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

The story of Joseph Kebbie is a blend of tribulation, hope and victory.  Through the intervention of God, Joseph was rescued from a refugee’s life to one that is now serving Jesus throughout Sub Saharan Africa.  Born in Liberia, Joseph’s life was turned upside down during a brutal civil war there.  After leaving the country, he lived in three African countries.  At one point he was earning just $20 a month in a full-time job.  You’ll meet Joseph in this episode. His contagious faith in the midst of hardship will cause you to look at Jesus in a new way in your own life.  Joseph and his wife Genevieve, were recently blessed with a new baby girl and they live in Ghana.  His life is certainly one of transformation and being used by God to transform others.   Resources

There’s no shortage of bad news coming out of the Middle East, but did you know that Iran is one of the fastest growing churches in the world?  God is at work in the Middle East in unprecedented ways. Best-selling author and Middle East expert and ministry leader Tom Doyle is our guest on the latest episode of the Reach Beyond Podcast.  Tom spends a lot of time in the Middle East, fellowshipping with and mentoring believers who are risking their lives simply by being Christians. Tom opens our eyes and shares things you won’t hear hardly anywhere else.  Be encouraged, in the midst of persecution, that the Lord Jesus is winning the hearts of thousands in that volatile region. Tom is the author of Killing Christians and Breakthrough—The Return of Hope to the Middle East.  You’ll have the opportunity to win a copy of Breakthrough at the end of the episode. Links and Resources

There’s a country in West Africa called Sierra Leone.  This is a nation hit by trauma.  More than 50,000 people were killed in the nation’s brutal decade-long civil war that ended in 2002.  Hardly recovering from that, Ebola invaded Sierra Leone in 2014-15.  It paralyzed the nation. In the midst of this, there is a Christian radio station that is providing hope in Jesus Christ, Believers Broadcasting Network (BBN).  Not only on the air, but through a dynamic counseling ministry that has helped thousands of people deal with PTSD caused by the war and Ebola.  On this episode, you’ll hear the inside story of hope from two volunteers who just returned from Sierra Leone.  They worked side by side with BBN to train counselors who will come to the rescue of a hurting people.  In Jesus’ name. Listen as Kenny and Lauri Dennis share their experience with us. Links to Resources

A gang member suddenly turns to Christ in an African village...  Clean water leads to salvation throughout a Latin American community… People along the river in Brazil hear about Jesus for the first time through Players of Hope… 80 passengers are part of an Acts 27 experience in a horrible storm on the seas... restoration is coming to one Nepali village.   This is a glimpse of the God stories you’ll hear in this episode.  Wayne Pederson and Jon Fugler are joined by multiple missionaries and guests in the studio to give the accounts of how Jesus is bringing people to Himself in miraculous ways.   Listen as you hear about the voice and hands of Jesus in the lives of people who have finally discovered His love around the world.   It’s story time on the Reach Beyond Podcast!  

70,000 people each day die without Christ.  More than 2 billion people have never heard the name of Jesus.  And yet, the church is growing in extraordinary ways in some parts of the world.  In this episode, Wayne and Jon celebrate an important day coming up on your calendar.  May 15 has been designated International Day for the Unreached, and is being recognized by believers around the world.  Christian radio stations, churches, missions organizations and individual Christians are raising the flag for the cause of the unreached.  You’ll also hear from special guest John Pudiate, President of Bibles for the World.  He shares how God captured his family’s heart to bring the Word of God to unreached people.   You’ll also be encouraged by stories of God at work in Thailand, Ecuador and Nepal.  Get your free Great Commission Action Guide at www.dayfortheunreached.org.  You’ll learn how you can get involved in the International Day for the Unreached in one of more of these ways:  Pray, Advocate, Serve or Share.  

