After 7 years, our video-based, game-changing missions resource for the global Body of Christ is finally ready to be unveiled this Fall! Nik and Anthony sit down for a surprise conversation sharing the story of how this resource came to be, and what Nik and Ruth hope to see happen through learning from Believers in Persecution in this material. Lea…

The essence of salvation and baptism are often controversial. When so many cultures view truth and relationships so differently, how do we know what comprises an authentic profession of faith in Jesus? We also have a ton of new and game-changing updates coming to Nik Ripken Ministries, such as new resources, a new website, and new products. To stay…

This is a previously recorded speech from Liberty University's Convocation Ceremony titled, "Sheep Among Wolves". We thought it was a powerful message for anyone graduating, entering a new season of life, or needing some encouragement as we continue to walk this life as Jesus' followers, carrying the Good News across the streets and across the ocea…

In our world of unlimited streaming options and instant gratification, it's easy to want "add-ons" to following Jesus. Join Nik as he discusses how we are tempted, whether in our own culture or on the mission field, to present the Gospel as "Jesus+" - trying to get material benefits from becoming a Christian beyond just getting Jesus Himself.Learn …

In this episode of Witness & Persecution with Nik and Ruth Ripken, Nik confronts one of the more confusing statements of Jesus regarding His identity and sharing the Good News: How do you know Jesus? And what is the most important thing about Jesus that you know? Learn more about our ministry at NikRipken.com. --- Support this podcast: https://podc…

In this episode of Witness & Persecution with Nik and Ruth Ripken, Nik shares the story of getting to interview Samuel Lamb, one of the most spiritually impactful men of God in the Chinese Church. Nik recounts lessons learned from Samuel Lamb about faithfulness in the midst of severe and heartbreaking persecution. Learn more about the ministry at N…

Christian culture has bought into this lie: “If you love and serve Jesus, you are entitled to a long life, free from serious injury or illness. And you’ll never have problems within your family." Join Nik as he dives into what it truly means to be "crucified with Christ." --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nikripken/s…

In western Christianity, we often fail to choose leaders in a biblical way. Persecuted believers also raise up and train leaders. Nik walks through the spiritual, biological, and cultural profiles of pastors, teachers, evangelists, and church planters in parts of the world defined by persecution. Learn more about our ministry at NikRipken.com --- S…

Every persecuted believer gets knocked down at some point. Many of them, through Spirit-empowered victorious faith, get back up and stay in God's story. The unfortunate reality, though, is that some deny their faith or—worse—fill the role of Judas as betrayer. Nik shares several stories about the experiences of individuals enduring persecution. * F…

In light of Ramadan, we thought we'd share this episode from Our Urban Voices that Ruth Ripken was a part of. Here she shares insights from over 35 years in missions, 4 ways for Christians to overcome fear, why Christian women must be the ones to reach out to Muslim women with hospitality and what it means to love our neighbor well. Learn more abou…

What is discipleship? Are you practicing it biblically? In this episode, Nik explores the true nature of biblical discipleship. Jesus modeled for us how to choose disciples, live in community, and raise up the next generation of leaders and workers. Learn more about our ministry at NikRipken.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.…

As Ramadan approaches, Nik takes to dive into the practical elements of meeting and engaging your Muslim friends and neighbors. Nik shares special insight from 3 decades on the mission field and gives practical tools that every believer you can use to overcome fear of Islam and engaging Muslims. Learn more about the ministry at NikRipken.com --- Su…

We're taking a short break from recording new podcast episodes, so we thought we'd share this nugget of blessing with you all. Nik Ripken gave a talk at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary recently! Join Nik and the SEBTS community as he preaches from Matthew 27 on the hardships faced internationally by unbelievers and how it is our mission t…

Nik and Ruth love college students! Not only have they been the recipient of years of encouragement and love at the hands of college and university students, but they have been able to pour back into them in recent years. In this epsiode, Nik shares a story of interacting with a Muslim-background college student, and the difficult truth that we can…

Nik shares a story from believers in persecution that he has never told before. In this narrative, we see how persecution often repeats itself and is in present active tense. Nik challenges listeners to not view perseuction in present active tense, but the Bible in past tense. Check out more at NikRipken.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcas…

Diving deeper into the larger story of his time in the Ogaden region of the Ethiopian desert, Nik shares one of the most miraculous encounters he's ever experienced. "Are you the one? Have you come?" Nik asks this question of listeners who might need spiritual motivation to be the one who offers hope and truth in the darkest times of peoples lives.…

