Race and Redemption

Is it possible for everyday people to pair our good intentions for diversity with true cultural change? Author, consultant and entrepreneur, Bethaney Wilkinson, believes the answer is "yes!" Drawing from her research, podcast and new book, Bethaney shares insights into tangible and effective ways to lead a diverse team, address core values, provide a safe and liberating work environment and much more. Bethany also gets personal, sharing from her own experiences growing up in all white environments and what it looks like for people of color to process and heal during traumatic events.

Pastor and theologian, Joel Muddamalle, shares from his experience as an Indian American, his wisdom as a soon-to-be doctor of theology and his heart as a husband and father of a multi-cultural family. How does God’s love for His family push us deeper into cross-cultural unity? Are there prejudices between minority cultures within our country? Did the impact of the Civil War reach beyond our own borders? What are some ways we can participate with God in bringing a redemptive reinstitution of His diverse family? Joel unpacks this and more in today’s powerful conversation!

Dorena Williamson and her husband Chris were pioneers in diverse faith communities when they planted a multiethnic church in the 1990s. Many years - and four grown children - later, Dorena felt called to invest in more intentional and positive messages for kids about God's diverse creation. She is the author of several children's books and shares her wisdom on being present with our kids, giving them "windows and mirrors" to see God's world, how to talk about matters of race in age appropriate ways, and what even adults can learn from picture books. Dorena's gracious heart and infectious joy overflow from this episode!

Entrepreneur, lead real estate agent and housing activist, Jonathan Rich, joins us to dive into the history of racism in real estate, how we can bring equity in today’s practices and how his own journey has informed his heart for building communities full of homes, not houses.

How has zoning, wards and redlining had generational effects on community development? Why and how were the suburbs created? How does where you live affect your access to food, education, transport and other necessities? Were there racist real estate laws and when did they get reformed? What can we do today to help change the lasting effects of these historical evils? Jonathan answers these questions and more in an episode that equips and educates us to thoughtfully engage around this reality.

Mary Pugh, former intelligence analyst and current carpool maven, joins us to talk about her own journey growing up as a Japanese American and how this informed her approach to raising her children. Mary grew up on military bases around the country and the world, experiencing a sense of belonging and also being treated as an outsider. She had global experience, yet, as an adult, she realized she knew more about the world than she did about her home neighborhood and city. Her pursuit of understanding gave birth to a Civil Rights Summer Camp for her own children and their friends. Listen and learn from a woman that courageously answered God's call to leverage what she had for the next generation and the Kingdom of God.

Brooke and Susan return from summer Sabbath with fresh perspective on what it means to navigate our differences in love. With insight from Scripture, they discuss the responsibility of Christ followers to love first in a world that thrives on winning and being right. What example did Christ set for us and how do we walk in His way today? How do our own testimonies play a role and can radical love truly overcome hate?

Summer Sabbath is over and we are ready to jump back into dialogue with you all about so many things. Tune into the trailer to hear a preview of some of the timely and fascinating topics we plan to cover this season!

Brooke and Susan candidly answer real questions from listeners about their children, life and influence. Why did they really start this podcast? What are some words of wisdom when it comes to discussing racism and Biblical unity with children? How do they navigate sharing their opinions in their respective areas of influence? What's on their summer reading list? The ladies tackle these topics and more in the Season Two finale!

How does a white, evangelical, ethically Dutch pastor end up becoming a voice for Biblical racial redemption? Mark Vroegop joins us to talk about how lament has transformed him and given us all a common language when it comes to working through this often painful, difficult and divisive topic. Mark shares insights from his latest book, Weep With Me, and also addresses responding to critical moments of national importance, the implications of allowing racial redemption to be politicized or weaponized and his own personal cost and gain of living out lament.

Pastor and former NFL player Derwin Gray helps us rethink some popular perspectives on unity, patriotism, race and the Church. Pastor Derwin walks us through the Biblical groundwork for multiethnicity, lessons he has learned from charting a path for unity in the Church and how his ancestors' roles in fighting for our country impacts his own patriotism today.