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How do you actually know what you're gifted for? If you're trying to work out what God has gifted you to do, you may have wondered whether you need to pick one path. Sam knew early on that he loved evangelism and teaching. But he was also a doctor. Along the way, he received plenty of advice about ministry, some helpful, and some that he eventually realised wasn't quite right.In this conversation, Sam explains how he actually worked out where his gifting lay and why he believes there isn't one template for what gospel ministry has to look like. We also spoke about whether the idea that SMBC is “less academic” than Moore College is really true, why he went to Chicago to do a PhD, how he became a 'roaming' evangelist, and how his work eventually led to writing books and creating EVQ. If you're considering formal theological training, gospel ministry, evangelism, or simply trying to work out what God has gifted you to do, this episode will help you think more clearly. Chapters: 1:43 — When did Sam first know he wanted to be an evangelist?3:05 — When did he first consider becoming a paid “professional” evangelist? 8:03 — The bad advice about ministry Sam had to move past 12:05 — Medicine vs Bible college, the wrestle & why medicine remained part of the picture 18:20 — Why Sam studied at SMBC, and why it isn't “less academic” than Moore College 22:10 — Why do a PhD in Chicago if you want to be an evangelist?26:55 — Preacher, teacher or evangelist, can you do them all? 27:49 — How Sam became a roaming evangelist 30:58 — How Sam connected with Tim Keller and The Gospel Coalition, and became an author 35:50 — What is EVQ, and why did Sam create it? Sam Chan is an evangelist with City Bible Forum, a medical doctor, author of How to Talk about Jesus Without Being That Guy and Evangelism in a Skeptical World, a Fellow of the Tim Keller Centre for Cultural Apologetics, and creator of EVQ. He has two doctorates - in theology and in medicine. Youtube episode live tomorrow!

Are you trying to make a decision about ministry but struggling to decide? Do you struggle with the paralysis of options before you? Or perhaps, are you wondering if Bible college is actually worth the investment? Or maybe are you longing to ‘break the bubble’ of Sydney to see what opportunities there are for cross-cultural ministry across the globe? Rob Falls is a missionary in Vanuatu. CHAPTERS; 00:00 — Intro & Rob’s Ministry in Vanuatu
 01:21 — Becoming a Christian Through Family & Church Community
 02:43 — Growing a Heart for Global Mission
 05:44 — Why Rob Chose a Ministry Apprenticeship
 08:01 — Bible College, Mission & Preparing for Cross-Cultural Ministry
 10:27 — The Trip to Vanuatu That Changed Everything
 13:23 — Why Deep Theological Training Matters
 17:30 — Language Learning & Cross-Cultural Ministry Challenges
 19:20 — Teaching Ministry in One of the World’s Most Linguistically Diverse Nations
 21:31 — Poverty, Farming & Life at the Bible College
 22:58 — Advice for Aspiring Missionaries
 26:16 — When to Contact a Mission Agency
 27:59 — Final Encouragement: “The Harvest Is Plentiful”

Are you a little scared of how difficult Christian ministry may be? Are you wondering if it might be too hard for you? Are you wondering if you have the right motives to quit your current job to go to Bible College or start a ministry apprenticeship? Alan Au shares his journey of becoming a church planter in the North Shore of Sydney. Alan reveals why we shouldn’t freak out about the difficulties of vocational ministry. He speaks about why you need people to ask you tough questions, and how to grow a more servant heart for the lost. He also encourages us to think about why we should “trust God more not less” under the financial pressures of going into gospel ministry. Alan Au is a pastor and planter of Captivate Presbyterian Church, North Ryde. CHAPTERS: 00:00 — Intro & Alan’s Ministry Context 02:10 — Becoming a Christian & Early Faith 03:31 — First Thoughts About Vocational Ministry 06:58 — Leaving Pharmacy & Trusting God Through Family Hardship 09:15 — Ministry Apprenticeship & Character Formation 13:12 — Bible College & Preparing for Long-Term Ministry 14:42 — Church Planting, Leadership & Learning to Equip Others 18:30 — Raising Up the Next Generation for Ministry 22:56 — Challenges Young Christians Face Considering Ministry Today 28:23 — Final Advice for Aspiring Ministry Leaders

