In third and final conversation in our Advent series, Mariah, Katie and Suzie invoke an exploration into our foundational understanding of peace. The peace that Jesus brings is both different than what we hoped for and better, but in no way resembles the American dream.

» About Our Guest:
Suzie Lind serves as the Formation Pastor with Journey Church, an interdenominational community in Brentwood, Tennessee. She accidentally stepped into church ministry in 2002 when she was looking for a part-time job that would allow her to stay home with her kids. It was then that she recognized her deep desire to help the Church become what it was always meant to be - a collection of broken people meant to bring hope and joy to a wounded world. 

She spends her time guiding people through their spiritual formation and developing leaders. Her greatest joy is seeing people's love for Jesus fuel their daily rhythms of life. Suzie is also currently pursuing an MA in Theology through Fuller Theological Seminary. She lives in Franklin, TN, with her husband Steve and four sons.

» Subscribe to PEACE TALKS Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-talks/id1590168616

» About the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace:
Justice and peace come from the inside out—from the overflow of a transformed heart. This belief led our founder, Bishop Todd Hunter, to start the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace in 2021. The Center brings together a diverse, interdenominational community of people who want to be formed in love to heal a broken world. Because “religion” is often part of the problem, we’ve created a brave, Jesus-centered space for dialogue, questioning, creating, and exploration. PEACE TALKS introduces you to women and men who are working to undo oppression, leading to lives of deeper peace for all.

» Connect with CenterFJP:
Visit The Center's Website: https://centerfjp.org
Follow The Center on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerfjp
Follow The Center on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerfjp/

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Our second conversation in this three-part series centers what Advent teaches us about justice. Using the backdrop of the arrival of Jesus, Mariah, Katie and Suzie discuss how Jesus justice is NOT retribution but IS a long game—and how it all relates to the concept of the "already but not yet".

» About Our Guest:
Suzie Lind serves as the Formation Pastor with Journey Church, an interdenominational community in Brentwood, Tennessee. She accidentally stepped into church ministry in 2002 when she was looking for a part-time job that would allow her to stay home with her kids. It was then that she recognized her deep desire to help the Church become what it was always meant to be - a collection of broken people meant to bring hope and joy to a wounded world. 

She spends her time guiding people through their spiritual formation and developing leaders. Her greatest joy is seeing people's love for Jesus fuel their daily rhythms of life. Suzie is also currently pursuing an MA in Theology through Fuller Theological Seminary. She lives in Franklin, TN, with her husband Steve and four sons.

» Subscribe to PEACE TALKS Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-talks/id1590168616

» About the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace:
Justice and peace come from the inside out—from the overflow of a transformed heart. This belief led our founder, Bishop Todd Hunter, to start the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace in 2021. The Center brings together a diverse, interdenominational community of people who want to be formed in love to heal a broken world. Because “religion” is often part of the problem, we’ve created a brave, Jesus-centered space for dialogue, questioning, creating, and exploration. PEACE TALKS introduces you to women and men who are working to undo oppression, leading to lives of deeper peace for all.

» Connect with CenterFJP:
Visit The Center's Website: https://centerfjp.org
Follow The Center on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerfjp
Follow The Center on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerfjp/

Support the show

We are excited to bring you a three-part series of Peace Talks where we focus on formation, justice, and peace from the perspective of the season of Advent. Mariah Humphries is joined by Suzie Lind, pastor and CenterFJP Board member, and Katie Mullin, Director of Content and Community, for three conversations that explore how the coming of Jesus impacts how we think about formation, justice, and peace.

Our first conversation mines the phrase "Advent begins in the dark" for its implications on our own spiritual formation. We wrestle with the concepts of empire, joyful resistance, and hope in the darkness.

» About Our Guest:
Suzie Lind serves as the Formation Pastor with Journey Church, an interdenominational community in Brentwood, Tennessee. She accidentally stepped into church ministry in 2002 when she was looking for a part-time job that would allow her to stay home with her kids. It was then that she recognized her deep desire to help the Church become what it was always meant to be - a collection of broken people meant to bring hope and joy to a wounded world. 

