Podcast appearances and mentions of kirk osamayo

Hope is a bit of a buzzword, but at the same time it is a lifeline for those that are experiencing humanitarian crises. What does it look like to experience hope in the midst of forcible displacement or losing your home in a natural disaster? Is it possible to have hope that is disconnected from the truth of Christ? Heath Adamson joins the show to help us think through these big questions. He talks with Brandon Stiver about his new book Hope Breaks Through and the work that Convoy of Hope is doing throughout the globe. Heath brings a wealth of biblical knowledge and on the ground experience that points to the God of hope and how we can partner with Him in bringing His promises to bear on the earth. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors The M.A. in Global Development and Justice program at Jessup University prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, community development, and peacebuilding. Learn More About The MAGDJ Online Program Join Camino Quest for a spiritual pilgrimage with other pilgrims on the ancient and amazing Camino de Santiago in Spain. Visit Camino Quest Online Resources and Links from the show Hope Breaks Through by Heath Adamson (Amazon) Convoy of Hope Online To Transform a City by Eric Swanson and Sam Williams Conversation Notes The work of Convoy of Hope and their four pillars of development Having hope in the midst of dire situations throughout the world What is hope and how it relates to the story of Rahab in Joshua 2 The centrality of Christ in having true hope Understanding spiritual poverty and the difference between poverty in the Sermon on the Mount and the letter to the church in Laodicea in Revelation Having hope in the midst of current humanitarian crises right now through tornadoes in Missouri, flooding in Africa and typhoons in Asia The opportunity that we have to "turn aside" and join God's redemptive work     Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

It's impossible to ignore the interconnectedness of global justice issues and the complexity of systems that affect societies. Sometimes a system enables people to thrive and other times the system puts people at risk. A clear example of this is looking at food systems and malnutrition in Central America. To help us dive deeper, we have Curt Bowen of Semilla Nueva on the show today. With work that addresses malnutrition through economic development and government partnerships, Curt and his team have turned the region's stable of corn into a driver for social change. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors The M.A. in Global Development and Justice program at Jessup University prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, community development, and peacebuilding. Learn More About The MAGDJ Online Program Join Camino Quest for a spiritual pilgrimage with other pilgrims on the ancient and amazing Camino de Santiago in Spain. Visit Camino Quest Online Resources and Links from the show Semilla Nueva Online Conversation Notes Understanding malnutrition and food insecurity in Central America The importance of taking a systems approach when addressing malnutrition Navigating public policy and legislation in a libertarian environment The intersections of economic development, climate change, forced displacement and malnutrition The difference between biofortified crops and GMOs Are GMOs always bad or do they just get a bad rap? Earned income is not always possible and doesn't fit every nonprofit operation   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

James 1:27 has long been a central biblical text from which our podcast community has drawn from. But to what extent have we delved into the depths of the Jewish context in which James wrote? To help us go deeper on this text and the social implications of true religion, we've invited Dr. Andrea Siegel to the show. Dr. Siegel has years of experience in humanitarian work, Hebrew studies and counseling and brings that to the text as the curriculum writer on Helping Children Worldwide's most recent orphan care resource. If you want to hear some things about James 1:27 that you've never heard before, this is a podcast to check out. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors The M.A. in Global Development and Justice program at Jessup University prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, community development, and peacebuilding. Learn More About The MAGDJ Online Program Alliance for Children Everywhere is on mission to bring vulnerable children into secure families, schools, and communities. Visit Alliance for Children Everywhere Online Resources and Links from the show One Twenty-Seven by Dr. Andrea Siegel and Helping Children Worldwide Conversation Notes The Old Testament backdrop of caring for orphans and widows The collective nature of James 1:27 and what it means to be guarantors of one another in caring for the vulnerable in society The connection with Exodus 22:21-23 and parsing out singular and plural pronouns for collective responsibility Not forgetting what we look like in the mirror and how that keeps us aware of our Genesis-selves A number of different Hebrew words and applications that enrich the understanding of the passage   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

War. Famine. Poverty. Violence. Natural Disasters. Working in humanitarian spaces puts us up close and personal with some of the worst kinds of evil and suffering. In the face of it all, we follow a God who is both all good and all powerful. How do those two realities compute? It's a quandary that has been around a long time and we've invited Southeastern University's Dr. Chris Palmer onto the show to help us think biblically and theologically when we're faced with the problem of evil. From the killing fields in Polpot's Cambodia to earthquakes in the Middle East, we wrestle the reality of pain while clinging to God's goodness and embracing the mystery. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors The M.A. in Global Development and Justice program at Jessup University prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, community development, and peacebuilding. Learn More About The MAGDJ Online Program Join Camino Quest for a spiritual pilgrimage with other pilgrims on the ancient and amazing Camino de Santiago in Spain. Visit Camino Quest Online Resources and Links from the show Dr. Palmer's Bio at Southeastern University Online Conversation Notes Chris being confronted with the evil of the killing fields in Cambodia How do we describe and define what evil is substantively Juxtaposing suffering that takes place in the natural world with the suffering caused by human agency The differing theodicies in seeking to understand God's justice The imperative of prayer to have our hearts conformed to God's heart Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

The most effective approaches to doing justice will acknowledge nuance and there is wisdom in maintaining tensions in the work God has called us to. Central to the work of global development is how we work among at risk children and youth and there are a lot of principles to balance in that space. In this solo episode of the podcast, Brandon Stiver breaks down a number of paradigms that children's rights advocates and practitioners operate within as we hope to find the right balance that will allow children to flourish and be fully who God created them to be. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors The M.A. in Global Development and Justice program at Jessup University prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, community development, and peacebuilding. Learn More About The MAGDJ Online Program Alliance for Children Everywhere is on mission to bring vulnerable children into secure families, schools, and communities. Visit Alliance for Children Everywhere Online Resources and Links from the show Childhood in a Global Perspective by Karen Wells Freeing Congregational Mission by B. Hunter Farrell and S. Balajiedlang Khyllep Conversation Notes Understanding the paradigms of child saving and child's rights Child sponsorship as a child saving approach to raising funds The irony of supporting child rights while also promoting war that takes life Maintaining the balance between child protection and family preservation The role of child participation in decision making and advocacy   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

There is no doubt that the international development sector has changed drastically and permanently over the last couple of months. Starting with the closure of the vast majority of USAID programming, other donor countries have also withdrawn support from the global poor. Joining the show to guide us through what it looks like for Christians to stay engaged and advocate in this spaces is the Managing Director at Bread for the World, Heather Taylor. She walks us through specific policies that are being advocated for and how Christian practitioners and organizations are collaborating and linking arms during these unprecedented times. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors The M.A. in Global Development and Justice program at Jessup University prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, community development, and peacebuilding. Learn More About The MAGDJ Online Program Join Camino Quest for a spiritual pilgrimage with other pilgrims on the ancient and amazing Camino de Santiago in Spain. Visit Camino Quest Online Resources and Links from the show Link to Bread for the World's Website Advocate on Behalf of the Global Poor and Urge Congress to Restore Life-Saving Aid Conversation Notes The effectiveness of SNAP and Medicaid in the United States The human fallout from the closure of the majority of USAID programming What wrapping remaining USAID functions into the State Department would look like How changes are affecting Christians called into the global development field to serve the global poor and those hurting The importance of persistence in advocacy when it appears that government isn't listening   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License  

