Think Global, Do Justice

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. Podcast Sponsors Two days in the Sonoran Desert with fellow CEOs, working through the risks every mission leader carries and finding the spiritual strength to carry them well. Learn More and Register for the Accord Network Executive Retreat The MA in Global Development and Justice at Multnomah Seminary (part of Jessup University) is a fully online, accredited graduate program designed for practitioners and advocates seeking meaningful, sustainable change in today's world. Learn More About MAGDJ Resources and Links From The Show Reckoning with Power by David E Fitch (Amazon) The Theology on Mission Podcast Conversation Notes (AI Generated) Dr. David Fitch and the question of power Worldly coercion versus the Spirit's power How evangelicals entered the culture wars Christian nationalism, war, and biblical interpretation Just-war theory and the limits of state power Nonviolent alternatives and the fall of the Soviet Union Bonhoeffer, ideology, and resisting complicity How ideology turns issues into political flags Voting, government, and the Civil Rights Movement The church's three circles of faithful presence Community presence, singing, and spiritual resistance Recognizing the Holy Spirit at work beyond the church Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

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. Podcast Sponsors Check out the Accord Network and sign up for the Thursday Three, the leading newsletter for Christian practitioners working in international development. Sign Up For The Thursday Three The MA in Global Development and Justice at Multnomah Seminary (part of Jessup University) is a fully online, accredited graduate program designed for practitioners and advocates seeking meaningful, sustainable change in today's world. Learn More About MAGDJ Resources and Links From The Show The Path to Being a Missionary by Robertson and Bennett on Amazon Reaching and Teaching International Ministries Conversation Notes (AI Generated) The character, convictions, and competencies framework for missionaries The role of local churches in supporting missionaries The importance of theological accuracy in missions Cultural and language preparation for missionaries Theological education and its role in mission readiness The challenges of missionary longevity and church involvement The significance of ecclesiology in mission partnerships Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

October 10th is World Mental Health Day and we've invited Dr. Bryan Gouge who serves as the Senior Program Design Specialist for Mental Health at Compassion International. He joins Brandon Stiver to share insights on community-based mental health support for children in underserved areas, emphasizing the importance of belonging, resilience, and de-stigmatizing mental health discussions. Podcast Sponsors Are you ready to take your impact to the next level? Then join this year's OneAccord conference October 13th-15th in Washington, D.C.! Use Code "Global" for Discount Register for OneAccord 2026 The MA in Global Development and Justice at Multnomah Seminary (part of Jessup University) is a fully online, accredited graduate program designed for practitioners and advocates seeking meaningful, sustainable change in today's world. Learn More About MAGDJ Resources and Links From The Show Compassion International Online Conversation Notes (AI Generated) Community-based mental health support Role of churches and community assets Deprofessionalizing psychology in resource-limited settings Stigma around mental health and suicide Trauma and stress response in children Building resilience and emotional regulation The intersection of social work and psychology Long-term effects of trauma and chronic stress Listening as a tool for support Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

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. 1:35 - Start of first segment on a Neoanabaptist view of global missions 27:00 - Start of the second segment on Ecclesiastes 3 and the shifting seasons Podcast Sponsors Are you ready to take your impact to the next level? Then join this year's OneAccord conference October 13th-15th in Washington, D.C.! Use Code "Global" for Discount Register for OneAccord 2026 The MA in Global Development and Justice at Multnomah Seminary (part of Jessup University) is a fully online, accredited graduate program designed for practitioners and advocates seeking meaningful, sustainable change in today's world. Learn More About MAGDJ   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License  

