EPISODE 3: When Your Lead Pastor Isn't Passionate About the Nations (And What to Do About It)

EPISODE DESCRIPTION:

Let's talk about what many of you are experiencing in your church: What do you do when your lead pastor doesn't share your passion for the nations, for global missions?

Maybe you're fighting for 3 minutes of stage time on Sunday morning. Maybe you came back from the field and nobody remembers who you are—not even the pastor. Maybe your church treats global work like one of many programs instead of the heartbeat of the Great Commission.

In this episode, I'm sharing four honest insights into why many lead pastors don't "get it"—and more importantly, what YOU can do about it. This isn't about criticizing pastors (they have a tough job!), it's about learning how to work within the reality of Western church culture while still advancing the mission.

Whether you're mobilizing from within your church, supporting global workers, as aspiring goer yourself, or feeling frustrated by the lack of vision—this episode will give you perspective, practical strategies, and permission to create your own path forward.

IN THIS EPISODE:

FOUR INSIGHTS INTO THE LEAD PASTOR WHO ISN'T PASSIONATE ABOUT THE NATIONS

1. He doesn't really know what you know

• He hasn't had the same experiences or exposure
• Give grace—don't take offense
• Solution: Help him have personal experiences (take him with you!)
• Story: Bringing my pastor to my Muslim friends house to give a Bible
• Story: Taking pastors on survey trip to North Africa to debate Imams

2. He's shepherding the whole congregation, not just the zealous few

• Most people in the pews aren't as passionate about the nations as you are
• Pastors are cautious about being "too narrow" or scaring people away
• Reality: Most churches have ONE missions Sunday per year (if that)
• Story: My neighbor who left our church because "they talk too much about Haiti and Malawi"
• Solution: Influence from within—integrate global focus with existing programs
• Don't add a missions committee—put global people IN every ministry
• Bring Perspectives to your church at the grassroots level

3. He may feel called HERE—focused on the local community first

• Many pastors confuse service/poverty alleviation with inviting lost people into the Kingdom
• He may not understand the 3 billion with least access
• He doesn't know about pioneering missions or unreached people groups
• Solution: Find the nations in YOUR community and live it out yourself
• You'll earn his respect through action
  

4. The reality of money and ROI

• Majority of church budget serves people attending the church
• Staff salaries, electric bills, programs—these all need funding
• Hard truth: Pastors spend time where there's return on investment
• Where your money goes, your heart goes
• Solution: Go community-wide—you don't have to do everything through one church
• Give yourself freedom to create your own team, invite your congregation and others
• Parachurch ministry is okay! Little "c" church.
  

KEY MOMENTS:

• Take a deep breath: You're NOT responsible to turn the ship around in 3 minutes or 30 minutes
• God cares, he's using you
• You can work WITH the reality you're in

The Freeing Reality:

• Used to do one church → then several churches → now hundreds of churches
• You don't need permission from your Lead Pastor to follow God's call
• Create your own team and invite people into what God's put on your heart

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

✅ Sermon Series Outlines (Free): Help your pastor preach about global work with ready-made outlines based on Across the Street and Around the World

www.jeannie-marie.com/sermon-leads 

✅ Ten Ways to Find Ten Friends From Unreached People Groups Guide (Free): Practical ways to find people from unreached people groups in your community—show your pastor it's possible right where you are

👉🏼 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/tenfriends 

✅ Neighbors & Nations Course: The comprehensive 6-module, 60+ lesson course to help you make disciples cross-culturally with confidence—whether your church supports you or not

👉🏼 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/nncourse 

✅ Perspectives on the World Christian Movement:

Bring this 15-week course to your church to educate at the grassroots level

👉🏼 www.perspectives.org 

✅ Book: Across the Street and Around the World: Following Jesus to the Nations in Your Neighborhood and Beyond

👉🏼 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/book 

CONNECT WITH JEANNIE MARIE:

 🌐 Website: www.jeanniemarieacademy.com 

📱 Instagram: @jeanniemmarie (DM me which of the 15 resonated most!) 

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:

Which of the four insights resonated most with you? Are you in a church where the lead pastor "gets it" or are you navigating this tension right now?

DM me on Instagram **@jeanniemmarie** and tell me your story. I read every message.

And if you've found creative ways to mobilize for the nations DESPITE your church leadership's lack of vision—I want to hear about that too! Your strategy might become a future episode.

WHAT'S NEXT:

✅ Next week: Episode 4 - Ramadan 2026: Three Ways to Be Intentional With Your Muslim Friends During Ramadan (Fast, Pray, Party)

Ramadan starts February 19, 2026 (probably!), and I'm sharing behind-the-scenes all things Ramadan from my Muslim friend perspectives, plus a Ramadan-for-dummies explanation, and practical ways you can pray, fast, and build friendships with Muslims during this sacred month. You don't want to miss it!

LEAVE A REVIEW & SUBSCRIBE: 

If this episode gave you permission to move forward even when your church leadership doesn't share your passion, would you leave a review on Apple Podcasts? It helps other frustrated mobilizers find this show.

New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe so you don't miss one:

LISTEN NOW:

🍎 Apple Podcasts

🎤 Spotify

🌍 My Global Goer Podcast Page

Or wherever you listen to podcasts

Remember: The world is bigger than your zip code. Let's go!