Mission Control

Carrie Friday: Leading With Faith and Innovation in Education

In this episode of the Mission Control Podcast, we sit down with Carrie Friday, a media specialist teacher librarian at Melbourne High School and a dedicated member of First Baptist Melbourne. Carrie shares her awe-inspiring journey from classroom teaching to creating a vibrant and supportive environment in the school library, all while balancing the challenges of personal hardship and professional growth. Tune in to hear how Carrie utilizes her unique skills to serve her community, impact students, and inspire others to answer their call to make disciples.
**Episode Highlights:**
- Carrie's transition from teaching to becoming a school librarian
- How she engages with students and increases library attendance
- Balancing personal challenges with professional obligations
- Answering the call to make disciples in everyday life
- Overcoming feelings of being unqualified and embracing opportunities
- A teachers impact on students' academic success and personal growth
 
**Resources Mentioned:**
- "Is God Calling Me?" by Jeff Iorg
- First Baptist Melbourne's youth group and Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Donna Flora: From Retirement to Overseas Missions Adventures

In this episode of the Mission Control Podcast, we sit down with Donna Flora, an inspiring individual on the verge of a radical life shift. Donna opens up about her unique journey from adopting children from China to feeling called to international missionary work in a season of retirement. Tune in to hear how Donna navigates the complexities of family, faith, and answering God's unexpected call.
**Episode Highlights:**
- The unexpected opening to missionary work prompted by conversations with leaders. - The varied skill sets the International Mission Board (IMB) accepts for missionary work. - The ongoing IMB application process and the associated tasks - Personal reflections about adopting children from China - Adjusting plans from early retirement to committing to a two to three-year missionary stint. - Practical advice on dealing with uncertainties about the future through prayer and guidance.
 
Resources Mentioned:
- “Is God Calling Me?” by Jeff Iorg • https://shorturl.at/T4mWQ - International Mission Board (IMB) • https://shorturl.at/IbRu4 - Discover workshop for aligning skills with serving God • https://FBCMel.info
 
Connect with Us:
- Visit our website at launchme.church - Follow us on Facebook & Instagram at @FBCMel. - Send us your thoughts and questions at info@fbcmel.org.
 
Support the Show:
- Share this episode with your friends and family who might be interested in international missions and faith journeys.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Mission Control. Join us for more episodes as we explore more inspiring stories and dive deeper into the lives of individuals who are living out the mission God has for them.

Bruce & Grace Snavely: Training Leaders and Spiritual Awakening in Africa

In this episode of the Mission Control Podcast, we are thrilled to host Bruce and Grace Snavely, founders of the Global Baptist Training Foundation, who share their extraordinary journey of faith and commitment to equipping pastoral leaders worldwide. Learn about their experiences training indigenous pastors in 24 African countries, the challenges faced post-Rwandan genocide, and their future plans to expand into the 1040 window. Listen as the Snavelys impart valuable insights on spiritual dependence, church planting, and making a lasting impact through obedience to God's call.
 
Episode Highlights:
- The founding and mission of the Global Baptist Training Foundation.
- An overview of the training program with GBTF
- Practical expressions of faith: a miraculous story of how a generator's fuel was provided through prayer.
- The cultural sensitivity and challenges of Western involvement in African ministries. - The growth and outcomes of the ministry: 405 church plants and over 6500 conversions in early 2024.
 
Resources Mentioned:
- “Is God Calling Me?” by Jeff Iorg - A must-read for those discerning God's call. https://shorturl.at/T4mWQ
- Discover Workshop at First Baptist Melbourne - A program to explore spiritual gifts and ministry passions. FBCMel.info
- Global Baptist Training Foundation (GBTF) Website - Further details on their programs and how to get involved. https://globaltrain.org
- Launch Pad Program at First Baptist Melbourne - For those interested in deeper mission involvement. launchme.church
 
Connect with Us:
- Visit our website at launchme.church
- Follow us on Facebook & Instagram at @FBCMel.
- Send us your thoughts and questions at info@fbcmel.org.
 
