Our Urban Voices

Through sports and chess, Robert Katende takes Christ to communities of young people from all religions living in IDP camps and local slums in Uganda. He shares his wisdom on mentoring young people, pastoral calling, effective sports ministry, and the absolute importance of ministry contextualization. Since the true story of one of his students was portrayed in the 2016 feature film, Queen of Katw...

Will Lenzen Jr. is the founder of Echo. Beginning in Western Uganda, holistic education is making a difference one child and one family at a time through Echo. Echo’s model is sustainable and community building. It is a simple, replicable system, based on research, local children’s needs and measured growth. What You’ll Learn: Some of the practicalities of starting an international not-for-profit...

Jackson Wu exposes how the plain text of scripture may be misunderstood, dismissed or amplified depending on one’s cultural lens. He looks at the pitfalls of presumption and filtering ancient text with modern eyes. Providing specific examples, he considers ways that Christians can revisit scripture bring it into better focus and not overlook how radical Christ’s cross really is. What You’ll Learn:...

Naga Palepu thought he was the only Christian that had been born Hindu. Amid persecution from his family, he expressed his pain by recording a TikTok video and it went viral. The response to the video was the catalyst for an international, virtual community known as Hidden Christians. Here, young believers can still grow in faith and build friendships despite the threat of persecution. What You’ll...

Dr. Fred Farrokh breaks down the when, what, and why of Hajj, the pilgrimage of Muslims traveling to Mecca. He looks at the significance of pilgrimages in the Hebrew scriptures and in light of the New Testament. Dr. Fred Farrokh has served as a missionary for decades and currently trains other missionaries internationally. He is a Christian from a Muslim background. Bonus Content:  Journey wi...

Lori Rogers pushes back on the idea that ‘missions’ is something that is only done overseas. With the Momentum Yes free, online, video series — Christians take a fresh look at God’s plan for the nations — discovering their place in God's story. Lori considers the dynamic and practical implications for the church when the nations are regarded in the light of God's love. Bonus Content:  Momentu...

Brant Hansen compares toxic masculinity to what it actually means to follow Jesus. Moving from generational trauma to generational hope, he shares his discoveries about mentoring, fatherhood, and adulting as a man in today’s culture. How can a man defend his family against harmful intruders and cultivate a life where the people around him can thrive? What You’ll Learn: The value of a man having a...

Pastor Justin Adour looks at opportunities and potential blind spots when church planting in a neighborhood that is being gentrified. He also considers the church’s hesitancy to confront issues relating to justice and how that reluctance could overshadow a church’s testimony of Jesus. Almost three years ago — he and his wife, Angela, co-founded Redeemer East Harlem which is part of the family of R...

Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum discusses Israelology — a key to understanding prophecy and Jesus' earthly ministry. The systematic study of Israel also provides context for understanding the rapture, end times and Jesus' second coming. Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum unpacks Jesus' example of leadership and what that means for modern day discipleship. Bonus Content:  Come and See, Ariel Library Resources Wh...

Divya Maiya gives us a peek into the world of South Asian dance. She is the co-founder of the South Asian Arts and Theater House — SAATH — based in Minneapolis, MN. More than Bollywood and Bhangra, she looks at the communities touched by South Asian dance. And, she talks about breaking stereotypes, appreciating cultural traditions and the motivation for her own #SareeAdventures. Divya Maiya looks...

Dr. Fadia Farag unearths some of the reasons Christians are hesitant to reach out to Muslims and Muslims are hesitant to follow Christ. Reflecting on more than ten years of experience with the Brooklyn Arab-American Friendship Center in NYC, she considers why it’s important for the church not to ignore Muslims in our communities or to be fearful of ministering to them. Dr. Fadia looks at some...

Tony Morgan, Founder of the Unstuck Group breaks down some fundamentals of a thriving church for this season of ministry. Evangelism, making disciples, growing deeper in faith — the mission of the church remains the same. But, do more activities really mean more disciples? And, what about virtual services after the pandemic? Tony Morgan challenges listeners to consider whether their congregation i...

Chris Coppernoll shares about leadership development and leaning into the needs of others. He gleans from personal experience, life on campus, in church, the marketplace and ministry abroad. He breaks down the role of mentorship in effective leadership development. Chris talks about ministry in Pakistan, working in the Christian music industry and a scriptural response to America’s racial conflict...

