Be the Difference

Chris and Sammy are joined today by Marie Edwards. Marie is the daughter to two parents described as “servant-hearted to their core” by most who know them. Marie is the Out of School Program Director for Community Building Institute in Middletown, Ohio. Marie recalls her childhood and adolescence fondly in this episode, sharing that they were always giving and serving as a family, and she never knew any other way.

In this episode, Marie shares what it was like growing up with parents who were missionally minded and incredibly generous. She shares about being deeply embedded in her community and what it means to be in community and to see one another. Hear about how she discusses generational impacts of gratitude and giving, how her own journey of self awareness has grown, teaching her she has to fill her own cup in order to offer to others, and listen for a special thank you at the end from a fellow Back2Back staff member.

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Do you know what your next meal will be? Even if you don’t know exactly what you’ll have, do you know there will be food available for you? For your family? Today, Chris and Sammy share a conversation about food insecurity and discuss the ways we can step into this story and honor those we’re serving as we near seasons of giving and gratitude. 

In this episode, Sammy shares a staggering and alarming statistic about food insecurity in the United States and why it is a systematic problem so many don’t fully understand. Hear how food scarcity affects our ability to learn and absorb information, why those experiencing this insecurity might be hesitant to ask for or accept help, and how you can step into solutions within your own communities. 

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On October 2nd, Back2Back staff, advocates, and supporters gathered with 70 leaders from around the world for A Night of Hope. It is an evening for connection, sharing Back2Back’s work, and galvanizing toward continued work with the vulnerable. Each year, the evening culminates with Beth Guckenberger, Back2Back Co-Executive Director, sharing stories, lessons, and hope for all present.

In today’s episode, Sammy and Chris invite you to listen to Beth’s talk from that night. Hear how her journey is ultimately an invitation into exploring who God is and how we can listen to Him speak. Pay special attention to the Hebrew Beth shares and how we can take our own chaos and dark waters and transform it to His glory.

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If you would like the link to view the full length program from A Night of Hope 2025 email [email protected]

Today, Chris and Sammy reflect on the Christian Alliance for the Orphan conference (CAFO) and their 2024 theme of Becoming. It was an event filled with an ongoing conversation about God being more concerned with who we are becoming than what we are doing. 

In this episode, our co-hosts discuss the question of how to balance the tension of wanting to serve and also becoming who we are designed to be. Hear how Chris believes that different seasons of life truly determine our becoming versus our doing, how Sammy was impacted when a friend reminded her God would never call us to sacrifice our relationship with Him on the altar of ministry, and why they both believe belonging has to occur in order for becoming to take place. 

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Meet Patience on October 2, 2024 at Back2Back’s annual A Night of Hope!

From 6.00-8.30pm, we will gather in person at Crossroads Mason Church (990 Reading Rd) for custom-made bites from the sites, stories from around the world of hope never standing still, and live updates from staff, as well as Todd and Beth Guckenberger! If you can’t join us in person, please join us virtually from 7.30-8.30pm.

We can’t wait to share an evening of hope with you, celebrating the growth and victories from Back2Back sites around the world.

RSVP: : Register Here

Patience Dimka is a wife, mother, psychologist, and the Assistant Site Director of Back2Back Nigeria. Her time with Back2Back began as a staff psychologist using innovative and unique approaches to provide presence and trauma-informed care to vulnerable children when and where she could. She now helps lead an entire staff team in providing holistic care to those in her own country.

In this episode, Patience shares about what her 10-year old self would think about her current job and lifestyle, and what led her to the work she does everyday with Back2Back. Hear about the unique ways and locations Patience used to connect with children who didn’t know how to use their own voice, why she believes trauma competent care is a lifestyle, and what she comes back to on the hardest days to keep moving forward. 

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Which are you more likely to remember? Stories or statistics? In today’s episode Chris and Sammy explore a statistic that answers this question. 

In today’s episode, hear how story shapes our everyday lives and inspires us to take brave steps into the future. Hear what kinds of stories they love, why they matter and the power of holding another’s story well. 

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Josh and Emily Ballard are high school sweethearts, foster parents, and at 32-years old, became grandparents! Today, they join Chris and Sammy to discuss foster care, why fostering teens is unique, and what continues to lead them to say yes and step into storylines they may not understand in the beginning.

In this episode, Josh and Emily share about their mutual tendency to dive in and figure things out later and how that has helped them foster teens well. They share why they won’t say no as long as a child is in need, and how patience is key when planting seeds into a teen’s belief system. Hear about what happens when you receive a call for a foster placement, what their very first placement was like, and what they believe is the number one thing to focus on when connecting with a teen for the first time.

Learn more about becoming a foster parent.

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It’s that time, again! The Summer Olympics, the stories of hard work and triumph - everyday people doing extraordinary things. What does it take? What do they all have in common? Resilience - what does it mean? How do we strengthen it?

In today’s episode, tune in to hear how we can define resilience and what it means to Chris and Sammy individually. Hear how resiliency is much like a muscle and how we can help grow that muscle in ourselves and in others.

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Child Sponsorship is a global program operated by hundreds of organizations around the world. In today’s episode, Chris and Sammy discuss the profound impact of sponsorship programs globally, the way it’s more about relationship shared than money exchanged and an opportunity we all have to be the difference. 

In this episode, Steph Duff joins Chris and Sammy to share her experience as a child sponsor. Steph is the Inspirational Copywriter for Back2Back Ministries and a strong voice advocating for vulnerable children and families around the world. Hear the ways God pushed her out of her comfort zone and into dependence on him, how being a sponsor grew her up and why it's worth it to invest in something that is not about her. 

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Interested in being a child or family sponsor? Find opportunities for sponsorship! 

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Two years ago, at just 24-years old, Megan Henderson said “yes” to God’s call to step into the role of single foster parent. Now a mom to four kids under the age of five, and a staff member at Venture Church in Harrisburg, NC, Megan lives out the church’s mission daily to be a community of people that strive to love loud, risk often, and hope always. 

In this week’s episode, Megan shares the moment she knew she was called to be a foster parent and how she learned to surrender control and let God build her family. 

Hear why she believes fostering is about more than just kids, how her perspective has shifted when it comes to sharing kid’s stories, and the ways her community rallies around her to make this story possible. 

Links to learn more:

Learn how to become a foster parent in your state Foster Care State Directory

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