Modern Day Missionaries

Are you preparing for your financial future, or are you hoping it takes care of itself? What does it actually look like to invest on a missionary income? And is it even possible when support fluctuates month to month?In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Elias Reyes, president of Modern Day Missions and a financial consultant with 25+ years of experience serving missionaries and nonprofit leaders. They talk about the retirement realities most missionaries are not prepared for and simple steps they can take to get on track. This is a conversation about faith, stewardship, and practical things you can do right now, no matter where you are starting from. In This Episode You’ll Learn:Why waiting to invest is one of the costliest decisions a missionary can make, and what the numbers actually look like over timeHow to start investing on an inconsistent income, even if you can only set aside a small amount each monthThe difference between saving and investing, and why you need both working together to protect your family's future Resources Mentioned:Modern Day Missions: modernday.orgContact Modern Day about the Guidestone retirement account: office@modernday.orgInvestment Platforms MentionedFidelity: fidelity.comCharles Schwab: schwab.comTD Ameritrade: tdameritrade.comGuidestone: guidestone.orgThanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.orgWebsite: https://www.modernday.org/podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissionsX: https://twitter.com/Modern_DayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Ben Ankarlo, fundraising coach at Modern Day Missions, to unpack what is really happening beneath the surface of support raising. Together, they explore how fear unknowingly shapes decisions, why some missionaries default to self-funding or scarcity, and how embarrassment and control can distort the way we invite others into partnership. Ben shares from lived experience as a missionary who is still actively fundraising today.You’ll learn why clarity builds trust, how to remove the awkwardness from the ask, and a simple text-to-text approach that helps you follow through with confidence. If support raising has felt emotionally draining or unnecessarily complicated, this conversation will help you approach it with steadiness, integrity, and a renewed sense of purpose.Hey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.orgThanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.orgWebsite: https://www.modernday.org/podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissionsX: https://twitter.com/Modern_DayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

Have you ever wondered what the Church really believes about Israel? Have you felt confused by replacement theology, one law teaching, or political noise around the Jewish people? And does any of this actually matter for missionaries today?In this episode, Modern Day Missions Executive Director Marvin Slaton II and Gateway Center for Israel Pastor & Director David Blease explore the three prevailing theologies shaping the global Church’s view of Israel and unpack what Scripture says about covenant, identity, and God’s faithfulness. This conversation is not about politics — it’s about how we read our Bible and how that shapes our theology, our mission, and our confidence in God’s promises.If you care about the Great Commission, the Jewish roots of your faith, and understanding your identity as a missionary, this episode will challenge and strengthen you.In This Episode You’ll Learn:How replacement theology so often subtly shapes modern missions thinkingWhy understanding Jew and Gentile identity matters for your callingWhy unity in Christ does not erase identityResources Mentioned:Israel Masterclass by Gateway Center for IsraelHey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.orgThanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.orgWebsite: https://www.modernday.org/podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissionsX: https://twitter.com/Modern_DayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

You didn’t move across the world to lose your family in the process. Mission life is full of purpose, but it can also pull at the very relationships we care about most.Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter, missionary parents, writers, and trusted voices in cross-cultural life, open up about what it looks like to stay emotionally connected as a family in the middle of ministry, transition, and loss.We talk about how to create your own family’s culture (or find it if you’ve lost it), recovering joy when life feels heavy, and how small practices like morning devotionals, Saturday rituals, and even silly moments can become anchors for your homeYour family matters. And it’s worth the work. ✍️ In this episode, you’ll learn:How to recognize when your family is drifting—and what to do about itCreative ways to bring back joy, fun, and laughter when life feels heavyHow to walk with your kids through change without losing connectionHey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.orgThanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.orgWebsite: https://www.modernday.org/podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissionsX: https://twitter.com/Modern_DayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

AI is changing everything—how we think, work, lead, create…How about how we hear from God? Without realizing it, are we letting it reshape our hearts, our habits, and our spiritual lives, too?Today, we talk with Carey Nieuwhof about the very real tension missionaries face when using AI for ministry. From sermon prep to leadership decisions, we explore how to use this tool with wisdom, where it may be subtly weakening us, and how to stay rooted in the Holy Spirit with all of the noise around us.This episode will encourage you to stay curious but also rooted, as we look at how to use AI in ways that align with your calling and keep your heart sensitive to God. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How AI is already influencing your ministry, whether you realize it or notWhen AI becomes a helpful tool and when it starts replacing spiritual dependenceWhy using AI without discernment can lead to “brain rot” and spiritual driftHow Carey uses AI for sermon prep and leadership without losing his voiceWhat it looks like to stay mentally and spiritually sharp in the age of AIResources Mentioned:Carey NieuwhofChatGPTClaude AIThe Art of Leadership AcademyHey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.orgThanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.orgWebsite: https://www.modernday.org/podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissionsX: https://twitter.com/Modern_DayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

