Think Global, Do Justice

Latest Episodes:

Yasmine Vaughan - Collaborating Together for Global Health Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

In episode 256, Brandon and Phil get a crash course in global health from Yasmine Vaughan. Yasmine has her Master's in Public Health and serves as the Technical Advisor for Global Health and Missions with Helping Children Worldwide. Beyond sharing words and conditions that we can't even pronounce, Yasmine shares about the context in West Africa in which their work is centered and we learn the commonalities and differences in public health across different global contexts.

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The Accord Network is a place to connect with like-minded organizations in pursuit of being the hands and feet of Christ around the world. Registration for the OneAccord Conference is now open for changemakers seeking a time of inspiration, collaboration, and transformation within the field of international relief and development.

Visit The Accord Network Online

Resources and Links from the show

View and Join the Together for Global Health Coalition

Watch Phil's Sermon on Family Strengthening

Conversation Notes

Zeroing in on the history and current day realities of Sierra Leone
Navigating partnerships between western organizations and their corresponding organizations in the Global South
Integrating current programs and initiatives into broader partnerships at the village level
Working towards sustainability and reducing outside investment or management
Together for Global Health Coalition
Common health conditions and healthcare gaps in the Global South, including those that are oblivious to westerners
The Global South increasing in conditions that had previously been more represented in the West
Innovative ways that health practitioners in the Global South meet needs

Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Dave LeVan and Jon Allen - When Global Ministries Merge Jun 04, 2024

Show notes

Joining the podcast for episode 255 are nonprofit leaders Dave LeVan and Jon Allen with Water For Good. Dave and Jon speak with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about the status of worldwide access to water and what it looks like to implement Water, Sanitation and Hygiene projects in the Global South. We talk through the tremendous needs as well as acknowledge some of the shortfalls of the WASH sector. Our conversation concludes around what it looks like to merge two good-sized global nonprofits as Water For Good and Lifewater International recently underwent that very process.

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Resources and Links from the show

View Water For Good/Lifewater Merger Information

Conversation Notes

Taking in the big picture of water access globally and what the implications are on people's lives
The similarities and the differences when implementing water, sanitation and hygiene projects in the Global South
What about all the broken wells in Africa? Is sustainability even possible?
The reasons that led to the decision for the two organizations to merge into one
The operations and logistics of merging and integrating two different teams along with their activities
The post-merger opportunities that are presented to the newly formed Water For Good
The importance of staying curious and not losing heart in the work of global justice

Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Refugees, Maternal Health and Child Marriage May 28, 2024

Show notes

In this month's 3+1 episode, we're diving into conversation around the current refugee crisis being fueled by conflict and displacement worldwide, jump back into recent conversation on Haiti and the challenges that pregnant mothers are facing in the midst of tumult and also look at the controversy surrounding mass weddings in northern Nigeria that includes underage orphan girls. We've got Kelly Strong on the show with us today who is the CEO at Safe International and also an associate providing support to practitioners through the Canopy International coaching collaborative.

Podcast Sponsor

The Accord Network is a place to connect with like-minded organizations in pursuit of being the hands and feet of Christ around the world. Registration for the OneAccord Conference opens soon for a time of inspiration, collaboration, and transformation within the field of international relief and development.

Visit The Accord Network Online

Resources and Links from the show

Check out the services and support offered by the team at Canopy International

World Relief Blog : The Drivers of Mass Displacement: Ukraine and Beyond

The Guardian : 'It is simply best not to get pregnant': women left terrified as Haiti's maternity services collapse

BBC News : Mass wedding for Nigeria orphans sparks outcry

Book : Refugee - Rethinking Refugee Policy in a Changing World by Paul Collier and Alexander Betts

2017 Refugee Crisis Series : Welcoming the Stranger with Krish Kandiah

Conversation Notes

3:50 What it looks like to change the name and rebrand an international charity
9:15 Checking in on the current state of "record breaking" forced displacement throughout the world and what to do when the world shows up on our doorstep
25:45 The reality of gang violence in Haiti that has collapsed medical clinics and hospitals that women have used to deliver their children
36:15 Evaluating a controversial story of mass wedding of orphan girls in Nigeria and what the implications are regarding child rights and international definitions
50:40 Brandon's recommendation of a page-turner book that covers modern refugee policy

Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Matt Rhodes - A Manifesto for Modern Missions May 21, 2024

Show notes

On the show today, we're joined by missionary Matt Rhodes who is the author of No Shortcut to Success: A Manifesto for Modern Missions. He talks with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about trends within missions that emphasize speed and big numbers, but often lack the depth of discipleship that characterized Jesus' ministry. Matt shares about the mission that he is engaged in a majority Muslim country Northern Africa and what he's learned from being on the field and what faithfulness (even success) can look like for those spreading the Good News abroad.

