Across the Divide Podcast

In episode 4 of our Christ at the Checkpoint series we host author and activist Lisa Sharon Harper. At CATC she gave a presentation titled “Four Words that Change Everything." Here clips from Lisa's presentation are interwoven with a conversation with Daniel dissecting the 4 words and their application to the Palestinian and black experience in the U.S. Lisa Sharon Harper is a prolific speaker, writer and activist. She 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. Ms. Harper is the author of several books.  She earned her Masters degree in Human Rights from Columbia University in New York City, and served as Sojourners Chief Church Engagement Officer. We also provide an extended cut from this conversation for our Patreon supporters. To access this extended conversation and previous ones, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Show Notes: Rashid Khalidi interview on Freedom Road Podcast The Very Good Gospel and Fortune, Lisa Sharon Harper

This episode in our Christ at the Checkpoint series features Shane Claiborne, renowned Christian activist and author. At CATC he gave a presentation titled “Good Trouble on Good Friday." In this episode, clips from his presentation are interwoven with his conversation with Jen about taking our faith to the streets and resisting violence with love. Shane Claiborne is a prominent speaker, activist, and best-selling author.  Shane worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, and founded The Simple Way in Philadelphia. He heads up Red Letter Christians, a movement of folks who are committed to living "as if Jesus meant the things he said." Shane is a champion for grace which has led him to jail advocating for the homeless, and to places like Iraq and Afghanistan to stand against war. Now grace fuels his passion to end the death penalty and help stop gun violence. Shane’s books include Jesus for President, Red Letter Revolution, Common Prayer, Follow Me to Freedom, Jesus, Bombs and Ice Cream, Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers, Executing Grace, his classic The Irresistible Revolution, Beating Guns, and his newest book, Rethinking Life. He has been featured in a number of films and news outlets, and In 2023, Shane received the prestigious The King Center's Beloved Community Award for Social Justice from Dr. Bernice King (daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King). Shane speaks regularly at denominational gatherings, festivals, and conferences around the globe.  We also provide an extended cut from this conversation for our Patreon supporters. To access this extended conversation and previous ones, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Show Notes: Learn more about Shane’s work at: www.shaneclaiborne.com  Common Prayer, Shane Claiborne The Prophetic Imagination, Walter Bruegemann The Other Side of the Wall, Munther Isaac “Good Trouble on Good Friday,” Shane Claiborne (Good Friday demonstration at Lockheed Martin) Sharing Communion at the U.S.-Mexico border wallTent of Nations (Palestinian Christian peacebuilding organization)

The second episode in this special Christ at the Checkpoint series features Ruth Padilla DeBorst, Latin American theologian and teacher. At CATC she gave a presentation titled “The Mission of the Church in Contexts of Oppression." In this episode we play clips from her presentation, and Daniel asks a few questions about some of the key issues she addresses in her talk. Ruth Padilla DeBorst is a theologian, missiologist, educator, and story-teller, Ruth Padilla DeBorst has been involved in theological formation for integral mission in her native Latin America and beyond for several decades. She teaches at Western Theological Seminary. Along with her husband, James, she lives in Costa Rica as a member of Casa Adobe, an intentional Christian Community with deep concern for right living in relation to the whole of creation. Her studies include a Bachelors in Education (Argentina), an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies (Wheaton College), and a PhD in Theology (Boston University). We also provide an exclusive cut from this conversation for our Patreon supporters. To access this extended conversation and previous ones, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠

We start this special mini-series on Christ at the Checkpoint with Fares Abraham, a Christian Palestinian American and CEO of Levant Ministries. At CATC he gave a presentation titled “A Christ-Centered response to what’s happening in Gaza”. In this episode we play clips from his presentation, and Daniel asks him a few questions about some of the issues he brought up. We also provide an exclusive interview with Fares for our Patreon supporters. To access this extended conversation and previous ones, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠

We're excited to bring you this special series of 7 episodes that features talks and in-depth interviews with international and Palestinian theologians and speakers who spoke at the renown "Christ at the Checkpoint" conference, which was held at Bethlehem Bible College this past May. We will also be providing extended interviews with the speakers that will only be available to our Patreon members. Please consider supporting and sustaining our work by becoming one of our patrons at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide The theme of this year’s conference was “Christian Witness in Contexts of Oppression” and focused on Christian response and responsibility to genocide in Gaza. "Christ at the Checkpoint" is an open invitation to Christians all over the world, but especially in the West, to meet and be in dialogue with Palestinian Christians, unlearn destructive theologies of Christian Zionism, and explore pathways for solidarity with the Palestinian people. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Jen has a conversation with Kevin Vollrath, an American Christian who has spends time with Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem. Kevin shares about his experiences in the West Bank for the past three years and how he’s seen violence against Palestinians rise since October 7th, 2023. They also discuss disability in the context of the Israeli occupation, and unpack the acute threats and violence wielded against Palestinians living in refugee camps in the West Bank. Kevin also reflects on how his experiences in Palestine have shaped his faith and the calling he feels to continue bearing witness to the struggles of Palestinian communities. Kevin Vollrath is a PhD Candidate at Princeton Theological Seminary in Religion and Society. His dissertation research focused on experiences of disability under occupation in Bethlehem. Based in Israel/Palestine for the past three years, has also worked in advocacy and education.If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Resources"Crowded West Bank refugee camp is the most tear-gassed place in the world," MondoweissThe Right to Maim: Debility, Capacity, Disability, Jasbir Puar