Developing local solutions to complex issues is foundational to global change. When it comes to food insecurity and health services, we recognize the need for local solutions at scale. Joining the show today from Rwanda is Isabelle Kamariza who is the Founder and President at Solid'Africa. She comes on the show to share with us who Solid'Africa works alongside the Rwandan government to improve nutritional outcomes for hospital patients, students and others in the community. We cover a lot of ground in this episode and learn what it looks like actually achieve sustainability when doing work in challenging contexts. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors The M.A. in Global Development and Justice program at Jessup University prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, community development, and peacebuilding. Learn More About The MAGDJ Online Program Join Camino Quest for a spiritual pilgrimage with other pilgrims on the ancient and amazing Camino de Santiago in Spain. Visit Camino Quest Online Resources and Links from the show Solid'Africa Online Rwanda Inc. by Patricia Crisafulli and Andrea Redmond Conversation Notes Isabelle's journey from feeding the homeless in Belgium to feeding the masses in Rwanda The influence of Matthew 25 and how it compels us into action The power of prayer in starting a ministry to the sick The intersection of healthcare and nutrition insecurity in Rwanda Going from farm to fork (and eventually on to fertilizer!) in making sustainable change The role of social enterprise in building sustainability The value of government regulation and partnership in establishing a nonprofit in Rwanda (it's harder than starting a business!) Social change through community education The Rwandan trajectory from tragedy to case study in development Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

It's March and the madness extends far beyond college basketball. In this episode, we look at the ramifications of losing Ukrainian child data through recent federal budget cuts and why upholding these children's humans right should matter to American Christians. Then we look at a new city development in Kenya that has some unique aspects that give both promise and pause. Lastly, Brandon Stiver shares a book recommendation on cross-cultural leadership that can help equip us for the ministries that God has led us into. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors The M.A. in Global Development and Justice program at Jessup University prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, community development, and peacebuilding. Learn More About The MAGDJ Online Program Join Camino Quest for a spiritual pilgrimage with other pilgrims on the ancient and amazing Camino de Santiago in Spain. Visit Camino Quest Online Resources and Links from the show NPR : Trump Administration Cuts Funding for Program that Tracked Ukrainian Children Abducted by Russia Associated Press : A startup city in Kenya tries to tackle Africa's problem of urbanizing while poor Amazon : Leading Across Cultures - Effective Ministry and Mission in the Global Church by James E. Plueddamann Conversation Notes 1:36 - The loss of data on Ukrainian children that have been forcibly removed from their country and taken to Russia. What human rights are being violated and what role do recent changes by the US put these children at greater risk. 14:50 - Steve Kariithi joins the show from Nairobi to discuss Tatu City - a privately funded city with thousands of people and a lot of appeal. We discuss the pro's and con's of this approach to urban development 29:50 - Brandon shares a recommendation for those that are working and leading in cross-cultural environments. Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

103.3 All the DevilsStranded with her father on a mysterious island, a young woman struggles to tell fiction from reality as strange memories resurface and a monster stalks her dreams.Written by Michael Teasdale (https://www.x.com/MTeasdalewriter)Narrated by Erika Ventura (https://instagram.com/efventu)Produced by Georgia Triantafyllopoulou (https://www.instagram.com/audiogeekgr )With music by Kirk Osamayo (http://www.kirkosamayo.com/)And Thom Robson (https://www.thomrobsonmusic.com/)And sound effects provided by Soundly.comThe episode illustration was provided by Luke Spooner of Carrion House (https://carrionhouse.com/)Joshua Boucher is our story programmer, and along with Jasmine Arch and the eyeless ones, Mary Pastrano and Cody Czarzasty, he helps manage our community.And to Ben Errington the ongoing explosion of content being fired out of his Social Media canon.Michael Teasdale is a writer of strange fiction, living in Bihor County, Romania. His stories have appeared for Luna Press Publishing, Air & Nothingness Press, Tyche books, World Weaver Press and Shoreline of Infinity, among others. He can be followed on social media @MTeasdalewriterErika Ventura is an artist, mother, bilingual narrator, and a husbandry technician. How does she manage it all? No idea, but her artwork can be seen on Instagram (@efventu) or you can visit her artist page www.facebook.com/BioArtsyJoin TOS+ to access over 90 exclusive episodes, get regular stories in higher quality audio, a week early, and ad-free, at https://theotherstories.net/plus/Support the show, get audiobooks, and more at https://www.patreon.com/hawkandcleaverJoin our communities for book clubs, movie clubs, writing exercises, and more at https://theotherstories.net/community/Leave a voicemail or get in touch at https://theotherstories.net/submissionsCheck out our writing courses at https://theotherstories.net/courses/Grab some merch at https://gumroad.com/hawkandcleaverThe Other Stories is a production of the story studio, Hawk & Cleaver, and is brought to you with a Creative Commons – Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives license. Don't change it. Don't sell it. But by all means… share the hell out of it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk a lot about global action on behalf of the vulnerable, but what about global engagement that looks like deepening our discipleship and spiritual formation? We've welcomed Randy Gonzales from Camino Quest on the show today to share with us how pilgrims travel (or even travail) the Camino de Santiago in Spain and what it looks like to connect with God through Christian pilgrimage. In a world that seems a bit wild, this is a reminder of the opportunities that God provides for us to slow down, connect and get in touch with what He's doing in our lives. Podcast Sponsors The M.A. in Global Development and Justice program at Jessup University prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, community development, and peacebuilding. Learn More About The MAGDJ Online Program Alliance for Children Everywhere is on mission to bring vulnerable children into secure families, schools, and communities. Visit Alliance for Children Everywhere Online Resources and Links from the show Camino Quest Online Conversation Notes Randy's journey from MK to not wanting to be a missionary, to becoming a missionary! Defining pilgrimage to a Christian population that hasn't historically been involved in pilgrimages The value of leaving your context and traveling to another part of the globe to carry to take a pilgrimage The three traditional Christian pilgrimages The story of St. James and his legacy on the Iberian peninsula What happens on a pilgrimage and the spiritual value of the journey Balancing lives of action with slowing down and going deep internally The logistics of going on pilgrimage and how to prepare for such a journey   Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

In 2025, there are still people in the world, even entire people groups, that have never heard the Good News. What's more is that access to distant places and global migration has never been higher. Is it possible to finish the Great Commission in our life time? We've got questions on how to reach more with the Gospel in word and deed and joining us for the conversation is Lisa Pak who is a leader with Finishing the Task that is focused on mobilizing the whole church to fulfill all of Christ's commands. Lisa shares with us what it's like to grow up and worship in a diaspora church, how global coordination and new technologies can help us reach more people and what it means to be a church that is not easily shaken. Podcast Sponsors The M.A. in Global Development and Justice program at Jessup University prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, community development, and peacebuilding. Learn More About The MAGDJ Online Program Alliance for Children Everywhere is on mission to bring vulnerable children into secure families, schools, and communities. Visit Alliance for Children Everywhere Online Resources and Links from the show Finishing the Task Online Conversation Notes 6:30 - Lisa shares all the influences that led her into global missions 10:10 - Caring for all people everywhere ties all the way back creation covenant and stewardship entrusted to all people 13:00 - Who is really Western? Lisa speaks to the reality of second and third generation immigrants 19:30 - The link between countries that are economically developed and the spreading of the gospel. 31:25 - Taking a pulse and understanding the stats around who is unreached 34:00 - Opportunities that show up on our doorstep and seeking the unreached in our own neighborhoods 41:25 - “Prayer is the most underutilized tool in the Kingdom of God” 47:20 - Understanding diasporas and what it's like worshiping and growing up in a diaspora community 53:25 - Following God's heart and being a church that will not be a shaken   Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

