Power undergirds so much of what we see in the news and how the world operates. How are Christians to engage with power, with government, with violence. Pastor, theologian, and author Dr. David Fitch joins Brandon Stiver on the podcast to discuss how the church can distinguish coercive worldly power from the persuasive, healing power of God. Drawing on examples in Christian nationalism, just war, the Civil Rights Movement, and local church practice, Fitch argues that expecting government or world power to redeem society won’t work. But the faithful presence and nonviolent power of God can do far more than we could ever imagine.
Category Archives: Spiritual Formation
A Guide for the Aspiring Missionary with Ryan Robertson and Dr. Matt Bennett
Have you ever considered being a missionary? Does your church support a missionary sent out to another nation? It takes a whole lot of discernment, prayer and connection with other believers to decide and follow through on being a missionary. Joining Brandon Stiver on the podcast today are Ryan Robertson and Dr. Matt Bennett, who are the authors of the new book, The Path to Being a Missionary. Together they dive into the ins and outs of preparing for the missions field and what it takes to sustain gospel work for the long haul.
Global Mission as a Christian Colony and Revisiting Ecclesiastes
Over the last several years, you have maybe heard Brandon speak about his Anabaptist tendencies towards culture. But what does that mean? And how does that apply to global mission? Perhaps somewhat overdue, in this episode Brandon is flying solo to share a brief vantage point around what it means to operate more as an alternate society or a Christian colony both in the states and as it pertains to transformational development. In the second segment, we’re diving into Ecclesiastes 3 as Brandon shares an important update regarding the future of the podcast.
A Lenten Reflection for the Justice Oriented Christian
As we head into the Lent this week, Brandon offers a reflection on the justice work that God calls us into and the opportunity to slow down, reflect and pray as we begin the approach to Easter. If you feel weary, burnt out or frustrated and are looking for a reminder of who God is and how we can connect into the everlasting grace that sustains, please join in a listen.
Formation, AI and Finding Community in Christian Humanitarian Work
*Brandon’s Note: In step with the topic at hand, I’ve turned over all show notes and interview audio editing to AI for this week’s episode.
In this conversation, Brandon Stiver and Michael Cerna reflect on the challenges and changes faced by non-profit organizations in 2025. They discuss the importance of community, the impact of funding changes, and the role of AI in shaping the future of non-profits. The conversation emphasizes the need for spiritual formation and collaboration among leaders in the sector, as well as the ethical considerations surrounding AI usage. Ultimately, they highlight the significance of building relationships and fostering a supportive community in navigating the complexities of non-profit work.
Discipleship is About Taking Jesus Seriously with Alan Hirsch
What does it mean to be a gospel-centered church and should we be a gospel-centered church? As we think through taking the Gospel into the world and fulfilling the Great Commission, have we short changed discipleship by making Matthew 28 all about evangelism? In this conversation with Brandon Stiver, author and missiologist Alan Hirsch joins the show to discuss the current state of discipleship within the church, emphasizing the disconnect between modern practices and the teachings of Jesus. He argues that without true discipleship, churches risk producing a form of religion that strays from Christ-likeness.
The Power of Hope in Humanitarian Crises with Heath Adamson
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 flood? 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.
A Jewish Understanding of James 1:27 with Dr. Andrea Siegel
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.
Wrestling with the Problem of Evil with Dr. Chris Palmer
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.
Deepening Discipleship Through Christian Pilgrimage with Randy Gonzales
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.
