Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, Sabrina Chan struggled to come to terms with her ethnic identity. As a daughter of immigrants from Hong Kong, she navigated feelings of shame, exclusion, and marginalization in many of her childhood relationships and experiences. As an adult, this led her on a journey towards healing racial trauma—one in which she learned to understand her family's history and her own story in a way that ultimately transformed her life.

Sabrina's professional journey began as an engineer, but her gift of helping others to grow in their understanding and love of God led her to a new vocational calling. With faith and courage, she chose to pursue a life in ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, a calling she has embraced for over twenty years.

In 2022, Sabrina, along with her co-authors, Linson Daniel, E. David de Leon, and La Thao, published Learning Our Names: Asian American Christians on Identity, Relationships, and Vocation, a treasure trove of diverse stories of the Asian diaspora in America who have been shaped and misshaped by migration, culture, and faith. Learning Our Names creates space for the unheard stories and silenced voices of Asian American Christians.

Learn more about Sabrina's amazing testimony of empowering the next generation to live into God's calling. In this episode, we highlight the following themes:

• Sabrina's own ethnic identity journey as an Asian American Christian
• Inspiring young writers to tell their own stories
• The collaborative force and motivation behind Learning Our Names

About the Guest:

Sabrina S. Chan, a daughter of immigrants from Hong Kong, is the national director of Asian American Ministries for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. She is an ordained minister and earned a master's degree in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off of Learning Our Names and Tell Her Story at checkout.

About the Host:

Helen Lee is the director of product innovation at IVP; she is also the author of The Missional Mom and The Race-Wise Family, co-authored with Dr. Michelle Reyes. Helen also serves as the producer of The Every Voice Now Podcast and as the executive producer of The Disrupters. Follow Helen on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts 

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

Pastor and speaker Sean Palmer understands firsthand the challenges of communicating effectively with those who have a variety of backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives. Throughout the different seasons of his life living in Mississippi, Georgia, and Texas, Sean learned how to navigate a multitude of new cultures and people groups. Many of those relationships and experiences proved to be costly, and yet, he found a great calling even in those spaces.

This episode highlights Sean’s passion for helping people become better communicators using Enneagram wisdom. Sean believes that the Enneagram can help us to better understand ourselves, our communication styles, and the people around us. And by this, we can transform our relationships with others. His book, Speaking by the Numbers: Enneagram Wisdom for Teachers, Pastors and Communicators, is a valuable resource that sheds light on the importance of conveying messages in ways that deeply connect with one's audience.

In this episode, we highlight the following themes:

• How the Enneagram can help you better connect with people who receive and process information differently
• How writing helps Sean become a better preacher
• Overcoming the hurdles of writing a book

Link from this episode:

• Learn more about Sean: seanisaacpalmer.com

About the Guest:

Sean Palmer is the teaching pastor at Ecclesia Houston, a speaker, and an executive coach. He is the author of Unarmed Empire and a contributing writer to The Voice Bible. Sean is vice-chair of the Missio Alliance board. He and his wife, Rochelle, live in Houston, Texas, with their two daughters. Sean has written two books with IVP: Forty Days on Being a Three and Speaking by the Numbers.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off of Speaking by the Numbers, as well as Healing Conversations on Race, at checkout.

About the Host:

Helen Lee is the director of product innovation at IVP; she is also the author of The Missional Mom and The Race-Wise Family, co-authored with Dr. Michelle Reyes. Helen also serves as the producer of The Every Voice Now Podcast and as the executive producer of The Disrupters. Follow Helen on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

When Jay Kim was four years old, he and his mother moved from Korea to the Silicon Valley. During his upbringing in this new environment, he struggled with feelings of confusion, isolation, and rootlessness that define many immigrant experiences. Despite these challenging seasons—or perhaps even through them—Jay eventually came to deeply internalize what it means to be seen, to be known, and to belong.

