Extraordinary Times
00:00 – Introduction to the topic of bondservants
01:10 – What is a bondservant? A life of surrender, not recognition
03:00 – Trusting the Master: provision and direction
04:45 – No complaining — accepting injustice without entitlement
06:15 – Correction and discipline as marks of true servanthood
08:00 – No long-term personal plans — just obedience
09:30 – Bearing the mark of ownership: belonging to Christ
11:00 – Why the Western church struggles with this mindset
12:20 – Final challenge: Will you live as a bondservant?
JOY: Welcome to Asked and Answered, the podcast that tackles all your missions-related questions. With me in the studio today are Ron and Charis Pierce. Welcome, guys!
CHARIS: Hi Joy.
RON: Hello Joy.
JOY: Are you ready for my question? I’m really excited about this one.
Ron, what excites you these days?
RON: That is a great question, Joy.
Honestly, I’m excited just to be alive right now — to witness the greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit in human history. Think about it: how many generations have come and gone since Jesus gave us the Great Commission in Matthew 28? Since the Spirit fell on Pentecost? We’ve seen the church rise, fall into the dark ages, and now, revive again.
Personally, I believe these are the last days, and I see this as a fulfillment of prophecy. And I get to witness it, tell the story, and even play a role in it. That’s exciting.
JOY: That’s going to be a great soundbite!
But seriously, it’s a huge calling.
RON: It is. Why was I born into this situation, at this time, with the ability to travel to over 50 countries and see what God is doing? Why was I given the opportunity to come back and share it — through podcasts, sermons, or conversations with families?
The responsibility is real. We’re not just witnessing prophecy being fulfilled — we’re fueling it. That’s both a privilege and a weight.
JOY: It’s not just exciting — it’s urgent.
RON: Exactly. It’s not time to sit on the beach or hit the golf course. Nothing wrong with those things — but the harvest is now.
I take that seriously. It’s not a burden in a negative sense — it’s a holy responsibility.
CHARIS: It reminds me of that video we did: Why Ron Will Never Retire. You really are going full speed.
RON: I’m probably running faster than I ever have. I wish I could run faster. There are thousands of people who want to hear what’s going on. I just can’t get to them all. That’s my regret.
JOY: Well, you’re clearly doing everything you can.
Charis — what about you? What excites you these days?
CHARIS: Good question! I think what excites me is being part of Empower.
Dad has talked for years about this being the greatest turning to God in history. And it’s true. Every year, it grows. It’s like a snowball, and we get to be part of that. What we thought was exciting five years ago now seems small compared to what’s happening today. It blows your mind.
RON: I once sat with a couple of business guys who said, “You always come back and tell us it’s better than before.” And I said, “Yep — and I’ll say it again next year.”
The Spirit of God is moving, and skeptics — especially within the Church — can’t seem to handle that. They’d rather spread negativity than celebrate what God is doing. I think that’s dangerous ground. Minimizing or mocking the work of the Holy Spirit — it’s close to blasphemy.
CHARIS: And your role isn’t just to fund and support church movements overseas — it’s also to encourage the Church here.
RON: Especially pastors. They’re in the hardest soil right now. Many are discouraged because they don’t see fruit like this here in North America. But I want to tell them — it is working, just not here in the same way. That doesn’t mean your work is a failure. It means you’re being faithful in a tough field.
JOY: That’s encouraging. And you showed me a number yesterday — what percent of the global population is in North America?
RON: Just 4.75%.
Canada and the U.S. combined are less than 5% of the global population. Yet we judge the whole world by what’s happening here. That’s like checking 5% of someone’s body temperature and calling it a diagnosis for the whole body. It’s absurd.
The real Church is thriving — just not necessarily in our backyard.
JOY: That gives me a great idea for another episode: “What Ron Thinks Is Ridiculous.”
RON :(Laughs) That might be a long one.
JOY: Thanks for sharing so honestly.
For more information on what Empower Ministries is doing around the world — and how you can be part of this movement — visit ronpearce.org.
