Reach Beyond Podcast: Stories Of Hope, Inspiration And Transformation From Around The World

As we approach our National Day of Prayer (THU, May 4), today’s podcast guest also reminds us to pray for missionaries around the world. Dr. Jessie Ritchie, a missionary kid and past missionary herself, shares 10 practical ways we can lift up missionaries in prayer. Most of us haven’t lived in another country, another culture. We often have little understanding of the challenges missionaries face. What are they feeling? What are the conditions of their environment? How are they staying connected with other believers? Today’s discussion opens that window for us with candid conversation from Dr. Ritchie and Steve Harling, as they both share experiences and difficulties from years as missionaries. In addition to the daily challenges missionaries face, there are also pressures to provide updates, concerns for the health and well being of their families, and the lack of opportunity for fellowship. The stark reality is that it’s often tough for missionaries just to hold on. This episode is a good reminder for all w

On today’s podcast, Jon Fugler and Steve Harling interview Paul Eshleman, director of Finishing the Task. Paul has a passion for taking the gospel to those who have never heard. From decades of work with CRU, including EXPO ’72, and the Jesus Film, Paul has been a champion for the cause of Christ and a leader for challenging the church with innovative ways to evangelize. Motivated from a deep conviction that everybody deserves to have one chance to hear how they can live forever, Paul describes moments that impacted his own life and propelled him to reaching people groups who had never heard the name of Jesus. You will be enlightened and emboldened as you listen to the stories, challenges and passion of Paul. Discover how simple it is to become involved in the movement of Finishing the Task, and why now is one of the most exciting times for the church to step up and out in obedience to the call of the Great Commission. Plug in, sit back, and prepare to become engaged! Links and Resources Mentioned in This E

Coming up on Easter, this episode brings lively discussion, reminding us of the 2 billion + people around the world who have yet to be reached with the message of hope and salvation in Jesus. From the core team members of International Day for the Unreached --(IDU), you will hear how God formed this Alliance to champion the cause of the most unreached and unengaged people of the earth. You’ll hear from Steve Harling, president of Reach Beyond, along with other key leaders for IDU, a day which focuses on bringing awareness to the people and places around the world where little or no gospel, missionary, or Christian presence exist. You’ll discover staggering statistics on the unreached, and be challenged to become involved in specific ways. Discover the story behind one key Alliance partner’s roots. Hear how an unreached tribe of fierce headhunters came to Christ through one single copy of the gospel that was brought in by a brave missionary. This and other stories of the power of the gospel to transform liv

From Florida to Wyoming, and Indonesia to West Africa, American Idol finalist Phil Stacey has been touring the world as an ambassador for reaching the lost. Today he takes time out from his busy schedule to share about his clear calling and his heart to align with the mission of Reach Beyond. Phil shares how God has used the platform of American Idol to open some :crazy doors” for him around the world. These open doors are giving him the opportunity to share the gospel with many who may never otherwise hear the message of Jesus. You’ll hear powerful stories from Phil’s recent visit to Ghana with his wife Kendra, where they spent time with Reach Beyond teams and missionaries. Phil and Jon Fugler discuss the work that Reach Beyond and our partners are doing in that region – including radio ministry and providing clean water and sanitation for villages there. As World Water Day approaches on March 22nd,  Phil and Jon explain the clean water crisis in West Africa.  They invite you to help build a well in that reg

At a hospital in Quito, Ecuador, a woman whose child underwent surgery was in tears with amazement and gratitude. The nurse speaking to her had just explained that people in other countries who love Jesus gave money to the hospital so those like her child could be helped. “I want to love Jesus too” she replied. That nurse was Sheila Leech, VP of Reach Beyond’s Global Healthcare. And “That” she said, referring to the woman receiving Jesus, “is what it’s all about. Sharing compassion and love for individuals that Jesus died for.” You will not want to miss this episode, as Sheila tells amazing stories and the incredible journey that God has taken her on over the past 24 years serving with Reach Beyond. From work in community development, to medical caravans in Ecuador, to blindness prevention projects near Colombia, teaching in jungles, disaster relief in Haiti, and much more. Sheila has worked shoulder to shoulder with women throughout the world, empowering and encouraging them to come to Christ and be nurtured

As this month brings an international focus on Social Justice, today’s podcast highlights how Reach Beyond is passionately involved in acts of social justice combined with evangelism globally.   Today’s young emerging leaders are passionate about social justice. They want to engage in being part of the solution. Micah 6:8 reminds us to “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”   Listen to Steve Harling and Jon Fugler as they tell powerful stories of redemption and life transformation. You’ll hear how God is using acts of justice that demonstrate the love of Jesus to clear the way for evangelism. Much like Jesus did -- when he met personal physical needs first, that opened the way for others to receive his message of salvation.   From the jungles of Ecuador to the borders of Nepal, you’ll hear real stories of lives that have been pulled from the pits of darkness through the ministry and partnerships of Reach Beyond.   If you have a heart and passion for social justice, you won’t want to

