’Tis the Season to Rethink Outreach

With the holidays on the horizon, Scott and Alex discuss what works—and what doesn’t—in seasonal mission.

In this festive episode of The Missions Podcast, we unwrap the topic of outreach during the Christmas season and beyond—from shoeboxes to food drives to capital campaigns and, of course, door-to-door caroling.

We explore each method’s effectiveness, asking the tough questions: Are we truly meeting needs or just fulfilling our own holiday expectations? Are there better ways to connect, share, and serve during this time of year? How can we ensure our efforts lead to lasting impact rather than just seasonal goodwill? Join us as we rethink how we can truly be a light in our communities during the Advent season. See full show notes….


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Alex Kocman & Scott Dunford

Alex Kocman is the Director of Communications and Engagement for ABWE. He serves as general editor for Message Magazine and co-hosts The Missions Podcast. After earning his M.A. in Communication and B.S. in Biblical Studies, he served as an online apologetics instructor with Liberty University and a youth pastor in Pennsylvania, where he now resides with his wife and three children. Read his blog or follow him on X/Twitter.

Scott Dunford is the pastor of Western Hills Church in San Mateo, Calif. Previously, Scott served as Vice President of Mobilization and Communications for ABWE and as a missionary in East Asia. Scott graduated from Northland International University (B.A. in Pastoral Studies), earned his M.A. in biblical studies from Central Baptist Theological Seminary, his M.B.A. from Cornerstone University, and is currently enrolled in Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s D.Min. program with an emphasis on missions.