Everyday Peacemaking: Recent Episodes
everydaypeacemaking
The Everyday Peacemaking Podcast features the stories of Everyday Peacemakers who are embedded within a world divided by difference. In the face of conflict, injustice, and violence, we don’t get even, but get creative in love. We’re not professional humanitarians. We’re everyday people who are learning to see God and themselves in our other. We’re daring to step off the roads of comfort and immerse into reality. And we’re choosing to contend in collaborative and costly ways. Everyday Peacemakers are a part of a restorative revolution and these are our stories. This podcast is produced by peacemaking training organization, Global Immersion.
What if the path to peace begins with listening? In this story-driven conversation, Robi Damelin—a bereaved Israeli mother and peace activist—shares how, after losing her son to a Palestinian sniper, she chose to seek connection with those she was taught to see as enemies. Her journey is not just about Israel and Palestine—it’s about all of us, and the conflicts we each face. Discover why listening across divides may be the first courageous step toward ending conflict and reclaiming our shared humanity.04:26 Robi Learning to Survive as a Child
08:07 Memorial Day Rememberance
10:50 Revenge Motivating the Violence in Gaza
13:26 Pursuing Survival Together
17:44 Impact on Universities
21:39 Respect for Our Other
23:55 Columbia University Story
29:22 Al Jazeera Interview
32:08 Hoping Beyond Boundaries
34:54 Hope and Resilience
38:46 United States
43:05 close
Mentioned in this episode:
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Whitworth Ministry Summit
Repairers of the BreachJune 24-27, 2025 "Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in." (Isaiah 58:12)In the face of division, apathy, anger and violence, how do we as Christian leaders not grow weary? How do we remain awake to all that feels broken in our congregations, communities and world? How do we hold tension between the urgency of change and the slow pace of transformation? How do we nurture faith communities that restore hope and peace?Join us in June to explore these questions and more. Together, we will: Enjoy deep, formational worship experiences Process this cultural moment in community with other pastors Nurture our spiritual health and rest Discern where God is calling us now
Whitworth Ministry Summit
The dominant story isn’t working. In this bold conversation, Ben McBride challenges Christians to confront power, discomfort, and exclusion—and reimagine a faith big enough for belonging. Learn why he says we must be hard on systems, soft on people, and always building a bigger table.
00:25Iintro
01:34 Leaning into discomfort
06:10 Self-compassion, or hope that’s larger than our fears
09:24 Jer remembers similar experience with his dad
11:20 The need for a new story
15:28 The perceived righteousness of the dominant Christian story
17:52 Gospel of a dead Jesus
22:00 Personal Suffering and America’s Decline
26:22 Relationship with the powerful
36:00 Relationship with the suffering
38:42 The pace of transformation
42:51 Relationship with people in pain
45:25 Challenges engaging all sides at once
48:02 End
Mentioned in this episode:
Whitworth Ministry Summit
Repairers of the BreachJune 24-27, 2025 "Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in." (Isaiah 58:12)In the face of division, apathy, anger and violence, how do we as Christian leaders not grow weary? How do we remain awake to all that feels broken in our congregations, communities and world? How do we hold tension between the urgency of change and the slow pace of transformation? How do we nurture faith communities that restore hope and peace?Join us in June to explore these questions and more. Together, we will: Enjoy deep, formational worship experiences Process this cultural moment in community with other pastors Nurture our spiritual health and rest Discern where God is calling us now
Whitworth Ministry Summit
Listen to Navigating Deep Disagreements with Loved Ones
Navigating Deep Disagreements with Loved Ones (Everyday Peacemaking Podcast)
Conflict can strengthen relationships—if handled well. Nina Barnes shares why avoiding conflict causes more harm, how to tell the truth with kindness (not just niceness!), and why “agreeing to disagree” isn’t always the answer. Learn strategies for turning conflict into deeper connection.
This episode kicks off the newly relaunched Mending Divides Podcast, where Dr. Jer Swigart has unfiltered conversations about conflict—what it is, why it matters, and how to navigate it well—with those who think deeply about it.
Chapters
01:00 Start
01:34 Conflict is inevitable
04:43 Conflict styles
06:36 Conflict as an opportunity
09:15 Suspicion in the Absence of Conflict
10:53 Conflict is modeled for us
15:48 Nina’s Direct Conflict Style
16:50 Niceness vs. Kindness
21:17 Truth-telling with Kindness: What’s the Goal?
26:30 Getting Practical - How to do this
32:54 Agree to Disagree?
36:56 Dehumanization is “the line”
42:53 A Real Life Story
50:56 Invitations
58:32 Closing
Guest bio: Nina Barnes
Nina Barnes is a Spiritual Director, the Founder of Transforming Journey, and a featured faculty member of Global Immersion’s Leadership Cohort. She is a seasoned leader who spends her life accompanying Reconciling Leaders as they grow their cultural awareness, resilience, and prophetic witness.
Nina's Website
Mentioned in this episode:
Whitworth Ministry Summit
Repairers of the BreachJune 24-27, 2025
Whitworth Ministry Summit
Welcome to the Mending Divides Podcast, formerly known as the Everyday Peacemaking Podcast! Join us for a brand new series of unfiltered conversations about conflict and how we navigate it.
In a world familiar with conflict, Mending Divides offers a fresh perspective. Hosted by Dr. Jer Swigart, this Global Immersion podcast delves into the conflicts we all face through insightful conversations with those who deeply understand them.
This isn’t just about prescribing peace-building techniques. Mending Divides invites you into the lives, stories, and practices of individuals shaping our understanding of conflict resolution. Through their journeys, we discover what it means to confront our own conflicts head-on.
Expect candid dialogues that:
- Challenge assumptions and explore diverse paths to peace.
- Shed light on the roles of religion, culture, and biology in conflict resolution.
- Share stories of resilience, creativity, and courage that inspire hope.
Join us as we explore the many dimensions of conflict and peace. Follow us on Instagram @globalimmerse and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
Look out for our first episode coming later this month!
In this final episode of the 2024 season of the Everyday Peacemaking Podcast, hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart reflect on the past year, emphasizing the importance of radical reflection over resolutions. They explore the Hebrew concept of ‘zakar,’ which means to remember and retell a story vividly. Jer shares an impactful experience from a war-torn village in Burma, while Osheta recounts her journey of shedding commitments and rediscovering her creativity.
Together, they invite us to engage in self-reflection, identify pivotal moments from 2024, and look towards 2025 with hope and renewed commitment to Peacemaking.
03:01 Jer remembering
10:58 The Power of the Resurrection
17:05 Osheta remembering
22:45 Navigating the discomfort
25:26 Stones of remembrance
27:28 Invitation to remember
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In this episode, hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart explore what peacemaking looks like in the aftermath of the election. They unpack how different communities are processing the results and the impact on marginalized groups, emphasizing that there’s no single “right” way for a peacemaker to use the ballot. With honesty and grace, they wrestle with the best way to engage with those we’re in relationship with—especially those who voted differently.
Grounded in the teachings of Jesus, Osheta and Jer navigate calls to action, the challenge of loving enemies, and the need to confront harmful policies. They remind listeners that “it’s not the end of democracy” and invite them to embrace radical, subversive peacemaking. This episode challenges you to reflect deeply on your role in mending divides and building the beloved community—because the work doesn’t stop with an election.
00:39 Setting up the conversation
02:17 Osheta’s Family Conversation
02:58 Impact of Elections on Different Communities
04:27 Jer’s Initial Reflections and Grounding Reminders
08:26 Navigating the Frenzy
12:06 The Role of Friendship in Peacemaking
13:41 Loving our enemy
19:39 The Responsibility of White Peacemakers
23:44 Distinct Gifts and Graces
26:07 If you voted for Trump...
30:56 The Urgency of Peacemaking
36:42 Different kinds of fear
40:30 Jesus’ Strategy
PRO-HUMAN Apparel - Get your PRO-HUMAN shirt, hoodie, hat or more in our online store at https://www.bonfire.com/store/global-immersion/
Want a free PRO-HUMAN t-shirt? Make a donation of $100 or more or start a recurring monthly gift of $25 or more by December 31, and we’ll send you a free PRO-HUMAN t-shirt! Donate at globalimmerse.org/donate
Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
Photo by Vlad Tchompalov on Unsplash
In the uncertainty of an imminent election, Osheta and Jer offer a hopeful alternative to getting swept up in the anxious swirl of this divisive political moment. They invite us to receive the gift of our own belovedness and then extend this recognition to others. They offer this practice as a vision toward fostering the beloved community from within these politically charged times. Through personal reflections, theological insights, and practical strategies, they emphasize the importance of embracing our intrinsic worth as beloved individuals. Episode highlights include insights on beginning our day as the beloved, input on self-regulation in the midst of triggering moments, and an invitation to be anchored as pro-human peacemakers.
