In this heartfelt episode, Diane De La Santos joins Art Serna, Jr. to discuss her personal journey, ministry work, and unique insights into serving others. Diane, who is the Social Enterprise Director at City on a Hill, reflects on her path to leadership from her beginnings as a single mother and suburbanite to an influential voice in urban ministry.

They dive deep into the powerful lessons learned from Isaiah 58 and Ephesians 2:10, discussing how faith and patience play a crucial role in aligning oneself with God's purpose.

Listen in as Diane shares incredible stories of resilience, hope, and divine intervention, demonstrating the impact of serving the needy and waiting on God's timing. This episode is a testament to the power of faith, love, and dedicated service.

Episode Highlights:

14:09 - If you help people, too, by just being in a relationship with them, personal relationships are, I've discovered in the last few years, are more important than anything. Relationship first with the Lord and then with people around you, both those who are just a general community, those who are Christians, to encourage them, those who are the lost, to share with them the gospel, but not so much in words as in your actions.

28:17 - I often tell people that the best first thing to do is listen to that community because they know the problem. They know where they want to go. They know what the community needs. All the things you don't know. You may think you know it, but you don't know it till you listen to them, voice to ear and hear them share.

31:31 - The main thing that has given me hope is to see people respond when the need is presented to them in a biblical way with God's word to read for themselves. Don't listen to me. Read God's word. He'll tell you what he wants of you, and then listen to the people. And you will have a vision for the future that he wants for that community and that they want for their community. And you can be an advocate coming alongside in teaching.

Contact Art Serna, Jr.

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Diane De La Santos

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Dive into the transformative world of AI with Art Cerna and Elijah Low, author of the Amazon bestseller "Navigating AI With Faith." He sheds light on the staggering potential of AI to revolutionize cities and combat poverty.

Discover how AI-driven tools like ChatGPT are offering step-by-step solutions and reshaping education, all while bridging the gap between communities. The conversation delves into AI's two-phase societal transformation and the imperative to equip individuals with ethical AI tools.

Tune in to explore how City on a Hill is spearheading innovative programs and initiatives, including family mobility programs and business incubators, all centered around AI. This episode is a glimpse into the future, where AI empowers marginalized communities to chase the American Dream. Join the movement to harness AI for positive change. So, listen now and be part of the AI-driven transformation!

Episode Highlights:

19:37 - Companies are going to hire people that can do the same job with AI, because they're going to be so much more productive. And then the second phase that's going to come is when they are going to use people to train the AI. They're going to work alongside the AI, then they're going to do what we call reinforce learning. They're going to tell the AI what it got right and what it got wrong. And over time, the AI will be good enough that they don't need to work alongside humans, they can work on their own.

27:41 - AI can do a better job than the second family with human consultants because the AI knows even more than a human consultant. So, the advice that this AI can give this kid in terms of everything from ideation, to protecting his idea, to bringing it to market would be so much more sophisticated than even the second family. And here's the great part, this AI is going to cost a fraction of the cost of what you pay a human consultant, and they do it at a 100x to 200x the speed.

30:57 - Being a learning partner to kids. And so, all of a sudden, it becomes an equalizer,  that even though you're a family that cannot afford one-on-one tutoring, all you need is access to an AI, and all of a sudden, your kid would have the same access or better than someone with one-on-one tutoring.

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Elijah Low

Navigating AI with Faith

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Are you ready to explore the profound impact of legacy giving? In this special episode of the Deep Dive MKE podcast, host Art Serna welcomes Linda Maris, President of the National Christian Foundation in Wisconsin. With 15 years of experience at NCF, Linda is a seasoned expert in legacy giving.

Discover the crucial role that well-structured estate plans play in leaving a lasting impact. Linda shares a poignant personal story that highlights the stark contrast between a well-drafted estate plan and a lack thereof.

As America approaches a monumental wealth transfer, Linda sheds light on how charities can benefit by incorporating legacy gifts into estate planning. Learn how individual donors and volunteers can shape the future of cities, revitalizing communities. Uncover the transformative power of generosity and its profound spiritual implications. Join us as we navigate the journey towards crafting a meaningful legacy.

Episode Highlights:

05:38 - It's real. It's called the great wealth transfer. And we started to hear about it 20 years ago and I didn't believe it at the time. It's like, how can they track it? How can they know the numbers? And now as we're closer to it, actually the train has left the station and they're pretty dialed into what's going to happen.

