Sheep Among Wolves | Nik Ripken's Speech at Liberty University's Convocation
Sheep Among Wolves | Nik Ripken's Speech at Liberty University's Convocation
Witness & Persecution with Nik and Ruth RipkenJun 04, 2024
00:00
32:23
Sheep Among Wolves | Nik Ripken's Speech at Liberty University's ConvocationThis 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 oceans. Listen in as Nik challenges students on what it truly means to share the Gospel in the hardest places on the planet.If you'd like to learn more about our ministry, you can learn more at www.NikRipken.com_______________________________________On September 15, 2014, at Convocation, North America's largest weekly gathering of Christian students, Nik Ripken addressed the student body at Liberty University. Nik kicked off Global Focus Week with recounts of his life as a believer and work overseas in Somalia. He talked about heavy lessons he learned about sharing the word of the Lord and the persecution of faith in Somalia. He challenged the students to share the word about the kingdom of God and to love their enemies.Nik and his wife Ruth are veteran overseas workers for over 30 years. Nik is also a bestselling author about faith in persecution.Jun 04, 202432:23Jesus+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 more about the ministry at NikRipken.comMay 21, 202401:01:54You Don't Have to Come BackChristian 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."Apr 30, 202436:50Four Ways Christian Women Can Overcome Fear and Befriend Muslim WomenIn 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 about our ministry at NikRipken.comMar 26, 202439:08Disciples Don't Choose YouWhat 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.comMar 19, 202401:08:02Meet, Greet, and EatAs 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.comMar 12, 202443:27Forsaken: Matthew 27:45-46We'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 to go and tell them about our King, Jesus Christ.Thank you for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary for the opportunity and video!Learn more about the ministry at NikRipken.comFeb 27, 202435:42Talking Someone Out of Becoming a ChristianNik 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 sometimes trade the truth of the real Gospel for an artifically flavored cultural Christianity. Learn more about Nik Ripken's Ministries at NikRipken.comFeb 20, 202439:20Spiritual Déjà vuNik 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.comFeb 06, 202401:08:425 Guys In The DesertDiving 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.Jan 30, 202401:09:08REWIND: Somebody's ComingWe'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 episodes and learn more about Nik Ripken Ministries at nikripken.comJan 16, 202451:32REWIND: Lies, Lies, and More LiesWe'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, Nik begins a journey of discovering the Top 10 lies that Satan has told the Church, and many in the Church that have believed them.Check out more episodes and learn more about Nik Ripken Ministries at nikripken.comJan 09, 202458:32"I Beg of You Christmas"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. Jan 02, 202442:06His Grace Is Sufficient 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 those inthe midst of suffering.Read more at NikRipken.com/blogDec 19, 202332:35Do I Fight Back?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 their breakfast table.Read more at NikRipken.com/blogDec 12, 202301:03:17Totally Rethinking MissionsIn 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/blogNov 19, 202346:30Redefining Christmas (Part 2)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:https://www.nikripken.com/Oct 31, 202351:16The Israeli / Palestinian ConflictWhile 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.Oct 24, 202349:05Redefining ChristmasDid 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 heads that is dominated by the culture in which we live. Nik begins a multi-part series to learn how believers in persecution get the Christmas story right. Oct 17, 202359:25Who Are You Fighting For?Learn more at nikripken.comOct 10, 202350:60Trauma and Soul Care (Part 2)Visit more at nikripken.comOct 03, 202342:11Trauma and Soul Care (part 1)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 world.Sep 26, 202343:13Trauma and Tragedy on the Mission FieldIn 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 intense suffering and trauma - but that God still redeems and uses these for His glory. 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 intense suffering and trauma - but that God still redeems and uses these for His glory. Sep 19, 202301:20:18"It's Time"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.Sep 12, 202355:59How to Pray for the PersecutedIdentifying 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. Sep 05, 202345:41Redeeming the Breakfast TableNik 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. Aug 29, 202339:55Personal WorshipJoin 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.Aug 15, 202345:05Family WorshipWhether 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 pray together as a family!Aug 08, 202317:51Seek Humanity in Stories of PersecutionFor 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 blog post related to this episode at https://www.nikripken.com/blogLearn more about Nik Ripken's ministry at https://www.nikripken.comAug 01, 202341:48The Factors That Keep Nations UnreachedNik 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.Jul 25, 202301:08:45Why Are the Unreached... Unreached?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, and empower communities to become biblical advocates.Check out the show notes and blog post related to this episode at https://www.nikripken.com/blogLearn more about Nik Ripken's ministry at https://www.nikripken.comJul 19, 202301:20:47Reaching the Unreached NationsIn 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 conviction is that the mission to reach the unreached is not about cost-efficiency: it's about obedience to the Great Commission.Check out the show notes and blog post related to this episode at https://www.nikripken.com/blogLearn more about Nik Ripken's ministry at https://www.nikripken.comJul 05, 202301:12:08Becoming a Missionary With a FamilyIf 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.Jun 27, 202335:17Authentic CommunityIn 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.com/authentic-community/Learn more about Nik Ripken's ministry at https://www.nikripken.comJun 06, 202356:57Who Is My Neighbor? 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 related to this episode at https://www.nikripken.com/who-is-my-n...Learn more about Nik Ripken's ministry at https://www.nikripken.comMay 24, 202353:37Playing Church vs. Being ChurchIn 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 transformative power that comes with living out an authentic faith.May 17, 202347:13Baptism and The Mission FieldObedience 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?May 10, 202347:56Sheep Among Wolves: Christian Missionaries in SomaliaFor 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.May 03, 202349:29From Freedom to DisillusionmentIn 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 challenges. An alarming number of believers abandon their faith after coming to the West. Why is this?Apr 19, 202301:06:04Which Call Is More Significant: To Go or Wait to Get Married?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 seen women fulfill their purpose and impact lives even without a husband by their side. Join us as we debunk this lie and find a better way forward for single women who want to pursue their passion for missions and marriage.Apr 11, 202330:12Are Short Term Mission Trips Effective?Global travel has become more accessible than at anytime in history. With that accessibility has arisen a new and complex facet of missions: short term trips. Nik addresses a major lie of Satan that correlates with short term missions and the local church.Apr 06, 202352:39Advice for Parents of MissionariesThe hardest task is not going, but sending. In this episode, Nik unpacks the lie that too many parents, families, and churches have believed about God's command to go to the nations.Mar 23, 202301:06:51