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” – ECC. 4:9   Do you know the God-given purpose of your marriage? Do you wonder how you and your spouse can best serve the Lord together? On today’s podcast, you’ll hear how God has designed marriage for ministry “as vast and creative as God is”, and discover the keys to unlocking God’s purpose for yours. As marriage ‘coaches’, Greg and Julie Gorman share scriptural insights, wisdom and truth for building God-centered marriages. Listen to ways you can learn to plant seeds of love, be “inspirationally disciplined” and reciprocate God’s unconditional love to one another. You won’t want to miss this dialogue for empowering you and your spouse to greater love, and for building a marriage that thrives!   ]   Resources

Today’s episode will challenge and inspire you to be bold and passionate in sharing your faith with others. Hear how Shazam Mohamed with Reach Beyond Canada is using creative technology to reach thousands of internationals and Muslims. Be encouraged as you listen to Shazam talk about overcoming fears to reach out to others with the gospel, and how to make the most of opportunities before us.   You’ll also hear how God brought Shazam from working in the secular world to where he never thought he’d be – in full-time ministry!   Today the outreach of Reach Beyond Canada includes reaching many who have never even met a Christian before. If you want to know how to make cross-cultural connections and what it takes to be an effective witness for Christ, you won’t want to miss this podcast!   RESOURCES

What will it take in 2017 to make significant progress in ‘finishing the task’ of reaching the unreached and unengaged?   Casting vision for this in the new year is more than just making resolutions. It’s a call to take action. That’s what you’ll hear from Reach Beyond President Steve Harling in this episode.   Two key strategies of the vision involve (1) a paradigm shift in how we view missions as a whole, and (2) for missions agencies and churches to form strategic partnerships.   You’ll want to hear Steve outline the steps for accomplishing the vision in 2017 and beyond. Steve outlines five key areas of focus, with the overarching goal in mind: that all people will hear the gospel, and getting the name of Jesus into unreached people groups. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Finishing the Task Contact Steve Harling  

Everyone loves a good story. And do we have stories to tell in this episode. Hear some incredible tales from around the world, as told by the Reach Beyond staff that serve behind the scenes. You’ll hear stories of real people whose lives have been changed through this ministry this year. Now many of these are celebrating Christmas for the first time this year.   Hear about how a community in Burkina Faso has come to faith and is now thriving, through our radio outreach there.   Listen to the story of Pablo who lives in a remote village along the Amazon in Brazil. Through a partner ministry, MP3 players are being distributed to some of the most unreached places of this region, and the gospel is changing lives.   From the Asia Pacific region comes riveting stories of total life transformation. You’ll hear about one couple who was prevented from committing suicide after hearing about the love of Jesus on a partner radio station.   These are just a few of the life-changing stories in this episode. You’ll also hea

From law enforcement, to family ministry to global outreach.  In a few words, that’s been the career path of Australian Dale Stagg. You’ll meet Dale in this episode and hear how God is using him to take the light of the gospel to one of the hardest places in the world.  Dale leads Reach Beyond Australia, a ministry that beams hundreds of thousands of watts of radio power to Asia in 30 languages. The power is really in the message, though.  You’ll hear encouraging stories of how God is releasing people from spiritual bondage to freedom in Christ.     Resources

Becky Harling was confronted with a life-threatening illness.  And she had a choice to make.  How would she respond to her breast cancer diagnosis?  What she decided not only made a difference in the time of crisis, but her life has never been the same since. In this episode, you’ll hear how God taught Becky to praise Him, and how she has taken this message to anyone who will listen.  Just as it has transformed her life and the lives of so many others, you’ll discover how you can experience the power of praise in your life. Becky is the author of several books, including The 30-Day Praise Challenge, Rewriting Your Emotional Script, Freedom from Performing and Finding Calm in a Life of Chaos.  She is a sought-after speaker and has shared her message of hope and praise with audiences around the world.   Resources

Every summer, students from across America and other nations commit several weeks to serve the Lord in other cultures.  They come back home … changed. They go to places like Ghana, Ecuador, UK and Romania to bring the love of Jesus through media, healthcare and community development. These are the Reach Beyond summer internships. In this episode, you’ll meet one of the students, as well as missionaries who lead these internships.  You’ll hear stories of what God has done and how he has used students as the voice and hands of Jesus. Have you assumed you need special qualifications to serve God overseas?  In many cases, a willing heart is all that’s needed. If you or someone you know is looking for a short-term missions experience, then maybe the summer of 2017 is the right time.  And Reach Beyond may be the right ministry.  You’ll hear what’s coming up next summer and how you can apply to go. Resources

