Going: Where God is at Work is a Podcast that sits at the intersection of mission theory and practice. We are building a community of Great Commission workers who long to see the Gospel spread to the ends of the earth; and, are also convinced that our engagement with God’s mission in the world demands cooperation with God’s transformational process in us. Our conversations examine the why, the how, and the heart of cross-cultural ministry with a hope of providing both information and inspiration to equip modern missionaries for the work to which they were called.
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In this episode, the hosts reflect on the first season of their podcast and discuss the lessons they have learned about podcasting and missions. They share their favorite episodes and memorable moments, as well as the impact the podcast has had on their ministries. They also discuss the big ideas that have emerged from the first season, such as the importance of partnerships and the intersection of the gospel with the digital age. They conclude by previewing what listeners can expect in season two and inviting feedback and suggestions.
Takeaways
Podcasting can be a vulnerable experience, but it allows for honest conversations and personal growth.
Partnerships are essential in missions, and there are different levels and types of partnerships.
Taboo topics, such as money and colonialism, should be discussed openly to foster transparency and understanding.
The complexity of missions requires ongoing learning and curiosity.
Contextualization and practical tools are important for effective ministry.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
03:07 Reflecting on the First Season
06:50 Lessons Learned About Podcasting
09:39 Memorable Moments and Impact on Ministries
15:14 Big Ideas: Partnerships and the Digital Age
18:27 Implementing Lessons in Season Two
25:14 Going Deeper in Season Two
28:55 Engaging with Listeners and Previewing Season Two
Using Sports for Evangelistic Outreach and Discipleship
Season 1 · Episode 15
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 • Duration 37:15
Summary
In this conversation, Jesse and Alessandro discuss the intersection of sports and missions. They explore the different ways sports can be used for evangelistic outreach, discipleship opportunities, and as a platform for Christian athletes. They share personal stories and insights, emphasizing the importance of community and finding resources in the sports ministry field. They also highlight the power of prayer, particularly for Christian athletes and the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Takeaways
Sports can be used as a powerful tool for evangelistic outreach and discipleship opportunities.
Christian athletes have a unique platform to be a light and share their faith in the sports world.
Finding resources and connecting with others involved in sports ministry is crucial for success.
Prayer is essential, both for Christian athletes and for the impact of sports events like the Paris Olympics.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Missing Team Member
06:01 Personal Experiences with Sports
11:23 Using Sports for Evangelistic Outreach and Discipleship
17:21 The Impact of Christian Athletes in the Sports World
23:13 Finding Resources and Building Community in Sports Ministry
32:57 The Power of Prayer for Christian Athletes and Sports Events
36:39 Challenges and Opportunities in Sports Ministry
39:27 Encouragement to Pray for Christian Athletes and Sports Events
What Matters Most—Fruitfulness or Faithfulness?
Season 1 · Episode 6
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 • Duration 31:21
Buon giorno ! You’re listening to “Going: Where God is at work,” a podcast where cross-cultural workers discuss everything from faith and fear to finances and faux pas. We’re walking out our call to ministry in far-away places and happy to have you join us on the journey. I’m your host, Jesse Pauly, a mission leader serving in Rome, and I’m here with Alessandro Di Leonardo, church planter in Cisterna di Latina, and Jenn Williamson, our missiologist who lives and works in Lyon.
Summary
In this episode, Jesse and Jenn discuss how to define and measure success in missions. They share personal stories and insights on the topic, exploring the tension between fruitfulness and faithfulness. They also discuss the importance of metrics and how they can help missionaries evaluate their effectiveness. The conversation highlights the need for a balanced approach to measuring success and the value of ongoing conversations and feedback.
Takeaways
Defining success in missions is complex and can vary depending on cultural context and individual calling.
There are two schools of thought when it comes to measuring success in missions: fruitfulness (measuring outputs and responses) and faithfulness (measuring the work done). Both perspectives have their merits.
Metrics are important for accountability, transparency, and improvement, but they should be used wisely and interpreted in the context of conversations and feedback.
Measuring success in missions should consider both the frontline work and the enabling work of behind-the-scenes roles.
Metrics should be regularly evaluated and adjusted to ensure they are measuring what truly matters and aligning with the mission and vision of the organization.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Travel Experiences
11:25 Measuring Fruitfulness and Faithfulness
The Missionary Newsletter—Fact or Fiction?
