What happens when your father’s underground Bible ministry shapes the path you never expected to take? In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl sit down with Rostyslav Stasyuk—a husband, father, and global ministry leader with deep roots in faith. Rostyslav shares how his family’s legacy and his cross-cultural experiences led him to join EEM as the Regional Director for South Caucasus and Central Asia, where he now helps distribute Bibles, This heartfelt conversation touc...
Jul 01, 2025•55 min•Ep. 39
In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl sit down with Ivan (Vanya) Prokopchuk—husband, father, ministry leader, and a man shaped by both legacy and loss. Ivan grew up in Ukraine watching his father live out the Gospel in humble, faithful ways. That example laid the foundation for Ivan’s own heart for ministry—especially toward orphans and vulnerable children. But when war broke out in Ukraine, everything changed. The challenges became more intense, and yet, so did his re...
Jun 12, 2025•56 min
In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl sit down with Dasha Novikova, who shares powerful testimonies from people across Ukraine—stories of how one Bible, received in the midst of war, can bring hope, healing, and a renewed sense of faith. Dasha gives us a glimpse into what it’s like to live through ongoing conflict, while also witnessing firsthand how God is moving in the local church through trauma-informed care and the strength of community. This conversation isn’t ju...
May 07, 2025•54 min•Ep. 54
Life has a way of leading us through unexpected twists—some that break us and some that build us. In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, host Brooke Kehl sits down with Tamika Rybinski, a writer, graphic artist, and missionary based in Vienna, Austria. Tamika’s story is one of resilience, faith, and creativity. From surviving a life-changing car accident to navigating cancer and a stroke, Tamika’s journey is marked by deep trust in God through every season. She shares how her love for art, storyt...
Apr 02, 2025•48 min•Ep. 34
In this episode, Bart Rybinski joins us to look back on the challenges and victories of 2024. We talk about why trust and strong relationships matter, even when things get hard, and how unexpected partnerships have helped get Bibles into more hands. We also share stories about the impact of giving people access to Scripture and what it’s been like working in places like Poland and Ukraine. We get honest about what it means to serve and why prayer, patience, and community make all the difference....
Mar 04, 2025•53 min•Ep. 33
In this episode, we are joined by church leader, author, and cultural commentator Patrick Miller as we dive into what it means to embrace life as “joyful outsiders” in today’s world. Patrick shares some amazing insights from his books with co-author Keith Simon, Truth Over Tribe and the upcoming Joyful Outsiders, and we discuss how to stay true to our faith while loving people across divides. It’s an honest and encouraging conversation on finding unity, living counter-culturally, and showing Chr...
Feb 04, 2025•59 min•Ep. 32
In this episode of the 55:11 Podcast, Dirk Smith and Brooke Kehl are joined by Andy Corley, President and CEO of Prison Fellowship International (PFI), for another inspiring conversation on their success and challenges over the past year. Together, they discuss the life-changing work of ministering to prisoners and their families and the special focus on children with parents behind bars. Andy also shares the heart of PFI’s global ministry–centered on worth, redemption, and the unique partnershi...
Jan 21, 2025•53 min•Ep. 31
In this episode, we explore the impactful work of Open Doors USA, an organization dedicated to supporting the persecuted church worldwide. Despite facing severe persecution, the church in different regions continues to grow, offering a powerful testimony of faith. Ryan Brown, CEO of Open Doors USA, shares how their mission raises awareness, provides resources, and advocates for those risking their lives to follow Christ. He emphasizes the lessons American Christians can learn from the persecuted...
Oct 01, 2024•53 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In this episode, we explore the incredible work of Transform Iran, a group dedicated to bringing freedom and hope to the people of Iran. Despite strict government rules that make it illegal to leave Islam or own a Bible, the church in Iran is growing fast. Over a million Iranian Muslims have given their lives to Christ in the past 45 years. Lana Silk, from Transform Iran, shares how the ministry focuses on three main areas: spreading the Gospel, helping new believers grow in their faith, and bri...
Sep 03, 2024•47 min
In this episode, hosts Brooke Kehl and Dirk Smith are joined by three more EEM Regional Directors – Monty Tuttle, Jon Mark Smith, and Clyde H. Slimp to talk about the impactful stories from their recent trip to Hungary and Slovakia. The Region Directors discuss their visits with various EEM ministry partners and the powerful work being done in these regions. Hear a moving story of one woman’s surprising reaction to discovering God’s Word in her heart language for the first time. Listen to the he...
