Unconventional Ministry

From Being Wholesome to Hypersexualized: The Dangerous Trend in Children’s Dance with Mary Bawden EP#66

In this episode, I visit with dance educator and author Mary Bawden. She began choreographing dance within church services in 1994. In 2016, she noticed a dangerous trend in children’s dance and founded DA:NCE (Dance Awareness: No Child Exploited) in an effort to raise awareness and educate others to take action and stop the hypersexualization of children in dance choreography, costumes, and music.

Alongside dance ministry, she developed the Soul to Sole Choreography method transforming dance movement into prayer-in-motion, providing education and resources to support a Christian dance ministry.

Mary Bawden received a BA in modern dance from the University of California Riverside, a MA in worship (emphasis in dance) from Hope International University in Fullerton CA, and a California secondary teaching credential.

African American Christian Teenager Overcomes Racism and Injustices

In this episode, hear how an African American Christian teenager overcame racism and injustices in his community in the South. As a teenager, Charles Graham was challenged, not only by the racism in the community, but the racism in the Church. 

Graham is author of the book No Back Doors. His ministry in song has taken him all over the United States as well as overseas. He has ministered in several countries including England, Scotland, Wales, Norway, Germany, France, Canada, Israel, Africa, and South America. Graham has ministered at the Governor’s Mansion in Atlanta, GA and for various Mayor’s Prayer Breakfasts in other parts of the country. God continues to use Charles's life and ministry in AR with the ministry of The Fountains.

Charles is a man dedicated to the call of God on his life. Not only does he have a tremendous natural talent, but he also works tirelessly to minister with love and encouragement to people wherever he goes. Find out more at https://charlesgrahamministry.com/.

Discovering Hidden Antiquities in Modern Turkey - Dr. Mark Fairchild

This episode will hear from world-renowned archaeologist Dr. Mark Fairchild, a Huntington University Bible and Religion Profession, and a Fulbright Senior Research Scholar. In part II of my podcast conversation, we discuss Dr. Fairchild’s discovery of the oldest known synagogue in the world.

You will learn about his extensive research at the site of the well-known Council of Nicea. The place where over 300 leaders of the early church met with the emperor Constantine, culminating in the confessional statement known as the Nicene Creed.

Dr. Mark Fairchild's website https://www.ancientbiblicalworld.com/about-mark-r-fairchild/

Paul’s Missionary Journey Not Mentioned in Acts – Dr. Mark Fairchild

Dr. Mark Fairchild, a world-renowned archaeologist, explains the chronology of the Apostle Paul’s time after the Damascus road experience and before his three missionary journeys. Was there an earlier missionary journey?

After Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, his life was imperiled, and he fled to his hometown of Tarsus. There, for the next seven to nine years, the apostle began to share his new faith with people in communities throughout Syria and Cilicia. This early mission of Paul’s was never mentioned in the book of Acts, yet it was here that Paul learned and developed a ministry to non-Jewish people (the Gentiles). Where did Paul go and how did he approach the task?

Since joining the faculty at Huntington University, Dr. Fairchild has made numerous academic contributions to biblical research. A two-hour documentary film entitled “The Last Apostle” followed Fairchild on his travels as he retraced the course of Paul’s journeys through Cyprus and Anatolia.

Visit https://www.ancientbiblicalworld.com for more information.

Families Count – A Second Chance at Parenting, Infused With Christ’s Love - Lynnette Horwath

In this episode, hear from Lynnette Horwath, a local church volunteer, and how her church is providing a family restoration and preservation ministry for parents seeking permanency with their children.

Failing parents receive a court mandate to take a parenting class. Secular parenting classes are only marginally successful. “Families Count” (https://lifelinechild.org/families-count/) provides a biblically-based curriculum of parenting classes, which are infused with the love of Christ through a local church.

Lynnette also shares why she was so attracted to volunteer for SAT-7 USA (https://www.sat7usa.org/volunteer/).

The Resiliency Factor in Grandparenting - Dr. Ken Canfield

In this episode, you will learn about the resiliency factor of grandparenting with my guest Dr. Ken Canfield, founder and CEO of Grandkids Matter and founder of the National Center For Fathering. Dr. Canfield is also an author and researcher.

Research demonstrates that grandchildren thrive when grandparents are proactive in supporting and developing a relationship with their grandchildren, and grandparents thrive when they are actively involved in their grandchildren’s lives. Learn about the importance of attachment and involvement of fathers with grandchildren.

In 1997, after Perestroika and the fall of the Iron Curtain, Dr. Canfield noticed something striking about fathers while lecturing at the Moscow School of Psychology. This understanding now helps in his training of trainers in places like Poland and the Ukraine.

Creative Use of Drive Time - Tim and Brenda Harder S3 EP#60

In this episode, you will hear about Tim and Brenda Harder's creative use of their drive time going to and from their church Emmaus Mennonite Church. 

A tradition of reading in their car that started when their children were young continues today even though they are now empty nesters.

The couple recently read through the book Dare to Believe! by SAT-7 Founder and President Dr. Terence Ascott and share their response to the book. They also have read other books from missionaries to be able to better understand the needs of fellow workers in Christ and how they can be encouraged.    

Women Who Risk by Tom and JoAnn Doyle was another recommended title.

Additionally, they provide some insight into today’s challenges with farming. And lastly, the impact of grandparent’s and parent’s values are discussed.  

How do you creatively use your drive time to church? Let us know in the comments!

Poverty, Asset-Based Development, and Missions - Leslie Mosher

In this episode, you will hear how the tattered pieces of Leslie’s life revealed a divine appointment. For over a decade, Leslie Mosher, founder of the nonprofit Surprised By Hope, has been training asset-based development to church and ministry leaders in the majority world, particularly in East Africa.

Learn how poverty involves more than a lack of material things or money. Poverty involves a lack of dignity, a lack of control, and a lack of influence. Visit www.surprisedbyhope.org to learn more.

Pro-Life Flourishing - Herbie Newell Lifeline Children Services

153 million orphaned and vulnerable children and only half of one percent receive adoption (UNICEF)!  In this episode, you will hear Herbie Newell, Executive Director of Lifeline Children Services. The largest evangelical Christian adoption agency, Lifeline Children’s Services explains in a refreshing and practical way the biblical imperative to care for orphans. The ministry’s unconventional approach of caring for human life is not only by being “pro-life” but by “pro-human flourishing.” Herbie is passionate about visiting members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to advocate for orphans and the vulnerable.

A resource library of over 500 articles and videos for information and education for you and your church are available from Lifeline Children Services. Their website is https://lifelinechild.org/. World Orphans Day is celebrated on November 14. The National Sanctity of Human Life Day is January 22 and the National Adoption Day is celebrated every November 19.

A Virtual Mission Express Experience - International Ministries

In the recent environment of so many restrictions, limited travel, and the world shutting down, International Ministries (IM) found a way to still give their ministry friends that missions trip experience.

In this episode, you will learn how IM is still offering the powerful, life-changing experience of culture exposure, ministry awareness, language, and exposure to the ministry without having to travel. Their creative and innovative approach to offer “Virtual Mission Express Experiences” is allowing them to still accomplish most of their mission trip expectations.

International Ministries is the missions agency for American Baptist Churches. Check out their website at https://www.internationalministries.org/.