11:20 - At NCF, we talk about generosity during life so much and being generous and living that joyful, generous life and being good stewards of those dollars and how to structure those gifts. I think where we are behind a little bit is talking about being a good steward at death as well and doing the proper planning and ensuring success through an estate plan and to carry on that legacy after the parties are gone.

17:00 - The wealth we have here, even in Milwaukee where sometimes you don't see it and sometimes it looks like there's so much poverty, we have a lot of wealth here. And so, to figure out what that excess is and to give up that fear of, "I may not have enough or what if there's an emergency?"

Contact Art Serna Jr

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Linda Maris

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Meet Kelly Eger, Director of Compassion at The Ridge Community Church, a fearless leader with a love for adventure and camping. Kelly's journey started as a first-gen college student, co-founding a service-focused multicultural sorority. From running the church to building teams, Kelly's leadership blossomed. Though ministry initially hesitated her, divine reassurance led her to her role's success, enhancing both her family and work life.

Kelly notes people's willingness to be part of solutions, needing a nudge beyond comfort zones. Ridge's Live Big campaign amplifies contributions to vetted organizations and stories, showcasing God's boundless generosity. She believes in tapping everyone's problem-solving potential, fostering teamwork. Mission trips taught her the universality of prayers regardless of financial backgrounds.

Tune in to hear about Kelly's strategy, which involves input gathering, volunteer teams, and embracing failure as a learning curve. Surrounding herself with a supportive community has been pivotal. Get inspired by Kelly's motivating journey of compassion and change.

Episode Highlights:

04:09 - Compassion at The Ridge is Jesus' love in action, and it's really my honor and my privilege to mobilize our people to selflessly serve the communities that we live in. I started in 2019. Literally, our Live Big series kicks off in November, and that was the same week that I started. So, it was like shrinking from a fire hose, which was an amazing blessing.

07:51 - I said no several times to God. I was working in the corporate world in sales, but serving, I would say as like a high capacity volunteer at my church, I remember probably, this may be two years before I started working at The Ridge, was really praying for my current role, my current job, to be able to lead a team.

14:15 - I think it's important to to point out that the typical attender at The Ridge is somebody who is a curious non-believer. So, we get a lot of individuals who are new to faith or coming back to faith. And so, the Live Big campaign that we do every fall hits on three components: give, love, serve.

Contact Art Serna Jr

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Kelly Eger

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Step into a heartwarming tale of purpose and impact as we follow the journey of Bob and Brenda Drida, two dedicated volunteers who found their calling at City on a Hill. Find out how a simple mission week turned into a transformative experience that changed their lives forever.

In this episode, Art explores the incredible story of Bob and Brenda, who became core volunteers at City on a Hill, dedicated to transforming communities. Hear about how a chance encounter at their church led them on a path of purpose, giving back to their own city, Milwaukee. Be moved by Brenda's personal connection to poverty, motivating her to make a difference in her own city. Witness Bob's deep emotions as he empathizes with struggling single mothers, driving him to show up and be present.

Tune in and embrace the values of community and courage that drive this organization to uplift those affected by generational poverty. Discover how City on a Hill's outreach events and encounters open hearts and forge meaningful relationships. Learn how the R3 workshop fosters deeper conversations and understanding in building knowledge together when you tune in to this episode.

Episode Highlights:

07:23 - I think the desperation, and I think it could bring out like if I would've had children in a real life situation, you would do pretty much anything to get food for your children or to protect them or whatever their needs were. You would do whatever it would take to get those needs met.

10:17 - First of all just trying to be a light for Christ, and I look at like what would I want? How would I want someone to be with me? I guess I just want to be loving and kind and sympathetic. I guess with the neighbors that come, I want to give that to them.

16:33 - I think the educational journey that you walk through, no matter what your age is, is very enlightening because we all have preconceived notions of how things go, how they should go, what we think should be done. But once you spend some time here, you understand that it took a while for it to get here to where we are at this place and a lot of work needs to be done and we can be helpful. But don't cast judgment if you don't really know what's going on, and that education was really eye-opening for us.

Contact Art Serna Jr

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Bob & Brenda Drida

Step into the world of transformation and impact as we explore the incredible mission of the Sports Philanthropy Network with its inspiring Executive Vice-President, Kayla Bradham. Discover how sports can ignite hope and change lives in unimaginable ways.

Kayla shares her personal journey from poverty to a life dedicated to creating lasting impacts through sports. Learn how a single act of kindness changed the trajectory of her life and fueled her purpose. Be moved by Kayla's determination to wage her war against racism, bigotry, and misogyny as a single mother in Milwaukee, raising eight children. Explore how athletes like D.J. Stirgus use their platform for meaningful causes they deeply care about.