The seed of faith planted in Jay’s heart grew into a full-blown passion for ministry, which he now shares through his work as the lead pastor at WestGate Church. The perspectives he has gained over the years have led him to publish two books with IVP, Analog Church and Analog Christian, which explore the ways that the digital age affects the life of the church and Christian discipleship. Both books have received awards from The Gospel Coalition.

In this episode, we highlight the following themes:

• How Jay's ethnic identity journey influences the way he sees the world
• Jay's faith story from childhood to young adulthood, and his eventual calling to ministry
• The experience of writing and then releasing Analog Church at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

Links from this episode:

• Learn more about Jay Kim: jaykimthinks.com
• Start your learning with streaming video courses from Seminary Now

About the Guest:

Jay Y. Kim serves as the lead pastor at WestGate Church in Silicon Valley and on the leadership team of the ReGeneration Project. His writing has been featured in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Missio Alliance, and Relevant Magazine. He lives in Silicon Valley with his wife and two children.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off Jay’s books Analog Church and Analog Christian at checkout.

About the Host:

Helen Lee is the director of product innovation at IVP; she is also the author of The Missional Mom and The Race-Wise Family, co-authored with Dr. Michelle Reyes. Helen also serves as the producer of The Every Voice Now Podcast and as the executive producer of The Disrupters. Follow Helen on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

Mekdes Haddis is a sought-after millennial African missiologist whose voice challenges Western individuals, churches, and organizations to rethink their missional approach.

In this episode, Mekdes shares about her upbringing in Ethiopia and the challenges she experienced after moving to the United States to pursue her studies, eventually leading her to write a postcolonial critique of Western mission. Her book, A Just Mission, is a call to upend the white savior complex and pursue a more globally just approach. Mekdes writes with passion and conviction, providing a vision for de-centering the perspective of senders and better understanding the perspective of receivers. 

In this episode, we highlight the following themes:

• Mekdes's personal journey as a woman of color moving to America
• The path that led Mekdes to write A Just Mission
• The ways God can use the intersection of an author's lived experiences and a researched topic

Links from this episode:

• Learn more about Mekdes: mekdeshaddis.com
• Listen to a daily Bible podcast: Get in The Word with Truth’s Table

About the Guest:

Mekdes Haddis is the founder and executive coach of Just Missions, an online community that elevates diaspora voices and equips Western allies to become mutual partners for the work of the gospel. Originally from Ethiopia, she moved to the United States in 2003 and earned a BS in communications from Liberty University and a master's degree in organizational leadership from Columbia International University. She is also the project director of the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Collaborative for the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off of Mekdes’ book, A Just Mission, at checkout.

About the Host:

Paloma Lee is an assistant producer and project specialist at IVP. She has an M.A. in Media and Communication from Dallas Theological Seminary and a B.A. in English.

Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

Born and raised in Atlanta, Pastor Darrell Hall has been preaching since he was 17. At a young age, he realized the gift of the Holy Spirit’s ability to move and speak through him. His strong calling to evangelism and communication is evident in his ability to connect with people of all ages, races, and backgrounds. His book, Speaking Across Generations, is a timely and much-needed resource addressing the need to build bridges between generations. 

With his gift for communicating, Pastor Darrell shares wisdom gleaned from years of pastoral experience, along with research on generational differences in communication styles and needs. 

Tune in for an engaging, insightful conversation with Pastor Darrell as he shares his heart and expertise on this important topic.

In this episode, we highlight the following themes:

• How Pastor Darrell discovered God's calling to preach
• Differences between speaking and writing to communicate
• The origin story of the book, Speaking Across Generations

About the Guest:

Darrell E. Hall is the campus pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Conyers, Georgia, where he regularly preaches and teaches across five generations. He is an experienced preacher and public speaker who has given messages in venues from local Bible studies to a packed NBA arena. Hall has a DMin from Beeson Divinity School, where his doctoral research focused on generational intelligence and effective intergenerational communication. He and his wife, Eboni, have three children.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off of Darrell’s book Speaking Across Generations, as well as A Just Passion by various IVP authors, at checkout.

About the Host:

Paloma Lee is an assistant producer and project specialist at IVP. She has an M.A. in Media and Communication from Dallas Theological Seminary and a B.A. in English.

Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

Daniel Yang is a second-generation Hmong American missiologist whose rich experiences coming from an ethnic minority group fueled his passion for the American church to recenter its focus on the kingdom of God and to learn from the global church and other marginalized voices.

In this conversation, Daniel shares insights into his experience writing the book, Inalienable, with his co-authors, Eric Costanzo and Matthew Soerens. Throughout the episode, you'll hear about the following themes:

• How Daniel's own ethnic identity journey shaped his perspectives that contributed to Inalienable
• Unique aspects of co-authoring a book remotely
• Insights on the American church and the importance of learning from marginalized voices

About the Guest:

Daniel Yang is the director of the Church Multiplication Institute at the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center, a think tank for evangelism and church planting. He has pastored and helped plant churches in Detroit, Dallas-Fort Worth, Toronto, and Chicago. He earned an MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a BS in computer science from the University of Michigan, and is currently a PhD student in intercultural studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off the book Inalienable, as well as Humble Confidence by Benno van den Toren and Kang-San Tan.

About the Host:

Helen Lee is the director of product innovation at IVP; she is also the author of The Missional Mom and The Race-Wise Family, co-authored with Dr. Michelle Reyes. Helen also serves as the producer of The Every Voice Now Podcast and as the executive producer of The Disrupters. Follow Helen on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

With decades of experience in the field of psychology, therapist and writer Sheila Wise Rowe answered God’s special calling by writing her book, Healing Racial Trauma, and thereafter witnessed how the Lord opened doors for the fulfillment of her dreams—to offer hope and healing, and to lead people unto the Lord’s feet.

Collecting her life experiences, the stories of those she interviewed, and her family’s testimonies, she wrote this book to guide those on the journey of healing from racial trauma. Not long after, she authored Young, Gifted, and Black, telling many stories of celebration and lament in the lives of young Black men and women that point toward hope, joy, and healing. 

In this episode, we highlight the following discussion themes:

• Sheila's ethnic identity journey
• The origin stories behind her books, Healing Racial Trauma and Young, Gifted, and Black
• The importance of prayer and listening in the life of an author

Links from this episode:

• Learn more about Sheila at sheilawiserowe.com

About the Guest:

Sheila Wise Rowe, the author of Healing Racial Trauma and Young, Gifted, and Black, holds a master's degree in counseling psychology. She has ministered to abuse and trauma survivors in the United States for over twenty-five years and in Johannesburg, South Africa, for a decade. Sheila also taught counseling and trauma-related courses. She and her family live in the Boston area, where she is a writer, speaker, and spiritual director.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off of Sheila’s books Healing Racial Trauma and Young, Gifted, and Black, as well as Lent by Esau McCaulley.

About the Host:

Maila Kim is a marketing manager at IVP; she holds a B.A. in English Language & Literature and a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Michigan, and an M.A. in Christian Formation & Ministry with a concentration in Bible & Theology from Wheaton College Graduate School. Follow Maila on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

How we worship is central to the life and vitality of the church. The form, content, and style of our worship can either create or hinder meaningful encounters with God.

This episode focuses on the experience of Christian worship, drawing upon many varieties of worshiping contexts. Our guest, Glenn Packiam, uses his own experience as a songwriter to discuss both the impacts of worship, as well as the way that music can shape our faith experience. He also shares what it's like as a person of color to be a worship leader and pastor in predominantly white spaces.

Through his book, Worship and the World to Come, Glenn offers a theological exploration of how worship can help us to experience God in ways that are more meaningful, personal, and transformative.

In this episode, we highlight the following discussion themes:

• Glenn’s background and ethnic identity journey
• The incredible role of worship leaders in the church
• Thoughtfully stewarding public platform and influence in Christian spaces

Links from this episode:

• Glenn’s first book: Butterfly in Brazil: How Your Life Can Make a World of Difference
• Mentioned song:  "Is He Worthy?" by Andrew Peterson 

About the Guest:

Glenn Packiam (Doctor of Theology and Ministry, Durham) is the lead pastor at Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa, California. He previously served as associate senior pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is the songwriter of more than fifty worship songs, including "Your Name" and "Mystery of Faith," and the author of several books, including Blessed Broken Given: How Your Story Becomes Sacred in the Hands of Jesus and Discover the Mystery of Faith: How Worship Shapes Believing. 

