OneLink Podcast

S6:E13 - The Multilingual Life: Learning a New Language

Is language learning for everyone? Join us as we talk about our experiences and the lessons learned as we went through our language learning journey overseas. Though it comes with its challenges, it is also met with countless blessings. Not to mention the hilarious (and often embarrassing) stories that come out of it as well.

S6:E12 - Helping International Students Return Home Well

The degree is finished and the bags are packed—but is their faith ready for the flight home? Rich joins the OneLink Podcast to tackle the unique, often-overlooked challenges international students face when taking a new faith back to their home country. Learn how to bridge the gap between campus conversion and lifelong discipleship.

You can learn more about or connect with Rich by visiting https://www.ifipartners.org/ or email him at Rich Mendola rmendola at ifiusa.org.

If you'd like to catch previous episodes with Rich, check out:
S6:E6 The Changing Face of International Student Ministry with Rich Mendola
S6:E2 Incorporating Biblical Hospitality in Your Life - International Students with Rich Mendola

S6:E11 - Bible Translation: AI Isn't Doing as Much as You Think - Part 2

In an era of ChatGPT and instant translation, many assume the "Great Commission" of Bible translation is just a few algorithms away from being finished. But is AI actually doing the heavy lifting? In part two of our series, our guest returns to explain why Bible translation is still a deeply human endeavor. We discuss the limitations of technology, the nuance of unwritten languages, and why a computer can't as of yet capture the "heart language" of a people group.

S6:E10 - Beyond the Page: The Inner Workings of Bible Translation - Part 1

What does it actually take to bring the Word of God into a new language? It’s more than just swapping words—it’s about heart, culture, and years of life on the ground. In part one of this two-part series, we sit down with a translation consultant who shares her journey starting in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. We pull back the curtain on the "inner workings" of translation, discussing the linguistic hurdles, the deep relationships required, and what it’s like to see a community receive the Bible in their mother tongue for the first time.

S6:E6 The Changing Face of International Student Ministry with Rich Mendola

Today we talk with Rich about how the face of international student ministry is changing, both here in the states and overseas as well, or more specifically the opportunity that is emerging for International Student work overseas.

For additional resources or to connect with Rich go to https://www.ifipartners.org/ or email him at rmendola@ifiusa.org 

S6:E5 From Genghis Khan to the Great Commission - Part 2

Redeeming a Legacy of Conquest for the Cause of Christ.  We look at mobilizing other nations today in part 2 of this interview with Mark and Gill.  They served for 28 years in Mongolia and spent the last years on the field mobilizing Mongolians to go to other nations. 

S6:E4 From Genghis Khan to the Great Commission - Part 1

Redeeming a Legacy of Conquest for the Cause of Christ.  We look at mobilizing other nations today in part 1 of this interview with Mark and Gill.  They served for 28 years in Mongolia and spent the last years on the field mobilizing Mongolians to go to other nations. 

S6:E2 Incorporating Biblical Hospitality in Your Life - International Students With Rich Mendola

Hospitality is often reduced to Pinterest-perfect dinner parties and clean houses, but the biblical call is much more radical. In this episode, we sit down with Rich Mendola, Global Ambassador for International Friendships, Inc. (IFI), to explore the true meaning of biblical hospitality. Rich shares from decades of experience welcoming students from the ends of the earth into his own home. We discuss why hospitality is a primary way for "outsiders" to experience the love of God, how to overcome the "busyness" barrier, and practical ways to engage the nations currently residing in our own zip codes.

 

For additional resources or to connect with Rich go to https://www.ifipartners.org/ or email him at rmendola@ifiusa.org 

 

S5:E20 Learning to Be Faithful Before God Sent Us To Central Asia

Shane was yearning to be overseas, but found that God had lessons to teach him before he was sent.

S5:E9 You Can't Separate Mission Mobilization from Disciple Making

Today we sit down with a couple of campus ministers to talk about the inseparability of mobilization of disciple making, and what happens when you have a ministry trying to do one without the other.  This episode will challenge you to make changes, so you are doing both well. Megan and Micah bring a lot of other wise ideas and insights to the table.  Sit back and enjoy.

Resources:

Books:

Spiritual Multiplication in the Real World: Why some disciple makers reproduce when others fail.

 

Episode notes.

