Rick Barry joined the show to talk about Christian Civics Foundations. A six-week course covering some of the biggest questions and challenges Christians face in the public square. Rick Barry is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Center for Christian Civics, a DC-based ministry empowering Christians to think, speak and act differently in the public square. His principled, empathetic focus on witness, humility and spiritual formation makes him a uniquely encouraging voice on questions of political polarization and church health.

Good News For The City's Podcast

Center for Christian Civics

Melissa Carey joined us to talk about a very special way we can share the good news of Jesus this holiday season. She shares with us how The Christmas Cabinet, an advent calendar that becomes a nativity scene, weaves together the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament with the teachings of Christ and so much more. Melissa Carey is a Bible Study teacher and leader in Arlington, Virginia.  Her passion for the  nativity story led her to share the joy of Christmas with others through The Christmas Cabinet, an advent calendar that becomes a nativity scene and weaves together the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament with the teachings of Christ and so much more.

The Christmas Cabinet

Just a few short weeks ago OneHeartDC launched “With Afghans” –an initiative that empowers local churches and individuals to help newly arriving Afghan refugees. Lutheran Social Services has been serving refugees in the National Capital Area for over 100 years. They are a partner of OneHeartDC in this effort. On this episode of the show they provided an update on the situation and a look at the road ahead.Kristyn Peck joined the Lutheran Social Services team in November 2020 as its Chief Executive Officer. Kristyn’s expertise is in child welfare administration and reform, immigration and refugee policy, and human services administration. Prior to joining LSSNCA, she served as the founding CEO of West Michigan Partnership for Children, a nonprofit piloting an innovative performance-based child welfare model, where she was the recipient of the 2020 Michigan Federation of Children and Families Advocate of the Year Award. Kristyn has also served as the Associate Director of Children’s Services at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops where she oversaw national family reunification and foster care programs for unaccompanied children, served as Chair of the Vulnerable Minors Working Group of Refugee Council USA, testified to Congress on the protection needs for unaccompanied children, and represented USCCB as a subject matter expert on unaccompanied children at UNHCR’s Annual Consultation meetings in Geneva.Rev. Mary Amendolia Gardner is an ordained Anglican Priest and works with OneHeartDC as the Director of “With Afghans.” Mary is also a Spiritual Director with Coracle and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Curating Community Through the Arts. She trained for ministry at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford, England and earned an MA in Christian Spirituality at Heythrop College, University of London, with a focus on the visual arts and spiritual transformation.  She previously served in Outreach at The Falls Church Anglican, including work assisting refugees and asylum seekers and has spent over 25 years involved in global missions work.

Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area – With Afghans

Christian Legal Society is a fellowship of Christians dedicated to serving Jesus Christ through the practice and study of law, the defense of religious freedom and life, and the provision of legal aid to the needy. Lakuita Bittle and Ken Liu joined the show to share how society aids those in need and how attorneys can get involved. Lakuita Bittle, Director of Attorney Ministries, oversees our membership and provides support to our attorney chapters nationwide. Prior to joining CLS in March 2021, Lakuita worked in Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for over 5 years, most recently as a prosecutor in the Major Crimes Unit. She is actively involved in her church and serves on a local nonprofit board, Kadesh CDC. Lakuita is passionate about serving her community and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Ken Liu is Director of Christian Legal Society&apos;s Christian Legal Aid program, in which he helps to start new Christian Legal Aid clinics and provides support for a network of sixty-five Christian Legal Aid clinics around the country. Ken has volunteered with Good Samaritan Advocates, a Christian Legal Aid program in suburban Washington, D.C., since 2015. Ken also works part-time at Gammon & Grange, P.C, a law firm serving churches, ministries, and other nonprofit organizations.

Christian Legal Society

Randy Haynes joined the show to talk about his new book "Standing on Bended Knee".Dr. Randy Haynes is a native son of Greenville, Mississippi. He moved to Boston early in life where his father pastored the historic Twelfth Baptist Church of Boston. Dr Haynes’ pastoral ministry spans four decades and has included ministries from youth to adults, choir, music, and biblical education. Before full-time ministry, Pastor Haynes had a distinguished career as a criminal justice official, which included an appointment as Chief of Probation for the Massachusetts Trial Court. For thirty-three years, Pastor Haynes has been married to a dynamic woman of God, Lisa J. Haynes, and they are the parents of eight adult children and a growing tribe of grandchildren.

