In this episode, Mike Hartman and Matthew Doebler welcome Pastor Asher William, who leads a church in South Asia. Pastor Asher shares his incredible journey and insights into gospel-centered missiology.

Key Discussion Points:

* Asher William’s Background: Pastor Asher shares how his admiration for Martin Luther led him to connect with Cross Life Church in America and how he connected with Crosslife Church during the COVID-19 pandemic and found a spiritual home that aligned with his Lutheran beliefs.

* Multiplication Formula for Training Believers: Pastor Asher explains his “multiplication formula” for training new believers to become gospel witnesses, emphasizing Second Timothy 2:2. He elaborates on his eight-point study booklet and the use of the Lutheran catechism for foundational teaching.

* Key Principles for Evangelism: The discussion highlights four essential elements for effective gospel sharing: a bigger vision, more burden, a clear strategy, and long-term commitment.

* Apprenticeship and On-the-Ground Training: Pastor Asher describes how he takes new leaders and believers into the field to experience ministry firsthand, demonstrating the power of the gospel to bring people to Christ. He stresses simplifying gospel-sharing in daily life and trusting God with the results.

* Ministering to an Unreached Tribe: Discover the challenges and blessings of sharing the gospel with a tribe that had never heard it before. Pastor Asher shares how learning their language, understanding their culture, and using music and Bible memorization have been crucial.

* The Role of Women in Ministry: Pastor Asher emphasizes the vital role of women, like his wife Lubna, in reaching women within conservative cultures where male missionaries cannot.

* UAE Ministry and Expanding Reach: The episode touches on the unexpected expansion of their ministry into the UAE, initiated by trained church members who relocated.

* National TV Opportunity: Pastor Asher recounts a surprising opportunity to share the gospel on national television during a Christmas lunch with high-ranking police officers, highlighting God’s open doors.

* Advice for New Missionaries: Pastor Asher advises organizations and new missionaries to prioritize training local missionaries and building strong foundations on teaching rather than solely on funding. He stresses the importance of being prepared for both planned and unplanned mission opportunities, seeing every believer as a tool for God’s work.

* Theology of Mission: The conversation concludes with a reflection on the seminary’s role in teaching a clear theology of mission, emphasizing that while salvation is God’s work, believers are called to be active partners in sharing the gospel.

Common Terms and Links on Jesus and Jetlag

* WELS = Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (wels.net)

* WLS = Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon Wisconsin (wisluthsem.org)

* Collection of Confessional Lutheran Essays

* BWM = WELS Board for World Missions

* CELC = Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

* CICR = Commission on Inter-Church Relations of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

* Vicar = a pastoral intern in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran system

* Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly (WLQ) – A theological journal, published by Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, that aims to serve pastors and theologians with scholarly articles, book reviews, and reflections on contemporary theological and pastoral concerns.

* Pastoral Studies Institute of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

* Asia Lutheran Seminary

All commentary, statements, and discussion on this podcast reflect the knowledge, insight, and experience solely of the individuals presenting and featured on the podcast.

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