Support the Show:
- Share this episode with your friends and family who might be interested in international missions and faith journeys.
 
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Mission Control. Join us for more episodes as we explore more inspiring stories and dive deeper into the lives of individuals who are living out the mission God has for them.

Tracy Anderson: On Mission in the Swamp, Jungle, and Beyond!

In this episode of the Mission Control Podcast, join us as we welcome Tracy Anderson, a long-time member of FBC Melbourne. Tracy opens up about his extensive experience with international mission trips and his involvement in the transformative grandparenting ministry at his church. Discover how Tracy has embraced his calling, overcome language barriers, and witnessed the power of the gospel across various cultures.**Episode Highlights:** - Tracy’s transformative experience leading a vacation Bible school in Ecuador. - Challenges and rewards of mission trips to Ecuador, Romania, Israel, and Puerto Rico. - The role of the church in supporting mission trips financially and spiritually. - Importance of discipleship and mentorship within and outside of church settings. - Tracy’s involvement with the grandparenting ministry using the Legacy Coalition curriculum.- Discussion on being bold and trusting God’s path in uncomfortable situations. - Insightful reflections on effective evangelism and continuous personal faith journey.
**Resources Mentioned:** - “Is God Calling Me?” by Jeff Iorg - Launch Pad Program at FBC Melbourne - Legacy Coalition curriculum for grandparenting ministries **Connect with Us:** - Visit our website at launchme.church - Follow us on Facebook & Instagram at @FBCMel. - Send us your thoughts and questions at info@fbcmel.org. **Support the Show:** - Share this episode with your friends and family who might be interested in international missions and faith journeys. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Mission Control. Join us next time as we explore more inspiring stories and dive deeper into the lives of individuals who are living out the mission God has for them.

Marcia Bowling: On Mission Behind the Scenes

In this episode of the Mission Control Podcast, we welcome Marcia Bowling, an administrative dynamo at Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and a devoted figure in Melbourne, Florida’s Christian community. Marcia shares her insightful journey from homeschooling mom to empowering ministry facilitator, overcoming challenges of frequent relocations as a military family member, and her fulfilling role behind the scenes at FCA. Tune in to discover how Marcia’s dedication to ministry logistics and administration helps shape the future of young leaders and supports the seamless operations of FCA’s impactful programs. **Episode Highlights:**
Marcia's experiences with empowering students in campus ministry settings.
Her transition from stay at home mom homeschooling to working in ministry with FCA, including the influence of her military family background.
Insight into the indispensable role of behind-the-scenes work in ministry and its broader implications.
Marcia discusses the importance of community and connection through church and FCA.
How Marcia managed the blend of motherhood and professional life, including her return to the workforce.
Challenges and fun moments from Marcia’s career in ministry support roles.
**Resources Mentioned:**
"Is God Calling Me?" by Jeff Iorg
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) resources and community huddles: [brevardfca.org]
 
**Connect with Us:**
- Visit our website at [launchme.church]
- Follow us on Facebook & Instagram at @FBCMEL.
- Send us your thoughts and questions at info@fbcmel.org.
 
**Support the Show:**
Share this episode with your friends and family who might be interested in stories of faith, ministry, and community service.
 
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Mission Control. Join us next time as we explore more inspiring stories and dive deeper into the lives of individuals who are living out the mission God has for them.

Dennis Smith: Preparing for a New Season of Ministry After Retirement

In this latest installment of the Mission Control Podcast, we have the pleasure of welcoming a true servant leader, Dennis Smith. With over forty years of dedicated ministry under his belt, Dennis reflects on a spiritual journey marked by unwavering devotion, discipline, and an earnest pursuit of God's calling. From his transformative calling to ministry in his youth to his current transition towards new horizons, tune in to hear Dennis share his heartfelt experiences with disciple-making, senior adult mentoring, and empowering church communities.
**Episode Highlights:**
- Dennis Smith recounts his pathway to ministry
- The instrumental role of daily quiet time in Dennis's spiritual guidance
- The journey God has brought him through over 40 years of ministry
- Insights into his imminent retirement plans and new opportunities for living on mission
- The encouragement of proactive involvement in church life and small groups - Practical advice for those discerning a call to ministry
 