She spends her time guiding people through their spiritual formation and developing leaders. Her greatest joy is seeing people's love for Jesus fuel their daily rhythms of life. Suzie is also currently pursuing an MA in Theology through Fuller Theological Seminary. She lives in Franklin, TN, with her husband Steve and four sons.

» Subscribe to PEACE TALKS Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-talks/id1590168616

» About the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace:
Justice and peace come from the inside out—from the overflow of a transformed heart. This belief led our founder, Bishop Todd Hunter, to start the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace in 2021. The Center brings together a diverse, interdenominational community of people who want to be formed in love to heal a broken world. Because “religion” is often part of the problem, we’ve created a brave, Jesus-centered space for dialogue, questioning, creating, and exploration. PEACE TALKS introduces you to women and men who are working to undo oppression, leading to lives of deeper peace for all.

» Connect with CenterFJP:
Visit The Center's Website: https://centerfjp.org
Follow The Center on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerfjp
Follow The Center on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerfjp/

Support the show

Mariah Humphries wraps up Season 8 of Peace Talks with a post-election episode with Bishop Todd Hunter, founder of the Center. They discuss a range of topics but begin with an article that was written by Bishop Hunter the morning after the election and some feedback given to him about the message and the timing of that message

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Todd Hunter is the founding bishop of The Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others and founder of The Center for Formation, Justice and Peace. He is past president of Alpha USA, former national director for the Association of Vineyard Churches, and retired founding pastor of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Costa Mesa, CA. He is the author of Christianity Beyond Belief: Following Jesus for the Sake of Others, Giving Church Another Chance, The Outsider Interviews, The Accidental Anglican, Our Favorite Sins, Our Character at Work and Deep Peace.

» Subscribe to PEACE TALKS Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-talks/id1590168616

About the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace:
Justice and peace come from the inside out—from the overflow of a transformed heart. This belief led our founder, Bishop Todd Hunter, to start the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace in 2021. The Center brings together a diverse, interdenominational community of people who want to be formed in love to heal a broken world. Because “religion” is often part of the problem, we’ve created a brave, Jesus-centered space for dialogue, questioning, creating, and exploration. PEACE TALKS introduces you to women and men who are working to undo oppression, leading to lives of deeper peace for all.

*Connect with The Center Online!*
Visit The Center's Website: https://centerfjp.org
Follow The Center on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerfjp
Follow The Center on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CenterFjp
Follow The Center on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerfjp/

Support the show

Mariah Humphries hosts the Rev. Jin Cho in the latest episode of Peace Talks. Cho details his experience of creating safe and brave spaces to talk about racial justice and of prioritizing curiosity in the people with whom he works for racial unity. Cho's wise words are worth a listen.

The Rev. Dr. Jin H. Cho is an Anglican priest committed to helping local congregations have courageous conversations about race and justice. He received his doctorate of ministry from Fuller Seminary for his project to encourage such dialogue among pastors in his city entitled “Race, Evangelicalism, and the Local Church.” He leads a diocesan task force for diversity and inclusion, and works with the Brehm Center (Fuller Seminary) to help pastors integrate worship, preaching, and justice. He has over twenty years of experience leading churches, and is currently working on a missional church plant in Orange County, California. He and his far more interesting wife Esther have two extremely extroverted teenagers.

» Subscribe to PEACE TALKS Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-talks/id1590168616

About the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace:
Justice and peace come from the inside out—from the overflow of a transformed heart. This belief led our founder, Bishop Todd Hunter, to start the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace in 2021. The Center brings together a diverse, interdenominational community of people who want to be formed in love to heal a broken world. Because “religion” is often part of the problem, we’ve created a brave, Jesus-centered space for dialogue, questioning, creating, and exploration. PEACE TALKS introduces you to women and men who are working to undo oppression, leading to lives of deeper peace for all.

