you to have an expectant heart for opportunities to witness. 🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today. 📖 Learn more about 2084 and other works by John Lennox at: https://www.johnlennox.org/ John Lennox is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University and is an internationally renowned speaker on the interface of science, philosophy and religion. He regularly teaches at many academic institutions, is Senior Fellow with the Trinity Forum and has written a series of books exploring the relationship between science and Christianity. He is President of The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong, General Director, Echoes International, Matthew Pitts, Missions Director, Echoes International and Professor John Lennox TAG ON SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational; @profjohnlennox Instagram: @echoesinternational; @profjohnlennox PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: #Fear #JohnLennox #Christianity #Witness #Evangelism #Apologetics #ChristianityandSecularism #Persecution #DefendingtheFaith #Faith #FaithNotFaith #Mission #CrossCulturalMission #PersuasiveEvangelism

With Rachael Bee, mission partner, UK (cross-cultural) The Same Commission stays in the UK today, looking with mission partner Rachael Bee at how to 'Welcome the Stranger'. Jim and Matt explore with Rachael how to use the opportunities that God has given us to share the gospel with refugees and asylum-seekers in this country. Listen, as Rachael shares some practical ways in which fellowships can open up and offer warm hospitality to those who have arrived in the UK, often from countries where Christianity is oppressed and believers persecuted.  Rachael Bee is a mission partner working in cross-cultural mission in the UK. Her work includes Bible teaching and support work with asylum seekers and refugees, particularly amongst people from Iran. She and her family live and serve in the Bristol area. "Our hope and prayer constantly is that profound and transformative and life-long commitment to Jesus comes into each person, that comes through this kind of [discipleship] process" – Rachael Bee, mission partner, UK (cross-cultural) Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong, General Director, Echoes International, Matt Pitts, Missions Director, Echoes International and Rachael Bee, mission partner, UK (cross-cultural) PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: Mission; Mission partners; Gospel; Christian; Brethren; Assemblies; Believers; Asylum; Refuge; Migrants; Immigrants; Asylum-seekers; Refugees; Migration; Immigration; Church; Fellowships; Jesus; Jesus Christ; Good news; Hospitality; Bible Studies; Middle East; Persecution; Sojourner; Stranger; Welcome; Persian; Farsi; Iranian; Resettled; Undocumented; Salvation; Stateless; Displaced;

with Jonathan Hanley, mission partner, France As someone who has spent his life reaching out to creative communities with the gospel, mission partner Jonathan Hanley reflects on the importance of creativity in today's episode of The Same Commission. Jim and Matt chat with Jonathan about the challenges facing people working in creative industries either receiving the gospel or, as believers, in living out their faith. Jonathan Hanley has been serving the Lord in France for almost 30 years. With his wife Amanda, they have been involved in church-planting and discipleship training, with specific involvement in AIDS chaplaincy, Christian publishing and ministry to artists. He currently helps lead the publications department of Scripture Union in France and Jonathan has written books and published articles for a number of magazines and websites. "As a Christian, I believe that being creative is part of the divine image that God has put in us all. You know, He made us in His image, and He is creative, so human beings end up being creative, even if they don't give credit to the Creator" – Jonathan Hanley, mission partner, France. Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong, General Director, Echoes International, Matt Pitts, Missions Director, Echoes International and Jonathan Hanley, mission partner, France. SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational; Instagram: @echoesinternational; PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: Mission; Mission partners; Gospel; Christian; Brethren; Believers; evangelism; outreach; ministry; ministries; faith; creativity; film; music; art; television; craft; design; publishing; performing; performers; music industry; books; culture; creatives; artists; creative industries; Creation; artistry; innovation; skills; talents; creative sector; theology; world view;

with Bethie Peltola, CEO, One Truth Project On The Same Commission today, Bethie tells us about her work with the One Truth Project, as they seek to share their faith with Muslim people and respond Biblically to questions about Islam. Jim and Matt chat with Bethie about her own personal experience of friendship with people from the Muslim community and she points us towards some helpful resources for those interested in researching this topic. Bethie Peltola is CEO of the One Truth Project as well as a writer, lecturer and consultant, helping Christians form Biblical responses to questions Muslims ask of the Christian faith, developing training courses for the Church and public short courses which respond to objections posed against Christianity. She has published a number of books for anyone who is interested in Biblical responses to Islam. "It was the most overt I had ever been in prayer and I thought 'Oh, I've learned something today' I really do need to pray Biblically. I need to pray to not just to 'Oh Lord' or 'Oh God' because to them that could be Allah. I need to be sure I'm praying to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Many a missionary or a Christian working among Muslims can tell of these sort of stories, coming alongside Muslims and clearly speaking of the Lord " – Bethie Peltola, CEO, One Truth Project Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong, General Director, Echoes International, Matt Pitts, Missions Director, Echoes International and Bethie Peltola, CEO, One Truth Project SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational; @onetruthproject Instagram: @echoesinternational; @onetruthprojectuk Youtube: @onetruthprojecthttps://www.onetruthproject.org/ BOOKS: -        Questions to Ask your Muslim friends: a closer look at Islamic beliefs and texts, Beth Peltola and Tim Dieppehttps://www.wilberforcepublications.co.uk/questions-to-ask-your-muslim-friends -        A Short guide to Islam: a Biblical response to the faith of our muslim neighbourshttps://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/product/a-short-guide-to-islam-2 PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: Mission; Mission partners; Gospel; Christian; Brethren; Believers; evangelism; outreach; ministry; ministries; Islam; muslim; witness; faith; debate; preaching; Islamic

