The Missionary Perspective

Interview with Alex Kocman

Alex Kocman is a Christian, husband, father of four, student, writer, podcaster, church leader, missions advocate, and voice on the biblical and cultural issues affecting us today. He received his M.A. in Media and Communication Studies and B.S. in Biblical Studies through Liberty University, where he also served as an online evangelism and apologetics instructor with Liberty University Online from 2012-2014.

From there, he spent two years as a Student Ministry Coordinator at a large, multisite church. He now serves as Director of Communications and Engagement for ABWE, a theologically conservative church-planting missions agency with about 1,000 missionaries reaching nearly 90 countries. Since 2017, he has cohosted The Missions Podcast with Scott Dunford, interviewing notable guests across the evangelical and missiological worlds. In 2023, he also began hosting Cloud of Witnesses, ABWE’s show highlighting stories of veteran missionary faithfulness, and in 2024, he launched The World View on YouTube.

He is the co-author with Chad Vegas of Missions by the Book: How Theology and Practice Walk Together (Founders Press, 2021), which argues for a biblical vision of the missionary task driven by historic Protestant orthodoxy bounded by the regulative principle. He is also the author of Striving for the Faith: A Journey Through Philippians for Life on Mission (Founders Press), which is now available for preorder and slated for release in February 2025.

His other miscellaneous writings have been featured in various outlets, including The Gospel Coalition, For the Church, 9Marks, Biblical Missiology, Founders Ministries, Doctrine and Devotion, Message Magazine and ABWE’s blog, Liberty University News, American Bible Society’s Record Magazine, and Christian Life News.

He resides with his wife and four children in York, Pennsylvania, where he spends his free time studying theology, weightlifting, and nursing a heavy coffee addiction. He adheres to the 1689 London Baptist Confession and serves as an elder at Faith Bible Fellowship Church, where he leads the missions team and serves as director of communications and worship.

Funerals on the Mission Field

Josh and Erik share a topic not often discussed by missionaries: how to conduct funerals on the mission field. 

Pastor Keith Mead

Keith Mead has served as a pastor for over 40 years. He is now retired. His wife and two of his four children are with the Lord. Pastor Mead was not only Josh's pastor when he was a child but is Josh's grandfather. 

Interview with DJ and Lorrie Harry

D.J. Harry is the pastor of Needhams Grove Baptist Church in Seagrove, North Carolina. His undergraduate training was in science education which led him to teach high school chemistry, biology, and physics for eight years.

However, in 2005, God directed his steps into pastoral ministry. He received his M.Div. from Piedmont International University and will complete his D.Min. in 2025. A featured speaker at marriage conferences, parenting conferences, and camps, DJ is known for his Bible-centered preaching and for his passion for the Lord. DJ and his wife, Lorrie, were married in 1997. They have four adult children that are all serving the Lord!

Missionary Q and A | Part Two

Erik and Josh answer questions sent in by a college student

Missionary Q & A | Part One

Erik and Josh answer questions sent in from a college student.

Missionary Adam Fridenstine

Adam and Esther were married on June 13, 2008, in Salem, Oregon, after God brought them together with a beautiful love story of purity, answered prayer, and parent and pastoral counsel.

Under the direction and mentoring of Dr. Paul Chappell, senior pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church, both Adam and Esther served faithfully with bus children and in the music and Spanish ministries.

The personal mentoring and ministry involvement during their childhood and teen years, and then the multitude of ministry experiences at LBC, has prepared them for entering a lifetime of service on the mission field.

With the assistance of Baptist International Missions, Inc., the Fridenstines are planting and seeing churches grow in El Salvador while directing a Christian school and Bible Seminary to raise, mentor, and see future generations sent to the harvest field of souls.

Catching Up

Erik and Josh catch up after a four-week break from podcasting. 

Mission Trips Before and After

Josh and Erik discuss the planning before hosting a mission trip and what happens when everyone goes home.

Episode 72 | Branden Lawrence | Part 02

Erik interviews his close friend, Branden Lawrence. Branden is an assistant pastor who has served at Temple for 20 years! He is also the missions pastor, music pastor, head of AWANA, and head of VBS! Branden always finds a way to choose joy and see the bright side of things, and he is such a fun person to know.