Nik recounts his time coming face to face with the terrorist group al-ittihad in his Somali years. Encountering starving children on the brink of death, Nik confronts his own lack of faith and how he has personally seen that God works in present-active tense today. Listen to more Witness & Persecution at nikripken.com --- Support this podcast: http…

We're taking a quick break from recording new episodes for Witness and Persecution, but didn't want to leave you hanging! We thought we'd reintroduce you to our MOST LISTENED to episode of ALL TIME - "Somebody's Coming". Nik Ripken talks about what he wished he knew during his first year in Malawi and what God has taught him since.Check out more ep…

We're taking a quick break from recording new episodes for Witness and Persecution, but didn't want to leave you hanging! We thought we'd reintroduce you to our MOST LISTENED to episode of 2023 - "Lies, Lies, and More Lies". We know that Satan is a liar. But how many of his lies do we actually believe, whether we realize it or not? In this epsiode,…

As Christmas and New Year's approaches, Nik shares a Christmas cultural faux pas from their days in Malawi. Nik uses this illustration to dive into the materialism that infects much of the Western world's view of Christmas, and how Scripture challenges us to see the birth of Jesus from a totally different perspective. --- Support this podcast: http…

Ruth sits down for a raw, honest, heart-felt discussion on the personal journey of pain and suffering that she and Nik have been walking over the last few years. Ruth details God's redemption through suffering, and provides hope and encouragement for those who are experiencing medical trauma, depression, anxiety, and the struggle of ministering to …

Nik takes listeners to the bush of Sudan as he explores the timeless words of Jesus - "a new commandment I give you - love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you". Nik takes an in-depth dive into the Biblical practices of believers in perescution from a Muslim background as they navigate following Jesus when their persecutors are at the…

Inspired by the movie "The Insanity of God", Nik and Anthony sit down with Erskin to get the behind-the-scense story of Erskin and Nik's powerful new song, "Is He Worth It". Read more on the blog at www.NikRipken.com/blog Watch the music video for "Is He Worth It?" by Erskin at https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=Lw1FxlfW0yJCy_xA&v=PBllAXKx6m8&feature…

In this epsiode, Nik looks back at 37 years of overseas work and wonders - "did we go about it the wrong way?" Listen in as he shares that if he were to start over, why he would start with the "HOW" of missions before the "WHERE". Read more on the blog at www.NikRipken.com/blog --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nikri…

As Nik Ripken continues this series on rediscovering the Biblical account of the Christmas narrative, he challenges listeners to ask "Imagine you were a parent, or Jesus, in this story". Understanding the context of Christmas allows us to discover how we apply the birth of Jesus to our lives and theology. Learn more about Nik Ripken Ministries at:h…

While the Israeli / Palestinian conflict rages, Nik records a special episode to address what this conflict is, and what it is not. Nik pushes listeners to maintain, and express, a Christian worldview that forces us to read the Bible, seek God's face, and step out in faith to fulfill the Great Commission in the hard places. --- Support this podcast…

Did you know that the wise men of the Bible were ultimately unwise men? Their story isn’t a children’s story set in an elaborate Christmas pageant. It’s a story of persecution when Jesus was just a toddler. It’s a story filled with drama and the genocidal slaughter of children. Christians living in the west are stuck with a faith narrative in our h…

Learn more at nikripken.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nikripken/support

Visit more at nikripken.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nikripken/support

After Nik and Ruth had spent significant time in Somalia - witnessing horrific tragedies like war, abuse, and starvation - they learned and developed "best practices" for how to provide counseling and soul care to workers who had experienced the depths of human depravity. Learn how you can apply these lessons to those in the hardest places of the w…

In part one of a two-part series, Nik reveals their deeply personal journey of various traumas in life, ministry, and missions. How do you stay on the mission field, remain in your ministry, or keep your family when you walk through the unthinkable? Nik challenges listeners to understand how being obedient to go to the edge of lostness can bring in…

Nik walks through the most dangerous statement: "It's time". What decision do you need to make to be obedient right now? What situation is God commanding you to reconcile? Where is God commanding you to step out in faith? Join Nik as he shares his and Ruth's personal journey to discovering "It's time" to be obedient to the commands of Christ. --- S…

Identifying with the persecuted is much more than just a day or week of prayer! Join Nik and Ruth as they share ways that we can develop a regular, consistent lifestyle of praying for, and identifying with, believers in persecution around the world. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nikripken/support…