Season 1 · Episode 5
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 • Duration 37:30
Bonus content after the good goodbyes.
Summary
In this episode, the hosts discuss the topic of missionary newsletters and the purpose and content of these communications. They share their own experiences and preferences for newsletters, including the frequency and format. They also touch on the temptation to exaggerate or stretch the truth in newsletters and the importance of maintaining integrity in reporting. The hosts explore the balance between sharing personal and ministry-related information and the need for accountability and transparency. They also discuss the use of social media in communication with supporters and the obligation of missionaries to share certain information.
Missionary newsletters serve the purpose of updating and informing supporters about the missionary's work and prayer needs.
The frequency and format of newsletters vary among missionaries, with some opting for monthly newsletters and others using weekly or quarterly updates.
There is a temptation to exaggerate or stretch the truth in newsletters, but maintaining integrity and honesty is crucial.
Missionaries should consider what information is necessary to share with supporters and what can be kept private, while also being transparent and accountable.
The use of social media can complement newsletters as a way to share personal updates and engage with supporters.
Missionaries have an obligation to communicate effectively and responsibly with their supporters, ensuring that the information shared is accurate and relevant.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Greetings
09:02 Balancing Personal and Ministry-related Information
Biblical Mandate for Missions—for all or only the called?
Season 1 · Episode 4
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 • Duration 38:32
Biblical Mandate for Missions - for all or only the called?
Is there a unique call to cross-cultural missions, or simply a general command to all believers to go and make disciples? Hear from Jesse, Jenn, and Alessandro whom are all current cross-cultural missionaries sharing their own mission calling and commenting/discussing about the concerns that some have suggested in regards to defining and differentiating a missionary’s calling.
Summary
In this episode, the hosts discuss the sense of call to cross-cultural missions. They share their personal experiences and how they discerned their callings. The conversation covers topics such as the Great Commission, different types of calls, and involving spouses in the call. The hosts also reflect on the importance of confirmation and discernment in the process. In this episode, The hosts discuss the importance of a sense of call in missionary work. They explore how the sense of call is connected to sustainability and longevity on the field. They also discuss the idea of feeling at home in a different place and the concept of being called to missions. The conversation delves into the question of whether we are all called to be missionaries and the role of timing in discerning a call. They conclude with practical tips for discerning a call and emphasize the journey of faith in following God's leading.
Takeaways
Confirmation and discernment are important in the process of understanding and responding to the call.
Involving spouses in the call is essential, as both partners need to be on the same page and discern together.
The hosts emphasize the need to listen to God's leading and be open to where He is calling them. A sense of call is connected to sustainability and longevity in missionary work.
Feeling at home in a different place is a common experience for missionaries.
We are all called to make disciples, but some are called to do so cross-culturally.
Discerning a call requires humility, community, and an ongoing relationship with God.
Let’s be partners for the Gospel! But what does that look like? The team looks at and defines 3 types of partnerships (Association, Cooperation, Collaboration) and how clearly having a mutual understanding of what type of partnership one has between two groups can be extremely helpful.
Summary
In this episode, the hosts discuss the importance of partnership in missions. They explore different levels of partnership, from awareness to collaboration. They also highlight the obstacles to partnership, such as competition and the need for trust and relationship-building. The hosts emphasize the value of cooperation before collaboration and the need for cultural understanding. Overall, the conversation provides insights into effective partnerships in missions.
Takeaways
Partnership is crucial in missions and can take different forms, from awareness to collaboration.
Building trust and relationships is essential for effective partnerships.
Cooperation is a necessary step before collaboration.
Cultural understanding and respect are key in developing partnerships.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
04:54 The Importance of Partnership
08:25 Different Levels of Partnership
15:39 Cooperation vs Collaboration
25:52 Obstacles to Partnership
29:13 Building Trust and Relationships
32:43 Language and Understanding
33:00 Conclusion
Why is it important to do Missions WITH God
Season 1 · Episode 2
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 • Duration 34:23
Why is it important to do Missions WITH others (Part 2)
The discussion continues in regards to what it looks like for missionaries to arrive in the field and what it looks like for the host country in receiving missionaries. Also the mention of the “necessary stranger” is brought up and briefly the team touches on the highest form of partnership, setting up for the next episode.
