Crazy Missionary Stories
This is "Crazy Missionary Stories", the podcast that takes you on a wild ride through the unbelievable and often hilarious experiences of missionaries around the world. Each episode, we delve into the untold stories of those brave souls who venture into the unknown, armed with nothing but faith, courage, and an unyielding sense of adventure. From miraculous encounters and cultural misunderstandings to unexpected dangers and heartwarming triumphs, our guests share the craziest moments from their time on the mission field.
Episodes
🌍 Kerem & Joy Subasiguller Pt. 2 — God Is Moving Across Azerbaijan
From atheists coming to Christ to thousands requesting New Testaments, God is opening incredible doors across Azerbaijan! 🙏🔥In Part 2 of Crazy Missionary Stories, Kerem & Joy share how they are training Azerbaijani believers to reach their own people—and even carry the Gospel into other nations.They also share what they’ve learned about building strong missionary teams, handling conflict with
🇹🇷💛 Crazy Missionary Stories: Kerem & Joy Part 1 | From Turkey to the Mission Field
What happens when God calls a young woman from Florida to Turkey—and a young Turkish man searching for happiness discovers Jesus?In Part 1 of Crazy Missionary Stories, Kerem and Joy share their remarkable story of faith, missions, and God's guidance. From Turkish tea culture and a call to the mission field to a powerful testimony of transformation and an unexpected love story, this episode is
🌄💛 S.L. & L.K. Part 2 | Obedience Over the Mountain
What happens when you follow God’s call—even when it’s dangerous, uncertain, or takes years to see the result?In Part 2 of Crazy Missionary Stories, S.L. and L.K. share powerful, real-life stories from ministry in the Himalayan region.You’ll hear:📖 A young man who risked everything to follow Jesus—even after his Bible was burned🌱 How seeds of faith took years to grow, revealing fruit more than a d
S.L. & L.K. Pt. 1 - 🔥 What happens when someone says yes to God without fully understanding the call?
In this episode of Crazy Missionary Stories, we hear a powerful journey into the 10/40 window — a story of stepping into the unknown, trusting God fully, and watching Him move in unmistakable ways.🌍 A calling with no clear roadmap 🙏 Faith in unfamiliar places 😳 Moments of uncertainty turned into miracles 🔥 Choosing purpose over comfort📍 Learn more about Globe International: https://globeintl.org/📺
🔥 Tanner & Randi Linn Pt. 2 | Held at Gunpoint… and God Showed Up
Serving in Paraguay, Tanner & Randi Linn share how obedience, prayer, and surrender carried them through one of the most dangerous moments of their missionary journey.In this episode of Crazy Missionary Stories, they share: 🌍 Ministry deep in indigenous regions😳 A life‑or‑death encounter that changed everything🙏 What it means to surrender again👨👩👧👦 Faith, family, and trusting God under pres
🚨 From customs chaos to life‑changing water wells, this episode is packed with faith, grit, and God‑moments.