**Resources Mentioned:**
- "Is God Calling Me?" by Jeff Iorg https://rb.gy/hc50t5
- "The Cost of Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer https://rb.gy/zbvpz0
 
**Connect with Us:** - Visit our website at launchme.church
- Follow us on Facebook & Instagram at @FBCMel.
- Send us your thoughts and questions at info@fbcmel.org.
 
**Support the Show:** - Share this episode with your friends and family who might be interested in international missions and faith journeys.

Aleyah Terry: A Gap Year of Merging Creativity and International Missions

In this insightful episode of Mission Control, we're excited to introduce Aleyah Terry, a creative spirit and recent high school graduate who took a leap of faith by participating in an overseas mission with YWAM (Youth With a Mission) instead of heading straight to college. Aleyah shares her transformative experiences of personal growth, spiritual discovery, and creative pursuits while abroad. From a long-haul flight that taught her complete dependency on God to her activities in Norway and the United Kingdom, Aleyah's story is one of introspection, inspiration, and the pursuit of God's nudge. Tune in as we delve into Aleyah's gap year adventure that leads her not just across the globe but also closer to understanding her path in life and God's guiding hand in it.
 
**Resources Mentioned:**
- “Is God Calling Me?” by Jeff Iorg https://www.amazon.com/God-Calling-Me-Answering-Question/dp/0805447229
- “Kisses from Katie” by Katie Davis—Aleyah's inspirational reading on gap year experiences. https://shorturl.at/rtS69
- “The Next Right Thing” by Emily P. Freeman—A book recommended by Aleyah for decision-making. https://shorturl.at/zCDO6
- YWAM (Youth With A Mission)—The organization through which Aleyah took her disciple training. https://ywam.org
 
**Connect with Us:**
- Visit our website at launchme.church
- Follow us on Facebook & Instagram at @FBCMel.
- Send us your thoughts and questions at info@fbcmel.org.
 
**Support the Show:**
- Share this episode with your friends and family who might be interested in international missions and faith journeys.

Dario Suri: Following the Call to Be a Voice of Truth to Students Amid a World of Lies

In this episode of the Mission Control Podcast, we are joined by the passionate Dario Suri, a dedicated youth pastor and worship leader at Christ Community Church, and an area representative for FCA. Dario shares his personal journey of faith, his deep commitment to leading youth through worship and scripture, and his transformative experiences in ministry. Listen in as Dario opens up about his early struggles, his calling to mentorship and discipleship, and the meaningful impact of outreach programs on the local community.
Episode Highlights:
- Dario Suri's multifaceted role at Christ Community Church and his outreach through FCA
- The art of leading 33 huddles and using scripture to share the gospel
- The inspiring story of a troubled student's turnaround at an FCA camp
- Insights into Dario's calling into ministry and his vision to spread truth
- The backstory of how Dario got involved with FCA and the church
- The spiritual journey from hitting rock bottom to leading worship and youth
- Dario's interesting transition into becoming a youth pastor through divine timing
- Reflecting on the surprise growth of the youth group and community outreach success
- Influences of Dan Carter and Jason Shack on Dario's path into ministry
 
Resources Mentioned:
- "Is God Calling Me?" by Jeff Iorg: https://www.amazon.com/God-Calling-Me-Answering-Question/dp/0805447229
- Christ Community Church https://christcommunitysb.com
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) https://www.brevardfca.org
 
Connect with Us:
- Visit our website at launchme.church
- Follow us on Facebook & Instagram at @FBCMel.
- Send us your thoughts and questions at info@fbcmel.org.
 
Support the Show:
Share this episode with your friends and family who might be interested in hearing encouraging stories of how God is using people from the Space Coast to impact the God's Kingdom!