*Connect with The Center Online!*
Visit The Center's Website: https://centerfjp.org
Follow The Center on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerfjp
Follow The Center on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CenterFjp
Follow The Center on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerfjp/

Support the show

Peace Talks is delighted to welcome Lisa Rodriguez-Watson to the show. She and Mariah Humphries engage in a meaningful conversation about why truth is hard, how to stay integrated, and what hope there is for the church. As a resident of Washington, DC, she offers unique insight into how to have a healthy relationship with politics.

Lisa Rodriguez-Watson, for nearly two decades, has served as an urban church planter, collegiate minister, seminary professor, international missionary and community development practitioner. Her heart to see people reconciled to God and to one another has led her to invest her life, family and ministry in places and people that have often been looked over by the world.

Lisa served as co-founder of a grassroots organization in Memphis, TN that was committed to mobilizing Christians to love their undocumented neighbors, and consider an appropriate Christian response to our nation’s immigration crisis. In addition to her role as National Director of Missio Alliance, she serves as Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Equipping at Christ City Church.

» Subscribe to PEACE TALKS Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-talks/id1590168616

About the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace:
Justice and peace come from the inside out—from the overflow of a transformed heart. This belief led our founder, Bishop Todd Hunter, to start the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace in 2021. The Center brings together a diverse, interdenominational community of people who want to be formed in love to heal a broken world. Because “religion” is often part of the problem, we’ve created a brave, Jesus-centered space for dialogue, questioning, creating, and exploration. PEACE TALKS introduces you to women and men who are working to undo oppression, leading to lives of deeper peace for all.

*Connect with The Center Online!*
Visit The Center's Website: https://centerfjp.org
Follow The Center on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerfjp
Follow The Center on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CenterFjp
Follow The Center on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerfjp/

Support the show

David Swanson joins Mariah Humphries for our latest Peace Talks episode. Love and concern for the church permeate their conversation as they discuss hope in community and purpose in Sabbath keeping. David previews his new book, Plundered: The Tangled Roots of Racial and Environmental Injustice and, in general, challenges many assumptions Christians make about each other.

David is an author and the founding pastor of New Community Covenant Church who lives with his family on the South Side of Chicago. He is the founder and CEO of New Community Outreach, a non-profit organization dedicated to healing community trauma through restorative practices. David’s first book, Rediscipling the White Church: From Cheap Diversity to True Solidarity was published with InterVarsity Press in 2020. His latest book with IVP, Plundered: The Tangled Roots of Racial and Environmental Injustice, released in early October, 2024.

» Subscribe to PEACE TALKS Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-talks/id1590168616

About the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace:
Justice and peace come from the inside out—from the overflow of a transformed heart. This belief led our founder, Bishop Todd Hunter, to start the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace in 2021. The Center brings together a diverse, interdenominational community of people who want to be formed in love to heal a broken world. Because “religion” is often part of the problem, we’ve created a brave, Jesus-centered space for dialogue, questioning, creating, and exploration. PEACE TALKS introduces you to women and men who are working to undo oppression, leading to lives of deeper peace for all.

*Connect with The Center Online!*
Visit The Center's Website: https://centerfjp.org
Follow The Center on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerfjp
Follow The Center on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CenterFjp
Follow The Center on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerfjp/

Support the show

Mariah Humphries is joined by Dr. Natasha Sistrunk Robinson for this intimate and practical Peace Talks episode. Dr. Robinson covers all the bases from the spiritual practice to telling the truth to the connection between peace and change.

Dr. Natasha Sistrunk Robinson is President & CEO of T3 Leadership Solutions, Inc., Natasha Sistrunk Robinson Ministries, and the Visionary Founder and Chairperson of the nonprofit, Leadership LINKS, Inc. She is a graduate of the Naval Academy, a former United States Marine Corps Captain, and former federal government employee of the Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Robinson is a Leadership Consultant and Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). 

She is the author of several books including Voices of Lament (editor), Journey to Freedom, A Sojourner’s Truth, Hope for Us Bible study, and Mentor for Life. She hosts A Sojourner’s Truth podcast and is passionate about using her influence to create access and opportunities and equitable workspaces for Black Indigenous Women of Color, and especially Black women, while mentoring the next generations of Black girls who lead. 