Tanner & Randi Linn share how God opened doors in Paraguay as they drilled wells, built relationships in indigenous villages, and watched love soften even the hardest hearts.🌍 Wells bringing living water😂 Unexpected (and risky) missionary moments🙏 Love that opened the door to the Gospel👨👩👧👦 Discipleship that keeps going back▶️ Watch Crazy Missionary Stories:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@glo
🌎💛 Judy Hernandez & Chiqui Pt. 2 | Generations of Faith in Guatemala
🇬🇹✨ What happens when one act of obedience impacts generations? In Guatemala, Judy Hernandez has watched it happen.In this episode of Crazy Missionary Stories, Judy and Chiqui share:🌍 How the Alfa y Omega Christian School now reaches more than 1,300 students👨👩👧👦 Chiqui’s story of growing up in the ministry and now helping lead the school🦷 A fully functioning dental clinic, medical training, mus
🌎✨ Judy Hernandez & Chiqui Pt. 1 | From Widow to 1,300 Students in Guatemala
💛🇬🇹 After losing her husband on the mission field, Judy Hernandez faced an impossible choice—but God had a greater plan waiting in Guatemala.In this episode of Crazy Missionary Stories, Judy and her son Chiqui share:🏫 How a small feeding program turned into the largest Christian school in their region👩👦 The miracle story of how Chiqui, born with a cleft palate, became her son and now helps lead t
🐸🔥 Sudip Khadka Pt. 2 | Frog Legs, Orphans, and Faith in Action
🌍🙏 Sudip Khadka returns with unforgettable stories from Nepal that reveal how God provides—even when resources are scarce and obedience is costly.In this episode of Crazy Missionary Stories, Sudip shares:🌍 What daily life looks like inside children’s homes caring for true orphans👨👩👧👦 How those children grow up, pursue education, careers, and leadership roles around the world🐸 Wild stories of co
Crazy Missionary Stories 🌍 Sudip Khadka Pt. 1 — From Hindu Roots to Transforming Nations
Sudip Khadka shares an extraordinary journey from a Hindu upbringing to a life fully surrendered to Christ—one that has impacted thousands across Asia.In this episode of Crazy Missionary Stories, Sudip shares:🌍 How a simple act of reading Scripture launched him into ministry🏠 The vision behind children’s homes, elderly care, and churches across Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Tibet🔥 Serving faithfully d
Ken & Becky Holderman Pt. 2 | When Missions End… But God Isn’t Finished
Ken & Becky Holderman return with powerful stories from Venezuela that reveal what happens when a missionary calling suddenly changes—but God’s purpose does not.In this episode of Crazy Missionary Stories, they share:🌍 Life after leaving the mission field in Venezuela and the struggle with lost identity🔥 Living through riots and martial law while trusting God for protection🛡️ Miraculous moment
Ken & Becky Holderman Pt. 1 🌊 “Sink or Swim!” Their Early Missionary Years Tested Everything
Ken & Becky Holderman step into this episode with unforgettable stories from their early days in Venezuela—stories of faith, courage, and God’s surprising provision.In this episode of Crazy Missionary Stories, they share:🌍 What missions looked like when they first served in Venezuela😂 Culture-shock moments—public hospitals, surprises at childbirth, and “sink or swim” beginnings🗣️ Lessons learn
Geof & Marion Gunton Pt. 2 | How Ordinary People Shape Nations
For decades, Geof & Marion Gunton have served across Papua New Guinea and Latin America, sharing powerful lessons from a lifetime of global ministry and showing how God uses ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary mission.In this episode of Crazy Missionary Stories, they reflect on why “the Church exists because God is on mission,” share funny and unforgettable moments from their years
Mobilizing the Church for God’s Mission | Geof & Marion Gunton Pt. 1
For nearly 40 years, Geof and Marion Gunton have helped believers around the world discover that missions isn’t just for a few — it’s for everyone.In this episode of Crazy Missionary Stories, they share how God led them from Papua New Guinea to Latin America and now to a global role with Simply Mobilizing — a movement calling every believer and every church to live on mission.🌍 Mobilizing the Chur
40 Years of Faith and Miracles | Crazy Missionary Stories with Christina White
For more than 40 years, Christina White has faithfully served on the mission field — from the jungles of Central America to the prison cells of Nicaragua.What began with one simple yes to God became a lifetime of ministry, miracles, and transformed lives.🌱 Called step by step into missions🚑 Using medical care to open doors for the Gospel🏃♀️ From rural villages to prison ministry and miraculous he
“I Will Make You a Missions Catapult” | Crazy Missionary Stories with Andreas Pestke
When Andreas Pestke was 26 years old, God spoke a single sentence that would change the entire course of his life: “I will make you a missions catapult.”What followed was a journey from engineering to evangelism, from business to the mission field. In this inspiring conversation, Andreas shares:🚀 A divine calling confirmed through unexpected moments🌍 How obedience led him from Germany to Nicaragua