Other episodes with Micah:

S4:E19 Step by Step Guide to Discipling Someone to Evangelize Well

S4:E5 Can You Talk Students Into Going? - Mobilization Conversation Part 1 of 3

S3:E1 - O-Week Stories - How God uses O-week

 

S5:E6 - Lost in Translation: Reaching the Unreligious in Japan - Cross Cultural Disciple-Making

Today we jump in with one of my favorite people. He has a sharp mind and a caring spirit.  He has been involved with discipling college students, reaching internationals, and has a lot of experience sharing with Japanese people. 

S5:E4 - Leading Leaders Cross-Culturally

In this interview we talk with an overseas partner about his journey toward learning how to disciple people cross-culturally and also how God is using them to help the local leaders set up their own cross-cultural work.  

S5:E3 - Learning to Make Disciples Cross-Culturally - part 2

We continue our conversation with Brent. 

If you enjoy this episode you can check out Brent's podcast - The Burst Leadership Podcast.

Notes:

EACH

E - Embrace
A - Authenticity
C - Challenges
H - Healing

S4:E29 Sometimes The Hardest Things Are Actually Gifts From God - To The Edge Of The Map - Part 2

We continue our interview from last week and we wrap up their last value and then dive deeper into their ministry and what God did there.

S4:E28 - Going To The Edge Of The Map - Part 1

In this interview we talk with a couple who served in one of the toughest locations on the face of the earth.  We discuss the values their team covenanted around and how that shaped their ministry choices among a hard to reach UPG. 

S4:E27 When God Brings the Nations Here - Working with Afghan Refugees.

Today we talk with a lady working with Afghani refugees. You'll learn how you can get involved, develop friendships, contextualize your presentation of the good news, and much more.

 

Resources:

Afghan Bibles

Discoverapp.org

5 Fish App

Pashto Radio

 

 

S4:E19 - Step by Step Guide to Discipling Someone to Evangelize Well

Join us as we talk with Micah about how he specifically disciples someone to be able to evangelize well.  This episode is also available on Youtube here with the title "Discipling Someone to Evangelize".

 

To download the evangelism presentation he uses go to https://www.nmsuchristianchallenge.org/campus-e-training-material.html

S3:E28 - What do Buddhists Believe About Jesus?

What do Buddhists believe about Jesus and Christianity?  Are they open to listening?  What is the normal response?  How can you share with a Buddhist better?  These and more on part 2 of our talk about the basics of Buddhism.

S3:E27 - What do Buddhists Officially Believe?

In this episode we cover the basics of official Buddhist beliefs while contrasting and comparing what you may find when talking with a Buddhist. This is part 1 of our talk about the official basics of Buddhism.

S3:E26 - Buddhism 201

We continue our series on working with Buddhists.  In the episode we continue our visit with Jack about those who specifically follow Tibetan Buddhism. We'll talk about the way their strategy of sharing has changed, the importance of groups, how persecuted believers have carried on, and much more.

S3:E25 - Engaging Tibetan Buddhists

Today we launch into our new series on working with Buddhists.  We interview a long-time overseas laborer who works with a people group that follow Tibetan Buddhism.  We'll talk about their worldview, sharing the gospel with them, a key book of the Bible to read in preparation, and much more.

S3:E17 What We Learned About Working with Hindus

Brad jumps back in with us for a "short" summary of what we learned and our big takeaways in our series on working with Hindus.

S3:E16 Being a Single Woman in a Hindu Nation and Ministering to Hindu Women

In this interview we talk about some of the different dynamics of ministering to Hindu Women, as well as what it's like to be a single woman in a Hindu nation.  Our guest shares with us about Hindu women counting the cost to convert to Christianity. She also shares openly with us what about her own journey of being a single on the field. 

Book mentioned on the interview:

7 Myths about Singleness by Sam Allberry

S3:E15 Arranged Marriages, Hindu College Student Fears, and Letting the Gospel Be the Filter

Today we have a great interview with a lady serving in South Asia.  We talk with her about the fears, challenges, and worldviews of college students.  Then we move into talking about culture, arranged marriages, and more.  Followed by some thoughts of some faux pas people make when sharing their faith and how she lets the gospel be the filter. 

For more on sharing using the Three Circles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W8ynRMr59k 

S3:E13 - Ten Things to Know About Discipling Hindu Background Believers

Today we are talking with Josh about some of the challenges and particulars about discipling Hindu Background Believers.

You can read his article here.
www.abwe.org/blog/10-issues-discipling-hindu-background-believers-today