The Blue Cord, by iHOPE Ministries

Do you wish there was a simple blueprint or strategy to know how and when to engage people of other faiths and cultures and talk about Jesus?. If so, your not alone. This is a common struggle believers face. On todays episode, Karen and Hannah discuss how to identify a person of peace, someone that God is wooing to Himself. Hannah experienced a deep sense of discontentment with the news she was se...

Feeling stuck and overwhelmed on your faith-sharing journey? Join Karen and Angie on this podcast episode as they explore ways to take your conversations about Jesus to the next level. With Angie's expertise in human development and coaching, learn about the self-sufficient way of thinking and how to break out of thought patterns that are holding you back. Transform your Christian witness & dive i...

Tune in for an enlightening conversation about faith-sharing obstacles and opportunities. Hear Karen and Amy debunk the idea that sharing Jesus means having to push an agenda or memorize a script, and explore the reasons why people often choose to hold back from sharing their faith. Get inspired by Amy's story about being part of the original Blue Cord leadership team that launched a movement a ye...

Do you struggle with fear when you think of sharing your faith? If so, your not alone and todays guest might hold the key to help you unlock your courage. In this episode, Karen and Norma discuss the importance of cultivating a heart of compassion when it comes to sharing our faith, particularly when it comes to different cultures. Norma shares her experience of leaving Nigeria and going to Lebano...

A woman with strong convictions is a woman who will have moral courage.  In today's episode, Karen and Joanne Doyle discuss the challenges that Christian women face in a culture that is increasingly hostile towards Christianity. They explore the doubts and assumptions that hold us back from being authentic Christian witnesses and the importance of being aware of our thoughts and feelings in order...

Imaginge yourself as a young adult on the fast track to corporate success only to hear the call that you are to go to another part of the world to minister and serve the least reached people. Well that's exactly what happened to today's guest. Karen is joined by Kate and they are discussing how Kate transitioned from working in the corporate world to full-time ministry. After college, she pursued...

In this episode, Karen sits with Asma, a former Muslim, to reflect on her remarkable coming-to-Jesus story. If you’ve felt like sharing Jesus across cultures is for others, Asma’s message is a wake-up call. Growing up in an Islamic-ruled nation, she feared missing any religious obligation that would lead her to an eternity in hell. Fearing her Christian friends would go to hell, she took classes t...

Karen and Jodie discuss the intersection of faith and purpose. Jodie is a pastor by training, and author of Bible studies who hosts a podcast called 'So Much More: Creating Space for God'. She has since stepped away from formal church ministry positions and is now helping people create space for God through her podcast, writing, and other discipleship ministries. Karen shares that when her kids we...

The episode is about how the experience of being lost in the woods is similar to the spiritual journey with God. It starts with the idea that when we don't pay attention to our GPS or trail markers, we can easily become disoriented in the woods. In the same way, when we don't abide in God and place our trust in worldly things, we can become spiritually disoriented and lost. The prophet Isaiah expr...

Hope is not a strategy. If you’re a Believer who has been building relationships on everything but Jesus because you didn’t want to offend, it’s time for a new strategy. In this episode, Kayla – a busy mom of two - unpacks 3 faith-sharing ground rules she’s learned that will free you up to be a natural, authentic Christian witness in your everyday life. Being mindful of these rules will take all t...

This special episode features an incredible interview with Coach Robin Pou from our recent Blue Cord Conference. You have got to hear this. When you step out in faith to share your faith, you will face resistance. Whether you’re hanging out on your sofa or in the harvest field, resistance will always be there. The question is what do you do when it happens? Coach Robin (featured in Chapter 11 of T...

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...

Joy-packed adventure. That’s the life Paige wanted. Yet distractions kept her from living with meaning and purpose. She grew up in the Church, yet struggled to understand the heart of God. She wanted to love her neighbors and share her faith, yet wrestled with insecurities. Then she discovered two things that put everything in place. Paige’s story will inspire and empower you with practical tips t...

Have you ever worked hard to make things look perfect on the outside while feeling unworthy inside? Today’s guest did. As she wrestled with difficult family issues, she felt ashamed and defeated. To outsiders, her Muslim family looked perfect. Yet she knew otherwise. It left her feeling empty and alone. And hope seemed far away. But God intervened and He turned her life around. And if he can do th...

As our world grows increasingly hostile to Christians, how do you find the moral courage to share Jesus, even across cultures? Karen wrestled with this question until she met Miriam in the Middle East. You won’t believe what happened there. If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt or unbelief around sharing your faith, this episode will inspire you. Listen and be encouraged.  ---------->>>> Save the Dat...

Here's a secret about sharing your faith – it doesn’t happen through the sheer force of your own ability – at least not well. Ruth Ripken and her husband Nik learned this first-hand while sharing Jesus all over the globe – in areas of famine, and war – places where it’s illegal to share your faith. She’s walked alongside Believers who’ve suffered incredible persecution, even martyrdom for sharing...

Could you confidently share the Bible with a non-believer? Cathy couldn’t. That’s because she’d never read the Bible. She wasn’t a Believer, so she was the least likely person to share the Bible with anyone. Then, an acquaintance invited her to a Bible study. It changed everything. Find out how she’s learned to naturally invite women from other faiths to study God’s living Word with her. If she ca...

Initiating prayer with a non-Believer, especially one from another faith or culture, seems risky. Betsy wondered, “What if they think I’m a crazy religious fanatic or just plain weird?” Then one day she realized people all around her as far as she could see had no one praying for them in Jesus’ name. It burdened her to step outside of her comfort zone to initiate prayer. What happened next forever...

Are you comfortable steering conversation into spiritual things with non-Believers? Andrea was not. She believed doing that would be intrusive and offensive. So, she didn’t discuss spiritual things. Then God intervened. Now introverted Andrea is boldly striking up wholehearted, natural conversations that lead to Jesus around her everyday life - even with non-Believing strangers. How did she do it?...

Ever felt unqualified to share your faith? You're not alone. Our human inclination is to hold ourselves to impossible standards and plan for every "what if" scenario before we open our mouths for Jesus. Lucy felt overwhelmed too - until she learned a new way to think. It changed how she acted about sharing her faith, especially with other-faith friends.  In this episode, Lucy shares what she learn...

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...

Courage is contagious. So, how can you “catch” more courage to share your faith – even in the face of resistance? In this episode, Karen, an entrepreneur, and retired teacher will coach you to leverage the power of social influence so that you can more boldly live as an authentic Christian witness around your daily life. Find out how growing your moral courage will give you more joy and purpose in...

When it comes to sharing Jesus across cultures, everyone wrestles with two questions: Can I do it, and is it worth it? The first question is about ability, and the second is motivation. This episode answers both. Through inspiring, real-life stories, you’ll learn 5 things you can do now around your daily life that will give you the courage, confidence, and skills to point other-faith friends to Je...

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...

Hope is not a strategy. If you’re a Believer who has been building relationships on everything but Jesus because you didn’t want to offend, it’s time for a new strategy. In this episode, Kayla – a busy mom of two - unpacks 3 faith-sharing ground rules she’s learned that will free you up to be a natural, authentic Christian witness in your everyday life. Being mindful of these rules will take all t...