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off Glenn’s book Worship and the World to Come, as well as Faithful Disobedience by Wang Yi.

About the Host:

Helen Lee is the director of product innovation at IVP; she is also the author of The Missional Mom and The Race-Wise Family, co-authored with Dr. Michelle Reyes. Helen also serves as the producer of The Every Voice Now Podcast and as the executive producer of The Disrupters. Follow Helen on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

A man firmly committed to his faith, Bishop Claude R. Alexander Jr. is passionate about helping Christians understand what it means to be a true follower of Christ.

Having grown up in Jackson, Mississippi, Bishop Alexander was aware of racial tensions in his community. Amid these challenges, he drew inspiration from his mother's faith and example, which helped him develop his own spiritual convictions and become an important voice for the church.

His dedication and love for God are evident in his book, Necessary Christianity, which lays out the musts of being a Christian and of being faithful to God. Through this lens, we can develop a clearer picture of what it means to live out our faith and become the kind of people God desires us to be.

In this episode, we highlight the following discussion themes:

• Bishop Alexander's ministry journey
• The story behind the writing of Necessary Christianity
• Inspiration and exhortation for those in vocational ministry

About the Guest:

Bishop Claude Richard Alexander Jr. is the senior pastor of The Park Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He serves on the board of Christianity Today, Mission America Coalition, Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and Movement.org. He is the chair of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary's board of trustees and a past president of the Hampton University Ministers Conference. He and his wife, Kimberly, have two daughters.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off Bishop Claude Alexander’s books Necessary Christianity and Becoming the Church, as well as Touch the Earth by Drew Jackson.

About the Host:

Paloma Lee is an assistant producer and project specialist at IVP. She has an M.A. in Media and Communication from Dallas Theological Seminary and a B.A. in English.

Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

Right on the heels of the pandemic, InterVarsity Press emerged from a time of upheaval alongside the rest of the world only to enter into another unexpected moment in its nearly 75-year history: finding its next publisher and president. This is the story of Terumi Echols's journey to becoming IVP's top leader, a historic choice and not the first time she has experienced being a difference-maker as a voice from the margins. You'll appreciate the unique and humble nature of Terumi's story, which stands in stark contrast to the challenging incidents that continue to emerge about Christian leaders today. Enjoy Terumi's journey, with comments from industry leaders such as:

• Jeff Crosby, Evangelical Christian Publishers Association
• Jevon Bolden, literary agent, writer, and editor
• Morgan Lee, global media manager, Christianity Today

About the Guest:

Terumi Echols is the president and publisher of InterVarsity Press (IVP). Before coming to IVP, Terumi worked for nearly two decades at Christianity Today International, with roles including chief publishing officer and publisher of Christianity Today.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off your order.

About the Host:

Helen Lee is the director of product innovation at IVP; she is also the author of The Missional Mom and co-author of The Race-Wise Family. Helen also serves as the producer of The Every Voice Now Podcast and as the executive producer of Get in the Word with Truth's Table and The Disrupters. Follow Helen on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

Growing up as a mixed-ethnicity "third culture kid" on multiple continents gave Dan Stringer a unique perspective on many things in life, including the Christian evangelical space. On his unexpected (and perhaps, reluctant) journey to eventually author Struggling with Evangelicalism, he began to process the complicated nature of evangelical Christianity's influence, in large part through his personal writing. What finally resulted was a book that offered readers a space for reflection in both appreciating evangelicalism's history and strengths, but also lamenting its toxic brokenness and complicity with injustice. In this second of three special narrative-style episodes, we're featuring unique stories of authors and leaders as they follow the paths through which God has led them, their long obedience resulting in outcomes they did not predict or imagine.

