Episode 110

#110. The Nations Are Here Within Our Reach

Dr. Ryan Martin discusses the importance of missional awareness in the local church, particularly through local international ministry. 

Book: Holding the Rope

Blog: The Upstream Collective - Cultivating Missions Awareness

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

  • What missional awareness is
  • Three practical suggestions for engaging the local international community
  • What missional discipleship looks like

ABOUT THE GUEST: 

Ryan serves as Director of Missions and Operations with Lightbearers Ministries. He graduated in 2022 with a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological seminary, where he also serves as a trustee. He has received a MDiv in Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (2008), and an undergraduate degree (2005) from Union University in Jackson, TN. Prior to joining Lightbearers, he served for thirteen years as a missions pastor in the local church. Ryan lives in Fayetteville with his wife, Rebekah, and three children: Hudson, Annie, and Hattie.

SCRIPTURE RELATED TO EPISODE:

RELATED LINKS:

TIMESTAMPED SHOWNOTES:

00:09 - Introducing Ryan Martin

03:26 - What is missional awareness?

03:40 - ...The unreached are now within arm's reach

04:14 - ...John 20 - 21 - sent by Jesus to be ambassadors into the world

04:32 - ...The nations are here within our reach

05:01 - ...The Great Commission is not just for the paid professionals

05:22 - ...Make disciples and be disciples who make disciples

05:29 - How does missional awareness tie into our growing international community?

05:59 - ...Acts 17 - 26 - God has determined our dwelling places

06:12 - ...God has brought the nations to us and to recognize that we need to live that theology

06:50 - ...Recognize the need to take the gospel to our local people groups

09:47 - Planting seven churches over the next ten years

10:22 - ...First, Hispanic church plant and Second, South Asian

10:27 - ...Next, Hmong and South East Asian population

10:47 - ...and global partners to train and sent out

11:15 - ...Resourced by local church budget

11:42 - Practical Suggestions for engaging with the local international community

12:15 - ...Local church being missionally aware

12:34 - ...Visit world religion sites and learn about other religions

14:08 - ......Look for avenues to gospel conversations

14:14 - ......Read up on basics before visiting

15:05 - ...Frequenting ethnic establishments

15:17 - .....Food is a great way to break down barriers

16:20 - ...International students

16:54 - ......80% of international students will never be invited to an American home

19:21 - How does Lightbearers minister to students?

20:15 - ...Discipleship and missions

20:58 - ...72-unit complex houses students

21:55 - ...Life on life discipleship among students

22:03 - ...Match student with a local church mentor

22:26 - ...Fund mission projects to international church plant project

22:48 - ...Short term missions trips

23:54 - ...Dreaming of an East Coast presence

25:56 - Why is discipleship important for preparing for missions?

26:05 - ...At the heart of the Great Commission is discipleship and gathering into the local church

26:50 - What does missional discipleship look like?

27:03 - ...Corporate worship gathering

27:19 - ...Meeting in homes

27:27 - ...One-on-one and small groups

27:45 - ...Missional expressions in our lives

28:03 - ...Count the cost and take the gospel to the ends of the earth

31:37 - How does a church send AND go?

31:49 - ...We are all sent ones

32:03 - ...Protect the word, "missionary"

32:39 - ...We are all called to be on mission

32:50 - ...Opportunities to the cast the vision for missions

32:57 - ...Keep missions and missionaries in the minds of the church

33:41 - ...Each one of us are missionaries and are sent as well

34:31 - Ask ourselves how to build in missional awareness

34:48 - ...Pray for unreached people groups

35:19 - ...Read missionary biographies

35:41 - ..Look for opportunities to serve together on mission

36:03 - ...Take family on missions trip

37:01 - Contacting Ryan Martin...

37:07 - ...email ryanmartin@lightbearers.com

37:13 - ...twitter and instagram RyanAllenMartin

37:18 - ...blog theupstreamcollective.org

37:39 - ...book (Amazon): Holding the Rope

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