This episode ends season 8 of Strike the Match. Revelation not only concludes the New Testament, but takes readers back into the Old Testament. John draws deeply from Torah and the Prophets to provide a vision of what was and is to come. Church

Mission in the General Epistles

Jul 12th, 2023 31m 5s

Few scholars have written on the topic of mission in the General Epistles. In this episode, I discuss how these epistles address the mission of God to bless the nations. These writings offer a glimpse into some of the struggles of the early Chu

Mission in the Pauline Epistles – Part 2

Jun 24th, 2023 31m 49s

The Pauline literature is a deep reservoir of information related to God’s mission in the world. I continue in this episode with the discussion of mission in the Pauline Literature. Here we encounter additional sub-themes of how God brings bles

Mission in the Pauline Epistles – Part 1

Jun 6th, 2023 29m 10s

In part one of this two-part study, I address mission in the Pauline Literature. Pauline Literature is a deep reservoir of information related to God’s mission in the world. This episode addresses four sub-themes related to mission. The blessin

Mission in Acts

May 19th, 2023 32m 12s

In this episode, I address the mission of God in Acts. This book reveals how the story of God’s glory through relationship and blessing continues, starting with the Jews and extending to the Gentiles. The Messiah ascends. The Spirit is poured o

Mission in the Gospel of John

May 8th, 2023 29m 18s

The fourth Gospel has a great deal to say about mission. One scholar noted, “the Fourth Gospel’s focus is not on God’s mission per se, but on his mission through Jesus and on Jesus’ mission through his followers.” In this episode, the blessing

Mission in the Synoptics

Apr 21st, 2023 30m 53s

In this episode, I address the theme of mission in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It is important to understand the Synoptics provide a continuity between the Old Testament and New Testament. When we arrived at the New Testament, 400 years have passe

Mission in the Writings

Mar 11th, 2023 28m 23s

The Writings comprise the latter section of the Hebrew Scriptures and attempt to show how the people of God were to live in a variety of circumstances. The mission of God saturates the books of Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Eccles

Mission in the Prophets – Part 2

Feb 20th, 2023 29m 55s

This episode continues the second discussion of God’s mission in the Prophetic Literature. An examination of the Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, The Twelve), reveals several sub-themes related to the blessing of the nations. Here we

Mission in the Prophets – Part 1

Jan 20th, 2023 31m 48s

In this episode, I address a theology of mission by examining the mission of God in the Prophets. The methods by which the nations move into relationship with the nation of Israel and her God has been described as historical incorporation and e

Mission in Torah – Part 2

Jan 6th, 2023 28m 36s

I conclude the discussion of mission in Torah. God’s mission to bless the nations primarily happens through: 1) A Person (Abraham); 2) A People (Israel); and 3) A Place (Tabernacle). While the previous episode addressed God working through Abra

Mission in Torah – Part 1

Dec 20th, 2022 29m 10s

In this two-part episode, I continue the series on theology of mission with the discussion of God’s mission in Torah. Throughout these five books, God’s glory among the nations comes through three particular means: 1) A Person: Abraham; 2) A Pe

The Apostolic God

Dec 6th, 2022 29m 55s

The biblical storyline reveals a God who remains faithful to His promises which require the ongoing sending of Himself and His servants into a tragically suffering and deeply needy world to accomplish His mission of redemption and restoration.

Theology of Mission

Nov 21st, 2022 28m 4s

Today is the first day of Season 8 of Strike the Match! Over the past seven seasons, I have addressed a variety of topics related to missions, innovation, and leadership, but we will focus on one topic this season: theology of mission. Earlier

10 Most Downloaded Episodes

Mar 30th, 2022 34m 33s

This episode of Strike the Match concludes season 7. In this podcast, I take a journey down memory-lane. What are the 10 most downloaded episodes of Strike the Match over the years? Think you can guess which ones made the list? Listen in as I p

George Robinson on Generational Disciple-Making

Mar 11th, 2022 32m 20s

How can ordinary followers of Jesus be transformed into extraordinary disciple makers? That is the topic of discussion on this episode of Strike the Match. George Robinson is my guest and serves as a professor of global disciple making at South

Big Announcement-Top 10 Countries Listening-Personal Update

Feb 19th, 2022 34m 44s

I go solo on the mic in this episode and share the big announcement that Apostolic Imagination and Theology of Mission were recently published. Every book has a story, and you will hear why these were written. I address the general contents of

Joe Handley and Polycentric Mission Leadership

Feb 4th, 2022 34m 8s

Polycentric – a word quickly growing in popularity in missiological circles. It describes the concept of having more than one center. When applied to leadership, it reflects a growing model in ministries and mission agencies. My guest on this e

Paul Lawler – Present and Future Realities for the United Methodist Church

Jan 25th, 2022 36m 41s

In a recent gathering of United Methodists, an African leader addressed his Western brothers and sisters when he said, “The gospel you brought to us one hundred years ago is not the same gospel you proclaim today.” The United Methodist Church i

Craig Ott on Teaching and Learning Across Cultures

Oct 22nd, 2021 33m 35s

Craig Ott is my guest in this episode. He is professor of mission and intercultural studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and author of a new book Teaching and Learning Across Cultures: A Guide to Theory and Practice. Craig is an exper

David Joannes on Gospel Privilege

Oct 6th, 2021

In this episode of Strike the Match, I have the honor of having a conversation with David Joannes about his latest book Gospel Privilege: The Unearned Advantage that’s Meant for Everyone. Privilege is a frequently used word, but seldom applied

Ted Esler and the Innovation Crisis

Sep 22nd, 2021

If Jesus is building His Church and we are filled with a dynamic Spirit, then we should expect change. Also, we live in a world where change is constant. And with change, we encounter ministry barriers. It is here that leaders must lead with in

Peyton Jones and Church Plantology

Sep 8th, 2021 28m 7s

Peyton Jones is no stranger to the ministry of church planting. After two decades of such kingdom labors in Europe and the United States, his recent book addresses many of the elements involved in this Great Commission activity. In this episode

Updates and US Census Data

Aug 26th, 2021 33m 22s

Season 7, episode 1 is now available! In this initial podcast of the season, I provide several updates since last season and share some important facts from the recently released US Census Data. Percentages and numbers represent individuals and

On Writing and Publishing – Part 2

Mar 27th, 2021 27m 47s

In this second episode of a two-part series, I continue to discuss the ministry of writing and publishing. I specifically address publishing books through traditional publishing houses, indie publishing, and partial-investment publishing. As a