My guest on this episode is Dena Nicolai. Dena works in the areas of refugee resettlement and refugee sponsorship (associated with Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program) in Vancouver, British Columbia, connecting with newcomers throughout Metro Vancouver and with refugee support groups across Canada. She has an M.A. in Theological Studies from Regent College (Vancouver, BC) and has been deeply shaped by her time in the cities of Edmonton, Alberta (where she was born and raised), Cairo, Egypt (where she lived after university), and Vancouver, BC (her current home).

Dena is also the author of Chapter 9, titled “No Debt to Repay”: Refugees and the Welcome of God  in the new book “Urban Gems”

Urban Gems: Ministry Perspectives on the Global City and its People, published by SacraSage Press, is available as an eBook or paperback:

eBook: Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ya52w24h  or  BN:  https://tinyurl.com/3f232jfj  or Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/yfj5vb87

Paperback:  BN: https://tinyurl.com/bkzvxfcz  or Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/mr22cv7v

Urban Gems Cover Art:

Neighborhood Church by Scott Erickson (scottericksonart.com).

Used with permission from the author.

Theme Music: Urban by EwaySound

Royalty Free Music from Tune Tank (https://tunetank.com/track/2090-urban)

On this episode my guest is Dr. Joel Aguilar-Ramirez.  Joel holds a PhD from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, a master’s degree in Global Urban Ministry from Bakke Graduate University, and a bachelor’s in theology from the Central American Theological Seminary in Guatemala. Joel is the author of the book A Human Catechism: A Journey from Violence and Collective Woundedness to Peacebuilding, and several other publications. He also publishes a substack called A Human Catechism. Joel has worked for two decades in connecting the non-for-profit and academic worlds through leadership and youth development in the slums of Guatemala City.

Joel  teaches courses in theology and mission at Bakke Graduate University and the Community of Interdisciplinary Theological Studies. Joel is an ordained member of the Street Psalms community, where he currently serves as the Director of Fellowships.

Joel is also the author of Chapter 8, titled A Guatemalan Experience Of Planetary Urbanization in the new book “Urban Gems”

Urban Gems: Ministry Perspectives on the Global City and its People, published by SacraSage Press, is available as an eBook or paperback:

eBook: Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ya52w24h  or  BN:  https://tinyurl.com/3f232jfj  or Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/yfj5vb87

Paperback:  BN: https://tinyurl.com/bkzvxfcz  or Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/mr22cv7v

Urban Gems Cover Art:

Neighborhood Church by Scott Erickson (scottericksonart.com).

Used with permission from the author.

Theme Music: Urban by EwaySound

Royalty Free Music from Tune Tank (https://tunetank.com/track/2090-urban)

On this episode our guest is Kurt Rietema. Kurt is the Senior Director of Youthfront Neighborhood at Youthfront. Kurt lives and works in a neighborhood called Argentine in Kansas City, Kansas, that may be short on money and status, but rich in culture. Kurt’s work includes youth social entrepreneurship, short-term mission, community development, and creating just housing and lending partnerships for immigrants.

Kurt has an MA in Global Development and Social Justice from St. John’s University and is the co-author of To Mend the World: A New Vision of Youth Ministry.

Kurt is also the author of Chapter 10 , titled “Foreigners There”: Privilege, Wilderness, and the Search for Belonging in the new book “Urban Gems”

Urban Gems: Ministry Perspectives on the Global City and its People, published by SacraSage Press, is available as an eBook or paperback:

eBook: Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ya52w24h  or  BN:  https://tinyurl.com/3f232jfj  or Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/yfj5vb87

Paperback:  BN: https://tinyurl.com/bkzvxfcz  or Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/mr22cv7v

Urban Gems Cover Art:

Neighborhood Church by Scott Erickson (scottericksonart.com).

Used with permission from the author.

