Shows / Missionary Minds
Missionary Minds
Hear from the mind of a real-world missionary of over 20 years. From the rural village of Mbhokota in South Africa, Paul Schlehlein–or "Boti Paul / Mfundisi" (Brother Paul / teacher) as he is addressed in the podcast, hails from America, but has crossed the world, a culture, and a language group to minister to the Tsonga people of northern South Africa. His knowledge of the Scriptures, passion for church history, and lessons from the field shed light on issues of the faith, the family, and the…
Episodes
Missionary MindsThe Pitfalls of Paternalism: Why Foreign Funds Kill African Churches (TARIF 132)
"I am not promoting a new strategy. Many of the great missionaries of the past feared the results that came from paternalism. Western churches would raise…
Missionary MindsThe Redeeming Value of Rugby – How Strenuous Sport Helps Boys Become Men (TARIF 131)
The Springboks have inspired our nation because they have marched onto the rugby field to represent South Africa against the rest of the world. They have shown…
Missionary MindsThe Pandemic that Is Still With Us (TARIF 130)
"If at all we are to overcome the pandemic that has gripped the African continent, our churches must be planting churches at a faster rate. There is far too…
Missionary MindsHow should the Church in Lesotho respond to the problem of Suicide? (TARIF 129)
Trust God’s Authority over Life and Death (Deuteronomy 32:39, Job 1:21): Suicidal thoughts might stem from the desire to take control over life and death…
Missionary MindsMarriage Procrastination: Eight Excuses for Staying Single (TARIF 128)
Is singleness a gift from God or a self-imposed curse? Tim Cantrell explores eight common excuses for delaying marriage and challenges the notion that it's…
Missionary MindsDissecting Democracy: Is the ‘Right’ to Choose Right? (TARIF 127)
Someone once said that “Democracy is a slow process of stumbling to the right decision instead of going straight forward to the wrong one.” While this may…
Missionary MindsWhat Bill Gates, Spurgeon and Muslims Teach Us About Bible Memory (TARIF 126)
"I’ve heard that billionaire Bill Gates memorised the Sermon on the Mount in his youth. His pastor offered him a trip up to the Space Needle in Seattle if he…
Missionary MindsSanctified Ubuntu: Loving One Another (TARIF 125)
In an era where individualism is rampant, selfless loving relationships are often missing. Neighbours remain strangers as technology envelops us in isolation…
Missionary MindsThe Dark Truth Behind Feminism's War on Womanhood (TARIF 124)
In South Africa, August is recognized as Women's Month. As such, we've sought to address the greatest attacks on women by tackling the issue of feminism from…
Missionary MindsFeminism and Valuing Women as Stained Glass Windows (TARIF 123)
Paul Schlehlein discusses the rise of female leadership around the world and the impact of feminism on society. He explores the growing trend of women in…
Missionary MindsHow to Answer: “The Bible Never Says Abortion is Sin.” (TARIF 122)
Christians are often stumped when people argue that the Bible never mentions abortion. But the Bible doesn't mention lots of things that are still sins. In…
Missionary MindsIs Now the Time for Christians to Speak Out? (TARIF 121)
The Paris Olympics opening ceremony is just one of many instances when Christians have had to witness the name of God being blasphemed. In an age where people…
Missionary MindsA Word of Wisdom on the Worth of Women (TARIF 120)
While the Bible supports the protection of women, evidenced by the raising of a woman's worth in cultures which have received gospel light, it doesn't mean…
Missionary MindsOn Women’s Boxing and Other Abominations (TARIF 119)
With the recent scandal involving Imane Khelif Christians need to address critical questions. Should women box? Should little girls be taught to punch? In a…
Missionary MindsAm I Gay? (TARIF 118)
Can a Christian be gay? Are people really born with no choice over their sexual desires? What about when the feelings just won’t go away? These questions are…
Missionary MindsWhen Did You Last Think About Rural Areas? (TARIF 117)
Why is it that so few men choose to preach the gospel in rural Africa? Is it the difficulty of accessing these areas, or the challenges of adapting to a new…
Missionary MindsShould the Government Provide Free Healthcare for All? (TARIF 116)
The debate over government-funded healthcare is heating up in South Africa, as the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill faces constitutional challenges and…
Missionary MindsA Blueprint for Societal Flourishing (TARIF 115)
