Babel Undone
Good Shepherd IndiaSince the Tower of Babel, the world has grown increasingly divided by language, culture, faith, and ways of thinking. Yet with advancements in technology and our modes of communication, we may have an unprecedented opportunity for
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interconnectivity. In this global village, we encounter similar issues but approach them in different ways. So, what would it look like to foster a community where learning from each other forms the basis for understanding and coexistence? How can we celebrate our differences while recognising our shared humanity? Welcome to 'Babel Undone', a podcast dedicated to undoing the divisions by creating a space for Christians worldwide to better understand and learn from each other.
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- 49Inter-faith cooperation in a challenging region of the worldUriel Simonsohn is an authority in early and medieval Islam in the Near East. He serves as the head of the Haifa Laboratory for Religious Studies, promoting positive social and civic change in various religious communities. He's done extensive research into Muslim and non-Muslim relations. Through his studies he's brought valuable insight into the power of cooperation across the religious divide particularly about how shared priorities can build community and foster peace. Sometimes where you'd least expect it. Babel Undone is produced by Premier. For more podcasts which help Christians grow in their faith head to www.premier.plus/podcasts This podcast is created in partnership with the Good Shepherd Church of India. For more details head to www.gsi.org
- 50The intersection of AI and faithAmerican economist Glen Weyl isn't just good with numbers. He's a technologist and social innovator dedicated to rethinking the systems that shape our society. He is Research Lead of the Special Project the Plural Techology Collaboratory at Microsoft. His work explores the intersection of technology, economics governance and faith and is the co-author of Radical Markets: Uprooting Capitalism and Democracy for a Just Society. Babel Undone is produced by Premier. For more podcasts which help Christians grow in their faith head to www.premier.plus/podcasts This podcast is created in partnership with the Good Shepherd Church of India. For more details head to www.gsi.org
- 51Overcoming the medicalisation of deathAs a doctor for over 30 years Dr Pamela Pyle has seen patients at the end of their life. Her work has made her a passionate advocate for providing compassionate guidance through faith-centered conversations on suffering, grief and death. After traveling to Rwanda on a medical mission, her heart was stirred to do more for those with health challenges. That’s why she joined Africa New Life Ministries where she started as a volunteer and now serves as Chair of the Board. Dr Pyle also hosts her own podcast called Hope for Every Season featuring uplifting stories from guests who have found a future where they thought there was none. Babel Undone is produced by Premier. For more podcasts which help Christians grow in their faith head to www.premier.plus/podcasts This podcast is created in partnership with the Good Shepherd Church of India. For more details head to www.gsi.org
- 52Helping Lebanon turn the page on its ties to terrorAs the Deputy Director of the Philis Project, an organization promoting Christian engagement in the Near East, Luke Moon has decades of experience as a peacemaker in the Middle East, specifically focussing attention on persecuted Christians there. He's known for his incisive analysis on Middle Eastern politics, religious freedom, and the role of Christianity in modern society. For 25 years his work has helped bridge cultural divides, aiming to build understanding and inspire action and helping people engage in complex geopolitical landscapes. Before joining the Philos Project, Moon served with Youth with a Mission and worked as a business manager for the Institute on Religion and Democracy. His work bridges cultural divides, aiming to build understanding and inspire action. Babel Undone is produced by Premier. For more podcasts which help Christians grow in their faith head to www.premier.plus/podcasts This podcast is created in partnership with the Good Shepherd Church of India. For more details head to www.gsi.org
- 53How to make your business a ministryMike Sharrow is the CEO and President of the C12 Group, the largest network of Christian CEOs and business leaders dedicated to integrating faith and business. With a background in healthcare, consulting, and ministry, Sharrow brings a unique perspective to helping leaders align their organizational goals with their values. Under his leadership, C12 has grown into a dynamic community fostering accountability, growth, and impact for marketplace leaders worldwide. He's a truly visionary thinker and passionate advocate for faith-driven entrepreneurship with his own professional journey always being a blend of business and ministry. With his eye on business he always has one foot in ministry himself. He is the founding board member for the South Texas Alliance for Orphans and serves actively in his local church, Community Bible Church in Texas. Babel Undone is produced by Premier. For more podcasts which help Christians grow in their faith head to www.premier.plus/podcasts This podcast is created in partnership with the Good Shepherd Church of India. For more details head to www.gsi.org
- 54Israel and Black solidarity: A parallel storyProfessional musician Dumisani Washington wears many hats. He is the founder of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel (IBSI). Washington served as the diversity outreach coordinator for Christians United for Israel, where he engaged support for Israel and the Jewish people from its over 10 million Christian Zionist members He's a great communicator using his musical skills as a pianist and his deep knowledge of biblical, historical, and social issues on Zionism to get his message of global unity across. He's the author of Zionism & the Black Church: Why Standing with Israel Will be a Defining Issue for Christians of Color in the 21st Century. He's undoubtedly one of the greatest leaders in the movement to enhance Black solidarity with Israel. Babel Undone is produced by Premier. For more podcasts which help Christians grow in their faith head to www.premier.plus/podcasts This podcast is created in partnership with the Good Shepherd Church of India. For more details head to www.gsi.org