Tune in to uncover the secret sauce behind the Sports Philanthropy Network's success with connecting motivated individuals, professional athletes, and generous donors to drive generational change. Embrace Kayla's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in community conversations and change. Take a leap of faith and lead by example.

Episode Highlights:

14:15 - I'm blessed to be in the presence of a lot of people of color who have overcome a lot of diversity to be very successful. One of the most patronizing things that white presenting people do in this space, and this is the most frequent conversation I have is the sort of, "I love what you're doing. You have my full support. I see the good work that you're doing. Keep it up and if you need anything, awesome." It's this sort of almost patronizing good job fixing your problem to somebody who didn't create a problem.

19:31 - I'm naturally optimistic, but there's a joy that sustains me. I stand on I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, and I really believe that God wants whole and complete people and whole and complete communities, so my happiness comes in this. When you look at your community, what does a healthy community look like?

23:04 - My final nugget briefly is live generously and love your neighbor as yourself. I think however you want to put one in front of the other, they are like that infinity loop. Live generously and love others as yourself.

Contact Art Serna Jr

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Kayla Bradham

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How can one find joy and transformation amidst adversity and loss? Andrea Hopgood explores her journey of faith, surrender, and the creation of a supportive community. Listen as Andrea narrates how she discovered an abiding sense of joy even in the midst of her husband's passing last summer. She attributes this resilience to her unwavering hope and dependence on Christ. A pivotal moment came when she became a mother, transforming her relationship with Christ from mere religious practice to a deep, personal connection.

Through facing adversity head-on, Andrea experienced a significant shift in her life. Seeking change, she prayed earnestly with a pastor, changed her circle of friends, and engaged in Bible study. These actions marked her surrender moment and set her on a path of transformation. She highlights the power of connecting with God's Word, particularly through the Psalms, as a source of strength during challenging times.

Tune in as Andrea talks about the transformative power of community and purpose, as well as how she sought guidance from seasoned church ladies, mothers, and eventually embraced motherhood herself. Find out how she learned how to lean into God rather than relying on substances or unhealthy relationships. Listen to Andrea discuss the significance of consistency and addressing the root causes of negative behavior patterns and discover the power of surrender, community, and living a purposeful life.

Episode Highlights:

01:48 - It's because I have always tried to keep God at number one space, like he's number one in my life. My husband was not number one. He was number two where he should be. When everything happened and through the entire journey, I never lost my joy. I've always had that peace that surpasses all understanding. Because of that joy, it wasn't a happiness or sadness, or a specific event that keeps me joyful. It's because I know who I am in Christ, and I know what he's done for me.

08:42 - I started a group. It was called the Praying Wives Club, and we met the first Friday of every month. Our purpose was to be nurturing moms, loving wives, and to remember that we were daughters of the King. We will come together every first Friday of the month, and God will just give me topics for us to talk about. We built each other up, and that was my community.

15:44 - If you are strong enough and can do it yourself and just sitting with God and let Him pour into you, that's what worked for me. But I know that's not for everyone. Some people need that community.

Contact Art Serna Jr

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Andrea Hopgood

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Are you ready to dive deep into the journey of faith and discover the power of authenticity? Art Serna engages in an inspiring conversation with Pastor Jake Wirth, the lead pastor at MIX Church and a dynamic leader in the realm of faith and spirituality.

Pastor Jake emphasizes the importance of an authentic relationship with God as he believes that true intimacy is cultivated through genuine and truthful conversations. He shares his daily discipline of staying true to himself and genuine in his interactions. He encourages listeners to keep the main thing—the Gospel—front and center in all conversations and actions. Through the saving work of Christ, he finds the humility and power to pursue reconciliation.

Gain valuable insights into the importance of obedience, identity, and purpose. Discover how to navigate discouragement and doubt by relying on God as the ultimate source of hope. Tune in to this thought-provoking episode and listen to Pastor Jake share his experiences and insights on finding courage, embracing authenticity, and nurturing a strong relationship with God. Be inspired to embrace authenticity, deepen your relationship with God, and find the courage to pursue your calling.

Episode Highlights:

06:30 - I know a lot of people that I would nominate as being fit for pastoring. And yet, I think everyone experiences that when you are following Jesus. He is going to consistently lead you beyond your capacity, beyond your self-confidence, and that's where we experience the power of God and the presence of the Lord.