Aug 06, 2024•54 min
In this episode, hosts Brooke Kehl and Dirk Smith, along with guests Jim Black, Lanny Tucker, and Darryl Willis, share impactful stories from their trip to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, highlighting the power of Bible distribution and unity among believers. Hear about a former Soviet Air Force officer turned pastor and a gathering of church leaders in Kazakhstan sharing their experiences. They share inspiring stories of individuals who have overcome challenges and embraced their faith wholeheartedl...
Jul 02, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Season Three, Episode Five: Hosts Dirk and Brooke visit with guest Dave Keesling about his work with PhilanthroCorp. Dave is the Founder and Executive Vice President of PhilanthroCorp, which partners with hundreds of churches, para-church, and Christian higher education ministries across America, encouraging their donors to consider estate planning from a Biblical worldview. He has been helping people all over the country develop estate plans from a Biblical perspective for over 30 years. Dave’s...
Jun 04, 2024•56 min
Season Three, Episode Four: Hosts Dirk and Brooke visit with guest Ivan Prokopchuk to discuss his orphan ministry (Usmishki) in Kyiv, Ukraine. Ivan and his family are long-time EEM ministry partners providing spiritual and material aid for orphans and at-risk youth. In this special episode, Ivan opens up about the reality of living on the frontlines of war, continuing in ministry, and how his priorities and life have been shaped through continued hope in and reliance on God. Follow Usmishki on I...
May 07, 2024•56 min
Season Three. Episode Three. Openness And Desire For God's Word. An Interview with return guest, Bart Rybinski. Hosts Dirk and Brooke visit with Bart Rybinski for an update on his work and ministry. Bart, EEM's VP of European Operations, became a Christian in 1995 and graduated soon after with a bachelor's degree in business management. After working in IT in Poland, he eventually went to Oklahoma Christian University, earned a bachelor's degree in biblical studies, and then a marketing and mast...
Apr 02, 2024•46 min
Season Three. Episode Two. In this episode, hosts Dirk and Brooke talk with F. LaGard Smith about his extensive work as an author and The Daily Bible, an essential resource for EEM. F. LaGard Smith was born in 1944 in Houston, Texas, thereafter living in Shawnee and Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lancaster, Texas, and Birmingham, Alabama, before heading off to college at Florida College, graduating from Willamette University with both an undergraduate and law degree. Smith was a District Attorney for Malheur ...
Mar 05, 2024•55 min
Season Three. Episode One. In this episode, hosts Dirk and Brooke talk with Andy Corley about his work and new partnership with EEM. Andy Corley is the CEO and president of PFI (Prison Fellowship International). Andy’s work over the years has ranged from geology to commercial business to global mission work at PFI, serving now as CEO and president. EEM is grateful for the new partnership that now exists between the two ministries. To learn more about Andy's work, please visit: pfi.org ...
Feb 06, 2024•44 min
This is a quick update before Season 3 from Dirk and Brooke. Season 2 is also available in video format on EEM's YouTube channel Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG Follow us on: PRAY.COM
Dec 05, 2023•2 min
Season Two. Episode Nine. In this season's finale, hosts Dirk and Brooke talk with Masoud Ghorbani about his journey from Islam to Christianity. Masoud and his family left Afghanistan in 2015 looking for a better life. Their journey led them through Iran, Turkey, and eventually into Greece. As a staunch Muslim, Masoud saw himself as a defender of Islam who must resist the gospel message but eventually made a dramatic shift and chose to follow Jesus. Today, Masoud, his wife Anahita, and their thr...
Dec 05, 2023•47 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Season Two. Episode Eight. From Russia With Love. Hosts Dirk and Brooke talk with Oleg Yakimenko about his gospel ministry in Russia and his ongoing work with EEM. Oleg joined EEM in 2013 as the National Coordinator for Russia and Belarus. Now, Oleg coordinates the EEM work in Russia and the countries of Central Asia and Transcaucasia. He has Master's degrees in Teaching and Translation of English and German Languages and in New Testament Theology. Oleg obeyed the Gospel in 1993 and is passionat...
