He got his first job when he was 10. At 14, he took his 12-year-old brother to Beijing for six weeks to attend a conference. He graduated high school early, left home, and at age 17 started running a retail store. At 19, he went to Turkey to “find himself” and came back a Christian. Since then, he’s done restaurant management, started and run non-profits, served as a pastor, and helped The Bible Project (website, YouTube channel) reach people around the world.

All while fighting against a core belief that he’s not good enough and doesn’t have what it takes.

In these highlights from our September 2023 interview with Mike McDonald, he shares that “getting in the mud” – stepping outside your comfort zone to follow God’s call – is a key part of understanding your true identity in Christ.

Mike leads The Bible Project’s global focus team, which is localizing nearly 200 videos into 56 different languages. Before The Bible Project, Mike spent 11 years leading a global development organization and served on boards for international compassion and justice organizations. To learn more about The Bible Project, read this article penned by podcast co-host Chris Bolinger.