Lepers, Guns and Dreams | Crazy Missionary Stories with Tanner & Randi Linn (Part 2)
In this Part 2 full episode of Crazy Missionary Stories, missionaries Tanner and Randi Linn dive deeper into the challenges of living and serving in Paraguay — including language barriers, culture clashes, dangerous situations, and miraculous moments that proved God’s faithfulness.🔥 You'll hear stories about:Being held at gunpoint in a tense moment of dangerComing face-to-face with a leper and res
Cultural Barriers & Unstoppable Miracles | Crazy Missionary Stories with Tanner & Randi Linn Pt.1
In this Part One episode, we follow the journey of Tanner & Randi Linn and their three children as they step into full-time missions in Paraguay — facing culture shock, language barriers, and spiritual challenges they never expected.🇵🇾 They couldn’t speak the language.😰 They didn’t fully understand the culture.✨ But they still saw miracles happen all around them.In this episode of Crazy Missio
It should not be legal
Join us as we talk with Pastor Mike Collins, who has been serving in ministry for 51 years. In this episode, he shares powerful stories of faith, lessons from decades as a pastor, and encouragement for anyone seeking to live a life of purpose and service. To learn more about Mike Collins, visit https://globeintl.org/members/collins-mikeCurious about how you can make a difference? Visit our website
It felt like prison
Join us as we talk with Ty & Jessica Wright who have been serving in missions for 8 years. Their story starts out different than most and they share the lessons they learned along the way. To learn more about the Wright's mission work, visit https://globeintl.org/members/w-ty-jessicaCurious about how you can make a difference? Visit our website https://globeintl.org/ to discover opportun
I felt like I was stepping down to Hell.
Join us as we talk with Denis and Elsa Kopliku who are serving as missionaries in their home country of Albania. They have seen the needs of the people of their country, and the refugees who seeking safety and have filled it with God's love.Listen as they tell us how they remember Albania becoming free from communism, feeling the draw towards ministry, and what they are doing today!To learn mo
We're here to kill.
Join us as we interview Tanneken, and explore the remarkable journey of 27 years of service in places like Israel and Mozambique. Born to parents who fled Nazi Germany and raised in an Anabaptist community, she discovered a personal relationship with Christ through the guidance of her Lutheran friends. Her path has been anything but ordinary—filled with daring adventures, narrow escapes, miraculou
These People Could Just Really Hurt Me Right Now
Today we are joined by Madilyn Kent who is serving in Cambodia. She talks to us about feeling the draw to missions as a young teen and how her life changed drastically after saying yes to the call. She tells about her crazy stories of traveling the world as a single woman, adjusting to life in a different country, and her extravagant Khmer wedding. You don't want to miss it.To learn more about
I Do Not Have a Demon, Thank You Very Much!
Join us in hearing from Tynan and Lydia Barnes, missionaries to Mexico! They tell us about their journey of becoming missionaries, culture shock in Mexico, near death experiences, and so many ways God has shown up for them in their lives.
You don't want to miss this crazy story!
Learn more about the Barnes at their website - TheKingsHarvest.org
Give them a follow on Instagram or Tiktok!
To get u
Plumbing Emergencies Seem to Follow Us
Today we are chatting with Kevin & Kristin who are currently serving in Eurasia! They tell us about their journey of becoming missionaries, transitioning from one country to another, and parenting third culture kids. Of course, they share a couple of crazy stories as well!!
Links from the episode -
Jetlagged podcast
Learn more about Globe International
"Your husband has been captured by the army, and they're looking for you"
Today we are joined by Cheri Thomson who has served in Kenya for 37 years. She tells us about the journey it took to becoming a missionary, her husband being captured by the Kenyan military, starting a children's home for street kids, and much more!
If you'd like to learn more about the Challenge Farm or sponsor a child, check out https://globeintl.org/members/thompson-cheri or visit their websit
It was missions that got me into Psychology
Today we are so excited to be chatting with Dr. Andy Yarborough, a clinical psychologist from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He tells us the story of how missions changed his life and led him to psychology.
Dr. Andy has some great resources so be sure to check them out at the links below:
Contact directly - mywellclinic.com
Podcast - My Well Lab
Rhythms - my rhythms.life
A Look Back at: Opening the First Pregnancy Crisis Center in Ecuador
Today we hear from Jim & Catalina Tate who have been serving in missions for 29 years. They tell the story of being called to missions, the funny way they met, opening the first pregnancy center in Ecuador, to facilitating a training workshop in over 20 countries.