Podcast Sponsor

Child Hope International reunites families in Haiti by providing pathways for children in orphanages to return home with the necessary support to thrive. If you need help transitioning your orphanage or are looking for an organization to support in Haiti, reach out to Child Hope International.

Visit Child Hope International Online

Resources and Links from the show

No Shortcut to Success: A Manifesto for Modern Missions on Amazon

Conversation Notes

The primary differences between how missions are approached currently as opposed to the days of William Carey and Hudson Taylor
Current trends in missions work
Approaching missions with professionalism and being enculturated
Is professionalism opposed to being relational?
The trajectory of the relatively recent phenomenon of short term missions and it's increasing share of the overall missionary force
Not everyone that is a Christian is also an ambassador of Christ, or are they?
The implications of the center of Christianity moving to the Global South
Charting milestones for successful missions

Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Gaston Warner - This is Child Empowerment May 07, 2024

Show notes

We are joined today by global nonprofit leader Gaston Warner who is the Global North CEO of Zoe Empowers. Gaston talks with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke about their work among vulnerable families, especially child and youth headed households. Over the years, our show has talked a lot about the need for kids to be raised in families and communities and in this episode we learn about a comprehensive model that emphasizes the children's agency to overcome poverty. We talk empowerment, data, promising practices and it's an episode our orphan care diehards don't want to miss.

Podcast Sponsor

Zoe Empowers is equipping orphaned children and youth-led families with solutions to overcome extreme poverty—for good.

Visit Zoe Empowers Online

Resources and Links from the show

Data and Research from Zoe Empowers

Conversation Notes

Understanding the reality of child and youth headed households in the Global South
The empowerment model started by a Rwandan practitioner - how it works and how it's applied across countries
Intentionally limiting partnerships and what it looks like for both beneficiaries and donors
Defining the buzzword "empowerment" within global development
The importance of integrating child rights throughout programming

Theme music by Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Alternate Economies and Climate Change (April 3+1) Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

In this 3+1 episode, we're getting into recent news about ways that Russia is getting around economic sanctions to buoy their economy during their war of aggression as well a couple Asian countries where pollution and contamination is having widespread effects on people's health and wellbeing. We've got Amanda Erne joining us for the conversation. Amanda is on staff with World Concern, is an associate with Canopy International and has a wealth of understanding around climate and sustainable agriculture. We discuss if the term "climate change" is still of use in Christian circles or if it turns too many people off and then get into a documentary recommendation focusing on a Malawian farmer advocating for change.

Podcast Sponsor

Visit Child Hope International Online

Conversation Notes

8:45 Alternate economies that Russia is setting up to get around sanctions
21:00 Widespread contamination of drinking water in Bangladesh
29:45 Are we overpoliticizing terms like climate change and shutting off Christians to real stewardship issues?
35:13 A vicious cycle of pollution, cancer and economic collapse in Lebanon
48:00 The Ants and The Grasshopper documentary focuses on the story of a farmer and an advocate in Malawi

Resources and Links from the show

Al-Jazeera : Parallel Economy - How Russia is Defying the West's Boycott

Mongabay : Beneath the surface, a toxic tide threatens Bangladesh's water lifeline

The Guardian : 'Where can you hide from pollution?': cancer rises 30% in Beirut as diesel generators poison city

The Ants & The Grasshopper Documentary

Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Dr. Karen Fancher - Blessed Are The Peacemakers Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

"We stand together at the foot of the cross and we will work for peace." Dr. Karen Fancher from Multnomah University joins the show today to walk us through the profoundly Christian field of peacebuilding. In her conversation with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke, Dr. Fancher walks us through what it means to promote peace within the humanitarian space with direct application to situations in Palestine and Sudan as well as explores the biblical foundation for Christians to be actively engaged in bringing God's Kingdom of peace and justice.

Podcast Sponsor

Visit Child Hope International Online

Resources and Links from the show

Visit Multnomah University Online and the Graduate Peacebuilding Certificate Program

Strategic Peacebuilding by Lisa Shirch

Combatants for Peace Online

Conversation Notes

6:20 How God intertwines our work and our passion into a life story
11:05 "Reconciliation takes place when we step across difference"
16:00 Honoring those that have been traumatized and not making assumptions as outsiders when trying to understand conflict in other countries
19:20 Understanding the biblical concept of shalom
24:15 Peace as a central theme for Jesus and his followers
29:10 The primacy of being citizens of the Kingdom of God in contested times and situations. Should we be pro-Israel or pro-Palestine?
34:00 Common drivers of violence and conflict - disparity, feelings of powerlessness, trauma and redemptive violence
43:05 Considering the history of conflict in Sudan and the impact of war trauma on the populations
51:10 The difference between peacekeeping, peacemaking and peacebuilding in the humanitarian space
56:55 Proximity, skills and posture that promote peace
1:03:10 The role that foreign bodies, international entities and INGOs should and should not play in conflict resolution
1:09:00 Organizations and stories of peace: "We stand together at the foot of the cross and we will work for peace."
1:14:10 Learning from the prejudices and hurts in our own heart towards other people and seeking to better understand the Kingdom of God