02:18 Belovedness as un-american
04:27 Jesus’ belovedness
13:15 Owning your belovedness
18:02 Microdosing belovedness
23:31 Belovedness on election day
25:51 Jesus’ strategy
27:38 The belovedness of our enemy
30:28 Belovedness beyond the ballot
31:38 Pastoral wisdom for election day
- Apply for the 2025 Leadership Cohort by November 15, 2024 at globalimmerse.org/cohort
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- Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
Autumn is here, and with it come plenty of starts and a constant barrage of asks to give, volunteer, and show up for meaningful causes. In this episode, Osheta and Jer explore the reality of compassion fatigue and how to discern ‘what’s mine to do.’ With personal anecdotes, they discuss the pulls on our empathy, managing the feeling of being stretched like Gumby, and the importance of grounding oneself spiritually to make wise decisions. From reflective daily practices to the Ignatian Examen, this conversation provides practical insights on maintaining peace and showing up authentically during this busy season.
02:10 Osheta’s compassion fatigue
05:29 Jer feels like Gumby
08:55 Osheta burns out
10:33 Doing the deeper work
14:38 Three things to look for
18:10 Mentorship
19:56 Socialized as a woman
21:35 Practice: Three questions
23:11 What’s mine to do?
25:33 Osheta does the examen
30:32 Closing
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- Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
In this episode, hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart delve into the realities of failure and mistakes as crucial elements of our growth as peacemakers. They explore the anxiety around mistakes, the societal pressure to avoid them, and the importance of embracing mistakes as pathways to improvement rather than perfection. The discussion includes insights from poet Zedeka Poindexter and emphasizes the need for courage, humility, teachability, and generosity in both making and receiving mistakes. This liberating conversation invites listeners to reframe their approach to failure as a way to engage more deeply in the journey of peacemaking.
01:45 Spark from Zedeka’s Poetry
03:35 Navigating Divides and Fear of Mistakes
07:39 Learning Through Trial and Error
10:52 Insights from Ted Lasso
13:13 Infrastructure of self-reflection
13:49 Creating space for mistakes
18:47 Courage, Humility, and Teachability
24:43 How to receive an apology
27:08 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement
- Zedeka Poindexter www.zedekapoindexter.com
- Hear her Peach Cobbler piece - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwYFMtUD70w
- Brenda Salter McNeil’s new book, Empowered to Repair: https://www.saltermcneil.com/empowered-to-repair
Photo by Pawel Janiak on Unsplash - Learn more about the Leadership Cohort at globalimmerse.org/cohort
- Sign up for the cohort interest list or RSVP for an info session at globalimmerse.org/cohort
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- Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
In this episode, Osheta and Jer reflect candidly on the common experience of loneliness, recognizing that it’s always a part of the path of peacemaking. Reflecting on their recent Deep South immersion with the 2024 Leadership Cohort, they share their journey from isolation to discovering a sense of companionship and learning how to be lonely together.
Through theological reflections and personal stories, they explore the significance of befriending loneliness, prioritizing companionship over community, and finding comfort in prayer practices. They encourage us all to acknowledge our own loneliness without anxiety, while seeking a way forward together with others on this journey.
01:44 shared experience of loneliness
04:38 befriending loneliness
11:08 finding your prayer practice
13:50 being lonely together
19:09 companionship more than community
22:02 gentle invitations
- Learn more about the Leadership Cohort at globalimmerse.org/cohort
- Sign up for the cohort interest list or RSVP for an info session at globalimmerse.org/cohort
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- Photo by hanya kumuh on Unsplash
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- Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
This episode was a spontaneous conversation between hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart reflecting on the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump. They discuss their immediate reactions, the importance of maintaining a peaceable presence, and how to navigate violent political climates as peacemakers.
The conversation emphasizes the need for creating safe spaces, fostering sacrificial relationships, and building communities committed to repair. Diving deep into personal anecdotes, theological reflections, and practical advice, this episode offers a specific call to action to move beyond social media posts and instead, to gather around tables and lead through these tumultuous times.
00:41 Reacting to the Assassination Attempt
04:52 Personal Reflections and Boundaries
09:06 The Role of Peacemakers in Turbulent Times
16:50 Political violence
19:41 Embracing Fear and Love
20:07 Starfish vs. Spider Leadership
21:12 The Illusion of Eliminating Ideologies
24:17 Building Communities of Peacemakers
Learn more: globalimmerse.org
Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate
Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
In this episode, Osheta and Jer delve into the intersection of parenting and peacemaking. They grapple with the temptation of fixing vs. being, naming the lure of project-oriented parenting and peacemaking. The high stakes of Christian parenting in particular are addressed, opening up a discussion about when we might need to reparent ourselves rather than focusing solely on the needs of our children. Unique practices in each of their households are shared, culminating in an invitation to parents to find their own authentic style of peacemaking as the greatest gift they can give their children.
The conversation offers valuable insights for parents and peacemakers alike, exploring how to nurture children in a way that allows them to grow into the everyday peacemakers our divided world so badly needs.
02:42 Fixing vs being
06:03 How do you want to be remembered by your kids?
07:31 The problem with project-oriented peacemaking
14:19 The stakes of Christian parenting
18:18 Lowering the stakes
20:35 Reparenting ourselves vs. Parenting our kids
22:43 Household practices
23:55 Impatience with our own formation
25:50 Bringing kids into a story
28:06 Shielding kids from mistakes and failure
30:19 Integrity in our own style of peacemaking
33:17 closing
Learn more: globalimmerse.org
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Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
Jer kicks off the episode with a story about a recent encounter with his own stereotypes at a Guns to Gardens event in Bend, Oregon. This experience led him to question the fables he’s fabricated about “those people.” They wrestle with stereotypes as organized lies that shape the way we see others, and explore how to balance this awareness with genuine caution or wisdom in potentially unsafe situations. The conversation delves into broader themes of confronting stereotypes, the importance of proximity, and the interior transformation needed to see others as beloved. Listen for insights on disarming both physical weapons and the stereotypes that arm our imaginations.
02:38 Guns to Garden event context
05:15 Becoming a gun decommissioning site
10:07 The chopped up SUV
16:15 The interior work
17:33 How do we discern?
21:31 The Man or the Bear
24:31 Stereotypes
28:53 Practical ideas to get into proximity
34:30 announcements and credits
Learn more: globalimmerse.org
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Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
In this episode, Osheta processes a challenging experience of racism and her struggle to respond as a peacemaker when she was already depleted. The conversation explores the importance of self-care, acknowledging our triggers, and building an ‘infrastructure of support’ to remain grounded amidst everyday conflicts and tension. They emphasize the persistent presence of the Holy Spirit with us, the need for proactive preparation for difficult spaces, listening to our bodies, and how community is foundational to everyday peacemaking.
01:04 Osheta’s Shares an Encounter with Racism
07:46 Discerning when to walk away
10:06 Protecting the “other’s” belovedness
14:45 infrastructure of support
17:03 Preparing for difficult spaces
18:36 listening to our bodies
22:30 Resilience through the Spirit of God in us
27:18 A Gentle Invitation
Learn more: globalimmerse.org
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Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
In this episode, Osheta and Jer explore hope and its paramount importance in Everyday Peacemaking, inspired by this season of Eastertide. They delve into how hope, seen as both a skill and a practice, is essential in looking for and participating in ‘little resurrections’ amidst life’s challenges and divisions. Through personal stories, they illustrate the power of adopting a ‘Yes, and...’ posture, which acknowledges difficulties while remaining open to the ever-present possibility of resurrection breaking forth in daily life. The conversation culminates with a call to embrace the ‘resurrection impulse’ as Everyday Peacemakers, seeking out and nurturing moments of new life and hope in both the mundane and the monumental.
00:40 Reflecting on Eastertide
08:04 Little resurrections
09:57 Story of counter-protestors
22:04 Community and interior formation
27:03 Moving closer
31:11 Low stakes moments
32:55 Closing Invitation
Learn more: globalimmerse.org
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Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
Our next Virtual Immersion conversation into the Israel/Gaza war wrestles with what to do as peacemakers when we drift into despair, give in to fear, or move in our anger from righteous indignation to dehumanizing rage. Jer Swigart is joined by Mercy Aiken and Bruce Fisk from the Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East (NEME), who are navigating these realities while fighting like peacemakers for an end to this suffering.