About the Guest:

Dan Stringer grew up as a third culture kid in five countries on three continents. He is a graduate of Wheaton College and Fuller Theological Seminary, ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church, and serves as team leader for InterVarsity's Graduate and Faculty Ministries in Hawai'i. He is pastor of theological formation at Wellspring Covenant Church in Hālawa, Hawai'i. He previously was a social worker helping people obtain housing and employment. He has written for Missio Alliance, Inheritance, and Level Ground, and is a contributor to Father Factor.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off Dan's book Struggling with Evangelicalism, as well as Learning Our Names by Sabrina S. Chan, Linson Daniel, E. David de Leon, and La Thao.

About the Host:

Paloma Lee is an assistant producer and project specialist at IVP. She has an M.A. in Media and Communication from Dallas Theological Seminary and a B.A. in English.

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

Have you ever wondered how long it takes authors to write their books? In the case of Felicia Wu Song, the journey was not day, or months, but decades. In this first of three special narrative-style episodes, we're featuring unique stories of authors and leaders as they follow the paths through which God has led them, their long obedience resulting in outcomes they did not predict or imagine. And you'll hear how even amidst Felicia's struggles and questions over many years, God demonstrated over and again that he had a special plan for her and her words. Enjoy this winsome conversation with Felicia Wu Song, the author of Restless Devices (published by InterVarsity Press).

About the Guest:

Felicia Wu Song (PhD, University of Virginia) is a cultural sociologist of media and digital technologies, currently serving as professor of sociology at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. Her publications include Virtual Communities: Bowling Alone, Online Together and articles in such scholarly journals as Gender & Society and Information, Communication & Society. 

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off Felicia's book Restless Devices, as well as Doing Asian American Theology by Daniel D. Lee.

About the Host:

Helen Lee is the director of product innovation at IVP; she is also the author of The Missional Mom and co-author of The Race-Wise Family. Helen also serves as the producer of The Every Voice Now Podcast and as the executive producer of The Disrupters. Follow Helen on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

In 2005, Skip McDonald's book, And She Lived Happily Ever After, offered women a refreshing perspective on singleness. Unlike many books on the topic from that time, it didn't provide tips for finding a husband or offer advice on whether or not to kiss dating goodbye—instead, it empowered single women to live vibrant lives of grace and fulfillment right then and there. Then in 2020, Skip's Anxiety LifeGuide Bible Study released at the beginning of a turbulent global pandemic, and to this day, it continues to minister to readers in their mental wellness journeys. In this third and final bonus episode celebrating IVP's 75th anniversary, Skip opens up about her formative upbringing during the civil rights movement, her passions for writing and mental health, and the road that led her to pen these two important titles at timely points in the life of the Church.

About the Guest:

Skip McDonald is a regional resource specialist with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, sourcing mental health, spiritual formation, manuscript Bible studies, and Nurses Christian Fellowship. With degrees in both nursing and theology, she has also worked as a registered nurse, is involved in women's ministry, and is the founder and CEO of Freedomsize Worship Fitness.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off Anxiety by Skip McDonald.

About the Hosts:

Helen Lee is the director of product innovation at IVP; she is also the author of The Missional Mom and The Race-Wise Family, co-authored with Dr. Michelle Reyes. Helen also serves as the producer of The Every Voice Now Podcast and as the executive producer of Get in The Word with Truth's Table and The Disrupters. Follow Helen on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Paloma Lee is an assistant producer and project specialist at IVP. She has an M.A. in Media and Communication from Dallas Theological Seminary and a B.A. in English. 

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

From growing up in an all-white neighborhood in Springfield, Massachusetts, to visiting the vibrant island of Puerto Rico, to attending a life-altering Urbana Missions Conference, Orlando Crespo shares the key life moments that revealed his clear call to be a minister to Latino people. Unbeknownst to him at the time, it wouldn’t involve being a missionary to Mexico or Central America, but rather, to a place far closer and more familiar than he ever imagined. In this second bonus episode celebrating IVP’s 75th anniversary, Orlando describes living between the two worlds of being Latino and American and the path that led him to write Being Latino in Christ, first published in 2003. For almost two decades, this historic book has shaped the spiritual and ethnic formation of Latinos in America as they step out in ministry to the world.

