Unconventional Ministry

In this compelling episode of the Unconventional Ministry Podcast, host Dennis Wiens talks with Emily Scheffel, an OCD advocate and founder of the Facebook community for women Healing the Hot Mess. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects millions of Americans, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions. Far more than a preference for cleanliness or organization, OCD can become a debilitating struggle involving intrusive thoughts, overwhelming anxiety, and repetitive behaviors, many of which are completely invisible to others. Emily courageously shares her personal journey, including a five-day psychiatric hospitalization during pregnancy, the terrifying experience of unwanted intrusive thoughts, and the relief of finally receiving a diagnosis that helped explain years of suffering. Their conversation explores why OCD is so frequently misunderstood, how shame and fear keep people suffering in silence, and why family support, education, and appropriate treatment are essential. Dennis and Emily also discuss an often-overlooked challenge: What happens when OCD becomes entangled with Christian faith, prayer, guilt, and spiritual anxiety? How can churches respond with compassion rather than judgment? Most importantly, this episode offers hope. OCD is treatable, and understanding the disorder is an important first step toward recovery. If you struggle with OCD, love someone who does, or serve as a pastor or ministry leader, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Discover how awareness, faith, professional care, and supportive relationships can help replace isolation and shame with understanding and hope. Emily suggested these resources: Brain Lock by Jeffrey Schwartz The International OCD Foundation

Human trafficking is not just a big-city problem, and it is not waiting for churches to notice. Dan Stevenson, author of Noonday Light explains why the real front line is the local church, and why prevention may be the most powerful anti-trafficking strategy most people are overlooking. After 42 years as a trial lawyer, Dan Stevenson walked away from major litigation and into a very different kind of fight. In this episode, he shares how God used his legal career, his first encounter with a trafficking survivor, and the example of William Wilberforce to reshape his calling around modern slavery, church training, and protecting vulnerable children before exploitation begins. You’ll discover: What human trafficking actually is, and why Dan calls it modern slavery Why most trafficking is sex trafficking, and why children are so often the target How traffickers use social media and the internet to recruit victims in plain sight Why foster care, homelessness, and vulnerable families are such critical pressure points What a “church as a refuge” really looks like in practice The global work of ZimZamGlobal and their vision for a church for every child.

What if Scripture sounded as though Peter, Paul, and John had stepped into the room? In this episode, biblical dramatist Lester Smith shares how a life-changing accident redirected his theatrical ambitions for Hollywood into ministry. Through his ministry, Return of the Apostles, he presents memorized books of the Bible with clarity, emotion, and reverence. Lester explains how he memorized more than 1,000 verses, why entire biblical letters affect listeners differently, and how he remains faithful to the text. He also offers practical memorization advice and recounts an unforgettable encounter demonstrating how vividly presented Scripture can still lead people to Jesus Christ today. Lester turned his theatrical gifts into a unique presentation style built on memorized books of the Bible and delivered with a conviction that God still uses dramatic action to communicate truth. Inviting Lester to your group or church will not disappoint!

In this episode of the Unconventional Ministry Podcast, we consider how the first step toward sharing the Gospel can begin with something as simple as a glass of clean water. Host Dennis Wiens talks with Michael Ryer of Amigos Internacionales about how practical compassion can open doors to relationships, trust, and lasting spiritual transformation across East Africa. In communities in northern Uganda, Tanzania, and beyond, the needs are immediate – clean water, education, medical care, economic opportunity, and hope. But Michael explains why simply meeting an urgent need and moving on isn't enough. Through the MissionPoint model, Amigos Internacionales takes a long-term approach that brings together clean water, schools, healthcare, local churches, skills training, agriculture, and community leadership. The goal isn't dependency; it's helping families and communities move toward dignity, sustainability, and flourishing. You'll hear how water wells can improve children's health, safety, and school attendance; how sewing, soap-making, gardening, livestock, and other skills create pathways toward self-support; and how years of building trusted relationships have opened unexpected opportunities for ministry and community transformation. Drawing from his own years of ministry and sustainable community development in Africa, Dennis explores an important question for every church and ministry leader: What happens when we stop looking for quick ministry results and commit to staying long enough to build trust? If you care about global missions, church partnerships, community development, child sponsorship, or integrating practical compassion with Gospel ministry, this conversation will challenge and inspire you. The unconventional ministry lesson for all of us: Don't just ask, “What can I give someone?” Ask, “How can I build the kind of relationship that creates lasting change?”

In this episode, Host Dennis Wiens SAT-7 USA sits down with the father-son team behind And-Associates, the communications firm formerly known as A. Larry Ross Communications. The conversation unpacks how ministries and nonprofits can align their message, strategy, identity, and public presence so their mission actually moves people to action. A. Larry Ross brings more than 50 years in Public Relations at the intersection of faith and culture, with experience helping shape communications for major ministries and Christian leaders. Richard Ross adds a brand-building perspective for today’s digital landscape, showing how feeling, visuals, and channel consistency shape whether people trust what they see. Together, they make the case that public relations in ministry is not about manufacturing an image – it is about projecting an identity people can actually recognize, remember, and respond to. We explore the difference between timeless principles and changing methods, the role of grace and truth in public witness, and why every ministry leader should think beyond just getting into the news. If your organization wants to reach more people without losing clarity, this conversation is essential. Perfect for pastors, ministry leaders, nonprofit communicators, and anyone trying to make their message land in a crowded world. You’ll discover: The 3 questions every organization must answer before it can communicate effectively. How to spot misalignment across your website, social media, and public-facing brand. Why showing transformation often works better than explaining it. What happens when a ministry gets attention but is not ready to receive it.