The Gospel and Justice: Recent Episodes
Andy Manley
The word justice can mean all kinds of things in our culture. Depending on political and social views, justice can mean all kinds of things.What if reclaiming a Biblical view of justice can compel us to take part in God's reconciliation in our world?
Jeff Chaisson is the director of Salty Family Services in Ormond Beach Florida. Salty Family Services Mission is to rescue, serve, and empower to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Salty Family Services is a part of Salty Church. If you have ever wondered how churches can have a deep community impact, and start to change the dynamics of families and individuals before trauma grows, this is the episode to help start the conversation.
To connect with Jeff, you can email him at:
Jeff@salty.org
You can also learn more about Salty Family Services and the work they do here:
Salty Family Services Website
Today's guest is Dr. Danny Carroll Rodas. Dr. Carroll Rodas is a Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College and has written a number of influential books and I can't recommend his work enough. He is one of the forefront voices on a Christian perspective on immigration tracing it throughout the entirety of scripture and how it applies today.
Today we dive into his book The Bible and Borders: Hearing God's Word on Immigration. In a political climate where this topic is weaponized, Dr. Carroll Rodas helps people process what the Bible actually says.
Check out his books here!
The Bible and Borders: Hearing God's Word on Immigration
Reading the Bible Latinamente: Latino/a Interpretation for the Life of the Church
Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church and the Bible
Today's guest is Eric Basye. This is the second time Eric has been on the podcast and I was so excited to talk with him.
Eric recently took over as the director of Child Bridge Montana. Child Bridge finds and equips foster and adoptive families for children who have suffered abuse and neglect. After dedicating himself to community economic development in Billings Montana, we have the chance to talk about what it's like to transition to a new organization that is doing different work while still making a Gospel impact.
Learn more about Child Bridge
https://www.childbridgemontana.org/
Interested in a career with Child Bridge making an impact on kids and families?
https://www.childbridgemontana.org/careers
John Ashmen is the president of the City Gate Network. The City Gate Network is a network of rescue missions throughout North America.
In this conversation, we talk about the complexity of trying to help people who have found themselves homeless. John talks about a number of factors that lead to homelessness, the governments response, and how churches and believers can become a part of the solution.
Invisible Neighbors John Ashman
City Gate Network
Questions / Comments?
info@thegospelandjustice.com
George Yancey is a Professor of Sociology and also a part of the Institute of Religious Studies at Baylor University. He is the author of multiple books, including, Beyond Racial Division; A Unifying Alternative to Colorblindness and Antiracism. He also studies and writes about anti-christian attitudes in America.
In this conversation, we talk about his book, Beyond Racial Division,and how a Christian world view can bring racial reconciliation.
George Yancey's Books
George Yancey's Curriculum for Diversity Training for Churches
Questions / Comments?
info@thegospelandjustice.com
Brent Colby is a missionary to Brussels, Belgium. Previously, he was the Northwest Ministry Network's Kid's Ministry director. He was also on staff at Evergreen Christian Community in Olympia, Washington. He also holds a Doctorate in Christian Education.
Brent is currently a professor in at a university in Brussels. He trains and equips pastors to plant churches in post Christian contexts.
In this conversation, we talk about what it's like to be a missionary in Europe and the challenges that come with it. We also talk about what evangelism looks like in this context.
To learn more and support the Colby's
www.colbycommission.org
Questions / Comments?
info@thegospelandjustice.com
Andrew Dawson is the founder of Operation For Freedom. After serving in different pastoral ministry roles, he felt called to fight human trafficking. His organization helps prevent some of the root causes that are connected to trafficking as well as helping people find hope and transition out of it.
In this episode we talk about common misconceptions about trafficking. We also talk about the complexity of the issue and how people can get involved in combatting this issue.
To connect with Andrew and his team, you can email them at Info@operationforfreedom.org
https://www.operationforfreedom.org
Questions / Comments:
info@thegospelandjustice.com
Ken Rice runs Samayra Coffee Co. with his wife Jalee. They started Samayra two years ago in Olympia, Washington. Prior to running Samayra, Ken was a pastor for over 20 years. He's held a number of roles including executive pastor of ministries as well as planting a church.