About the Guest:

Orlando Crespo is national director of InterVarsity Latino Fellowship (LaFe). He has worked with InterVarsity since 1987, first as a campus staff member at Hunter College and City College in New York City, New York, and then as an area director for a group of colleges in New York City. Follow Orlando on Twitter (@orlandofresco).

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off Being Latino in Christ by Orlando Crespo, as well as Hermanas by Natalia Kohn Rivera, Noemi Vega Quiñones, and Kristy Garza Robinson.

About the Hosts:

Helen Lee is the director of product innovation at IVP; she also serves as the producer of The Every Voice Now Podcast and as the executive producer of Get in The Word with Truth's Table and The Disrupters. Follow Helen on Twitter and Instagram (@helenleebooks).

Paloma Lee is an assistant producer and project specialist at IVP. She produces The Every Voice Now Podcast and Get in The Word with Truth's Table. She has an M.A. in Media and Communication from Dallas Theological Seminary and a B.A. in English. 

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

In this special bonus episode celebrating IVP's 75th anniversary, authors Jeanette Yep and Greg Jao share the origin story of the historic IVP book, Following Jesus Without Dishonoring Your Parents, written by a diverse Asian American team that also included Peter Cha, Susan Cho Van Riesen, and Paul Tokunaga. Originally published in 1998, this book guided readers through challenging topics from various Asian American perspectives such as navigating the "model minority" myth and performance pressures, unpacking expectations tied to gender, seeking racial reconciliation, finding a church home, and embracing unique gifts that serve the body of Christ. Jeanette and Greg discuss the unique issues Asian American students faced at the time of the book's writing and reflect on new challenges and celebrations in our modern day. Along the way, they share little-known history about the IVP offices that you won't want to miss!

About the Guests:

Jeanette Yep is the pastor of missional partnerships and multicultural ministry at Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts. You can find Jeanette on Twitter and Instagram.

Greg Jao (JD, Northwestern University Law School) is the executive vice president, communications and mobilization/chief communications officer for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. He is the author of Your Mind's Mission, the LifeGuide Bible study The Kingdom of God, and he is a contributor to Following Jesus Without Dishonoring Your Parents. You can find Greg on Twitter.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off Following Jesus Without Dishonoring Your Parents.

About the Host:

Maila Kim is a marketing manager at IVP; she holds a B.A. in English Language & Literature and a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Michigan, and an M.A. in Christian Formation & Ministry with a concentration in Bible & Theology from Wheaton College Graduate School. Follow Maila on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

Raised by strangers in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green neighborhood, MelindaJoy Mingo’s life journey began with unthinkable challenges that continued into adulthood as she later lost several close family members—including her husband—and eventually found herself living out of her car in a Walmart parking lot. 

But along the way, she encountered selfless love in unexpected places that led her to realize her pain had a purpose attached to it—to bridge cultural divides and help people to see one another through the eyes of Jesus. Ultimately, this led to her writing The Colors of Culture, birthed from her own lived experiences that gave her the empathy to see and value those on the margins. Join our conversation with MelindaJoy as she shares about the ways her story has led her and others to share in the beauty of diverse relationships.

About the Guest:

MelindaJoy Mingo is an ordained minister, professor, cultural capacity expert, and entrepreneur based in Colorado Springs. She is the founder of Je-Nai International Ministry and Significant Life Change, Inc., and has developed multicultural initiatives both at home and abroad. She holds a PhD in global leadership and an honorary doctorate in urban transformative leadership and has been widely recognized for her teaching and training in crosscultural competency.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes/opportunities mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off MelindaJoy's book The Colors of Culture.