Summary
In this episode, the hosts discuss various topics related to missions and travel. They talk about what they always pack when traveling, including coffee-making equipment and noise-canceling headphones. Alessandro shares his background and the challenges of having multiple passports. The conversation then shifts to the importance of doing missions with others and acknowledging God's presence and activity in different cultures. They emphasize the need to listen and discover where God is already at work. The hosts also discuss the challenge of understanding God's work in different contexts. It emphasizes the importance of listening and discovering God's work locally, as well as connecting with broader networks for insight. The concept of the 'necessary stranger' is discussed, highlighting the value of outsiders' perspectives and fresh eyes. The need for vulnerability and community in discernment is emphasized, along with the importance of recording and sharing insights. The conversation also touches on the challenge of asking for help and being needy, and the role of intimacy with Christ as the foundation for discernment.
Takeaways
Doing missions with others is crucial, as it acknowledges God's presence and activity in different cultures and allows for a collaborative approach to ministry.
Missionaries should take the time to listen and discover where God is already at work in a particular context, rather than imposing their own agenda.
Understanding and appreciating the complexity of God's work in different cultures can be challenging, but it is essential for effective and respectful mission engagement. Discerning God's work in the present can be challenging, but it is important to listen and discover what God is doing locally.
Why is it important to do Missions WITH others
Season 1 · Episode 1
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 • Duration 32:11
Why is it important to do Missions WITH others (Part 1)
Going: where God is at work. A new podcast where cross-cultural workers, Jesse Pauly, Jenn Williamson, and Alessandro Di Leonardo discuss everything from faith and fear to finances and faux pas. Each episode will work off an outline based on Jenn’s dissertation entitled Missionary Effectiveness and Sustainability in the 21st century: A Missiology of WITH. In this first episode, the team begins by looking at the parable that we find in Luke 14.
In this episode, the hosts introduce the podcast and discuss Jenn's dissertation on missionary effectiveness and sustainability in the 21st century. They share their personal stories of being called into missions and explore the parable of the great banquet as a theological grounding for the concept of 'with' in missions. They discuss the challenges of taking the least important place and the importance of humility and learning in cross-cultural missions. They also highlight the role of the host in welcoming missionaries and the need for clear expectations and communication. The episode concludes with practical ideas for being more effective in missions and a preview of future episodes.
Takeaways
Missionaries should approach missions with humility and a willingness to learn from the host culture.
The host culture plays a crucial role in welcoming and guiding missionaries in their mission work.
Effectiveness in missions should be measured not only by numerical metrics, but also by the transformation of missionaries into the likeness of Christ.
Open communication and clear expectations between missionaries and hosts are essential for successful cross-cultural work.
Missionary Formation
Season 1 · Episode 14
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 • Duration 46:26
Summary
In this episode, Jesse Pauly and Jenn Williamson interview Doug Irwin, a church planter and pastor in Paris, about his experience as a missionary in France. They discuss the expectations they had when arriving in the field and how those expectations were dashed or changed. They also talk about the importance of language learning and cultural adaptation in the missionary journey. Jenn shares about the Elan program, which she developed to help missionaries navigate the challenges of cross-cultural ministry in France. Doug shares his experience as a participant in the Elan program and how it has shaped his ministry. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for humility, collaboration, and ongoing learning in cross-cultural ministry.
Takeaways
Missionaries often have expectations that are dashed or changed when they arrive in the field.
Language learning and cultural adaptation are crucial for effective cross-cultural ministry.
The Elan program, developed by Jenn Williamson, helps missionaries navigate the challenges of cross-cultural ministry in France.
The Elan program focuses on spiritual formation, cultural adaptation, and ministry capacity.
Collaboration, humility, and ongoing learning are essential for successful cross-cultural ministry.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:39 Expectations and Challenges in Cross-Cultural Ministry
08:39 The Importance of Language Learning and Cultural Adaptation
11:57 Introducing the Elan Program: Equipping Missionaries for Success
28:16 Tweaking and Improving the Elan Program
33:48 Collaboration and Pushback
45:44 The Meaning Behind the Name 'Elan'
The Changing Landscape of Christian Missions - Multicultural Teams
Season 1 · Episode 12
Tuesday, July 9, 2024 • Duration 43:02
Summary
In this episode, the hosts discuss their experiences with multicultural teams and the challenges that come with leading and being a part of such teams. They share stories about interesting food experiences while traveling and then delve into the topic of multicultural teams. They talk about the changing landscape of Christian missions, with more countries now sending missionaries, and the diversity within their own teams. They also explore the eight domains of culture, including communication, evaluating, persuading, power distance, deciding, trusting, disagreeing, and scheduling, and how these domains can create tension and differences within multicultural teams. The conversation explores the challenges and dynamics of working in multicultural teams. The main themes discussed include communication differences, leadership styles, and the importance of self-awareness, discernment, humility, and love in navigating cultural diversity. The conversation emphasizes the need for adaptive leadership and cultivating character traits that allow diversity to thrive while maintaining stability and predictability in a team. The importance of seeking feedback, being open to learning, and developing an understanding of different cultural contexts is highlighted.
