The Austin Stone Podcast

Matt Carter teaches on Biblical eldership from 1 Peter 5:1-5.

“There’s no way we’re sustained without God.” When Peter and Jessica moved overseas, they had high expectations for their ministry. However, after four and a half years of living in a completely different culture, a place where the name of Jesus is effectively forbidden, they’ve learned a new way to measure success. This week, hear how God has used their time abroad to draw them closer to Himself.

Matt Carter teaches on suffering that occurs as a result of our own sins from 1 Peter 4:14-19.

Todd and Esther both felt called by the Lord to pursue a unique ministry overseas. They followed Him into the unknown with no idea of how those plans would be fulfilled. Now, they have experienced the Lord’s leading after successfully establishing their organization that focuses on launching initiatives. Their work involves counseling people through projects and ideas by looking to scripture for discernment.This week, listen to how Todd and Esther follow God’s lead even when it seems unconventional or difficult.

Tyler David continues our series in 1 Peter by teaching on rejoicing at insults for the name and sake of Christ from 1 Peter 4:12-14.

“God’s plan is bigger than me. God doesn’t need me. And His plans will hold true.” Adam was called to use his gifts as a coach to take the love of Christ to the nations. Applying the foundation of scripture, he and his coaching staff introduced forgiveness to a culture in desperate need of the gospel. Even in trials, he persists, knowing God will accomplish His mission.

Andy Kampman teaches on making disciples from Mark 4:14-20.

Daniel Polk teaches on knowing Jesus through his Word from John 8:31.

Tyler David continues our Advent series by teaching on gospel hospitality from 1 Peter 4:9.

When Julie began sharing the gospel with university students overseas, she was met with unexpected resistance. Feeling under-equipped, she held on to God’s promise of faithfulness and continued to intercede for the students, praying for someone to come alongside her to share the gospel. This week, hear how God refueled Julie's trust in His power to soften people’s hearts and reveal the truth of His love.

Matt Carter teaches about loving one another earnestly from 1 Peter 4:7-8.

“How can a God who is loving and kind, gracious and merciful, not only allow, but sovereignly take people through pain and suffering?” When tragedy strikes Paul’s family, he is forced to sit in the tension of ministering to the unreached and being present to love and serve his family through the lowest point of their lives. As Paul wrestles with difficult doctrines and truths about who God is, he never could have foreseen all the ways that God has been preparing him to persevere through the hardest season of his life.

Greg Breazeale teaches on living with a sober-minded, eternal perspective from 1 Peter 4:7.

Tyler David teaches on Peters statement that "whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin." from 1 Peter 4:1-6.

Halim Suh continues our series in 1 Peter by teaching on Christ's unique role as our suffering sovereign from 1 Peter 3:18-22.

Matt Carter continues our series in 1 Peter by teaching on the blessing of suffering from 1 Peter 3:13-17.

Tyler David continues our series in 1 Peter by teaching on the life of true blessing from 1 Peter 3:8-12.

Halim Suh continues our series in 1 Peter by teaching on husbands honoring their wives from 1 Peter 3:7.

Matt Carter continues our series in 1 Peter by teaching on Biblical submission in marriage from 1 Peter 3:1-2.

Matt Carter resumes our series in 1 Peter by teaching on enduring unjust suffering from 1 Peter 2:21-25.

Jacob and Lisa encountered many obstacles while serving in South Asia, and ultimately this caused them to see their unhealthy view of suffering. They regrouped back home, returned to the field with a renewed perspective, and watched their ministry grow. After traveling abroad, they returned to South Asia, only to discover that the country had banned them for life. In this week's episode, hear how they press on, walking in faith to wherever He calls them next.

Halim Suh concludes our series on the eight convictions of the Austin Stone by teaching on how we're relentless in mission from Matthew 28:18-20.

During a season in North Africa, Samuel and Susan often wrestled with, "What does biblical community look like?" Surprisingly, God used a Muslim family to answer this question. While trapped in a time of intense fear and uncertainty, this family welcomed Samuel and Susan into their home, even when it meant putting themselves in harm's way. This week, hear how God worked through this Muslim community to sustain Samuel and Susan amid pain and heartache.

Matt Carter continues our series on the eight convictions of the Austin Stone by teaching on how we're relentless in mission from Ephesians 4:11-16.

Tyler David continues our series on the eight convictions of the Austin Stone by teaching on how we're devoted to equipping the saints and gospel saturated in our discipleship from Ephesians 4:11-16.

Halim Suh continues our series on the eight convictions of the Austin Stone by teaching on how we're empowered by the Holy Spirit and reliant on prayer from John 14:15-17.

Matt Carter continues our series on the eight convictions of the Austin Stone by teaching on how were Christ-centered in our focus from John 5:39 and Revelation 5:11-14.

Matt Carter continues our series on the eight convictions of the Austin Stone by teaching on how we're ruled by God's word from Luke 1:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.

Matt Carter kicks off our series on the eight convictions of the Austin Stone by teaching on our commitment to covenant community from Acts 2:42-47.

