In this episode of The Go and Send Podcast, Mike and Cody talk with Joe Smith, an engineer who, along with his wife and four kids, serves in a Central Asian nation within the 10/40 window -- a region where the vast majority of people will live and die without ever meeting a follower of Jesus.
In this episode of The Go and Send Podcast, Mike and Cody talk with Joe Smith, an engineer who, along with his wife and four kids, serves in a Central Asian nation within the 10/40 window -- a region where the vast majority of people will live and die without ever meeting a follower of Jesus. Joe never set out to be a missionary. His calling grew slowly, through small steps over more than a decade: international friendships modeled by his parents, a passing conversation with a mentor, a class on global missions, and a deepening conviction that every Christian has a role to play in the Great Commission.
Joe opens up about the humbling realities of cross-cultural life -- the language barriers, the cultural mistakes, and the daily experience of feeling incompetent in a place where he once felt confident and capable. He shares how God used those very moments to reshape his understanding of ministry, and how his engineering background eventually led him into managing a medical clinic, opening doors for friendship, hospitality, and gospel conversations he never could have planned.
Joe shares honest reflections on raising a family overseas, and offers grounded encouragement for anyone who feels called but overwhelmed by the size of the step -- reminding listeners that most faithful journeys are made of small steps, not giant leaps.
Contact us at goandsend@sonsetsolutions.org
Resources & Links:
● Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: https://www.perspectives.org
00:00 -- Cold Open: "They Will Live and Die and Never Meet a Follower of Jesus"
00:49 -- Meet Joe: An Engineer Serving in Central Asia
01:46 -- Life in the "Stan" Countries: Asian Faces, Russian Language, Muslim Faith
03:03 -- The Economics of Labor Migration and Its Toll on Families
04:11 -- Why They Chose an Area With Almost No Gospel Access
07:14 -- Growing Up With Parents Who Modeled Global Hospitality
09:03 -- Not a Childhood Dream: Missions Wasn't Always on His Radar
10:34 -- Realizing Every Christian Has a Role in the Great Commission
12:43 -- A Conversation 15 Years in the Making
14:46 -- Meeting Donna and Learning to Trust God Through Career Sacrifices
16:54 -- Loving International Students at Penn State
17:23 -- The Invitation That Changed Everything
18:01 -- Taking the Perspectives Class and Connecting With a Sending Organization
20:28 -- Bringing Their Local Church Into the Decision
21:01 -- Choosing a Region: Narrowing Down to the 10/40 Window
24:04 -- Raising Support and Trusting God's Provision
25:44 -- Encouragement for Anyone Afraid to Raise Support
26:52 -- Wrestling With Leaving a Stable Career for the Unknown
28:11 -- "Keep Taking the Next Step"
29:27 -- Humbling Experiences That Stripped Away Competency
33:59 -- Learning to Be a Guest, Not a Teacher
36:23 -- Moving in With a Local Family
37:03 -- An Unforgettable Outhouse Encounter
39:00 -- Finding Joy in the Blend of Two Cultures
39:38 -- Raising Four Kids on the Mission Field
41:00 -- Guarding Against Ministry Becoming an Idol Over Family
42:06 -- How Kids Open Doors for Relationships
43:43 -- Going in With an Open Hand About His Vocation
45:10 -- Finding His Role Managing a Medical Clinic
48:44 -- The New Perspective That Comes From Following Jesus
49:14 -- A Story About a Radio Ministry Convert in Turkey
52:14 -- Friendships Still in Their Infancy After Three Years
53:53 -- Modeling Christian Parenting for Believers Who've Never Seen It
55:57 -- Encouraging a Discouraged Young Engineer
58:52 -- Looking Ahead: Goals for Equipping Others
1:00:50 -- Encouragement for Anyone Considering the First Step
1:02:47 -- The Value of Reading Missionary Biographies
1:03:55 -- Involving Your Church in the Process
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Website: https://www.sonsetsolutions.org