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode may not be suitable for young ears as we discuss sensitive topics
To learn more about the Tate’s mi
Either the Lord just multiplied them, or we are terrible at counting!
Join us in hearing from Juanpa and Wendy Rodas who are serving as missionaries in their home country of Guatemala! They tell us their journeys of becoming Christians and being called to serve in their own country.
Learn more about His Works ministry in Guatemala:
Facebook
Instagram
They told us we had 30 minutes to take what we could
Today we are talking with Bryan Ost, a worship pastor and longtime missionary to France and the United States.
He walks us through his journey of being born into a family of missionaries, finding his place in missions, and being called to the U.S.
I said, "It's over, he's gone"
Today we are talking with Cristi who grew up on the mission field in Mexico! She tells us her adoption story, her experience of doing missions with her parents, and where God has lead her as an adult.
Only What's Done for Christ Will Last
Today we are talking with Oren Green, who is the father of past guest, Sandy Britnell. In this 97 years and 19 of those on the mission field, he has some crazy stories to share!
He tells us about taking his family of 7 and leaving the US to go to the jungles of Colombia, a brand new mission field, and trusting God through the process.
To listen to Sandy's episode, follow the link below!
https://
Missionary Caught Trafficking Drugs in Italy
Today we are talking with Helen Smith who was serving in Costa Rica for 37 years. She takes us on a journey as she tells us about her ministry in Costa Rica and Peru, redefining her call, and her time in an Italian prison.
She has some wild stories, you don’t want to miss it!
To learn more about Helen’s ministry, visit https://globeintl.org/members/smith-helen
Follow Crazy Missionary Stories on
Did God Really just Bring us into the Wilderness to leave us here?
Today we are talking with Cody and Jessica Mathews, missionaries to Peru!
They share with us their about their ministry, struggles with anxiety, and the trials they faced as new missionaries on the field.
To learn more about the Mathews’s ministry, check out https://globeintl.org/members/mathews-cody-jessica
Follow Crazy Missionary Stories on the Socials!
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/crazym
I was the Hispanic that was making history
Today we are joined by Jorge & Rosa Gutierrez who have been serving as missionaries in Mexico for 39 years. They tell us about their troubled past, how they came to know the Lord, and how they became called to missions.
We hear about Jorge’s fist fights in school, his fame in the soccer world, their unplanned pregnancy as teenagers, and Rosa being filled with the Spirit.
The whole episode is j
Giving Birth in the Cellar of a Pub
Today Kevin Randall joins us to talk about her journey in missions. Her story includes serving in many countries before God led them to settle in Nicaragua. She shares her birth story, and about her ministry serving the deaf community, special needs, grocery delivery, and more!
To learn more about Kevin’s ministry, visit https://globeintl.org/members/randall-mark-kevin
Follow Crazy Missionary St
There’s No Running Water..Where You Gonna Go?!
Today we heard from Jon Klover who has been serving as a stateside missionary for 7 years. His ministry includes disaster relief, homeless ministry, restoration, and jail ministry. Jon tells us the story of being a youth pastor and falling into sin, becoming homeless, and his journey of restoration. He also talks about the adventures of dealing with natural disasters, ministering to homeless, and
Opening the First Pregnancy Crisis Center in Ecuador
Today we hear from Jim & Catalina Tate who have been serving in missions for 29 years. They tell the story of being called to missions, the funny way they met, opening the first pregnancy center in Ecuador, to facilitating a training workshop in over 20 countries.
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode may not be suitable for young ears as we discuss sensitive topics
To learn more about the Tate’s mi
A look back at American Boy Lost in the Jungle for 8 Days | Braving Rapids in the Night, Piranha filled water for a bathroom, Owning a pet ocelot, and managing life as a kid in the jungle
This week we're rerunning one of our favorite episodes! We will be back next week with a brand new episode and the start of season 2!
Hear from Sandy Britnell who went to the jungles of Columbia with her parents as a missionary kid at age 10. From sleeping on sandbars to bathing and washing clothes in a creek, her life was nothing short of crazy!