Cyberscam Trafficking has grown into a 3 trillion dollar industry since the pandemic and has quickly become one of the most heinous forms of modern slavery. With victims on multiple sides, what is the church's response to be? Joining the show today is Amy Miller who is the Southeast Asia Director with Acts of Mercy International. Operating on the front lines of this burgeoning area of need, Amy shares with us about the organized criminal syndicates that run the cyberscam compounds, how people are trafficked in and what it looks like to help victims re-enter their own communities. We also learn just how close this issue touches each and every person, including westerners. Podcast Sponsors Are you ready to take your impact to the next level? Then join this year's OneAccord conference October 13th-15th in Washington, D.C.! Use Code "Global" for Discount Register for OneAccord 2026 The MA in Global Development and Justice at Multnomah Seminary (part of Jessup University) is a fully online, accredited graduate program designed for practitioners and advocates seeking meaningful, sustainable change in today's world. Learn More About MAGDJ Resources and Links From The Show Acts of Mercy International Online Conversation Notes (AI Generated) Amy Miller's journey from Arizona to Thailand The rise of cyber scam trafficking and online child exploitation The prevalence of sex trafficking in Southeast Asia The role of the local church in combating trafficking The impact of technology on trafficking and exploitation Systemic poverty and instability as root causes of trafficking The evolution of trafficking from physical to online spaces Strategies for community-based anti-trafficking efforts The importance of global awareness and action The rise of cyber scam trafficking and regional hotspots The use of AI and deepfake technology in scams The scale and sophistication of international crime networks Victim rescue, reentry, and the challenges faced The role of governments and communities in combating trafficking The impact of infrastructure development on trafficking routes How individuals can recognize and respond to scams The importance of prayer and advocacy in the fight against trafficking Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

We've got our resident M&E expert back on the podcast to talk with us about the value and function of DMEAL in working on grants and of course in program development. In this episode, Brandon Stiver is joined by Jeremy Macias to discuss the importance of monitoring and evaluation in nonprofit work, including the differences in international and domestic contexts. They explore how data-driven practices enhance program effectiveness, build donor trust, and foster continuous improvement in serving vulnerable populations. Lastly, they talk about the role of grad programs in developing humanitarian professionals suited to the needs of the global poor. Podcast Sponsors Are you ready to take your impact to the next level? Then join this year's OneAccord conference October 13th-15th in Washington, D.C.! Use Code "Global" for Discount Register for OneAccord 2026 The MA in Global Development and Justice at Multnomah Seminary (part of Jessup University) is a fully online, accredited graduate program designed for practitioners and advocates seeking meaningful, sustainable change in today's world. Learn More About MAGDJ Resources and Links From The Show Check out the Earthkeepers Podcast Conversation Notes (AI Generated) 02:23 Funding Streams for Nonprofits: Grants, Donations, and Earned Income 04:19 The Role of Monitoring in Grant Proposals and Program Impact 07:13 Building Robust Monitoring Systems in Domestic and International Contexts 12:18 Differences Between US Domestic and International Development Monitoring 17:16 Integrating Monitoring and Evaluation into Program Design 21:09 Using Data to Redesign and Improve Programs 25:20 Case Study: Hopewalks and Clubfoot Program Evaluation 30:05 The Impact of Faith and Theology on Development Practice 34:10 The Value of Continuous Learning and Professional Development Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

With so many factors that lead to multidimensional poverty, what does it look like to scale family flourishing around the world? It's a core question to all of human society. In this episode, Brandon Stiver interviews Jessica Ray who oversees International Programs for the Global Orphan Project to talk commerce, tech and family strengthening. Together they explore the complex issues of global fashion supply chains, fair trade practices, and the Strong Family program and tech that is supporting communities throughout the world. Subscribe to Our New YouTube Channel Podcast Sponsors Are you ready to take your impact to the next level? Then join this year's OneAccord conference October 13th-15th in Washington, D.C.! Use Code "Global" for Discount Register for OneAccord 2026 The MA in Global Development and Justice at Multnomah Seminary (part of Jessup University) is a fully online, accredited graduate program designed for practitioners and advocates seeking meaningful, sustainable change in today's world. Learn More About MAGDJ Resources and Links From The Show Strong Family Online GOEX Apparel Strong Family White Paper Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger Video Conversation Notes (AI Generated) 02:12 Jessica Ray's Journey into International Work and Fair Trade 04:20 The Impact of Consumerism on Global Fashion Supply Chains 08:29 The Rise of Fast Fashion and Its Global Effects 12:20 Fair Trade Practices and Ethical Supply Chains 16:11 The Complexities of Global Textile Supply Chains 21:10 Creating a Culture of Fair Trade and Ethical Fashion 26:14 Family Strengthening and Orphan Prevention Strategies 31:12 The Strong Family Model and Community Impact 35:58 Scaling Solutions and Partnering with Churches 42:03 Technology and Data in Family and Community Programs 46:59 Research and Evidence Supporting Family Strengthening 51:18 Final Thoughts and Call to Action Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