Update on the earthquake in Ecuador   “For the love of Christ compels us…”   Paul wrote those words in 2 Corinthians 5:14 and they are as important today as they were in his culture.  Once we experience the depth of Christ’s love in our own life, it will launch us into magnificent things for the Kingdom of God.  It will transform us.   In this episode, we visit with Yemi Mobolade, an entrepreneur, pastor and musician who has discovered the richness of Christ’s love and takes this love to people around him.  His unique business is really his ministry and you’ll hear stories of how God has used him in his city.    You’ll also hear how you can have free and immediate access to a new video series called BOLD.  Yemi is featured in this series, which helps believers understand, experience and share the love of God with others.    BOLD is unlike what you have seen before.  It’s all about guilt-free witnessing, and you’ll hear testimonies from people from around the world an in all walks of life who have experienced

One of the most innovative tools for the work of the gospel today is a device called the SonSet Radio. It’s a solar-powered hand-held radio, fixed-tuned to the local Christian station. In most cases, it is the only Christian media voice in the community. More than 50,000 of these missionary tools have been distributed around the world in some of the most remote places.   As a result, hundreds of thousands of people are hearing the Good News for the first time, and lives are being transformed by Jesus Christ. In this episode, you’ll hear stories from across the globe as multiple guests bring their personal experiences to the microphone.     You’ll be encouraged by the SonSet Effect and the effort to send 5,000 SonSet Radios to the Asia Pacific region this year, proclaiming Jesus in Indonesia, Thailand, Mongolia and Nepal. God has used Reach Beyond to plant dozens of stations in these countries and SonSet Radios will grow the gospel impact of the stations.

From an African jungle to an indigenous gospel radio station, this episode takes you on location for the first time. Jon Fugler recently traveled to Ghana, West Africa, and recorded some rare experiences.   You’ll journey with Jon to a radio station that Reach Beyond helped establish and is run totally by local believers. Hear from one of the DJs who explains his role in bringing the gospel to the area.   Then step into an African village that has been transformed by the construction of a clean water well. You’ll hear an exclusive interview with Ben, a Ghanaian believer who has been discipling the village leaders for several years. Clean water and the Living Water have brought new life to people there.   Then experience a walk to the dirty, contaminated pond where these same villagers used to get their water. You’ll walk the path the women and children used to walk every day.

"With more than 2 billion people who haven't had a chance to meet Jesus, it's time for the body of Christ to take a radical stand and say 'this has to end in our generation.' Would you join me in committing to pray, give, go and advocate for those who need to know Christ by participating in the International Day for the Unreached? The time is now." -Rick Warren You may have heard the figure. Over 2 billion people have never heard the name of Jesus. But did you know that Christianity is the fastest growing religion in the world? These two facts are highly contrasted, but they are true. Believers are coming alive to this issue, and headway is being made in taking Jesus to the unreached in some of the toughest places in the world. In this episode, you'll hear about an exciting day that has been set aside to carry the banner for the cause of the unreached. Wayne Pederson and Jon Fugler have a revealing conversation with Steve Johnson, who is spearheading the first-ever International Day for the Unreached. Sunday,

If you’re not facing this question now, you certainly will at some point: “What is God’s will for my life?” Our guest on this episode, Dave Jolly, was at a crossroads twice when faced with a major life decision. He shares the journey he and his wife, Beth, have been on for many years and how they responded to God’s call at their two crossroads. As we come up to the end of the year, maybe this is the time you’re seeking God about some major life decisions. You’ll find Dave and Beth’s story real, relatable and powerful. It may be what you need to hear right now. Wayne Pederson also shares from his heart steps you can take as you seek God’s will. And you’ll hear about an opportunity to reach people around the world right from your home.  Merry Christmas! And we pray that you’ll be in the center of God’s will as you start 2016. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Get Wayne’s book, Reach Beyond. Free e-book. Request a free hard copy of Wayne’s book. Be sure to include your name and address when you writ