Nik and Ruth conclude a series on worship in the home by giving us a personal look into how they pray and worship around their breakfast table - whether as a couple, a family, with guests, and even the lost. Additionally, they share with listeners how they end their day in prayer and worship with a global perspective. --- Support this podcast: http…

Join Ruth as she gives us an inside look at her personal devotion and worship time. She'll share not only the mechanics of how she conducts her devotions, but why they play a critical role in your spiritual life, both in "open" countries and countries where there is no place to go have your worship needs met. --- Support this podcast: https://podca…

Whether you are overseas or in the Bible Belt of America, one of the most basic and crucial components of healthy believers is worship in homes. Nik and Ruth are joined by the their grandsons, Jonah and Maddox, to model the joy-filled and simple practice of family devotions. Come join them in their living room as they show you how to worship and pr…

For those of us in the "open" countries, it's easy for us to dress up the suffering of believers in persecution. In this episode, Nik challenges listeners to identify with the real blood, sweat, and tears of the stories of persecution, truly grasping the human reality of suffering, and the real lives of people involved. Check out the show notes and…

Nik concludes a series investigating why Unreached Peoples are still unreached by exploring the practical components that keep churches from sending and going. Nik looks at everything from the cost of personnel to weather. There are surprising reasons that are hard to overcome on our way to the hard places of the world. --- Support this podcast: ht…

As we reflect on the persisting challenge of unreached countries, Nik Ripken invites us to reconsider our approach. By embracing the hard places and equipping local believers, we unlock the untapped potential to reach the darkest corners of the world. By choosing to go to the hard places, we foster sustainable movements, bridge cultural divides, an…

In this episode, Nik Ripken explains the challenging task of reaching the unreached nations. He candidly addresses the notion that the efforts required to reach just one believer in hard and unresponsive places might not seem cost-effective. It often demands substantial resources and even the lives of dedicated believers. However, Nik's unwavering …

If you're a mother considering missionary service, or simply curious about the challenges faced by families on the mission field, this episode is a must-listen. In this episode, Ruth dives deep into the common fears that mothers often experience when contemplating a life of service on the mission field. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.…

Best friends Nik and Pastor Tim sit down for an authentic conversation about how pastors and churches can effectively connect church members to every part of the Great Commission.Check out the show notes and blog post related to this episode at https://www.nikripken.com/blog/Learn more about Nik Ripken's ministry at https://www.nikripken.com --- Su…

In this episode, Nik unveils a heartfelt tale that transcends borders and celebrates the profound beauty of cultural exchange. He teaches us about the Xhosa naming ceremony for newborns. What does the naming culture in Xhosa teach us about authentic community? Check out the show notes and blog post related to this episode at https://www.nikripken.c…

Jesus gives us a direct command on how we are to treat our "neighbor". To fulfill that command, what should it look like, and to whom is it directed? In this episode, Ruth takes a deep dive into the world of Biblical hospitality, offering wisdom and tips gathered from decades overseas amongst various cultures. Check out the show notes and blog post…

In this episode, Nik Ripken delves into the profound distinction between merely going through the motions of church life and truly embodying the essence of what it means to be a follower of Christ. Drawing from his extensive global experiences and encounters with persecuted Christians, Nik sheds light on the challenges, misconceptions, and transfor…

Obedience through baptism is a non-negotiable part of missions and church planting. What does - and should - baptism look like in cross-cultural contexts and among believers in persecution? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nikripken/support

For 7 years, Nik and Ruth ministered in one of the harshest environments in Somalia. Faced with severe famine, starvation, destruction, and war, Nik gives poignant insight on what it means to not only take risks for Jesus, but what it truly means to be a witness for the Gospel. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nikri…

In this episode of the Witness & Persecution Podcast, Nik Ripken reflects on how missionaries are able to learn languages so quickly. He has extensive experience as a missionary in some of the most challenging and remote regions of the world. Nik emphasizes the importance of immersion in the local culture and language, as well as the value of build…

In this episode, Nik explores the challenges that Christian believers face when they move from countries where they are persecuted for their faith to the West, where they expect to find religious freedom. Unfortunately, many of these believers struggle with disillusionment. Emotional and physical scars from persecution lead to cultural and social c…

In this podcast episode, we discuss the lie of Satan that causes single women who desire to go on mission trips to feel conflicted about getting married. We explore how this lie can be overcome by prioritizing obedience to God’s calling and embracing one’s unique gifting. Ruth Ripken shares her experiences as a missionary worker and how she has see…