The discussion is anchored in their personal stories of awakening to the injustices and complexities of the crisis, centered on the transition from being pro-Israel or pro-Palestinian to adopting a pro-human perspective.
The conversation delves into the costs of taking such a stance, highlighting the personal, professional, and emotional tolls and the importance of solidarity and relationship-building in pursuing peace. The dialogue shifts to confronting feelings of despair, the challenges of maintaining hope, and the complexities of managing anger without dehumanizing the other, all towards growing our resilience and deepening our souls for sustained practice.
00:00 Opening Context
06:53 Mercy and Bruce Introductions
09:57 Waking up to a Larger Story
20:29 Pro-human is not neutral
22:39 The high cost of leaving a Pro-Israel Christianity
32:18 Despair, Fear, and Anger
40:58 What to do with despair
46:10 Anger
The Virtual Immersion is a series of conversations to platform and amplify the experiences and insights of our Palestinian and Israeli friends and peacemaking partners. The live conversations first take place on Instagram Live @globalimmerse, and are then made available as podcast episodes. These are vulnerable, challenging conversations with peacemakers embedded within this war's trenches.
Support our work at globalimmerse.org/donate
Learn more about NEME's work: neme.network
This powerful next conversation in our Virtual Immersion series is with Mahmoud Subuh, a Palestinian Muslim Peacemaker waging peace in the midst of the Balata refugee camp in the West Bank, currently under complete siege. Mahmoud shares openly about the immense challenges of both raising his own kids as well as working with Palestinian youth amidst the heightened tensions and trauma caused by living in one of the most densely populated and heavily fortified refugee camps. He discusses his efforts to guide them toward healing, advocating for reconciliation over revenge. This conversation grapples candidly with the question: Is it possible to cultivate the next generation of peacemakers in an environment overshadowed by violence?
The Virtual Immersion is a series of conversations to platform and amplify the experiences and insights of our Palestinian and Israeli friends and peacemaking partners. The live conversations first take place on Instagram Live @globalimmerse, and are then made available as podcast episodes. These are vulnerable, challenging conversations with peacemakers embedded within this war's trenches.
Support our work at globalimmerse.org/donate
Jer and Osheta discuss the table as a vital tool in mending divides. Osheta sets the stage with a poignant tale of gumbo-making that fostered connection, empathy, and a sense of belonging to one another. The duo unpacks practical strategies, emphasizing the essence of simplicity in hosting, the significance of thoughtful recipe choices, and the role of pacing for restorative conversations. They extend an invitation for listeners to participate in Maundy Thursday by hosting an intentional meal and proposing a meaningful red beans and rice recipe out of solidarity with our global kin.
03:34 Osheta’s Story
10:18 Maundy Thursday
11:33 Jer Responds
14:27 The Pace at the table
20:45 Recipes
22:59 Red beans and rice
24:58 Jer’s comfort food
28:38 Sending guests out into the world
34:39 Closing
Osheta's Red Beans and Rice Recipe: https://bit.ly/oshetasredbeansandrice
Listen to the first episode about the power of the table in everyday peacemaking: globalimmerse.org/blog/powerofthetable/
Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage: globalimmerse.org/blog/gazaceasefirepilgrimages/
CCDA Holy Week Devotional: bit.ly/CCDAGIholyweekdevotional
Learn more about us at globalimmerse.org
Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
Theologian and peacemaker Alejandra Ortiz joins Osheta and Jer for a profound discussion on the practice of lament as central to our formation as Everyday Peacemakers. They explore how lament gives space to grieve the brokenness of the world. Alejandra shares a rich theological perspective illustrated with stories from her personal practice of lament. The conversation illuminates how lament fosters honesty before God, cultivates hope, and deepens our participation in community. The trio delves into lament’s biblical roots, its significance in personal and communal healing, and practical ways to integrate it into everyday life, even amid challenges like maintaining mental health. Ultimately, this episode encourages you to embrace lament as a transformational practice that brings you closer to God, deepens your compassion, and equips you for the realities of Everyday Peacemaking. This episode was recorded live on March 6.
05:54 Define Lament
07:43 How to cultivate space for lament
11:53 Lament as a community practice
16:03 Ideas for practices
20:07 Not a quick fix, but a way to sit in the pain
23:21 Lament and mental health
27:11 Having someone walk with you through lament
30:52 How to start
31:31 If you’re exhausted
Learn more about us at globalimmerse.orgSupport our work: globalimmerse.org/donate Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
In this episode of the Everyday Peacemaking Podcast, hosts Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart discuss the centrality of the table as the most important furniture used in the work of peacemaking. Jer shares an incredible story from his recent trip to the front lines of the conflict in Burma, where a shared meal revealed the belovedness of former enemies. Osheta helps apply Jer’s story to the everyday tables we are a part of, encouraging us to use what we have, lower our expectations, embrace a slower pace, and make room for one another. They also reflect on the role of the interpreter at the table, the person helping heart-level communication happen. The conversation culminates with an invitation to consider what our “other” might need to hear that disarms their walls and makes space for our shared humanity to come forward.
Learn more about us at globalimmerse.orgSupport our work: globalimmerse.org/donate Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
As we step into 2024, Osheta and Jer invite us beyond New Year’s resolutions into a journey of intentional self-reflection. In a year already marked by “anti” sentiments, they aim to shift their focus towards what they aspire to be “for”. Embracing the belovedness of each person, they discuss loving their enemies and the necessary shifts in their lives to better love their neighbors. They emphasize the importance of remaining curious about others and acknowledge the challenge of letting go of relationships and spaces that no longer serve their formation as peacemakers. Join us as we embark on making peacemaking a habit in 2024.
Learn more and participate in the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages this Lent at gazaceasefirepilgrimage.com
Learn more about us at globalimmerse.orgSupport our work: globalimmerse.org/donate Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
Peacemaker Ben McBride joins Jer for this soul-stirring conversation about the interior formation of peacemakers in 2024. With the humanity and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. as a springboard, they grapple with the idea that the social transformation we’re dreaming of will not be realized in our lifetime. They wrestle with the stark contrast of peacemaking work fueled by anger versus animated by love and candidly consider who our “enemy” really is. Finally, Ben gives a prophetic invitation to us all in response to the question: What kind of peacemaker do you want to be in 2024?
Ben's website: benmcbride.com
Purchase Troubling the Water: benmcbride.com/the-book
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Learn more about us at globalimmerse.orgSupport our work: globalimmerse.org/donate Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
This Advent, while global Christians prepare to commemorate the arrival of the Prince of Peace, our Palestinian kin in Gaza suffer unthinkable violence. Their cries for deliverance, echoing those of two millennia ago, seem to be falling unheard in the United States. To see their pain and hear their cries, US Christians must move beyond information to transformation...from webinar to worship.
On December 23, the special worship gathering "Christ in the Rubble" was live-streamed from Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, featuring this sermon by Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac. Central to this liturgy of lament is the prophetic message that if Jesus was born today, he would be born "under the rubble."
[Co-organized by Red Letter Christians, Christ at the Checkpoint Conference, Bethlehem Bible College and Churches for Middle East Peace; supported and sponsored by kindred organizations]
In our ongoing Virtual Immersion series, we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Rabbi David Jaffe from the Kirva Institute.
Delving into the complex landscape of the Gaza-Israel conflict, we navigate through the lenses of antisemitism, Islamophobia, trauma, and power dynamics. Rabbi Jaffe brings a distinctive perspective to the forefront, shedding light on Jewish self-determination and advocating for a theology of power and sharing the land.
We candidly explore the imperative need for theological transformation within Judaism and Christianity, steering away from doctrines of dominance toward embracing our collective mandate of unprecedented hospitality and sacrificial love. The conversation culminates with the importance of maintaining human connections amid the conflict in order to be part of healing our wounded world.
02:30 October 7th
06:46 current war
15:17 anti-semitism
20:53 resisting binaries
24:54 theology
35:03 word to American Christians
The Virtual Immersion is a series of conversations to platform and amplify the experiences and insights of our Palestinian and Israeli friends and peacemaking partners. The live conversations first take place on Instagram Live @globalimmerse, and are then made available as podcast episodes. These are vulnerable, challenging conversations with peacemakers embedded within this war's trenches.