Eugene Cho - Advocating for the Hungry Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

We are privileged to be joined today by a Christian leader that really embodies the ethic that we are all striving for as we pursue justice, mercy and shalom in the nations. We're grateful to have Eugene Cho join Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke on the show today talking with us about the work of Bread for the World and what it looks like to advocate for the poor and hungry both in the US and throughout the world. Eugene shares a pastoral word for those of us engaged in global justice work and offers his own reflections of how he remains grounded in Christ in the midst of busy lives of pursuing justice.

Podcast Sponsor

Zoe Empowers is equipping orphaned children and youth-led families with solutions to overcome extreme poverty—for good.

Visit Zoe Empowers Online

Resources and Links from the Show

Overrated by Eugene Cho

Thou Shalt Not Be A Jerk by Eugene Cho

Visit Bread for the World Online

Conversation Notes

5:20 - Finding your vocation through following the Holy Spirit and seeking first the Kingdom of God
9:30 - Living a Christian ethic and counteracting egoism, isolationism, scarcity and individualism
14:20 - "Right now, this is the worst global hunger crisis in the last fifty years" The gravity of worldwide hunger and where are we seeing the most acute hunger.
19:20 - The Five C's that drive hunger globally - COVID, Conflict, Climate Change, Cost, Corruption and how we respond with Compassion and Courage
28:30 - The difference between poverty and hunger within the US and poverty and hunger in the Global South
36:00 - What Eugene would do if he was a global dictator
41:35 - The importance of avoiding apathy and cynicism and embracing learning and praying when it comes to global issues.
52:15 - What is true advocacy and should Christians be involving themselves in politics
1:04:50 - Humanizing the struggle of families to make ends meet
1:09:20 - Staying grounded in the midst of undertaking really big global nonprofit work
1:15:55 - Reflecting on Overrated a decade later and pastoring the global nonprofit community

Malaria, Haiti, Slavery and "Aid State" (March 3+1) Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

In this 3+1 episode, we're talking the good (malaria vaccines), the bad (slavery) and a whole lot of Haiti. We've got Mac Archer back on the show to share with Brandon Stiver and Phil Darke what she's seeing on the ground in Haiti and what's getting missed in larger media outlets. We talk through the utility of violence by those running the country and look at some potentially similar dynamics in other countries. We also discuss forced labor in Asia, the rise of malaria vaccines in Africa and get a book recommendation for a book that just released in the last couple of months.

Conversation Notes

3:00 - Podcast shoutouts for community members that are reviewing, sharing and sponsoring the show
8:40 - A good news story! Vaccines in sub-Saharan Africa are leading to a decline in infant/child mortalities caused by Malaria
21:00 - Looking at the situation in Haiti from someone in the country and with an article by a Haitian leader. Are these really "gangs"? In what ways is it similar to other conflict areas? Is there accountability for foreign interference?
37:55 - The exploitation of North Korean enslaved laborers in China and the nature and challenges of reporting on issues within totalitarian nations
48:58 - Understanding the context of Haiti and other majority world countries through the economic and anthropological lens of Jake Johnston

Resources and Links from the Show

Al-Jazeera : Could new vaccines end Malaria in Africa?

NACLA : Haiti as Empire's Laboratory

BBC : North Koreans working in China 'exploited like slaves'

Aid State: Elite Panic, Disaster Capitalism, and the Battle to Control Haiti by Jake Johnston

Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Preston Sprinkle and Brandon Stiver - Rethinking Orphan Care Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

Today, we're releasing our podcast collaboration with our friends at Theology in the Raw. Brandon had a chance to sit down with Preston Sprinkle and dive into all things global orphan care and discuss the realities of that children in orphanages face worldwide. Our conversation weaves between a theology of calling and mission and how American Christians intersect with orphans in the Global South. We discuss the reality of life within orphanages, why kids end up there and what risk factors and vulnerabilities arise when kids are raised in that environment. This is a good Ethical Orphan Care 101 type episode and we're grateful for the chance to collaborate with Theology in the Raw to raise awareness and education.

For additional follow-up check out Brandon's four part orphan care blog series on Theology in the Raw. Here's the link.

Resources and Links from the show

When Helping Hurts by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett

In Pursuit of Orphan Excellence by Phil Darke and Keith McFarland

Check out our friends at Cherish Uganda

Get help to transform your orphanage with Canopy International