Are foreign missions outdated—or more vital than ever? In this episode of Native Exiles, we sit down with theologian and missiologist Dr. Michael Goheen to talk about the heart of Christian mission and why the global call to make disciples remains central to the church’s identity.

Drawing from his book The Core of the Christian Faith: Seeing the Big Picture of God’s Story, Dr. Goheen addresses common objections to foreign missions—such as cultural imperialism, globalization, and the rise of local churches worldwide—and offers a thoughtful defense of why cross-cultural witness still matters today.

We’ll explore how God’s mission has always been global in scope, what a healthy theology of mission looks like, and how ordinary believers can participate meaningfully in God’s redemptive work among the nations.

Dr. Michael Goheen has served as a professor of missiology and theology at several institutions, including Missional Training Center and Covenant Theological Seminary. His writing and teaching help the church recover a whole-life, mission-shaped vision of the gospel.

Native Exiles is a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it.

What does it mean for men and women to flourish together in God’s design—not in spite of their differences, but because of them? In this episode of Native Exiles, we sit down with Dr. Gregg R. Allison, theologian and professor of Christian theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, to explore his latest book, Complementarity: Dignity, Difference, and Interdependence. Allison offers a vision of complementarity that goes far deeper than the typical debates. Rather than reducing the conversation to roles or authority, he roots his perspective in the equal worth of men and women, their meaningful distinctions, and the interdependence through which they thrive together.

In our conversation, Gregg traces how the church has historically understood gender, how Scripture shapes a richer framework for thinking about dignity and difference, and why the modern church often struggles to apply these truths in a way that is both faithful and life-giving. He explains how complementarity is not merely a doctrinal position but a lived reality that shapes relationships, community, and the mission of the church. We also talk about the practical implications for everyday discipleship—how men and women serve alongside one another, how churches can cultivate environments of mutual flourishing, and how theology can help bridge divides rather than create them.

Gregg Allison brings deep theological expertise and a pastor’s heart, drawing from years of scholarship and ministry. Whether you’re wrestling with contemporary questions about gender, seeking clarity on complementarian and egalitarian debates, or simply longing for a more beautiful vision of life together as God’s people, this episode offers thoughtful, hopeful guidance.

Native Exiles is a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it.

Gregg R. Allison is Professor of Christian Theology at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. Allison came to Southern in 2003.

What if true evangelism begins with a warm welcome? In this episode of Native Exiles, we sit down with Danny Franks, pastor and expert on guest services, to talk about why hospitality is not just a program—but a reflection of the gospel itself.

Danny unpacks how the early church made belonging a central part of its witness, and how modern churches can reclaim that same spirit of invitation. We’ll discuss the theology behind hospitality, the barriers that keep churches from being truly welcoming, and practical ways to create spaces where strangers feel seen, known, and loved.

Danny Franks is the Pastor of Guest Services at The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, where he helps churches create cultures of genuine hospitality that reflect the heart of the gospel. He’s the author of People Are the Mission: How Churches Can Welcome Guests Without Compromising the Gospel and shares insights on ministry and life through his blog, Connective Tissue—a mix of practical wisdom, humor, and honest reflection.

Native Exiles is a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it.