Inverse Podcast

Trey Ferguson is a minister, writer, and speaker, with an MDiv from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. He is the author of Theologizin' Bigger: Homilies on Living Freely and Loving Wholly. His thoughts on faith in an evolving world can be found on the Three Black Men: Theology, Culture, and the World around Us and New Living Treyslation podcasts, in The Son Do Move newsletter, and @pastortrey05 on social media. He lives in South Florida with his wife and three children. Learn more at pastortrey05.com

Nya Abernathy is the founder and leader of The Dignity Effect, through which she focuses on adult social-emotional learning grounded in dignity. As a writer, Nya is known for exploring wonder and awe from the intersection of space and spirituality through her publication, "Of Earth & Of Stars." Her excellent debut book, "Welcome, Wonder," is a transformative journey into self-discovery and personal growth, and it is available now at nyasabernathy.com. Within the InVerse community, Nya is beloved, and known for spreading joy. If you spend enough time with her, be prepared because she will likely have you participating in full embodied karaoke – whether in person or over Zoom!

This episode was created in collaboration with Freedom Road Podcast, hosted by Lisa Sharon Harper. The Freedom Road podcast is a forum for experiences that build common understanding, common commitment and common action. It is produced each month by FreedomRoad.us. A very special deep dive into the theo-ethical questions arising in the context of the genocide in Gaza. Join us as we hear from three leading Palestinian Christian theologians as they approach Good Friday and Easter Sunday in the context of genocide. Lisa Sharon Harper is a prolific speaker, award-winning author and internationally respected activist. Ms. Harper is the founder and president of FreedomRoad.us, a consulting group dedicated to shrinking the narrative gap in our nation by designing forums and experiences that bring common understanding, common commitment and common action. Rev. Dr Mitri Raheb is Founder and President of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem. The most widely published Palestinian theologian to date, Dr. Raheb is the author and editor of 50 books including: Decolonizing Palestine: The Land, The People, The Bible; In the Eye of the Storm: Middle Eastern Christians in an Age of Empire and Faith in the Face of Empire: The Bible through Palestinian Eyes—among many, many others. Rev. Dr. Muther Isaac is Pastor of the Christmas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem and Dean of Bethlehem Bible College. Rev. Dr. Munther is the author of The Other Side of the Wall: A Palestinian Christian Narrative of Lament and Hope. Omar Haramy, is an Arab, Palestinian, Jerusalemite, Christian, and Greek Orthodox. Since 2017, Omar has served as the director of the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center. Sabeel is a Palestinian ecumenical grassroots liberation theology movement that deepens the faith of Palestinian Christians, promotes unity among them, and guides them to engage for justice and peace. Omar also serves on the Kairos Palestine steering committee.

On every continent (yes! Including Antarctica! ) across 145 cities the GazaCeasefirePilgrimage.com movement continues to grow in prayerful solidarity with Palestinian people during this genocide. Join us with two of Philadelphia’s leaders, Lisa Sharon Harper and Shane Claiborne to discuss what the next stage of the movement looks like.

As the genocidal war on Gaza continues we are thankful for the generosity of friends, old and new, who continue to share their work and witness, even at tremendous personal cost. Join us as we create a space to listen to theologian, Marah Sarji. Marah Sarji is a PhD student of theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. Born and raised in Nazareth, she became passionate about justice and peace in Palestine and is active among young Palestinian Christians working on decolonizing Palestinian Christianity. Marah’s research interests include womanist theology, Palestinian liberation theology, anthropology of theology, coloniality and decolonization.

Join us as we hear from Dr Drew Hart’s co-editor of their new book 'Reparations and the Theological Disciplines: Prophetic Voices for Remembrance, Reckoning, and Repair', Dr Michael Barram. Click here to purchase Reparations and the 'Theological Disciplines: Prophetic Voices for Remembrance, Reckoning, and Repair' in Hardback and E-Book format: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781666922462/Reparations-and-the-Theological-Disciplines-Prophetic-Voices-for-Remembrance-Reckoning-and-Repair - Dr Michael Barram earned his PhD in New Testament at Union Theological Seminary-PSCE (Richmond, VA), and since 2001 has been a professor in the Department of Theology & Religious Studies at Saint Mary’s College of California. He is a member of and regularly teaches at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. As a biblical scholar, Barram’s work focuses on the formative function of biblical texts for moral and economic reasoning—and on the emerging subfield of biblical interpretation known as missional hermeneutics. He is the author of Mission and Moral Reflection in Paul (Lang, 2006); Missional Economics: Biblical Justice and Christian Formation (Eerdmans, 2018); co-editor (with Drew Hart, Gimbiya Kettering, and Michael Rhodes) of the recently-released anthology, Reparations and the Theological Disciplines: Prophetic Voices for Remembrance, Reckoning, and Repair (Lexington, 2023); and co-author (with John R. Franke) of the forthcoming Liberating Scripture: An Invitation to Missional Hermeneutics (Cascade, 2024). Michael is married to Kelli; they have two daughters, aged 24 and 21.

