We All Need Each Other

The last several years have been difficult on all of us, and pastors have carried a particular burden during those years. Two local pastors, Dr. Theo Williams of Covenant Community Church in South Bend and Adam Sharp of St. Mark Missionary Church in Mishawaka, stepped into lead roles at their respective churches within the last few years. Their insights about these tumultuous times we're living in are very helpful as we consider the current state and future outlook of the Church.

Have you ever heard of spiritual direction? Don’t worry if your answer is “no”. Counseling and – especially around ISI – mentoring are words we hear a bit more often. That’s why we brought Michael Baughman on the podcast. Michael is studying to become a spiritual director and has already begun meeting with spiritual direction clients. He helps us understand what spiritual direction is and why it can be helpful.

For the last 13 years Ali & Kory Lantz have lived in Northwest South Bend and have been leading Transformation Ministries. What started as a couple living in a small neighborhood home, trying to be good neighbors and welcoming families into their lives has become an organization that operates several programs for youth and young adults.

The growth of Transformation Ministries wasn't something Ali & Kory planned, but they've learned to trust God every step of the way. The latest step started when Kory heard God repeating the word, "Deeper."

For Transformation Ministries, going deeper means expanding its programs, opening up opportunities for more students and families to join, starting new programs and dreaming bigger dreams. Construction has started on an industrial building just off Portage Avenue and the project should be finished in time for the 2023-2024 school year.

Kate Berkey and Kristy Mikel are longtime friends, ministry partners and now they are also co-authors of the new book A Place Called Braverly.

Braverly is a real place in Mae Sot, Thailand where Kristy lives and works. Kate has also lived and worked at Braverly, but she currently resides in Chicago and works at Devon Oasis Ministry.

The major theme of the book is living courageously in the face of opposition, fear and lack of opportunity. This conversation with Kate & Kristy was full of laughs but also clear challenges to choose to live bravely every day.

Transformation Ministries hosted an event called Timely Topics on Saturday, March 19, that featured three speakers - Marla Godette, Kory Lantz & Dr. Redgina Hill - followed by small group discussions about each speaker's chosen topic. This community-focused event brought together a diverse crowd of people who engaged in meaningful and life-changing discussions. New interpersonal connections were made and many attendees suggested more events like this were necessary. This episode includes each speaker's speech as well as followup thoughts and overall event debrief with co-hosts Dan Weiss & Aaron Charles.   

Itzxul Moreno and Alec Torigian are proud to call South Bend, IN, their home even though they didn't grow up here and never imagined they'd live in Northern Indiana. They also serve in the Irion Sharpens Iron program at Transformation Ministries. We hope you enjoy hearing parts of their stories!  

Rapper, poet and author Propaganda joins us to talk about his book Terraform. He believes we are the culture and that our words build worlds. If those things are true, then we should start building a better world!  

Welcome to Season 2 of We All Need Each Other!

We're back after a short break to kick off another year of monthly episodes. This episode is extra special because we're adding some new features to the podcast.

We've got a new logo, some new ideas and, most importantly, a new co-host!

We're so excited to welcome Ali Lantz to the hosting team. She's the co-founder of Transformation Ministries, the wife of Executive Director Kory Lantz and a trusted voice when it comes to loving others well.

Most of us know the stories of Moses, Esther, Paul & Silas and Zacchaeus. But have you ever thought about the role privilege played in their stories?

Ali Lantz and her husband Kory founded Transformation Ministries in 2009 with the hopes of being good neighbors and seeing transformation in the urban neighborhood they moved into. They found that the greatest transformation has happened to them as they've built deep relationships and walked alongside their neighbors for the past 12 years.  

Are there topics that are off limits in your organization, church or family? Initiating difficult conversations can be very difficult, but also very rewarding. Pastor Lindsay Fisher joined Dan & Aaron for this episode to discuss what she's learned about having important conversations even when they're difficult.

During the course of a normal day or week, how often do you find yourself fascinated by something or someone?

Have you ever thought about that question? What is it that captures your attention and triggers your imagination? What can turn you into a little kid filled with wonder and amazement?

Aaron and Dan sat down to talk about some of the things in life that fascinate them.

Dr. Redgina Hill is here to share with us some of what she learned through her study of Critical Race Theory as she was writing her dissertation. She also shares from her own experience as a black woman in America.  

No matter your religious background, if you're a Christian now then you have some practices for spiritual formation. They are the things we all do in order to grow spiritually. You may call it something different, but we want this episode to be a resource for you to learn about some new practices that will lead to deeper spiritual formation.

We are excited to bring you a BONUS episode this week and we're even more excited about the reason for this extra content!

We All Need Each Other has a new co-host and his name is Aaron Charles. If you've been paying attention, you know Aaron has already been contributing to the podcast through his writing. He's a gifted communicator and has a heart that fits right into the spirit of the show.

Every day’s news headlines seem to bring reminders of the fact that racism remains a clear and present danger to our communities. Fighting the darkness of racism is something that Christians must consider in today’s world. This conversation gets at the ways all of us can join in the fight and work for a more just society. Jemar Tisby is a historian, author, speaker, and one of the leading voices at the intersection of race, religion, politics, and culture. He reached the New York Times bestseller list with his book The Color of Compromise and has recently published his second book, How to Fight Racism.

Whether it comes naturally for you or not, empathy is a very important skill if we hope to understand and love each other well. Guests Arielle Grant & Raquel Storey are former Transformation Ministries Staff members who share insights and examples of how they've seen the value of empathy in their lives.  

Find more episodes and show notes at transformation58.com/podcast