The Blue Cord, by iHOPE Ministries

About The Guest: Renod Bejjani is the author of "Muslims, 5 Biblical Essentials Every Christian Should Know and Do," and "The Way to Paradise," a Bible study for Muslim Seekers. Renod founded iHOPE Ministries with his wife, Karen, in 2011,to empower everyday Believers to be authentic witnesses across cultures in daily life. Renod has extensive experience in cross-cultural ministry and has a heart...

About The Guest(s): Renod Bejjani is the author of "Muslim's Five Biblical Essentials Every Christian Should Know and Do" and the president of iHOPE Ministries. He grew up in the Middle East and North Africa and has a deep understanding of the Muslim culture and worldview. Summary: Renod Bejjani joins Karen on the Blue Cord Podcast to discuss the ongoing conflict in the Holy Land and how Christian...

About The Guest(s): Kim: Lifelong Christian with over 30 years of ministry experience, currently a fourth-grade teacher. Nita: Retired teacher of teachers, serves with ISI (International Students Inc.) and the Richardson Faith Alliance. Asma: Mom of young kids, former Muslim, now shares her faith with Muslims globally and locally. Summary: Kim, Nita, and Asma share their experiences of being authe...

Ever wondered how you can step out of your comfort zone and truly be the church scattered? Join Karen and Deanna Sanders in this enlightening episode as they unravel the impactful story from the Gospel of Mark—bringing people to Jesus, reaching out, and igniting faith. Delve into the crucial importance of sharing your faith across diverse cultures, understanding the challenges, and embracing the c...

What are you glorifying? Where do you find joy? In this inspiring episode, Karen engages in a captivating conversation with the author of "Hard is Only Half the Story" from Serbia, Wendy Zaharanski. Wendy unravels her incredible faith journey, emphasizing the profound importance of personal awe and conviction in God's glory to effectively point others to Him. How can we authentically shine this li...

NOTE: This episode amplifies lessons from The Blue Cord Group Study Session 3. Ever grappled with doubts that hinder you from being a true witness of your faith? Join Karen and Mirielle in this thought-provoking episode as they delve into the doubts and assumptions that often restrain Christians from being authentic witnesses. From assumptions about people from different faiths to the fear of judg...

About The Guest(s): Kaitlyn Mullens is one of the founders of For The Nations, a refugee outreach ministry in North Texas. She started the ministry after working as a kindergarten teacher in a diverse school district and realizing the need to help refugee families in her community. Kaitlyn has a heart for sharing the hope of Christ with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Summary: Ever...

NOTE: This episode amplifies Week 1 of THE BLUE CORD GROUP STUDY. Learn more about coordinating a Blue Cord Group Study with your friends at www. TheBlueCord.org.  Ever wondered about the pivotal moment that tested the disciples' understanding of Jesus' identity? In this compelling episode, Karen and Andre Mubarek embark on a journey to Caesarea Philippi as told in Matthew 16:13. This Roman city,...

Are you ready to be a catalyst for change in your community and beyond? Join Karen and the Blue Cord Project on a transformative journey in the first season of the Blue Cord Podcast. As we dive into this series, we ask a vital question: "How can we, as Christian women, authentically share our faith in our everyday lives?" In these episodes, we unveil the insights gained from extensive research, wh...

We like the idea  of sharing Jesus across cultures, yet without compassion, it can be terrifying. Lily knew this first-hand. She grew up Muslim in Iran. When she became a Christian, she knew fellow Iranians needed Jesus too. Yet she trembled at the thought of sharing the gospel. Today, she finds joy in sharing Jesus in Iran. What made Lily bold? Could it make you bold too? (NOTE: This episode corr...

Could God really care about the tiny details of your day? Zara didn't think so. She grew up in a Muslim family in the heart of the Middle East. Then she ended up in a women's Bible study in America with women who talked about what God was doing in their lives. She wondered if God might care about the details in her life too.  Find out what she learned from those women, and what it means for you in...

Have you ever wrestled with doubt or uncertainty about God being in control of your life? Or maybe you have wondered if God really sees you? Today’s guest did. She grew up in the heart of the Middle East to a missionary family that had traveled for four generations to spread Islam. Could God see her there? Listen to Zara's story and find out, because if God could see and know her there in the hear...

