In this episode of The Missions Show, Alex sits down with ABWE’s Director of International Security and Crisis Management, Bill Gruppen, to discuss the difficult balance between missionary safety and gospel risk-taking in some of the world’s most dangerous places. Drawing from decades of experience in law enforcement, emergency response, and security, Bill shares how God redirected his professional skill set into missions work through TACTICA Ministries and ABWE.
Together, they explore how missionaries prepare for crises, make difficult stay-or-go decisions in conflict zones like the Middle East and Ukraine, and seek to remain faithful witnesses without embracing unnecessary danger. Bill explains how emergency response ministries can strengthen long-term church planting efforts by building relationships, serving communities in moments of suffering, and opening doors for gospel ministry.
Key Topics:
- Why missionary safety and gospel risk must be held in biblical balance
- How ABWE missionaries navigate conflict zones and crisis situations
- Bill Gruppen’s journey from law enforcement and emergency response into missions
- The role of TACTICA Ministries in reaching first responders with the gospel
- ABWE’s vision for disaster relief and crisis response teams
- Encouragement to pray for missionaries and first responders serving under pressure
If you would like to know more about International Security and Crisis Management, visit International Security and Crisis Management. Support the work of Bill and Cindy Gruppen at Bill and Cindy Gruppen | give.abwe.org.
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Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionsshow.com.