Learn more about us at globalimmerse.orgSupport our work: globalimmerse.org/donate
Learn more about the Kirva Institute at rabbidavidjaffe.com/the-kirva-institute
This Virtual Immersion features a conversation between Greg Khalil (@eternalvagabond) of @thetelosgroup and @jerswigart. It includes remarkable analyses of this current moment in Israel & Palestine, what made it both predictable and preventable, and the outcomes that global power brokers are pursuing. They discuss the power of language to shape realities that either move us toward or away from one another. They challenge us to break agreement with image management, performance, and platform-building if we want to be a part of ushering in a world of mutual flourishing. The conversation culminates with Greg issuing a prophetic call to American Christians to live into the extraordinary and very distinct power and influence we have to promote human security by demanding our own leaders defend human rights.
02:29 Greg intro
10:33 Unpacking this current moment
15:13 Jerusalem
24:05 Problematic Evangelical Theology
26:00 Use of language
36:01 US American Christians
49:03 Closing Reflection
The Virtual Immersion is a series of conversations to platform and amplify the experiences and insights of our Palestinian and Israeli friends and peacemaking partners. The live conversations first take place on Instagram Live @globalimmerse, and are then made available as podcast episodes. These are vulnerable, challenging conversations with peacemakers embedded within this war's trenches.
Learn more about us at globalimmerse.orgSupport our work: globalimmerse.org/donate
Learn more about Telos: telosgroup.org
Osheta and Jer wrestle with Advent and how it exemplifies our posture as Everyday Peacemakers. Osheta explores the gift of pondering as Mary did, waiting in expectation for God’s restoration. Jer confesses deep feelings of despair and discouragement as the violence seems to be winning. Together, they rediscover the deeper truth that in our world obsessed with power, the Advent story reminds us that true strength lies in vulnerability and that Christmas was always about powerlessness.
Learn more about us at globalimmerse.orgSupport our work: globalimmerse.org/donate Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
This special Virtual Immersion conversation is with two peacemakers, Robi Damelin (Israeli Jew) and Layla Alsheikh (Palestinian Muslim), bereaved mothers who share their stories of loss, reflect on the current horror in Israel and Palestine, and encourage us forward on the journey from revenge to reconciliation. Robi and Layla are members of the Parents Circle – a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of more than 700 bereaved families. Their common bond is that they have lost a close family member to the conflict. But instead of choosing revenge, they have chosen a path of reconciliation.
This live conversation was held on November 13, 2023, in partnership with Feast World Kitchen, a Spokane-based nonprofit renowned for its elevation of immigrant chefs and former refugees. Feast took center stage on November 12 in a stirring act of solidarity. Five local chefs, united by their Israeli-Palestinian heritage, crafted a menu featuring traditional recipes from both cultures, showcasing unity amidst the turmoil in Israel and Gaza. The day’s proceeds were dedicated to the Parents Circle. The Parents Circle and Global Immersion have partnered in immersion experiences for American faith leaders in Israel/Palestine, empowering them for the vital work of peacemaking.
Here are five quick links to resources mentioned in the conversation.1. 1. Parents Circle Jam Session, a collaboration of Israeli and Palestinian mothers and chefs: https://www.theparentscircle.org/en/pcff-communities_eng/pcff-women_eng/jam-session_eng/ 2. 2. New York Times article by Nicholas Kristof featuring Parents Circle: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/08/opinion/israel-palestine-war-family-loss.html 3. 3. NPR Interview featuring Parents Circle: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/11/05/1209976575/israel-hamas-war-hope-empathy-personal-stories 4. 4. CNN article featuring Robi and Layla: https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/15/us/iyw-israeli-palestinian-hth/index.html 5. 5. An upcoming conversation on Israel/Gaza at Whitworth University in Spokane (11/30 @ 7p): https://forms.whitworth.edu/calendar/event/detail/4152
Here are the five next steps offered in the conversation:1. 1. Host a viewing and/or share this conversation.
2. 2. Contact your Member of Congress to demand a ceasefire with this script: https://www.telosgroup.org/advocacy-call-script-call-your-member-of-congress-now/
3. 3. Reach to your Jewish and Muslim kin in your communities.
4. 4. Invest in and subscribe to organizations like Parents Circle, Feast, and Global Immersion that are training peacemakers, mobilizing healers, and incubating dreams.
- Parents Circle: https://parentscirclefriends.org/donate/
-Feast: https://www.feastworldkitchen.org/donate
-Global Immersion: https://globalimmersion.networkforgood.com/projects/206880-support-global-immersion
5. 5. Grow a more holistic, pro-human understanding of and response to the violence in Israel and Palestine by listening to other voices in our Virtual Immersion featuring peacemakers embedded in the trenches of this war on Global Immersion's Instagram and the other “Virtual Immersion” conversations in our podcast feed: https://www.instagram.com/globalimmerse/
The Virtual Immersion is a series of conversations to platform and amplify the experiences and insights of our Palestinian and Israeli friends and peacemaking partners. The live conversations first take place on Instagram Live @globalimmerse, and are then made available as podcast episodes. These are vulnerable, challenging conversations with peacemakers embedded within this war's trenches.
In our second Virtual Immersion conversation, we delve into the profound realms of Jewish trauma with Jared, a Jerusalem-based Jewish historian and theologian. Through his personal narrative on October 7th, Jared provides insights into the pervasive fear that extends throughout the Jewish community, exacerbated by the ongoing violence in Gaza—a consequence he attributes to the collision of unaddressed trauma and unchecked power.
Throughout our discussion, we explore various peacemaking themes. Jared emphasizes the influence of language in either reinforcing or dismantling oversimplified binaries and false equivalencies. We delve into the delicate balance between urgency and grief, contemplating how to navigate this tension effectively. We underscore the significance of speaking truth to power and advocating for societal change within our respective traditions, fostering engagement rather than disengagement.
Our conversation also touches on the paradoxical nature of attempting to eradicate an ideology with the very violence that gave rise to it. We highlight the imperative of cultivating a more comprehensive, pro-human understanding and approach in the face of crises. Finally, we speak to the power of acknowledging one’s fallibility—the recognition that we are never entirely right and are inherently prone to error.
The Virtual Immersion is a series of conversations to platform and amplify the experiences and insights of our Palestinian and Israeli friends and peacemaking partners. The live conversations first take place on Instagram Live @globalimmerse and are then made available as podcast episodes. These are vulnerable, challenging conversations with peacemakers who are embedded within the trenches of this war.
Follow Global Immersion on IG: https://www.instagram.com/globalimmerse/
Support our work: https://globalimmerse.org/donate/
Osheta and Jer delve into the challenges of bridging ideological differences when power differentials are at play. Osheta shares a challenging personal experience that kicks off the conversation, sparked by their interaction in Episode 2 where Jer shared a story about bridging differences with his dad. They consider how to move beyond mere thought experiments to grasp the impact of our ideology on individuals from different social locations. Peacemaking is ultimately framed as a process of transformation where each party commits to becoming a better, more holistic, flourishing version of themselves. Key takeaways from this episode include recognizing power imbalances, prioritizing understanding the pain of others, and learning to move at the pace of trust. This conversation is particularly relevant in the context of ongoing discussions about the Israel/Gaza conflict in light of the power differentials involved.---Listen to the episode a few weeks ago when Jer shares about bridging differences with his dad, which sparked the conversation in this episode:https://globalimmerse.org/blog/navigating-deep-disagreement-with-loved-ones-everyday-peacemaking-podcast-s5-ep-2/ Learn more about us at globalimmerse.orgSupport our work: globalimmerse.org/donate Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
The first conversation as part of our Virtual Immersion into the Israel/Gaza war is with Palestinian pastor, scholar, and peacemaker Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, one of the most profound voices in global Christianity on the crises in Israel/Palestine.
We explore his personal experience of what is unfolding, the importance of language in how we speak truth to power and change to society, the unfortunate history of “truth-less Christianity,” and very practical steps each of us can and must take toward “costly solidarity.” Munther concludes by inviting us to follow the Jesus who broke agreements with reputation, platform, power, and comfort in order to usher in restoration.
May God give us the courage to abandon any construction of Jesus that endorses the use of any violence to accumulate and protect our comfort, our safety, our abundance, our agenda.
The Virtual Immersion is a series of conversations to platform and amplify the experiences and insights of our Palestinian and Israeli friends and peacemaking partners. The live conversations first take place on Instagram Live @globalimmerse and are then made available as podcast episodes. These are vulnerable, challenging conversations with peacemakers who are embedded within the trenches of this war.
