In this episode, Joel Wayne sits down with Paul Davis, President of ABWE, to explore the future of global missions—and why the local church is still God’s primary strategy for reaching the world.
In this deeply practical and forward-looking conversation, Paul shares how his leadership journey was shaped not by ambition but by faithfully stewarding what God placed in front of him. Together, they unpack the critical role of the local church in sending missionaries, the power of kingdom-minded partnerships, and why relational investment—not platform—drives lasting gospel impact.
But this conversation doesn’t stop at what missions is today. It looks ahead.
As the global landscape rapidly shifts, Joel and Paul address the growing realities of persecution, the rise of the global middle class, and the urgent need for resilient, deeply formed disciples who can endure what’s coming. This is a call for pastors and leaders to lift their eyes beyond their immediate context and re-engage the Great Commission with clarity, conviction, and courage.
What you’ll learn:
- Why the local church—not individuals—is God’s primary sending strategy for missions
- How “outsized impact” is built through relationships, not platforms
- The real reason many missionaries struggle—and what churches must do differently
- Why global missions today is “uneven” and how partnership and creativity help close the gap
- The surprising rise of the global middle class—and what it means for reaching the nations
- Why persecution will define the future of missions—and how leaders must prepare now
- How to lead with a long-term mindset when gospel work requires endurance, not speed
- A biblical challenge to lift your eyes beyond your context and engage the nations
About Paul Davis
Paul and his wife, Martha, have served in pastoral ministry since 1989. In their lifetime of ministry, they have led church plants, Christian schools and dynamic ministry teams. Additionally, they have given oversight to children’s, youth and college/career ministries. They enjoy pace-setting leadership as well as serving as educators, conference speakers and ministry trip facilitators.
Paul and his wife, Martha, have served in pastoral ministry since 1989. In their lifetime of ministry, they have led church plants, Christian schools and dynamic ministry teams. Additionally, they have given oversight to children’s, youth and college/career ministries. They enjoy pace-setting leadership as well as serving as educators, conference speakers and ministry trip facilitators.
In 2017, Paul became the seventh president of ABWE. Today, Paul and Martha are working hard to meet, support, and encourage the ABWE global team, striving to embolden gospel-centered churches to become sending and supporting churches, connecting God-enabled donors to the visionary projects of our fields, and humbly working to build, heal and reignite relationships with ABWE partners past, present and future. The Davises have four adult children who are believers in Jesus Christ.
About ABWE
ABWE (Association of Baptists for World Evangelism) is a global family of ministries that exists to fulfill the Great Commission by multiplying leaders, churches, and missions movements among every people.
Leave a Review and Subscribe
Get Connected
- Website: https://bethechurch.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI
Email List
Join our email list and don’t miss an episode!