GazaCeasefirePilgrimage.com A Kiwi named James Harris set out with a mustard seed of faith and walked the length of Gaza to fundraise for relief and refugees while calling for a ceasefire. The next day he rang me (Jarrod) and asked if I would be interested in doing a walk too. I responded, “Mate, I think the world would be interested!” I picked up the phone and soon Lisa Sharon Harper, Suzan Wahhab, Mae Cannon, James Harris and I were all in tears. Not merely because of what is happening but of how the Holy Spirit is moving. GazaCeasefirePilgrimage.com was born. 2 weeks later, *12 counties • 77 cities* have signed up. Come join Dr Drew Hart as he facilitates us hearing the story, learning about the movement and responding to the invitation to transfigure our trauma and put our compassion into action for those who are suffering. The Global Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage Movement Founders: Suzan Wahhab shares the living faith of her ancestors, the First Christians, and is the President of Palestinian Christians in Australia. Suzan was born in Jerusalem and grew up in Ramallah before moving to Sydney, Australia where she is also a CPA and financial strategist. Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon is the executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace, an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), and a well-respected North American voice, author and advocate in the Middle East and at home on justice, peacebuilding, and the Holy Land. Lisa Sharon Harper is a prolific speaker, award-winning author and internationally respected activist. Ms. Harper is the founder and president of FreedomRoad.us, a consulting group dedicated to shrinking the narrative gap in our nation by designing forums and experiences that bring common understanding, common commitment and common action. Australian pastor, social change educator and activist, Jarrod McKenna, has been described by Martin Luther King Jr’s co-worker, Rev. Jim Lawson, as “an expert in nonviolent social change.” Jarrod is the Founding Director of CommonGrace.org.au, a pastor with Steeple Church in Melbourne, and the co-founder of the InVerse Collective and Podcast with Dr Drew Hart. And missing but very much the holder of the “Mustard Seed” that started the movement… James Harris is a proud West Aucklander whose passion for empowering community-based advocacy has seen him relocate to Amman, Jordan and remote Western Australia. He is currently the Director of Strategic Projects with NAYBA Australia, where he is working on projects related to community sponsorship of refugees and young people in out-of-home care.

In this special Christmas episode of Inverse, Jarrod and Drew are joined by two incredible guests, Kelley Nikondeha and Jonathan Martin, as they engage in a spirited conversation that transcends the ordinary. Together, they explore the profound intersections of faith, justice, and the Christmas season, offering fresh perspectives on timeless themes.

In this episode of InVerse Podcast, we hear from Dr Byron Smith. Byron has fifteen years’ experience in pastoral ministry with local churches, and received honours degrees in theology, philosophy and literature. His PhD in theological ethics (University of Edinburgh) focused on emotional responses to climate change in the context of Christian identity. Byron has repeatedly put his body where his faith is and been involved in nonviolent direct actions against new coal projects and in support of people seeking asylum.

Rev Dr Munther Isaac (PhD, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies) is the academic dean of Bethlehem Bible College in Palestine and director of the “Christ at the Checkpoint” conference. He is also pastor of Christmas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. He is the author of “From Land to Lands, from Eden to the Renewed Earth: A Christ-Centered Biblical Theology of the Promised Land”, “The Other Side of the Wall: A Palestinian Christian Narrative of Hope and Lament” and “Christ and the Checkpoint: Blessed are the Peacemakers”

On this episode of the InVerse Podcast join us as we discuss with Safina Stewart and Gershon Nimbalker from CommonGrace.org.au the upcoming vote on 14th October to change Australia’s constitution to recognise First Nations Peoples and establish a Voice to Parliament. Safina Stewart is a proud Wuthithi and Mabuiag Island woman who grew up cross-culturally in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Australia. Safina is passionate about culture, education, the arts, justice and faith and is Common Grace's Relationships and Storytelling Coordinator. Safina lives with her family in regional Victoria on the lands of the Bunarong people. Gershon Nimbalker is the National Director of Common Grace and founder of Sojourners Social Change Consultants. He has more than 15 years of experience working in advocacy, policy and research, as well as leading and growing grass roots movements to campaign on issues of social justice. Gershon lives on the lands of Awabakal peoples in Newcastle, NSW with his young family.