In this episode, we talk about running a business as a mission. Through a coffee shop, they have been able to create a safe place for people in the community to find healing. They view themselves as a front door to the church. We also talk about transitioning from pastoral ministry to seeing business as ministry and all the challenges that come along with it.
Questions / Comments?
info@thegospelandjustice.com
samayracoffee.com
Zach Claussen is a pastor in the Minneapolis area. He is a part of a church that has five campuses as well as an online campus. He has his Bachelors Degree in Evangelism and Church Planing and his Masters Degree in Leadership Studies.
In this episode we talk about pastoring through political campaigns and elections. How do you pastor a diverse group of people who are being pulled at by political affiliations?
Questions / Comments
info@thegospelandjustice.com
Joe Epley is the Network Youth Director for the Assemblies of God in Montana. He oversees leadership for Kids and Youth ministries in the network. Previously, he was on staff as a Youth Pastor as well as an Associate Pastor for the last 10 years. He also holds a Masters Degree in Ministry Leadership from Trinity Bible College.
In this episode we talk about what role justice has in discipleship. In our usual discipleship settings, are we neglecting the Biblical concept of engaging in restorative justice.
Tyler Staton - Justice Summit: Session 1
Questions / Comments?
info@thegospelandjustice.com
Simon Wilce is the Executive Director of Christians Against Poverty America. CAP started in England by John Kirkby and spread across the country as churches began helping people get out of poverty. Simon eventually moved to America and started the American branch.
In this episode we talk about the history of their organization and helping people find their way out of poverty. We talk about the different factors that lead to poverty in America and England.
CAP partners with local churches and empowers them to reach their communities. To learn more check out their website capamerica.org
Questions / Comments?
info@thegospelandjustice.com
David Reyes is a worship leader at Evergreen Christian Community in Olympia, Washington. He has written and recorded music as well as lead worship in all kinds of different contexts.
In this episode we talk about how to lead multicultural worship experiences. We talk about the challenges and blindspots that many of us have that hold us back from building multicultural communities.
Questions / Comments?
info@thegospelandjustice.com
Stephanie Smith is a licensed counselor in Olympia, Washington. She has been in the mental heath field for around the last twenty years. She is also involved in marriage ministry in the local church.
In this conversation we talk about the lasting impact of covid on mental health in America. The impacts of covid and isolation did not stop after quarantine stopped. As believers, we have an opportunity to bring hope and peace to the world around us. Churches have the opportunity to be the front door for people seeking emotional health.
Questions / Comments?
info@thegospelandjustice.com
Joe Perry went to Wheaton College and interned with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Joe spent months in the UK interviewing 70 church leaders about evangelism and what ministry is like in the UK.
In this conversation we talk about ministry and evangelism in a post Christian context. We also talk about how churches in the UK engaged in social issues and how it did, or did not, influence evangelism.
Questions / Comments?
info@thegospelandjustice.com
Logan Joyce is the founder of Gray Matter Growth. After graduating from North Central University he joined the staff of a growing church in the Minneapolis area. He later transitioned into leadership consulting and helps organizations and individuals lead from a healthy place.
After graduating from North Central he also received a Master's degrees in Global Leadership and Organizational Development.
In this conversation, we talk about leadership trends and how to build healthy leadership teams.
Questions / Comments
info@thegospelandjustice.com
Sam Heath is the manager of Equal Justice USA the Evangelical Network. Sam joined the Equal justice team in 2021. They advocate against the death penalty and help people rethink what justice can look like.
In this episode, we talk about how our view of punishment and justice is affecting the criminal justice system. As believers, how can we shift our focus to restoration?
Questions / Comments?
info@thegospelandjustice.com
Learn more about Equal Justice USA the Evangelical Network
evangelical.ejusa.org
Kyle Stutzman has had various ministry positions including Youth, Young Adult, and Online pastor. We were on staff together in Olympia Washington. Kyle has a bachelor's degree from Northwest University in Pastoral Ministry.