Munther's Blog: https://christatthecheckpoint.bethbc.edu/munthers-blog/
Follow Global Immersion on IG: https://www.instagram.com/globalimmerse/
Support our work: https://globalimmerse.org/donate/
In this deeply personal and prophetic conversation, Jer shares his experiences being on the ground as war broke out in Israel and Palestine. Osheta creates a safe space for Jer to reflect on the situation now in Israel and Gaza. Together, they delve into the complexity of the conflict, seeking to move beyond the dismissive phrase “It’s complicated.” By exploring the roots of pain and trauma that have led to ongoing violence, they encourage a deeper understanding of the conflict and speak to the intimate role of U.S. American Evangelicals in it.
Call Your MOCs (Telos Script): bit.ly/telosscriptmoc
Learn more about us at globalimmerse.org
Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate
Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
In our first “From the Field” episode, the leadership team of the Journey of Hope cohort sat down for a conversation as their immersive experience in the Deep South concluded. They reflect on the profound impact of this immersion into the stark realities of institutionalized and structural racism, sharing some truly transformative moments. The conversation extends beyond this specific journey as they explore the broader significance of immersive experiences to the formation of Everyday Peacemakers. They discuss not only the value of carefully curated immersions like the one undertaken by the cohort but also how immersion can become a regular practice within our local contexts.“From the Field” episodes are recorded on location.
*These episodes are a periodic part of our relaunched Everyday Peacemaking Podcast format.
Journey of Hope Cohort: https://globalimmerse.org/joh
Learn more about us at globalimmerse.org
Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate/
Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com*
Jer recounts the journey with his dad through political, theological and ideological disagreement that came to a head in one particularly revealing conversation. Osheta and Jer delve into the lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of adopting a humble posture, prioritizing understanding over being understood, and embodying one’s beliefs instead of resorting to empty rhetoric. Their practical conversation offers a range of ideas and insights applicable to anyone looking for a hopeful way forward in strained relationships where the divides seem only to be widening in the face of difference.
Journey of Hope Cohort: https://globalimmerse.org/joh
Live Conversation with David Gushee: https://bit.ly/gusheeworkshop
Learn more about us at globalimmerse.org
Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate/
Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
Osheta’s in a funk! Despite her best intentions, her attempts to rest in the summer were hijacked, and she’s starting the fall feeling depleted. She processes her frustration with Jer, and in the process, they surface surprising insights about befriending feelings of jealousy and disappointment. They dig deeper into approaches to sabbath rest and grapple with the particular difficulty Osheta faced in trying to disconnect as the primary parenting partner. Ultimately, they circle back to how Everyday Peacemakers can plan for and protect rest as a way of life.
Journey of Hope Cohort: https://globalimmerse.org/joh
Live Conversation with David Gushee: bit.ly/gusheeconversation
Learn more about us at globalimmerse.org
Support our work: globalimmerse.org/donate/
Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
The Everyday Peacemaking Podcast, co-hosted by Osheta Moore and Jer Swigart, will relaunch in its new format on the International Day of Peace (September 21), featuring vulnerable conversations about the habits, heartaches, and hopes of Everyday Peacemaking.
Learn more about us at https://globalimmerse.org/
Turning Over Tables theme music courtesy of The Brilliance www.thebrilliancemusic.com
On April 3, 2023, we hosted a practical conversation about the steps that individuals and congregations can take to move the needle on gun violence. Shane Claiborne (Red Letter Christians) and Mike Martin (RAWtools) invited churches to become gun decommissioning sites in our cities. Pastor Amy Kasari (Antioch Church, Bend) shared her church’s journey toward that distinction.
On April 11, we continued this conversation. Mike Martin laid out the specific and very tangible steps toward becoming a gun decommissioning site. Pastor Amy offered more specifics and reflections on the formational journey she and her team have guided their congregation through in preparation for this work. And the moderator of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship’s Gun Prevention working group Jan Orr-Harter oriented us and offered an invitation to a five-week Guns to Garden Tools Action Circle.
Resources Mentioned:
- Guns to Gardens Action Circle: https://www.presbypeacefellowship.org/gun-violence/
- RAWtools Disarming Network to find a Disarming Location near you. These locations can help you legally and safely disable your gun: https://rawtools.org/swords-to-plowshares/#disarming-network
- Fear Not Curriculum to help churches develop a non-armed response to violence: https://mcc.org/fear-not-creating-plan-respond-active-violence
- A Loaded Conversation Curriculum to help churches talk about gun violence: https://mcc.org/media/resources/8279
In the wake of yet another mass shooting, the conversations are once again saturated with tired arguments leading us nowhere.
We’re done waiting for change to begin with Capitol Hill. We’re convinced that measurable change will start with communities of Jesus-followers who transform their guns into garden tools.
On Monday, April 3rd we had a live conversation with Shane Claiborne (Red Letter Christians), Mike Martin (RAWtools), Kelly Knox, and Pastor Amy Kasari (Antioch Church, Bend), hosted by Jer Swigart (Global Immersion). Shane helped us understand our national fixation on guns, its incongruence with Jesus, and what it’s costing us. Mike will invited us—as individuals and congregations—to take tangible actions that will lead to change. Kelly shared his story of choosing to decommission his AR15. And Amy invited us into her church’s journey of becoming a gun decommissioning site in Central Oregon.
We concluded the live session with a Q&A time and outlined practical next steps both individuals and congregations can take.
Follow Up Webinar - April 11, 9am pacific/12 pm centralJoin Mike Martin as he lays out the specific and very tangible steps toward becoming a gun decommissioning site. Pastor Amy Kasari will offer more specifics and reflections on the formational journey she and her team have guided their congregation through in preparation for this work. Rev. Deanna Hollas will orient us and offer an invitation to a five-week Guns to Garden Tools Action Circle. Q&A will be integrated throughout the entire 1-hour conversation.
Register here (free) and invite other leaders from your congregation to do the same: https://share.hsforms.com/14V2mC07xSPSiPsdLJGWslAc3ovn
Three Resources for Continued Learning:* Sermon on Psalm 2 by Global Immersion’s Dr. Jer Swigart that pushes against the notion that God endorses violence and that invites us toward a more hopeful theology: https://youtu.be/X3PCjLv7-Bw
* Beating Guns Documentary: https://www.beatingguns.com/documentary
* Beating Guns Book: https://www.beatingguns.com/
In today's episode, we have the privilege of meeting Jon's dad, Doug Huckins. Jon and his dad share how they have navigated their own conversations (and convictions) around politics, faith, and their commitment to each other. The episode is both personal and accessible. They discuss the impact of their families of origin on their politics, the historical relationship between faith and politics in the United States, and what they learned from working through hard conversations as father and son. They haven't always seen eye to eye on these topics, but their shared willingness to continue to lean in and get curious has sustained the trust needed to move forward in relationship. It's a model of the curiosity and humility needed to do this work.
LINKS:
- Download the free Peace & Politics Practice Guide: https://globalimmerse.org/podcast
- Become an EMBER: https://globalimmerse.org/donate/
- Learn about our cohorts: https://globalimmerse.org/leaders/cohorts/
- Contemplative Prayer with Global Immersion (Weekly on Tues, Wed, and Thur at 7am PST): https://share.hsforms.com/1KMGPA1DaSxOQs9GOp3gDowc3ovn
- Conflicted Allegiance: https://globalimmerse.org/public-programs/conflicted-allegiance/
- Learn more about Global Immersion: https://globalimmerse.org
Doug Huckins Bio:
From 1969 to 1973, Doug Huckins served in the US Coast Guard as an electrician and scuba diver and in the Army Reserve from 1979-2001, which included a tour of duty in the Gulf War and advancement to Major. Doug also served as a Game Warden until his retirement in 2014, fulfilling a lifelong dream, earning the California governor's Medal of Valor for rescuing three fishermen in the surf whose boat had overturned in February 1996. It was while he was serving in the Coast Guard that Doug became a Jesus follower and later served as a youth pastor and deacon in Morrow Bay and later as an elder at SVCC in Salinas. He has been married to his beautiful wife since 1973, and together they have four children, including Global Immersion’s own Jon Huckins. And in 2008, Doug became a Grampy, which in his mind is the best role ever.
Music from Epidemic Sound: We Are Giants by Silver Maple:https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ICEht6ut6b/
Executive Director of Christians for Social Action Nikki Toyama-Szeto talks about taking a holistic view of our lives when it comes to political action and our votes. When we bring our whole selves to the voting booth, it becomes part of our spiritual formation, so we should approach the way we vote as part of our discipleship.