How can you prepare your soul well for pastoral ministry? How can you ensure you are spiritually prepared for the pressure cooker that serving the church in Christian leadership inevitably places upon your inner life with God? Bethany Allen is the Pastor of Spiritual Formation & Leadership Development at Bridgetown Church in Portland, USA. She is also a teacher with Practicing the Way. Bethany shares her story of how she became a pastor at Bridgetown Church. Through it she shares about the critical lessons she has learned along the way about caring for her own soul through the highs and lows, and about the call that has pushed her through the challenges of being a woman in pastoral ministry. CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction and leading to ministry. 03:20 - Trauma, family crisis, and first sense of vocation. 08:10 - Early ministry, Bible study, and discovering a teaching gift. 12:45 - Bible college, seminary, and being formed through pain. 18:50 - Joining Bridgetown and the shift from assistant to pastor. 23:00 - How Bridgetown developed spiritual formation and communities. 29:30 - Personal rhythms, soul care, and sustaining ministry. 35:10 - Rule of life, busy schedules, and guarding the soul. 40:00 - Advice to a younger self and women in ministry. 44:10 - Prayer and blessing. Episode also live on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspirepodcast1tim31

Dani Treweek shares her journey from women’s ministry in the local church to theological research, writing, and leading a parachurch ministry focused on singleness. We talk about: – Singleness and ministry: challenge or advantage? – Why Dani never planned to do a PhD – The hidden realities of parachurch ministry – How to make decisions without knowing what’s ahead – Building a faithful, long-term life serving Jesus while single FULL VIDEO version available on your YouTube Channel: ~[https://www.youtube.com/@aspirepodcast1tim31] CHAPTERS:
 00:00 – Dani’s story: from local church ministry to something unexpected
 01:30 – Early convictions about ministry
 07:00 – Why she ended up doing a PhD 
11:30 – Advice for theological study
 14:00 – The reality of parachurch ministry 
18:00 – Challenges of being single in ministry
 21:00 – Do you need to be married for ministry?
 24:00 – Contentment and conviction in singleness
 26:30 – Making wise decisions amid uncertainty
 28:00 – Final reflections on faithfulness

Interested in Christian ministry but wondering how to navigate your own ambition and the dangers of burnout? In this episode of the Aspire Podcast, SMBC New Testament lecturer Mark Stephens shares what saying no taught him about ambition, burnout, and wise ministry decisions. You’ll hear:​ + The early signs of burnout most leaders ignore until it’s too late.​+ Godly ambition vs platform-chasing ambition. ​ + Why your character has to grow as fast as your gifting if you lead, teach, or preach.​ + How doubt, confusion, and “dark nights of the soul” can actually make you a deeper, wiser leader.​ + The unexpected way God wove together youth ministry, academia, public Christianity, and Bible college lecturing. Listen to this if you: - Feel tired, stretched, or secretly close to burning out. - Are wrestling with 'calling', opportunities, and how much to say “yes” to. - Want a long-haul, Jesus-shaped life and ministry, not just a moment on a platform. 00:00 – Why Mark said NO to a dream speaking opportunity 04:21 – Burnout warning signs you can't ignore 08:30 – When gifts outpace character (danger zone) 12:40 – Doubt, perfectionism & dark night of the soul 18:00 – Non-linear journey: church → academia → lecturing 35:00 – Evangelism in post-Christian culture 42:00 – Godly ambition vs platform hunger 50:00 – Decision-making wisdom for emerging leaders FULL VIDEO version available on your Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aspirepodcast1tim31. Follow for monthly episodes.

Ever felt that tug toward ministry, but your brain immediately goes, “Nah, not you. Too much mess in your past. Too many stuff-ups. Nowhere near holy enough”?​ In this episode, Jacob Madder (Youth and Music Minister at St Faith’s, Narrabeen) shares his raw story. He grew up in a solid church community with a low hum of “maybe ministry one day” in the background, but internally he was sure he wasn’t the type, and his choices seemed to back that up. He drifted from church, dropped out of uni twice, made some painful mistakes, and carried a deep sense that he was never going to be truly forgiven to ever call others to follow Jesus.​ This episode covers: The quiet weight of “you’d be great in ministry” when you’re convinced there’s no way you could be.​ How walking away from church and hitting a low point in his mid‑twenties became the turning point, not the end.​ The moment a new staff member, who didn’t know his past, told him he should consider ministry, and why that hit different.​ The real‑life wrestle between a big pay rise on the tools and a minimum‑wage ministry apprenticeship.​ What Jake has learned about insecurity, shame, forgiveness, and letting God use every part of your story.​ If you’d like to watch the full conversation, subscribe to us on our YouTube channel to catch the full video there. Link in our Instagram bio.

