Do Justice – Details, episodes & analysis

Syd Hielema joins us for this episode about fostering pastoral care and hospitality for the LGBTQ+ community within the Christian Reformed Church. In this episode we hear from participants of the "Hospitality to LGBTQ" cohort. Syd discusses the challenges of fear, the importance of a covenantal approach, and how intentional community learning can shape posture over position.

Show Notes:

• Thriving Practices Cohorts: https://www.crcna.org/essentials/thriving-practices
• Transcript https://dojustice.crcna.org/article/pastoral-care-practice-moving-beyond-human-sexuality-report

Adrian Jacobs and Cindy Stover join us in this episode to explore Hearts Exchanged, an eight-month learning journey fostering reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Discover how participants deepen understanding through storytelling, on-the-land learning, and group reflection, turning education into action and building lasting relationships rooted in justice and respect.

Show Notes:

• Hearts Exchanged: https://www.crcna.org/hearts-exchanged
• Transcript https://dojustice.crcna.org/article/reconciliation-journey-stories-frontlines

In this compelling episode host Chris Orme sits down with Dan Veeneman and Marcel de Regt from Gateway Community Church in Abbotsford B.C. Together, they delve into the church's transformative journey of hosting an extreme weather shelter for the homeless. Dan and Marcel share stories about the realities of participating in this ministry. From confronting addiction to offering hospitality, their experiences underscore the power of saying 'yes' when someone knocks on your door.

"There's a story that goes with every person that comes to our shelter... Take the time, pause, slow down. And hear their story, because when you hear their story you see the person for who they are." - Marcel de Regt

Show Notes:

• Transcript: https://dojustice.crcna.org/article/how-saying-yes-transformed-gateway-church

We know the journey of justice is messy, full of pitfalls and roadblocks.  And sometimes it feels like we’re all avoiding the question everyone is thinking.  When it comes to justice we can experience gaps between our convictions and the way we can live them out.  What if we could have a conversation about these elephant(s) in the room?

In this season we're talking to a wide variety of folks including pastors, church members, therapists, and youth leaders to get the advice they wish they had starting out.

George de Vuyst, is a missionary with Resonate Global Mission.  He has been serving in Ukraine since 1998. George trains pastors and facilitates healing and reconciliation through “Healing Hearts, Transforming Nations” (HHTN) workshops and trainings for facilitators.  In June 2021 he traveled to Michigan and planned to return overseas in June 2022. Russia’s war against Ukraine changed that. We pray for the war to end and for opportunities to serve and minister to Ukrainians now and in the future. 

"And we say, you know. We're fathers. And we're sorry for what a father did to you. That's not what fathers were supposed to do. We see these things happen again and again and again."

This episode is graciously sponsored by Resonate Global Mission.

Show Notes:

• Transcript https://dojustice.crcna.org/article/transforming-nations-and-hearts
• Resonate Global Mission https://www.resonateglobalmission.org/
• Healing Hearts Transforming Nations https://www.resonateglobalmission.org/healing-hearts-transforming-nations

When Stacey Campbell talks about reconciliation she knows what she's talking about. Not only because of her work with Prison Fellowship Canada but also because of the reconciliation she has worked through in her personal life. Stacey vulnerably shares stories about both with us.

"Good self-care isn't about more bubble baths and chocolate.  It's about learning how to build a life you don't need to escape from."

Show Notes:

• Transcript
• Prison Fellowship Canada

Marlene was born In Burns Lake BC to an Indigenous father and a white mother. Her father joined the military when she was 18 months old and she was raised in a variety of towns and Air Bases throughout Canada and Germany. In this episode Marlene tells us about what it has been like to embrace her Indigenous AND Christian identity.

"I did bring my hand drum to church. I felt very uncomfortable bringing my drum for a number of reasons. It kind of made me sad why did I feel like I had to mask the drum almost make sure it was received as a Christian drum."

Show Notes:

• Transcript
• Hearts Exchanged
• 
  
  

Harouna Issaka is the regional director for West Africa with World Renew and also works with Timothy Leadership training. In this episode Harouna speaks with us about how the Timothy Leadership Training has build relationships across unexpected divides.

Show Notes:

• Transcript
• World Renew in West Africa
• Timothy Leadership Training

In this episode we talk with Shannon Perez about what reconciliation looks like in light of her personal story and her First Nation's story. Shannon is the director of the Indigenous Family Centre (a CRC ministry with Indigenous people in Winnipeg). Shannon is a member of the Sayisi Dene First Nation, and lives in Winnipeg with her husband and children.

• Transcript: https://dojustice.crcna.org/article/forced-relocation-reconciliation
• 
  https://www.ifcentre.com/
• 
  https://www.crcna.org/indigenous
• Hearts Exchanged: https://www.crcna.org/hearts-exchanged

In this episode Andrew Reinstra joins us to talk about what it's like to reconcile his experiences his birth and adoptive families. We get into the questions *not* to ask an adopted person. If you've wanted to think about the intersection of justice and adoption this is the episode for you.

Andrew Rienstra works for World Renew. In 2017, Andrew founded the group West Michigan Adopted People. A group that provides a safe and positive community for adult adoptees to discuss their collective journey, mitigate feelings of otherness, and share experiences with peers.

Show Notes:

• Transcript: https://dojustice.crcna.org/article/being-asked-about-one-moment
• West Michigan Adopted People
• World Renew in Honduras