It's been a whirlwind of a month for global development practitioners. We've heard a lot of the 30,000 foot view of what the shuttering of USAID means and today we're talking with a practitioner from our community that was working on a USAID-funded project in El Salvador and what it was like to receive the stop order. After that, we'll be looking at a recent Christianity Today article that discusses the rise of cyberscam trafficking. Lastly, Brandon Stiver will be sharing a word of encouragement for all those that find themselves disheartened after recent blows to the work that so many in this podcast community are called into. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors The M.A. in Global Development and Justice program at Jessup University prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, community development, and peacebuilding. Learn More About The MAGDJ Online Program Alliance for Children Everywhere is on mission to bring vulnerable children into secure families, schools, and communities. Visit Alliance for Children Everywhere Online Resources and Links from the show Christianity Today: Crypto Cons, Beatings and Prayers for Deliverance by Erin Foley Center for Global Development: Which Countries Are Most Exposed to US Aid Cuts; And What Other Providers Can Do AP News: A comprehensive look at DOGE's firings and layoffs so far Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Conversation Notes 0:55 - Losing USAID support on the ground and organizations in this podcast community that have been effected 3:35 - Katy Luehm joins the show to share how the USAID funded project that she was a part of in El Salvador was shutdown and what effect that is having on both contractors and families alike 21:00 - Erin Foley is back to talk with us about the rapid expansion of cyberscam trafficking in Southeast Asia 41:15 - Brandon shares an encouragement for those global practitioners that are effected and discouraged after the recent closing of USAID as we point towards what the opportunity to pursue God's Kingdom in the world   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Being an active follower of Christ will always lead us to find things that are incongruent with God's Kingdom and we'll want to do something about it. To do justice, we have to address injustice and that might require us to start something (and our community is full of people that start things). Starting something is hard though so we've invited author and pastor Bryan Halferty to walk us through the spirit and the tenacity it takes to undertake a new Kingdom venture. Bryan also shares about his upcoming book "Terrible Beauty" which is a memoir of his own journey towards starting a church in the most unchurched metropolitan area of the country. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsor Alliance for Children Everywhere is on mission to bring vulnerable children into secure families, schools, and communities. Visit Alliance for Children Everywhere Online Resources and Links from the show Link to Bryan's Substack "Table" Conversation Notes Engaging other cultures as a means of learning more about God. Discerning God's direction to start something new and how that led to a church plant. Balancing the realities of injustice with the maintaining spiritual and relational health. The role of risk when starting a ministry. Embracing the risk, the vulnerability and the potential of failure. The reality of facing rejection and apathy when you've created and brought something into the world Christ's example of compassion and suffering that guides towards ministry The messianic ache and the cry of Maranatha as we long to be with Christ and for His Kingdom to come in full   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

In our end of January episode, Brandon Stiver is walking through a few current issues as well as a Bible word study that offers a more robust understanding of what it means to do justice and how looking at the word in the Septuagint underscores the inextricable connection to to righteousness. Brandon welcomes Spencer Reeves to the show to share what the team at Child Hope International is seeing in the midst of the conflict within Haiti which has displaced more people than at any other point in the country's history. Lastly, we revisit a conversation we had with Medard Ngueita earlier this month and how to understand the sweeping executive actions by President Trump that has suspended refugee resettlement, canceled legal asylum seeking and pausing USAID support globally. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsor Alliance for Children Everywhere is on mission to bring vulnerable children into secure families, schools, and communities. Visit Alliance for Children Everywhere Online Resources and Links from the show The Guardian : More than a million Haitians forced from their homes amid gang violence Advocate Alongside World Relief for Compassionate Policies Conversation Notes 1:45 - We talk about justice all the time, but what does it mean? Jump into this Bible study on the Greek word dikaiosunne and how it offers a more robust understanding of justice. 21:20 - Spencer Reeves joins the show to help us understand the ongoing conflict and large scale displacement of children and families in Haiti. He helps us make sense of a current news report that Brandon pulls from The Guardian (linked below). 37:05 - Reviewing the executive actions from President Trump that are impacting how the US engages the global poor and those that are fleeing violence.   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License  

There are so many needs within the work of anti-trafficking and orphan care, but what happens when people that are engaging as helpers are actually doing harm. Ego, poor practice and a desire for appearances can corrupt organizations that purport to be doing good. As a practitioner and journalist working in Southeast Asia, Erin Foley has been around the block working in organizations and comes onto the show today to share some of what she's seen and learned doing missions and nonprofit work over the years. She also shares about some of the great organizations she's worked with and about her most recent project, the recently published book "Where They Belong" which chronicles the movement of family care in Cambodia. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsor Alliance for Children Everywhere is on mission to bring vulnerable children into secure families, schools, and communities. Visit Alliance for Children Everywhere Online Resources and Links from the show Book : Where They Belong by Erin Foley Website : Children in Families Online Website : Global Child Advocates Online Podcast : Episode 214 "Storytelling to Empower with Jeff Rogers" Conversation Notes 6:30 - Connecting from anti-trafficking into orphan care and prevention 10:30 - Fulfilling the Great Commission by loving our global neighbor and also the opportunities for those that live abroad 17:00 Lessons learned in anti-trafficking, the sexiness of it and comparing countries that experience enslavement 22:30 - The shadow side of anti-trafficking organizations and unethical practices of nonprofits 25:15 - The issues with founder-run organizations 32:45 “ I was horrified because we were supposed to be helping these women and I felt like we just enslaved them in a different way.” 38:35 - Transitioning to family based care and Children in Families 43:30 - Juxtaposing growing up exposed to cross-cultural orphanages with learning the importance of family based care 47:45 - Understanding orphan care in Southeast Asia and what is driving family separation 51:00 - Documenting the story of family care in Cambodia and more broadly through Erin's book Where They Belong 55:30 - “If your heart leads you, bring your brain along with you” Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Happy New Year's Eve! We have so much to be thankful for as we reflect on the last year of nonprofit ministry, podcasting, family and everything else! In this end of 2024 episode, Brandon and Phil will catch up our listeners on what is happening in their personal lives and ministry. Most importantly to you, dear listener, we share about the state of the podcast, how it's been since we did some rebrand/rescope and what the future of the podcast is. This is an episode for those listeners that want a peek behind the curtain and are looking for more ways to go deeper with Think Global, Do Justice. Conversation Notes Phil and Brandon share about how God has been moving in their respective organizations in 2024 (Providence World and CarePortal) (0:30) The hosts share their top books and movies from the year (13:00) They share their favorite episodes from Think Global, Do Justice(22:20) Brandon shares the state of the podcast, where we're going (if we're going), how we're doing internally and what traction we have with a competitive podcast market (30:30) Think Global, Do Justice ranks in the top 2% of podcasts globally with over 1,800 downloads each month (but that's a challenging place to be!) The challenge of keeping podcasts viable in 2024 Shout out to our 2024 Sponsors - Zoe Empowers, Child Hope International, Accord Network, Christian Alliance for Orphans and Resilient Communities Center The 2025 outlook for the podcast and keeping current on the show (40:40) Podcast Sponsor (You!) If you have been blessed, encouraged or equipped over the last 8 years of podcasting, we invite you to support the show through Venmo! Support the Show Through Venmo - Link If you want to share about your work or services to a hundreds (or even thousands) of global nonprofit practitioners and supporters. Click below. Rundown on Becoming a Sponsor - Link Get help for your organization by contracting an affordable Canopy International associate working in various global nonprofit fields. Link to Covered Services Resources and Links from the show Rescuing the Gospel from the Cowboys by Richard Twiss (book) Rooting for Rivals by Peter Greer and Chris Horst (book) Strong and Weak by Andy Crouch (book) Lead with Prayer by Peter Greer, Ryan Skoog and Cameron Doolittle (book) Overcoming by Dr. Nicole Wilke and Dr. Amanda Howard (book) Leading from Your Knees with Peter Greer and Ryan Skoog (podcast) What Scripture and Science Say about Resilience with Dr. Nicole Wilke (podcast) Owning Poverty with Dr. Michael Pucci (podcast) Decolonizing Theology and Integral Mission with Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst (podcast)   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