» Subscribe to PEACE TALKS Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-talks/id1590168616

About the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace:
Justice and peace come from the inside out—from the overflow of a transformed heart. This belief led our founder, Bishop Todd Hunter, to start the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace in 2021. The Center brings together a diverse, interdenominational community of people who want to be formed in love to heal a broken world. Because “religion” is often part of the problem, we’ve created a brave, Jesus-centered space for dialogue, questioning, creating, and exploration. PEACE TALKS introduces you to women and men who are working to undo oppression, leading to lives of deeper peace for all.

*Connect with The Center Online!*
Visit The Center's Website: https://centerfjp.org
Follow The Center on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerfjp
Follow The Center on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CenterFjp
Follow The Center on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerfjp/

Support the show

Gregory Thompson's Peace Talks episode is both hard-hitting and thoughtful. He tackles why the dinner table is the BEST place for political conversations and why the church is the best place for cultivating the moral skill of discernment needed for such topics. Don't miss this one!

Gregory Thompson is a writer, artist, cook, and creative leader who works at the intersection of contemplative, the critical, and the convivial. He currently serves as Co-Founder and Creative Director of Voices Underground, a team of scholars, artists, and activists devoted to racial healing through storytelling. He is author of The Welcome Table, a column on Hospitality and Culture at Comment Magazine, of Blood From the Ground: Racial Healing and Public Memory (forthcoming), and co-author of the award-winning Reparations: A Christian Call to Repentance and Repair. He holds an MA and a PhD from the University of Virginia, and can most likely be found in the kitchen.

» Subscribe to PEACE TALKS Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-talks/id1590168616

About the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace:
Justice and peace come from the inside out—from the overflow of a transformed heart. This belief led our founder, Bishop Todd Hunter, to start the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace in 2021. The Center brings together a diverse, interdenominational community of people who want to be formed in love to heal a broken world. Because “religion” is often part of the problem, we’ve created a brave, Jesus-centered space for dialogue, questioning, creating, and exploration. PEACE TALKS introduces you to women and men who are working to undo oppression, leading to lives of deeper peace for all.

*Connect with The Center Online!*
Visit The Center's Website: https://centerfjp.org
Follow The Center on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerfjp
Follow The Center on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CenterFjp
Follow The Center on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerfjp/

Support the show

This Peace Talks conversation with Sandra Maria Van Opstal goes deep into the people and places that shape us. Sandra shares with host Mariah Humphries how reading Scripture with people on the margins inspires her and working in her garden connects her.

Sandra Maria Van Opstal is a second-generation Latina pastor, activist, author, and a powerful leading voice on the intersection of faith and justice. She is executive director of Chasing Justice, a BIPOC-led movement that mobilizes the next generation of Christians to live justly. Sandra’s distinctiveness comes from working in both local and global contexts as a practitioner and academic, which has solidified her calling to disrupt oppressive systems within the church and center marginalized voices.

She served as executive pastor at Grace and Peace Church on Chicago’s west side and as an activist in her community. She holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and is currently pursuing doctoral work in Urban Leadership and Transformation. Sandra is the author of The Next Worship, Forty Days on Being An Eight as well as contributor to the New York Times bestselling book A Rhythm of Prayer.

Connect with Sandra on Social Media:

• Twitter @sandravanopstal
• Instagram @sandravanopstal
• Facebook @sandramariavanopstal

» Subscribe to PEACE TALKS Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-talks/id1590168616

About the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace:
Justice and peace come from the inside out—from the overflow of a transformed heart. This belief led our founder, Bishop Todd Hunter, to start the Center for Formation, Justice and Peace in 2021. The Center brings together a diverse, interdenominational community of people who want to be formed in love to heal a broken world. Because “religion” is often part of the problem, we’ve created a brave, Jesus-centered space for dialogue, questioning, creating, and exploration. PEACE TALKS introduces you to women and men who are working to undo oppression, leading to lives of deeper peace for all.

*Connect with The Center Online!*
Visit The Center's Website: https://centerfjp.org
Follow The Center on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerfjp
Follow The Center on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CenterFjp
Follow The Center on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerfjp/

Support the show