About the Hosts:

Formerly an editor at IVP, Ed Gilbreath is currently an executive leader at Christianity Today; he earned his bachelor’s in communication arts from Judson University and a master’s in philosophy of history from Olivet Nazarene University. He is also the author of two IVP books: Reconciliation Blues and Birmingham Revolution. Follow Ed on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Helen Lee is the director of product innovation at IVP; she is also the author of The Missional Mom and The Race-Wise Family, co-authored with Dr. Michelle Reyes. Helen also serves as the producer of The Every Voice Now Podcast and as the executive producer of Get in The Word with Truth's Table and The Disrupters. Follow Helen on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

Growing up in St. Louis, Vince Bantu clearly recognized the racialized nature of the city as being predominantly Black and poor on the north side where he lived and predominantly white and wealthy on the south side where he attended church. As he continued into his college years at a largely-white, evangelical school, he began to think that being a "good Christian" meant that he had to deny his own unique biracial and Black heritage and assimilate into the dominant culture. So discovering that his ethnic identity was in fact a gift from God and that Christianity did not, in fact, originate from Europe were life-changing realizations and ultimately led to his scholarship and writing A Multitude of All Peoples: Engaging Ancient Christianity's Global Identity. In this riveting interview, Vince upends the misconception that Christianity is becoming a global religion and explains how it in fact has always been so. He also explains in no uncertain terms why he is is targeting people of color and those who are on the margins in the church with his teaching and his message. If you are someone who similarly cares about learning from marginalized voices, or if you want to learn more about what that means, then this compelling conversation is not one you should miss.

About the Guest:

Vince L. Bantu (PhD, The Catholic University of America) is assistant professor of church history and Black church studies at Fuller Theological Seminary and is the Ohene of the Meachum School of Haymanot. You can find Vince on Twitter.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes/opportunities mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off Vince's book A Multitude of All Peoples.

About the Hosts:

Maila Kim is a marketing manager at IVP; she holds a B.A. in English Language & Literature and a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Michigan, and an M.A. in Christian Formation & Ministry with a concentration in Bible & Theology from Wheaton College Graduate School. Follow Maila on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Formerly an editor at IVP, Ed Gilbreath is currently an executive leader at Christianity Today; he earned his bachelor’s in communication arts from Judson University and a master’s in philosophy of history from Olivet Nazarene University. He is also the author of two IVP books: Reconciliation Blues and Birmingham Revolution. Follow Ed on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

Lamar Hardwick experienced a revelation at age 36 when he was first diagnosed with autism. That watershed moment opened so many doors for him to understand how he related to and communicated with other people and led to his being able to use his writing to raise awareness for the disability community, the largest minority community group in the world. Yet it continues to also be a marginalized group in the church. In this prophetic and frank conversation, Lamar shares amazing insights into the church's own self-identity that mirrors his own journey of being unaware of his own disability, and he offers profound ways for the body of Christ to better understand itself and the needs of people with disabilities. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation.

About the Guest:

Lamar Hardwick, also known as "the autism pastor," is the lead pastor at Tri-Cities Church in East Point, Georgia. He is the author of Epic Church and the best-selling I Am Strong: The Life and Journey of an Autistic Pastor.

In 2014, after years of silently struggling with social anxiety and sensory processing disorder, and a host of other significant issues, Hardwick was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of thirty-six. He now provides workshops, seminars, and consults with local churches and faith-based organizations on creating environments for people with autism. He also provides mentoring services for teens and young adults on the autism spectrum. His writing has been published by various autism and disability websites such as The Mighty, The Huffington Post, Key Ministry, and The Autistic Self Advocacy Network. He lives in Newnan, Georgia, with his wife, Isabella, and their three children.

Follow Lamar on Twitter.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes/opportunities mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off Lamar's book Disability and the Church.