Theme Music: Urban by EwaySound

Royalty Free Music from Tune Tank (https://tunetank.com/track/2090-urban)

On this episode, we are talking with Sparrow Etter Carlson. Sparrow has spent more than 22 years in community with her unhoused neighbors. She is the Founder and Co-Executive Director of Sacred Streets and previously co-founded Aurora Commons, the Safe, Healthy, Empowered (SHE) Clinic, and the Green Bean Coffeehouse, a nonprofit café. Each initiative emerged as a community-rooted response to the isolation and social death experienced by people living without housing. Sparrow believes that every community can co-create constellations of care and belonging with unhoused neighbors, strengthening the fabric of collective wellbeing and flourishing

Sparrow is also the author of Chapter 4 , titled Our Communal Despair and the U.S. Homelessness Crisis: Remembering Our Belonging Is the Medicine We Need in the new book “Urban Gems”

Urban Gems: Ministry Perspectives on the Global City and its People, published by SacraSage Press, is available as an eBook or paperback:

eBook: Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ya52w24h  or  BN:  https://tinyurl.com/3f232jfj  or Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/yfj5vb87

Paperback:  BN: https://tinyurl.com/bkzvxfcz  or Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/mr22cv7v

Urban Gems Cover Art:

Neighborhood Church by Scott Erickson (scottericksonart.com).

Used with permission from the author.

Theme Music: Urban by EwaySound

Royalty Free Music from Tune Tank (https://tunetank.com/track/2090-urban)

On this episode, I talk with Rev. Dr. Kenny Wallace.  Kenny is an African American Choctaw Pawnee from the United States living in Canada. He holds a doctorate in Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies with a focus on ethnodoxology, the study of how people worship around the world. His passion is to help others experience worship in the fullness of their being, giving glory to God with all that we are.

Kenny is also the author of Chapter 5, In the Secret Garden: Liminal Spaces as Formation Agents, in the new book “Urban Gems.”

Urban Gems: Ministry Perspectives on the Global City and its People, published by SacraSage Press, is available as an eBook or paperback:

eBook: Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ya52w24h  or  BN:  https://tinyurl.com/3f232jfj  or Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/yfj5vb87

Paperback:  BN: https://tinyurl.com/bkzvxfcz  or Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/mr22cv7v

Urban Gems Cover Art:

Neighborhood Church by Scott Erickson (scottericksonart.com).

Used with permission from the author.

Theme Music: Urban by EwaySound

Royalty Free Music from Tune Tank (https://tunetank.com/track/2090-urban)

On this episode, I’m joined by Jenna Smith. Jenna holds a master's degree in theology from the University of Montreal and was ordained by Street Psalms, an international network of urban practitioners working with vulnerable communities. She is co-executive director at Christian Direction, a community development mission in Montréal, Québec, and leads the Rapha Project, a ministry addressing domestic violence in Christian communities in Quebec.

Jenna is also the author of Chapter 6, Incarnating The Urban Christ: The Role Of The Neighborhood Chaplain, in the new book “Urban Gems.”

Urban Gems: Ministry Perspectives on the Global City and its People, published by SacraSage Press, is available as an eBook or paperback:

eBook: Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ya52w24h  or  BN:  https://tinyurl.com/3f232jfj  or Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/yfj5vb87

Paperback:  BN: https://tinyurl.com/bkzvxfcz  or Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/mr22cv7v

Urban Gems Cover Art:

Neighborhood Church by Scott Erickson (scottericksonart.com).

Used with permission from the author.

Theme Music: Urban by EwaySound

Royalty Free Music from Tune Tank (https://tunetank.com/track/2090-urban)

On this episode, we hear from Dr. Ron Ruthruff. Ron serves as Professor of Theology and Culture at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology and is ordained clergy with the Street Psalms Community. As a street-level theologian, Ron brings three decades of experience working alongside marginalized communities and street-involved youth, with a Doctor of Ministry in Complex Urban Settings from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Ron has authored two books with New Hope Publishers: The Least of These: Lessons Learned from Kids on the Street (2010) and Closer to the Edge: Walking with Jesus for the World's Sake (2015). His work has taken him around the world—from Guatemala to Vietnam, Kenya, and India—teaching practical theology and best community practice to grassroots urban leaders, pastors, and youth workers. Ron's mission is to equip individuals to lead lives of purpose, empower faith communities to love their neighbors, and engage communities in cross-cultural and global conversations.

