On Culture & Language Acquisition in Tokyo (Ep. 71)

A new generation of missionaries doesn’t appear overnight. Ryan Robertson and Matt Bennett discuss their new book, The Path to Being a Missionary, and unpack how churches can identify, assess, prepare, and send faithful missionaries.

Who was John Paton, and why is he considered one of the greatest missionaries in church history? In this episode, Paul Schlehlein explores Paton’s life, theology, suffering, and enduring legacy as a missionary to the New Hebrides.

What does it actually take for missionaries to learn a new language and culture? In this episode, missionaries serving in Japan share the challenges, lessons, and practical realities of language acquisition and cultural adaptation on the mission field.Guests: Stephen Tipton & Robbie Hughes

What is the Global Cities Partnership, and why does it matter for missions today?In this episode, we explore the vision behind this strategic effort to strengthen healthy churches and gospel infrastructure in the world’s most influential cities.

How should missionaries, churches, and sending agencies think about danger on the mission field? In this episode, Caleb Greggsen joins the conversation to explore risk, suffering, resurrection hope, and what it means to count the cost of obedience in global missions.

In this episode of Missions Talk, Ryan Robertson talks with David King, David Rainer, and Mindy Rainer about God’s providential leading of Concord Baptist Church to send the Rainers to Tokyo to plant a church.

This episode with Isaac Stiles & Ethan English explores how evangelistic Bible studies can be a powerful, church-centered tool for reaching unbelievers, especially on college campuses.Resources MentionedOne-to-One Bible Reading by David HelmChristianity Explained by Mark Dever

Ryan Robertson, Mack Stiles, Josh Manley, and Danny Davison discuss the vision behind the Great Commission Council and the upcoming Great Commission Congress, highlighting a shared call for theologically grounded, church-centered missions.Resources Mentioned:Great Commission CouncilBangkok Congress ‘26

Mack and Ryan discuss elenctics and its missiological importance in this discussion with Daniel Strange and Ben Robin, highlighting the work of J.H. Bavinck.

Join Ryan Robertson, Mack Stiles, John Folmar, and Scott Logsdon as they explore the importance of prioritizing the church in missions, highlighting how a strong ecclesiological foundation can transform missionary work and foster long-term impact across cultures.