The Austin Stone Podcast

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.

Halim Suh teaches on loving one another from 1 Peter 1:22.

Two years into living in the Middle East, Casey felt discouraged by the lack of fruit he saw in his ministry. Just as he and his wife were preparing to return to the States to visit family, Casey felt compelled to share the gospel with an Arab friend that he came to know and love.In return, Casey learned that his friend was wrestling with the truths of the Bible, and he confessed that “God was knocking on the door of his heart.” God used this encounter to encourage and endure Casey in his ministry, and Casey continued to pray for his friend to respond in faith to Jesus. He didn’t expect what would happen next.

We’re excited to announce our new series, From the Field. These stories are first-hand accounts of what God is doing across the globe through the lives of everyday believers from The Austin Stone. These Goers have left everything behind in order to proclaim the name of Jesus in the most unreached places, and now, we're sharing their stories with you! Here’s a glimpse of what we will bring you in From the Field.

Matt Carter teaches on Easter about placing our hope and faith in God from 1 Peter 1:21.

Halim Suh teaches on the plan of the cross from before the foundation of the world from 1 Peter 1:20.

Matt Carter teaches on why the pursuit of holiness matters for believers from 1 Peter 1:16-19.

Matt Carter resumes our series in 1 Peter by teaching on the happiness that is found in holiness from 1 Peter 1:13-16.

Justin Lopez teaches on the ministry of reconciliation from 2 Corinthians 5:17-20.

“I wasn’t in a good place when Jesus began pursuing me, and I didn’t want to be a part of His family, but He didn’t stop pursuing me.” Jon and Ben felt convicted by the Spirit to serve in the foster care system, but as two single men, they weren’t sure what role they could play. With the Lord’s leading, they enacted a plan to start a Parents’ Night Out program on a monthly basis to give parents an opportunity to have a night to themselves. Developing the Parents’ Night Out has been hard, and its growth has been stalled along the way. But with the support of their Missional Community, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, God is using Jon and Ben to serve foster families.

Greg Breazeale teaches on setting our minds on the hope that we have in Jesus Christ from 1 Peter 1:13.

"That would have never happened if God had not developed these relationships. Absolutely, hands down, no way."When Ben and Jessica decided to be Goers, they looked for an unreached Muslim community with which to share the grace and love of Jesus. They could have never imagined the remote island where they would end up or the pizza restaurant the community would help them build. Though at times they are overwhelmed with loneliness as the only believers they know, they have faith that God has put them there for a reason.

Matt Carter teaches on remembering the joy of our salvation from 1 Peter 1:10-12.

Matt Carter teaches on the three characteristics of genuine faith from 1 Peter 1:8-9.

Matt Carter teaches on how suffering reveals genuine faith, for the praise and honor and glory of Christ from 1 Peter 1:6-7.

“An abortion is something you never forget. I’ll always be sad, but I’m forgiven."Less than two months into a relationship with her boyfriend, Michelle found herself pregnant at 18. Fearing the consequences of being a young mother and the disappointment of her parents, she followed her boyfriend’s advice and got an abortion. Her sin haunted her for years, but she has now been fully redeemed in Christ.

Halim Suh teaches on our secure, living hope from 1 Peter 1:3-5.

When Kenny discovered his gift for debate in high school, he thought the Lord was calling him to be an attorney. He led weekly worship services for his classmates in high school and college, but he was still pursuing his own desires and struggling with self-righteousness and self-glorification.Ultimately, God used corporate worship to change Kenny’s heart, and now he sees what the Lord always had planned for him.

Tyler David continues our new series in 1 Peter by teaching on our title of "elect exiles" from 1 Peter 1:1-2.

Matt Carter starts our series in 1 Peter by teaching on Peter's introduction to his letter to the persecuted church form 1 Peter 1:1.

"My wife and I were redeemed to redeem. It’s not a private faith." Christopher was hesitant when his wife told him of her convictions to help a former gang member. But when he felt the Lord calling him to be obedient as well, he found the courage to invite Alex, a former gang member who had spent 18 years in prison, to live in his home. Since then, Alex has been baptized, and though he still has struggles, he is walking in Christ.

Matt Carter teaches on why we value life from Genesis 1:25-28 and Psalm 139:14-16.

Andy Kampman preaches on our motivation to continue to send goers to unreached people groups from Revelation 5:9 and Romans 10:13-15.