On Mission with Chris Wright

Dr. Aldrin Peñamora is a Langham Scholar from the Philippines and a theologian, pastor, and advocate for just peacebuilding across Southeast Asia. He holds a PhD in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and serves as Executive Director of the Theological Commission of the Asia Evangelical Alliance, as well as leading theology and justice initiatives within the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches. In addition to his leadership and teaching roles, Aldrin is a co-editor and contributor to several books, including "Faith and Bayan: Filipino Evangelical Responses to Contemporary Social Political Questions." In his conversation with Chris, Aldrin reflects on the relationship between faith and public life in the Philippines, sharing theological and personal insights shaped by his work in Christian ethics, interfaith dialogue, and the pursuit of justice and reconciliation in a complex political landscape.

Karuna Sharma is a current Langham Scholar from Kathmandu, Nepal, and the first Nepali woman to pursue a PhD in theological studies. She is completing her doctoral work through the Oxford Center for Mission Studies, where her research explores the challenges of inter-caste marriage among Nepali Christians. In addition to her studies, Karuna serves as a teacher and Dean of Women at Nepal Theological College in Kathmandu, where she has been equipping students for ministry since 2013. In her conversation with Chris, Karuna shares about the rapid growth of the church in Nepal, the ongoing influence of caste within Christian communities, and her vision to strengthen the church through theological education that shapes both individuals and the communities they serve.

For nearly 30 years, Milton Acosta taught and equipped Latin American church leaders at the Biblical Seminary of Colombia in Medellín. In addition to teaching, Milton is a published author, and served as the Old Testament editor for the "Latin American Bible Commentary"—a monumental resource for the church in this region. Today, his work focuses on mentoring, encouraging, and strengthening the ministry of seminaries around the world. In his conversation with Chris, Milton shares practical and theological insights from his recent research project on the crisis of internally displaced people in Colombia. Visit langhamvoices.org to access Milton’s free Global Voices Short Course titled “The Impact of Displacement on Faith: Lessons Learned from Colombia.” Spread out over six sessions, this course unpacks the reality of internally displaced persons from the Colombian context while making it applicable to each of our own contexts.

Vladimir Ubeivolc is a pastor, author, and theologian from the small, land-locked nation of Moldova who obtained his PhD in Contextual Missiology with support from Langham. Vladimir’s passion for promoting social transformation from a holistic, theological and missiological perspective led him to write a number of books on the topic, and — along with his wife — to form an NGO which seeks to address some of the most urgent needs of Moldovan society. In his conversation with Chris they discuss his unique context in Eastern Europe, some of the major challenges faced by the people of Moldova, and his passion for applying both theology and missiology to the life of the church.

Chee-Chiew Lee is an author and New Testament scholar from Singapore who received her PhD with support from Langham. In her work as a teacher and senior administrator at the strategic Singapore Bible College, she equips pastors and leaders for the church throughout Asia, as well as many Asian diaspora communities around the world. Her writing projects have provided the East Asian church with essential biblical resources like commentaries and seminary textbooks. Her most recent book, "When Christians Face Persecution," was inspired by the stories and experiences of her students who live under persecution throughout the Asian continent. In her conversation with Chris, they discuss the unique religious and demographic makeup of the city-state of Singapore, the regionally strategic role of theological education in her nation, and some of the challenges believers face in this part of the world.

Ksenija Magda is a Croatian theological educator, author, and church leader who earned her PhD with support from Langham. Ksenija lives and serves in the capital city of Zagreb where she teaches biblical studies at the University of Zagreb. In her conversation with Chris, she explores the complicated relationship in her region between religion and nationality, and how that dynamic has shaped the church. As the sole evangelical New Testament scholar in Croatia, she discusses both the challenges and opportunities she faces, along with her passion for ministering to women.