Is there any hope for the world's economic turmoil? Lennox Kalifungwa says YES! Tune into today's Africa Review in Five to learn how Christians hold the key to…
Missionary MindsOur Dating Needs Changing (TARIF: 114)
Is the church neglecting its duty to guide young Christians in their pursuit of holy matrimony? Are cultural practices across Africa failing to prepare young…
Missionary MindsMM 97: Unity and Individuality in Marriage (Part 2 of 2)
In this episode of Missionary Minds we discuss the one-flesh union between a man and his wife. How far does the union extend? Are husband and wife to be…
Missionary MindsAfrica’s Absent Fathers: Working Away from Home and Family (TARIF 113)
This episode of TARIF explores the widespread issue of absent fathers in Africa. The absence of fathers in the home significantly contributes to social and…
Missionary MindsTARIF 112: Have We Looked at All the Fields? The Forgotten Majority
This week on The Africa Review in Five: Have we looked at all the fields? The forgotten majority: 800 words for 800 million. Seth Meyers reminds us that while…
Missionary MindsMM 96: Unity and Individuality in Marriage (Part 1 of 2)
In this episode of Missionary Minds we discuss the one-flesh union between a man and his wife. How far does the union extend? Are husband and wife to be…
Missionary MindsTARIF 111: Good News for African Girls: Child Marriage & Christianity
In this episode of The Africa Review in Five, we tackle the disturbing issue of child marriage, a practice that robs young girls of their childhood and future…
Missionary MindsTARIF 110: Clarity on the Christian Essentials
There is endless debate about Christian unity. In this episode of The Africa Review in Five, we cut through the confusion and propose a simple, yet powerful…
Missionary MindsMM 095 - What Causes Conflict With in-Laws?
In this episode we discuss what some of the key causes are of conflict with unbelievers. One may be tempted to think it's a host of different issues. However…
Missionary MindsTARIF 109: Kenya’s Eco-Tax Revolt: A Christian Response
Kenya is in chaos! Violent protests have erupted nationwide, sparked by a hefty tax increase on essential goods, including an eco-levy aimed at waste…
Missionary MindsTARIF 108: Ancestor Worship in the Church
Does praying to ancestors invite blessings or curses? Paul Schlehlein explores the pervasive practice of ancestor worship in Africa, its surprising parallels…
Missionary MindsMM 94: How to Deal With in-Laws in Marriage
People struggle with in-law relationships. They can cause havoc in a relationship or be a blessing to one. Sometimes the causes of strain are from external…
Missionary MindsTARIF 107: Does the Minimum Wage Protect Workers?
Because of Africa’s history of slavery and racial discrimination, African governments often believe it is their duty to protect labourers from exploitation…
Missionary MindsTARIF 106: Perilous Tax Protest in Kenya
This past week has been marked by shocks, frustration, and what the Kenyan citizens may term as palpable failure in nation-building. When the protests, dubbed…
Missionary MindsTARIF 105: The War at Your Doorstep
Whatever the state of political and military tensions on the African continent may be, Christians need to recognise that the world is engulfed in a war that…
Missionary MindsTARIF 104: To Pastors Who Want to Quit
The work of pastoral ministry is not for the faint-hearted. We read in Philippians 1:29 that “it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ, you…
Missionary MindsTARIF 103: Free Money – The Fake Solution for Real Poverty
South Africa could become the first country in the world to implement a Universal Basic Income (UBI) grant, according to recent articles by Business Tech and…
Missionary MindsTARIF 102: Does Islam Really Teach This?
Recently two evangelists in Uganda were left in a pool of blood by Muslims demanding they renounce Christ. Just in 2024 alone, we read in horror of Muslims…
Missionary MindsTARIF 101: Nobody is Talking About This Genocide
Discover the untold stories of suffering and resilience in Sudan and Northeastern Nigeria. This gripping episode of The Africa Review in Five sheds light on…
Missionary MindsTARIF 100: Should Women Work?
“Discover the thought-provoking debate on whether mothers should participate more in the workplace. Stellenbosch Business School’s article sheds light on…
Missionary MindsTARIF 99: Social Media: Remember This Before You Post
In this episode of The Africa Review in Five, we explore the impact of social media on Christians in Africa. With platforms like Facebook and Instagram rapidly…
Missionary MindsTARIF 98: May I Marry Any Christian?
