The Roots Network

How do we move from short-term mission trips to long-term, sustainable Kingdom transformation? In Episode 4 of The Roots Network Podcast, hosts Adam Koelling and Patrick Briscoe reflect on nearly 10 years of cross-cultural ministry in East Africa. Moving past transactional donor models, they explore how true Gospel partnerships empower local pastors and leaders across Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, and Tanzania. From deploying sustainable artesian water wells to hosting rural dental clinics, Adam and Patrick unpack TRN's core "4 S's" strategy—Start, Strengthen, Serve, and Support—and explain why local leadership is the true engine of biblical discipleship. The Roots Network is dedicated to making disciples of Jesus Christ in places where others seldom go. Our vision is to see lives, communities, and cultures rooted in the love of Christ and transformed by the Gospel. By starting local churches, strengthening leaders, serving others, and supporting international missions strategies, we work alongside East African leaders to build lasting Kingdom culture. Key Takeaways From This Episode: Mission vs. Vision: Defining TRN’s core mission and anchoring our organizational identity in Ephesians 3:17–19. The 4 S's Strategy Framework: A complete breakdown of Start (churches), Strengthen (leaders), Serve (clean water & dental care), and Support (missions strategy). Artesian Wells vs. Deep Boreholes: The technical, financial, and relational reality of building sustainable clean water solutions in Rwanda and Burundi. Gospel Partnership over Transactional Donating: Why relational, two-way investment creates an eternal impact for both the sender and the receiver. Rapid-Fire Host Q&A: Adam answers quick questions on village life, Rwandan coffee, safari trucks, and Pastor Ezechias's traditional home lunches. Chapters/Timestamps 00:00 - Technical Setups & Returning for Season 1, Episode 4 02:22 - Approaching 10 Years of The Roots Network Ministry 04:00 - Defining Our Mission: Making Disciples Where Others Seldom Go 07:53 - Vision & Founding Verse: Unpacking Ephesians 3:17–19 11:50 - Individual Transformation to Cultural Change 12:46 - The 4 S's Strategy: Start, Strengthen, Serve, and Support 14:33 - Serve: Integrating Dental Care, Medical Clinics, & Clean Water 20:33 - Support: Bridging US Churches with International Missions 25:28 - Redefining Donors as Gospel Partners (Philippians 1:3–5) 33:06 - Staff Highlight: Honoring Brigitte & Women’s Ministry in Rwanda 37:36 - The Impact of Artesian Water Wells vs. Deep Borehole Drilling 46:43 - Water Wells as Monuments for Evangelism & Local Discipleship 50:06 - Jehovah Jireh: Trusting God’s Provision in Full-Time Ministry 53:22 - Rapid-Fire Questions: Rwandan Coffee, Safaris, & Village Life 1:00:32 - Sending Point: Staying Rooted in Christ & Mutual Partnership If you enjoy this episode, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, FOLLOW, and SHARE. It helps us reach more people and continue sharing stories of faith, missions, and Kingdom impact around the world. Learn more about The Roots Network: https://www.therootsnetwork.org/ Support The Roots Network: https://www.therootsnetwork.org/get-involved Connect with us: https://www.instagram.com/the_roots_network/ https://www.facebook.com/therootsnetwork/ https://x.com/roots_network 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@therootsnetwork?sub_confirmation=1 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/639ghae6NuHImdxQO8iu2V #missions #kingdomculture #gospelpartnership

True international missions isn't about Western superiority or "saving" a country. 🌍 In this clip from Episode 4 of The Roots Network Podcast, Adam and Patrick highlight TRN’s core philosophy: coming alongside local East African pastors to support, equip, and fill gaps so local communities are transformed to look like what Jesus intended. Watch the full episode to see how we build sustainable, biblical Kingdom Culture! Learn more: therootsnetwork.org #missions #reimaginingmissions #kingdomculture #localleadership #discipleship #eastafrica #trn #therootsnetwork

How does a clean water well serve as a "monument"? In this clip from Episode 4 of The Roots Network Podcast, Adam shares how community water wells in Rwanda become lasting physical reminders of God’s provision, opening continuous opportunities to preach the Gospel. Watch the full episode to hear the story behind our East African partnerships! Learn more: therootsnetwork.org #rwanda #waterwells #monumentoffaith #godsprovision #missions #therootsnetwork #trn

Physical clean water saves lives, but only one thing quenches spiritual thirst forever. 🚰 In this clip from Episode 4 of The Roots Network Podcast, Adam and Patrick discuss how artesian water wells serve as a direct platform to share the eternal message of Jesus Christ—the Living Water—in East Africa. Watch the full episode to see how clean water opens doors for the Gospel! Learn more: therootsnetwork.org #livingwater #cleanwater #missions #evangelism #eastafrica #therootsnetwork #trn

