Insights

Nik Ripken Blog

How to Share the Gospel: Four Questions

How to Share the Gospel: Four Questions

Nik Ripken shares four guiding questions for effectively sharing the Gospel: What do I say? Who do I say it to? Who will hold me…

Effective Witnessing Strategies

Effective Witnessing Strategies

Nik Ripken emphasizes the importance of caution and cultural awareness when evangelizing in restrictive Islamic communities. He advises…

Challenges to Fulfilling the Great Commission

Challenges to Fulfilling the Great Commission

Nik Ripken shares a harrowing experience in Somalia, where trusting a local informant nearly cost him his life. He reflects on cultural…

Where Does Faith Come From?

Where Does Faith Come From?

Nik Ripken explores the "genealogy of faith," emphasizing the role of parents in modeling steadfast belief for their children, even in the…

Q&A with Ruth & Nik Ripken

Q&A with Ruth & Nik Ripken

Ruth and Nik Ripken bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and insight about believers all over the world. Join us in this Q&A session as…

Ramifications of Roman Law

Ramifications of Roman Law

Nik Ripken explores how the remnants of Roman law continue to shape modern-day restrictions on religious freedom in countries like Turkey…

Why are Christians Persecuted?

Why are Christians Persecuted?

Nik Ripken explores the persistent reality of Christian persecution, highlighting its historical and modern expressions. In Russia,…

Defining Persecution

Defining Persecution

Nik Ripken distinguishes between true persecution and a false persecution complex, emphasizing that genuine persecution occurs when…

The Church as the Body of Christ

The Church as the Body of Christ

Nik Ripken shares a powerful story of a pastor's family exiled to Siberia under Soviet persecution, highlighting the sacrificial love and…

Memorizing Scripture and Worship Songs

Memorizing Scripture and Worship Songs

Nik Ripken identifies four hallmarks of a thriving persecuted church: a deep knowledge of Jesus, supernatural prayer, memorization of…

How Do You Pray for Zebra Meat?

How Do You Pray for Zebra Meat?

Nik Ripken shares a powerful story from Ethiopia, where he faced a moral and spiritual dilemma while feeding starving Muslim children with…

How You Can Support Nik Ripken Through AmazonSmile

How You Can Support Nik Ripken Through AmazonSmile

Nik Ripken Ministries invites supporters to make a meaningful impact through AmazonSmile. By selecting Nik Ripken Ministries as your…

Your Pastor is Dead: A Witness to the Crucifixion and Resurrection

Your Pastor is Dead: A Witness to the Crucifixion and Resurrection

Nik Ripken highlights the immense cost of witnessing in Islamic communities, where openly sharing one’s faith in Jesus often leads to…

The Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

The Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Nik Ripken reflects on the Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, emphasizing that prayer shouldn’t just be for persecuted believers but…

The Insanity of God: Dmitri's Story

The Insanity of God: Dmitri's Story

Dmitri, the pastor of a small house church in the former Soviet Union, is one of the most powerful examples of faith in The Insanity of God…

Persecution of Christians in the Soviet Union

Persecution of Christians in the Soviet Union

Nik Ripken sheds light on the brutal persecution of Christians in the Soviet Union, where the government used propaganda, violence, and…

Child of the Somali Famine

Child of the Somali Famine

Nik Ripken shares a heartbreaking story of encountering a 3-year-old Somali girl during the famine, whose fragile body and radiant smile…

Sophia: The Witness That Could Not Be Silenced

Sophia: The Witness That Could Not Be Silenced

Nik Ripken shares the remarkable story of Sophia, a courageous Christian woman in Somalia whose faith withstood war, persecution, and…

The Two Sides of Pentecost

The Two Sides of Pentecost

Nik Ripken explores the critical difference between Pre-Pentecost and Post-Pentecost church contexts, emphasizing the unique challenges and…

Making Disciples of Oral Learners

Making Disciples of Oral Learners

One of the greatest challenges in modern missions is reaching the 2.8 billion unreached people, where over 80% are oral learners who cannot…

My Son Died Today

My Son Died Today

Nik Ripken shares a deeply personal reflection on the death of his 16-year-old son on Easter morning in Nairobi, Kenya, drawing parallels…

When Everything Seems Like Crucifixion

When Everything Seems Like Crucifixion

Nik Ripken reflects on the brutal reality of serving in war-torn Somalia, where persecution, famine, and death surrounded every moment of…

Defined by What? Reflections on a New Year

Defined by What? Reflections on a New Year

Nik Ripken reflects on the challenges of returning to America after 35 years overseas, grappling with culture shock, taxes, mortgages, and…

The 4 Characteristics of a Missional Church

The 4 Characteristics of a Missional Church

Nik Ripken shares the 4 characteristics every church should have to be a missional church.