LINKS:
- Download the free Peace & Politics Practice Guide: https://globalimmerse.org/podcast
- Become an EMBER: https://globalimmerse.org/donate/
- Learn about our cohorts: https://globalimmerse.org/leaders/cohorts/
- Contemplative Prayer with Global Immersion (Weekly on Tues, Wed, and Thur at 7am PST): https://share.hsforms.com/1KMGPA1DaSxOQs9GOp3gDowc3ovn
- Conflicted Allegiance: https://globalimmerse.org/public-programs/conflicted-allegiance/
- Learn more about Global Immersion: https://globalimmerse.org
- Christians for Social Action: https://christiansforsocialaction.org/
- Follow Nikki on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ntoyamaszeto
Nikki Toyama-Szeto Bio:
Nikki helps Christians have a faith-fueled engagement with the world’s most challenging issues. Before coming to CSA in 2017, she served in leadership positions at International Justice Mission, the Urbana Conference, and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She loves working with communities around the world, whether through scripture, thoughtful reflection on leadership, or stirring the spiritual imagination.
Nikki writes on justice, leadership, gender issues, and racial justice for various magazines, and she serves as a “Leading Voice” for the Missio Alliance. She’s the host of the podcast, “20 Minute Takes. Her work was profiled on NPR’s “On Point,” Outreach Magazine’s Leadership Issue (Sept. 2017, Cover), Religion and Politics (Aug. 2018), Christianity Today’s “Who’s Next?” and Rejuvenate Magazine’s “40 under 40.”
She is a co-editor of the book More than Serving Tea (IVP, 2006), a collection of essays, stories, and poems looking at the intersection of race, gender, and faith for Asian American women. She also co-wrote Partnering with the Global Church (IVP, 2012) with Femi Adeleye and edited the Urbana Onward series. She is a co-author of The God of Justice: IJM Institute’s Global Church Curriculum (IVP, 2015).
She has a mechanical engineering degree from Stanford University and completed her masters in organizational leadership at Eastern University, studying in South Africa. Nikki resides in the DC metro area with her family.
Music from Epidemic Sound: We Are Giants by Silver Maple:https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ICEht6ut6b/
In this episode, activist Shane Claiborne echoes Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s framework that the Church is not the master or the servant of the State, but the consciousness of the State. This is a framework that gives us the freedom as Jesus-followers to actively and wholeheartedly engage with politics. It is our job that when the State causes harm to our fellow image-bearers, we critique the State at the ballot box because of our convictions of love and God’s desire to see human flourishing.
LINKS:
- Download the free Peace & Politics Practice Guide: https://globalimmerse.org/podcast
- Become an EMBER: https://globalimmerse.org/donate/
- Learn about our cohorts: https://globalimmerse.org/leaders/cohorts/
- Conflicted Allegiance: https://globalimmerse.org/public-programs/conflicted-allegiance/
- Learn more about Global Immersion: https://globalimmerse.org/
- Common Prayer: https://commonprayer.net/
- Shane’s Website: www.shaneclaiborne.com/
- Red Letter Christians: https://www.redletterchristians.org/
- Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne
- Follow Shane on Facebook: @ShaneClaiborne
- Follow Shane on Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne
Shane Claiborne Bio:
Shane Claiborne is a prominent speaker, activist, and best-selling author. Shane worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, and founded The Simple Way in Philadelphia. He heads up Red Letter Christians, a movement of folks who are committed to living "as if Jesus meant the things he said." Shane is a champion for grace which has led him to jail advocating for the homeless, and to places like Iraq and Afghanistan to stand against war. Now grace fuels his passion to end the death penalty and help stop gun violence.
Shane’s books include Jesus for President, Red Letter Revolution, Common Prayer, Follow Me to Freedom, Jesus, Bombs and Ice Cream, Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers, Executing Grace, his classic The Irresistible Revolution, Beating Guns, and his newest book, Rethinking Life (to be released February 2023). He has been featured in a number of films including "Another World Is Possible" and "Ordinary Radicals." His books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Shane speaks over one hundred times a year, nationally and internationally. His work has appeared in Esquire, SPIN, Christianity Today, TIME, and The Wall Street Journal, and he has been on everything from Fox News and Al Jazeera to CNN and NPR. He’s given academic lectures at Harvard, Princeton, Liberty, Duke, and Notre Dame.
Music from Epidemic Sound: We Are Giants by Silver Maple:https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ICEht6ut6b/
In this episode, author and pastor Dominique Gilliard helps us think beyond our left/right binary by rooting us in the biblical text. For Dominique, the question “where is it written?” is central to how he thinks about civic engagement and is a practice that can help keep us from getting swept up in our culture wars. In continually turning back to the texts, Dominique reminds us that we should be the ones modeling a biblical move toward peacemaking.
Links:
- Dominique’s Recommendation - The Sum of Us Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/19VMtc487rqmrb6GC8eRvd
- Download the free Peace & Politics Practice Guide: https://globalimmerse.org/podcast
- Become an EMBER: https://globalimmerse.org/donate/
- Learn about our cohorts: https://globalimmerse.org/leaders/
- Contemplative Prayer with Global Immersion (Weekly on Tues, Wed, and Thur at 7am PST): https://share.hsforms.com/1KMGPA1DaSxOQs9GOp3gDowc3ovn
- Conflicted Allegiance: https://globalimmerse.org/public-programs/conflicted-allegiance/
- Learn more about Global Immersion: https://globalimmerse.org/
- Dominique’s Website: https://dominiquegilliard.com/
- Buy Subversive Witness:
- Follow Dominique on Facebook: @DominiqueDGilliard
- Follow Dominique on Instagram: @dominiquedgilliard
- Follow Dominique on Twitter: @DDGilliard
Dominique Gilliard Bio: Dominique DuBois Gilliard is the Director of Racial Righteousness and Reconciliation for the Love Mercy Do Justice (LMDJ) initiative of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). He is the author of Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice that Restores, which won the 2018 Book of the Year Award for InterVarsity Press. Gilliard also serves on the board of directors for the Christian Community Development Association and Evangelicals for Justice. In 2015, he was selected as one of the ECC’s “40 Under 40” leaders to watch, and the Huffington Post named him one of the “Black Christian Leaders Changing the World.”
Music from Epidemic Sound: We Are Giants by Silver Maple: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ICEht6ut6b/
Angela is a pastor and journalist compelled to help people connect with their political other. Her experience as a political moderate who lives in an urban setting and pastors in a rural setting, as well as her life story, led her to the research and writing of Red State Christians in the wake of Donald Trump’s election. Deeply self-aware of her social location and the communities she is called to, Angela speaks about the need to live with both dissonance and discernment - acknowledging the need to let the dissonance we experience when we are close to our political other shape and grow us and allow the Spirit to work within us.
Links:
- Download the free Peace & Politics Practice Guide: https://globalimmerse.org/podcast
- Become an EMBER: https://globalimmerse.org/donate/
- Learn about our cohorts: https://globalimmerse.org/leaders/
- Contemplative Prayer with Global Immersion (Weekly on Tues, Wed, and Thur at 7am PST): https://share.hsforms.com/1KMGPA1DaSxOQs9GOp3gDowc3ovn
- Conflicted Allegiance: https://globalimmerse.org/public-programs/conflicted-allegiance/
- Learn more about Global Immersion: https://globalimmerse.org/
- Angela’s Website: https://www.angeladenker.com/
- Buy Red State Christians: https://www.angeladenker.com/current-projects
- Follow Angela on Twitter: https://twitter.com/angela_denker
Angela Denker's Bio:
Angela Denker is a Lutheran pastor and veteran journalist. She's written for many publications, including Sports Illustrated, The Washington Post, and FORTUNE magazine. Denker has appeared on CNN, BBC, and SkyNews to share her research on politics and Christian Nationalism in the U.S. Her book, Red State Christians: Understanding the Voters who elected Donald Trump, was the 2019 Silver Foreword Indies award-winner for political and social sciences.
Music from Epidemic Sound: We Are Giants by Silver Maple: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ICEht6ut6b/
In this episode, we talk with pastor and activist Carlos Rodríguez about leveraging our votes for the sake of those on the margins, being willing to have conversations and debates with those we deeply disagree with, and not allowing our political beliefs to insulate and isolate us from those who are experiencing the pain of broken policies. With both joy and deep conviction, Carlos invites us not just to flip tables, but to go and build better ones.
