S2E8: Serving Missionary Kids Through Every Season | Steve Swope скачать в хорошем качестве

S2E8: Serving Missionary Kids Through Every Season | Steve Swope

In this episode of the Go and Send Podcast, Steve Swope shares his journey from youth ministry in Michigan to serving missionary families in Bolivia and now supporting missionary kids (MKs) through Ethnos 360's MK Care Program. Steve and his wife, Becky, have dedicated decades to caring for missionary children, helping them navigate the unique challenges of growing up across cultures. Steve opens up about his path to missions—from growing up in a missions-minded church to attending the Urbana Missions Conference as a newlywed. He walks through 15 years of teaching and leading at Christian schools in Bolivia, the joys and heartaches of serving overseas, and the difficult transition when their school closed due to political instability. Now back in the U.S., Steve and Becky minister to MKs through retreats, debriefing, hospitality, and their podcast Base Camp. This conversation offers valuable insight into the often-overlooked ministry of caring for missionary kids, the realities of raising a family overseas, and practical ways churches can support MKs and their families. Contact us at goandsend@sonsetsolutions.org Resources & Links: • Ethnos 360: https://ethnos360.org/ • BaseCamp podcast • Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense by Paul David Tripp • Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds by David Pollock & Ruth Van Reken • Pieces of Purple by Michelle Phoenix • I Have to Be Perfect by Tim Sanford 00:00 – Intro: Meet Steve Swope and MK Care 00:46 – What Is Missionary Kid Care? 02:17 – Why MK Care Is Essential 05:11 – Common Challenges Missionary Kids Face 06:44 – MKs and Making Their Faith Their Own 07:03 – Steve's Upbringing and Early Missions Influences 09:31 – College at Moody Bible Institute 11:03 – Becoming a Youth Pastor 12:02 – Meeting Becky, a Missionary Kid from Bolivia 13:07 – Discovering Pops and Aunt Bart's MK Hospitality Ministry 15:20 – The Urbana Missions Conference That Changed Everything 17:12 – Answering the Call to Bolivia 18:05 – Moving to Bolivia as Associate Missionaries (1989) 21:42 – Confirmation and Affirmation in Ministry 24:24 – The Role of Community in Discovering God's Will 25:08 – Trusting God with Your Desires (Psalm 37) 27:02 – Returning for Teacher Certification and Missions Training 30:00 – Back to Bolivia: Junior High Dorm Parents 32:03 – Four Years of Pre-Field Training 33:13 – The Challenges of Raising Support 36:19 – God's Unexpected Provision 37:17 – Arriving in Bolivia: Culture Shock and Adjustment 40:30 – Daily Life on the Mission Field 41:13 – Teaching at a Christian Boarding School in the Mountains 43:41 – Heartbreak and Loss: Three Deaths in Three Years 46:51 – Homesickness and Missing Family 47:26 – Political Instability and Rising Crime 48:37 – The Painful Closure of Their School 50:18 – Transition to Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center 52:34 – Looking Back: Relationships and God's Faithfulness 55:10 – Raising Third Culture Kids: What Parents Should Know 58:27 – Returning to the U.S. and Joining MK Care 01:01:10 – The Struggle of Identity and Rest 01:05:15 – How Churches Can Support Missionary Kids 01:09:04 – Steve's Parkinson's Diagnosis and God's Grace 01:14:05 – Encouragement for Those Considering Missions 01:16:22 – Recommended Books on MKs and Third Culture Kids 01:18:04 – Closing Thanks and Farewell To learn more about SonSet Solutions, go to our website or follow us on social media @SonSetSolutions. Website: https://www.sonsetsolutions.org