How Gospelflow Supercharges the Language 180 Rhythm

By Preston Fidler, author of 1000 Cups of Tea and host of language180.com

In my books and articles I describe “Language 180” as the functional engine that fuels our pursuit of gospel fluency across cultures. It’s a daily rhythm that has profoundly shaped my journey in coaching, learning, ministry, and communication. Time and again, I’ve witnessed how this simple, intentional approach can unlock growth, deepen purpose, and cultivate gospel fluency in ways that surprise even the most experienced learners.

The Language 180 Rhythm: Three Hours That Can Change Everything

At its core, Language 180 is about investing three focused hours each day—a total of 180 minutes—in preparation, practice, and implementation. Whether you’re learning a new language, sharpening a communication skill in that language, or pursuing a gospel-fluent ministry across cultures, this rhythm of investment can really make a difference:

1. Hour One: Preparation

   
   

   This is where the day begins, immersing yourself in the content you want to master—ideally, God’s Word. For language learners, the goal is to reach the point where you can prepare directly from Scripture in your target language. But even before you get there, this hour is invaluable for setting your intention, gathering your materials, and laying the foundation for meaningful growth.

   
   

2. Hour Two: Practice with a Coach

   
   

   This second hour, when used well, can truly transform your learning experience—if you have the right partner. This hour involves taking what you’ve prepared and putting it into high-octane practice. The ideal scenario? Working with a native-speaker language coach [1] who knows exactly what you need, who can contextualize your learning, and who can help you tailor your practice to real-life situations. Context is everything, and relationships drive the process. But let’s be honest: finding that kind of coach—someone like my first mentor, Johannes [2]—is rare. Most of us don’t have daily access to a skilled, available, and affordable coach. This is where the rhythm often breaks down.

   
   

3. Hour Three: Real-World Implementation

   
   

   The final hour involves taking what you’ve practiced and using it in real life. Whether it’s a conversation with a neighbor, a ministry opportunity, or a relationship you want to deepen, this is where preparation and practice bear fruit. It’s ministry in action, and it’s what makes the first two hours worth every minute.

   
   

The Missing Link: Coaching That’s Always There

For years, I struggled with the “Hour Two” problem. I knew what I needed—a coach who could give me specific, contextual feedback and role-play real-life scenarios just when I needed them. But those coaches are rare, and many days, I was left on my own, missing out on the kind of growth that only comes from guided, relational practice. For this reason, the Gospelflow App [3] has been a great resource for me that I'm excited to share with you.

Gospelflow: Your Always-Available Coach and Practice Partner

Gospelflow is a web app uniquely designed to help users become more fluent in communicating the gospel, whether pursuing evangelism or discipleship, or learning a new language for those purposes.

The breakthrough feature is the “voice mode” [4] enabling us as users to move from just chatting about needs and plans with our AI coaches to engaging in immersive conversations with them as practice partners, for example creating role-plays that simulate real-world situations and conversations. 

Here are some ways Gospelflow has transformed my Language 180 rhythm:

1. Personalized Coaching, On Demand

I bring what I’ve prepared—often short dialogues I’m working on in modern Greek, or perhaps something more complex from God’s word that I want to practice for ministry fluency in a language I know better—and Gospelflow meets me right where I am. It gives me the specificity I need, helping me contextualize my learning for real-life situations. Need cultural context? Role-play ideas? Gospelflow delivers, just like a great coach would.

2. Progressive Role Play, Safe and Encouraging

One of the most powerful learning tools I’ve adopted is Progressive Role Play—a concept I learned from Dr. Lonna Dickerson [5]. I simply prompt Gospelflow to become my role-play partner saying something like, “Let’s practice what we just reviewed. I’ll play me and you play my friend.” I can pause, restart, or ask for feedback at any point without the fear of embarrassment. The encouragement and positive reinforcement I receive keep me motivated and eager to keep going. It’s a safe space to make mistakes, get feedback, try again, and begin to really feel the positive results.

3. Actionable Feedback for Real-World Growth

After each practice session, I often downshift back into chat mode for deeper learning, or to get feedback about the experience. Gospelflow responds to what I want, helping me identify and focus on next steps. This feedback loop is exactly what I need to confidently take my learning into real conversations, ministry, and relationships.

Why This Matters for Gospel Fluency

At the heart of everything I write, teach, and practice is the pursuit of gospel fluency—the ability to communicate the good news of Jesus clearly, naturally, and effectively in any cross-cultural context. Language 180 is the rhythm that makes this possible, and Gospelflow is the tool that makes it truly sustainable.

If you’ve ever struggled to find the right coach, the right practice partner, or the right feedback at the right time, I encourage you to try Gospelflow. It’s not just a technological solution—it’s a practical, purpose-driven resource that empowers you to invest your three hours a day with confidence, clarity, and gospel-centered impact.

Let’s keep learning, practicing, and living out the gospel—one day, one hour, and one conversation at a time.

For more information about the Gospelflow app visit Gospelflow.com.

[1] Native speaker coaches tutor, teach, and nurture learners, but they also necessarily provide much-needed timely direction and feedback so critical for ongoing effective learning.

[2] Find out more about Yohannes in the introduction of chapter nine, Language 180, found in 1000 Cups of Tea (book or field guide).

[3] The Gospelflow App was created by two of my sons. I have no financial stake in it, nor do I receive any compensation. I’m sharing it because I genuinely believe it’s a great product and worth your attention. (I do love the name which is very similar to the book I wrote 😊)

[4] While the Gospelflow App is available for free at a basic level, the full value of the product is unlocked through paid tiers which among other things provide more access to the "voice mode" feature. These fees reflect actual costs involved in building and maintaining a high-quality tool, and they help provide fair, industry-standard income for the work that goes into it. I understand many of the intended users come from a non-profit or volunteer background, where budgets are tight and the expectation is often that resources should be free. However, it’s worth noting that similar outcomes—like hiring language tutors—typically cost much more. My initial review indicates that this product delivers equal or greater results at a fraction of the cost. While there may be free alternatives, they tend to offer much lower speech models or generic results. Paying for this product supports both sustainability and excellence—without overcharging or exploitation—and we hope users will see it as a valuable investment rather than just another cost.

[5] Dr. Lonna Dickerson is the Founder and Director Emeritus of the Institute for Cross Cultural Training at Wheaton University.