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The gates still close at 7 p.m. along Belfast’s longest segregation wall, but inside a small youth center, something braver is opening: kids learning to cross lines their grandparents feared. We sit down with Stephen Hughes—42 years in youth work, 13 in Lower Falls—to unpack how a simple, radical method turns inherited prejudice into shared purpose.

Stephen paints the full picture: two Christian communities divided by politics, bound by grief, and weighed down by poverty that grows heavier the closer families live to the wall. His team’s answer is disarmingly human. Start with play, build trust, and let children make one friend across the divide. As they age, add depth: honest dialogue about identity, faith, and power; strength-based mentoring that treats all behavior as communication; and exposure to voices that rarely meet—faith leaders, police, ex-combatants, victims, and peacebuilders. Nothing is off the table, and dignity is non-negotiable.

We follow real stories—from a first meeting that erupted in a fistfight to two former rivals now hosting sleepovers; from reactionary crisis work to a proactive strategy where teens plan cross-community hangouts and take civic ownership of their streets. They repaint hateful slogans, create photo exhibits that reframe the interface, and produce films that chart their journey from suspicion to solidarity. Along the way, churches model a new kind of leadership: humble, cooperative, and grounded in care rather than tribe.

If you’re navigating polarization, propaganda, or rising far-right fear, this conversation offers a replicable path: safe spaces for hard truths, reflection that reshapes language and behavior, and steady mentorship that builds moral character. Share this with someone who needs hope, subscribe for more grounded peacemaking stories, and tell us: what’s one divide you’re ready to cross this week?

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A conversation with peacemakers Jer Swigart and Osheta Moore reveals a profound alternative to our increasingly divided religious and political landscape. As founders of Global Immersion, they've dedicated their lives to training Christian leaders in the art of transformative peacemaking.

Their journey began with a realization that the Christianity they inherited "promoted domination more than restoration." Through experiences in conflict zones and learning from marginalized communities, they discovered a Jesus who was "magnificently defiant against systems that dignified some while denigrating others" yet "indefatigably nonviolent."

What makes their approach unique is how they combine big-picture vision with everyday practice. While Jer brings strategic thinking about global conflict, Oshita brings spiritual direction and embodied practices that help peacemakers sustain their work. Together they create transformative experiences that don't just inform but awaken participants to the question: "Who must we become?"

Their flagship program takes Christian leaders on a six-month journey culminating in immersion trips to places like Belfast, Northern Ireland. There, participants learn directly from those who have navigated sectarian conflict—and surprisingly, find these experienced peacemakers expressing concern about America's growing divisions.

The parallels are striking: in both contexts, groups "cloistered with people who thought just like them" and became convinced that "building enough power to crush the opposition" was necessary, all while claiming divine blessing. Against this mindset, Global Immersion promotes a vision of community that includes ideological "others," pointing to Jesus's own community of former enemies.

Perhaps most compelling is their emphasis on "companioning" rather than converting. "It used to be that clergy made their living being certain," Swigart notes. Today's faith leaders must instead create "environments where people can be incomplete, imperfect, and in process."

This conversation offers hope that even in our fractured world, another way is possible—one that builds bridges rather than walls, that restores rather than dominates, and that finds in faith not a weapon but a path toward healing.

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What happens when refugees share their culinary heritage with a new community? The story of Feast World Kitchen reveals something extraordinary about the power of food to transform lives.

Ross Carper didn't set out to launch a nonprofit restaurant. His journey began with a food truck side hustle and volunteer work helping refugee families navigate life in Spokane, Washington. When these worlds collided, he discovered how sharing meals created deep connections and support. That insight sparked a vision: a restaurant where refugee and immigrant chefs could earn income, build skills, and share their cultural heritage.

Today, Feast World Kitchen hosts a different chef family each day, all from refugee or immigrant backgrounds. They prepare authentic dishes from Afghanistan, Syria, Venezuela, Sudan, Burma, and dozens of other countries. For customers, it's a delicious culinary adventure. For the chefs, it's transformative – they might earn $2,000 in a single day, develop entrepreneurial skills, and forge meaningful connections in their new community.