Dive into a thought-provoking discussion on Christian marriage in South Africa! Uncover biblical truths with Tim Cantrell and explore what it truly means to…
Missionary MindsMM 93: The Blessing of Friendship
In this episode of Missionary Minds, we discuss friendship. We were created for fellowship with God and with others. This is especially important when it comes…
Missionary MindsTARIF 97: Whiteness, Worship, and the Myth of African Freedom
Tune in for a thought-provoking discourse on the quest for true freedom in Africa. Uncover the misconceptions of liberation and the self-imposed chains of…
Missionary MindsTARIF 96: Dewey’s Deadly Doctrines: A Review of the Public School System
In this bite-sized treatment, we dissect the clash between public education and Christian values. From textbooks to classroom discussions, there is a war on…
Missionary MindsMM 92: Should We Expect Suffering in Ministry?
In this episode, the discussion centers around the idea that Christians should not be caught off guard by suffering. Instead, they are encouraged to embrace it…
Missionary MindsMM 91: Should Parents Ever Rebuke Their Children in Public?
🎙️ “Guiding Our Children: Balancing Correction and Compassion” 🎙️ In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the delicate art of correcting our children…
Missionary MindsTARIF 95: “Brother, the Woman You Are Looking for Doesn’t Exist”
🎙️ “The Myth of the Perfect Woman: Why Young Men Delay Marriage” 🎙️ Join us in this eye-opening episode as we delve into why young men in the church are…
Missionary MindsTARIF 94: Take Note Before You Vote
Join us as we explore the intersection of faith and politics. In a world of elections and shifting powers, we delve into why Christians must vote thoughtfully…
Missionary MindsMM 90: Is Learning a Language Important for Missions?
"Why Language Matters for Missionaries” In this episode, we explore how language proficiency is more than a practical skill—it’s a bridge to understanding…
Missionary MindsMM 89: Do I Really Have To Discipline My Kids?
The world reaches that children are a blank slate. It teaches that people are inherently good. It advocates that new styles of parenting should be implemented…
Missionary MindsTARIF 93: Potholes and Pitfalls: When Christians Stumble
Potholes have been a way of life on roads in Africa for a long time; with South Africa now attributing 25% of all road accidents in the country to poor road…
Missionary MindsTARIF 92: Mercy or Murder? Thoughts on Euthanasia
Should doctors or family members be allowed to help a person die if they have a painful or terminal illness? Some first-world countries would answer yes, as…
Missionary MindsMM 88: How to Make a Lasting Impact In Ministry
Every faithful man in ministry wants to make a lasting impact. Every man in ministry wants to increase his fruitfulness and have something that will outlive…
Missionary MindsTARIF 91: Sounding the Alarm on South Africa’s Gender Benders
The past 10 years have seen an inordinate amount of time and energy spent by the media, politicians, and educators on promoting transgenderism or Gender…
Missionary MindsTARIF 90: Does Systemic Racism Exist in Africa?
Systemic racism refers to laws and policies in a society that discriminate against people based on their race. The Cambridge Dictionary defines systemic racism…
Missionary MindsMM 87: Manoeuvring Money in Ministry
All about money and ministry in the life of a ministry.
Missionary MindsMM 86: Do You Teach Your Children This Way?
In this episode Boti Paul speaks to us about training a child rightly. It's never too early to start. If you've waited too long, it isn't too late to begin…
Missionary MindsTARIF 89: A Bright Light Among Darkened Minds
This June, our continent will see its first-ever “Africa Pride” event, a virtual event celebrating homosexuality across Africa. The event is organised by…
Missionary MindsTARIF 88: Should We Stop Having Kids?
When a society ignores God's directive to be fruitful and multiply, its death rate will surpass its fertility rate and that nation will begin to die. For…
Missionary MindsMM 85: How Do You Balance Ministry and Family?
History a filled with many who never went far enough, never tried hard enough, and never continued long enough. Despite these, there are those who can be…
Missionary MindsTARIF 87: Kicking the Can Down the Road and Diving Deeper into Debt
Hezekiah received a prophecy that because of his disobedience, a future Babylonian invasion would result in the capture and captivity of his sons. Hezekiah was…
Missionary MindsTARIF 86: Can Education Be Neutral?
Satan has always tried to wrest the role of education from parents and place it into the hands of the State. In a 1933 speech, Adolph Hitler said: “When an…