Here is a sneak peek preview to a project that we have been working on at 127 Worldwide. Listen to this inspiring, thought-provoking episode as 127 staff wrestles through what healthy engagement with local leaders looks like. 

In the season two finale of the Simply127 podcast Sara Beth shares some stats and recaps of season two. She also shares how she met each of the 127 Worldwide partners.   Email: Simply 127@127worldwide.org   https://127worldwide.org/Simply127 Episode 21 Tony Merida Episode 23 Michele Suffridge Episode 36 Dustin Dozier   Episode 1 Sara Beth Fentress Episode 3 Eleanor Wells Episode 12 Peter Abungu   Episode 26 & 27 : Manny and Jillian Prieto   Books: Atomic Habits Misreading Scripture Through Western Eyes The Choice Gentle and Lowly

In this episode of the Simply 127 podcast, Sara Beth chats with Drew Raynor. Drew is a husband, pastor, and adoptive father. Drew and his wife Taylor began to see adoption as part of their story through their time at Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, NC. They now have three biological children and one adopted child. Drew always knew that he wanted to be part of a church plant. Seven years ago he and several others decided to plant a church in Cary, North Carolina.  Drew talks about how adoption changed his relationship with God, his marriage and changed him personally. He shares how his family is uniquely engaged in the work of caring for orphans and vulnerable children through their family business in partnership with 127 Worldwide. As a pastor, he also explains how the church can engage in caring for orphans through adoption. Resources: www.127worldwide.org simply127@127worldwide.org Podcast episodes referenced: Simply127 Podcast Episode 10: Tim Raynor Episode 16: Jeremy Wixson https://harvestrdu.com/ https://idcraleigh.com/  

On this episode of the Simply127 podcast Sara Beth interviews Phil Darke. Phil, his wife Becca, and their five children, live in Folsom, CA. He is the President of Providence World, a non-profit developing organizations around the world to help children and families flourish. He co-authored the book In Pursuit of Orphan Excellence and also founded and hosts three podcasts: How Soccer Explains Leadership, Think Orphan, and Coaching Character. Listen to hear how God worked through Phil’s life to bring him to where he is now.   Resources: www.127worldwide.org simply127@127worldwide.org Providence World: https://providenceworld.com/ Book: In Pursuit of Orphan Excellence By: Philip Darke and Keith McFarland Podcast: Think Orphan https://thinkorphan.com/

In this episode of the Simply127 podcast, Sara Beth interviews her good friend Chelsea Sobolik. Chelsea works for the  ERLC in their DC office. She is also an author, having written Longing for Motherhood and is working with Moody Publishers on her second book. Chelsea was born in Romania. She and another little boy were adopted by her parents in the United States when she was very young. They were 11 days apart in age and not related. Her parents adopted four other children from Russia. Chelsea grew up in a very loving household and God grew her heart for the vulnerable. When Chelsea was a freshman in college she learned that she had a rare condition that would prevent her from having biological children. She wasn’t able to find a book or resources for those walking through this type of loss. She wrote the book,  Longing for Motherhood, the book she wished she had when she was walking through this part of her life. Listen to hear more of her story and justice journey. Resources:   www.127worldwide.org Simply127@127worldwide.org   Book: Longing for Motherhood: Holding On to Hope in the Midst of Childlessness By: Chelsea Patterson Sobolik    https://erlc.com

Dustin Dozier is a husband, pastor and father to adopted children. He is the Teaching Pastor at Upstate Church Five Forks outside of Greenville, South Carolina. Dustin did not grow up in a church home and didn’t become a Christian until he was in high school after being invited to church by friends when he was a freshman.   After going on several mission trips, Dustin saw the great need to foster and adopt. God stirred in his heart the call to adopt but Dustin did not know the details of how that would look. After the earthquake in Haiti, Dustin and his wife hosted a child from Haiti and ended up adopting him and his 2 siblings. They adopted a newborn, 15 month old and two year old in a very short period of time. This wasn’t the path that Dustin envisioned when starting a family with his wife, but he learned very quickly that he needed to lean on God’s leading in his life for their family. Dustin provides advice for the journey of adoption and also for the church in caring for the vulnerable. He discusses how sometimes the world sees Christians for what they are against, not what they are for. Christians should show others the goodness of God. Adoption and foster care are ways that show others the goodness of God.   Resources:   www.127worldwide.org Simply127@127worldwide.org   Dustin Dozier @dustindozier on Instagram ddozier@upstatechurch.org

In this episode of the Simply127 podcast, Sara Beth interviews Gary Freeman. Gary is originally from Chesapeake, Virginia and attended East Carolina University on a football scholarship. His father was a pastor and they did not have a good relationship growing up. Gary explained how he saw the more difficult parts of his father being in ministry and as a result disregarded his faith in college. When he was a senior in college he started to pursue his relationship with Christ again.    Gary founded Major League Dad which is an organization that strives to promote a healthy view of fatherhood, pregnancy crisis support and guidance on how to care for a baby. Romans 5:8 says that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This verse guides and propels Gary in all that he does. It permeates all efforts of ministry from the fatherless to a difficult father and child relationship to those toiling with whether or not they want to be a father.   Resources:   www.127worldwide.org Simply127@127worldwide.org   majorleaguedad.org   Gfreeman@majorleaguedad  