Beyond the restaurant, Feast operates a drop-in program helping newcomers navigate housing, healthcare, employment, and other essentials. Community health workers, many former refugees themselves, provide culturally sensitive support. The result is a comprehensive approach to refugee resettlement built around food and hospitality.

In an era of increasing hostility toward immigrants, Feast demonstrates a radically different approach – what Carper calls being "pro-human." Their model replaces traditional charity dynamics with mutual hospitality, recognizing that refugees bring valuable skills, knowledge, and cultural gifts. Through something as simple as sharing food, they're building bridges in a divided society and showing what's possible when we welcome the stranger.

Hungry for a different way of thinking about food, community, and immigration? This conversation will leave you inspired – and probably craving international cuisine.

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Father Greg Boyle's decades long ministry in the gang-riddled neighborhoods of Los Angeles stands as one of the most powerful examples of faith in action today. As Pastor Chris and Pastor Megan unpack Boyle's latest book "Cherished Belonging," they explore how this Jesuit priest's radical vision has transformed thousands of lives through Homeboy Industries, now the world's largest gang rehabilitation program.

The conversation delves into Boyle's two guiding principles: "We are all inherently good, no exceptions" and "We belong to each other, no exceptions." These aren't mere platitudes but the foundation of a ministry that has seen former enemies from rival gangs working side by side. Through what Boyle calls "therapeutic mysticism," gang members experience genuine belonging and form healthy attachments, often for the first time in their lives.

What makes this episode particularly compelling is how Chris and Megan wrestle honestly with challenging aspects of Boyle's theology while still being deeply moved by his witness. They discuss his provocative framing of sin and mental illness, his understanding of systemic injustice, and how his approach challenges conventional religious thinking about human nature. The conversation weaves between theological reflection and practical ministry implications, offering insights for anyone working with marginalized communities.

One of the most powerful stories shared describes a Homeboy manager confronting a gun-wielding former employee, willing to sacrifice his life rather than perpetuate violence. Years later, when that same person returned seeking reconciliation, he was welcomed home with open arms – a profound example of boundaries maintained without demonization, accountability paired with unconditional love.

Whether you're familiar with Father Boyle's work or encountering it for the first time, this conversation will challenge you to see others with new eyes. As Megan notes, Boyle's ministry offers a compelling answer to those wondering if anyone is still following Jesus in meaningful ways. Listen in, and then grab one of Boyle's books to continue the journey toward seeing the divine in everyone you encounter.

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The sound of a hammer striking hot metal echoes across a church parking lot as something remarkable unfolds—a deadly weapon transforms into a tool for growing food. This is the Guns to Gardens movement, and in this powerful conversation with volunteer Dave Creel, we explore how unwanted firearms become symbols of peace and new life.

Dave walks us through the practical mechanics of these community events, where safety officers dismantle guns according to ATF guidelines before blacksmiths and woodworkers transform the components into garden trowels, spades, and works of art. The symbolism is profound—objects designed for destruction becoming instruments of cultivation. "From things that take life to things that cultivate life," as Dave beautifully puts it.

What makes this conversation particularly compelling are the personal stories. Dave shares how the Uvalde school shooting, coming just after his child's birth, propelled him into action. He reflects on his lifelong proximity to gun violence—from a middle school friend who nearly took his life with his father's gun to hearing a hundred rounds fired at his neighborhood park where his children play. These aren't isolated incidents; they reflect an American reality where firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens, and a surprisingly high number of us personally know someone who's been shot.

The Guns to Gardens movement offers more than symbolic transformation—it provides practical solutions for people who inherit unwanted firearms or no longer wish to keep them. One woman brought five loaded guns to an event after her husband's passing, having no idea how to safely dispose of them. The events create space for people to share their stories of trauma and find healing through creative transformation.

Though the project has faced pushback from those who view it as politically charged, Dave emphasizes that their mission transcends politics. Inspired by the biblical image of beating swords into plowshares, volunteers approach their work as a tangible expression of faith and nonviolence. They're motivated not by political agendas but by a vision of communities freed from the fear that drives our relationship with guns.