(November 16, 2015)- When believers build a new radio station in a place unreached with the gospel, life transformation happens in that community. In this episode, we celebrate the launch of a brand-new station in Nepal. This is a country that has gone through a tumultuous year, beginning with an April earthquake and moving into political unrest in recent days. But these were not obstacles for God as He opened the way for the community FM station to be built. Ty Stakes is passionate about declaring and demonstrating the love of Jesus to people who have never heard. He and other Reach Beyond team members have worked closely with indigenous Nepali believers to be the voice and hands of Jesus in that country. You’ll be inspired as you hear the story of how God is blending the tools of radio, healthcare and community development to transform villages in Nepal. People are coming to Jesus. Listen as Ty tells us how God is using formerly trafficked girls to lead a movement to introduce people in their communities t

(November 2, 2015)- He faced a close encounter with death at the age of 16 and he hasn’t been the same since. In this episode, Christian musician and “American Idol” finalist Phil Stacey tells us why he is so passionate about telling others about Jesus. In one year alone, he was able to proclaim Christ to 35 million people around the world.  Get ready for an inspiring ride as Wayne Pederson and Jon Fugler visit with Phil. He believes that God has given each one of us influence, and we can use that influence for the spread of the gospel—not only with those around us, but even globally. However, we often get stuck and we hesitate to communicate the greatest news the world could ever hear.   What’s your biggest obstacle to sharing your faith? Phil addresses a common one, introducing a brand-new video series called Bold that will engage you further. Produced by Reach Beyond for small groups and Sunday school classes, this six-part series hosted by Phil will encourage stimulating discussion about sharing the gosp

(September 30, 2015)- Enjoy a lively and entertaining discussion with our guests in this episode. Authors Dr. Walt and Barb Larimore say their marriage was rocked in 2008 when they wrote a book about that topic,His Brain, Her Brain. They share why men and women are so different, how to understand each other’s crazy ways, and how understanding the differences can bring profound change to our marriage. Our impact for the cause of Christ can be derailed when our marriages aren’t in order. When we think about reaching the unreached with the gospel, it’s hard to consider when our home life is hurting. Listen to Walt and Barb share candidly and be encouraged in your walk with Christ and in your marriage. In this episode, you’ll also hear about a fascinating gospel project called “Light Up a Village.” About Dr. Walt Dr. Larimore has been a practicing family physician for more than 30 years (delivering over 1,500 babies). Besides seeing patients on a part-time basis and volunteering for Mission Medical Clinic, a fre

(September 1, 2015)- This summer a handful of medical interns spent several days in a remote area of Africa. The highly Muslim setting presented an unusual ministry opportunity. In this episode, Wayne Pederson and Jon Fugler talk with Sheila Leech, Reach Beyond’s vice president of global healthcare, the day after she returned from the field with the interns. Sheila shares her fresh impressions of the experience.You’ll also hear about the final results of what God did through a recent campaign, the combined effort of Moody Radio, Reach Beyond and FEBC to provide for three new radio stations in one Asian country. In addition, we will celebrate a new FM radio station that Reach Beyond just had the opportunity to help launch in Honduras. Hear how one pastor’s vision has become a reality in an unreached part of the country. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE New radio station built in Honduras    Reach Beyond medical internships

(August 3, 2015)- Much of the world speaks English, and many non-English speakers want to learn the language. So why not meet that need while bringing the gospel into the conversation? That’s exactly what’s happening in a creative ministry in some security-sensitive countries through English Conversation Clubs. Your eyes will be opened as Reach Beyond President Wayne Pederson and Jon Fugler, vice president of advancement, talk with missionary Janine Rembas. She has a passion for this ministry and explains how God is using it to draw people to Himself.  She even shares how people can host one of these clubs from anywhere in the world as a ministry to the unreached. Jon and Wayne also report back on this summer’s medical internship in Ghana, West Africa, and how radio is being used to introduce people to Jesus in Indonesia. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE English Conversation Clubs Inquire about hosting an online English Conversation Club Reach Beyond internships. See an overview of this summ