About the Hosts:

Helen Lee is the director of product innovation at IVP; she is also the author of The Missional Mom and The Race-Wise Family, co-authored with Dr. Michelle Reyes. Helen also serves as the producer of The Every Voice Now Podcast and as the executive producer of The Disrupters. Follow Helen on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Formerly an editor at IVP, Ed Gilbreath is currently an executive leader at Christianity Today; he earned his bachelor’s in communication arts from Judson University and a master’s in philosophy of history from Olivet Nazarene University. He is also the author of two IVP books: Reconciliation Blues and Birmingham Revolution. Follow Ed on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

With all the books that have been published in the world, sometimes it's easy to forget that behind the writing of each book there is a story of an author who has to overcome her or his personal struggles to make it to the finish line. For Peace Amadi, despite years of experience with writing and in academia, the book publishing process triggered emotions and insecurities that she wasn't expecting and had to address alongside her writing process. You'll appreciate Peace's honesty and willingness to share about the emotional challenges of the publishing journey that is often hidden from public view, and also you'll learn how her heritage as a Nigerian American had an impact on that process.

About the Guest:

Peace Amadi is a psychology professor, speaker, children's book author, content creator, and host. She holds a BA in psychology from UCLA and a masters and doctorate in psychology from Azusa Pacific University. As a woman of faith, she uses her various platforms to bridge the gap between mental health and faith for the purposes of engaging a deeper healing journey. As a woman of Nigerian descent, she calls for reflection on how healing is affected by culture and family. Follow Peace on Twitter.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes/opportunities mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off Peace's book Why Do I Feel Like This?

About the Hosts:

Maila Kim is a marketing manager at IVP; she holds a B.A. in English Language & Literature and a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Michigan, and an M.A. in Christian Formation & Ministry with a concentration in Bible & Theology from Wheaton College Graduate School. Follow Maila on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Formerly an editor at IVP, Ed Gilbreath is currently an executive leader at Christianity Today; he earned his bachelor’s in communication arts from Judson University and a master’s in philosophy of history from Olivet Nazarene University. He is also the author of two IVP books: Reconciliation Blues and Birmingham Revolution. Follow Ed on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.

If you had asked Chloe Sun as a girl in Hong Kong what she expected her life would be like when she grew up, she probably would not have imagined that she would end up in the US for college, become a Christian, and then serve as the catalyst for her whole family embracing the gospel. She also could not have imagined that she would fall in love with Hebrew and the Old Testament, leading to her becoming a biblical scholar and a seminary dean, with a call to train the next generation of Chinese church leaders in North America. But despite her academic credentials with a PhD from Fuller Seminary and her status as one of the few Asian female scholars in her discipline, Chloe still considers herself as someone who operates in the margins of a dominant culture in which she often feels invisible and and hidden.

Chloe's life mirrors that of the topic she tackles in her unique and compelling book Conspicuous in His Absence: Studies in the Song of Songs and Esther. In this book, Chloe examines a combination of biblical texts that are rarely studied together but which share a common characteristic: God is absent in both. As she illuminates what we can learn about God through his absence, Chloe also makes it clear through her work and her words that those on the margins have much to say and offer even though they are often absent from the center of the church and the academy. If you don't know Chloe's work, take this opportunity to get to know a thoughtful, brilliant scholar and writer with much to offer through her life and her writing.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Write Better by Andrew T. LePeau

About the Guest:

Chloe T. Sun (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is professor of Old Testament and academic dean at Logos Evangelical Seminary and has published books in Chinese and English, including The Ethics of Violence in the Story of Aqhat, Love Already but Not Yet: A Commentary on the Song of Songs and Attempt Great Things for God: Theological Education in Diaspora. You can find more information about Chloe at her website.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes/opportunities mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off Chloe's book Conspicuous in His Absence.

About the Hosts:

Formerly an editor at IVP, Ed Gilbreath is currently an executive leader at Christianity Today; he earned his bachelor’s in communication arts from Judson University and a master’s in philosophy of history from Olivet Nazarene University. He is also the author of two IVP books: Reconciliation Blues and Birmingham Revolution. Follow Ed on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Helen Lee is the director of product innovation at IVP; she is also the author of The Missional Mom and The Race-Wise Family, co-authored with Dr. Michelle Reyes. Helen also serves as the producer of The Every Voice Now Podcast and as the executive producer of The Disrupters. Follow Helen on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.