Ready to transform objects of fear into symbols of hope in your community? Check out Raw Tools online to discover how you can get involved in this growing movement of creative peacemaking.

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As artificial intelligence weaves itself into the fabric of our lives, how should people of faith respond?

This conversation between two pastors explores the spectrum of reactions to AI in ministry settings—from those who eagerly use it for sermon preparation to those who refuse to touch it. Rather than settling for simplistic answers, they dig into the nuanced ethical terrain of this emerging technology, drawing parallels to previous communication revolutions like the Gutenberg printing press and radio that similarly upended society.

What makes this discussion particularly valuable is its focus on human formation. While acknowledging legitimate concerns about job displacement and environmental impacts, the deeper questions emerge around how these technologies shape us as people. Can we outsource our thinking to AI without sacrificing something essential about our humanity? Recent studies showing deterioration in critical thinking skills among regular ChatGPT users suggest the answer might be no.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when examining how AI might amplify existing problems we've seen with social media—the illusion of connection leading to actual isolation, the absence of natural boundaries, and the addictive pull of technologies designed to keep us engaged. Through a Wesleyan lens of accountability and virtue formation, they suggest communities of faith might offer exactly the kind of intentional discernment needed to navigate this new frontier.

Whether you're curious about AI's implications, concerned about its impacts, or simply trying to develop a thoughtful approach to technology, this episode offers a compassionate framework for moving forward with both wisdom and hope. As one pastor notes, "The church has seen a lot of new things over 2,000 years, and we've come up with some pretty good wisdom for how to deal with them."

What boundaries have you set around technology in your own life? Join the conversation and share your thoughts on navigating faith in the age of AI.

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What if the path to healing trauma lies not just in talking about it, but in experiencing it differently through creative expression? In this illuminating conversation, Pastor Chris Nafis sits down with expressive arts therapists Jamie Rosen and Sook Kyoung Kwon to explore the profound connection between creativity, trauma healing, and spiritual growth.

Both therapists share their compelling journeys into expressive arts therapy—Sook Kyoung's transition from Korean theater artist to drama therapist working with refugees, and Jamie's path from trial attorney to finding healing through creative expression after personal loss. They explain how expressive arts therapy integrates multiple creative modalities (visual art, music, movement, writing, drama) to help people process trauma in ways that traditional talk therapy often cannot reach.

"Trauma happens outside and affects inside," Sook Kyoung explains, describing how overwhelming experiences become stored in our bodies, affecting our capacity for connection and joy. The therapists demonstrate how creative expression offers a way to externalize difficult emotions without retraumatization, while "tricking" the nervous system into releasing calming hormones through sensory engagement and play.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as they discuss how religious communities—despite historically embracing embodied practices like music, art, and ritual—have often moved away from these healing elements, emphasizing cognitive belief over embodied experience. "We live in a world where good enough isn't okay... you're supposed to be happy all the time," Jamie observes, highlighting how perfectionism undermines our resilience. The therapists invite listeners to rediscover the joy of play, sensory engagement, and authentic connection that can rebuild our capacity for spiritual growth.

Whether you're carrying personal trauma, supporting others through hardship, or simply seeking greater resilience in challenging times, this conversation offers practical wisdom for reconnecting with your innate creativity as a pathway to healing. As Jamie powerfully concludes: "It's not the word, it's the work."

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Dr. Jamie Gates offers a powerful, deeply personal exploration of growing up as a white American in apartheid South Africa, revealing striking parallels between South Africa's racial history and America's ongoing struggles with justice and reconciliation. As someone who straddled two worlds - attending all-white Afrikaner schools while his missionary parents ministered in Black communities - Gates provides unique insights into how segregation shapes society and how religious institutions either challenge or reinforce these divisions.

