Subversive Mission - A Way Forward in Mission Engagement

Living on the Margins: Reimagining Mission with John Shorack

Recently I had the opportunity to interview John Shorack who, together with his wife Birgit and three children, lived for 20 years in one of the many barrios on the margins of Caracas, Venezuela. In a raw and open interview, John shares about their lives and work with the ministry InnerCHANGE. John also touches upon their current work in Medellin, Colombia.

Subversive Mission - A Way Forward in Mission Engagement

We were privileged to recently have Craig Greenfield of Alongsiders International with us in the studio and on campus here at Multnomah sharing on his new book, Subversive Mission. In this episode, our first in season 2, we cover important questions from his book about the place that Westerners and others play in global mission. I believe you'll find this conversation enlightening and helpful as we seek to engage in mission work around the world in the 21st century. 

Journeying into the field of International Development Management

Greg Burch interviews three international development workers and graduates of the M.A. degree in Global Development and Justice (MAGDJ) about their work in international development engagement. Three distinct backgrounds and interests lead these MAGDJ alumni into critical global work and roles with World Vision International (Amanda) and World Relief (Dana and Lydia). What is remarkable about their stories is the journey and what it took for them to get where they are today. 

Dr. Craig Williford on Becoming a Shalom Community and the Role of Justice in Higher Education

You don't want to miss this episode of Development and Justice! In this special episode of Development and Justice, Greg Burch interviews Dr. Craig Williford, Multnomah University's 5th President in a fascinating conversation on justice and peacebuilding in higher education. Dr. Williford provides an inside perspective on leading an academic institution like Multnomah. Challenges and opportunities in higher education are discussed with special attention given to the need to provide equitable opportunities for all students within Christian Universities. In discussing his own academic background, as a first generation college student himself, he reveals his desire to see Multnomah become a place that welcomes our students with opportunities that will lead to transformation in their lives. With transparency and vulnerability, we hear about his own family background and the transformation that took place in his own life during his first years of college. He also discusses the much needed conversations that are happening around racial justice concerns and the role that the academy must play when it comes to having a prophetic voice in society. 

Bio on Rev. Dr. Craig Williford

Before coming to Multnomah University, Dr. Williford served as a pastor for 20 years, leading a team of staff, facilitating church strategy, preaching, and pastoring a congregation through many transitions.

In 2000, Dr. Williford became the president of Denver Seminary and served them for eight years. During his time there, he also taught pastoral leadership courses on the masters and doctoral levels. To this day, Dr. Williford continues to mentor five pastoral and nonprofit leaders who serve throughout the United States. After serving at Denver Seminary, he returned to serve at Trinity International University, where he earned his doctorate in 1995, as their president from 2009 and 2014. On July 1, 2014, Rev. Dr. Craig Williford assumed his role as President of Multnomah University. With a passion for Godly, cross-cultural, innovative leadership, Dr. Williford leads Multnomah University with grace and dignity, informed by his wealth of experience in higher education leadership and pastoral ministry. Rev. Dr. Craig Williford is Multnomah University’s fifth president.

Pursuing the Peace of Jesus in Bethlehem with Grace Al Zoughbi

In this episode, Dr. Karen Fancher interviews our friend Grace Al Zoughbi about her work in her hometown of Bethlehem. Grace, who is a Palestinian Christian, was head of the department of Biblical Studies at Bethlehem Bible College and is now currently working on her PhD in Theology at the London School of Theology. Her dissertation is entitled, “Theological Education of Women in the Arab World: An Exploration of Religious and Cultural Assumptions Impacting Their Participation.”

Grace speaks with Dr. Karen Fancher in this episode on the possibilities and challenges of life in Palestine. In speaking of the daily challenges like crossing into Jerusalem from Palestine she says, “There are walls, and who likes walls? They are ugly and they speak of barriers between people, they build barriers in people’s minds and hearts.” Grace demonstrates the possibilities and calls upon us to imagine the prophetic possibilities of removing walls from our hearts and minds.