(July 15, 2015)- Imagine a country that is just over 1% Christian being completely covered with the gospel message in its own language by its own people. This may soon be a reality in one Asian country, where there were only four known believers 25 years ago.  This month, an effort is underway to accomplish this challenging task. In this episode, hear the moving story of an effort where Reach Beyond is partnering with two other ministries to reach an entire country for Christ through local radio. Reach Beyond President Wayne Pederson and co-host Jon Fugler interview Ed Cannon about this exciting project. Ed is the President ofFEBC (Far East Broadcasting Company). Throughout July, Moody Radio is presenting the country to its listeners, culminating with two full days of live broadcasts July 30-31. The goal is to plant three FM stations in key cities in this country. As a result, 90% of the country will be covered with the gospel through stations established in partnership with FEBC. Hear all the details in thi

(July 1, 2015) - It’s out of the news, but what’s today’s truth about the horrible Ebola epidemic that struck West Africa?  Has Ebola been eradicated or is it still a danger?  In this episode, Jon Fugler and Reach Beyond President Wayne Pederson place an audio Skype call to West Africa and talk with Reach Beyond missionary Lee Sonius. Lee has been our liaison with our national partner in Sierra Leone where we’ve been involved in “Make Ebola Kick the Bucket.”  After that quick update, we’ll direct our attention to Latin America.  Jon and Wayne welcomed missionary Dan Shedd into the studio before he and his family left the U.S. for their next term in Ecuador.  Dan is the VP and Executive Director of the Reach Beyond’s Latin America Region, where he and his wife, Sheryl, have served for over 25 years. God is doing great things in a part of the world that is on the heart of many missions-minded people in the U.S.  Dan tells the story of the victories of media and healthcare and even shares about some service op

(June 1, 2015) - A recent poll showed that the Christian population in the U.S. has dropped to 70% and the evangelical population is down to 25%. While these numbers can appear startling, they are enormous compared to some countries where the Christian population is .4%, .3% and in certain countries, 0%!  In this episode, step into Central Asia with Reach Beyond regional director David Uhles, as Wayne Pederson and Jon Fugler discuss with him how restricted it is for believers in that part of the world.  Your eyes will be opened as you hear how creative ministry takes place in response to political and religious hardship. David also shares about internship opportunities in that region. David has spent more than 25 years out of his 40 years of full time ministry living and traveling into Europe and the Former Soviet Union.  For the past five years, he has been regional director for Reach Beyond in the Europe/Eurasia region serving in this role on loan from the Navigators. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS

(May 12, 2015) - Another powerful earthquake rocked Nepal on Tuesday, hours before Wayne and Jon went into the studio to record this episode. They were able to contact Reach Beyond Asia Pacific Director Ty Stakes shortly after the earthquake for a Skype interview you’ll hear on this episode. You’ll also hear their interview with Sheila Leech, Reach Beyond VP of Healthcare. She and Ty were on the ground last week in Harmi, Nepal and they report on what they saw and how God is bringing “Hope to Harmi. Listen to this timely episode and find out about Hope for Harmi. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Help our indigenous partners recover: Give to Nepal Relief -- Hope for Harmi  Hope for Harmi video shot in Harmi and produced by Ty Stakes Nepal video updates Reach Beyond radio planting in Nepal Nepal birthing center project

Reach Beyond has a vibrant radio and healthcare ministry with our partners in Nepal, and the earthquake there has had a direct effect on these people and their ministries.In this episode, we pre-empt a portion of the scheduled content to bring you the latest information on relief efforts for our ministry partners. Reach Beyond President Wayne Pederson and Sr. Vice President Curt Cole provide details that have just come from our team on the ground.Thank you for your prayers for our team and the people of Nepal as they walk through this very difficult situation.In addition, you’ll meet Phil Stacey, the artist behind the “Reach Beyond” song. You’ll hear Phil perform the song in a live, acoustic setting for a national radio audience. “Reach Beyond” is being aired on over 100 stations across the country.Phil is a former American Idol finalist and has a passion for missions, as you’ll hear in the interview. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Nepal Relief Effort and Video Listen to and get the Reach Bey