Insights
Nik Ripken Blog
Is God Insane?
The title of our first book, The Insanity of God, has caused trouble for itself. Many people, especially those of us of a more mature age,…
OneCry Prayer Summit
Daily we hear reports about violence against Christians all around the globe. But how does this affect us as believers in America? During…
A 13-Year Old Church Planter
In this powerful story, Nik Ripken recounts an encounter with a persecuted pastor in the former Soviet Union who took a 13-year-old…
Willing to Die for Jesus
In this powerful reflection, Nik Ripken shares an intimate family conversation during their time serving in Somalia amid war, famine, and…
The British Half-Penny
In a remote South African church, Nik Ripken witnessed an unforgettable display of sacrificial giving and joyous worship. After announcing…
Beast for Jesus
Nik Ripken addresses a striking imbalance in global missions: for every single man serving on the mission field, there are seven single…
Arab Spring?
Nik Ripken reflects on the instability and turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa, challenging the narrative of an "Arab Spring" as a…
Praying Nurses
Constantine
In the crucible of persecution under the Soviet Union, Constantine, a leader in the “Army of God” movement, was imprisoned for his faith.…
Strength in Freedom
In the former Soviet Union, a pastor endured unimaginable torture and suffering for ten years in prison simply for his faith. Starved,…
Walk Alongside
During a one-day training session for Westerners seeking to share the Gospel with Muslims in East Africa, three Muslim-background believers…
Why would I waste the truth on you?
In war-torn Somalia, Nik Ripken recounts a harrowing experience where his Chief of Staff, Hassan, nearly got him killed by assuring him a…
Persecution is Hard
In a dimly lit, one-room apartment, Nik Ripken sat with a Chinese pastor who had endured 31 years of imprisonment for refusing to renounce…
Lay Your Lumber Down
While traveling in Malawi’s intense heat, Nik Ripken found himself caught in a moment of self-pity, overwhelmed by the burdens he felt he…
The Dirt of Compromise
Imagine that you are the first believer in your family, your people group, or your country? Additionally you are Naaman, the General of…
Creating a Space for God
One of the most gripping and mysterious passages in the Bible is found in Genesis 1:1. How is it that God can take a dark, empty nothing…
Why Are the Unreached Unreached?
Persecution, extreme poverty, famine, war. Scared Christians. Nik examines the challenges keeping many unreached from hearing the Good News…
Servants in the Crucible
The Western Church possesses valuable resources, including finances, education, and opportunities, but the most vital contributions to the…
Biblical Lessons from the Persecuted Church
A biblical understanding of persecution shapes our approach to missions and suffering, allowing us to learn vital lessons from the global…
Ten Lies the Church has Believed in Regard to Missions
Nik warns that Satan’s lies have woven into the fabric of Western churches, causing misunderstandings that threaten our ability to fulfill…
Muslim Background Believers and Baptism
Baptizing new believers in a violent culture can either hinder church growth and provoke unnecessary persecution or ignite a thriving…
Persecution: Normal and Expected
Western believers often focus on rescuing people from persecution instead of equipping them to stand fearless in Christ. Persecuted…
Recapturing a Missiology of Suffering
Persecution is a normal part of following Jesus, not an exception. It should come because of who Jesus is, not for other reasons.
Don't Take Them to Church
Bringing a new believer straight into a church may unintentionally stunt their growth. Nik challenges us to equip disciples to feed…