At the end of the day, what is the foundation of the Gospel? In this clip from Episode 4 of The Roots Network Podcast, Adam breaks down why being rooted in the love of Christ is the core engine behind all true discipleship and cross-cultural ministry. Watch the full episode to explore 10 years of Kingdom impact in East Africa! Learn more: therootsnetwork.org #gospel #kingdomculture #discipleship #faith #therootsnetwork #trn

How do we actually love our enemies when we don't want to? In this clip from Episode 4 of The Roots Network Podcast, Adam and Patrick discuss how the Holy Spirit gives us a new avenue of choice when facing pride, anger, and daily temptations. Real faith isn't forced control; it's living from a firm foundation in Christ. Watch the full episode for more on cross-cultural discipleship! Learn more: therootsnetwork.org #holyspirit #christianliving #discipleship #biblicaltruth #faith #therootsnetwork #trn

Are you managing your life so perfectly that you leave zero room for the Holy Spirit to move? ⏰ In this clip from Episode 3 of The Roots Network Podcast, Dr. Patrick Briscoe challenges our obsession with Western efficiency. When we plan our days down to 30-second intervals, we accidentally block out opportunities for divine interruptions and cross-cultural relationships. Building true "Kingdom Culture" means intentionally creating margin to love people and obey God’s promptings. Watch the full episode to see how doing ministry in East Africa completely redefines our relationship with time! Learn more about our work in East Africa: therootsnetwork.org #missions #kingdomculture #africatime #discipleship #timemanagement #christianpodcast #faithandculture #trn #therootsnetwork

What happens when a hyper-scheduled Western missionary who manages life down to 30-second intervals meets an East African culture centered entirely around relationships? In this episode of The Roots Network Podcast, hosts Adam Koelling and Patrick Briscoe break down the profound differences between Western time-management and East African "Africa Time". Welcome back to The Roots Network Podcast! Through real-world, humorous, and challenging stories featuring TRN staff member George, they uncover how cross-cultural missions exposes our personal ignorance and how true "Kingdom Culture" requires moving past our obsession with the clock to make space for the Holy Spirit. Key Takeaways From This Episode: The TRN Field Team: Get to know the indigenous team of church planters, discipleship leaders, and medical/water coordinators executing the mission daily in Rwanda, Burundi, the DRC, and Tanzania. "They Will Not Die": The unforgettable story of an hour-long pharmacy delay in Kigali that birthed a permanent ministry mantra. When Oaths Meet Calendars: A transparent look at setting expectations within a relational, honor-shame culture using biblical principles from the Gospels. Sacrificial Discipleship: How a Rwandan staff member drove eight hours across the country without a second thought, modeling true, sacrificial New Testament discipleship. Timestamps/Chapters: 00:00 - Intro, Audience Feedback, & The Power of Subscribing 01:38 - Introducing the Roots Network Field Team in East Africa 03:39 - Church Planting & Student Ministries in Rwanda & Tanzania 07:18 - Dr. Patrick & The Focus on Field Leader George 08:44 - Defining "Africa Time" vs. Western Time Management 10:47 - The Kigali Pharmacy Mistake: "They Will Not Die!" 19:51 - When the Cross-Cultural Door Swings Both Ways 21:31 - Bringing Biblical Structure to Weekly Team Meetings 24:30 - Cultural Ignorance & Shifting to a Relational Context 28:25 - Sacrificing Time for Discipleship: The Story of Wilson 33:29 - Creating Margin for the Holy Spirit in a Packed Schedule 34:23 - Sending Point: God Controls Time, Not Us 36:46 - The Truth About Africa Time: Relationship Over Clock 42:13 - Closing Prayer for Margin & Opportunities to Love 44:21 - Foundational Motto: Ephesians 3:17-19 & Live Well If you enjoy this episode, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, FOLLOW, and SHARE. It helps us reach more people and continue sharing stories of faith, missions, and Kingdom impact around the world. Learn more about The Roots Network: https://www.therootsnetwork.org/ Support The Roots Network: https://www.therootsnetwork.org/get-involved Connect with us: https://www.instagram.com/the_roots_network/ https://www.facebook.com/therootsnetwork/ https://x.com/roots_network 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@therootsnetwork?sub_confirmation=1 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/639ghae6NuHImdxQO8iu2V #missions #kingdomculture #africatime

What happens when an optimized American schedule crashes into East African "Africa Time"? ⏰ In this clip from Episode 3 of The Roots Network Podcast, Adam Koelling shares a crucial reality check from a pharmacy in Kigali, Rwanda. When we try to run missions on a strict Western timeline, we miss the point. Relational cultures value people over clocks. True "Kingdom Culture" requires laying down our control to make space for relationships and discipleship. Watch the full episode this Friday to learn how to move past cultural ignorance on short-term mission trips! Learn more about our work in East Africa: https://www.therootsnetwork.org #missions #kingdomculture #africatime #shorttermmissions #eastafrica #discipleship #trn #therootsnetwork