What does it look like to prepare for gospel ministry without leaving your local church or community? In this episode of the Aspire Podcast, Jeremy Kidd shares his journey into ministry through a ministry apprenticeship (MTS) while studying theology from a coastal context on the Central Coast. Jeremy reflects on his conviction for evangelism, the value of hands-on ministry training, and why he believes apprenticeships are essential for anyone considering paid gospel ministry. We talk about discerning a call to ministry, choosing Bible college, studying part-time while serving in church, and how character, competence, and conviction are formed best in the pressure cooker of real ministry. Jeremy also unpacks why coastal and regional contexts are strategic places for mission—and how God is powerfully at work beyond the city. Whether you’re exploring Bible college, wondering about a ministry apprenticeship, or asking what your next step might be, this conversation will help you think clearly, prayerfully, and realistically about serving Jesus long-term. This is a series of episodes on students at bible college. Hear their stories, their longings, and their questions.

Why do you need a rich theological education to pursue Christian ministry? Why should you come back and study further if you are already in ministry or on the mission field? Is a ministry apprenticeship  the only way? What is it like doing bible college as a family? This is a series of episodes on students at bible college. Hear their stories, their longings, and their questions.  We are also now live on Youtube!

How can I overcome financial fears about the costs of moving to or studying at bible college? Is it worth the cost? This is a series of episodes on students at bible college. Hear their stories, their longings, and their questions.  This is our first video episode! If this episode was helpful, we would love to invite you to consider giving us a review on Spotify Podcasts. This helps others find out about this podcast. Our goal is to hit 50 reviews by November 30!

What is bible college really like? How can you move past discouragement when struggling to find examples to model yourself on? A series of episodes on students at bible college. Hear their stories, their longings, and their questions.  If this episode was helpful, we would love to invite you to consider giving us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. This helps others find out about this podcast. Our goal is to hit 50 reviews by November 30!

Malcolm and Leanne Reid share their remarkable journey of nearly a decade serving in Vietnam, reflecting on the joy and cost of following God into a revival in Vietnam. From being involved in theological education at Hanoi Bible College to navigating persecution in their students church planting, their story is one of faith, perseverance, and deep trust in God’s sovereignty. They speak candidly about raising children on the mission field, winning their kids’ hearts for global mission, and the power of building genuine relationships in a cross-cultural context. Along the way, Malcolm and Leanne unpack why Vietnam captured their hearts, the growing need for Bible teachers across the world, and what it looks like to say “yes” to global need. Malcolm and Leanne are currently 'Missionaries in Residence' at SMBC.

Ed Grudier shares the story of how God led him to West Asia and opened his eyes to the urgent need of the unreached. Along the way, he discovered that prayer is not just preparation for mission—it is the very work itself. In this conversation, Ed tells powerful stories from years on the field, highlighting both the challenges and the surprising ways God moves when His people depend on Him. His reflections will stir your heart for prayer, renew your vision for the nations, and remind you that no place is beyond the reach of the gospel. Ed is the Director of the Centre for Cross-Cultural Mission and Head of Missions at Sydney Missionary and Bible College (SMBC). He recently released a book called "Lifting God High from the Lowest Valley: a 30 day devotional guide through grief ". If this episode was helpful, we would love to invite you to consider giving us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. This helps others find out about this podcast. Our goal is to hit 50 reviews by November 30!

Dr Tim Silberman reflects on his journey as a missions lecturer and explores one of the most pressing questions for anyone considering gospel ministry: should we serve where we “fit,” or where the “need” is greatest? Drawing on years of experience training gospel workers, Tim unpacks critical considerations for cross-cultural and distant mission. His story is marked by wisdom, humility, and a deep conviction that God is sovereignly at work in both the sending and the going. Tim is part of the SMBC Centre for Cross-Cultural Mission. He recently released a book, Engaging Neighbours and Nations: Factors Shaping Local Church Patterns of Involvement in Mission. If this episode was helpful, we would love to invite you to consider giving us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. This helps others find out about this podcast. Our goal is to hit 50 reviews by November 30!

Dick shares his remarkable story of seeing thousands of unreached people come to faith in Ethiopia. His story is marked by profound humility, but also the extraordinary power of God to bring thousands of churches into existence. He recently travelled back to Ethiopia, in early 2025 (at the age of 93!), to preach to a convention of 40,000 people. Dick was given a traditional gift to honour and respect his ministry. Dick shares incredible lessons and stories from the perspective of someone who has seen God do far more than what he ever dreamed or imagined of. If this episode was helpful, we would love to invite you to consider giving us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. This helps others find out about this podcast. Our goal is to hit 50 reviews by November 30!