Created For

Sin detaches us from ourselves, God, and each other, but so does the colonial spirit that has fragmented a lot of our theology. We chat with Jimmy McGee, the president, and CEO of The Impact Movement, about decolonizing, deconstructing, and reconnecting to truth and our kinship so that we can follow Jesus into wholeness.

This episode was co-hosted by Chealsia Smedley and Silverio Gonzalez.

For more resources and ways to engage with the content of this episode, check out our show notes.

Hosted by Cru. 

When we feel hung out by the church, how do we stay grounded? Sara Billups, author of Orphaned Believers, helps us find our way back to Jesus, to community and ultimately to experiencing a whole-hearted faith by sharing her own story and giving us a vision  for a spacious, non-anxious spiritual formation that can help ground us as we carry each other through seasons of doubt and flourishing. 

For more resources and ways to engage with  the content of this episode, check out our show notes.

Hosted by Cru. 

Burnout and trauma triggers led Dina Martinez to therapy, sabbatical and embracing her collective nature to find  ways to heal, rest and belong in both her relationship with Jesus and in her community. After 13 years as a national director with the ministry Destino,  we invite you to be encouraged by what she's  been learning--from Biblical insights to practical questions-- as we pursue communal flourishing together.

In this episode our host, Chealsia Smedley, is joined by a special cohost and friend of Created For: Kathia Avilez.

For more resources and an episode reflection check out our show notes. 

Hosted by Cru.

Jesus’ upside down kingdom brings cosmic, communal flourishing. We get practical with Timothy Isiah Cho about how we can both experience and partner with God in seeing heaven on earth. From his work with the Racial Justice and Unity Center, to his small business, Mosaic Coffee, he shares how God has led him to seek solidarity, thriving and restoration for every community.

For more resources, scripture and an episode reflection check out our show notes.

Mentioned in this episode:
The Racial Justice and Unity Center’s Coaching Network

The Racial Justice and Unity Center’s Assessment Tool

Timothy at Created For Wholeness: Paving A New Way For Flourishing. 

Hosted by Cru 

 From boldly advocating for human dignity to separating the gospel of Jesus from the cultural hypocrisy that claimed him– writer and historian, Jasmine Holmes shares how the histories of Black Christians have shaped her own calling and continue to help her show grace, set boundaries and walk closely with Jesus today.

For more resources, scripture and an episode reflection check out our show notes.

Find us on Instagram @_createdfor, and listen to Jasmine's 9 minute talk from Created For Wholeness: New Heroes In The Faith.

Hosted by Cru

Other Resources

Jasmine Holmes, Carved in Ebony

Jasmine Holmes, Mother to Son

Jasmine Holmes, Crowned With Glory

In dealing with disruption, doubts, friend’s de-conversions and despair over the last few years, Rasool Berry shares the spiritual practices, biblical stories and personal life-lessons that helped him hold on to hope, so that we can too. Rasool serves as 
 a teaching pastor at The Bridge Church in Brooklyn, New York and is also the Director of Partnerships & Content Development with Our Daily Bread Ministries. 

You can find an episode reflection with invitations for deeper self-examination and more resources in our show notes.

Hosted by Cru 

Whether we are deconstructing or decolonizing, experiencing displacement or belonging– God meets us. We chat with Kat Armas, author of Abuelita Faith and the forthcoming, Sacred Belonging, about overlooked wisdom and recognizing how God meets us in both the weighty and the seemingly insignificant moments of our everyday lives.

Check out our show notes for an episode reflection with scripture, prayer and other resources to help you take the next step in your journey after listening to this episode. 

Hosted by Cru. 

Is “Christian” culture clouding your view of Jesus? Drew Hyun gets it. From church hurt, shame and a superficial faith to emotionally healthy discipleship and becoming communities who are shaped by the love and grace of Jesus-- check out this "real talk" conversation with the Hope Church NYC pastor and founder. 


You can find an episode reflection with invitations for deeper self-examination and more resources in our show notes. 

Hosted by Cru. 

Following Jesus in the fullness of her Indigenous identity, reclaiming her ancestor’s sacred ways and noticing God’s goodness, uniquely reflected in our communities. We chat about this and more with Renee Kylestewa Begay, the director and co-founder of Nations. 


Hosted by Cru

See the show notes for an episode reflection and more resources.

Resources mentioned:
Nations website
Richard Twisse, One Church, Many Tribes.

“Live in a Good Way,” A Reflection by Renee Kylestewa Begay, from Voices of Lament: Reflections on Brokenness and Hope in a World Longing for Justice. 

NAITTS

The co-founder and president of Civil Righteousness, a movement that pursues restorative justice and reconciliation through spiritual, cultural and economic renewal, Jonathan  Tremaine "JT" Thomas kicks off season 4 . He talks about his own calling while sharing practical ways to dream with God and see our lives, communities and cities transformed by the values and leadership of God's kingdom.

You can find an episode reflection, invitations for deeper self-examination and more resources in our show notes. 

Hosted by Cru.