Takeaways
Christian missions are becoming more polycentric, with countries from all over the world sending missionaries.
Multicultural teams bring diversity and unique perspectives, but also challenges in terms of communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
Understanding and navigating the different domains of culture can help leaders effectively manage multicultural teams.
Building trust and open communication are key to fostering a harmonious and productive multicultural team. Communication differences, particularly low context versus high context communication, can be a significant challenge in multicultural teams.
Leadership styles vary across cultures, and it is important to understand and adapt to different cultural expectations of leadership.
Developing self-awareness, discernment, humility, and love are critical in navigating cultural diversity and leading multicultural teams.
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27:21 Balancing Frontline Work and Enabling Roles
31:36 The Need for Ongoing Conversations and Feedback
26:41 Maintaining Integrity and Accountability
31:44 The Role of Social Media in Communication
Following a call is a journey of faith.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:09 First Impressions of America
05:58 The Great Commission
06:35 Understanding the Call
09:11 Different Experiences of the Call
12:18 Confirmation and Discernment
15:11 Call to a Specific Place
19:09 The Connection Between Call and Sustainability
23:05 The Importance of a Call to Missions
25:29 Feeling at Home in a Different Place
29:06 Are We All Just Missionaries?
32:14 The Timing of the Call
33:39 Practical Tips for Discerning a Call
40:57 The Journey of Faith
Connecting with broader networks and engaging with outsiders can provide fresh perspectives and insights.
Vulnerability and community are crucial in the discernment process, as they allow for shared insights and support.
Developing intimacy with Christ and taking care of one's soul is essential for effective discernment and mission work.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:23 Packing for Travel
06:09 Alessandro's Background and Multiple Passports
08:33 Missions with Others
10:45 God's Presence and Activity in Different Cultures
13:47 Listening and Discovering Where God is at Work
15:07 Acknowledging God's Omnipresence in Missions
18:08 Connecting with Broader Networks for Insight
20:12 The Role of the 'Necessary Stranger' in Missionary Work
22:54 The Need for Vulnerability and Community in Discernment
26:32 The Challenge of Asking for Help and Being Needy
27:56 Discerning God's Will and Direction
28:20 Recognizing Walls as Potential Redirections
29:38 Developing Intimacy with Christ as the Foundation
31:17 Discerning God's Leading in Community
33:27 The Challenge of Ending Chapters of Ministry
34:56 The Importance of Taking Care of One's Soul
35:38 Closing Remarks and Call to Share the Podcast
The concept of 'with' in missions emphasizes collaboration and cooperation with the host culture.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the podcast and Jen's dissertation
01:22 Researching missionary effectiveness and sustainability in the 21st century
06:21 The parable of the great banquet and the concept of 'with'
08:09 The challenge of taking the least important place
10:46 The role of the host in welcoming missionaries
13:38 The importance of humility and learning in missions
16:01 The role of ignorance and expectations in cross-cultural missions
25:28 The complexities of cross-cultural work and the importance of self-evaluation
27:23 The practical implications of doing missions with
30:32 Practical ideas for being more effective in missions
35:24 Conclusion and future plans for the podcast
Seeking feedback, both from team members and mentors, can help sharpen self-awareness and improve understanding of cultural dynamics.
Cultivating an adaptive leadership style and character traits that allow diversity to thrive while maintaining stability and predictability is essential in multicultural teams.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Fun Food Stories
05:21 The Changing Landscape of Christian Missions
11:02 The Beauty and Challenges of Multicultural Teams
22:46 Navigating Communication and Decision-Making in Multicultural Teams
25:54 Understanding and Adapting to Different Leadership Styles
28:42 The Importance of Self-Awareness, Discernment, Humility, and Love
33:00 Seeking Feedback and Learning from Others
38:45 Cultivating an Adaptive Leadership Style
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