When we think of people that are fleeing conflict or being displaced by natural disasters, we rightly think about food, water and shelter as critical basic needs, but do we consider the psychological trauma that these populations have just undergone? How does mental health support factor into our relief responses? In this episode, we explore the critical role of mental health in humanitarian work with Weanne Estrada from the Adventist Relief and Development Agency. We discuss how mental health support can be integrated into disaster relief, refugee assistance, and community development, emphasizing culturally sensitive approaches and sustainable strategies. Subscribe to Our New YouTube Channel Podcast Sponsors Are you ready to take your impact to the next level? Then join this year's OneAccord conference October 13th-15th in Washington, D.C.! Use Code "Global" for Discount Register for OneAccord 2026 The MA in Global Development and Justice at Multnomah Seminary (part of Jessup University) is a fully online, accredited graduate program designed for practitioners and advocates seeking meaningful, sustainable change in today's world. Learn More About MAGDJ Resources and Links From The Show Adventist Development and Relief Agency Online Kaya Connect Psychological First Aid Training from NCTSN Conversation Notes (AI Generated) 02:20 Weanne Estrada's background and motivation for humanitarian work 05:19 Refugee communities in the Philippines and their self-built systems 09:13 The importance of mental health in disaster response 12:22 Psychological first aid: what it is and how to do it 17:16 Measuring mental health in humanitarian settings 21:04 Sustainable mental health support and task shifting 25:14 Cultural sensitivity in mental health interventions 29:23 The role of churches in mental health support 37:48 ADRA's current projects and global engagement in Yemen, Myanmar, Sudan and Venezuela 41:00 Advice for those pursuing God's justice in nations Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

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. Subscribe to Our New YouTube Channel Podcast Sponsors Are you ready to take your impact to the next level? Then join this year's OneAccord conference October 13th-15th in Washington, D.C.! Use Code "Global" for Discount Register for OneAccord 2026 The MA in Global Development and Justice at Multnomah Seminary (part of Jessup University) is a fully online, accredited graduate program designed for practitioners and advocates seeking meaningful, sustainable change in today's world. Learn More About MAGDJ Resources and Links From The Show Wall Street Journal : Hundreds of Billions in Loans Didn't Make a Dent in Global Poverty Peter Greer on Medium : A Response to the Wall Street Journal Article on Microfinance Liz Ha from Five Talents : Savings First Anthony Bradley on Substack : I Watched an Evangelical College Die From The Inside Subscribe to the Thursday Three Conversation Notes (AI Generated) Critiques of microfinance and responsible practices The role of loans and savings groups in development Impact of AI on nonprofit sector Leadership challenges in global development Mergers and consolidation in Christian higher education and nonprofits Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

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. Subscribe to Our New YouTube Channel Podcast Sponsor Are you ready to take your impact to the next level? Then join this year's OneAccord conference October 13th-15th in Washington, D.C.! Use Code "Global" for Discount Register for OneAccord 2026 The MA in Global Development and Justice at Multnomah Seminary (part of Jessup University) is a fully online, accredited graduate program designed for practitioners and advocates seeking meaningful, sustainable change in today's world. Learn More About MAGDJ Conversation Notes (AI Generated) Nicole's background and cross-cultural experiences The evolution of child sponsorship programs Holistic and multisectoral approaches to child development Faith-based and multi-faith collaboration in aid The DEV framework for understanding child poverty The impact of academic and faith-based education on development work Innovations in donor engagement and digital safety The importance of local context and cultural sensitivity in aid   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License