Links:
- Download the free Peace & Politics Practice Guide: https://globalimmerse.org/podcast
- Become an EMBER: https://globalimmerse.org/donate/
- Learn about our cohorts: https://globalimmerse.org/leaders/
- Conflicted Allegiance: https://globalimmerse.org/public-programs/conflicted-allegiance/
- Learn more about Global Immersion: https://globalimmerse.org/
- TheHappyGivers.com
- Follow Carlos on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carloshappynpo/
- Follow The Happy Givers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehappygivers/
- Follow Carlos on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarlosHappyNPO
- Follow The Happy Givers on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thehappygivers
- Follow Carlos on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarlosHappyNPO/
- Follow The Happy Givers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHappyGivers/
Carlos Rodríguez's Bio:
Carlos A. Rodríguez is a pastor, an activist, and a communicator. He's the CEO of The Happy Givers and the author of Simply Sonship and Drop The Stones. Together with his wife Catherine, they have three gorgeous children and have moved to Puerto Rico to continue relief efforts all over the Caribbean post hurricane Irma and Maria. Support their non-profit work at TheHappyGivers.com
Music from Epidemic Sound: We Are Giants by Silver Maple: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ICEht6ut6b/
Dr. David Gushee is one of the world’s leading Christian social ethicists who tackles the most polarizing issues of our day by asking the question, “As followers of Jesus, how shall we live?” In this episode, he asks that question in relation to politics. David guides us on a journey into the heart and history of democracy and makes the case for Christians to engage in it thoughtfully and proactively. No political system is perfect, but democracy gives us the opportunity to engage in politics for the sake of justice, peace, and human flourishing. And, if we are not careful, one manifestation of Christianity could lead to democracy’s end.
Links:
- Download the free Peace & Politics Practice Guide: https://globalimmerse.org/podcast
- Become an EMBER: https://globalimmerse.org/donate/
- Learn about our cohorts: https://globalimmerse.org/leaders/
- Contemplative Prayer with Global Immersion (Weekly on Tues, Wed, and Thur at 7am PST): https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/vJQofu-rrj0qs5CmPWmkDZvtzmqJ43IJZg
- Conflicted Allegiance: https://globalimmerse.org/public-programs/conflicted-allegiance/
- Learn more about Global Immersion: https://globalimmerse.org/
- Dr. Gushee's Website: https://davidpgushee.com
Dr. Gushee's Bio:
Dr. David P. Gushee (PhD, Union Theological Seminary, New York) is an ethicist, pastor, author, and advocate. He is the Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University, and Chair of Christian Social Ethics at Vrije Universiteit (“Free University”) Amsterdam, and Senior Research Fellow, International Baptist Theological Study Centre.
Gushee is the elected Past-President of both the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Christian Ethics, signaling his role as one of America's leading Christian ethicists. He is the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of more than 25 books and over 175 academic book chapters, journal articles, and reviews. His most recognized works include Introducing Christian Ethics, Righteous Gentiles of the Holocaust, Kingdom Ethics, and The Sacredness of Human Life. With his Changing Our Mind (more than 25,000 sold) and After Evangelicalism, he charts a theological and ethical course for post-evangelical Christians, a course he more personally relates in memoir, Still Christian. Altogether his books have sold over 100,000 copies and been translated into a dozen languages.
Music from Epidemic Sound: We Are Giants by Silver Maple: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ICEht6ut6b/
As a soldier serving in the US military, Diana Oestreich heard God’s call to disarm her gun while on the battlefield and turn towards peacemaking. As we hear from her in this episode, Diana’s radical conviction of peacemaking offers us a renewed sense of our own calls to be Everyday Peacemakers. She invites us to remember that at the core of how we vote and engage in politics must be an other-centered practice because we all belong to each other.
Links:
- Download the free Peace & Politics Practice Guide: https://globalimmerse.org/podcast
- Become an EMBER: https://globalimmerse.org/donate/
- Learn about our cohorts: https://globalimmerse.org/leaders/
- Contemplative Prayer with Global Immersion (Weekly on Tues, Wed, and Thur at 7am PST): https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/vJQofu-rrj0qs5CmPWmkDZvtzmqJ43IJZg
- Conflicted Allegiance: https://globalimmerse.org/public-programs/conflicted-allegiance/
- Learn more about Global Immersion: https://globalimmerse.org/
- Diana’s Website: https://www.dianaoestreich.com/
- Waging Peace Project: https://www.dianaoestreich.com/waging-peace-project
- Follow Diana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianaoestreich/
- Follow Diana on Twitter: https://twitter.com/oestreichdiana1
- Follow Diana on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DianaKOestreich
Diana Oestreich Bio:
Diana Oestreich is a soldier-turned-peacemaker and author of Waging Peace. She heard God’s call to love her enemies in the most unlikely place: on the battlefield of Iraq. Diana is a Peacemaker, Author, Activist, Veteran, and former sexual assault nurse. Speaking across the country, she empowers us to identify our own rural, urban, political or religious divides to cross our own “enemy lines” in order to remake the world and heal all that’s tearing us apart.
Music from Epidemic Sound: We Are Giants by Silver Maple: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ICEht6ut6b/
In this episode, Osheta and Jon share personal stories that led them to care so deeply about peace in the public square. Offering a brief overview of the history of Christian engagement in politics, and critiquing our tendency toward nationalism or apolitical withdrawal, Jon outlines a framework for engaging politics as kingdom citizens. Inviting us into her experience as a Black woman who is directly impacted by broken policies, Osheta shares why it’s important to understand the role of power, generational trauma and “rest as resistance” for those on the margins in pursuit of peace. She tells her story as a former Christian Nationalist and Apolitical Anabaptist that led her to embracing Contemplative Activism as her guide to following Jesus in politics.
In this episode:
- Defining the terms “peace” and “politics”
- Historical overview of Christians in politics
- Practical framework for engaging politics as kingdom citizens
- How and why BIPOC communities experience the midterms differently than dominant culture folks
- An invitation to Contemplative Activism as the source of our peacemaking practice
- Tangible next steps and resources for practice
Links:
Download the free Peace & Politics Practice Guide: https://globalimmerse.org/podcast
Contemplative Prayer with Global Immersion (Weekly on Tues, Wed and Thur at 7am PST): https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/vJQofu-rrj0qs5CmPWmkDZvtzmqJ43IJZg
Conflicted Allegiance: https://globalimmerse.org/public-programs/conflicted-allegiance/
Learn more about Global Immersion: https://globalimmerse.org/ Osheta Moore’s Website: http://osheta.com/ Follow Osheta’s on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oshetamoore/
Osheta Moore Bio:
Pastor, speaker, mother, wife: Osheta Moore is passionate about peacemaking, racial reconciliation, and community development in the urban core. Osheta (pronounced o-she-da, and no, it doesn’t mean anything, she says, “my dad just made it up”) serves as Pastor of Community life at Roots Covenant Church alongside her husband. Osheta is passionate about equipping the church to be everyday peacemakers. She is the author of Shalom Sistas, an invitation to women to practice the Hebraic concept of Shalom in their everyday lives, and her most recent book, Dear White Peacemakers, is a love letter to White Christians on their anti-racism peacemaking journey. She is also completing her two-year program to become a Spiritual Director so that she can help equip peacemakers with practices and prayers for the journey. Osheta has “flying in a hot-air balloon” at the top of her bucket list, and she is firmly convinced that everything is better after a nap. Follow Osheta on Instagram @oshetamoore for encouragement to practice everyday peacemaking and invitations for White Peacemakers on their journey towards anti-racism.
Music from Epidemic Sound: We Are Giants by Silver Maple: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ICEht6ut6b/
Politics and Peace.
In the midst of today’s violent political rhetoric, the weight of oppressive systems crushing those on the margins, and family holidays becoming more complex to navigate, it’s hard to imagine how politics and peace have any connection.
We think they do, so much so that we are committing an entire podcast season to it.
As we enter the midterm elections, we're thrilled to announce that the next season of the Everyday Peacemaking podcast will focus entirely on Peace and Politics, exploring how we become Everyday Peacemakers in and outside of the voting booth.
Friends, politics doesn’t have to be such a scary word. It can simply be defined as the “ordering of society.”
Every society has to make decisions about how we order ourselves.
Everything is political, so we're going to talk about it.