In this episode of the Simply 127 podcast, Sara Beth interviews Tracy Arntzen, Co- Founder and Executive Director of Saving Susan Ministry. Tracy and her husband, Jay, own an elevator business and live in north Atlanta. Together they have three sons. Not long after starting their own business in 2008,  they felt the call to change churches.  Through one of their church connections, Jay felt led to go to Cambodia after mission Sunday. He and one of his sons decided to go on the mission project. There he met a little girl with whom he had a strong connection. He even wanted their family to adopt her, but found out that the borders were closed to international adoption. Through prayer and guidance they felt led to still help support the girl, they nick-named Susan, and her brother.  When founding Saving Susan Ministry, Tracy was very adamant that prayer would be central to their ministry. Six years later it is still the most important thing they do. They approach orphan care in a unique and very relational way. There is an application process for anyone who wants to sponsor a child and work closely with local leaders in the countries where these children live.   Resources: Have any comments or questions? Email Simply127@127worldwide.org   127 Worldwide www.127worldwide.org   Saving Susan Ministry https://www.savingsusanministry.org/ tracy@savingsusanministry.org   Books: The Hole in Our Gospel Richard Sterns   In Pursuit of Orphan Excellence Keith McFarland Philip Darke

Episode 33   In this episode Sara Beth has a conversation with Jackie Wild. Jackie is a wife, mom of two boys and wedding photographer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has been passionate about adoption and caring for vulnerable communities since she was a teenager. She served on the board of directors for 127 Worldwide and continues to be an advocate for orphans and widows.    Both of Jackie’s boys were adopted as infants in the United States. She shares her adoption journey with her husband, Matt, and how they grew their family following the path the Lord laid before them.   Resources:   www.127worldwide.org Simply127@127worldwide.org   Jackie’s Info: Instagram: Jwild.photography Email: Jackie@jwildphotography.com

Arthur lives in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with his wife, Liz and dog and cat. He studied student and family ministry at Lancaster Bible college. For 10 years he served as a youth pastor and then felt God’s nudge to leave student ministry and move on to something different. He and his wife built a passion for orphans and vulnerable children. They walked alongside a lot of kids who were facing significant difficulties and trauma. From this experience he learned that kids from hard places have significant barriers to receiving the gospel. He made a video series called, Trusting the God of the Gospel that helps caregivers and families disciple adopted or foster teenagers.    Arthur and Liz have been in the adoption process for several years now. He shares his journey through failed adoption and some of the difficulties he and his wife faced. They also fostered for 2 years. He shares how adoption and foster care is a faith journey, is not always easy and how important it is to be steadfast through it all. Lastly, he shares practical advice to those starting on the adoption and foster care road.   Resources: www.127worldwide.org   Have any questions or feedback?  Email: Simply127@127worldwide.org   Arthur C Woods website: https://www.arthurcwoods.com/   Trust the God of the Gospel www.trustingthegodofthegospel.com

Episode 31 In this episode Sara Beth has a conversation with the newest partner of 127 Worldwide, David Lara. David is the pastor of a church outside of Guatemala, in Escuintla, that was planted by his father. His wife and three daughters work together in ministry. He comes from a big family of five brothers and one sister. His father always had a passion to serve the Lord. David shares how he learned to care for the vulnerable through the example of his father and how he is now leading his church towards discipleship and care for the vulnerable.  David also shares how the pandemic has affected his ministry and life this past year and what partnering with 127 Worldwide has looked like for him.   Resources: Have any questions about the Simply 127 podcast? Email Simply127@127worldwide.org Book: When Helping Hurts : written by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert

In this episode Sara Beth has a conversation with Chrispine (Chris) Omondi, Director of Swahiba Networks in Nairobi, Kenya. Swahiba shares the truth of the gospel through meeting temporal needs in Kibera, Africa’s largest slum. Chris grew up in Kibera and participated in programs offered through Swahiba Networks. He was mentored by founder, Peter Abungu, and is now directing the day to day operations at Swahiba.   Resources: Have any comments or questions? Email Simply127@127Worldwide.org   Swahiba Networks https://swahiba.org/   Prayer Document: https://127worldwide.org/pray

In episode 29, Sara Beth has a conversation with Jason Johnson, National Director of Church Ministry Initiatives for Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO). Jason’s background is in church planting and ministry. He and his wife have 4 daughters, one of whom was adopted through foster care.  Jason shares about his work through CAFO and how everyone has a unique role to play in caring for vulnerable children and families.  He also shares the heart of how to engage more churches and people to care for vulnerable children; through discipleship. The message central to action is that the gospel changes the questions we ask ourselves. Instead of asking why to do something, the new question becomes ‘why not?’.   Resources: CAFO- Christan Alliance for Orphans   Jason Johnson email: Johnson@cafo.org   Jason Johnson Blog   Books: Everyone Can Do Something Reframing Foster Care   Finding Your Fit in Foster Care   Have any questions about the Simply 127 podcast? Email Simply127@127worldwide.org

