Friendly Chats: Recent Episodes
Friends University Campus Ministries
Friendly Chats is an interview series with people who are living out their faith in Jesus Christ in the world in meaningful ways.
Strahan Coleman is a musician, writer, psalmist and storyteller from New Zealand. His folk music is contemplative, and his writing and teaching on prayer are a help to anyone looking to commune more deeply with God. Take some time to check out Strahan's music, which can be found on a multitude of platforms, and connect with him on social media at @strahanmusic or @commoners_communion. Strahan is a fantastic person, and we hope that you'll enjoy this conversation as much as Luke did.
Dr. Angela Gorrell, a practical theologian at Baylor's Truett Seminary, will be in chapel at Friends University on September 30, 2021. Dr. G studies and writes about a myriad of topics, but her focuses are on joy, as well as navigating the new media landscape. Luke and Dr. G have a conversation about how to live a more theologically grounded and fulfilling, connected life in the world of social media.
Brittany Michalski, a conservation ecologist with A Rocha USA (restoring people and places through biodiversity conservation and ecological action), project coordinator with Climate Stewards USA, and a board member with the Evangelical Environmental Network joins us this episode of Friendly Chats. Brittany and Luke have a conversation about the ways that Christians can, and should, think and talk about our relationship with the created world, and how creation care is a concrete way of loving our neighbors.
There's also a fun tangent about horseshoe crabs, so if you're a big fan of the only living family member of Xiphosura, then you're in luck.
Dr. Luke Bobo is the Vice President of networks at Made to Flourish, an organization that empowers pastors and their churches to integrate faith, work, and economic wisdom for the flourishing of their communities. Dr. Bobo is a published author, gifted educator, and his wisdom is a true gift. We hope you'll take time to listen to this episode.
Nigel Cottle loves community. He's one of the founders of Crave Cafe, one of the best cafés in New Zealand; even NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Arden gets her coffee there. Nigel and the Crave Collective moved into the neighborhood of Morningside in Auckland, New Zealand with the intention of making good in the 'hood. Nigel is brimming with life and energy as he chats with us from Crave, where he talks about a theology of failure, the necessity of risk, and the wonderful neighborhood he calls home.
Dr. Michael Frost's books and blogs have had a shaping and guiding influence on Friends University's Campus Ministries, so we were thrilled to have him on the Friendly Chats podcast! Mike is a professor, missiologist, and thinker from Sydney, Australia. In this episode, he and Luke discuss approaches to church and community identity in a post-Christendom age.
Not sure what that is? It's the world you live in where Christianity is no longer the cultural default.
Blake Sherman, outgoing missionary with Greater European Mission, talks about his experiences and growing wisdom in living in community and relationships with other people. Blake and his family live in Waco, TX where he is on staff at First Baptist Woodway, but will be moving to the UK this year.
Ray Chang, campus pastor at Wheaton College, president of the Asian American Christian Collaborative, and all around great guy, joins us in our first episode of season two! Ray and Luke have a conversation about life in community, and how we can push for deeper levels of relationships.
Paul Nix of InnerChange joins us in this latest episode of Friendly Chats. Paul and his family are a part of InnerChange, a Christian order that journeys with the poor. Paul talks with us about incarnational ministry and the importance of reverse hospitality.
Luke and Dr. Michael Stroope have a conversation where Dr. Stroope shares wisdom he's gained through his experiences in serving as a cross-cultural missionary around the world, and about how Christians and college students should approach this cultural moment of intense change.
John Mark Comer, author and pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland, OR, shares his wisdom on how to listen for vocation in your life in this episode of Friendly Chats. Take some time to watch this episode for insights on how to learn to listen to who God has made you to be!
Artist, songwriter, family man, and professional dreamer John Mark McMillan joins us in this exciting episode of Friendly Chats, in which he shares about the rambling road to where he is (wherever that may be), becoming re-enchanted with the world that God has made, and the role of sharing emotions in art.
Shannon Hopkins of Rooted Good shares with us about social entrepreneurship, change, and the courageous path following Jesus can take you on. Shannon has worked with Matryoshka Haus in London, England tackling social problems with creativity and connection. Her work as been recognized by the United Nations, and she has worked with churches and major corporations in helping them see the possible in new ways.
Jayson Berryhill of (En)visible talks about the relationship between our Christian faith and the ways that we responsibly take part in supply chains for resources.
Luke and Laurel talked in July of 2020 about the events happening in Minneapolis, the response of faith, and more.
Cameron Friend is the Youth and Millennial Outreach Coordinator at the King Center. In this conversation from July of 2020, Luke and Cameron talk about the relationship between race and faith.