Modern Day Missionaries is a podcast created specifically for missionaries navigating real life on the field.We talk honestly about the questions missionaries actually ask—How do I retain supporters?Am I burned out… or heading there?How do I stay connected to my spouse in the middle of ministry chaos?What does it look like to flourish as a single missionary?Our heart is simple: help you be well so you can serve well—and truly thrive in your faith, family, finances, and freedom.Each episode features practical wisdom and encouragement from people who deeply understand the missionary life, including guests like Steve Shadrach, Bob Goff, David Joannes, Curt Thompson, Brian Barcelona, and Mary Ho—voices who love missionaries and get the realities of the field.Every conversation is designed to give you tangible, practical ideas you can apply immediately, shared by people who know that missionaries live a different kind of life.Hosted by Stephanie Leigh Gutierrez, who served overseas for a decade with her family, Modern Day Missionaries is the podcast she wishes she’d had on the field—and the one created now, just for you.Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or watch on YouTube, and join us as we help missionaries not just stay on the field—but thrive on it.“Modern Day Missionaries” is a podcast series for Christian missionaries produced by “Modern Day Missions.”Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.orgWebsite: https://www.modernday.org/podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissionsX: https://twitter.com/Modern_DayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

You're serving full-time. You're pouring yourself out. And yet, you still feel like it's not enough.Many missionaries live with an unnamed pressure, a constant inner drive to do more, be more, prove more. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Curt Thompson helps us uncover the role that shame plays in shaping our stories and how it may be calling the shots in your life and ministry without you even knowing it.Could shame be behind your exhaustion, disconnection, or sense of not-enoughness? Discover why shame shows up so shockingly early in all of our lives, how it disconnects us, and what it looks like to become whole again, from the inside out. This episode is an invitation to name what’s really going on beneath the surface and begin a path toward healing, hope, and wholeness. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why shame starts early, before we even have wordsHow shame can shape your identity and calling without you realizing itWhat happens when disintegration replaces connection in missionary lifeWhy the antidote to shame isn't advice, but presenceHow to take your first steps toward healing and wholenessHey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.orgThanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.orgWebsite: https://www.modernday.org/podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissionsX: https://twitter.com/Modern_DayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

Want to know how you can double your monthly donations this December? Statistics show that missionaries who take a few simple steps can significantly increase year-end giving—and in some cases, receive more in the final four days of the year than any other month. In this episode, Modern Day Missions president and financial consultant Elias Reyes shares how to make the most of this golden opportunity. Whether you’re nervous about overwhelming your donors or just unsure where to start, this conversation will give you practical tools, clear strategy, and the confidence to finish your year strong. In This Episode You’ll Learn:Why the last four days of December are so critical for missionary fundraisingHow to make a clear, confident ask without overwhelming your donorsWhat kind of messages to send—and when to send them—for the best resultsHow gratitude and follow-up can lead to long-term donor connectionHow to set everything up in advance so you’re not scrambling during the holidaysEOY Giving Downloadable Graphics 🎁Click here to downloadHey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.orgThanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.orgWebsite: https://www.modernday.org/podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissionsX: https://twitter.com/Modern_DayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

What’s really going on when you feel numb, irritable, or disconnected on the field—even when you’re doing what God has called you to do? Why do high-functioning workers sometimes shut down emotionally, pull away from others, or lose the ability to feel God’s presence? How does long-term pressure affect your brain—and what can you do to move toward restoration? If connection feels hard, there’s a reason—and a way through it. Psychiatrist Dr. Karl Lehman breaks down the neuroscience behind relational and spiritual disconnection.You’ll learn why your brain sometimes shuts down connection as a survival mechanism, what “relational circuits” are, and how understanding them can help you re-engage with God, your community, and even your own emotions. Dr. Lehman shares tools you can use when you're feeling burned out, distant, or just stuck — and how Jesus meets us right in the middle of it.Whether you're feeling fried or just wanting to learn how to connect more deeply with God and those around you, this episode offers insight and hope for reconnecting in the midst of pressure. In This Episode, You’ll LearnWhat happens in your brain during stress—and why it impacts your ability to connectWhy even high-capacity missionaries can feel numb, withdrawn, or disconnectedHow “relational circuits” work—and simple ways to help them come back onlinePractical tools to help you re-engage with God, people, and your own emotionsHow Jesus meets us with gentleness and presence, even when we feel shut downHey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.orgThanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.orgWebsite: https://www.modernday.org/podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissionsX: https://twitter.com/Modern_DayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

What if the support you need is waiting on the other side of a bold conversation with the right person? Many missionaries feel unsure about how to connect with business leaders—and even more unsure about how to talk about money. But what if those very people are called to partner with you?In this encore episode, we revisit our conversation with Lee Domingue—entrepreneur, author, and founder of Kingdom Builders. Lee offers a compelling vision for how missionaries and business leaders can join forces for global impact. He shares practical wisdom for building trust, communicating your calling clearly, and forming partnerships that advance the Gospel and energize both sides.If you’ve ever struggled to raise support or wondered how to engage churches and donors with more clarity and confidence, this episode is packed with fresh perspective and encouragement.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How to connect with business leaders who care about Kingdom impactWhy fundraising isn’t just about asking—it’s about alignment and visionHow to clearly and confidently communicate the “why” behind your missionWhat Kingdom Builders is—and why it’s changing the conversation around missions fundingWhy spiritual partnership often leads to greater financial provisionHey missionaries—how are your finances on the field? At Modern Day Missions, we make it simple for missionaries to receive donations and for donors to give. Serving 1,100+ missionaries worldwide, we free you to focus on your calling. We also offer resources like our weekly podcast, fundraising coaching, and a resource-packed newsletter. Connect with us at modernday.orgThanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.orgWebsite: https://www.modernday.org/podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissionsX: https://twitter.com/Modern_DayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/