Research says that Generation Z cares about and wants to engage in justice. In this episode we talk about how churches can connect with Gen Z and help listen and shape the conversation in a Biblical way.
Questions / Comments?
info@thegospelandjustice.com
Article
"Gen Z is Turning Away From Religion in Order to Live Out Their Values"
James Manley is a retired District Court Judge in Montana and also... my father! As a new judge, he quickly realized how addiction and drugs were impacting how many people were getting incarcerated.
He did all he could to understand addiction and the path to rehabilitation. Out of this, he and several community members formed a drug court that was aimed at long term success after addiction.
In this episode we talk about the different components of addiction and what it looks like to help people overcome it. What does true restoration look like and are our current models of incarceration making the problem worse?
Questions / Comments
info@thegospelandjustice.com
Eric Basye is the Executive Director at Community Leadership & Development Inc. CLDI is a nonprofit organization based in the Southside of Billings, Montana. They take a holistic approach to meeting the needs of the community.
In this episode Eric talks about what CLDI is doing and how he ended up becoming the director and moving to the Southside. We talk about how the Gospel can not only meet the spiritual needs but also the physical, social, and economic needs.
If you are interested in reaching out to Eric, and are thinking about a similar path, you can email him at ebasye@thefocusgroup.com
Questions / Comments - info@thegospelandjustice.com
Riley Sampson is a high school Social Studies and Government teacher.
In this episode we talk about Critical Race Theory and how it's become controversial. There's growing pressure on teachers and what they teach while certain topics become politicized. We talk about what CRT is and isn't.
A growing number of teachers and leaders have come under pressure regarding CRT -so how do we, as believers, think critically and advocate well?
Contact
info@thegospelandjustice.com
Articles
NBC Article
Education Week Article
We’ve got some great people coming on in the next few weeks but this is a solo episode.
What is Biblical Justice and how do we talk about it well?
As believers, scripture continually talks about justice and our role in it… But talking about justice is hard in many evangelical circles. How do we reconcile what Scripture teaches and the cultural pressures we face?
John Stott and Billy Graham article
Joe Epley returns.
Joe Epley is a pastor in Baker Montana. He ended up helping start and now leads a non-profit that raises the awareness of mental health in their county.
We eventually talk about the importance of building emotionally healthy cultures within leadership and churches.
Brandon Stiver is the Senior Director of Global Programs and Partnerships at 1MILLIONHOME. 1MILLIONHOME works to reunify families and bring kids home from orphanages.
In this episode, we talk about the orphanage system throughout the world and issues that they create. This also leads us to talk about some of the issues with many short term missions trips.
To learn more about 1MILLIONHOME and the work Brandon and the team are doing check out 1millionhome.com
Joe Epley is a pastor in Baker, Montana and holds his Master's Degree from Trinity Bible College. He is passionate about helping the church thrive in rural communities. He is the host of the Rural Advancement Podcast.
In this episode we talk about how politics and culture have the ability to shape our view of justice. Justice has come to mean all kinds of things, but as Christians, we have to look at issues Biblically.
Ashley Wambach is the founder of Compelled to Care in Olympia WA.
Compelled to care started out as a ministry within a church. Ashley's goal was to come alongside families who are fostering kids. The ministry met a huge need and its impact kept growing.
Compelled to care became a full non profit and works to help strengthen families who are fostering kids in Washington State. Helping build healthier families is key to helping kids grow and thrive.
Jim Ladd is the lead pastor of Evergreen Christian Community. He has been a lead pastor of multiple churches and has served at Evergreen for over 10 years. Evergreen Christian has a major impact on its city.
Evergreen is located in Olympia which is the capital of Washington. It is a highly progressive city in the Pacific Northwest.
In this episode, we talk about what it was like to pastor a church in 2020 through all of the elections, leading the conversation with your church about racial reconciliation, and navigating COVID.
Dr. Alaine Buchanan is a professor at both Northwest and North Central University. She holds her doctorate from Regent University.
In this episode, we talk about how justice fits into the narrative of Scripture. Justice isn't just an action or an idea. Justice is a part of God's story of fixing what's broken and drawing us to himsel