I Shine My Light Over to the Bed and it's Covered in Hundreds of Bugs
Kelly Fahnestock has been serving on the mission field for five years, and she's here to tell us her crazy stories! She talks about the adventures of being on the World Race, and serving in ministry in Kenya and Rwanda. Her story includes hiking a crazy amount of miles, crossing a crocodile river, bedbugs, and much more!
If the Cows Come up to the Fence then We Know this is God's Will | Missionaries in Scotland, Kids Ministry, Seeing transformations in the lives of kids
This week, we are talking with Ryan and Chris Haney who are missionaries in Scotland and have been serving for 20 years. They talk about the steps that prepared them for their ministry, their daughter feeling the call at 15, and the struggles and rewards of working with children.
TRIGGER WARNING: Very brief mention of the topic of child abuse
To learn more about their ministry, visit https://gl
We're Alone in this Hospital, in the Dark, with this....Cat
Today we are talking with Brian & Mary Beth Stubenrauch who were missionaries in Thailand for 22 years. They talk about how they met, how they were called to missions, and the hard work they put into ministering in Thailand with some crazy stories of hearing God speak, taking a street cat to the ER, and seeing God work in the lives of the Thai people.
Where's the toilet paper? Adopting a baby on sight, Transitioning from Mexico to Southeast Asia, Sharing the Bible in a Shady Hotel
This week we talk to Greg who has been serving on the mission field for 35 years. He tells us the story of his daughter's adoption, feeling the call to move from Mexico to Southeast Asia, and a couple bathroom troubles along the way. He has a strong heart for missions and it comes through in this interview!
You Don't go to Church & Worship God and then beat someone up after | Being a youth pastor as an unsaved person, feeling called to transition from Japan to Scotland, living under a drug dealer
Today we hear from Bob and Melissa Hill who have been serving in missions for 39 years! They are real and raw with us as they share the struggles they went through in their early ministry, serving for a time in Japan and feeling the call to transition to Scotland. The culture shock going to Scotland was something they didn't expect and they ran into challenges like, their brake lines getting c
Voluntarily Living in a War Zone | Navigating Missions as a Black American, Being Chased & Harassed, and Being a celebrity in China
Hear from Lauren who is serving in the middle of war stricken Ukraine. Listen as she tell us how she navigates being a black American, married to a Ukrainian in the middle of a war zone. She tells her craziest stories of serving there, and gives great insight into the struggles a family faces after one of them is called to go. You don't want to miss this!
My Husband Missed our Baby's Birth | Finding faith after straying from God, Giving birth in another country, Living with rats, & Discovering God's call
Hear from Doug & Beth Gehman, who were missionaries in several countries for 15 years. Their story starts from a time when they had strayed from their faith, but God's love drew them back and they were called to missions. From giving birth in a new country, to sleeping in rat infested quarters, Doug and Beth's story is nothing short of crazy! They witnessed miraculous healings and were
American Boy Lost in the Jungle for 8 Days | Braving Rapids in the Night, Piranha filled water for a bathroom, Owning a pet ocelot, and managing life as a kid in the jungle
Hear from Sandy Britnell who went to the jungles of Colombia with her parents as a missionary kid at age 10. From sleeping on sandbars to bathing and washing clothes in a creek, her life was nothing short of crazy!
It Smells Horrible but it Sure Tastes Good | Attending a girls' school as a man, Language goofs, Social Faux Pas, & Water Buffalo poop?
Hear from Danny & Judy Armstrong, seasoned missionaries who dedicated themselves to serving in Southeast Asia. Hear firsthand about their experience—from the moment they found faith, to answering the call to missions, and embarking on a transformative adventure in a new country. They'll share the joys of embracing a different culture, along with the humorous moments and the hurdles they ov
Jesus Dies on the Pants | Going to the mission field at 40, culture shock, & snakes
Hear from Karen Welker, who went to Thailand as a missionary at 40 and served there for 30 years. Join us as we talk culture shock, healing from childhood trauma, making mistakes in a new place, and staying persistent on the field. This is one crazy story!
CRAZY MISSIONARY STORIES TRAILER
Living as a missionary has its crazy moments, and we're here to share them all! Join us as we interview people from all over the world who share their craziest experiences on the mission field. The good, the bad, the miraculous, and of course, the CRAZY!
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