The Venture 12 Podcast

Everything about the gospel message leads to the cross, and proceeds from the cross. In fact, within the narrative of Scripture, the crucifixion of Jesus is literally the crux of the story―the axis upon which the biblical story turns. In our ongoing quest to make meaning of the cross, we need to recognize that this conversation will never conclude―that there is always something more to be said. In this episode Brian Zahnd invites us to experience the kaleidoscopic mystery of the cross and the infinite ways to behold the crucified Christ as the beautiful form that touches and transforms all aspects of life.

In this episode, we are joined by two friends from Palestine. They share the history and plight of the Palestinian people, as well as open up about their own personal experiences and impact that the latest Israeli invasion in Gaza has had on them and those around them.

We speak to Angela Lam, founder of Hagar's Voice about abuse and the environments that enable them in the church but also how we can find routes to healing and safe spaces of transformation in the movement that Jesus started. HagarsVoice.com ClergySexualMisconduct.com Infinitum's True Self Check In Book Recommendation: Faith in the Face of Empire by Mitri Raheb Hagar's Voice on Socials @HagarsVoice (Facebook and Instagram

In this episode we talk to Rickard Cruz, missional leader and co-founder of Katalysator Sweden which has vision to plant the good news of Jesus in every place, in every ethnic group and in every subculture. In this conversation Rickard shares his experience and helps us reflect upon how we can meet our muslim neighbors and friends with a heart to learn and posture of curiosity to see what the spirit is already doing in their lives and attuning to loving ways we can speak about Jesus. https://www.rickardcruz.se www.katalysator.net

In this episode we meet Guillermo Navarrete and Seth Clark, who share with us the powerful story of Border Church and La Iglesia Fronteriza. This remarkable expression of the body of Christ at the San Diego-Tijuana border demonstrates its love for Christ through serving suffering humanity, pursuing justice for migrants and using their pinkies to pass the peace through the mesh metal walls between U.S and Mexico as part of their distinct and profound expression of worship. Church at the Wall Seth David Clark Church at the Wall: Stories of Hope Along the San Diego-Tijuana Border https://www.amazon.com/Church-Wall-Stories-Diego-Tijuana-Border/dp/0817018301

In this episode we talk to Hugh Halter, missional leader and author, about what it really means to bring our kids up in faith. Is our goal to raise religious kids, or are we hoping for something more? Hugh gives us great insight into what it could look like making the mission of God a family story.

In this episode, Bree Mills shares with us some foundational thoughts and wisdom around empowering micro church movements to emerge and flourish. She is an ordained Anglican Minister and director of Micro Movements Australia . ENJOY https://www.breemills.com.au/about

In this episode we share some prayers, poems and reflections for this unique Advent Season. We'd like to extend a big thank you to friends of the podcast; poets Sarah Bourns Crosby and Will Small for their inspiring and powerful words and contributions. Finally we'd also like to thank you all for listening to and supporting the podcast during 2023. We hope this reflective episode will give you something to ponder, perhaps give you something to discuss with others but ultimately draw you closer into the presence of Christ. May God bless you richly this Advent season and Merry Christmas! Contributions In Violence and Travail. Words by Walter Brueggemann, Voice Ashely Bowles, Music by Mark Cotterill Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals. Notes on Advent: Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove Blessed Is She: Words by Sarah Bourns Crosby (Advent Guide, Poems, Passages and Prompts) The Other Story by Will Small The Venture 12 Podcast Team Alex Gibson -  Host -Editor Mark Cotterill - Host, Music and Art Hanna Mingay -Host Chris Mingay - Host Kris Halliday - Host Emma Cotterill - Host Bethany Gibson - Host

In this episode Will Small challenges us to rethink inclusion for the marginalised and the creation of safe spaces to explore life and faith. In this joint Venture 12 & Included: The Podcast chat, Will shares some of his journey of evolving faith, finding God in unexpected places and processing it through poetry along the way. To learn more about Will's work do check out the podcast and his website. Links are below! Spiritual misfits welcome here. - Spiritual Misfits WILL SMALL. - Home

In this episode we have great conversation with Mike Frost about his new book 'Mission is the Shape of Water: Learning From the Past to Inform Our Role in the World'. Join us as traverse through the rich tapestry of Christian history revealing how context shapes mission, just as a bottle shapes water. You'll encounter some well known and perhaps some unexpected voices, people and movements who have been loyal to the soil of their time and announced the universal reign of God's good news in profoundly transformative and beautiful ways. Where will the water flow next? What might the shape of mission be for our time and place, and how can we play our part today? The Book