The gospel is to be proclaimed and word and deed. Sometimes global practitioners easily step into the demonstration of justice and development work, but how do we make meaningful strides towards sharing the gospel's message with those we reach with critical life-saving services. Christopher Beth from The Bucket Ministry joins the show today to share with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about the simple work that their ministry undertakes in fifteen countries to both provide water access and share the good news. Podcast Sponsor The Resilient Communities Center helps you become all God intended for you to be through training and coaching within a community. Check Out All The Offerings from the Resilient Communities Center Resources and Links from the show The Bucket Ministry Online Conversation Notes Christopher's path from a car accident to the Amazon rainforest to reaching over a million people with a clean water solution The different responses that follow interacting with global poverty for the first time The World Health Organization estimates that 785 million lack access to clean drinking water Scriptures that support reaching the nations and caring for the vulnerable Water as something that everyone recognizes they need and everyone can agree on making accessible The difference between having an ultimate motive and an ulterior motive Using the water filter as an object lesson to explain salvation to new hearers Intentionally spreading the gospel while guarding against spiritual abuse or coercion The critical work of local missionaries and pastors to follow up and serve the families that are reached with clean water   Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Mercy comes in all shapes and sizes and in order to reach the 5 billion people without access to safe surgery, we need a litany of different models. Since 1978, Mercy Ships has been working to increase access to life changing surgeries in underserved areas of the world and Raeanne Newquist from their team joins the show to share about what it looks like to live and serve on a floating city. Raeanne talks with Brandon Stiver about what it's like to serve alongside your kids, collaborating with nationals and stepping out of our comfort zones to see God move in the lives of others. Podcast Sponsor The Resilient Communities Center helps you become all God intended for you to be through training and coaching within a community. Check Out All The Offerings from the Resilient Communities Center Resources and Links from the show Mercy Ships Online Conversation Notes 5:51 - Serving alongside your children in cross-cultural ministry 9:35 - “If we are followers of Jesus we are to live into the model that he showed for us” 11:00 - The specific approach of Mercy Ships and collaborating with large governments 15:43 - Working to address the 5 billion people that lack access to safe surgery 21:00 - The effects on children and adults when they have medical needs that go unaddressed 28:30 - The variety of people that can volunteer and serve on a Mercy Ship 31:00 - Safeguarding and risk management with a high volume of volunteers 35:19 - Collaboration with the local community to enhance cultural sensitivity and long term support 43:27 - Workforce development of Global South practitioners 50:27 - Focusing on all that God can do rather than just being overwhelmed by the size of the problems that we face.    Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

The common adage "when you know better, you do better" makes sense. It also indicates that there is a need to transform what it is that we've been doing. When nonprofits around the world, including those working in Christian development and justice, recognize the need for organizational shifts, they may undertake the years-long process of change management. Perhaps your organization has gone through this (or perhaps it needs to!) To help us understand what change management looks like and what it says for organizations pursuing transformational development models, we have Dr. Casey Duthiers joining the show. Casey is the Director of Training and Development at Resilient Communities Center where their team supports practitioners around the world to improve their practice and increase their impact through intentional, Christ-centered professional development for development practitioners. She talks with Brandon Stiver about change management, short term missions and what it looks like to follow Jesus to the margins. Glad to have you join! Podcast Sponsor The Resilient Communities Center helps you become all God intended for you to be through training and coaching within a community. Check Out All The Offerings from the Resilient Communities Center Resources and Links from the show Integral Mission and Decolonizing Theology with Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst When Collaboration Helps Families with Dr. Brian Fikkert and Gabriel Walder Free Resources from Resilient Communities Center Conversation Notes The persistence of intractable poverty and examining the roots of it all Valuing Catholic social teaching as a theological basis for the work that we do Following Jesus to the margins of society and serving there What does it look like to change from a simple charity model to an organization that is anchored in a transformational development approach The key drivers that lead to organizations wanting to change The constraints of a shrinking donor base for nonprofits and how that can actually drive us towards better work Centering short term missions within long term relationships The need for continuing education for community development practitioners Relationships are key in every way when it comes to justice work   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License  

Trauma has the potential to cripple individuals that have experienced adversity, poverty and exclusion. There isn't an area where this is more clear than in global orphan care and there isn't a better person to walk us through what building resilience looks like than our guest today. Dr. Nicole Wilke is the Director at the CAFO Research Center where she leads a team focused on making research applicable to everyday practitioners in global child welfare. On the show, Nicole talks with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about what she's learned both from living in Peru as well as through the research that she has conducted in promoting better practice for orphaned and vulnerable children. We close our conversation with diving into the new book that she co-wrote with Dr. Amanda Howard called Overcoming which is out now. There's something in this conversation for everyone, so jump in with us!   Podcast Sponsor The Resilient Communities Center helps you become all God intended for you to be through training and coaching within a community. Check Out All The Offerings from the Resilient Communities Center   Resources and Links from the show Caleb Koala's Comeback Ride Overcoming: What Scripture and Science Say About Resilience (CAFO Site) Overcoming Book on Amazon CAFO's Core Elements Transitioning to Family Care Resources Conversation Notes The needed mutuality between Global North and Global South within the family of God The difference between endogenous and exogenous empowerment in cross-cultural missional work Christians in orphan care had become known with leading with their hearts rather than their heads Addressing the distrust between research and Christian orphan care practice The products and resources at the CAFO Research Center that turns research into applicable practice How scripture and science align to bolster understandings of resilience Trauma is real and at the same time use of the word 'trauma' is often watered down in the West Adversity that turns into trauma happens at an instantaneous and subconscious level and will affect people differently The keys to building resilience that can happen at any time for anyone Data-informed practices and frameworks that will promote resilience in children   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

The problems surrounding poverty are wicked and complicated. Pat answers and short term solutions are never going to get us where God is calling us to be. The challenge is that nonprofits often experience constraints (either real or perceived) that keep them from innovating better approaches to meeting peoples needs. We're joined today by Abe Wright and Greg Bixler who are the co-founders of Design Outreach. As an organization that not only values innovation but actively invests and rallies donors towards research and development, they've been able to provide significant upgrades to common problems in WASH and medical care. The communities that we partner with deserve better and Abe and Greg provide us with helpful insight and direction as we iterate and innovate. Podcast Sponsor The Resilient Communities Center helps you become all God intended for you to be through training and coaching within a community. Check Out All The Offerings from the Resilient Communities Center Resources and Links from the show Design Outreach Online When Global Ministries Merge on Think Global, Do Justice (A Conversation with the Leadership from Water For Good) Conversation Notes The necessity of transforming what it means to be a humanitarian organization and the ways in which we operate 40% of water pumps are no longer in function and we need to improve that The need for collaboration and working with government partners Understanding research and development as practical problem solving Comparing the efficacy of LifePump with other water pumps or water solutions. The importance of both access to water and the durability of water pumps. Wrapping your donors into the work of innovation even as some solutions don't pan out Additional innovations in hygiene and medical care     Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

98.5 - Basement ShapesWhen Herb investigates a local infestation, he is surprised – and horrified – to find more than he bargained for in the cellar.Written by Derek Heath (www.derekheathhorror.com)Narrated by Justin Fife (https://www.x.com/justinbfife)Produced by Georgia Triantafyllopoulou (https://www.instagram.com/audiogeekgr)With music by Kirk Osamayo (http://www.kirkosamayo.com/)And UNIVERSFIELD (https://linktr.ee/universfield)And Thom Robson (https://www.thomrobsonmusic.com/)And sound effects provided from https://getsoundly.com/The episode illustration was provided by Luke Spooner of Carrion House (https://carrionhouse.com/)A quick thanks to our community managers, Jasmine Arch, Joshua Boucher, and his eyeless ones Mary Pastrano and Cody CzarzastyAnd Joshua Boucher for helping with our submission reading.And to Ben Errington the ongoing explosion of content being fired out of his Social Media canon.Check out Derek Heath's latest extreme horror novella, “Endless Living Organ Massacre” – more details at derekheathhorror.com.Voice actor and podcaster follow Justin Fife on X at www.x.com/justinbfifeJoin TOS+ to access over 90 exclusive episodes, get regular stories in higher quality audio, a week early, and ad-free, at https://theotherstories.net/plus/Support the show, get audiobooks, and more at https://www.patreon.com/hawkandcleaverJoin our communities for book clubs, movie clubs, writing exercises, and more at https://theotherstories.net/community/Leave a voicemail or get in touch at https://theotherstories.net/submissionsCheck out our writing courses at https://theotherstories.net/courses/Grab some merch at https://gumroad.com/hawkandcleaverThe Other Stories is a production of the story studio, Hawk & Cleaver, and is brought to you with a Creative Commons – Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives license. Don't change it. Don't sell it. But by all means… share the hell out of it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All is futility! Even in Christian nonprofits? We're changing it up a little for episode 265 as Brandon does a solo dive into the book of Ecclesiastes to gather wisdom from Solomon that can inform what we do and more importantly how we do the work of global justice. In an age of Big Impact, this is a word for the nonprofit leader that cares about the ethic of our approach and the opportunity for a compounding influence in a world where it seems that nothing ever changes. Get support for yourself or for your team with Canopy International Resources and Links from the show Scriptures shared: Ecclesiastes 1: 1-4; 8-11 Ecclesiastes 5: 8-10; 18 Ecclesiastes 9: 7-10 Andy Crouch Tweet 1; Tweet 2 Conversation Notes "All is futility!" - Solomon The work of oppressors and corrupt politicians ends in futility, but what about our work that counters their work? Brandon shares some of his own global nonprofit futility The grace of recognizing how the world works even in it's vanity "Eat, drink and experience good" Andy Crouch throws shade and "impact" and Brandon says "Amen" Does our work matter? Getting our priority (singular) in order   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

