In this Do Justice episode, Chris Orme talks with World Renew Disaster Response Services Director, Chris Gibson. Gibson, with a background in youth ministry, discusses DRS's 50-year mission of bringing help and hope to disaster-affected communities through long-term, collaborative recovery. He shares a powerful story from Rolling Fork, Mississippi, highlighting intergenerational service and the Kingdom of God in action. Gibson also addresses common challenges, stressing the importance of being invited into communities and serving the overlooked.
"I think I got a vision of a piece of what the Kingdom of God must look like in seeing these incredibly experienced, incredible talented and gifted older volunteers literally walking side-by-side with these younger college students."
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In this episode we speak with Bert Adema, Executive Director of Indigenous Christian Fellowship in Regina, Saskatchewan. Bert shares about 32 years of ministry, fostering a vibrant community by addressing spiritual and social needs. He emphasizes an incarnational approach, tackling the "messiness" of the world and advocating for right relations, not just reconciliation. Bert also reflects on finding hope and abundance amidst scarcity, powered by prayer, community, and trusting God's provision.
"If you're sitting there and you have no hope at all, you're really, really in a difficult situation. I think prayer is really, really important. And then when we pray in community... we say, 'What can we do together?'"
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This Do Justice episode features Carol Bremer-Bennett, co-Executive Director of World Renew. She discusses the organization's 60-year history, its community-centered approach to relief and development, and its commitment to Core Humanitarian Standards. Carol shares powerful stories of transformation, including Miri's journey from addiction and the peacebuilding efforts in India, highlighting how hope and abundance emerge through God's work in seemingly desperate situations.
"As somebody who knows that water is sacred, every drop of water is sacred. Go live in the desert for a while and recognize how a drop of water can nourish a seed and help it to flourish and to grow." - Carol Bremer-Bennett
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This episode of Do Justice features Rachel Brouwer, Director of Community Engagement at Talbot Street Church, discussing their unique approach to community engagement and global partnership. She shares how their focused giving campaigns, like the Warm Homes Project, fostered abundance and deep connection, even amidst challenging times. Rachel emphasizes that overcoming a scarcity mindset in the church involves trusting God's provision in both small and significant ways.
"What does it look like to invest deeply and meaningfully in a few, where we could really invest meaningfully in a financial way, but also really invest meaningfully in a relational way that really fit with our community."
This episode of Do Justice features Dean Dettloff, Research and Advocacy Officer for Development and Peace, discussing the Jubilee 2025 campaign to turn debt into hope. Building on the successful Jubilee 2000, Dean explains why systemic changes to the global financial architecture are needed to address persistent debt crises in the Global South. He highlights the power of ecumenical collaboration and grassroots movements in achieving justice and inspiring hope.
"The real success story was not getting the ear of those folks, but getting the ear of thousands of Canadians, who did manage to succeed."
Join Chris Orme as he speaks with Andy Harrington, Executive Director of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB). With 37 years in international development, Andy shares how CFGB, a partnership of 15 Christian denominations, works to end global hunger through emergency food relief and long-term development. He recounts impactful stories from Rwanda and Ethiopia, illustrating how simple interventions save lives and restore dignity. Andy passionately counters cynicism, emphasizing that empathy and action are crucial in addressing the immense challenge of food insecurity.
"Empathy is not a sin. It is what we are called to as Christians and I will fight that one to the death with any conversation with anyone. The question isn't: why should we? It's: we are called to and why shouldn't we?"
This season, we’re diving into a theme that calls us to reimagine how we think about abundance, scarcity, and the global challenges we face today.
Hit the subscribe button so that you don't miss any episode in this season.
Gary Timmermans shares about the CRCNA's multicultural cohort. These cohort brings together churches to share experiences, challenges, and successes in fostering intercultural ministry. Gary shares stories from churches that embraced their multicultural congregations.
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In this episode of Do Justice, Jodi Koeman of World Renew joins us to talk about churches engaging in asset-based development. We explore how listening, relationship-building, and justice can help congregations and neighborhoods thrive together. From revitalizing gardens to building trust around bonfires, discover how God’s shalom comes alive when we collaborate with our communities.
