MercyToday

In most areas of the world, a person who cannot read and write lives a life of darkness and severe limitations. Literacy turns on the lights and liberates the person to vast opportunities they never had before. God has raised up a man to bring the gift of literacy to several African countries. Hear of the door-opening power of literacy, and how this gift can change lives in even bigger ways. Guest: James Kigamwa Links: Mercy, inc.

with AfterWords Jesus tells us about different soils and what results to expect once seeds get sown into them. Mercy, inc. has a program that puts this parable into practice by educating Africans on farming and making disciples. While many are staying home during the pandemic, this is not an option when people are starving. Sharing the Gospel of Christ is necessary, especially when so many people are dying and could be entering eternity without Him. Our guests this week are Jim Caya, CEO of Empowering Lives International, and Beatrice Tonui Kirui of Kenya, who has a career in agriculture, farming, and the seed industry. Guests: Jim Caya, and Beatrice Tonui Kirui Links: Empowering Lives Intl, Mercy, inc., MercyToday

With AfterWords Take a world tour and get up-to-date reporting on what’s going on with Mercy and its partners. So much good is being done amid obstacles and barriers. The COVID pandemic has placed many limitations on travel and gathering, but amid all that, God is work! Region by region Doug and Rich share the stories of hope and inspiration being delivered by God’s faithful servants. Hear the latest, be encouraged! Guests: Doug Hoffman and Rich Danzeisen Links: Mercy, inc., MercyToday

Mission work requires a lot of hands and hearts doing a lot of different things. Bud Lenker takes us behind the scenes to get a view of some of the essential tasks that help everything run. What went through his mind as he was falling 30 feet from a ladder? Hear what happened next. Did he hesitate to return to the mission field? He’ll tell you. Guest: Bud Lenker Links: Mercyinc.org, Bethesda Medical Center , StarfishKids, MercyToday.Global

Mercy board chairman Dave Graffenberger was called to serve the Lord at age 14. Hear how he was protected by a circle of angels in a Haitian banana plantation. Just might give you the shivers! And how about his Dad’s prayer from 3,000 miles away? Little did he know that Dave needed the protection at that very time. Guest: Dave Graffenberger Links: MercyInc.org, OneMissionSociety.org, MercyToday.Global

with AfterWords Children of Venezuela desperately need nutrition and education. The Soy Satura project provides both – and a whole lot more. Hear how brave moms take their kids across a border to get much-needed help. When you hear how this brilliant program works for the kids, you’ll also hear how the moms get what is hard to come by. This benefit can make a dramatic change for the whole family that lasts for years to come. Guest: Chris Williams Links: One Mission Society, Mercy, inc., MercyToday

With AfterWords Note: This episode was recorded before the August 14,2021 earthquake. How are things going in Haiti, you ask? Mercy has lots of work going on there and God is touching lives even through recent disasters, unrest, unending poverty and disease, and now the COVID pandemic. A team was sent to visit the schools that have the Starfish program. Lots of pictures, smiling faces, Salvation Story bracelets, and wonderful, heart-warming stories. Be informed and inspired as Bud and Cindy give their report. Listen with your heart. Guests: Bud Lenker, Cindy Lenker Links: Starfish Kids, Mercy, inc., MercyToday

With AfterWords Education is sometimes rare and highly valued in regions of Africa. When parents see the importance of literacy and other knowledge and skills, they seek education for their kids to give them a better future. That presents a perfect opportunity for our guest and his team to offer quality Christian schools in and around Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia. Hear how this opportunity helps the mission team grow churches and make disciples. Guest: Gordon Elliott Links: The Evangelical Church, Mercy, inc., MercyToday

With AfterWords What could God do if you gave Him your business? If all the profits were given to His work around the world, how would that change the atmosphere at work? How would it change office conversations and workers’ motivation? And how could God use $100 million to get His work done? No need to imagine or guess. Hear how Kevin Kempton is carrying out the dream and legacy of his predecessors. And hear his challenge to you. Guest: Kevin Kempton Links: United States Plastic Corp. Stanita Foundation Every Community for Christ Mercy, inc. MercyToday