The number of forcibly displaced people in the world are at an all-time high. On every populated continent, we are seeing conflicts and climates that lead to people fleeing their homes. Our guest today is Myal Greene, who is the CEO of World Relief and he says that the global displacement crisis is the most significant issue that we face in the world today. We look at the last eighty years of how God has used World Relief to meet needs of people from war-torn areas and look at some of the most gripping conflicts today (Ukraine, Sudan and others). Myal has worked with World Relief for nearly two decades both within the US and in Africa. He walks us through what Christians should be aware of when it comes to displacement and how we can be instruments of welcome and support to global neighbors next door and abroad. Get support for yourself or for your team with Canopy International Resources and Links from the show Good News About Injustice by Gary A. Haugen Welcoming the Stranger by Matthew Soerens and Jenny Yang Walking with the Poor by Bryant Myers Rich Christians Christians in an Age of Hunger by Ronald Sider Refuge by Alexander Betts and Paul Collier Refugee Stats from the UNHCR The Evangelical Immigration Table World Relief Online Conversation Notes 9:40 - In the west, we don't have a full conception of the level wealth and privilege that we have  12:20 - Remembering the last eighty years of what God has done through World Relief 15:25 - Finding ways to work with the church and give sacrificially to help the hurting 16:45 - A story about the need for both eternal salvation and the restoration of the present 24:40 - The impact of the 2021 Haitian earthquake and the fall of Kabul as Myal stepped into his role of CEO at World Relief  31:35 - The current displacement crisis is the greatest issue of our time 34:15 - “A smaller set of nations in the world are experiencing far greater suffering while the rest of the world is making continued and sustained progress in poverty alleviation” 36:55 - Contrasting the Ukraine case study with most other areas of poverty and ensuing conflict 38:45 - "Vulnerability is the likeliness that you will experience suffering as a result of shock" 40:50 - World Relief sets their focus on the global displacement crisis 43:00 - The church can be God's instrument of welcome to those that have been forcibly displaced 46:12 - The importance of understanding underlying issues when discussing the arrival of refugees in a host country 52:40 - Working with the church under a biblical vision of community engagement 56:00 - Being inspired by God's Word as a starting point for a life of justice    Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

The Great Commission and making disciples is for all Christians, but do we really live that way? We've had a classic understanding of what missionaries ought to be doing, but is that exclusionary? In episode 263, we have Luke Perkins from Crossworld to help us sort it out. Luke served as a missionary professor in Haiti for several years and today is the President at Crossworld where they emphasize that all professions have a role in the work of the Great Commission and the imperative of making disciples throughout the globe. Podcast Sponsor No matter your role in caring for vulnerable children and families, you'll find wisdom, grace, encouragement and community for the road ahead at CAFO2024 in Nashville. It's the go-to spot for those working in Christian orphan care and global child welfare. Learn More and Register for CAFO 2024 Resources and Links from the show Crossworld Website African Friends and Money Matters by David Maranz Conversation Notes 5:25 - What would good helping even look like 8:10 - Starting from the beauty and goodness of God in pursuing mission 10:00 - Emphasizing all professions beyond the classic missions archetypes 17:11 - Defining what disciple-making is all about 18:20 - Understanding business as mission with the quadruple bottom line 29:35 - Distinguishing between disciple-making and church planting 32:20 - The North American church is not designed to make disciples 36:00 - The essence and the rhythms of making disciples 38:00 - Key questions to ask yourself for disciple making 41:00 - Discussing the current state of Haiti   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

We're heading to Kenya for episode 262 as we connect with Steve Kariithi who is the Kenya Program Director at Hope's Promise. Steve talks with Brandon Stiver about what it looks like to do kinship based family care in Kenyan communities. We cover the effects of changing child welfare policy on families and juxtapose that with actions of the government that adversely affect families living in informal settlements. If you've ever wondered what it looks like to work in a slum, this is a good conversation to jump into. Podcast Sponsor No matter your role in caring for vulnerable children and families, you'll find wisdom, grace, encouragement and community for the road ahead at CAFO2024 in Nashville. It's the go-to spot for those working in Christian orphan care and global child welfare. Learn More and Register for CAFO 2024 Resources and Links from the show What can we do about injustice? : Blog by Colleen Briggs The Star Kenya : Families in pain as houses demolished in Mathare YouTube : Residents of Mathare Lament YouTube : Over 6,000 households forcefully evicted along Mathare River Conversation Notes Understanding what life is like for families living in slum areas and what causes slums to form on the margins of urban areas Bridging impact expectations of western donors when working in severely impoverished areas Meaningful interventions that support children to grow up in families The effects of 2022 legislation in Kenya that promoted child care reform and changes for organizations serving children The Kenyan government is destroying homes and displacing families in the Mathare informal settlement of Nairobi   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

For our July news and recommendation episode, we're joined by orphan care leader Kristen Lowry of Shelter Yetu to dive into a range of topics including the recent anti-virus update that sent the Blue Screen of Death around the world, the unintended results of making education free in Zambia, the legal trials of the Nobel Laureate father of micro-finance and dive into a book on being a whistleblower amidst corruption. There's a lot going on in the world, it's not only the American election we should care about, so jump into these other stories with us! Podcast Sponsor No matter your role in caring for vulnerable children and families, you'll find wisdom, grace, encouragement and community for the road ahead at CAFO2024 in Nashville. It's the go-to spot for those working in Christian orphan care and global child welfare. Learn More and Register for CAFO 2024 Resources and Links from the show BBC : How a single IT update caused global havoc BBC : Zambia made education free, now classrooms are crammed The Guardian : Under threat of jail, microfinance pioneer vows to keep lending to poorest Bangladeshis It's Our Turn to Eat: The Story of a Kenyan Whistleblower by Michaela Wrong   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Joining the podcast for episode 260 are global child welfare leaders Christopher Muwanguzi from child's I Foundation, Elli Oswald from Faith to Action Initiative and Jared Scheppmann from Ekisa Ministries. Our guests speak with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about the status of moving people's mindsets in the west to focus on the need for children to be in families, as opposed to orphanages. We zero in specifically on the country of Uganda and juxtapose the good work being done by organizations like child's I and Ekisa with the common practice of needlessly placing kids in residential care. With the backdrop of larger cultural narratives and specific stories about orphanhood that are promoted in media. Podcast Sponsor No matter your role in caring for vulnerable children and families, you'll find wisdom, grace, encouragement and community for the road ahead at CAFO2024 in Nashville. It's the go-to spot for those working in Christian orphan care and global child welfare. Learn More and Register for CAFO 2024 Resources and Links from the show The World : American Missionary Accused of Abuse At His Organization, AidChild (First Article) Barna and Faith to Action : Study on Christian Giving to Orphanages Faith to Action : Family Care in the News Conversation Notes The deliberate work of Faith to Action and partner organizations to change the western media narrative around orphan care The environment within the UK in regards to Global South orphanages The country of Uganda has been up and down in supporting care reform, is it currently progressing or regressing The setbacks in promoting better care in the Global South when stories like Ghetto Kidz comes out on Britain's Got Talent Comparing the perceived realities for children in orphanages versus the actual realities for such children The reality of abuse and corruption within orphanages covered in the media in Uganda The role of local governments to meet the needs of the community – capacity and enforcement Continuing gaps in coverage even in media that promotes care reform   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