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Syd Hielema joins us for this episode about fostering pastoral care and hospitality for the LGBTQ+ community within the Christian Reformed Church. In this episode we hear from participants of the "Hospitality to LGBTQ" cohort. Syd discusses the challenges of fear, the importance of a covenantal approach, and how intentional community learning can shape posture over position.
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Adrian Jacobs and Cindy Stover join us in this episode to explore Hearts Exchanged, an eight-month learning journey fostering reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Discover how participants deepen understanding through storytelling, on-the-land learning, and group reflection, turning education into action and building lasting relationships rooted in justice and respect.
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In this episode Lindsay Wieland Capel, the Disability Consultant for Thrive, an agency of the CRCNA, joins us to explore the transformative work of accessible church ministry. We delve into the Accessible Church Ministry cohort, a group dedicated to rethinking church inclusivity, and share stories of how churches have worked to better welcome people of all abilities.
Life - and the journey towards biblical justice is better when we don’t go it alone. This is one principle behind the CRC’s Thriving Practices cohorts. A cohort connects churches to explore a specific aspect of ministry together.
Learn more about the topic we're going to explore in Season 9 of Do Justice in this preview episode.
In this episode we discuss the 'elephants' of church renewal. Rev. Dr. Elaine May discusses her work in church renewal and leadership development within the Christian Reformed Church in North America. She highlights the importance of shifting from ownership to stewardship, aligning church ministry with God's mission, and the challenges and blessings of navigating change and discernment in congregational contexts.
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"When we see ministry through the church open-handedly, I think it allows for the breath of the Holy Spirit to merge with our human abilities."
Mark Vanderwees from Diaconal Ministries Canada joins us to talk about his journey to becoming a deacon and suggestions for best practices for deacons. This episode discusses the evolving role of deacons, community engagement, and practical support for church benevolence and justice initiatives.
Show Notes:
"Church benevolence is about more than giving money; it's about building relationships and supporting long-term solutions."
Pastor Dave VanderWoude from City Hope GR shares insights on creating an inclusive church for people of all abilities. He discusses his personal journey, challenges in fostering belonging, and the transformative power of inclusivity. Don't miss these interesting stories and insights.
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"We truly are better together... What does that look like? Really living up to that and making the steps to see how we can step in our faith and put our words to action."
In this episode we're joined by Bev Stephenson, a dedicated volunteer in refugee resettlement in the US. Bev shares her experiences co-sponsoring Afghan and Cuban refugee families alongside her church. Bev shares insightful stories highlighting the challenges, joys, and profound impact of building cross-cultural relationships and supporting families through their resettlement journeys.
Show Notes
"When you do co-sponsorship, I think before you start you don't realize how much you can come to love people that you've never met before, from another part of the world."
"We have to be worth that kind of trust. But there will be ups and downs, not everything's going to go smoothly. It takes some persistence. It takes lots of prayer."
In this enlightening episode host Chris Orme has a candid conversation with Tom Jantzi, Director of Congregational Assistance Plan and Clergy Care at Shalem Network. Tom shares invaluable insights on destigmatizing mental health within church communities, emphasizing the importance of normalizing conversations and acknowledging the holistic nature of well-being. From practical programs like CAP to fostering safe spaces for vulnerability, they explore how churches can authentically support mental health while integrating faith and professional psychotherapy.
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"The church that's safe for mental health is one in which we can have compassion and we can sit with each other and listen to each individual's experience."
Host Chris Orme welcomes Greg Houldcroft, founder of Cross Town Impact, a ministry dedicated to serving at-risk youth. Greg shares his journey of faith and the challenges faced in establishing the organization. Cross Town Impact provides safe spaces for children, offering support and mentorship. Greg highlights lessons he's learned along the way especially for churches.
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In this compelling episode host Chris Orme sits down with Dan Veeneman and Marcel de Regt from Gateway Community Church in Abbotsford B.C. Together, they delve into the church's transformative journey of hosting an extreme weather shelter for the homeless. Dan and Marcel share stories about the realities of participating in this ministry. From confronting addiction to offering hospitality, their experiences underscore the power of saying 'yes' when someone knocks on your door.
"There's a story that goes with every person that comes to our shelter... Take the time, pause, slow down. And hear their story, because when you hear their story you see the person for who they are." - Marcel de Regt
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