Nov 07, 2023•45 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Season Two. Episode Seven. Mission For Macedonian Revival. Hosts Dirk and Brooke reconnect with Nikola Galevski after meeting him recently on an EEM trip to North Macedonia. Nikola Galevski was born and raised in Skopje, Macedonia. Coming from a traditional Orthodox family, his faith was ignited in his youth through the witness of the local Evangelical Church in Skopje and with a special gift of God's Word. These events in his life inspired a life-long mission to share God's love with as many as...
Sep 05, 2023•47 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Season Two. Episode Six. This episode was recorded on location in Athens, Greece. Hosts Dirk and Brooke traveled abroad with EEM (May 2023) for 13 days, visiting 5 countries. In this episode, they sat down with Matt Gulley of Diaspora Pathways. Matt Gulley is from Muskogee, Oklahoma, and is a graduate of Harding University. While at Harding, Matt met his wife Nikki (Roussos) who is from Athens, Greece. Matt and Nikki were married in 2003 and have three children ages 15, 12, and 10. They have liv...
Aug 01, 2023•53 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Season Two. Episode Five. This episode was recorded on location, in Vienna, Austria. Hosts Dirk and Brooke traveled abroad with EEM (May 2023) for 13 days, visiting 5 countries. In this episode, they sat down again with Dasha Novikova to get further Ukraine Updates. Dasha joined EEM in 2011 as the National Coordinator for Ukraine and now serves as EEM’s National Director in Ukraine. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG...
Jul 04, 2023•45 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Season Two. Episode Four. Gospel For Millions In Greece. Hosts Dirk and Brooke talk with Johnathan Macris. Johnathan Macris is president of Hellenic Ministries (formerly Hellenic Missionary Union) and the oldest child of well-known Greek evangelical missionaries, Costas and Alky Macris. Johnathan graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 1985 and then returned to Greece to serve his mandatory year in the Greek Army. He and his wife, Miriam, married in 1987 and have five children: Justin, Natassa, ...
Jun 06, 2023•52 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Season Two. Episode Three. Global Aid, Unity, And Hope. An Interview with Bart Robinski. Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke visit with Bart Robinski, EEM's VP for European Operations. Bart became a Christian in 1995 and graduated soon after with a bachelor's degree in business management. After working in IT in Poland, he eventually went to Oklahoma Christian University, earned a bachelor's degree in biblical studies, and then a marketing and master's degree in ministry. After short-term missions an...
May 02, 2023•47 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Season Two. Episode Two. Bible Printing, Publishing, And Smuggling! An Interview with Scott Hayes. Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke visit with Scott Hayes, EEM's Publishing Director. He is EEM's longest-serving team member - 38 years! Living in Vienna, Scott has many memories over the years involving bible printing, publishing, and even bible smuggling. We hope you are inspired by this episode. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG...
Apr 04, 2023•48 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Season Two. Episode One. Open Doors In Croatia. Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke visit with Jura Lazar, EEM's regional director for Central Europe. Jura is on the front lines. He is involved in widespread efforts in Central Europe that are opening doors for sharing the Bible. Also in this conversation: Jura's background in Croatia, family, work, passion, conversion story, and hope for the future in Central Europe. We hope you are inspired by this episode. Every story is a living example of Isaiah ...
Mar 07, 2023•46 min•Season 2Ep. 1
This is a quick update before Season 2, dropping on March 7th, 2023. Dirk, Brooke, and Payton discuss the changes in the format for the podcast: the new focal points, the episode rhythm, and some special plans abroad. Season 2 will also include a video version available on EEM's YouTube channel. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG Thanks for listening!...
Feb 28, 2023•14 min
Episode Ten. A Conversation With Dasha Novikova - Ukraine Updates: Hope on the Frontlines of War . Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke visit with Dasha about the War in Ukraine. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG As a reminder, the show will return after a brief hiatus in several months. So make sure to add/follow/subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen. If you add the show, it will be in your library. That way, whenever somethin...
Nov 15, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Episode Nine. Macedonian Children Bibles. Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke share a story, scripture, and challenge. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG
Nov 01, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Episode Eight. Habits of Humility. Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke share a story, scripture, and challenge. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG
Oct 18, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 8