In this episode, co-host Abeer has a conversation with Courtney Reeve, a Canadian doctoral student at Durham University, UK, currently residing in the Occupied West Bank to conduct her research with Musalaha, a faith-based organization. They explore a range of topics, including Courtney's firsthand experiences during and after October 7th, her deep insights into the trauma faced by Palestinians, and pathways to reconciliation in Palestine rooted in faith and biblical context. They delve into her pivotal research, "Divine Encounters Amidst War and Occupation: An Immersive Theological Ethnography of Reconciliation Practice at Musalaha," and discuss her impactful work with the organization. Additionally, Abeer and Courtney examine the influential role of film and cinema as educational tools about the ongoing situation in Palestine. This episode offers a unique personal perspective that resonates deeply with the challenges and hopes of those on the ground. Don’t miss this compelling and insightful discussion that shines a light on personal stories and professional studies in the quest for understanding and peace. Courtney Reeve has been living in Bethlehem (Beit Jala and now Beit Sahour) for almost two years. After meeting the founder of faith-based reconciliation organisation, Musalaha, in 2011 and maintaining contact throughout the years, Courtney chose to move to the Occupied West Bank to conduct her doctoral research from Durham University in the United Kingdom. With previous work as an Assistant Pastor at a Toronto-based church, Courtney is interested in the formational of people who choose the work of reconciliation across the fraught context of normalisation and 'over-politicisation.' Courtney is Canadian but has spent many years living abroad including Indonesia, the US, England, and now Palestine. She loves talking theology as much as she loves talking about film and cinema! If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Show Notes: https://musalaha.org/

In this episode Daniel has a conversation with Thandi Gamedze, a South African poet and educator. They discuss the Kairos Document, which was released by South African theologians in 1985 in response to the theologies of violence and discrimination by the apartheid state and South African church. They also reflect on the impact of that document and its relationship to the Kairos Palestine document, which was released in 2009. In this episode, Thandi recites some of her beautiful poetry that interweaves biblical language with the demands for justice in South Africa and Palestine. You don’t want to miss this episode! Thandi Gamedze is a South African educator, a writer, and a poet. She works across churches, universities, and NGOs in South Africa, and is driven by a deep commitment to critique and reimagine a world that is just, nurturing, and kind. Here are the Kairos document and the Kairos Palestine document. We highly encourage you to read these two important documents. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Daniel has a conversation with Mennonite pastor Amy Yoder McGloughlin. They discuss the history of the Mennonite church, and the role that Mennonite theology plays in shaping her advocacy and peace work in Palestine-Israel.  Amy Yoder McGloughlin is a Mennonite pastor living in Chester County, Pennsylvania, on the traditional lands of the Lenape people. She received her theological training at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, now known as United Lutheran Seminary. Amy has been actively involved in Community Peacemaker Teams in the West Bank since 2013, and with Mennonite Action since it began in November of 2023. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, co-host Jen has a conversation with writer, educator, and activist Azmera Hammouri-Davis. This conversation explores the harms of Christian nationalism and theologies of supremacy, and delves into the scriptures that call us to enact justice and love. Azmera shares about her intersecting identities as a Black Palestinian Christian, poet, and musician, and the ways her faith has shaped her journey of being in solidarity with Palestinians and heeding what Palestinian Christians are calling the Western church to live out. Azmera Hammouri-Davis, M.T.S is a faith-based writer, poet/MC, educator and independent scholar-practitioner from Kea’au, Hawai’i. She is the proud daughter of a Palestinian-American mother and Black German father and has been teaching and learning the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira for over fifteen years. She is an organizer with the Black Christians for Palestine Network, is a Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference MICAH Ministry Fellow, and founder of Transition Turn Up, a coaching & consulting company that helps  people expand their capacity to experience love, joy and healing even amidst life's difficult turns. In 2016, she founded  Break The Boxes, a popular education organization committed to raising critical consciousness by centering creative expression, and wisdom across faith traditions and generations. She holds a Master of Theological Studies in African/American Religions from Harvard Divinity School and a dual B.A. in Visual & Performing Arts and Social Sciences Psychology from the University of Southern California. You can learn more about Azmera on her website and follow her on Instagram @azmerarhymes If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Show Notes: Black Christians for Palestine Lenten Series with Freedom Church of the Poor US Campaign for Palestinian Rights Christianzionism.org