There is no escaping the reality that much of what we're familiar with in global missions and development has some roots in colonialism. There is no better person to help us disentangle God's work from worldly power structures than Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst. Dr. Padilla DeBorst is the Richard C. Oudersluys Associate Professor of World Christianity at Western Seminary. She describes how integral mission addresses gaps in many traditional approaches to missions and what it looks like to live out a contextualized gospel in Latin America. Podcast Sponsor The Accord Network is a place to connect with like-minded organizations in pursuit of being the hands and feet of Christ around the world. Registration for the OneAccord Conference is now open for changemakers seeking a time of inspiration, collaboration, and transformation within the field of international relief and development. Register for OneAccord 2024 Today Resources and Links from the show Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst's Work Online Good News From Latin America Book Conversation Notes An introduction to integral mission and what deficiencies it was addressing in world missions Disentangling God's work in Latin America from European colonization How neocolonialism continues to affect Christian missions and development work Ethical practices in global partnerships for missions and development organizations Contrasting Jesus' proclamation of the Gospel against the backdrop of Roman imperial rule Exiting our echo chambers to hear from Christian leaders in other global contexts   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Today on the show we are weaving in and out of various topics, largely surrounding Africa and that touch areas of malnutrition (continent-wide) and trafficking (Congo) and even some really beautiful solutions for helping babies (Uganda). We have Dr. Lauren Pinkston of Kindred Exchange on the show with us to make sense of the news and provide critical insight. We dive into questions like if the resource curse is real, the long-term effects of colonialism and the challenges of addressing corrupt supply chains. Podcast Sponsor The Accord Network is a place to connect with like-minded organizations in pursuit of being the hands and feet of Christ around the world. Registration for the OneAccord Conference is now open for changemakers seeking a time of inspiration, collaboration, and transformation within the field of international relief and development. Visit The Accord Network Online Resources and Links from the show Fox News : UN report says 27% of children under 5 live in severe food poverty, many in Africa AP News : A growing community of breast milk donors in Uganda gives mothers hope CBS News : African nation threatens Apple with legal action over alleged "blood minerals" in its gadgets King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson Upwardly Dependent Podcast Faith to Action Webinar feat. Dr. Lauren Pinkston : Caring for Orphans Conversation Notes 2:20 - An update on the Upwardly Dependent podcast 6:45 - The high propensity of kids in Africa and around the world that are experiencing food poverty 18:45 - The establishment of a breastmilk cooperative organization in Uganda and how it is saving the lives of children 33:25 - The supply chain of blood metals in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Apple's role within it 40:00 - Supply chains that shift to go through countries that don't have the same ethics that come from a Christian worldview 47:25 - Phil's recommendation of Jonathan Haidt's new book, The Anxious Generation   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

In episode 257, Brandon welcomes author and nonprofit director Tiffany Bluhm back to the show. Tiffany is the Executive Director at Made for Pax, a Christian foundation which provides mentorship and vocational development for BIPOC leaders following Christ. The work is specifically employing contemplative formation for those that are engaging in peace and justice work, and that's what we talk about! Tiffany provides us with biblical insight and spiritual practices that can help us sustain the work of community development and justice leaders for the long haul. Podcast Sponsor The Accord Network is a place to connect with like-minded organizations in pursuit of being the hands and feet of Christ around the world. Registration for the OneAccord Conference is now open for changemakers seeking a time of inspiration, collaboration, and transformation within the field of international relief and development. Visit The Accord Network Online Resources and Links from the show Made for Pax Online Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman Rescuing the Gospel from the Cowboys by Richard Twiss Leading from Your Knees with Peter Greer and Ryan Skoog Conversation Notes The link between contemplative formation and sustaining an action-oriented lifestyle Stories of civil rights leaders and how they remained rooted in the midst of justice The importance of intentional investment of BIPOC Christ followers Contextualization and diverse cultural expressions of Gospel embodiment The story of the Old Testament is uniquely tied to the migrant experience   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

In episode 256, Brandon and Phil get a crash course in global health from Yasmine Vaughan. Yasmine has her Master's in Public Health and serves as the Technical Advisor for Global Health and Missions with Helping Children Worldwide. Beyond sharing words and conditions that we can't even pronounce, Yasmine shares about the context in West Africa in which their work is centered and we learn the commonalities and differences in public health across different global contexts. Podcast Sponsor The Accord Network is a place to connect with like-minded organizations in pursuit of being the hands and feet of Christ around the world. Registration for the OneAccord Conference is now open for changemakers seeking a time of inspiration, collaboration, and transformation within the field of international relief and development. Visit The Accord Network Online Resources and Links from the show View and Join the Together for Global Health Coalition Watch Phil's Sermon on Family Strengthening Conversation Notes Zeroing in on the history and current day realities of Sierra Leone Navigating partnerships between western organizations and their corresponding organizations in the Global South Integrating current programs and initiatives into broader partnerships at the village level Working towards sustainability and reducing outside investment or management Together for Global Health Coalition Common health conditions and healthcare gaps in the Global South, including those that are oblivious to westerners The Global South increasing in conditions that had previously been more represented in the West Innovative ways that health practitioners in the Global South meet needs   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Joining the podcast for episode 255 are nonprofit leaders Dave LeVan and Jon Allen with Water For Good. Dave and Jon speak with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about the status of worldwide access to water and what it looks like to implement Water, Sanitation and Hygiene projects in the Global South. We talk through the tremendous needs as well as acknowledge some of the shortfalls of the WASH sector. Our conversation concludes around what it looks like to merge two good-sized global nonprofits as Water For Good and Lifewater International recently underwent that very process. Podcast Sponsor The Accord Network is a place to connect with like-minded organizations in pursuit of being the hands and feet of Christ around the world. Registration for the OneAccord Conference is now open for changemakers seeking a time of inspiration, collaboration, and transformation within the field of international relief and development. Visit The Accord Network Online Resources and Links from the show View Water For Good/Lifewater Merger Information Conversation Notes Taking in the big picture of water access globally and what the implications are on people's lives The similarities and the differences when implementing water, sanitation and hygiene projects in the Global South What about all the broken wells in Africa? Is sustainability even possible? The reasons that led to the decision for the two organizations to merge into one The operations and logistics of merging and integrating two different teams along with their activities The post-merger opportunities that are presented to the newly formed Water For Good The importance of staying curious and not losing heart in the work of global justice   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

In this final episode of the podcast, Cale and Reid reflect back on their 68 episodes that included dozens of guests, deep conversations, and great growth personally, relationally, and spiritually. They include clips from some of the best moments of the show throughout, and they end with a rallying message to continue keeping in step with God as we continue our eternal mission of Spirit Living. Follow us on social media:Instagram: @spiritlivingpodcastFacebook: spiritlivingpodcastTwitter: @spiritlivingpodEmail us at spiritlivingpodcast@gmail.com Into and outro music is entitled Jungle Video Game Level by Kirk Osamayo which is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License and is available at the link here. The original has been edited for the sake of duration and sound quality. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25. Thank you for joining us on this weekly journey of Spirit Living!