18:16 - One of the paradigms that we had in front of us was how will we do things differently with this next chapter in our ministry. One of the things was we want to shoot straight, and we want to, to our best ability, communicate with clarity the Gospel and the way that the Gospel is to impact all of our lives. What that meant was talking about certain things that maybe we don't want to talk about, and yet are vital to the Gospel because, again, the Gospel influences all of our lives.

23:05 - The first word that comes to me is true intimacy. I think that's a personal level where it's you actually know. You don't have to wonder what I'm thinking. Both my wife and I once pastored a church where we walked on eggshells, where we were very careful on what we shared and as a result, there was no intimacy with people. If there was, it was a false intimacy. In other words, we were lying to people. We went through some situations where, all of a sudden, we realized, "Wow. We didn't do this intentionally, but we've been lying to you this whole time," because we've been withholding what we believe to be true.

Contact Art Serna Jr

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Pastor Jake Wirth

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Join us in this inspiring episode as Carli Whitlock shares her journey of resilience and finding strength amidst adversity. After the tragic loss of her children's father, Carli turned to her faith in God and focused on what she could control. Overcoming fear and shame, she set goals and focused on her abilities, finding the fuel to break free from challenging circumstances.

Through her work with City on a Hill, Carli discovered the transformative power of resilience and the importance of establishing boundaries. Looking ahead, Carli is determined to utilize her time effectively, pursuing her personal and professional goals. By engaging with City on a Hill, Carli helps others in her community by creating engaging activities for children and fostering open conversations about trauma.

Tune in and explore how Carli believes that including God in life-changing discussions is essential, as He provides the connection needed for joy and healing. Discover how the supportive community at City on a Hill became a lifeline, providing resources, a listening ear, and familiar faces during health fairs. Prepare to be inspired by Carli's story of resilience, faith, and the transformative power of community.

Episode Highlights

01:33 - Adversity, for me, even the word itself is a very strong word. So, it may be something that brings you to your knees, even if it's just for a second. Or it may be something that causes a crash that's long lasting, because it's that word. It's adverse. Another word that comes to mind is it's not just a feeling. This is a thought.

08:33 - City on a Hill was the biggest support for me. It was something that I was familiar with. It was a place that I know that would not judge me, because there was a lot going on. And one thing that I didn't need was somebody judging me.

15:52 - I usually don't but just so somebody could get in for this moment, I will accept, allow, tolerate and accommodate this situation. And I'll handle things accordingly, so maybe I don't do it tomorrow. Or maybe moving forward, it's that tiny hole in the wall. I loved it. It was magical for me.

Contact Art Serna Jr

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Carli Whitlock

Joining us today is Lisa Gonzalez, who is part of the team at City on a Hill. She shares her journey from a software background to youth work, the importance of checking biases, and creating opportunities for success. Lisa eloquently emphasizes that when volunteering in a new environment, preparation, and self-work are essential for success. One of the key takeaways is the concept of impact versus intent and how it's crucial to being successful in making a positive impact in communities.

Lisa shares her personal experiences of helping young people navigate through challenging situations such as the death of a family member, supporting families whose breadwinners have been incarcerated, and caring for students affected by gun violence and reckless behavior. She passionately talks about the importance of trust-building, consistency, and openness to correction when engaging with parents and young people in a community.

Tune in to learn about City on a Hill's Youth and Family Resilience Program that helps parents be more compassionate towards themselves and others. Listen to Lisa as she shares her excitement of bringing the community's voices and knowledge into her new role as Family Mobility Director at City on a Hill.

Episode Highlights

13:35 - We all have heard people say trust is earned. It's something that's earned. It's not automatic. It's definitely not automatic in this community. For me, I've had to figure out, what are some of the deposits that I can make into those bank accounts? And I think one of the biggest ones has been just consistency. I'm going to show up and I hope that's the reputation and legacy that I leave.

18:59 - I love that we are doing trainings here, not just on race and poverty. We're doing trainings on communication, building relationships. I oversee our Compassion Resilience Cohort, where we are teaching parents and caregivers to be more compassionate toward themselves so that they can be compassionate toward others. I think our volunteers need that, too. What are you doing on your personal self-care journey so that you can come and enter into another space and to care for other people?

21:42 - I'm excited to build something from the ground up. City on a Hill is such a great foundation in the neighborhood. We are known by the people who are here. We are loved by the people we interact with but taking the approach of whole family is necessary. The environment that our students are living in doesn't always balance the number of hours they can spend at City on a Hill surrounded by positive adults. I'm excited for all the partnerships, all of the talent that we are connecting with.

Contact Art Serna Jr

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Lisa Gonzalez

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