Intersect

Donna Daisy Pratt is a family friend with Cherokee roots. In this episode on becoming, Daisy highlights the importance of coming home and her calling to write a play about the Brainerd Mission educators who joined their Cherokee friends on the trail of tears.

The Brainerd Mission officially opened in Chattanooga, TN in March 1817 and it was in operation until their last worship service on August 19, 1838.

In the second half of our conversation with Carl Wilkins, he discusses how Rwanda sought to implement justice after the '94 Genocide. He explains the limitations of traditional justice and introduces Rwanda's restorative model of justice. Carl shares the story of Maria and Filbert and describes the power of confession and repair in relational restoration. He also explores how the brain can form new pathways through personal decision-making.

Ultimately, Carl emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for healing and moving beyond punitive justice. This conversation explores the themes of transformation, faith, love, forgiveness, and making others beautiful again. It highlights the journey of growth and the power of love to bring restoration.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:04 The Wrestling with Justice

03:05 The Rwandan Patriotic Front and Rebuilding

04:01 The Limitations of Traditional Justice

05:26 The Restorative Model of Justice

07:48 Community Courts in Rwanda

09:13 The Power of Confession and Repair

11:59 The Story of Maria and Filbert

19:26 Moving Beyond Punitive Justice

23:11 Rewiring the Brain and Transformative Justice

30:29 Forming New Pathways and Restorative Engagement

35:26 Taking Responsibility for Healing

35:58 Transformation and Growth

36:53 The Journey of Healing

37:23 Faith and God's Presence

38:21 Love as a Healing Force

39:12 The Messiness of Love

40:08 The Power of Forgiveness

41:05 Making Others Beautiful Again

Carl Wilkins shares his experiences during the Rwandan genocide and the power of kindness and empathy in the face of unimaginable violence. We explore the impact of war on identity and the role of storytelling in shaping perspectives. We learn the power of being present during times of crisis and assuming the best, even with our enemies.

Note: Find out more about the work of Carl Wilkens at World Outside My Shoes, or on Facebook or YouTube.

Chapters

00:00 The Unimaginable Impact of Choices

02:54 Rwanda's Beauty and Resilience

04:15 Finding Allies in Unexpected Places

06:27 The Potential for Good in Everyone

08:08 Making Tough Decisions in Chaos

11:09 The Myth of Good and Bad

13:32 Believing in the Goodness of Others

15:15 Defining Identity by Actions

18:58 The Seedbed of Genocide

20:44 The Impact of War on Identity

23:33 The Downstairs Brain and Fear

26:21 The Power of Storytelling

28:12 Kindness as an Inoculative Factor

29:43 Being Present and Available

34:15 The Presence of Love

36:02 The Battle Between Good and Evil

38:37 The Influence of Love

40:06 The Power of Human Actions

43:37 Opportunity for Renewal and Restoration

In part two of my conversation with Kate Tsarenko, she talks about finding success on Instagram along with an experience of intimidation she faced on the platform. The bullying escalated when some of her personal conversations were overheard and shared online. Kate felt unsafe everywhere and lost faith in God and the church.

However, through a series of events she rediscovered her faith and found the courage to stand up to bullies while providing online support for her country during the war in Ukraine. Using her talents to make a difference helped Kate realize the significance of her story.

Kate also describes her intuitive approach to online marketing and how she incorporates her faith in God into her work. She emphasizes the importance of making a difference in one person's life and how even small acts of kindness can have a significant impact.

