Advancing the Mission

Episode 248: House of Hope (2025 Joy to the World Offering)

What does it look like when hope reaches the most unlikely places—when God’s love breaks through cycles of poverty, pain, and despair to bring restoration and joy?
This week on Advancing the Mission, we sit down with Kyle Hayes and Mike Webb of Children of Promise, an organization (and County Line ministry partner) dedicated to transforming the lives of children around the world through holistic care and the love of Christ. As we launch our Joy to the World year-end offering, Kyle and Mike share how God is using Children of Promise to bring hope to kids and families in some of the hardest places on earth—including the House of Hope in Bangladesh, a ministry serving the 250+ children whose mothers work in one of the largest brothels in the world.
In this episode, Kyle and Mike give us a glimpse into the heart of Children of Promise, how sponsorship changes stories, and how our Joy to the World offering will make a tangible difference for vulnerable children.
You will be moved by the stories of resilience and reminded that God’s light still shines brightest in the darkest corners.
For more information about House of Hope, check out the website dedicated to this program at https://www.childrenofpromise.global/hope/
and check out this video from a trip that was taken back in 2023:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzOLPBXYztU&t=85s
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Episode 247: IJM Philippines office visit

What happens when God invites you to see His mission through the lens of justice—where His love meets deep pain and brings hope to those who’ve been forgotten?
This week on Advancing the Mission, I sit down with one of the attorneys from the International Justice Mission (IJM) Philippines office in Manila, on my recent visit to the Philippines, where I met their remarkable team—including attorneys Reynaldo, Sam, and Noel, among many others.
In this episode, we talk about the transformative work IJM is doing to protect children from online sexual exploitation. You’ll hear stories of courage, restoration, and the quiet strength it takes to confront unimaginable darkness with faith and compassion.
In the midst of the pain of Psalm 22, they are holding on to the hope of Psalm 23—trusting that even in the valley, God’s presence is real and His redemption is near.
It’s a powerful reminder that God’s heart for justice is alive and active—and His mission is unfolding in places we might never expect.
 
Aaron's story:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHcfRxSBCqw
Cebu Rescue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGsFxKJDfeg
Finding Ruby Podcast: https://www.ijm.org/finding-ruby-podcast
 
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Episode 246: Pastors Troy Jones & Chris Kaczmarek from Switzerland

What happens when God invites you to see His mission beyond the borders you’ve known—to witness His Spirit moving in places you’ve only heard about?
This week on Advancing the Mission, I sit down with Pastor Troy Jones, our Student Ministries Pastor, as we join from Interlaken, Switzerland, where we’ve been part of the 3WLN Conference. Here, we’ve had the chance to connect with leaders from across Europe and the Middle East, hearing stories of renewal, perseverance, and hope in some of the most spiritually complex regions of the world.
In this conversation, Troy shares what it’s been like to see God at work on a global scale—the faith it takes to trust God’s movement in unfamiliar contexts, and how those encounters are shaping the way we lead and disciple students back home.
It’s a conversation about perspective, calling, and the reminder that God’s mission is bigger—and closer—than we often imagine.
You’ll be inspired to look outward, to listen deeper, and to believe again that God is moving everywhere His people are willing to go.
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Episode 245: Missionary calling with Abby Torgeson

What happens when God’s calling feels both clear and complicated—when obedience means stepping into the unknown with open hands?
This week on Advancing the Mission, we sit down with Abby Torgeson, who—along with her husband Jason and their three kids—serves in Costa Rica as the Regional Coordinator for Latin America with Global Strategy. From the outside, it may look like a life of confident purpose. But as Abby shares, the path to saying “yes” wasn’t without wrestling, questions, and the slow work of surrender.
In this candid conversation, Abby opens up about discerning God’s call, navigating seasons of doubt, and learning that faithfulness isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about trusting the One who calls. Her story is a beautiful reminder that God’s mission often begins with our willingness to keep listening, even when the way forward feels uncertain.
You’ll be moved. You’ll be challenged. And you’ll see how God continues to advance His mission through ordinary people who choose to say yes.
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Episode 244: Missionary Calling - Bobby and Jenny Mihsill