This season, we are going to have the conversations that equip us to leverage our votes for the benefit of those on the underside of our broken systems. We are also going to have the conversations that free us up to have hard and healing conversations with family and friends who might think differently than we do.
Co-hosted by writer, speaker and peacemaker Osheta Moore, and our co-founding director, Jon Huckins, this season will be filled with dynamic interviews (with amazing guests each week!) and tangible practices that help us mend divides this election season.
We hope you’ll join us on the Everyday Peacemaking podcast for this season. Episodes will be released starting mid-September.
Learn more about Global Immersion: https://globalimmerse.org/ Music from Epidemic Sound: We Are Giants by Silver Maple: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ICEht6ut6b/
In this episode, we hear from Irish poet and peacemaker, Padraig O Tuama who focused on the power of language to restore broken relationships and provided conversational tools for disarming everyday conflict.
Follow Padraig and his work here: http://www.padraigotuama.com/
Music for this episode is by Scott Holmes: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/
Learn more about Global Immersion here: https://globalimmerse.org/
In this episode, we hear from Israeli peacemaker, Robi Damelin who insists that the work of reconciliation is a process that requires hope and that, over time, over takes our way of being.
Follow Robi and her work here: https://www.theparentscircle.org
Music for this episode is by Scott Holmes: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/
Learn more about Global Immersion here: https://globalimmerse.org/
In this episode, we hear from Oakland-based peacemaker, Rev. Ben McBride who challenged us to be hard on systems and soft on people; to prioritize formation in the stillness so that we can operate with more mercy in the storms; and to honor the image of God in our perceived allies as well as our perceived enemies.
Follow Ben and his work here: http://www.benmcbride.com/
Music for this episode is by Scott Holmes: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/
Learn more about Global Immersion here: https://globalimmerse.org/
In this episode, we hear from Twin Cities-based author & peacemaker, Osheta Moore who invites us to receive the reality of our own belovedness so that we can better acknowledge the belovedness in one another.
Follow Osheta and her work here: http://osheta.com
Music for this episode is by Scott Holmes: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/
Learn more about Global Immersion here: https://globalimmerse.org/
In this episode, we hear from Australian peacemaker, Jarrod McKenna who invites us to allow the Spirit of Jesus to disarm us, un-shame us, and relax us into the work of #RestoringFriendship.
Follow Jarrod’s and his work here: https://jarrodmckenna.com
Music for this episode is by Scott Holmes: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/
Learn more about Global Immersion here: https://globalimmerse.org/
Throughout the COVID19 pandemic, differing perspectives on faith, politics, race, and even vaccinations have caused many to terminate relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Because interpersonal peacemaking is a priority for Everyday Peacemakers, we invited five friends and global peacemakers to reflect on how they prioritize relationships, tend to interrupted friendships, and build uncommon alliances. Our first ever Bonus Season features Australian peacemaker, Jarrod McKenna, U.S. American peacemakers, Osheta Moore and Rev. Ben McBride, Israeli peacemaker, Robi Damelin, and Irish poet and peacemaker, Pádraig Ó Tuama.
Our guests this week are two unlikely friends and church leaders, Sarah and Lamont, who are doing exactly that—they don’t always agree, they don’t have everything in common, yet they lead their congregations in fighting for common ground and deeper friendship because it’s the only way to lasting peace.
https://revsarahheath.com/
https://lamonthartman.com/
https://www.costamesafirstumc.com/
This week on the Everyday Peacemaker podcast we hear from Karlin and Monica, two unlikely friends whose faith and love for waging peace in a rural Idaho community is transforming everything around them.
This week on the Everyday Peacemaker podcast, Mary Nichols offers a beautiful reminder that the greatest peacemaking work any of us can do starts within, with the inner work we do as we move toward a place of peace within our own bodies.
This week on the Everyday Peacemaker Podcast we hear from Ellie Roscher, a practical theologian, mama of two, and professional boundary crosser whose enthusiasm for the work of recognizing her own power and privilege is infectious.
Ellie's Website: https://ellieroscher.com/
Resmaa Menaken On Being episode: https://onbeing.org/programs/resmaa-menakem-notice-the-rage-notice-the-silence/
My Grandmother's Hands: https://www.resmaa.com/merch-2
This week on the podcast, subversive neighbor, theologian, and pastor Chris Nafis discusses faith, better practical expressions of theology, and his experiences leading a church of people who either were or are currently experiencing homelessness.
This week’s everyday peacemaker is Catherine, a San Diego-based actor-artist leveraging her craft to tell stories that bend toward justice, empathy, and understanding. If you’re a maker or an artist looking to wage peace through creativity, don’t miss this one!
Learn more about Catherine's incredible work at https://www.blindspotcollective.org/
This week on the podcast, peacemaker-pastor David Bridges opens up about his experiences leading a congregation as they wage peace in Texas. David emphasizes the power and importance of celebration, dealing with escapist heaven/hell theology, and going out of your way to learn from those suffering most.
The Everyday Peacemaking podcast returns with and incredible conversation with Mindy Plick.
As we wrap up season one of the new Everyday Peacemaking podcast, we took time to reflect on 2020, division in the USA, the pandemic, and the impact we can have as everyday peacemakers moving into the new year
globalimmerse.org
After a decade of peacemaking work in Iraq, Matt Willingham and his family returned to the U.S. and gain a unique and powerful perspective.
On this weeks episode, we get the gift of hearing about his experience.
globalimmerse.org
In this week’s episode of the podcast, find out how everyday peacemaker Ryan Crane got creative in love and how it transformed his entire school.
Globalimmerse.org
This week on the podcast, campus pastor and international ministry director Liliana Reza shares her story of growing up along the US-Mexico border and how it informs her peacemaking work alongside college students every day.
globalimmerse.org
Singer-songwriter Derek Rice joins us on the podcast and reminds: if you wonder what you need to gain to become a peacemaker, look at what’s already in your hands.
Find Derek on Spotify here https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ksokeeB21ABon5AKkqiMj?si=olh3VKAZRRKfKjQX_Qfa0Q
globalimmerse.org
This week on the podcast, our own Hailey Mitsui shares her story of moving from burnout and compassion fatigue toward the more sustainable, more transformative way of contemplative peacemaking.
This week’s conversation is with Mary, an everyday peacemaker calling us to choose discomfort, plan on inconvenience, and be thankful for hard conversations because that’s how we grow and how peace and restoration are made possible.
Immigration.
It feels like a lot has changed since we told the world to "give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...”
Today on the podcast, immigrant-turned-advocate, Samuel Tsoi, shares his belief in the power and importance of immigrants.
Originally born in Hong Kong, Samuel now lives in San Diego and works as a community organizer and advocate for refugees, migrants, and other new neighbors along the border. Why? Because he thinks we need a new way of seeing our new arrivals. As he put it:
“Part of this is my drive, being an immigrant. I want immigrants to not be presented in such a negative light in the media or seen as a problem but instead seen as an opportunity. And if we don’t take advantage of this opportunity, of having immigrants being in our cities, we’ll miss out. We should take advantage of the fact that people are coming, they’re here, they’re contributing, and they’re making out communities more dynamic.”
What does it mean for a Christian to be a patriot? How should the Church relate to the nation state, especially one as powerful as the United States?
In this episode, Jon Huckins shares two ways Christians often approach politics and then offers a third way he calls ‘a conflicted allegiance.’
At this critical moment in our nation’s history, we as the people of Jesus must pledge our allegiance first and foremost to the Kingdom of God. The only proper allegiance as US Americans is a conflicted one, allowing the values of the Kingdom to guide us and, at times, put us in opposition with our government as we vote, debate, and find a way forward together.
We know the political divide in our nation is growing, but what can we do about it? The problem feels too big. The stakes feel too high. This week on the podcast, everyday peacemaker Julie Ethan shares her story of finding common ground with her political opposition and how the friendships transformed her.
globalimmerse.org
Throughout the series, we will feature a story from the life of one of our hosts. Today we hear from Global Immersion Co-Founder, Jer Swigart with a truly riveting story from his home in Bend, Oregon.
www.globalimmerse.org
Samantha Ham takes us on a journey from her own life regarding the way that she viewed God, and how that shapes the way she shows up in her vocation as an everyday peacemaker.
www.globalimmerse.org
Welcome to the The Everyday Peacemaking Podcast, featuring Everyday Peacemakers who are embedded within a world divided by difference and who are choosing to move toward conflict with the tools to heal rather than to win. We are the Everyday Peacemaking Community and these are our stories.