When Albert and Kirsten arrived in Krakow, Poland with nothing but faith and a calling, they began a 15-year journey that would transform lives—including their own. In a culture suspicious of grace and unfamiliar with a personal relationship with Jesus, they discovered creative ways to connect through sports, therapy, and teaching English. From church planting to refugee ministry, their story reveals how cultural understanding and persistent faith can break through even the toughest barriers to the gospel.

Want to hear more stories of missionaries taking the gospel to difficult places? Subscribe to From Every Nation, the official podcast of the Tom Elliff Center for Missions at Oklahoma Baptist University.

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Have you ever wondered how God plants and cultivates a missionary calling? For Albert Heskew, it began at age 7 during Vacation Bible School, though he wouldn't surrender his life to Christ until age 13. For his wife Kirsten, the journey looked completely different—even as she grew up in a Christian home, cross-cultural missions wasn't on her radar until decades later.

This revealing conversation takes us through the winding path that eventually led the Heskews to serve as International Mission Board missionaries in Krakow, Poland for over 15 years. Their story showcases God's patient work in bringing together two people with different perspectives on ministry and missions. Albert's background includes sports, military service with the Navy, and church ministry positions, while Kirsten initially responded with a firm "over my dead body" when overseas missions was first suggested.

The couple shares profound wisdom about the importance of both spouses receiving individual callings before undertaking cross-cultural ministry. Their testimony demonstrates how God often speaks through processes rather than dramatic moments, including a pivotal 30-day prayer challenge that opened Kirsten's heart to missions. Perhaps most powerfully, they reveal how their individual callings have sustained them through challenges abroad, noting, "The Lord never calls you away from something; He only calls you to something."

Whether you're considering cross-cultural ministry yourself or simply want to understand how God works in the lives of ordinary people to accomplish His global purposes, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical insight. Listen now to discover how God might be cultivating seeds of calling in your own life, even when the harvest seems far away.

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In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Shank to discuss what high school students interested in the mission field should do now.

Nathan shares this advice: If you sense that calling, start with the basics. Develop key spiritual disciplines that foster dependence on God, such as prayer, daily quiet time in His Word, confession, and more. He emphasizes the importance of trusting the Lord with the questions of "Where?" "What?" and "When?"—learning to surrender these uncertainties strengthens our faith as we witness His provision.

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In this episode, we sit down with the Heywards to discuss their current roles in Southeast Asia. William serves as a logistics service consultant for the IMB, assisting fellow missionaries with legal matters and coordinating the shipment of materials into various countries. Cindy also plays a key role in logistics—managing guest houses and overseeing the processing of language evaluations for new missionaries.

They share how their previous experience as full-time missionaries uniquely prepared them for these logistical roles. They love the variety in their work, the problem-solving challenges they tackle daily, and the opportunity to support fellow missionaries by meeting their needs.

The Heywards also open up about the challenges of their current roles, as well as the highlights and favorite experiences they’ve had while living and serving in Southeast Asia.

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In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with the Haywards, a dedicated missionary couple serving with the International Mission Board (IMB). Both Cindy and William grew up in Oklahoma and experienced a strong sense of calling to missions from an early age. In this conversation, they open up about their journey, sharing how they met, their path to engagement, and how their relationship blossomed into a lifelong commitment to serving others. Today, the Haywards are working in Southeast Asia, where they are deeply involved in spreading the gospel and making a difference in the lives of those they serve. Their story is one of faith, perseverance, and passion for the mission field, and it's an inspiring example that we can all learn from and apply to our own lives.

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This episode is a recorded class lecture given while Nathan Shank was on campus with us in the Fall of 2024.

Join us for an exciting podcast episode as Nathan Shank explores the history and progress of global missions and the International Mission Board (IMB). Nathan, a former missionary in South Asia, has also served with the IMB as a supervisor overseeing teams in the region. In this episode, he delves into the profound impact of William Carey, whose translation of parts of the Bible into local Sanskrit languages helped bring the gospel to India. Despite facing significant opposition, Carey's efforts paved the way for the "Great Century" of missions, which fueled the modern mission movement of the 20th century.

Nathan’s key message is that many people groups around the world remain unreached or unengaged. Since 2000, the IMB has reported engaging 106 unreached, unengaged people groups each year. While this statistic is remarkable, Nathan emphasizes that the work is far from over—there is still much to be done, and the harvest is plentiful.

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This episode is a recorded class lecture given while Nathan Shank was on campus with us in the Fall of 2024.

Join us for a compelling conversation with Nathan Shank, the IMB Affinity Leader for South Asia, who shares his extraordinary journey and insights from over two decades of work in the region. Nathan walks us through his initial deployment to Nepal and his current leadership role, providing a unique perspective on the vibrant cultural and religious tapestry of South Asia. We promise you'll gain an understanding of the non-negotiable components of the gospel and the linguistic diversity among South Asian Muslims, including significant Urdu and Bengali-speaking populations. This episode sheds light on Nathan's profound experience and the challenges of evangelizing in a region rich with Hindu, Muslim, and other religious traditions.

We also navigate the spiritual landscape through the lenses of 2 Corinthians 4 and Psalm 49, contrasting the challenges posed by major religions with the hope and redemption offered by the gospel. Nathan helps us explore the notion that redemption cannot be achieved through human efforts alone, emphasizing God's role in redeeming life. By examining scriptural themes beyond mere verse numbers, we uncover the profound hope and assurance found in faith. Whether you're curious about the spiritual dynamics of South Asia or seeking deeper theological insights, this episode offers rich, thought-provoking discussions that illuminate the path of faith and redemption.

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Join our enlightening conversation with Brother Tom as he reveals the profound journey of his spiritual leadership and the personal trials that shaped his tenure as president of the International Mission Board (IMB). Brother Tom opens up about his steadfast commitment to nurturing his pastoral nature despite the challenges of a presidential role, and how his wife's courageous battle with cancer influenced this season of his life.

The power of prayer takes center stage as Brother Tom shares his lifelong dedication to this vital spiritual discipline. From the 1970s, when he began embracing the role of a praying pastor, to building a 24-hour prayer ministry, Brother Tom's experiences illustrate prayer's transformative impact on spiritual growth and mission work. He candidly discusses the rigorous work that prayer demands and how it has enabled him to contribute meaningfully to global missions without succumbing to the physical toll of constant travel. His stories of guiding individuals to Christ emphasize that prayer is a gift that strengthens with age and unwavering dedication.

Finally, we explore the mission and vision of the Tom Elliff Center for Missions at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU). Dedicated to equipping the next generation of missionaries, the center aims to inspire students from all fields to spread the gospel, beginning at their local churches. The episode captures the excitement of sharing this mission and invites listeners to engage with feedback on how the center can further inspire future missionaries. This is an inspiring episode that celebrates leadership, prayer, and the preparation of future generations to make a global impact.

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