In this month's 3+1 episode, we're diving into conversation around the current refugee crisis being fueled by conflict and displacement worldwide, jump back into recent conversation on Haiti and the challenges that pregnant mothers are facing in the midst of tumult and also look at the controversy surrounding mass weddings in northern Nigeria that includes underage orphan girls. We've got Kelly Strong on the show with us today who is the CEO at Safe International and also an associate providing support to practitioners through the Canopy International coaching collaborative. Podcast Sponsor The Accord Network is a place to connect with like-minded organizations in pursuit of being the hands and feet of Christ around the world. Registration for the OneAccord Conference opens soon for a time of inspiration, collaboration, and transformation within the field of international relief and development. Visit The Accord Network Online Resources and Links from the show Check out the services and support offered by the team at Canopy International World Relief Blog : The Drivers of Mass Displacement: Ukraine and Beyond The Guardian : ‘It is simply best not to get pregnant': women left terrified as Haiti's maternity services collapse BBC News : Mass wedding for Nigeria orphans sparks outcry Book : Refugee - Rethinking Refugee Policy in a Changing World by Paul Collier and Alexander Betts 2017 Refugee Crisis Series : Welcoming the Stranger with Krish Kandiah Conversation Notes 3:50 What it looks like to change the name and rebrand an international charity 9:15 Checking in on the current state of "record breaking" forced displacement throughout the world and what to do when the world shows up on our doorstep 25:45 The reality of gang violence in Haiti that has collapsed medical clinics and hospitals that women have used to deliver their children 36:15 Evaluating a controversial story of mass wedding of orphan girls in Nigeria and what the implications are regarding child rights and international definitions 50:40 Brandon's recommendation of a page-turner book that covers modern refugee policy     Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

On the show today, we're joined by missionary Matt Rhodes who is the author of No Shortcut to Success: A Manifesto for Modern Missions. He talks with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about trends within missions that emphasize speed and big numbers, but often lack the depth of discipleship that characterized Jesus' ministry. Matt shares about the mission that he is engaged in a majority Muslim country Northern Africa and what he's learned from being on the field and what faithfulness (even success) can look like for those spreading the Good News abroad. Podcast Sponsor Child Hope International reunites families in Haiti by providing pathways for children in orphanages to return home with the necessary support to thrive. If you need help transitioning your orphanage or are looking for an organization to support in Haiti, reach out to Child Hope International. Visit Child Hope International Online Resources and Links from the show No Shortcut to Success: A Manifesto for Modern Missions on Amazon Conversation Notes The primary differences between how missions are approached currently as opposed to the days of William Carey and Hudson Taylor Current trends in missions work Approaching missions with professionalism and being enculturated Is professionalism opposed to being relational? The trajectory of the relatively recent phenomenon of short term missions and it's increasing share of the overall missionary force Not everyone that is a Christian is also an ambassador of Christ, or are they? The implications of the center of Christianity moving to the Global South Charting milestones for successful missions   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

In this abbreviated update, Reid discusses what God does when we make plans…which is change them! He announces the birth of Cale and Emily Petrie's son Henry who has arrived just in time to delay the podcast's final episode which is coming soon! Follow us on social media:Instagram: @spiritlivingpodcastFacebook: spiritlivingpodcastTwitter: @spiritlivingpodEmail us at spiritlivingpodcast@gmail.com Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and please share it with others as it helps us grow and get the gospel out to more people! Into and outro music is entitled Jungle Video Game Level by Kirk Osamayo which is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License and is available at the link here. The original has been edited for the sake of duration and sound quality. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25. Join us on this weekly journey of Spirit Living!

After generations of the Old Covenants being ineffective because of us, Jeremiah 31 promises something new and radically different. Cale and Reid finish their discussion on God's covenants by highlighting all godly relationships from marriage to friendship as covenants. Finally, they show how the entire Bible ties together with the new covenant in Jesus' blood on the cross. Everything is radically different, and everything centers on Jesus. Follow us on social media:Instagram: @spiritlivingpodcastFacebook: spiritlivingpodcastTwitter: @spiritlivingpodEmail us at spiritlivingpodcast@gmail.com Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and please share it with others as it helps us grow and get the gospel out to more people! Into and outro music is entitled Jungle Video Game Level by Kirk Osamayo which is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License and is available at the link here. The original has been edited for the sake of duration and sound quality. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25. Join us on this weekly journey of Spirit Living!

We are joined today by global nonprofit leader Gaston Warner who is the Global North CEO of Zoe Empowers. Gaston talks with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about their work among vulnerable families, especially child and youth headed households. Over the years, our show has talked a lot about the need for kids to be raised in families and communities and in this episode we learn about a comprehensive model that emphasizes the children's agency to overcome poverty. We talk empowerment, data, promising practices and it's an episode our orphan care diehards don't want to miss. Podcast Sponsor Zoe Empowers is equipping orphaned children and youth-led families with solutions to overcome extreme poverty—for good. Visit Zoe Empowers Online Resources and Links from the show Data and Research from Zoe Empowers Conversation Notes Understanding the reality of child and youth headed households in the Global South The empowerment model started by a Rwandan practitioner - how it works and how it's applied across countries Intentionally limiting partnerships and what it looks like for both beneficiaries and donors Defining the buzzword "empowerment" within global development The importance of integrating child rights throughout programming   Theme music by Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Erik Walther has been on staff with Cru for 12 years, and he has seen the transforming power of the gospel to college students. He joins Reid to discuss his background in legalistic churches and how to get out of that mindset, developing personal habits of abiding in Christ, and how we can so often be doing things for God while not having that deep relationship with Him. Follow us on social media:Instagram: @spiritlivingpodcastFacebook: spiritlivingpodcastTwitter: @spiritlivingpodEmail us at spiritlivingpodcast@gmail.com Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and please share it with others as it helps us grow and get the gospel out to more people! Into and outro music is entitled Jungle Video Game Level by Kirk Osamayo which is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License and is available at the link here. The original has been edited for the sake of duration and sound quality. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25. Join us on this weekly journey of Spirit Living!

In this 3+1 episode, we're getting into recent news about ways that Russia is getting around economic sanctions to buoy their economy during their war of aggression as well a couple Asian countries where pollution and contamination is having widespread effects on people's health and wellbeing. We've got Amanda Erne joining us for the conversation. Amanda is on staff with World Concern, is an associate with Canopy International and has a wealth of understanding around climate and sustainable agriculture. We discuss if the term "climate change" is still of use in Christian circles or if it turns too many people off and then get into a documentary recommendation focusing on a Malawian farmer advocating for change. Podcast Sponsor Child Hope International reunites families in Haiti by providing pathways for children in orphanages to return home with the necessary support to thrive. If you need help transitioning your orphanage or are looking for an organization to support in Haiti, reach out to Child Hope International. Visit Child Hope International Online Conversation Notes 8:45 Alternate economies that Russia is setting up to get around sanctions 21:00 Widespread contamination of drinking water in Bangladesh 29:45 Are we overpoliticizing terms like climate change and shutting off Christians to real stewardship issues? 35:13 A vicious cycle of pollution, cancer and economic collapse in Lebanon 48:00 The Ants and The Grasshopper documentary focuses on the story of a farmer and an advocate in Malawi Resources and Links from the show Al-Jazeera : Parallel Economy - How Russia is Defying the West's Boycott Mongabay : Beneath the surface, a toxic tide threatens Bangladesh's water lifeline The Guardian : ‘Where can you hide from pollution?': cancer rises 30% in Beirut as diesel generators poison city The Ants & The Grasshopper Documentary   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Just as the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the promised land, so can believers in Jesus cross into the eternal life He gives us. Cale and Reid discuss this aspect of God's promises and how Jesus ultimately delivered us from being vagabonds. They also describe our tendency to grumble despite God's miracles and how to live like we're citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. Follow us on social media:Instagram: @spiritlivingpodcastFacebook: spiritlivingpodcastTwitter: @spiritlivingpodEmail us at spiritlivingpodcast@gmail.com Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and please share it with others as it helps us grow and get the gospel out to more people! Into and outro music is entitled Jungle Video Game Level by Kirk Osamayo which is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License and is available at the link here. The original has been edited for the sake of duration and sound quality. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25. Join us on this weekly journey of Spirit Living!

