Think Global, Do Justice

This year has seen a tremendous amount of change for Christian NGOs doing transformational development throughout the world. In many ways, we are entering a new era of global mission and international development. To talk about some of those changes and to help us keep a pulse on what God is up to, we’re joined by Michael Cerna who serves as the CEO at the Accord Network. Building on topics from Accord’s Thursday Three weekly newsletter, Michael talks with Brandon Stiver about recent reports, articles and resources that are charting a path forward for us. Support the Show Through Venmo – @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors Take the free Core Elements Self-Assessment from the CAFO Research Center and tap into online courses with discount code ‘TGDJ25’ Take the Free Core Elements Self-Assessment Resources and Links from the show Accord Network Online Subscribe to The Thursday Three Interesting Times by Ross Douthat : Under Trump, Is Foreign Aid ‘Our Problem?’  “The End of the Age of NGOs?” by Sarah Bush and Jennifer Hadden The Nonprofit Times : Next Generations Christians Will Give Differently Conversation Notes Updates from the Accord Network and the upcoming One Accord Conference in Washington DC Reflections from prayer and advocacy with Bread for the World Ross Douthat’s eye-opening conversation with Jeremy Lewin from the Department of Government Efficiency and State Department’s shuttering of USAID Reflections on the recent article in International Affairs “The End of the Age of NGOs?” In what ways are Christian Millenials giving differently as they inherit the wealth of older generations Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

There is no place on Earth that God is not working. Even in authoritarian regimes that make following Christ illegal, He still moves. Iran is one of those countries. While we hear about Iran pretty regularly in the news, we don't typically hear about what God is doing through His Spirit and in His Church there. Today we're joined by the CEO of Transform Iran, Lana Silk. She talks with Brandon Stiver about the geopolitics of the country, what it was like for her growing up in Iran and most importantly, how the gospel is spreading among communities there. Podcast Sponsors Join more than 2,000 ministry leaders at CAFO2025 in Houston, Texas from October 1-3, hosted by the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Register for CAFO2025 in Houston Take the free Core Elements Self-Assessment from the CAFO Research Center and tap into online courses with discount code 'TGDJ25' Take the Free Core Elements Self-Assessment Resources and Links from the show Transform Iran Online Kairos AI Chatbot Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Conversation Notes The brainwashing of students in Iran The theology component of Jesus in Islam - differences and shared reverence Where the Koran came from in the views of a Muslim Understanding the various viewpoints that different Muslims might hold Modern history of Iran and the geopolitical reality we live in Is Iran exporting Shiite Islam throughout the world? The Christian experience in Iran (including its illegality) Lana’s own family background and how the Gospel came to her family The spreading of the underground church in Iran The hybrid model of Transform Iran’s ministry Stories of how people have found Jesus in Iran A new AI tool that can counsel and pray for Iranian Christians Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

Families are the center piece of how God created societies to flourish, yet there are so many things that can tear down this fundamental part of God's design. We know that orphanages are spread out throughout the world and we know that those children should be allowed to grow up in families. In today's episode, we have Chantry Mweemba of Alliance for Children Everywhere joining to dive deeper into the effects of urbanization, education access and other factors that are leading children in Zambia to separate from their families. We also get into how the recent USAID closure is negatively affecting the protection of children in Zambia and how organizations like ACE are continuing to step up for children even in the midst of uncertain times. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors Join more than 2,000 ministry leaders at CAFO2025 in Houston, Texas from October 1-3, hosted by the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Register for CAFO2025 in Houston Take the free Core Elements Self-Assessment from the CAFO Research Center and tap into online courses with discount code 'TGDJ25' Take the Free Core Elements Self-Assessment Resources and Links from the show Alliance for Children Everywhere Online Conversation Notes Chantry’s background in child rights and care reform God’s idea of a global family that transcends the nuclear family The resulting isolation of developing urban areas in the Global South The paradox of advocacy that led to development that led to growing inequality The work that ACE is doing to contribute to the broader picture of promoting family in Africa The connection between orphanages and education How the closing of USAID affected child protection efforts in Zambia An estimated 14 million people will die in the next five years as a result of the USAID closure Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

