Welcome to The Go and Send Podcast! In this episode, Brad Shaw shares how God redirected his path from studying biology and working as a park ranger in Alaska to becoming a pioneer missionary among the Quechua people in Peru's Cotahuasi Canyon.
Welcome to The Go and Send Podcast! In this episode, Brad Shaw shares how God redirected his path from studying biology and working as a park ranger in Alaska to becoming a pioneer missionary among the Quechua people in Peru's Cotahuasi Canyon. Brad walks through his college years wrestling with atheistic professors, a supernatural moment when Scripture suddenly made sense, and a weekend gospel trip to an Alaskan village that changed everything. He talks about learning medical skills as a physician assistant, partnering with Quechua believers to reach isolated mountain communities, and watching God open doors for both FM and shortwave radio ministry that now reaches potentially millions across the Andes Mountains.
This conversation includes honest reflections on cross-cultural ministry challenges, the importance of theological clarity in syncretistic contexts, persevering through five-year waiting periods for licenses, and trusting God's sovereignty through technical breakdowns and rural isolation. Brad shares practical encouragement about being faithful in small things, pursuing generalist skills, and filtering decisions through an eternal perspective. If you're wondering how God might use your background in missions or what pioneer ministry actually looks like day-to-day, this episode will challenge you to trust God's leading and make your life count for eternity.
Contact us at goandsend@sonsetsolutions.org
Resources & Links:
00:00 -- Introduction to Brad Shaw and Ministry Among the Quechua
01:08 -- The Cotahuasi Canyon and Quechua People
04:29 -- Growing Up With Christian Grandparents
06:09 -- University Ministry and Wrestling With Science Professors
08:36 -- Supernatural Moment: The Bible Becoming Clear
14:27 -- God Big Enough to Handle Doubts and Filter Through Eternal Perspective
18:22 -- Working as Park Rangers in Alaska
19:22 -- A Weekend Gospel Trip That Changed Everything
22:24 -- Leaving Environmental Work for Long-Term Missions
24:58 -- Training as a Physician Assistant for Healthcare Ministry
28:06 -- Short-Term Trips and Learning About Cross-Cultural Ministry
31:09 -- Importance of Being Involved in Local Church
34:24 -- Discovering Peru and the Quechua People
36:22 -- First Visit to Cotahuasi Canyon: Everything Fit Like a Glove
39:08 -- Early Days Partnering With Quechua Believers
41:03 -- Showing Jesus Film and Trekking Into Villages
43:18 -- Vision to Reach 17,000 People in 50 Remote Villages
44:43 -- Pursuing FM Radio License: Five-Year Process
47:02 -- Learning Contentment and Perseverance Through Challenges
49:46 -- Discovering Shortwave Radio to Reach Millions
50:40 -- How FM vs. Shortwave Radio Works
52:41 -- Installing Shortwave With Sonset Solutions
53:28 -- Signal Reaching Iceland and Asia
56:47 -- Typical Day: Morning Devotions and Ministry Center Life
58:45 -- Evening Discipleship Groups and Village Church Meetings
01:00:32 -- Were the Quechua a Reached People Group?
01:02:42 -- Confronting Syncretism and Works-Oriented False Gospels
01:04:39 -- Vision for Bible Institute by the Air
01:05:41 -- Story of Faustino Teaching Himself to Read With the Bible
01:09:17 -- Encouragement: Be Faithful in Small Things and Pursue God
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Website: https://www.sonsetsolutions.org