Unafraid | Faithful Conversations

House district 87 rep Collin Walke comes by to tell us how he navigates life and face as a civic servant. Listen as Collin talks about his experiences, good and bad, while serving in the Oklahoma state legislature okcfirst.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/unafraidpod/message

We talk with the newly hired Executive Director of Our Neighborhood Empowered, Jamese Siranga, about what to expect at your non-profit and how you can get involved in changing a neighborhood! For more information about ONE: oneokc.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/unafraidpod/message

Johnny Mack and James Copple have spent decades working to improve our culture's diversity and sense of inclusion. They see the challenge but they still have hope! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/unafraidpod/message

The Unafraid podcast welcomes US Senator James Lankford! Over the years and on behalf of the ONE Campaign and our friends in Zambia, throughout sub-Saharan Africa, we've worked with Senator Lankford to secure resources for those who are vulnerable to AIDS, TB, Malaria and now COVID. We ask the Senator to talk about his faith and how that faith emerges on Capitol Hill. Hope you enjoy this meaningful conversation! ONE.org "ONE is a global movement campaigning to end extreme poverty and preventable disease by 2030, so that everyone, everywhere can lead a life of dignity and opportunity. We believe the fight against poverty isn't about charity, but about justice and equality. Whether lobbying political leaders in world capitals or running cutting-edge grassroots campaigns, ONE pressures governments to do more to fight extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, and empowers citizens to hold their governments to account. ONE's supporters are crucial to this work. They come from every walk of life and from across the political spectrum. They're artists and activists, faith and business leaders, students and scientists. They take action day in, day out — organising, mobilising, educating, and advocating so that people will have the chance not just to survive, but to thrive. ONE teams in Abuja, Berlin, Brussels, Dakar, Johannesburg, London, New York, Ottawa, Paris and Washington DC, educate and lobby governments to shape policy solutions that save and improve millions of lives — and which every year are under threat from cuts and other priorities. Co-founded by Bono and other activists, ONE is strictly nonpartisan. ONE is not a grant-making organisation and does not solicit funding from the public or receive government funds. ONE is funded almost entirely by foundations, individual philanthropists and corporate partners." Learn more about OKC First by visiting okcfirst.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/unafraidpod/message

We are very excited to welcome Mike Gerson to the podcast! Mike writes regularly for the Washington Post while being an unapologetic Christ follower. We hope you will enjoy and be challenged by his perspective of the American political landscape and our international responsibilities. ONE.org "ONE is a global movement campaigning to end extreme poverty and preventable disease by 2030, so that everyone, everywhere can lead a life of dignity and opportunity. We believe the fight against poverty isn't about charity, but about justice and equality. Whether lobbying political leaders in world capitals or running cutting-edge grassroots campaigns, ONE pressures governments to do more to fight extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, and empowers citizens to hold their governments to account. ONE's supporters are crucial to this work. They come from every walk of life and from across the political spectrum. They're artists and activists, faith and business leaders, students and scientists. They take action day in, day out — organising, mobilising, educating, and advocating so that people will have the chance not just to survive, but to thrive. ONE teams in Abuja, Berlin, Brussels, Dakar, Johannesburg, London, New York, Ottawa, Paris and Washington DC, educate and lobby governments to shape policy solutions that save and improve millions of lives — and which every year are under threat from cuts and other priorities. Co-founded by Bono and other activists, ONE is strictly nonpartisan. ONE is not a grant-making organisation and does not solicit funding from the public or receive government funds. ONE is funded almost entirely by foundations, individual philanthropists and corporate partners." Learn more about OKC First by visiting okcfirst.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/unafraidpod/message

Worship leader and Singer/Songwriter, Tamara Hewes, discusses her song, “The Other Shoe,“ and the unique Christian moment that happens every time “joy sits beside the pain.” “The Other Shoe” Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyJEiDAgruc --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/unafraidpod/message

Jon and Zach are BACK! One of our absolute favorite people gives us one of our favorite podcasts ever. Listen to Wes testify tell the story of how God is shaping his Christian experience and his family trajectory. Learn more about the ONE Campaign: https://www.one.org/us/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/unafraidpod/message

We took the pod on the road! Zach and Jon joined their new friend, Apollo Woods, for lunch at the jazz and blues café on Broadway in downtown Edmond, OK. Apollo is the architect of the OKC black eats website and a proponent for minority owned businesses in the OKC area. Enjoy the conversation and then go enjoy the food! https://www.okcblackeats.com

Zach and Jon welcome Brenda Hernandez (VP of Tango Public Relations) to the pod to discuss the power and joy of public service and the unique Latino experience in Oklahoma City. Listen and learn! Tango PR | https://tangopr.net Information about DACA | https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/consideration-of-deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals-daca

This week, the OKC First staff shares stories of Heaven meeting earth. ⠀ “Thin places assure us that what we can see is not all there is, that within the struggle, joy, pain, and delight that attend our life, there is an invisible circle of grace that enfolds and encompasses us in every moment.” -Jan L. Richardson (UMC)

Zach and Jon speak with Elliott Shin, Executive Director of Toronto City Mission about a 20 year partnership with OKC First and interrupting the cycle of poverty. For more information about Toronto City Mission: http://www.torontocitymission.com