Chapters

00:00 Triggered by Church Bullying

03:07 Finding Success on Instagram

04:09 Threats and Bullying on Instagram

05:36 Personal Conversations Overheard

07:55 Escalation of Bullying and Threats

09:16 Feeling Unsafe Everywhere

11:00 Closing Instagram and Losing Faith

13:19 Car Accident and Losing Faith in Church

15:09 Lack of Support from Church Community

17:55 Finding God Outside of Church

19:40 Feeling the Presence of Evil

21:40 Praying to God and Rediscovering Faith

23:56 Using Talents to Make a Difference in Ukraine

28:41 Empowering Others and Trusting God

32:23 Survivor's Guilt and Significance of Story

34:20 Intuitive Marketing and Faith

35:19 Making a Difference in One Person's Life

36:59 Sharing Blessings and Having a Mission

37:14 The Power of Prayer

39:09 Listening to God

39:45 Finding Hope and Grace

In this conversation, Kate Tsarenko shares her experience with bullying in the church and its impact on her faith and self-confidence. She also discusses her relationship with a boyfriend who struggled with addiction and how it affected her perception of God.

Ultimately, these experiences led Kate to leave her church community in pursuit of her own dreams and beliefs. She emphasizes her mission to lift people up and the value of focusing on one's own worth rather than the criticism of judgmental people.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:10 Early Experiences in Church

07:12 Meeting the 'Cool Christian'

10:40 Dealing with Addiction

14:39 Changing Beliefs about Money

18:18 The Trauma of the Crushed Ring

21:28 Leaving the Church Community

25:20 Experiencing Bullying

31:05 Triggered by a Request

32:29 Stifling Faith Experiences

33:41 Opening Hearts and Acceptance

34:48 Mission of Lifting People Up

35:20 Takeaway: Do Not Close Your Heart

Marty Phillips serves at the crossroads of the past and present; in a place where tradition and innovation meet. In this episode of Intersect, join host Jim Moon as he sits down with Marty, to reflect on Marty's mission to support house churches among the people and places who have historically been resistant to the gospel. Hear how Marty's calling took him from a chilling night on the border between China and Hong Kong to the bustling streets of Karachi, where a Muslim taxi driver's profound wisdom reshaped his approach to ministry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Marty's Calling

03:15 Experiences in China and India

06:12 Meeting Muslims in Azerbaijan

11:13 Reaching Muslims in Azerbaijan

13:11 Miracles and Growth in the Church

19:12 Discovering Jesus in the Quran

22:14 Transitioning to Full-Time Ministry

30:51 Overseeing Underground House Churches

35:31 Generational Continuity and People of Peace

36:54 The Ruling Families of the Middle East

38:15 Family History and Heritage

39:39 The Purpose of Coming to America

41:41 God's Movement and Missional Purpose

43:16 Generations of Peaceful People

44:04 The Blessing of All Nations

45:29 Thinking as a Community

46:51 The Importance of Family Stories

In a heartwarming reunion on Intersect, we journey with Solo, a creative whose life has been a tapestry of challenge, change, and transformation. From small town life in Worland, Wyoming, to the hustle of survival in Houston, Solo's story is a testament to the power of grace. Listen as he recounts his early days of seeking belonging in a new town, descent into a world of addiction, and the pivotal moment which set him on a path to redemption. Discover the divine intervention that brought Solo and Jim back together in a friendship of vulnerability, faith, and connection. This episode is a beacon of hope for anyone seeking to reclaim their life and ride shotgun with the Divine.

note: Hear more of Solo's story on his youtube channel at Hanging with Solo or on Instagram @hanginwithsolo

Louesa and my mom Louise Moon are half cousins. Louesa's mother was the half sister of my mom's grandfather Leonard. In this episode we discuss our roots and early Adventism in the Ukraine.

Kelsie Ziesmer was mysteriously hospitalized while on vacation in Cancun. The morning after her hospital admittance in this Mexican paradise, Kelsie was unable to walk. Listen to her story to hear the miracle of her restoration and the day when she learned to dance again.

There are times in life when a dramatic shift occurs. For Miles and Samatha Kim it was leaving a blossoming career in engineering, for a pursuit of pastoral ministry. The challenge? Leaving certainty for uncertainty and leaving convention for calling. Listen and learn from their story about leaving the lab behind.