Author: Joe Iovino

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“When we put on our identity in Christ,” the Rev. Rachel Billups teaches, “when we lean into the fact that God has called us beloved children, we’re unstoppable. We become these super people. Not because there’s an extra chromosome of faith.., but [because] we actually trust what God says about us.”

Billups, lead pastor of Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio, is the author of Be Bold, Finding Your Fierce a wonderful book about living into our true, Christian identity. In our conversation, she reminds us to let go of the false stories we may have heard about ourselves, and fiercely live into the promises of Christ.

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“Christ’s thumbprint is everywhere if we’re willing to see it,” teaches the Rev. Matt Rawle. That includes our books, movies, and music.

Rawle, who serves as lead pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Bossier City, Louisiana, is the author of a series of books exploring the intersection between faith and pop culture. His latest, The Grace of Les Miserables is a six-week study for Lent. Using Victor Hugo’s familiar tale, Rawle explores the Christian themes of grace, justice, poverty, revolution, love and hope.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about how we can find Christ’s thumbprint in the books we read, the music we listen to, and the movies and television shows we watch.

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Clara Mridula Biswas serves as the director of a the Street Children Ministry and Community Outreach in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. As you might imagine, her work with children connects her to families who may be struggling with overwhelming poverty, domestic violence, and people with HIV/AIDS – among other things.

One of the beautiful aspects of Clara’s ministry, is she intentionally works to equip and empower people to be in service to others. Those who have been blessed through her ministry are encouraged to bless others. For example, children who have been taught music and dance, return as teachers. People she helps get the care and medicine they need, then guide others through the process. “I just help them from the back,” she says modestly, “but I let them do. So now they can do by themselves.”

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How would your life be different if you focused on all God has already given you, rather than the things you lack?

Katelin Hansen serves the United Methodist Church for All People in Columbus, Ohio as their Minister of Music & Strategic Initiatives Director. Her ministry has given her the opportunity to see what God can do with what we are willing to offer, like the young boy’s lunch that Jesus turns into enough to feed more than five-thousand people (see John 6:1-13).

As you listen, consider what you have that might be used to glorify God!

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As you prepare for Christmas, what are you listening for?

The Rev. Jean Claude Masuka Maleka and Francine Ilunga Mbanga Mufuk, a married couple from the Democratic Republic of Congo who serve as United Methodist missionaries to Côte d’Ivoire, do great ministries to strengthen women, children and families.

Their story is an inspiration.

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As you prepare for Christmas, what are you listening for?

David Makobo N’Shikala knows the peace of the farm. After studying agriculture at United Methodist Africa University, he moved from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to Dakar, Senegal where he leads Senegal United Methodist Mission.

David teaches farmers how to grow food in poor soil and how modern technologies can help them work with their land most efficiently.

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As you prepare for Christmas, what are you listening for?

The Rev. Israel Painit learned from his family what it means to listen to God, and he is still listening. After serving as a pastor and District Superintendent, Painit heard God calling him to a new way of doing ministry.

Today he is serving in Laos, sharing the love of Jesus in a place where there are very few Christians.

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As you prepare for Christmas, what are you listening for?

Dr. Belinda Forbes spent years listening as God brought together all of our her gifts — including her desire to speak to God in Spanish — in her work as a dental missionary in Nicaragua. Through her work she brings hope to many.

Listen as Dr. Forbes shares some of what she has learned about mission work, the importance of listening more deeply, and how God sometimes calls us to do things that are very different from what we had planned or expected.

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The Rev. Matt Miofsky, a United Methodist pastor and the author of Let Go: Move beyond fear into the life God wants for you, discusses ways we can overcome the fear that comes with change.

When transitions happen – whether it is our choice or thrust upon us because of a new job, relationship status, or starting a new adventure – fear can keep us stuck. We overestimate potential problems and costs before they happen. We romanticize the past, and convince ourselves to stay with what we know. We wonder if we can really handle the opportunity God has given us.

Miofsky uses the story of the Israelites leaving Egypt to teach us the three phases of change and the fears associated with them. Along the way, he reminds us that God is with us in every journey.

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Moments of helplessness seldom fill us with gratitude. But United Methodist pastor, author and Dean of the Chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary the Rev. Jessica LaGrone, reminds us that when Jesus performed miracles, it was often to meet the needs of people in their most desperate moments.
When viewed that way, our difficult times can serve as an opportunity to invite God to work powerfully in our lives also. God doesn’t bring the difficult situations into our lives, but meets us in them.