with Mark Davies, Regional Development Director, GLO Europe On today's The Same Commission, the podcast turns to the topic of prayer, and specifically how to pray for mission. Mark Davies, GLO, explores with Matt and Jim why prayer is so important in our relationship with God, what he appreciates about other people's prayers as he served in mission and how can we pray when things get difficult. Mark Davies is the GLO Europe Regional Development Director. He and his wife Shirley now live and serve in London, based at Highgate international Church. Previously (1983-2004) they, along with their five children, lived in Zambia, engaged in Bible teaching, church planting and social care projects. "I see prayer very much as a two-way communication – prayer and Bible reading – we say that prayer is us talking to God and Bible reading is God talking to us. I get that but actually prayer is meant to be a two-way communication, conversation with God, So if we see it from the angle 'I'm in a relationship with God, how does that work? It works by talking – [it is like] any marriage, any relationship, if you're not talking and listening - then prayer is vital because that's how we talk to God and how God talks with us" – Mark Davies, Regional Development Director, GLO Europe Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong, General Director, Echoes International, Matt Pitts, Missions Director, Echoes International and Mark Davies, Regional Development Director, GLO Europe TAG ON SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational; @GLOEurope.org Instagram: @echoesinternational; @glo_europe PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: Mission; Mission partners; Gospel; Christian; Brethren; Believers; evangelism; outreach; ministry; ministries; Prayer; Pray; Praying; Faith; God; Jesus Christ; Holy Spirit; relationship; requests; support; communication; talk; talking; speaking; conversation

with Andrew Hart, CEO, PAK-7 Matt and Jim hear from Andrew Hart, of media organisation PAK-7, about the unreached people groups of the region in which he works. Andrew talks about the importance of media within mission, why it is vital for PAK-7 to use local believers' voices and talents in the making of new programmes, and whether they face opposition as they share the good news of God's love in Pakistan. Andrew Hart is CEO of PAK7, which is a media initiative sharing the good news of God's love with the people of Pakistan, reaching out to both Christian and non-Christian audiences in Pakistan, through national and Christian TV and social media. "How do we bring faith into those situations and make it relevant for people? Well, I think local people do that, and local people know how to do that, because they live there, because that is their life. We've trained over the last five years since we started over one hundred young Pakistani believers and there's some incredibly talented people there, I really love working with them, and they've got great ideas about how they can communicate the gospel into that culture. I just love hearing their ideas and the kind of things that they want to make programmes about because those are the kind of things that people are going to want to watch in Pakistan" – Andrew Hart, CEO, PAK-7 Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong, General Director, Echoes International, Matt Pitts, Missions Director, Echoes International and Andrew Hart, CEO, PAK-7 TAG ON SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational; @pak7tv and @ PAK7Supporters Instagram: @echoesinternational; https://pak7.org/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Qmt8N8BHY6_yKS1gDlWdQ Joshua Project; https://www.joshuaproject.net/ PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: Mission; Mission partners; Gospel; Christian; Brethren; Believers; evangelism; outreach; ministry; ministries; media; channels; social media; television; TV; unreached; reach; peoples; people groups; Pakistan; South Asia; hard to reach; language; culture; local people; videos; faith; gospel; programmes; programme; strategic; documentaries; reality TV; invest; gifts; talents; entertainment; indigenous; channel; songs; lessons

with Ian Burness Friend of the podcast and former Echoes mission partner and director Ian Burness comes back to The Same Commission studio to talk all things medicine with Matt and Jim. He shares his expertise and experiences of medical mission to discuss the place of medical mission within overall mission. Together they discuss how medics can share their faith with patients, how medical mission has changed over the years and what should be the priorities for medical mission going forward. After studies in medicine in Aberdeen University, Ian and his wife Margaret went to Africa in 1979, where Ian ran a mission hospital on the Zambian/Angolan border and worked in local churches among the Lubale people. After returning to the UK in 1990, Ian worked with Echoes of Service, now Echoes International, where he was our General Director until 2015. He's also published a variety of books on the history of mission. "In Christian mission we need to say is that why we're there to do the best we can or to serve the mission of God? And if we are serving the mission of God we've got to understand where Christian mission is and understand where best the health sector can work alongside coexisting missions as arms that reach out to people, to touch people's lives, bring people, make people accessible and allow us to communicate Christ to them alongside the medical care we are giving. I have no problem with that and I think that's a very important area" – Ian Burness Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong, General Director, Echoes International, Matt Pitts, Missions Director, Echoes International and Ian Burness TAG ON SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational; Instagram: @echoesinternational; Book by Ian Burness - Medicine in Remote Places by Ian Burness: https://www.echoesinternational.org.uk/product/medicine-in-remote-places/ PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: Mission; Mission partners; Gospel; Christian; Brethren; Believers; evangelism; outreach; ministry; ministries; medicine; medical; patients; doctors; nurses; mission stations; Africa; Angola; Zambia; India; healing; faith; health; healthcare; care; doctor; nurse; medical practitioner; patient;