Randy Haynes "Standing on Bended Knee”

For Christians maturing in their faith, the longing for a deeper understanding of God’s Word can naturally lead them to Seminary… but it can be a struggle to fit graduate school into their lives. The cost can also be prohibitive for some.Denver Seminary has a campus right here in the area. It offers working adults a flexible affordable education in a supportive community.  Rev. Debora Barr shared how men and women are being empowered for ministry and transformed by God at Denver Seminary.Reverend Debora Barr serves as an Associate Pastor at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG) in Maryland, the host site for the Denver Seminary Washington DC Extension campus. She holds a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary and her prior education background includes a Bachelor of Science in Geology (Missouri State), a Masters of Aeronautical Science (Embry-Riddle), and a Juris Doctor Law (University of the District of Columbia). Debora served her country for over 28 years in the uniformed services of the United States where she entered the US Army in 1988 and served as a helicopter pilot; followed by more than 22 years as a commissioned officer in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration where she flew scientific missions and served in various leadership roles. Reverend Barr’s passion is teaching, speaking, preaching and writing about personal intimacy with Jesus, and helping to direct people to the unconditional love and healing power of Christ, which truly transforms lives.

Denver Seminary Washington DC

Stephen Paul Rodriguez joined us to talk about the importance of praying for the men and women who serve our country in light of the Afghanistan withdrawal.Stephen Paul Rodriguez is the Managing Partner of One Defense and an investor at Refinery Ventures. He began his career at Booz Allen Hamilton shortly before 9/11 supporting their National Security practice. In his capacity as an expert on game theoretic applications, he supported the United States Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security as a lead architect for the Thor’s Hammer, Schriever II/III and Cyber Storm wargames. He subsequently was a Vice President at a artificial intelligence company called Sentia Group and served as Chief Marketing Officer for NCL Holdings, an international defense corporation.Mr. Rodriguez serves as a Board Director or Board Advisor of ten venture-backed companies. He is also Senior Advisor at the Atlantic Council and a Life Member at the Council on Foreign Relations. Mr. Rodriguez received his B.B.A degree from Texas A&M University and an M.A. degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He is published in Foreign Policy, WarOnTheRocks, National Review, and RealClearDefense.Mr. Rodriguez resides in Washington D.C. with his wife, Laura, a venture capitalist with Bulldog Innovation Group and their children, Fletcher, Violet, and Pierce.

Afghanistan Veterans

As Afghans continue to flee the Taliban and find their way to new life many are arriving here in the Washington Metro area. Pastor Chris Sicks and Rev. Mary Amendolia Gardner joined the show to share some ways we can help practically and show the love of Christ to our new neighbors. Chris Sicks is the pastor of One Voice Fellowship, a multilingual church in Northern Virginia with members from 16 countries. He is founder and president of For the Nations DC, offering English classes to refugees and immigrants so our new neighbors can learn English and experience the love of Jesus. Chris is the author of Tangible: Making God Known through Deeds of Mercy and Words of Truth (NavPress 2013).Rev. Mary Amendolia Gardner is an ordained Anglican Priest and works with OneHeartDC as the Director of “With Afghans”. Mary is also a Spiritual Director with Coracle and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Curating Community Through the Arts. She trained for ministry at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford, England and earned an MA in Christian Spirituality at Heythrop College, University of London, with a focus on the visual arts and spiritual transformation.  She previously served in Outreach at The Falls Church Anglican, including work assisting refugees and asylum seekers and has spent over 25 years involved in global missions work.

With Afghans

Lisa Cureton joined the show to talk about how Unified 7 Homeless Initiative meets needs of the homeless by partnering with churches and service organizations.Lisa Cureton is a life-long believer!  Her greatest claim to fame is that, as a child she ushered her family into the church, and has sought to usher people into the Kingdom, ever since.She has served in nearly every capacity in the church, from volunteer cleaning the bathroom to the Pastor’s Business Asst.  Her most treasured position in ministry, was serving as leader over the children’s and youth ministry, as children are what drives Cureton’s call to serve.Cureton has served churches of every size, as volunteer, staff person and lay minister. Today she simply seeks to ensure the church stands tall and strong in the face of cultural pressure to accept moral failure as the norm.In 2017, after establishing the Homeless Initiative, Unified 7, Cureton reluctantly answered the call to Seminary.  Believing that she was ticking the box, she initially enrolled in the Organizational Leadership program, only to find God pressing her to pursue a deeper and richer relationship with him.  Moving from reluctance to refinement, like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, in 2018 Cureton decided to switch to the MDiv program in hopes of learning to better communicate the King’s essence and the great love that he holds for his creation.  Called to teach and preach, she seeks to deliver the uncompromising word of God, with grace, love and insight.Switching her program track to MDiv was just the start.  In 2019, within the span of four months, ten Christian leaders prophesied to Cureton that she was called to Pastor and thus she relented to the prodding of God and answered the call to Pastor.  She has spent the last eighteen months, under the tutelage of Rev. Dexter Nutall, learning to lead the church, by serving with DUN ministries as a consultant to pastors and local churches, refining the work of the local church.Cureton’s guiding scripture is Roman’s 8:28 NIV “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”  Her soul’s cry is: “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.” Psalm 51:6 (KJV)