In this episode of our series 'InVerse's Own: Voices From Our Community', we hear from Larissa Minniecon, Raisera McCulloch & Hannah Chapman as they explore how Indigenous women re-write, re-name and re-member our stories in a hostile environment, in the context of the [Australian] Referendum [on recognising the First Nations Peoples of Australia in the Constitution and establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament].

Noam Chomsky calls bestselling journalist Antony Loewenstein’s new book a “record of how ‘the light unto the nations’ became the purveyor of the means of violence and brutal repression from Guatemala to Myanmar and wherever else the opportunity arose”. Join us in conversation with Antony Loewenstein about the modern nation state of Israel, technology, militarisation, colonialism and how the Jewish and Christian Scriptures are [ab]used to support the business of dehumanisation & occupation.

“Walking the Red Road in an effort to decolonize and contextualize the Way of Jesus.” Join us for Sarah Quint! Sarah a citizen of the Mattaponi Nation of Tsenacommacah, Turtle Island (present-day eastern Virginia, USA). Her and her partner, Steve, pastor Monroe City Church in Monroe, MI (Potawatomi territory). She is a mother of two amazing boys, River and Reed. Sarah is a self-diagnosed nemophilist, because of her love for the forest, with a passion for plant knowledge and foraging. With the help of her Elders and the Great Spirit, Sarah has been walking the Red Road in an effort to decolonize and contextualize the Way of Jesus. These efforts have led to crafting songs in her Tribe’s traditional tongue, connecting to the land, creative writing, and oral storytelling. As she works towards reconnection in all 7 directions, Sarah is passionate about inviting others who feel disenfranchised along the way. She is proud to represent the long line of First Nations relatives who have been good hosts on their land. She is a board member of Monroe Puente, a nonprofit that works to make sure immigrants and migrant workers receive the welcome, dignity, and connections that they deserve. Wholeness to Sarah is when all creation has the freedom to live out their God-given purpose around the sacred hoop of life. Her daily prayer is, “May the Circle Be Unbroken.”

We’re continuing on with our latest series; Liberating Liturgies: Formation To Undo Domination. This week our guest is Terrance Hawkins. Terrance Hawkins is a follower of Jesus, a father, a son and practitioner of the Black Radical Church Tradition, and a life-long resident of Winston-Salem, NC. He has built in solidarity with his community as an organizer, pastor, and an artist for close to two decades. Terrance is the co-founder of a collective of local activists called the Drum Majors Alliance, the founder/director of Lit City (a youth development initiative), & currently serves as the co-director for the School of Love—an alternative spiritual community and cohort geared towards cultivating rhythms of radical discipleship. He co-authored the book “Liberating Church: A 21st Century Hush Harbor Manifesto.” In this series, we explore the witness of communal spiritualities that have provided an embodied Christ-like counter story to Christendom’s accommodation to domination, empire and colonisation. Much like our “Nonviolent Atonements” series, alongside exploring with surprising people how the Scriptures can turn our world upside down.

Join us in this special episode as we delve into the heart and soul of our incredible community. Inverse Podcast proudly presents "Inverse's Own: Voices From Our Community," where we turn the spotlight on members of our Inverse family. In this instalment, we're honoured to hear from Tamice Spencer-Helms. Tamice Spencer-Helms (she/her) has a passion for working with young adults and seeing them grow into themselves and thrive. In 2018 Tamice established the nonprofit Sub:Culture Incorporated, which seeks to remove social and economic barriers for black college students. An experienced scholar-practitioner, Tamice holds a Master of Arts in Contextual Outreach and Leadership from Wheaton College as well as a Masters of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological seminary. In her over 15 years of campus work, Tamice has served as the Director of Student Experience and Engagement at Virginia Union University, Associate Area Director of HBCU Planting and Strategy and has taught numerous undergraduate courses and workshops. Tamice is a Hip-Hop head, a true crime/documentary enthusiast, a pizza lover, and a coffee addict. Tamice lives in Richmond with her spouse Ellison and daughter Harlym.

