On Mission with Chris Wright

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.

Dr. Hikmat Kashouh is a Langham Scholar and the senior pastor of Resurrection Church Beirut—a vibrant and growing missional church located in Beirut, Lebanon. Under his leadership, the church has pursued God’s radical call to love our enemies and serve our neighbors. Before leading Resurrection Church Beirut he was the academic dean at Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, where he still is a research professor. In his conversation with Chris, they discuss the concept of incarnational mission and how the Church is called to live out a message of hope which points the world to Christ.

Dr. Qaiser Julius is a Pakistani Christian and theological leader trained with Langham support. Qaiser serves as the Director of Open Theological Seminary in Lahore and coordinates Langham's pastor training work in his nation. In his conversation with Chris, they discuss what it's like to boldly live out one's faith under pressure as a religious minority, and how thousands of church leaders are being equipped across the country through a unique distance learning program tailored to the needs of the region.

Santiago Benavides is a songwriter and professional musician from Medellín, Colombia. Santiago’s music has taken him all over the world, and he is currently living and ministering among Latin American immigrant communities in Canada with Latin American Mission. Studying under Langham Scholar Milton Acosta in Colombia, Santiago paired his musical gifts with a theology degree to create music "that can cross religious prejudices, carrying the beauty, truth and goodness of the Gospel.” In this second half of their conversation, Chris and Santiago continue their discussion on the intersection of art, faith, and mission with a look behind the scenes at some of Santiago’s songwriting, and later discuss how the people of Colombia retain faith, resilience, and hope despite the devastation left behind by 60 grueling years of internal conflict. Listen to Santiago on Spotify: spoti.fi/3oE9TWc Listen to Santiago on Apple Music: apple.co/3gG2H7L Follow Santiago on Instagram: @sanbenavides

Santiago Benavides is a songwriter and professional musician from Medellín, Colombia. Santiago’s music has taken him all over the world, and he is currently living and ministering among Latin American immigrant communities in Canada with Latin American Mission. Studying under Langham Scholar Milton Acosta in Colombia, Santiago paired his musical gifts with a theology degree to create music "that can cross religious prejudices, carrying the beauty, truth and goodness of the Gospel.” In part one of their conversation, Chris and Santiago discuss the intersection of art and theology, and how music is "on mission." Listen to Santiago on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3oE9TWc Listen to Santiago on Apple Music: https://apple.co/3gG2H7L Follow Santiago on Instagram: @sanbenavides

Dr. Lami Bakari is a Langham Scholar from Nigeria, and is a founding leader of both the Christian Women Development Network International and the Pricilla Group. During her nearly forty years of ministry, she has founded two schools, worked as a hospital chaplain, and planted seven churches in partnership with her husband. Lami is passionate about women in ministry and the unique role they play in God’s Kingdom. In her conversation with Chris, Lami shares some unique insights on the concept of “partnership”, and how the partnership in ministry between men and women, and the partnership in mission between the Majority World and the West can contribute to a healthier and more vibrant global church.

For 70 years, Mongolia was closed off to the world under Soviet communist rule. When the country opened up in 1991, Dr. Bayar Garamtseren was 18 years old and began attending the very first church in modern-day Mongolia. Today, he is the first Mongolian to receive a PhD in biblical studies, directs the Mongolian Bible translation project, pastors a local church, coordinates Langham Preaching in Mongolia, and runs a Christian publishing house—all so that the church may be strengthened in maturity as it continues to grow in number. In part two of his conversation with Chris, Bayar discusses how the young and energetic Mongolian church can be a blessing to the global body of Christ, and how he's striving to equip his nation with trained leaders and resources.

For 70 years, Mongolia was closed off to the world under Soviet communist rule. When the country opened up in 1991, Dr. Bayar Garamtseren was 18 years old and began attending the very first church in modern-day Mongolia. Today, he is the first Mongolian to receive a PhD in biblical studies, directs the Mongolian Bible translation project, pastors a local church, coordinates Langham Preaching in Mongolia, and runs a Christian publishing house—all so that the church may be strengthened in maturity as it continues to grow in number. In Part 1 of their conversation, Chris and Bayar discuss the drastic changes in his country since the end of communism, the rich history of Mongolia and the Mongolian church, and the remarkable growth of Christianity in a country where—only 30 years ago—barely a handful of Christians lived.

Dr. Oleksandr Geychenko is a Langham Scholar and the President of Odessa Theological Seminary in Ukraine – one of the first theological schools in the former Soviet Union. Founded 29 years ago when Ukraine was still under Communist rule, today the school is equipping church leaders to be better instruments of God's mission in Ukraine and throughout Eastern Europe. In Oleksandr's conversation with Chris, they discuss what mission looks like in a post-communist nation, the church's response to...

Dr. Hani Hanna is a Langham Scholar from Egypt who received his PhD in theology with support from Langham. Today, he is Vice President, Academic Dean, and Professor of Theology at the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo (ETSC) — where he will soon assume the role of President. In his conversation with Chris, they talk about the history of Christianity in Egypt, some present day realities, and why theological education matters, especially for the Middle East.