God speaks to us in many ways. Yet Negin never heard Him speak with her. As a young Muslim girl, growing up in refugee camps and makeshift housing, she suffered unimaginable trauma and abuse. She prayed fervently and was desperate for a word. Yet none came, leaving her feeling even more alone and conflicted. Then she had a dramatic encounter with the Living God of the Bible that changed everything...

Western Christians are free to share Jesus. Yet Ruba can’t freely do this. She lives in a Muslim-majority nation surrounded by political unrest, facing restrictions that Westerners can only imagine. Despite insurmountable obstacles, Ruba has found the courage to point women to Christ. If God gives Ruba the strength to be His witness among women throughout the Arab world, consider the courage and s...

Life without Jesus is hard. It was surely hard for Rashida. She was born into a Muslim family in a gritty small town where drive-by shootings were common and broken families were the norm. Everything was hopeless. Then one courageous woman braved the neighborhood to share Jesus with Rashida’s mother. It changed their lives forever. When you touch someone’s life with the gospel, could there be gene...

Courage grows a more resilient Christian faith. So how can you grow more courage – especially when it comes to sharing your faith? One way is to hear inspiring stories from Believers of other-faith backgrounds who’ve had to overcome great odds to follow Jesus. Today’s guest, Ataya is one of those people. Her coming-to-Jesus story will remind you that God is real. He is wooing people to Himself, an...

What does it look like practically to love your neighbors when you’re stretched thin between work, school, and taking care of our family? In this episode, Vela, a busy pastor’s wife, shares how to make time for loving others when calendars are already full to overflowing. Wherever you are in your faith journey today, the stories Vela shares will inspire you to love well and give you practical idea...

Can prayer truly transform the way we share our faith with others? Join me as I sit down with my friend Mireille to uncover the incredible power of prayer and its connection to spreading the Gospel. Mireille opens up about her life-changing encounter with Jesus, recounting how she found healing from depression and bitterness through surrendering herself to God. Together, we dive into Mireille's fa...

Are you ready to be inspired to make a difference in the world and share your faith boldly? Join Karen and special guest Laura Woodworth on the Blue Cord Podcast as they explore the power of personal encounters with God and the transformative journey of making Him known. Discover how Laura's new devotional, Through the Valley, offers compassion and guidance to those seeking hope in a post-pandemic...

Are you ready to unlock the power of community in knowing and making God known? Join Karen and Kathleen on the Blue Cord Podcast as they dive into the significance of witnesses worldwide. Explore the challenges faced by the persecuted church, the unwavering joy found in Jesus amidst chaos, and the importance of standing firm in faith within the entertainment industry. Discover profound insights fr...

Have you ever wondered how to respond to people who aren't interested in you sharing your faith? In this captivating episode of the Blue Cord Podcast, Karen and Renod Bejjani share insights on the biblical concept of "a person of peace" that can revolutionize the way you share your faith. Through personal stories and profound reflections, they reveal the first essential step: loving well in words,...

What does it mean to glorify God? How can we do it in our everyday lives, even when we're waiting in line at the bank or sitting in a doctor's office? In today's episode, Karen shares practical ways we can bring glory to God, drawing on biblical examples and personal experiences. From understanding the meaning of doxa to living a life that reflects God's values, Karen encourages us to seek after G...

Have you ever prayed with someone of another faith? In this episode of the Blue Cord podcast, Karen shares a powerful story of how praying with two veiled Muslim women led to a holy moment where she was able to point them to Jesus. This experience taught Karen the importance of praying with people of other faiths to discern if they might be a person of peace. But how do you know when someone is a...

We are called to do more than just love.  We are called to share the gospel with those who do not know Jesus. Imagine yourself riding with a friend in a taxi, when all of a sudden she begins talking to the driver about Jesus.  Would you be uncomfortable?  Well that's exactly what happened to Karen. Karen and her husband Renod are currently traveling throughout the Middle East, filming special vide...

Do you love people outside of your culture enough to share your faith with them?  If not, your not alone. In today's episode Karen and Lucy tackle this difficult topic and give practical ways to love people of different faiths and cultures. Asking God for insight into how to love each person well is essential. It is only through God that we can love people in the same way that Jesus does. Loving w...