What compels someone to leave behind the familiar and embrace a life filled with challenges, uncertainty, and sacrifice—all for the sake of the gospel?
This week on Advancing the Mission, we sit down with Bobby and Jenny Mihsill, missionaries serving in Côte d’Ivoire. Their journey to the mission field wasn’t simple or straightforward—but it was marked by God’s clear calling and their willingness to say yes.
In this conversation, Bobby and Jenny share how God led them to West Africa, what it looks like to live out their faith in the midst of cultural and spiritual challenges, and why they remain committed even when the work is hard. Their story is not just about geography—it’s about obedience, trust, and the relentless love of Christ that compels us to go.
You’ll be encouraged. You’ll be challenged. And you’ll be reminded that advancing God’s mission is never without cost, but always worth it.
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Episode 243: Interview with At Home in Paris, France

What if the people we often see as a burden are actually one of God’s greatest opportunities?
This week on Advancing the Mission, we sit down with Samir—the founder and visionary of At Home, a dynamic ministry serving refugees in Paris, France. For nearly a decade, County Line has partnered with Samir to bring hope, healing, and the love of Christ to people from all over the world.
In this powerful conversation, Samir shares how God called him to this unique mission field—and how his perspective was transformed along the way. He discovered that refugees don’t need our pity. They need mercy. They need empathy. And they need people willing to listen, love, and walk alongside them.
You’ll be challenged. You’ll be inspired. And you’ll see how God is advancing His mission—one relationship at a time.
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Episode 242: At Home book with Matthew Ingalls

This week on Advancing the Mission, we begin talking through global missions with a meaningful conversation featuring Matthew Ingalls, author of At Home: How God transformed a crowd of Parisian Refugees into a community of World-Changing believers.
In this episode, Pastor Chris sits down with Matthew to reflect on a unique ministry in Paris that County Line has supported for many years. They explore how this small, diverse, Jesus-centered community is living out the Gospel in simple but profound ways—and what the American church can learn from their example.
If you’ve ever longed for a more authentic, relational, and Spirit-led expression of church—or wondered how diverse communities can thrive around Christ alone—this episode will challenge and encourage you.Listen to the end to see how you can get a free book! To order this book you can visit the following link:  https://www.athome.paris/
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Episode 241: UK Impact Trip Team

This week on Advancing the Mission, we sit down with team members who recently returned from our Impact Trip to the UK. We talk about the journey, what we learned along the way, the cultural differences we experienced, and the powerful ways we saw God at work. Whether you’re curious about missions, love hearing travel stories, or want to be encouraged by God’s faithfulness, this episode will inspire and challenge you.
From lively city streets of Liverpool to quiet countryside moments in Wales, the team shares firsthand accounts of ministry, connection, and unexpected opportunities to serve. We also talk about our time working with students at Egan Road Church—many of whom are not professing Christians—and how those conversations opened doors to share the gospel, build relationships, and plant seeds of faith in an authentic, relational way.
If you'd like to hear more from the team, join us at County Line Main Campus in the Gathering Space on August 24 from 6:30-8:30pm.
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Episode 240: Impact Trip to the Dominican Republic (with Staci Kaczmarek)

This week on Advancing the Mission, we reflect on an incredible impact trip to the Dominican Republic with Go Ministries through a meaningful conversation with my wife, Staci Kaczmarek, who led the team.
In this episode, Pastor Chris sits down with Staci to discuss what it was like serving cross-culturally, the lessons they learned as they served alongside local leaders, and the ways they experienced God’s presence throughout the trip.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when ordinary people step out in faith to join God’s work globally—or how short-term trips can make a lasting impact—this episode will inspire and challenge you.
If you'd like to hear more from the team, join us at County Line Main Campus in the Gathering Space on August 24 from 6:30-8:30pm.
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Episode 239: Local Outreach with Elle Chamberlin and Lifewise Garrett

This week on Advancing the Mission, we continue our series on church multiplication and local outreach with a practical conversation featuring Elle Chamberlin, previous director of LifeWise Garrett.
In this episode, Pastor Chris Kaczmarek sits down with Elle to explore how LifeWise is bringing the Gospel to public school students in Garrett through released time Bible education. They discuss how this innovative approach is impacting families, creating unity within the Garrett community, and creating opportunities for long-term Kingdom growth.
If you’ve ever wondered how the church can go beyond its walls to reach the next generation—or how local outreach can look like investing in public schools—this episode offers a compelling vision.
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