55:11 Podcast

What if one ordinary moment was actually a divine setup?In this powerful and deeply moving episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl sit down with Matthew Potter, co-founder of Pray.com, to hear the story behind one of the world’s largest digital faith platforms. It all started in a coffee shop—where a heart heavy with disappointment met a willing heart ready to serve. What followed was a journey marked by unseen preparation, providential timing, and a yes that changed lives across the globe.Matthew opens up about leaving behind a thriving company, stepping into the unknown, and carrying the weight of stewarding a platform that now reaches millions. He shares stories of real people—those in their darkest moments, finding comfort through a simple app when the world went quiet.This isn’t just a story about an app. It’s about what happens when you show up, stay open, and say yes to the work God is already doing. If you’ve ever wondered whether your story matters or if your “yes” can make a difference, this episode will speak straight to you.Follow us on: PRAY.COMShow Notes:Connect with EEM:EEM WebsiteEEM FacebookEEM LinkedInEEM InstagramEEM Media

What does bold faith look like when the cost is everything?In this powerful episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl are joined by Lanny Tucker, Monty Tuttle, and Jim Black to reflect on their recent journey through the Baltics. Around kitchen tables and in quiet conversations, they heard testimonies of courage, exile, and hope—from a Belarusian family who risked it all to follow Christ, to local leaders once caught in addiction and despair, now shepherding others with the gospel, to a woman whose life was radically transformed from generational witchcraft to radiant faith in Jesus.These stories are raw, humbling, and unforgettable. They reveal not only the weight of persecution but the beauty of perseverance, and the unstoppable power of God’s Word in the darkest places. If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to follow Jesus when it costs everything—or if you need encouragement to keep pressing on in your own walk of faith—this episode is for you.Download the Baltics Trip Report: https://www.eem.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Baltics-Trip-Report_Podcast-.pdf Follow us on: PRAY.COMShow Notes:Follow us on: PRAY.COMConnect with EEM:EEM WebsiteEEM FacebookEEM LinkedInEEM InstagramEEM Media 

What does it look like when God's Word travels across borders—and transforms lives?In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk and Brooke share stories from their journeys through Europe and parts of Asia, where they met with ministry partners, local believers, and everyday people being transformed by Scripture. From the vibrant streets of Romania to the hills of Poland and the shores of Cyprus, each stop revealed a fresh glimpse of how the gospel moves: one Bible, one conversation, one person at a time.You’ll hear about Anna, who grew up caught between cultures and confusion, but found purpose through Scripture and now teaches others how to walk through trauma using the Bible. You’ll hear a story about a 102-year-old woman in Cyprus who gave her life to Christ after hearing the gospel on the radio. There’s the story of a formerly Muslim college student who discovered a New Testament, came to faith on her own, and began sharing Jesus long before meeting another Christian. This episode is a reminder that God is still at work—in quiet places, in unseen ways, and through His unchanging Word.Listen now and be reminded of the incredible power of God’s Word.Follow us on: PRAY.COM Connect with us online:Facebook - www.facebook.com/EasternEuropeanMission Instagram - www.instagram.com/EasternEuropeanMission/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/eastern-european-mission Website - www.eem.org/ Pray.com - Pray.com/eemGive the gift of the Bible every month and become a monthly donor today! - https://eem.givecloud.co/  ​Join us on this year's Hope Campaign: https://eem.org/hope 

What happens when someone holds a Bible for the very first time?In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl sit down with Darryl Willis, Clyde Slimp, and John Mark Smith to reflect on their recent journey through Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Croatia.What began as a Bible distribution trip turned into something more—a series of powerful, personal moments that reminded them just how deeply God is at work across Eastern Europe.From conversations with local pastors to unexpected encounters with everyday people, this episode offers a glimpse into the impact of God’s Word and the hope it brings—one Bible, one heart at a time.This isn’t just a story about Bibles. It’s about people, purpose, and the power of saying yes to God. You’ll want to watch this one.Follow us on: PRAY.COMShow Notes:Follow us on: PRAY.COMConnect with EEM:EEM WebsiteEEM FacebookEEM LinkedInEEM InstagramEEM Media