With AfterWords Hear a thrilling report on the explosive growth of the Christian church around the world. If you think things are disappointing and discouraging about the Church in the U.S., take a look beyond our borders. You’ll see how God is at work in dynamic ways elsewhere. Hear compelling and miraculous stories of how He is fanning the flame of the Gospel by raising up fully devoted followers of Christ and sacrificial servant leaders. Guest: Bill Vermillion Links: One Mission Society, Mercy, inc., MercyToday.global

When you think of a place full of violence and crime, poverty and hunger, where do you turn for answers and help? That is the South American nation of Colombia, and people are really suffering there. So, where do we find resources to offer people hope for the future? Our guest says to turn to God’s truth and the principles in the Bible. She states and shows that it always works. Hear how. Guest: Missy Christie Links: Conviventia, Mercy, inc., MercyToday

With AfterWords If you ever thought that Christian people need to make a choice between going into “the ministry” or going into work or business, prepare to have that thought challenged. Our guest believes that work and business can actually be a ministry, can be just as important and valued as being a pastor or a missionary. He’s done both and has some valuable insights to share. See if you agree. Guest: Erik Cooper Links: The Stone Table, Mercy, inc., MercyToday.global

With AfterWords Everyone is in favor of missions, Right? Well, that kind of depends. Sure, Jesus said to “Go! Make disciples of all nations", but what does that mean for a local church in Your Town, U.S.A.? Is it true that a commitment to missions can detract from the work of a local church? Is it true that involvement in missions can breathe fresh zeal into the life of a church? Listen for insights for your church. Guest: Duane Brown Links: One Mission Society, Mercy, inc., MercyToday

Missionaries around the world put everything on the line to follow God’s call to share His love and truth in a foreign land. Their stories of servanthood and sacrifice are inspirational and heart-tugging. Yet, they would all say there’s no way they could do what they do without the “invisible force”. Of course missionaries pray for God’s daily enabling and guidance. But there’s another “invisible force” that they totally depend on. This one looks human. Guest: Danny Beasley Links: One Mission Society, Mercy, inc., MercyToday

With AfterWords The only way we can know the truth about God is by His direct revelation to us in the Bible. How else could we know that He is the Creator of the Universe and that He loves us and wants us to know Him? Many people groups do not have a Bible in their own language. It is the mission of Wycliffe Bible Translators to remedy that problem. Hear about their tireless work and wonderful results. Guest: Russ Hersman Links: Wycliffe Bible Translators, Mercy, inc., MercyToday

With AfterWords When it comes to sharing the love of Jesus with people who need to hear, there are some pretty hard places to reach. Hidden tribes and people groups places without a Bible, regions that are hostile to the Christian faith. What about prisons? Criminals, offenders, people who have done some pretty terrible things. Hear about a dynamic program that offers a college degree to inmates who will learn how to make a difference – on the inside. Guest: Amit Bhatia Links: Corban University – OSCI Extension / prisons , Mercy, inc.

With AfterWords The COVID pandemic has had an enormous impact on people, families, cultures, and entire nations. What about the work of missions and reaching people for Christ during such struggle and difficulty? We are happy to report that the Lord's work continues, often opening new doors of opportunity that were not available before. Hear heart-warming stories of how the message of God's love is not just surviving but thriving. Guest: Chuck Rapp Links: One Mission Society, Mercy, inc., MercyToday

With AfterWords Responding to Jesus’ Great Commission to “make disciples of all nations”, is definitely a team effort. And it takes all of us, working together, to get the job done. Some will pray for God to raise up people to share His love with others. Some will go; they hear God’s calling and respond with their lives. Some will give, providing financial resources to make it all happen. This episode is about giving that changes the world. Guest: Steve Doggett Links: Mercyinc.org, MercyToday.global

With AfterWords The goal of Mercy, Inc. is to work with our partners to help people come to faith in Christ, and to help them grow in that faith. It’s happening all over the world and we are thrilled to be a part of that. The Bible says that’s God’s goal for people, and we know it as being “transformed”. It’s not just a system of beliefs; it is a profound change that affects all areas of life. Guest: Matt Iavicoli

With AfterWords It is amazing how much God’s people can give to His work if they just have the “will” to do it. Many good causes go underfunded when supporters neglect to take care of that one last act of generosity and stewardship. Having a kingdom mindset is the beginning. Getting the legal help to take care of business before you go to heaven is the follow-through. This encouraging and informative show is a must-hear. Guest: Bil Smith Links: TheSmithLO.com, MercyInc.org, MercyToday