Cross-cultural workers are trained to work in their ministry—rarely on it. Like any vehicle, you use it to go somewhere, not to maintain it. But if 100% of the time is spent driving or riding and 0% maintaining, breakdown is inevitable. In this episode, Amy and Bernie unpack what it means to work "in" your ministry and "on" it and why investing in the “maintenance” side of ministry is essential for long-term sustainability.

Global Trellis: The Podcast

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In a brand new feature, Amy and Bernie tackle a listener’s question about the balance of accountability for workers on the field. Drawing on Amy’s years as a member care director, they discuss criteria for intervention, the role of counseling and documentation, and how to build a culture of honest, loving accountability in cross-cultural teams.

Podcast Episode (listen here) Struggles, Sins, and Stances: Another Look at “What is your ‘this’?” Survey Results with Janeen Davis

Radical Candor by Kim Scott

Global Trellis Workshop: Sin and Resilience in Your First Term

Global Trellis Workshop: Sin and Resilience in It for the Long Haul

Or get the Sin and Resilience Bundle here!

Global Trellis: Narcissism Week (Especially Member Care / Leaders Day)

Do you have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email amy@globaltrellis.com

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Today Jenny Smith shares her journey as a quadriplegic cross-cultural worker and member-care provider, exploring the unique challenges and gifts that people with disabilities bring to global ministry. Amy, Bernie, and Jenny unpack stigma, theology, practical accommodations, and how sending agencies can more intentionally empower disabled workers to thrive on the field.

Website: https://JennySmithRollsOn.com/

The Journey 8-week online course info

Disability in Mission: The Church's Hidden Treasure

David Deuel and Nathan John

Articles by Jenny:

The Church’s Role in Supporting the Disability Community, Christian Standard

Room at the Table: Welcoming People with Disabilities in the Church and

Missions (chapter Global Member Care Volume 3: Stories and Strategies for Staying the Course)

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What happens when churches and global workers really work together in partnership? Turns out, some pretty amazing things! This week Amy and Bernie have a fascinating (and fun!) conversation with Bryan and Stefanie Nicholson, founders of Here2There, an organization that exists to close the gap between local churches and global workers.

Website: https://here2there.org/

Here2There Network: https://www.h2tnetwork.org/

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Gen Z is beginning to step into cross-cultural work, and their formation is markedly different from generations before them. In this episode, Amy and Bernie talk with Katy White about who Gen Z is, how a post-Christian, digital-native upbringing shapes them, and the unique strengths and challenges they bring to the field. Together, they explore what current leaders and organizations need to understand—and how mentoring, funding, leadership, and discipleship models may need to shift for this emerging generation.

Book: Mobilizing Gen Z by Jolene Erlacher and Katy White

Get on the Gospel Mobilization launch survey update list: https://gospelmobilization.org/launchsurvey

Leading Tomorrow Website and Podcast from Dr. Jolene Erlacher: https://www.leadingtomorrow.org/

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Amy and Bernie are joined today by author and public theologian, Joash Thomas to discuss his most recent book The Justice of Jesus. This is a life-giving conversation about the relationship between justice and our jobs as cross-cultural workers in a gentle, Jesus-focussed, and hope-filled way.

Joash Thomas on Substack: https://joashpthomas.substack.com/ and his website https://www.joashpthomas.com/

Purchase the book on Amazon: The Justice of Jesus

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In today’s episode, play therapist David Floge of Valeo Counseling joins Amy and Bernie to share what play therapy entails and why it's transformative for Third Culture Kids (TCKs). Our conversation explores practical approaches, parental involvement, and the importance of patience, creativity, and attunement when supporting cross-cultural children.

Valeo Counseling

Help your TCKs express themselves with art and play (article by Lauren Wells)

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In this episode, we are back with Amy Farley. She shares her journey to becoming the lead pastor of an international church and discusses the unique challenges and rewards women face in leadership, both in Western and cross-cultural contexts. In this candid conversation, Amy offers encouragement and practical insights for women pursuing leadership roles in ministry, highlighting the importance of embracing gifts, strengths, and staying true to calling.

Rachel Pieh Jones and Gendered Culture Shock: https://globaltrellis.com/episode/44/

River Church Vietnam Website: https://riverchurchvietnam.com/

Global Trellis: The Podcast

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