Modern Day Missionaries

You felt sure. God gave you a vision, you raised the funds, you moved overseas. But then things didn’t go as planned. The vision changed—or maybe you changed. In this episode, Jonathan and Amanda Vining share their powerful story of navigating unexpected shifts, how they learned to walk with God in uncertainty, and why vision isn’t a one-time download—it’s something you live, adapt, and grow into. In This Episode, You'll Learn:What to do when your vision shifts unexpectedlyHow to tell the difference between passion and callingWays to communicate change with supportersWhy small steps of obedience lead to breakthroughHow to move forward when you're unsure what's nextHey 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/

How’s your fundraising working for you right now? Do you feel stuck? Are the methods you're using just not connecting with supporters anymore? In this episode, fundraising expert Mary Valloni and branding strategist Mike Kim share modern, proven strategies missionaries can use to fully fund their ministry without awkward sales pitches or burnout.Learn how to keep donors through big transitions, build a small but powerful advocacy team, brand yourself in a God-honoring way, and tell the three essential stories every missionary needs. If you’re ready for fresh ideas that work in today’s world, this episode is for you.In This Episode, You'll Learn:What’s really working now in missionary fundraising—and how to spot tactics that are wasting your time.Ways to approach donors so conversations feel natural, not like a sales pitch.How to identify and recruit three to five key advocates who will open doors you can’t open alone.A simple mindset shift that makes branding yourself feel God-honoring instead of self-promoting.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/

Do you ever feel like you’re running hard in ministry but still falling behind? Missionary life can be an endless swirl of urgent needs, unfinished to-do lists, and pressure to prove your worth through results.In this episode, Amy Young of Global Trellis helps unpack the hidden productivity trap that drains your energy—and the surprising shift that frees you to focus on what truly matters.Discover how to spot “fake wins,” embrace slow productivity, and protect your calling from burnout so you can finish well in the work God’s given you. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:The subtle signs you’re stuck in a productivity trap without realizing itHow to tell the difference between urgent and truly important work in missionsWhy pseudo productivity can leave you drained but not effectivePractical ways to slow down without losing momentum in your ministryHow to align your daily actions with your long-term callingHey 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/

Today’s encore episode is a masterclass in deep listening from executive coach, Cheryl Scanlan, a master certified coach and founder of Promised Land Living. Cheryl has trained more than 3,000 coaches and has 15,000 hours of coaching experience. Her ability to hear the hearts of her clients is unparalleled and consistently leads to dramatic growth and change.In this conversation, she shares her secrets to deep listening with us, speaking directly to us, as missionaries. This is an episode you’ll want to listen to on repeat.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How to identify your default listening style—and why it matters more than you thinkThe difference between open and closed listening, and how each impacts relationshipsWhy many missionaries unknowingly listen in a way that creates disconnection—and how to shiftWays to handle conversations where someone talks too much—without shutting them downA practical, biblical framework for transformational listening that missionaries can use dailyHey 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/

Do finances feel overwhelming, confusing, or just plain exhausting? Wondering how to run a budget, set up a nonprofit, or stay financially accountable, without a finance degree? We’ve got you covered.In this episode, financial expert and missions CFO Vonna Laue joins us to share down-to-earth wisdom on how missionaries can manage money well, without losing their minds or their calling.From personal budgeting tips to nonprofit setup, time-saving tools, and creative ways to get help (even if numbers aren’t your thing), this conversation is packed with practical, encouraging advice for your financial life on the field.In This Episode, You'll Learn:What to do first when you're handed the keys to a new nonprofitOne small shift that makes asking financial questions feel less intimidatingHow to find free help from people who actually love spreadsheetsWhere missionaries go wrong with expense reports—and how to fix itCreative ways AI can save you hours (without compromising your integrity)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/