Slavko Hadžić is a church leader from Bosnia & Herzegovina, and has been involved in ministry throughout the Balkans for over 25 years. Currently, he trains pastors with Langham’s Preaching Program, leads campus ministry outreach as the Chairman of the Fellowship of Evangelists at Universities of Europe, and trains churches for evangelism through a ministry he founded called Good News in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Mark Meynell guest hosts for Chris Wright on this episode. Mark served as the Director for Europe & the Caribbean for Langham Preaching for the past ten years, working closely with Slavko throughout that time. Their fascinating conversation covers Slavko's gripping story of finding hope and redemption through Christ as an atheist in the midst of war.

Sofia Quintanilla is a theological educator in Guatemala who received her PhD with support from Langham. Originally from Costa Rica, Sofia now teaches at Central American Theological Seminary in Guatemala City. In her conversation with Chris, she shares about some of the major challenges facing the church in Latin America, the unique path that brought her to theological education, and a powerful, personal story about adoption, and how God used her own experience to inspire her PhD dissertation topic.

On this episode of “On Mission with Chris Wright,” we meet Victor Nakah—a Langham Scholar and theological leader from Zimbabwe who received his PhD with support from Langham. Today, Victor lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he serves the church as a theological educator, church planter and international director for Sub-Saharan Africa with Mission to the World. Victor also serves as the co-chair of the Lausanne Theology Working Group. In his conversation with Chris, Victor shares insights about the tumultuous history and current events impacting Southern Africa, reflects on the state of the church and theological education on the continent and previews four key topics that will be addressed at the Fourth Lausanne Congress this September in South Korea.

Dr. Angukali Rotokha is an emerging Old Testament scholar from a sensitive South Asian country who recently received her PhD with support from Langham. As a female theological leader, Angu is a pioneering voice for the church in South Asia. She recently co-edited "Exploring the Old Testament in Asia," the first evangelical Old Testament textbook written both from and for an Asian cultural context. In her conversation with Chris, Angu shares about her roots in a particular corner of South Asia, where Christianity is the majority religion. She also discusses how reading the Old Testament through a South Asian lens can help readers feel closer to a deeply relevant, yet often misunderstood, part of the Bible.

For almost 20 years, Dr. Patrick Fung has served as the General Director of OMF International, a missions organization focused on demonstrating and proclaiming the good news of the gospel to over 100 people groups in East Asia. From his home in Singapore, Patrick has also been heavily involved in the Lausanne Movement—previously serving on its board of directors, and currently serving as Program Chair for the upcoming Lausanne Congress in Seoul, South Korea in 2024. In his conversation with Chris, Patrick shares about the legacy of early missionaries to East Asia, the encouraging growth of the church there today, and some captivating insights on how the global church can and should work together in partnership.

Dr. Bernardo Cho is a Korean-Brazilian pastor, author, and theological educator who received his PhD with support from Langham. Bernardo lives and serves in the bustling, vibrant, diverse, and densely populated city of São Paulo, Brazil—home to more than 12 million people. In his conversation with Chris, Bernardo shares about leading a growing and diverse church plant in the heart of the city, the unique opportunities and challenges of being “on mission” in a city like São Paulo, and his newest book, "The Plot of Salvation"—a collection of sermons that lays out the history of salvation as communicated through the entirety of Scripture, from creation to new creation.

Dr. Roman Soloviy is a Ukrainian theological leader who lives and serves in the city of Lviv. Roman is the Director of the Eastern European Institute of Theology, editor-in-chief of "Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology," a chief editor of the book series “Contemporary Protestant Theology,” and a regional commissioning editor for Langham Literature. Since the Russian invasion began in February of 2022, Roman has remained in Lviv and continues to serve the church on the frontlines in Ukraine. In his conversation with Chris, Roman shares an update on the current situation in Lviv, stories of desperation and hope from the Ukrainian church, and the many ways the global church can continue to lift up Ukraine in prayer. This conversation was recorded on Wednesday, December 14th, 2022.

