Host Paul Akin speaks with Dr. Devon Provencher about the growth of Islam globally and in the United States, exploring how Christians can respond with gospel intentionality rather than fear or defensiveness. Provencher, a Southern Seminary graduate with an MA in Islamic Studies and a PhD focused on Islamic history and early Christian-Muslim dialogue, explains the distinction between Islam as a religious system and the diverse experiences of individual Muslims. Drawing on the history of the seventh- and eighth-century Arab conquests, he examines how Christians lived under Islamic rule, addresses common Muslim objections to Christianity, including the divinity of Jesus and the reliability of Scripture, and highlights how early Christians responded through biblical teaching, reason, and even arguments drawn from the Quran. The conversation challenges churches to deepen their understanding of Islam and prepare to engage Muslims thoughtfully and faithfully with the gospel.

Timestamps

00:00 Mission Podcast Intro

00:35 Islam Rising Today

01:59 Meet Devon Provencher

03:19 Why Study Islam?

05:11 Threat or Opportunity?

07:06 Islam vs. Muslims

08:04 Is the Church Ready?

09:23 History Repeats Itself

11:04 The Realities of the Arab Conquests

14:48 Core Doctrines Challenged

15:49 Common Muslim Objections

17:16 Ancient Christian Responses

Host Paul Akin discusses the cost of discipleship and the cultural pressure not to stand out, including the story of a 19-year-old new believer who secretly jogged to church to worship before telling his parents. Jordan shares about ministry in a Southeast Asian city, where interest in learning English creates natural opportunities to build relationships and share the gospel. He recounts how an expat group began planning in 2016 and formed a doctrinally clear, elder-led, congregational Baptist church in 2017, growing from about 15 people meeting in a living room to nearly 90, split roughly between locals and expats. Jordan also discusses local-language discipleship, a new church plant preparing to launch nearby, and the challenge and encouragement of sending members—including his co-pastor—to reach other unengaged people groups.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Doctor of Ministry

https://www.sbts.edu/degree-programs/doctor-of-ministry/

Host Paul Akin introduces a conversation with Jordan, a Kentucky native who came to a fuller understanding of the gospel in college through a Romans Bible study and later developed a heart for the nations through church discipleship and international student outreach in Louisville. Jordan explains how he and his wife initially planned a short, three-year assignment but were led instead to Southeast Asia through a practical opportunity matching their skills, and 15 years later he has helped plant a healthy church preparing to send local believers to plant another. He describes a context with less than 1% evangelical Christians, a religious “veneer” of Buddhism over an animistic worldview marked by fear, ancestor veneration, and syncretism, alongside government pressure toward secularism. Major obstacles include government restrictions and cultural pressure to conform, which can cause some baptized members to withdraw.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Doctor of Ministry

https://www.sbts.edu/degree-programs/doctor-of-ministry/