One of our great passions behind the show is equipping practitioners globally to serve the poor and develop communities. Today's episode is all about that. We've invited our friend Jeremy Macias back onto the show to share with us about the "messy middle" of monitoring and evaluation and the critical role that it plays in community interventions. Jeremy works with World Relief and shares some of his experiences developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks with different organizations over the years. Then, Brandon dives into the Apostle Paul's words from Romans 12 as an ethical framework for understanding Romans 13, but really all of Christian life. Lastly, we've got some gifts that we want to share with you! You've heard Brandon's book recommendation for years, now it's time to give some away. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors Join more than 2,000 ministry leaders at CAFO2025 in Houston, Texas from October 1-3, hosted by the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Register for CAFO2025 in Houston Take the free Core Elements Self-Assessment from the CAFO Research Center and tap into online courses with discount code 'TGDJ25' Take the Free Core Elements Self-Assessment Resources and Links from the show Get Support in Monitoring and Evaluation Through CAFO Get a Consultation with Canopy International for Monitoring and Evaluation Support Conversation Notes Going from telling individual stories to community wide data Being apprehensive to look under the hood with the projects that we're doing Connecting the work on the ground with the loftier vision of the organization Explaining theory of change and how you develop one Engaging the community you're walking alongside in doing M&E Working a logframe horizontally and vertically while asking 'why?' A short devotion on Romans 12: 9-21 Equipping TGDJ listeners through leading books in Christian development, orphan care, missions and theology Enter to Win One of Brandon's Top Christian Development and Justice Books Leave a Review of the Show on Apple Podcasts Email brandon@canopy.international to say hi and enter for a chance to win one of the books of your choice. The Locust Effect by Gary Haugen and Victor Boutros Orphan Justice by Johnny Carr Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger by Ronald Sider Generous Justice by Tim Keller When Helping Hurts by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

There is no more salient, no more pressing global event right now for the Church to engage than what is happening currently in Gaza. Gaza presents not just a lightning rod for conversation (or controversy), but also serves as a moral compass for all humankind. The global Church is wrestling with questions like, "is Israel justified in their offensive?" "how do we understand the theology and politics in play?" and "are we watching a genocide unfold before our eyes?" To help us understand the broader history and context around Gaza, we've invited Dr. Ben Norquist from Churches for Middle East Peace to the show. He sits down with Brandon Stiver to discuss all things surrounding the conflict and most importantly the decades leading up to what we see in 2025. Join us in this conversation and join us in praying and acting for peace. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors Join more than 2,000 ministry leaders at CAFO2025 in Houston, Texas from October 1-3, hosted by the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Register for CAFO2025 in Houston Take the free Core Elements Self-Assessment from the CAFO Research Center and tap into online courses with discount code 'TGDJ25' Take the Free Core Elements Self-Assessment Resources and Links from the show Churches for Middle East Peace Online Church at the Crossroads Conference Information Christ in the Rubble by Munther Isaac UN Definitions of Genocide and Related Crimes Conversation Notes The difference between a 'thin' Gospel and a 'thick' Gospel Growing up in evangelicalism and what that means for supporting modern day Israel Understanding the historical context of Gaza What is the Nakba?  What were the Intafadas? How the Balfour Declaration laid a framework for the land that continues to reverberate over a hundred years later Comparing the current conflict and humanitarian crisis to the UN definition of genocide   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

The podcast is back from our summer break, but we're still in vacation travel mode! We're joined by author and photographer Ashley Campbell who is on the show to share about her new book "I've Never Been Here Before" and what it looks like to lead a big family on a big adventure around the world. From Morocco and Albania to the Philippines and Colombia, Ashley shares insight that isn't just about being a travel guide, but what it looks like to raise children that are truly global citizens. She sits down to talk with Brandon Stiver about the trip, the book and why basketball turned out to be the MVP of the trip. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors Join more than 2,000 ministry leaders at CAFO2025 in Houston, Texas from October 1-3, hosted by the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Register for CAFO2025 in Houston Take the free Core Elements Self-Assessment from the CAFO Research Center and tap into online courses with discount code 'TGDJ25' Take the Free Core Elements Self-Assessment Resources and Links from the show "I've Never Been Here Before" by Ashley Campbell (Amazon) Conversation Notes Taking a family of 7 through 21 countries on 5 continents in 365 days The fifteen year preparation for a year-long global trip Learning Cold War history from a country that was behind the Iron Curtain Building relationship with a Palestinian refugee living in Jordan A dual narrative approach to visiting Israel-Palestine Basketball as a cross-cultural bridge builder Turning an epic family trip into a book by a first time author   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