He lives to tell others about Jesus.  He has done it in every nation in a very unique way.  His name is Arthur Blessitt and you may know him as the man who has carried a large wooden cross around the world.  He started his journey during the Jesus movement in the 60’s in California and since then has walked over 41,000 miles with that wooden cross on his shoulder. On every “crosswalk,” Arthur has had the chance to share the gospel message.  He has spoken with people from just about every religion and every walk of life. In this episode, you’ll hear first-hand how God has used Arthur in some of the most unusual places and the Lord has shown favor on his journeys.  You’ll also find out how he is continuing his ministry today with more impact than ever.  He still does crosswalks, but in a whole different way.   Resources

It’s not business as usual lately.  Christ-followers are taking on the challenge of the Great Commission. But hasn’t that been the mission of the Church for 2,000 years?   Yes.  However, these days, there’s a growing, different approach in the works.  Rather than the Western Church doing it on her own, she’s partnering with the indigenous Church to reach the unreached for Jesus. Meet Steve Harling, the brand new President of Reach Beyond.  He has a passion to mobilize the Church to take Jesus to places that have never heard the name of our Savior.  Hear his passion and heart in this episode of the Reach Beyond Podcast. Outgoing President Wayne Pederson interviews Steve in Steve’s first public appearance since he took the reins of the Reach Beyond presidency September 1.  Some leadership transitions can be messy.  You’ll be encouraged hearing these two men together and sense the healthy transition at Reach Beyond. Steve is a long-time pastor, serving at churches in New York, California and Colorado. The son an

There are seasons in our lives where it is simply a “dangerous place to be."  One of those seasons seems to be when we hit age 40.  In this episode, join us for a candid discussion with Peter Greer, co-author of the book 40/40 Vision: Clarifying Your Mission in Midlife.   Midlife is a disruptive season where we collide with limitations on all sides.  We recognize there is more to life in the rear view mirror than the road ahead of us. We wonder if our lives so far have been worthwhile.  But midlife is also an opportunity to recalibrate our vision.   Peter tells his own story of hitting 40 and how he dealt with this milestone.  He gives us counsel on how we can avoid common pitfalls at this stage and make our lives count in a new way with Christ’s eternal perspective.   Peter has a heart to take the gospel to the world, and you’ll catch his excitement and vision in this dialogue.  WARNING:  It may rub off on you.   In this episode, you’ll also be able to download a simple one-sheet that will help you stay on t

Last month, a small team of believers went deep into Nepal on a critical mission.  Two of those team members will tell their stories on this episode of the Reach Beyond Podcast. Ty Stakes and Ron With spent a week in the rain and mud to begin restoration work in a Nepali village shattered by last year’s earthquake.  Just 15 miles from the epicenter, homes were leveled, buildings were badly damaged and the local Christian-run radio station became unusable. Listen as Ty and Ron tell you how their team performed the first rebuilding effort, laying the cement foundation for the new radio station building.  You’ll hear how God has been moving to turn resistance to an openness to the gospel.  Even to the point that a church now exists in that village. Ty Stakes is the Executive Director of Reach Beyond’s Asia Pacific Region and Ron With serves as Reach Beyond’s Information Technology Manager. RESOURCES

It’s a jungle out there.  For Miriam Gebb, it’s usually the case. That’s where she has done much of her medical work as a nurse in Latin America.  In fact, she’s more at home in the jungle than anywhere else.  For nearly 40 years, she has served as a Reach Beyond medical missionary, much of it in Ecuador’s Amazon River basin. In this episode, you’ll hear stories from the jungle.  You’ll find out first-hand how God led Miriam into missions work in 1979 and why she has stayed ever since.  You’ll get a glimpse into how she is bringing Jesus to Latin Americans through the open door of healthcare.  Resources

Imagine this scene: American medical doctor Dilip Joseph and two colleagues are driving back to Kabul, Afghanistan, after serving villagers that morning at a rural clinic.  Suddenly a man waving an AK-47 blocks their path.  More armed men jump out of hiding.  For Dilip, it is the beginning of a nightmare—he’s being kidnapped by the Taliban. Our guest on this episode is Dr. Dilip Joseph, and he shares the details of his story, from that moment on the road to his harrowing rescue a few days later by Navy SEAL Team Six.  It’s what happened in between that changed his life forever.  God used this experience to renew within Dilip a passion for the unreached, and open his eyes to those who are blind to Jesus and living a life of violence and hopelessness.  How did God use Dilip in the lives of his Muslim captors?  He brings us into his story and shares the answer to that question. You’ll also hear how to win a copy of Dilip’s book, Kidnapped by the Taliban. Resources