James Rayment unpacks what it means to have conversation without compromise and build relationships despite fundamental disagreements. Through the Al-Ma’idah Initiative, Muslims and Christians are able to engage, cultivate mutual respect, and build genuine friendships. The organization is unapologetically Christian. These opportunities to dialogue stand in stark contrast to perennial accusations o...

James Rayment reveals how Ramadan is one of the best times for Christians to reach out to Muslims in their community. But, where can you or your church begin? As an unapologetically Christian organization, the Al-Ma'idah Initiative starts with lots of prayer and a table of food. And, it’s not too soon to plan for 2023 when Easter, Passover, and Ramadan will overlap for the second year in a row. Ja...

Dr. Mitch Glaser looks at the challenges, opportunities, and surprising areas of fruitfulness for present-day outreach to Jewish people around the world. He reflects on decades in ministry, experiencing antisemitism, unity, prophecy, politics, virtual evangelism, and virtual discipleship. Dr. Mitch Glaser serves as the President of Chosen People Ministries. Before the most recent wave of Covid-19...

Pastor Peter Lwin grew up in Myanmar and migrated to America after grade school. Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has been plagued by civil wars and religious persecution for decades. Then, in 2020 there was a military coup that upended the country’s democratic elections. Many of the young people at Calvary Burmese Church had a loose connection to their family’s culture and homeland. Both literal...

Pastor Bobby Jamieson sketches a map for the pastorate: character, competencies, qualifications, heart, and hiring process. For a church’s search committee, he pushes back on some common ideas about ministerial qualifications that are not found in the Bible. For someone hoping to be a pastor or an elder, he discusses ways to nurture a desire to serve. In practice, Pastor Bobby offers insight into...

Pastor Isaac Adams explores how the local congregation might faithfully respond to their local community about deep-seated and lingering racial strife. Regardless of the headlines and from a pastoral perspective, he invites Christians to engage in prayerful, truthful conversations about race — gospel hope-filled conversations that glorify God, are for the good of the community and build the church...

Jami Staples discovered a unique approach to reveal lies and trauma that often ensnare Christian and Muslim women – same lies, different contexts. Through the Truth Collective, Christian women are empowered to see themselves through God’s eyes—with inherent value—and be empowered to heal from trauma. Then, Christian women can be free to humbly and boldly engage Muslim women who share similar exper...

Kate McCord lived in Afghanistan for 9 years after the fall of the Taliban in the early 2000’s. Today, the Taliban rules Afghanistan again. In this Best of Heart for Muslims Edition, her story provides a glimpse of Afghans who endured Taliban rule. Kate's story gives voice to their stories—a powerful reminder to look beyond the statistics and consider people who bear God's image. During Kate's tim...

Kate McCord lived in Afghanistan for 9 years after the fall of the Taliban in the early 2000’s. Today, the Taliban rules Afghanistan again. In this Best of Heart for Muslims Edition, her story provides a glimpse of Afghans who endured Taliban rule. Kate's story gives voice to their stories—a powerful reminder to look beyond the statistics and consider people who bear God's image. During Kate's tim...

JD Payne challenges Western convention and reframes the lens through which church planting is typically viewed. He has served as a pastor and an academic. Over the years, he has also mentored and coached many church planters. So at home or abroad, what is the best model for a healthy church? JD Payne reconsiders church planting and missions around Biblical examples instead of a cultural or pastora...

Rachel Pieh Jones’ family has fled violence and her faith has been challenged while her family has been in East Africa. Living as a foreigner and religious minority in Djibouti, the move was necessarily a journey away from the familiarity of the Midwest and the comfort of Christian community. On this path of discovery, some of Rachel’s most closely held beliefs were questioned and re-examined. Wha...

Pastor Hanna Massad voices a perspective seldom heard in America; he is both an evangelical Christian and someone who calls Gaza home. Pastor Hanna shares about Jesus’ faithfulness amid three distinct sources of persecution and about the Christian Mission to Gaza. The ministry serves Christians and Muslims in Gaza as well as those in need, Iraqi refugees and Syrian refugees in Jordan. What You'll...