What's Good In The Neighborhood

In this episode of What’s Good in the Neighborhood, host Andrew Feil sits down with Rev. Dr. Randy White and Carlos Huerta to discuss the nuances of Christian community development and the potential pitfalls of well-intentioned outreach. Drawing from years of urban ministry experience and core principles from "When Helping Hurts," the conversation explores how to move past temporary fixes, properly diagnose the deeper relational aspects of poverty, and discern when to apply relief, rehabilitation, or development. Tune in for practical wisdom on how churches and individuals can love and serve their neighbors in ways that bring true, lasting shalom.

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In this episode, Dr. Randy White and Carlos Huerta join Andrew Feil in exploring Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), shifting the focus from traditional needs-based models to empowering local communities from within. They discuss how identifying and mobilizing a neighborhood's core assets—including individuals, institutions, associations, local economy, and natural features—fosters sustainable, relational change and community-driven development.

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In this episode, Dr. Randy White and Carlos Huerta join Andrew Feil to explore the ancient calling of "Seeking Shalom" through the lens of Jeremiah 29 and Micah 6:8. We discuss how to move beyond merely "fixing" city problems to truly understanding the social, physical, and spiritual layers of our neighborhoods—and how we can engage them the Jesus way.

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In this episode of What’s Good in the Neighborhood, Andrew Feil is joined by Dr. Randy White and Carlos Huerta to explore the theological and practical heart of urban ministry, centered on the vital truth that place and process matter. This episode invites listeners to move away from isolated effort toward a sustainable life of service, ultimately challenging us all to see, stay, and serve our communities the Jesus way.

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In this episode, Grace and Andrew sit down with Dave Hanson, CEO of Students International, to discuss the critical importance of long-term presence in our communities. The conversation explores why "staying" is a radical act in a world often focused on short-term projects. Dave shares how deep, sustained commitment builds trust, fosters genuine transformation, and moves beyond simple metrics of success. This episode offers practical wisdom for listeners looking to move past quick bursts of service to learn how to invest their time to truly love the people right outside their front door.

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In this week's episode, Grace and Andrew sit down with Jess and Brandon Jackson, Co-Pastors of On Ramps Covenant Church, who live in the Lowell neighborhood they serve. They discuss why physical proximity is the most radical act a leader can perform and what their neighbors have taught them about resilience, faith, and joy. This episode explores the vital shift from trying to "fix" a community from the outside to living with it from the inside. They also tackle the tough choices between pursuing scale versus depth, and how to carry the weight of seeing suffering up close.

Brandon Jackson is the Co-Lead Pastor of On Ramps Covenant Church in Fresno’s Lowell neighborhood, where he serves alongside his wife, Jess. Together, they are passionate about following Jesus, loving their neighborhood well, and helping create pathways for spiritual growth, leadership development, and community transformation. Brandon especially loves investing in the next generation and building relationships that help people grow into all God has for them.

Jess Jackson is the co pastor of On Ramps Covenant Church. She’s passionate about building Jesus-centered communities marked by shared life, justice and deep belonging. Her heart is to see people encounter God in real transformative ways, locally and globally.

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Join Grace and Andrew as they chat with Bryan Feil to discuss the radical act of showing up in your neighborhood and building the practical skill of reciprocity. They explore how shifting our perspective from simply "helping" to recognizing the inherent value in every person and place can transform our communities. Bryan shares powerful insights from his work with Neighborhood Industries and Lanna Coffee Co. on how business and proximity serve as catalysts for mutual benefit and lasting change.

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In this episode, Andrew and Grace chat with James Williams III, a faith-driven leader whose mission is to mentor youth and create safe spaces in West Fresno where young people can grow and thrive. He discusses his journey and how early life experiences shaped his heart for the youth in his neighborhood. The core theme of the episode is the "muscle of consistency," and why the simple act of showing up—week after week—is a radical act in a community.

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In this episode, Kendra Devejian explores how businesses and leaders can move beyond transactional relationships to truly value people as whole individuals—offering meaningful support through real-life challenges like housing, childcare, and mental health. She highlights the practical “good neighbor” skills of proximity, reciprocity, and endurance, showing how we can walk alongside one another in sustainable, life-giving ways.

Kendra Devejian is a fourth-generation Fresno native who has spent her career doing one thing: making sure people in the Central Valley have what they need to thrive. As CEO of Heartland Compass, a workplace-based support program powered by the Fresno Business Council, she and her team meet employees right where they are, inside the companies they work for, helping them navigate life's hardest moments so they can show up fully at work and at home.

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Christy and Kasey weren't looking to become non profit leaders, but they did commit to come in close to girls who were in the foster care system. The two women share their stories about how their personal stories and lives ignited a passion for those who are aging out of the foster care system. The two talk about what it takes to show up for formerly and current foster youth on a day to day basis, the statistics that seem insurmountable, and also the amazing hope and healing they've been able to witness up close.

To learn more about Good Dirt Collective - https://gooddirtcollective.org/

To learn more about the Redemptive Impact Accelerator - https://www.cctfresno.org/ria/

Kasey Jackson and Christy Manning are Co-Founders of Good Dirt Collective, united by their shared experience as foster and adoptive parents and a desire to support young women who have been impacted by foster care. Together, they created Good Dirt Collective to provide pottery-based job training, mentorship, and hope, offering a safe place to grow skills, confidence, and community. This work is rooted in their faith as they seek to follow God’s leading in how they serve others.

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