Much like our “Nonviolent Atonements” series, alongside exploring with surprising people how the Scriptures can turn our world upside down, this season we are also exploring “Liberating Liturgies: Formation to Undo Domination”. In this series, we will explore the witness of communal spiritualities that have provided an embodied Christ-like counter story to Christendom’s accommodation to domination, empire and colonisation. And we are kicking off with truly one of the contemporary greatest spiritual leaders, our mate Rev Dr Otis Moss III. Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III is senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. He is a preacher, activist, author and filmmaker with an eye toward justice and equality, as evidenced through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Rev. Dr. Moss is ordained in the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the United Church of Christ. With civil rights advocacy in his DNA, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III built his ministry on community advancement and social justice activism. Dr. Moss is part of a new generation of ministers committed to preaching a prophetic message of love and justice, which he believes are inseparable companions that form the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Rev. Dr. Dennis R. Edwards is currently Dean and Vice President of Church Relations at North Park Theological Seminary, after having previously been Associate Professor of New Testament. He’s the author of 1 Peter in the Story of God Bible Commentary series (Zondervan), What is the Bible and How Do We Understand It? (Herald Press), Might from the Margins: The Gospel’s Power to Turn the Tables on Injustice (Herald Press), along with several academic essays. Dennis has been married to Susan Steele Edwards since 1982. They are the parents of four children and grandparents of five. Dennis has three decades of urban pastoral ministry experience. He most recently served as senior pastor of The Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis, MN. Prior to that, he was the founding pastor of Peace Fellowship Church in Washington, DC; associate and then lead pastor of Washington Community Fellowship on Capitol Hill (Washington, DC); and founding pastor of New Community Church in Brooklyn, NY. Dennis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering (Cornell University) and has been a high school science and math teacher. He also earned a Master of Divinity degree in Urban Ministry (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) as well as a Master of Arts and Ph.D. degrees in Biblical Studies (Catholic University of America). Dennis enjoys baking, playing his flute and saxophone, as well as weightlifting and cycling—as much as his body will let him.

Wil Anderson, One of Australia’s most beloved standup comedians and TV personalities, is back on InVerse to discuss his new book, “I’m Not Fine, Thanks”, his new[er] TV show “Question Everything” (as well as continuing very excellent “Gruen” TV Show), and what a moratorium on stupidity during the pandemic might look like, as well as a Bible quiz with up and coming comedian Rowan Thambar.

Sheila Wise Rowe is a truth-teller who is passionate about matters of faith and emotional healing. She advocates for the dignity, rights, and healing of abuse and racial trauma survivors and racial conciliation. Sheila holds a Master's in counseling psychology and over twenty-eight years of experience as a Counselor, Spiritual Director, Educator, Writer, and Speaker. She’s counseled and taught counseling in Massachusetts, and Paris France. For a decade, Sheila worked with homeless and abused women and children in Johannesburg, South Africa. Sheila is a member of The Redbud Writers Guild and The International Women's Writers Guild. Her essays can be found in numerous blogs, newspapers, journals, and books such as; The Boston Sunday Globe newspaper, The Wonder Years: 40 Women Over 40 on Aging, Faith, Beauty and Strength, Voices of Lament, and The Gospel of Peace in A Violent World. In 2020 Sheila authored the award-winning book Healing Racial Trauma: The Road to Resilience and, recently, Young, Gifted, and Black: A Journey of Lament and Celebration. She is a sought-after speaker at retreats, colleges, churches, organizations, and seminaries in the USA and abroad. Sheila's also a volunteer member of the Community Ethics Committee of Harvard Medical School, a policy-review resource for its teaching hospitals. She lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with Nicholas, her husband of 31 years, and near their adult children. When she is not engaging in ministry, Sheila loves date nights with her husband and creating art, crafts and rummaging through vintage shops. Follow Drew Hart on Instagram and Twitter @druhart. Follow Jarrod McKenna on Instagram and Twitter @jarrodmckenna. Discover our global community on Twitter and Instagram @inversepodcast. Become a Patron of Inverse at https://www.patreon.com/InVerse Jen Kinney @iamjenkinney produces inverse Podcast