What happens when your father’s underground Bible ministry shapes the path you never expected to take?In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl sit down with Rostyslav Stasyuk—a husband, father, and global ministry leader with deep roots in faith. Rostyslav shares how his family’s legacy and his cross-cultural experiences led him to join EEM as the Regional Director for South Caucasus and Central Asia, where he now helps distribute Bibles, This heartfelt conversation touches on the importance of Scripture in someone's mother language, the powerful role of prayer, and the impact of the Bible in places where faith comes at a cost. Rostyslav also shares how the war in Ukraine has both challenged and strengthened his faith, as well as what it means to disciple others, even in isolation.Whether you're a parent, a ministry leader, or someone looking for hope in hard seasons, this episode will leave you encouraged.Show Notes:Follow us on: PRAY.COMConnect with EEM:EEM WebsiteEEM FacebookEEM LinkedInEEM InstagramEEM Media

In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl sit down with Ivan (Vanya) Prokopchuk—husband, father, ministry leader, and a man shaped by both legacy and loss.Ivan grew up in Ukraine watching his father live out the Gospel in humble, faithful ways. That example laid the foundation for Ivan’s own heart for ministry—especially toward orphans and vulnerable children. But when war broke out in Ukraine, everything changed. The challenges became more intense, and yet, so did his resolve.In this conversation, Ivan shares what it’s like to walk through a crisis while still choosing to serve. He speaks candidly about the emotional toll of living in a war zone, how ministry has shifted from programming to presence, and how prayer has become the daily rhythm of survival and hope.What makes this episode so special is the reminder that in a world full of uncertainty, God is still writing stories of hope, connection, and resilience. Whether you’re a ministry leader, parent, or someone needing encouragement, Ivan’s words will leave you both challenged and comforted.Show Notes:Follow us on: PRAY.COMConnect with EEM:EEM WebsiteEEM FacebookEEM LinkedInEEM InstagramEEM Media

In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl sit down with Dasha Novikova, who shares powerful testimonies from people across Ukraine—stories of how one Bible, received in the midst of war, can bring hope, healing, and a renewed sense of faith.Dasha gives us a glimpse into what it’s like to live through ongoing conflict, while also witnessing firsthand how God is moving in the local church through trauma-informed care and the strength of community.This conversation isn’t just about war—it’s about the power of God’s presence in our lives, even when we can’t see the way forward. If you’ve ever wondered how faith can survive in the toughest moments or how you can help, this episode will speak directly to your heart.Show Notes:Follow us on: PRAY.COMConnect with EEM:EEM WebsiteEEM FacebookEEM LinkedInEEM InstagramEEM Media

Life has a way of leading us through unexpected twists—some that break us and some that build us. In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, host Brooke Kehl sits down with Tamika Rybinski, a writer, graphic artist, and missionary based in Vienna, Austria. Tamika’s story is one of resilience, faith, and creativity.From surviving a life-changing car accident to navigating cancer and a stroke, Tamika’s journey is marked by deep trust in God through every season. She shares how her love for art, storytelling, and missions led her to EEM, where she now designs book covers and creates Scripture-based coloring books that bring families closer to God’s Word.This conversation is about finding meaning in the mess, seeing God’s hand in every moment, and learning how even small acts of obedience can be part of His bigger plan. Whether you’re walking through uncertainty, seeking purpose, or just love a good story of faith, this one’s for you.Follow us on: PRAY.COMConnect with EEM:EEM WebsiteEEM FacebookEEM LinkedInEEM InstagramEEM Media

In this episode, Bart Rybinski joins us to look back on the challenges and victories of 2024. We talk about why trust and strong relationships matter, even when things get hard, and how unexpected partnerships have helped get Bibles into more hands.We also share stories about the impact of giving people access to Scripture and what it’s been like working in places like Poland and Ukraine. We get honest about what it means to serve and why prayer, patience, and community make all the difference.Tune in for a down-to-earth chat about faith in action and how God keeps showing up in ways we never expected.Show Notes:Follow us on: PRAY.COMConnect with EEM:EEM WebsiteEEM FacebookEEM LinkedInEEM InstagramEEM Media

In this episode, we are joined by church leader, author, and cultural commentator Patrick Miller as we dive into what it means to embrace life as “joyful outsiders” in today’s world. Patrick shares some amazing insights from his books with co-author Keith Simon, Truth Over Tribe and the upcoming Joyful Outsiders, and we discuss how to stay true to our faith while loving people across divides. It’s an honest and encouraging conversation on finding unity, living counter-culturally, and showing Christ’s love in practical ways. Tune in to learn more about how living with joy, radical generosity, and a reliance on the Holy Spirit can transform our communities and reflect Christ’s love in a divided culture. Follow us on: PRAY.COM Show Notes: Follow us on: PRAY.COM Connect with EEM: EEM WebsiteEEM Facebook EEM LinkedIn EEM Instagram EEM Media