We have a conversation with Pastor Randy Greenwald of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Oviedo, FL. He is the true definition of a shepherding pastor. He has been a pastor for over 33 years and has recently returned from a sabbatical. We had the privilege of sitting down and having a conversation about rest, renewal and reimagining. We also discuss the key components of his sabbatical. If you are a pastor, this will be helpful but if you are in ministry or serving others or just in a profession where you are pouring yourself out this will be encouraging as well.

On Episode 13, we have a conversation with Jessica Warkentin, IJM Ghana alum. She shares her story of burnout, grief, disappointment and redemption. She talks about how her experience has prepared her for the work she does now.

Brittany Vergara

Neal Salzman

www.therestinitiative.org

On Episode 12, We have a conversation with Troy Groves, Director of Events for International Justice Mission and discuss the upcoming global Liberate gathering. We wanted to know why this is an important event and what we can do to prepare.

Brittany Vergara

Neal Salzman

www.therestinitiative.org

On Episode 11, we have a conversation with the talented Jose Estrada. He is a graphic designer, musician, husband, friend and man of great faith. Jose talks about his lifelong battle with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and shares his wisdom on suffering. He shares how we might deal with our own suffering as well as the suffering of others.

Jose Estrada

Brittany Vergara

Neal Salzman

www.therestinitiative.org

On this episode of The Rest Initiative Podcast, we interview Ashlee Berghoff, small business owner and IJM Alumni. She shares her story on what the impact of serving others internationally has had on her. #interns #fellows #IJM

Ashlee Berghoff

Brittany Vergara

Neal Salzman

www.therestinitiative.org

On this episode of The Rest Initiative Podcast, we play part 2 of our interview with Jim Martin, IJM Vice President of Spiritual Formation. He discusses transition and how we make it through those vulnerable seasons. He also shares his vision for spiritual formation.

"The reality is we serve a god of justice that is making all things new, what that means is our best years are ahead of us."

"If we look at Jesus's life in the New Testament, the time of his most intense temptations are during times of transition. Interestingly, maybe it is true that in times of significant transition we too will be more vulnerable to temptation."

"Everything I had been doing in the church was geared towards activating people in their faith. So in the IJM world [where] you already have highly active people, [they] need resources to process; the disciplines of the activist."

"We should not necessarily see ourselves as doing this extreme work, on some level we are just being the church."

Brittany Vergara

Neal Salzman

www.therestinitiative.org

In this episode of The Rest Initiative Podcast, we interview IJM VP Jim Martin. We talk about his work as Vice President of Spiritual Formation. He discusses a posture of dependence and our spiritual rhythms that create high levels of resilience. He offers some encouragement and wisdom for all of those who have or are serving in the most vulnerable environments.

Brittany Vergara

Neal Salzman

www.therestinitiative.org

In this session of The Rest Initiative Podcast, I interview Brittany Vergara who is International Justice Mission Alumni Program Manager. We take some time to discuss her work and the IJM Alumni initiative. She shares some history of the alumni program, what they are doing now and a vision for what she hopes it will become. Lastly she shares some thoughts of encouragement as alumni share some similar challenges.

Brittany Vergara

Neal Salzman

www.therestinitiative.org

In this episode of The Rest Initiative Podcast, Neal and Brittany interview Rene Vazquez who is with International Justice Mission. He served as a Fellow in the Guatemala field office a few years ago and is now full-time at their DC headquarters. He shares some thoughts on re-entry and how his time continues to shape his future.

We would love to hear from you. If you have questions or comments contact us at:

www.therestinitiative.org

Rene Vazquez and Brittany Vergara

www.ijm.org

In this session of The Rest Initiative Podcast, I continue to interview Will Lathrop, former International Justice Mission's Interns and Fellows Director. Will is now back in the field as the Field Office Director in Ghana. Brittany Vergara also joins us as we talk about what it takes to be resilient in the field and when you are back after serving with IJM. We had the privilege of getting some time with him before he left and excited to share our time. This is Part 2 of the interview.

Contact info:

restinitiative.org

Brittany Vergara

ijm.org