Unified 7 Homelessness Initiative

Jad Levi & Kiersten Telzerow joined the show to talk about the work Alpha is doing to start conversations, answer questions and have a dialog about the Christian faith.Jad Levi lives to see the Church thrive in her mission to make disciples; which is why he loves Alpha. Jad serves with Alpha helping to launch new Alpha networks in select cities/regions across the country. He is based out of Phoenix, AZ where he co-leads Trinitas Church with his wife Jaime. They have three beautiful daughters; Jadyn, Jolie, and Joslyn.Kiersten Telzerow lives in Washington DC, has a goldendoodle named Luna and a husband named Matt. She works at National Community Church as a Small Group Director; prior to that, she went to school for ministry, was a resident at a church in Georgia, and then graduated with an M.Div. In addition, she serves as one of the Alpha Hub Church Directors for the DC metro area. She absolutely loves Alpha and the opportunity it allows people to enter a safe space and a safe conversation to explore some of the things they may be questioning or curious about.

Alpha

Trauma is a deep wound of the heart and mind that takes a long time to heal. The American Bible Society knows that God’s word offers hope and comfort to the afflicted. Nicole Martin joined the show to talk about how their Bible-based Trauma Healing Program offers healing in a small group setting. Nicole Martin currently serves as the Vice President of Church Engagement and Executive Director of Trauma Healing. She joined American Bible Society in 2016 as a City Mobilizer in Charlotte, NC and later served as the Director of US Ministry, supporting Scripture Engagement efforts in cities across the US.A former management consultant with Deloitte Consulting in Chicago, Martin has also previously served as an Executive Minister at a multi-site church in Charlotte, NC. Martin teaches courses in Ministry and Leadership Development at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is the author of two books: Made to Lead: Empowering Women for Ministry and Leaning In, Letting Go: A Lenten Devotional. Martin has authored several articles that have been featured in USA Today, Christianity Today, and The Charlotte Observer. As a nationally recognized speaker, Martin has been inducted into the prestigious Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Board of Preachers at Morehouse College.Martin is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a triple major in Human and Organizational Development, Educational Studies, and French. She earned her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and her Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She serves on the Board of the National Association of Evangelicals and is also a member of the Board of Trustees at Gordon College in New England.Martin currently resides in Baltimore with her husband, Dr. Mark Martin, and their two daughters, Addison and Josephine.

American Bible Society

Kyle Bowman joined the show to discuss how Regeneration Ministries work alongside the local church to equip men, women, and families to learn and live God’s good, holy, and beautiful design for sexuality.Kyle Bowman  is a native Washingtonian. She was raised in a Christian home but did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. She spent 11 years trying to find life in same-sex relationships. Through the love, care, and prayers of family and friends, she sensed the Lord calling her into a personal relationship with Him. Part of her journey to wholeness was finding Regeneration Ministries. After attending one of their programs, Kyle became active as a small group leader and in 2014 was asked to join the staff. Today she serves as the DC Metro Director for Regeneration in their northern Virginia office. Her duties include spiritual coaching, teaching for ministry programs, and helping to develop ministry resources. Kyle has a Bachelor’s in Communication from Bowie State University, a Certificate in Biblical Studies and a Master’s in Christian Counseling & Discipleship from Capital Seminary & Graduate School. In her spare time she pursues her passion for genealogy and spending time with her four-legged friend Niko.

Regeneration Ministries

On this episode of Good News For The City, Brenda Solomon joined us to discuss the vision of Jill’s House and how this life-giving ministry has grown to offer programs in four states.Brenda Solomon is mother to 3 grown boys, 1 girl (Jill) and now 8 grandchildren. She is also the Co- founder of Jill’s House and wife to Lon Solomon who is senior pastor emeritus of McLean Bible Church where they served together for 38 years.

Jill’s House

Bob Zerrenner shared his story of God&apos;s faithfulness when he found himself jobless and wondering how he would support his family. He went from the corporate board room to the supermarket.Bob Zerrenner grew up in Ridgewood, NJ, and graduated college with a BS in Business Administration and a concentration in Finance.  Bob has been married to Cathy for 30 years; they have 3 children and currently reside in Northern Virginia.  Bob has worked in various corporate finance and strategy roles throughout his career. Among his positions was the Chief of Staff to the Chief Operating Officer of a Fortune 250 company and most recently was a Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions.

Bob Zerrenner's Testimony

Clint Clifton joined the show to discuss the importance of multiplying our churches and planting new ones right here in the DMV.Clint has planted churches throughout the DC area for the past 20 years and leads several church planting residencies for churches in the region. Clint is also the author of several church planting books including the "Church Planting Primer" and "Church Planting Thresholds" and is the host of the "church planting podcast".

Church planting with New City Network

Good News for the Cit is a ministry partnership between OneHeartDC and WAVA 105.1fm in Washington DC bringing life-changing good news to people across the globe. Each show highlights how God is using his people in unique ways to touch the lives of people.

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Good News For The City's Podcast

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