Dr. Chawkat Moucarry, an Arab Christian from Syria, developed a passion from a young age to build bridges of understanding between Christians and Muslims. His work with university student ministries, World Vision International, and Veritas Forum in France—where he lives and serves today—has all been focused on promoting interfaith dialogue built on relationship. Chawkat is the author of several books that explore these topics, including his most recent, "Islam on Trial: Globalization, Islamism, and Christianity." In part two of his conversation with Chris, they discuss Chawkat’s new book, which provides non-Muslims with a foundation for understanding Muslim faith and practice, and highlights shared common ground between Christianity and Islam. They also touch on the nuanced religious landscape of France, where Chawkat lives and serves. To learn more about and purchase Dr. Chawkat Moucarry's newest book, "Islam on Trial," visit: langhamliterature.org/islam-on-trial

Dr. Chawkat Moucarry, an Arab Christian from Syria, developed a passion from a young age to build bridges of understanding between Christians and Muslims. His work with university student ministries, World Vision International, and Veritas Forum in France—where he lives and serves today—has all been focused on promoting interfaith dialogue built on relationship. Chawkat is the author of several books that explore these topics, including his most recent, "Islam on Trial: Globalization, Islamism, and Christianity." In part one of his conversation with Chris, he shares about growing up as a Christian in the Middle East, his compassionate approach to apologetics, and how his background spurred on his desire to seek mutual understanding and respect between Christians and Muslims. To learn more about and purchase Dr. Chawkat Moucarry's newest book, "Islam on Trial," visit: https://langhamliterature.org/islam-on-trial

Catholic-majority Poland is one of the most religious countries in the Western Hemisphere, yet Evangelicals make up less than half a percent of the population. Ravaged by the Second World War and 40 years of communist rule, the church in Poland survives, but with very few resources and trained leaders. Dr. Dariusz Bryćko, a Polish theological leader trained with Langham support, is working to change that through Tolle Lege—a ministry he founded and leads in Warsaw that urges people to “take and read” Scripture. In his conversation with Chris, they discuss the history of the Polish church and the challenges it faces today, how Tolle Lege is seeking to grow and develop believers' understanding of God's Word, and some of the ways the people of Poland are serving their Ukrainian neighbors amid Russia's invasion.

Dr. Rula Mansour is a Palestinian Israeli theologian who received her PhD with support from Langham. Rula began her career as a lawyer, working as a public prosecutor for thirteen years, and became the first Palestinian to be appointed deputy head of a public prosecution office in Israel. Today, as a theologian, she teaches as a professor at the Nazareth Evangelical College, and recently founded the Nazareth Peace Center, which she serves as its director. Rula is passionate about equipping others to be peacemakers, and in her conversation with Chris, they discuss peace and reconciliation from a Middle Eastern perspective.

Langham Partnership has a strong network of scholars, authors, and pastors in Ukraine. In this special edition of "On Mission," Mark Meynell (Director, Langham Preaching - Europe & Caribbean) sits in for Chris Wright and speaks with another Langham-connected Ukrainian pastor who remains in-country. Their conversation was recorded on Saturday, March 12, 2022 and covers firsthand updates and ways to pray for the church in Ukraine. Due to the volatile nature of the situation there, we are withholding the name of this particular church leader for her safety.

Langham Partnership has a strong network of scholars, authors, and pastors in Ukraine. In this special edition of "On Mission," Mark Meynell (Director, Langham Preaching - Europe & Caribbean) sits in for Chris Wright and speaks with another Langham-connected Ukrainian pastor who remains in-country. Their conversation was recorded on Saturday, March 12, 2022 and covers firsthand updates and ways to pray for the church in Ukraine. Due to the volatile nature of the situation there, we are withholding the name of this particular church leader for his safety.

Langham Partnership has a strong network of scholars, authors, and pastors in Ukraine. In this special edition of "On Mission," Mark Meynell (Director, Langham Preaching - Europe & Caribbean) sits in for Chris Wright and speaks with a Langham-connected Ukrainian pastor who remains in-country. Their conversation was recorded on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 and covers firsthand updates and ways to pray for the church in Ukraine. Due to the volatile nature of the situation there, we are withholding the name of this particular church leader for his safety.