Raleigh Sadler is the Executive Director and Founder of Let My People Go and author of Vulnlerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking. Growing up in church, he talks about his experience with Christianity at a young age and how he never felt like he mined the depths of the Gospel. Raleigh reached a turning point in his faith journey where he started to look outside of himself and to his neighbor. He began to see that we can not just declare the gospel, we must declare and demonstrate the gospel.  Listen to hear Raleigh’s faith journey and the path God has laid for him in caring for the vulnerable through Let My People Go.   Resources: Have any comments or questions?  Email Simply127@127worldwide.org  Let My People Go  https://lmpg.org/   Book: Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking By: Raleigh Sadler Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 International Justice Mission: https://www.ijm.org/ Shared Hope International: https://sharedhope.org/ National Center on Sexual Exploitation: https://endsexualexploitation.org/ Polaris Project: https://polarisproject.org/

S2E7 Part 2 of 2 In the second of this two part series, Sara Beth continues her interview with Manny and Jillian Prieto. As a recap, together the Prieto’s have four children, including two through adoption after a long period of foster care. In this episode Manny and Jillian share more information about fostering and adoption, share advice for families looking to foster and adopt and offer encouragement to those who are on this journey. Listen through to the end to hear from some special show guests!  Resources: Have any comments or questions?  Email Simply127@127worldwide.org   CAFO:  OVC Essentials course https://cafo.org

In the first episode of this two part series, Sara Beth interviews Manny and Jillian Prieto. Manny is the Director of Operations at 127 Worldwide. Together the Prieto’s have four children, including two through adoption after a long period of foster care. Together they share their story of foster care and adoption and how the grace of God ultimately has led them to where they are now as a family. Listen to their transparency and honesty as parents and how the gospel drives and guides their lives.   Resources: - Have any comments or questions? Email Simply127@127worldwide.org - Article on the Prieto’s answering the call to foster and adopt: Gathered: How one family answered the call of community. In choosing to adopt, the Prietos committed to upholding the dignity of a whole family. https://www.brnow.org/news/gathered-how-one-family-answered-the-call-of-community/

In this Simply127 Podcast Season 2 episode, Sara Beth has a conversation with Odongo Geoffrey (Geoffrey) from Acres of Hope Uganda. This conversation was recorded between the two, who are oceans apart. There may be slight pauses due to internet connectivity. This podcast was also pieced together from a much longer conversation, that was narrowed down into a few short clips. Listen to hear Geoffrey’s amazing faith journey and life story. Continuing with the theme of how the Gospel is central to the work of 127 Worldwide, Geoffrey, local leader who lives in Northern Uganda, shares how his life experiences and relationship with Christ prepared him to start and run Acres of Hope Uganda. Growing up in war torn Uganda, Geoffrey faced tremendous challenges as a child. Orphaned at a young age, he was left without a home and lived along the Nile River. He shares the difficulties he faced until one day when a missionary came to plant a church, took notice of Geoffrey and then advocated for him. Geoffrey faced some of life's most difficult challenges, yet his story paints a picture of how God delivered him and is using him today through his ministry at Acres of Hope Uganda.   Resources: Have any questions about this podcast? Email: Simply127@127worldwide.org   Acres of Hope Uganda   More show notes with Ugandan civil war history.

In this episode, Sara Beth continues her conversation with Michele Suffridge, Executive Director of Refugee Hope Partners. One of 127 Worldwide’s key distinctives is healthy engagement that encourages empowerment and preserves human dignity. This episode takes a deeper dive into this topic as Sara Beth and Michele discuss healthy engagement with vulnerable communities. Michele shares her journey of working with the vulnerable and how Refugee Hope Partners engages with refugee families in healthy ways.   Resources: Refugee Hope Partners   When Helping Hurts Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert

In this episode, Sara Beth has a conversation with Michele Suffridge. Michele is the Executive Director of Refugee Hope Partners. Refugee Hope Partners exists to love refugee neighbors with the hope of the gospel in partnership with the local church.  Michele, mom of 5 kids, shares her story of  parenthood, adoption and how God made connections in her life to minister to refugees. She discusses how God opened doors to start Refugee Hope Partners and how Covid-19 has impacted our refugee neighbors this past year. Listen to hear God’s activity in Michele’s life and how she responded. 

In episode 22, Sara Beth continues the discussion on how we are motivated by the gospel and how the gospel is central to the work of 127 Worldwide. The guest in this episode is Ashok Nachnani. Ashok is a husband, father, foster dad and member of the 127 Worldwide board of directors. In this episode you will hear how Ashok tangibly lives out James 1:27 by fostering and the giving of his time, talents and financial gifts. He also shares his testimony and about his life changing trip to Kenya with his teenage daughter.  Listen to his story to see how God uses the lives of ordinary people to advance his kingdom.   Have any questions? Email Simply127@127worldwide.org