Lean in an listen as Pastors Zach and Jon discuss race, racism, and reconciliation hope with Lieutenant Wayland Cubit of the OCPD and founder of the FACT mentoring program for urban youth. Let us know what you think! "How To Build Bridges Over Your Bias" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U5JOIx-XqI https://www.okc.gov/departments/police/community-programs/fact

Pastors Zach & Jon sit down with author, speaker, and all-around great guy Brad Jersak to discuss atonement theories, biblical metaphors and how we communicate God and Gospel to children and to our fractured world. https://bradjersak.com/books/

Pastors Zach and Jon talk with Shane Claiborne about his prophetic voice- where it came from and how it works. Shane describes his ministry there in the tension-filled streets of Philadelphia and his work to protect life and reduce violence across the country.

Pastors Zach and Jon talk about OKC First's COVID-19 plan moving forward. Then, Pastor Jon talks with Oklahoma City Mayor, David Holt about what it's like to be mayor during a pandemic. Official OKC FIrst COVID-19 Response: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_yZcK-GaIc Music For This Episode Provided By: https://soundcloud.com/carsonofficialmusic

Pastors Zach Lucero & Jon Middendorf talk with author James KA Smith to discuss how the Pandemic has shaped our appetites for local community. https://imagejournal.org

Pastors Jon & Zach talk with author, speaker, encourager, liberator, imagineer, & New York Times best selling Author: Jen Hatmaker. Be sure to check out her newest book, "FIERCE, FREE, AND FULL OF FIRE".

Pastors Zach & Jon sat down with Debbi McCullock, International Ministries Pastor and Zambia Mission Coordinator to explore the beauty of God’s Kingdom in Zambia, Africa. To learn more about our partnership in Zambia, please visit http://lukafoundation.org

Pastors Jon & Zach sit down with Katie Smith (MS MD FACOG Associate Professor OU CoM Dept of OBGYN) & Heather Wilson (MD FAAPÂ Assistant Professor OU CoM Dept of Peas) to talk about COVID-19 from a medical perspective. How have their lives changed and how can we better support the medical community?

Pastor Jon Middendorf interviews Kaylee Vaughn (Executive Director of Our Neighborhood Empowered) and Zach Lucero (Youth & Creative Pastor) about how COVID-19 has shaped them from the non-profit and church perspectives. To volunteer for ONE, text “@onehelp” to 81010

Pastors Jon and Zach sit down with Ben Felder, Staff Writer at The Frontier to talk about the state of journalism and Oklahoma's response to COVID-19. https://www.readfrontier.org https://nondoc.com

Pastors Jon & Zach talk video conference with Dr. Jesse Middendorf, General Superintendent Emeritus for the CTN and is currently serving as Executive Director for the Center For Pastoral Leadership at NTS. They discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Church and where we might find hope.

Pastors Jon & Zach sit down with Bonni Goodwin, MSW, LSCW, PhD Candidate & Jordan Park, LMFT-Candidate to discuss the impact of trauma on children and how the Church can come alongside those who have experienced trauma. ⠀ Bonni is a Research Associate at the University of Oklahoma’s Center for Child Welfare Training & Simulation. ⠀ Jordan is the Assistant Programs Director at Calm Waters: Center For Children and Families. ⠀ You can access this podcast on the OKC First feed or by following the link in our bio.

Pastors Jon & Zach sit down with Dr. Alicia Limke-McLean, Professor of Psychology to talk about the church's response to those going through divorce. Music credit: https://soundcloud.com/carsonofficialmusic

This week, the OKC First staff shares stories of Heaven meeting earth. ⠀ “Thin places assure us that what we can see is not all there is, that within the struggle, joy, pain, and delight that attend our life, there is an invisible circle of grace that enfolds and encompasses us in every moment.” -Jan L. Richardson (UMC)

In the wake of the El Paso & Dayton mass shootings, Pastors Jon & Zach sit down with Rev. Aaron Bolerjack to discuss the epidemic of gun violence in America.

Pastors Jon & Zach sit down with Rev. Brit Bolerjack to talk about the theology of creation care. creationcaresummit.eventbrite.com

Pastors Jon and Zach sit down with Nick Lee of The Uncommon Collective in OKC to talk about helping under-resourced women start and grow their own businesses, race, and that one time Nick and Zach rode a motorcycle together. https://theuncommoncollective.com

Youth & Creative Pastor Zach Lucero sits down outside, in nature, on a picnic table... with Pastor of Skyview Community Church in Calgary - Stuart Williams to discuss the importance of formational focused youth camps.

Pastors Jon and Zach discuss the topic of Summer/Winter Christianity and things in-between.

Pastors Jon, Zach, and Jason discuss what it means to care for a church. Also some golf.

Pastors Jon [8] and Zach [2] are joined by Jordan Hepler [4], LPC to talk all things Enneagram.

Pastors Jon, Zach, and Logan discuss the origins of Sabbath and how we might begin to understand it as communal.

Pastors Jon and Zach embark on a new journey through the conversational style podcast entitled: Unafraid | Faithful Conversations at OKC First. They are joined by Worship Pastor Tamara Hewes to discuss: worship, why don't we have smoke machines, and rapid fire staff questions.