Ron is also the author of Chapter 1, titled Learning from the City: A Process of Proximity and Posture, in the new book “Urban Gems.”

Urban Gems: Ministry Perspectives on the Global City and its People, published by SacraSage Press, is available as an eBook or paperback:

eBook: Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ya52w24h  or  BN:  https://tinyurl.com/3f232jfj  or Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/yfj5vb87

Paperback:  BN: https://tinyurl.com/bkzvxfcz  or Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/mr22cv7v

My guest on this episode is Joel Van Dyke. Joel currently lives with his wife and daughter in Wyoming, MI where he pastors Lee St. Christian Reformed Church and serves as Regional Director for Latin America with New City Networks. He is a member of the Senior Management Team of Street Psalms. Before that he lived in Guatemala City for 15 years with his wife Marilyn and their 2 children. Joel is co-author with Kris Rocke of Geography of Grace: Doing Theology from Below and The Incarnational Training Framework, as well as several other books, book chapters, and articles in both English and Spanish.

Joel is also the author of Chapter 2, titled Insiders and Outsiders, in the new book “Urban Gems.”

Urban Gems: Ministry Perspectives on the Global City and its People, published by SacraSage Press, is available as an eBook or paperback:

eBook: Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ya52w24h  or  BN:  https://tinyurl.com/3f232jfj  or Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/yfj5vb87

Paperback:  BN: https://tinyurl.com/bkzvxfcz  or Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/mr22cv7v

Urban Gems Cover Art:

Neighborhood Church by Scott Erickson (scottericksonart.com).

Used with permission from the author.

Theme Music: Urban by EwaySound

Royalty Free Music from Tune Tank (https://tunetank.com/track/2090-urban)

On this episode, we hear from Rev. Mark Van Andel from Detroit. Mark has been engaged in community development and learning how to be a part of the Church in his home of Detroit since 2005. He holds an MA in Missions from Calvin Theological Seminary and a Master’s in Divinity from Moody Theological Seminary. Mark is grateful to those who have guided and loved him through his journey of following Christ. 

Mark is also the author of Chapter 3, titled Dancing with Whiteness, in the new book “Urban Gems.”

Urban Gems: Ministry Perspectives on the Global City and its People, published by SacraSage Press, is available as an eBook or paperback:

eBook: Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ya52w24h  or  BN:  https://tinyurl.com/3f232jfj  or Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/yfj5vb87

Paperback:  BN: https://tinyurl.com/bkzvxfcz  or Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/mr22cv7v

Urban Gems Cover Art:

Neighborhood Church by Scott Erickson (scottericksonart.com).

Used with permission from the author.

Theme Music: Urban by EwaySound

Royalty Free Music from Tune Tank (https://tunetank.com/track/2090-urban)

On this episode, the authors of Urban Gems gather for an online book release party and each shares a bit about their chapter.  

Urban Gems: Ministry Perspectives on the Global City and its People, published by SacraSage Press, is available as an eBook or paperback:

eBook: Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ya52w24h  or  BN:  https://tinyurl.com/3f232jfj  or Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/yfj5vb87

Paperback:  BN: https://tinyurl.com/bkzvxfcz  or Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/mr22cv7v

Urban Gems Cover Art:

Neighborhood Church by Scott Erickson (scottericksonart.com).

Used with permission from the author.

Theme Music: Urban by EwaySound

Royalty Free Music from Tune Tank (https://tunetank.com/track/2090-urban)

This episode introduces the book and the podcast.

Urban Gems: Ministry Perspectives on the Global City and its People,

published by SacraSage Press, is available as an eBook or paperback at:

Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, Apple Books, and Google Play books.

Cover Art:

Neighborhood Church by Scott Erickson (scottericksonart.com).

Used with permission from the author.

Theme Music: Urban by EwaySound

Royalty Free Music from Tune Tank (https://tunetank.com/track/2090-urban)