The conversation takes us through the theological underpinnings of apartheid, where religious language was weaponized to justify racial separation. Gates explains how certain churches provided spiritual backing for apartheid while others worked actively against it, creating multiple versions of Christianity within the same nation. This historical exploration feels urgently relevant as Gates connects it to contemporary American politics, particularly the dangers of "colorblind" approaches that ignore measurable disparities and the privilege inherent in claiming political neutrality when others are suffering under unjust systems.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is Gates' nuanced perspective on Christian engagement with divisive issues. He challenges the false dichotomy between maintaining relationships across political divides and speaking prophetically against injustice. Instead, he suggests Christians can and must do both - keeping "holy friendships" with those who disagree while still standing firmly with the marginalized. His personal journey through these tensions offers wisdom for anyone struggling with how faith intersects with politics in polarized times. Whether you're interested in international justice issues, theological responses to racism, or practical ways Christians can bridge divides while maintaining integrity, this conversation provides thoughtful pathways forward rooted in both scholarship and lived experience.

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Dr. Rebecca Laird takes us on a journey through spiritual formation, direction, and the enduring legacy of Henri Nouwen in this deeply personal conversation. Drawing from her years as Dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry at Point Loma Nazarene University, alongside decades in pastoral ministry and spiritual direction, Dr. Laird illuminates the pathways to a more meaningful spiritual life.

"Spirituality is usually about lived theology," she explains, distinguishing between abstract theological concepts and the concrete reality of how faith manifests in our daily existence. Through practices like the Prayer of Examen – taking time to notice where we experienced connection and disconnection throughout our day – we begin to recognize patterns and make intentional choices that invite greater meaning into our lives.

The conversation explores Henri Nouwen's remarkable journey from academic prominence at Yale and Harvard to finding his true home at L'Arche, a community centered around people with disabilities. Dr. Laird shares personal memories of Nouwen, revealing how his ability to articulate "the contours of the heart" created profound connections with readers from vastly different backgrounds through his unique pastoral writing style.

At the core of spiritual direction is the practice of accompaniment – walking alongside another person while helping them recognize what God might be doing that they're too close to see themselves. This requires genuine curiosity about people and attention to the "persistent questions" we all wrestle with: Who am I? Where do I belong? How can I serve? What is prayer?

For those seeking a more meaningful spiritual path, Dr. Laird emphasizes three essential disciplines: engagement with community, connection to scripture, and practices of the heart. "If you're seeking discernment but you're not doing those things," she cautions, "it's like saying you want to get stronger but have an aversion to lifting weights."

The conversation concludes with powerful reflections on building authentic community across socioeconomic divisions, moving beyond one-way service relationships toward mutual growth and dignity – a journey that begins when people discover they have meaningful gifts to share, regardless of their circumstances.

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What does the journey from success to rock bottom and back again really look like? Laura Davis Mansfield's story defies simple narratives about homelessness and addiction.

Growing up amid family dysfunction and trauma, Laura nonetheless excelled, becoming a star athlete and graduating from Lehigh University with dual degrees. Her move to California promised new beginnings, but as a single mother fighting anxiety and isolation, everything changed when doctors prescribed her highly addictive Klonopin. This began a devastating spiral that eventually led this former honor student to methamphetamine addiction and the streets of San Diego.

Laura takes us through the raw realities of homelessness—from her first night sleeping on concrete with nothing but a jacket for protection, to the mysterious pizza that appeared beside her like manna from heaven, to her eventual connection with community resources and churches that became lifelines. With unflinching honesty, she reveals how addiction severed her relationship with her teenage daughter—a relationship that would take nearly a decade to rebuild.

The recovery journey wasn't linear. Laura cycled through multiple attempts at sobriety, rehab programs, and even a quixotic plan to bicycle across America before finding lasting recovery through the Salvation Army's rehabilitation program. Today, six and a half years sober, Laura serves as a Salvation Army officer alongside her husband, helping others navigate their own paths to healing.

This conversation doesn't just illuminate the complicated reality of homelessness—it reminds us that behind every person on the street lies a complete human story. Laura's message is clear: no matter how far you've fallen, redemption is possible when you embrace vulnerability, connect with community, and refuse to give up. Have you been trying to face your struggles alone? Maybe it's time to reach out for help.