College freshman Caleb Ryan spent much of his life casually following Christ. When he came to college, he realized his need to completely follow God, so Caleb has joined the podcast to talk about this transformation. He also describes casting anxieties onto Christ, mission trips to Türkiye and Utah and how persecution invigorates the gospel. Finally, Caleb discusses carrying the missional mindset back home and how that's a natural result of no longer being lukewarm. Follow us on social media:Instagram: @spiritlivingpodcastFacebook: spiritlivingpodcastTwitter: @spiritlivingpodEmail us at spiritlivingpodcast@gmail.com Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and please share it with others as it helps us grow and get the gospel out to more people! Into and outro music is entitled Jungle Video Game Level by Kirk Osamayo which is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License and is available at the link here. The original has been edited for the sake of duration and sound quality. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25. Join us on this weekly journey of Spirit Living!

Continuing on with the series on God's covenants, Cale and Reid reach Exodus 24 when Moses seals a promise with blood between the Israelites and God which the people could never keep. Jesus then bled on the cross for us to fulfill this promise. They also discuss being saved in order to serve, God being outside of time, and Reid tells a personal story describing why God's personal name of I AM (Yahweh) is so impactful. Follow us on social media:Instagram: @spiritlivingpodcastFacebook: spiritlivingpodcastTwitter: @spiritlivingpodEmail us at spiritlivingpodcast@gmail.com Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and please share it with others as it helps us grow and get the gospel out to more people! Into and outro music is entitled Jungle Video Game Level by Kirk Osamayo which is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License and is available at the link here. The original has been edited for the sake of duration and sound quality. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25. Join us on this weekly journey of Spirit Living!

Engineering project manager Zach Moore has had a fierce battle with cancer which he has seen God miraculously deliver him from. Zach joins Reid to discuss this medical story along with the many divine appointments he has had to share his story which he does out of a duty to glorify God. Finally, Zach talks about the power of faith and how we can all just be a friend for hurting people in our lives. Follow us on social media:Instagram: @spiritlivingpodcastFacebook: spiritlivingpodcastTwitter: @spiritlivingpodEmail us at spiritlivingpodcast@gmail.com Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and please share it with others as it helps us grow and get the gospel out to more people! Into and outro music is entitled Jungle Video Game Level by Kirk Osamayo which is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License and is available at the link here. The original has been edited for the sake of duration and sound quality. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25. Join us on this weekly journey of Spirit Living!

As Abraham's legacy passes on to the next generations, so does God's promise. Cale and Reid connect this change with how we can live for future generations. They also describe God's timing being different from ours, Jesus being torn on our behalf, and how Abraham's belief in the resurrection was what saved him. Finally, they declare that when it comes to faith and sharing it, retirement is not an option! Follow us on social media:Instagram: @spiritlivingpodcastFacebook: spiritlivingpodcastTwitter: @spiritlivingpodEmail us at spiritlivingpodcast@gmail.com Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and please share it with others as it helps us grow and get the gospel out to more people! Into and outro music is entitled Jungle Video Game Level by Kirk Osamayo which is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License and is available at the link here. The original has been edited for the sake of duration and sound quality. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25. Join us on this weekly journey of Spirit Living!

Welcome to the supercut of season six. In this first part, we include the first four episodes: Episode 61 - ArrivalEpisode 62 - Anomalies IEpisode 63 - Anomalies IIEpisode 64 - Anomalies IIIThese episodes were written, edited, and produced by Alex C. Telander.The part of Jake is performed by Chris FletcherThe part of Monica is performed by Georgia MckenzieThe part of Thyra is performed by Arden RoddieThe part of Zhang is performed by Emily WangThe part of Marla is performed by Kira AppleThe part of Yoxall is performed by Leslie ValentineThe part of Steve is performed by Alex C. Telander.Sound design was done by the wonderful Mike Nye of Hail and Well Met Podcasts, for more info check out hailandwellmetpodcast.com.Music featured in these episodes is: “Deep Sky” by Kirk Osamayo, “Snow Ticket” by PCIII, “PCGCP” by PCIII, “Space Ambient Mix 2” by AllMusic34, courtesy of the Free Music Archive. Be sure to check out the artist at freemusicarchive.org.The theme song was composed by Chris Fletcher.If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help out the Ostium Network, you can talk about it on social media and leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice.Thank you to all our patrons on the Ostium Network Patreon. We couldn't do it without you. If you would like to support our shows, you can do that here. You'll get access to lots of bonus material including brand new episodes of the Ostium Sagas, and getting access to new episodes of Ostium a week before regular release.For more info on Ostium, our other shows, transcripts and merchandise, you can visit our website.The Ostium Podcast is a member of the Rusty Quill Network. For other great Rusty Quill shows, be sure to check out rustyquill.com.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ostium. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this 3+1 episode, we're talking the good (malaria vaccines), the bad (slavery) and a whole lot of Haiti. We've got Mac Archer back on the show to share with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke what she's seeing on the ground in Haiti and what's getting missed in larger media outlets. We talk through the utility of violence by those running the country and look at some potentially similar dynamics in other countries. We also discuss forced labor in Asia, the rise of malaria vaccines in Africa and get a book recommendation for a book that just released in the last couple of months. Conversation Notes 3:00 - Podcast shoutouts for community members that are reviewing, sharing and sponsoring the show 8:40 - A good news story! Vaccines in sub-Saharan Africa are leading to a decline in infant/child mortalities caused by Malaria 21:00 - Looking at the situation in Haiti from someone in the country and with an article by a Haitian leader. Are these really "gangs"? In what ways is it similar to other conflict areas? Is there accountability for foreign interference? 37:55 - The exploitation of North Korean enslaved laborers in China and the nature and challenges of reporting on issues within totalitarian nations 48:58 - Understanding the context of Haiti and other majority world countries through the economic and anthropological lens of Jake Johnston Resources and Links from the Show Al-Jazeera : Could new vaccines end Malaria in Africa? NACLA : Haiti as Empire's Laboratory BBC : North Koreans working in China 'exploited like slaves' Aid State: Elite Panic, Disaster Capitalism, and the Battle to Control Haiti by Jake Johnston   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Spending 26 years in college ministry has taught Cru team leader Tim Casteel a lot about maturing in faith. Tim has come onto the podcast to discuss being at a hinge point in society, our desire for wisdom, the practical power of ideas, and the societal metacrisis we are experiencing being “good for business” in ministry. Ultimately, Tim prioritizes constantly meditating on God's Word and how we can imitate that to be transformed. Follow us on social media:Instagram: @spiritlivingpodcastFacebook: spiritlivingpodcastTwitter: @spiritlivingpodEmail us at spiritlivingpodcast@gmail.com Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and please share it with others as it helps us grow and get the gospel out to more people! Into and outro music is entitled Jungle Video Game Level by Kirk Osamayo which is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License and is available at the link here. The original has been edited for the sake of duration and sound quality. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25. Join us on this weekly journey of Spirit Living!

In this 3+1 episode, we're catching up on some global stories that you might have missed and have a recommendation of the pop variety. We're continuing last month's conversation on elections by looking at El Salvador, talking through localization efforts in global development, the scandal surrounding UNRWA-Hamas and then get Brandon's take on Bono's recent biography, Surrender. Dr. Greg Burch of Multnomah University joins Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke for the conversation. Get support for your nonprofit team or project with our team of professionals at Canopy International Resources and Links from the show Foreign Policy : What Bukele's Rise Means for the Region World Relief : Three Trends We're Seeing in Global Development in 2024 USAID : Communicating through a Localization Lens The Media Line : Hamas Sacrifices Gaza Children, and UNRWA Complicit in Crimes Bridgely The Locust Effect by Gary Haugen and Victor Boutros God of the Empty-Handed by Jayukumar Christian Conversation Notes 2:12 - Discussion on Christian Higher ed 8:23 - Considering security, freedom, violence and democracy as El Salvador goes through changes and the leadership of Nayib Bukele 22:00 - Why even bother bringing politics into the podcast conversation? 26:10 - Trends in global development, localization and the place for outsiders 40:30 - Violence against children in Israel-Palestine and the Hamas-UNRWA reports 52:34 - Surrender by Bono and reflections on the celebrity activist   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License