Christian relief and development work continues to operate in a vastly shifting time. What do demographic shifts mean for the education of future development practitioners? Is micro-finance not "making a dent" in global poverty? Is remote work a sustainable model for teams? In this episode, Brandon Stiver is joined by Accord Network CEO Michael Cerna to explore the complexities of microfinance, responsible development, and the future of global aid. They discuss the recent Wall Street Journal critique of microfinance, the decline and consolidation of both Christian higher ed and Christian nonprofits, as well as how AI is shaping the sector.
A Holistic and Ecological Approach to Child Programming with Nicole Duciaume
Children are a central focus in international development programming; both from impact in target communities as well as in our fundraising. In this episode, Brandon Stiver talks with Nicole Duciaume who is the Senior Director over Sponsorship Programming at World Vision. Nicole shares about her journey into international nonprofits, the holistic approach of World Vision's child sponsorship programs, and the integration of faith, justice, and community development. She also shares why after years already working in international development, she decided to go back and get her graduate degree. Join us to hear how cross-cultural experiences, program iteration and academic pursuits shape effective strategies for global child well-being.
The Integration of Creation Care and Poverty Alleviation with Milmer Martinez Vergara
There is no way to separate the plight of families experiencing poverty with the realities of climate change and ecological degradation. But what does it look like to base a Christian international development organization directly at that intersection? In this episode, Brandon Stiver is joined by Milmer Martinez Vergara from Plant with Purpose to explore the interconnections of creation care, poverty alleviation, and community development and what that all has to do with following Christ. They discuss practical approaches, theological perspectives, and instead of doom, they share hope for environmental and social justice.
Global Sports Ministry and the World Cup with Roman Khripunov & Phil Darke
Summer has finally arrived and this isn't just any summer, we have the World Cup! With North America hosting the tournament this year, there are unique opportunities to spread the Gospel and share God's love as nations converge in our own communities. In celebration of sport (and in celebration of ten years of podcasting here), we've got our friend and podcast found Phil Darke back on the show, along with Roman Khripunov of Revival Sport to talk about the value of sports ministry and the unique opportunities that the World Cup presents for evangelism and discipleship.
How U.S. Immigration Policies Are Separating Families with Matthew Soerens
Over the last year and a half, immigration in the US has been completely upended. With refugee resettlement effectively closed and mass deportation instituted throughout the country, it's immigrant families that are getting the brunt of these policies. In this episode, Brandon Stiver interviews Matthew Soerens from World Relief about US immigration policies, refugee resettlement, family separation, and biblical perspectives on immigration. They explore the impact of current policies, stories of affected families, and how the church can respond biblically and practically.
Effective Altruism for Christians with JD Bauman
Are all global justice issues created equal or are certain causes worth more of our attention and funding? Is it possible to get more bang for our buck by prioritizing certain geographic areas when it comes to missions and economic development? Joining the show today is JD Bauman of Christians for Impact. He is the co-author of the new book "All the Lives You Can Change" which explores how Christian principles intersect with the modern movement of effective altruism and global impact. In this episode, JD shares insights on prioritizing charitable efforts, the importance of data-driven giving, and pursuing a life of maximum global impact
The Growing (and Diminishing) Support for Orphanages with Elli Oswald & Julie Walton
There is a bit of dissonance when it comes to the trajectory of Christian support of global orphan care. More Christians are accurately understanding that kids in orphanages have families AND they are increasing the amount of financial support towards that residential care. In this episode Brandon Stiver is joined by Elli Oswald of the Faith to Action Initiative and Julie Walton of the Martin James Foundation. Together, they explores the recent Barna study on U.S. Christians' perceptions and support of orphanages and family-based care, highlighting shifts in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors over the last five years. If you have a heart to see kids in families and Christian orphan care progress beyond putting kids in orphanages, you've gotta listen in on this important conversation.
What Peace Negotiations in Iran Could Look Like with Dr. Joshua Weiss
The podcast is back from a break over Lent and we're diving straight in to the most relevant event happening globally right now. The war between the US/Israel and Iran is over five weeks old now and has had a profound impact regionally and around the world. Is peace possible at this point? What would it look like to negotiate and build towards a sustainable future in the Middle East? Dr. Josh Weiss joins the show to explore the complexities of international negotiation, back channel diplomacy, and the shifting landscape of global diplomacy, especially in relation to this current conflict. Dr. Weiss is a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Negotiation Project, co-founder of the Global Negotiation Initiative at Harvard University and also directs the MS in Leadership and Negotiation program at Bay Path University.
The Westerner Abuse and Child Protection Conversation (Lenten Recast)
In this season of Lent, we're on a break from new episodes and are re-running a conversation from 2023 that we had with global child welfare professionals Dr. Greg Burch, Kelly Strong, and Dan Hope. We’ll look at cases where westerners were given access to vulnerable children in the Global South and then abused those children. We’ll explore the significance of cultivating cultures of awareness around child protection. We’ll get into the importance of establishing robust policies and systems designed to mitigate the risks associated with child abuse and exploitation. By fostering environments that prioritize vigilance and the well-being of children, we can better identify and prevent abuses, ultimately ensuring their safety and welfare.
Decolonizing Christian Mission with Dr. Hunter Farrell (Lenten Recast)
In this season of Lent, we're on a break from new episodes and are re-running a conversation from 2023 that we had the co-author of Freeing Congregational Mission, Dr. Hunter Farrell. He served as a long-term missionary in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Peru and now works as the Director of the World Mission Initiative at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Dr. Farrell brings a wealth of first hand and research knowledge about Christian Mission. After 35 years in intercultural missions, he is calling for a reframing of missions. What would it look like to approach missions with a learning posture? How can we create spaces of connection for shared learning across cultures?
Canopy International 