It has been four years since Phil invited Brandon to take over the podcast and the conversations since then (and all the way back to Phil's founding of the podcast in 2016) have been rich, uplifting and led to the equipping of people throughout the world to care for the vulnerable. In this mid-year episode, we're preparing to take a month off from releasing episodes, but there's an even bigger transition for our podcast community. This is a conversation for those in this community. Join this personal conversation with Phil and Brandon as we pursue God with open hands. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors Alliance for Children Everywhere is on mission to bring vulnerable children into secure families, schools, and communities. Visit Alliance for Children Everywhere Online Resources and Links from the show Providence World How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast Conversation Notes Conversations happening on How Soccer Explains Leadership Updates from Phil's leadership over Providence World The history and origins of this podcast Brandon's call towards flexibility in ministry The transition of podcast hosting for Think Global, Do Justice  

Barak Laub, a filmmaker and advocate focused on orphan care, discusses his documentary 'Volunteers Needed,' highlighting the complexities of voluntourism in Nepal. He delves into the ethical implications of orphanage tourism, revealing how well-intentioned efforts can lead to unintended harm. Laub shares insights on the systemic issues of child trafficking and emphasizes the importance of genuine contributions over superficial volunteering. He advocates for legislative changes to improve care for vulnerable children and underscores the importance of ethical consumerism.

Hope is a bit of a buzzword, but at the same time it is a lifeline for those that are experiencing humanitarian crises. What does it look like to experience hope in the midst of forcible displacement or losing your home in a natural disaster? Is it possible to have hope that is disconnected from the truth of Christ? Heath Adamson joins the show to help us think through these big questions. He talks with Brandon Stiver about his new book Hope Breaks Through and the work that Convoy of Hope is doing throughout the globe. Heath brings a wealth of biblical knowledge and on the ground experience that points to the God of hope and how we can partner with Him in bringing His promises to bear on the earth. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors The M.A. in Global Development and Justice program at Jessup University prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, community development, and peacebuilding. Learn More About The MAGDJ Online Program Join Camino Quest for a spiritual pilgrimage with other pilgrims on the ancient and amazing Camino de Santiago in Spain. Visit Camino Quest Online Resources and Links from the show Hope Breaks Through by Heath Adamson (Amazon) Convoy of Hope Online To Transform a City by Eric Swanson and Sam Williams Conversation Notes The work of Convoy of Hope and their four pillars of development Having hope in the midst of dire situations throughout the world What is hope and how it relates to the story of Rahab in Joshua 2 The centrality of Christ in having true hope Understanding spiritual poverty and the difference between poverty in the Sermon on the Mount and the letter to the church in Laodicea in Revelation Having hope in the midst of current humanitarian crises right now through tornadoes in Missouri, flooding in Africa and typhoons in Asia The opportunity that we have to "turn aside" and join God's redemptive work     Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License

It's impossible to ignore the interconnectedness of global justice issues and the complexity of systems that affect societies. Sometimes a system enables people to thrive and other times the system puts people at risk. A clear example of this is looking at food systems and malnutrition in Central America. To help us dive deeper, we have Curt Bowen of Semilla Nueva on the show today. With work that addresses malnutrition through economic development and government partnerships, Curt and his team have turned the region's stable of corn into a driver for social change. Support the Show Through Venmo - @canopyintl Podcast Sponsors The M.A. in Global Development and Justice program at Jessup University prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, community development, and peacebuilding. Learn More About The MAGDJ Online Program Join Camino Quest for a spiritual pilgrimage with other pilgrims on the ancient and amazing Camino de Santiago in Spain. Visit Camino Quest Online Resources and Links from the show Semilla Nueva Online Conversation Notes Understanding malnutrition and food insecurity in Central America The importance of taking a systems approach when addressing malnutrition Navigating public policy and legislation in a libertarian environment The intersections of economic development, climate change, forced displacement and malnutrition The difference between biofortified crops and GMOs Are GMOs always bad or do they just get a bad rap? Earned income is not always possible and doesn't fit every nonprofit operation   Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License