What makes a strong family culture on the mission field? How do you keep your values intact when everything around you is shifting? And is it possible to raise emotionally healthy kids overseas—without losing yourself in the process? In this episode, Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter spill the tea about the joys and challenges of parenting abroad. From bathroom disco lights and jet-skiing through monsoon floods to grief, transition, and adolescent pushback, they share honest stories and practical tools for keeping your family grounded, connected, and even playful in the midst of cross-cultural life. If you’re longing to raise thriving kids and stay sane yourself, this one’s packed with the wisdom and grace you need.Connect with the Trotters: www.trotters41.comIn This Episode, You'll Learn:How to identify your family’s “secret sauce” — and what to do when you realize you’ve lost it.Why routines and rituals (yes, even Saturday showers) are a lifeline during hard seasons.What to say to yourself when your teen suddenly wants nothing to do with you.How to balance ministry and family without sacrificing either (spoiler: it starts with a pre-decision).What MKs really need to thrive — and how to create a culture that supports them long-term.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 felt like you were doing all the right things spiritually—reading, praying, serving—but still felt disconnected from God?In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Geoff & Cyd Holsclaw—pastors, authors, and spiritual formation experts—walk us through the Landscapes of the Soul, a transformative framework rooted in attachment theory that reveals how our nervous system, relationships, and early experiences shape how we relate to God.From the war zone to the desert, the jungle, and the pasture, they unpack how each of us connects—or struggles to connect—with God, and how we can begin to move toward healing, wholeness, and joyful connection.Whether you’re in a season of spiritual dryness, ministry fatigue, or just craving deeper intimacy with God, this conversation will give you language, hope, and a pathway forward.This episode will change how you see your story, your spiritual life, and your attachment to God—and open new doors of understanding for yourself and others.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How to tell if you're operating in connection or protection mode—and why it matters in your walk with GodThe surprising way your nervous system reacts to spiritual practices (and how to work with it, not against it)Why some spiritual disciplines just don’t “work” for you—and how to find what actually helps you growHow your early relationships shaped your view of God—and what to do if that view feels distortedA simple question to ask yourself when you feel distant, dry, or emotionally numb in prayerHey 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 happens when your missionary journey includes parenting a child with special needs?How do you handle therapy, schooling, and support in a cross-cultural setting? How do you balance your calling with your kid’s unique needs?In this very raw, hope-filled panel conversation, Stephanie, along with two missionary couples, the Maurers and Wurdemans, share their unique journeys of parenting children with special needs on the field—and all of the emotions that go with it!Whether your child was diagnosed before you went overseas or while on the field, you’ll find encouragement, camaraderie, and practical wisdom here. We talk adoption, diagnosis, cultural stigma, guilt, sibling dynamics, marriage strain, faith struggles—and the surprising gifts God weaves through it all. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:What to say (and not say) when people in your host culture misunderstand your child’s needs.Why some missionary parents feel isolated—and where to find others who truly get it.How faith and frustration often show up together on this parenting journey.Creative ways to build community support, even when resources are scarce.The power of honest conversations with your sending church and supporters.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/

Counselor Erik Troyer, who specializes in reframing anger as a pathway to spiritual growth, explores the emotional challenges missionaries face. He discusses how anger is a normal reaction that shouldn’t be met with guilt or shame. Erik emphasizes the importance of recognizing underlying emotions like fear and unmet expectations. He offers practical tools for processing anger and highlights the difference between righteous anger and resentment. This candid conversation encourages missionaries to embrace their feelings and seek support within their community.

Shonna Ingram is a missionary care specialist with over 17 years of experience supporting cross-cultural workers through transitions and trauma recovery. She serves as a Trauma Care and Career Transition Specialist with Pioneer Bible Translators and is the founder of Re-entry Experts, an organization offering coaching, resources, and community cohorts for global workers navigating re-entry. Shonna is also the creator of the Renewed Hope Approach, a faith-based, trauma-informed framework designed to guide individuals through healing and restoration. Her books include Beyond Broken: A Church’s Guide to Trauma and Growth and Navigating Life in Transition: A Global Worker's Guide to Discovering the Root of Stress, Loss and Anxiety.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/