389 Leading with Love and Resistance: Pastor Evan Mawarire on Freedom, Democracy, and the Power of Faith
Christopher Lochhead Follow Your Different™
The Power of Language in Social Perception
This chapter explores how language and framing significantly influence our perceptions and beliefs about social issues, particularly sensitive topics like reproductive rights. By examining the impact of word choice, it highlights the need for a transformative approach to thinking and understanding identity.
On this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different, Pastor Evan Mawarire joins us in an insightful conversation about the complexities of faith, the pursuit of happiness, and the importance of re-evaluating our core values.
Pastor Evan Mawarire’s journey is a testament to the power of courage, faith, and resilience in overcoming adversity. From his humble beginnings to becoming a voice of hope for millions, his story reflects the transformative power of self-belief and the pursuit of a higher purpose. In a candid conversation, Pastor Mawarire shares the lessons he learned during his darkest hours and how they shaped his vision of life and faith.
You’re listening to Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different. We are the real dialogue podcast for people with a different mind. So get your mind in a different place, and hey ho, let’s go.
Pastor Evan Mawarire on the Courage to Defy Social Norms
Pastor Evan’s journey highlights the importance of stepping outside the molds imposed by societal norms. Reflecting on how society often dictates expectations, he shares how breaking free from these conventions unlocked opportunities and insights he could never have imagined.
“Once I broke that, I started seeing things I could never have seen no matter how much money I had paid.”
– Pastor Evan Mawarire
This defiance wasn’t about rebellion for its own sake but rather a quest for authenticity and self-discovery. His story reminds us that courage lies in questioning long-standing beliefs and seeking our own truth, even when it challenges conventional wisdom.
The Power of Mental Scaffolding
In a powerful metaphor, Pastor Evan compares the structures of our thinking to scaffolding—a temporary framework essential for building something greater. He emphasizes how reshaping our mental scaffolding can transform our relationship with reality.
Whether in personal growth or societal movements, the way we perceive and articulate our struggles determines our capacity to overcome them. Pastor Evan’s insights serve as a reminder that redefining our mental frameworks is key to achieving greatness.
The Unsure Journey Back to Faith
For those curious about faith or feeling disconnected, Pastor Evan offers an inclusive perspective. He acknowledges the doubt and uncertainty many feel when exploring spirituality. “Jesus just loves people with doubt,” he affirms.
Drawing from his experiences, including moments of despair in maximum-security prison, he highlights how vulnerability and honesty can pave the way to spiritual connection. His message is clear: the journey back to faith doesn’t require perfection or certainty—just a willingness to knock on the door. By embracing doubt and curiosity, anyone can begin to uncover a deeper sense of purpose and belonging.
To hear more from Pastor Evan Mawarire and how to lead with love and resistance, download and listen to this episode.
Bio
Evan Mawarire is a Zimbabwean clergyman who founded #ThisFlag Citizen’s Movement to challenge corruption, injustice, and poverty in Zimbabwe.
The movement empowers citizens to hold government to account. Through viral videos, the movement has organized multiple successful non-violent protests in response to unjust government policy.
Pastor Evan was imprisoned in 2016, 2017, and 2019 for charges of treason, facing 80 years in prison.
His message of inspiring positive social change and national pride has resonated with diverse groups of citizens and attracted international attention.
Pastor Evan has addressed audiences around the world, and Foreign Policy magazine named him one of the 100 global thinkers of 2016.
The Daily Maverick Newspaper of South Africa named him 2016 African person of the year.
Evan is a 2018 Stanford University Fellow of the Centre for Democracy Development and the Rule of Law.
Links
Connect with Pastor Evan Mawarire!
Renew Democracy Initiative | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
More information about Pastor Evan Mawarire
2022/23 SNF Agora Institute Johns Hopkins University Visiting Fellow
2022 National Endowment for Democracy Regan Fascell Fellow
2020 Yale University World Fellow
Yale International Leadership Centre advisory council member
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