Scott Sauls concludes our summer preaching series by teaching on the eternal hope of the gospel from Luke 24:36-49.

Steve Timmis continues our summer preaching series, teaching on God's global mission from Habakkuk 2:14.

Tony Merida teaches on the confidence and joy that believers can find in Romans 8:31-39.

Soon after becoming a believer, Callie felt the call to go to the nations. Desiring to share Jesus with the unreached, Callie launched to the Middle East to serve the Arab population and see God move among these people. While in the Middle East, however, Callie struggled to engage with Arab culture as most conversations turned into religious debate.Feeling inadequate and discouraged, Callie began to ask the Lord to help her communicate the gospel amid cultural differences. In His kindness, God is teaching Callie how to abide in Him, and giving her a passion for the people of the Middle East to know Christ. She presses on, knowing that God will continue to redeem His people.

Dr. Gregory Alan Thornbury kicks off our summer preaching series by teaching on influencing and shaping culture by walking with God through the corridors of power from Genesis 39:22 and Daniel 1:4.

Ruth and Caleb reflect on their hopes, fears, and dreams as they prepare to relocate to a region that is spiritually dark. With an eternal perspective and reliance on God's Word, they faithfully wait on what The Lord has for them, next.

Believing the Lord was calling him to be on mission in the advertising world, Oliver applied and was accepted into the creative department of the University of Texas. However, feeling unqualified, he found himself failing his classes. As he began to question where the Lord was leading him, Oliver's childhood friends invited him to join their team in making disciples in South East Asia. Comforted by the truth that the blood of Christ qualifies him, Oliver joined his friends in answering God's call to the Nations.

Growing up, Sam developed a heart for unreached people groups. His passion for taking the gospel to the lost eventually led him and his wife to move to the Middle East, but he struggled with how ineffective his words seemed to be in drawing people to faith in Christ. A shift in theology encouraged him to remain on the field. Now, as a pastor of a church, Sam has found freedom in knowing that God alone is responsible for drawing the people of his region to Jesus.

Joe and Taylor had a longing to share the gospel in Central Asia for many years. When God finally opened the door for them to serve in that region, they immediately felt a tension between knowing there would be some difficulty serving overseas and thinking there would also be some "glamour" to the suffering. Heartache struck almost as soon as they arrived, and Joe and Taylor had to lean into God’s sovereignty more than ever.

Tyler David teaches on Peter's call for servants to be subject to their masters from 1 Peter 2:18-21.

During her first few months on the field in Central Asia, Janet struggled with loneliness and unexpected trials. Without the comforts of home to lean on, Janet knew that Jesus was the only hope she could cling to. As Janet and her team share the gospel in an unreached region, they are daily witnessing that God is bringing life to an otherwise spiritually dead country—and with this, they endure.

Greg Breazeale teaches on how Christians should relate to government from 1 Peter 2:13-17.

After serving overseas for just a few months, Alice travelled back to the States to visit family. Upon returning to her location, she was confronted by authorities and interrogated. During a long and uncertain court trial involving Alice, she experienced the love of Christ through the local community who testified in her defense and reminded her that it was worth remaining among the people God called her to.

Matt Carter teaches on abstaining from fleshly lusts from 1 Peter 2:11.

“Rape, incest, terrorism…I think these things exist because people don’t know Jesus.” That is what initially spurred Kevin to the field. While in the Middle East, Kevin witnessed the aftermath of an attack from Muslim jihadists. In the midst of all circumstances, Kevin still encourages his Arab brothers in Christ to follow Jesus, despite the oppression they face from their culture. Through prayer and obedience to God, Kevin has seen the gospel transform the life of a man he is discipling and how it brought reconciliation to familial relationships that were previously bound by guilt and shame.

Matt Carter teaches on our identity in Christ from 1 Peter 2:7-10.

Adam and Erin have been serving in Central Asia for several years. During their time overseas, they have been surrounded by heartache and tragedy, including the violent deaths of friends and loved ones. In the midst of it all, they have relied on God to be their provider and comforter. Knowing that God will sustain them as He always has, they continue to press on and glorify His name.

Tyler David teaches on Christ as our cornerstone from 1 Peter 2:4-6.

After answering God's call to go to the Nations by joining a team in the Middle East, Jeremy found himself stuck between feeling ill-equipped and feeling confident that this was where he was supposed to be.Just after six months of being in the field, Jeremy learned how important it was to daily abide in Christ, and began to see the faithfulness of the Lord all around him.

Tyler David teaches perseverance in loving one another from 1 Peter 1:22-2:3.

In September of 2015, God called Alan and Sydney to share the gospel through their new business in the Middle East amongst a Muslim people group. After being in the field for only a year, they quickly witnessed how God was moving in the hearts of those they ministered to—all the while, growing in sincere love and community with their new friends. On Thanksgiving Day in 2016, Alan and Sydney received a call that changed their life as they knew it. Sydney’s mother’s disease was getting worse—with a life expectancy of only eight short months. Alan and Sydney now face the heartbreaking decision of having to leave the place God has called them to, in order to care for Sydney’s mom in her last days.