- 55Trump 2.0Johnnie Moore is President of The Congress of Christian Leaders. He was twice a presidential appointee to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom serving during the Trump and Biden administrations. He's also a reverent and has served as campus pastor at Liberty University. Throughout his career, Moore has advocated relentlessly for religious freedom in the Middle East. He's received the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s prestigious medal of valor for his efforts. In this episode of Babel Undone we hear what his predictions are for the next Trump administration. Babel Undone is produced by Premier. For more podcasts which help Christians grow in their faith head to www.premier.plus/podcasts This podcast is created in partnership with the Good Shepherd Church of India. For more details head to www.gsi.org
- 56How faith-based diplomacy can shape peaceful alliances in the worldJosh Reinstein has been named as “50 most influential Jews in the world” by the Jerusalem Post". It's a fitting description. As Director of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus and President of the Israel Allies Foundation - a non-profit encouraging faith-based support for Israel among elected members of legislatures and parliaments worldwide. He's a veteran of the elite 188 unit of the Israel Defense Forces Armored Corps and founder of Israel Now News, a half an hour weekly news magazine broadcast to 35 million viewers in 191 countries around the world. Above all he's a great advocate for faith-based diplomacy. Babel Undone is produced by Premier. For more podcasts which help Christians grow in their faith head to www.premier.plus/podcasts This podcast is created in partnership with the Good Shepherd Church of India. For more details head to www.gsi.org
- 57Understanding Christian persecution in NigeriaPeacemaker Gideon Para-Mallam is a Nigerian pastor has been a key advocate for the persecuted church. He's the founder of the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, which works to promote interfaith dialogue, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria and beyond. It's an organisation which fights for education and youth empowerment, mentoring future leaders. He is also working on a five-year strategic mentoring initiative for 100 younger leaders in Africa His work inspires hope, bridging divides to create lasting impact in communities across Africa. The global church needs to learn about the very real threats facing Christians in Nigeria, and Gideon is the perfect voice to help us understand what’s happening right now. Babel Undone is produced by Premier. For more podcasts which help Christians grow in their faith head to www.premier.plus/podcasts This podcast is created in partnership with the Good Shepherd Church of India. For more details head to www.gsi.org
- 58Ending human traffickingAlong with her father co-host Archbishop Joseph D'Souza. Beryl D’Souza is a prominent figure in the Good Shepherd Movement. It's a global initiative focused on promoting social justice, compassion, and community development. She has played a pivotal role in empowering marginalized communities, especially women and children, by advocating for education, equality, and sustainable livelihoods. Beryl’s leadership embodies the values of empathy and inclusivity. Her unwavering dedication has made her a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change within India and the communities the Good Shepherd Movement serves. Babel Undone is produced by Premier. For more podcasts which help Christians grow in their faith head to www.premier.plus/podcasts This podcast is created in partnership with the Good Shepherd Church of India. For more details head to www.gsi.org
- 59How sports help cross cultural divides and open heartsKyle Abts is an avid sportsman and has coached volleyball, soccer, and basketball teams at various levels of play. But it was through the development of the Sports Friends ministry in Nigeria that he found his true mission. In his own words he says "you can go into an area without a bible and have a ball and gather consistently with children." He's also Executive Director of the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON) where his work addresses critical issues of violence and governance affecting vulnerable populations. Babel Undone is produced by Premier. For more podcasts which help Christians grow in their faith head to www.premier.plus/podcasts This podcast is created in partnership with the Good Shepherd Church of India. For more details head to www.gsi.org
- 60Passing faith to the next generationWith decades of experience in Jewish ministry and education, Rabbi Erez Sherman is known for his compassionate leadership among diverse faiths. He oversees the Sinai Temple Israel Center, which engages synagogues and the Los Angeles community in advocacy and education via speakers, classes, trips to the Holy Land. He's also the founder of the Sinai Temple Israel Center Rabbinical School Fellowship, which trains future Rabbis through seminaries across North America in how to engage Israel in a nuanced manner. He's also the host of Rabbi On The Sidelines- a podcast dedicated to the intersection of sports and faith. Babel Undone is produced by Premier. For more podcasts which help Christians grow in their faith head to www.premier.plus/podcasts This podcast is created in partnership with the Good Shepherd Church of India. For more details head to www.gsi.org
- 61An Iranian woman tackles Jew hatredDrawing from her unique personal experiences as a Jewish refugee from Iran, Ellie Cohanim brings a distinctive perspective to antisemitism. As a former US Deputy Envoy to Combat Antisemitism for the U.S. Department of State. Ellie has long criticized the Iranian government for its aggressive antisemitism that it exports throughout the Middle East and she is one of the most vocal supporters of Jewish rights in the United States and around the world. She supports countries that label Hezbollah a terrorist organization and commit to freezing its assets. Ellie continues to use her platform to champion the rights and interests of the Iranian people. Babel Undone is produced by Premier. For more podcasts which help Christians grow in their faith head to www.premier.plus/podcasts This podcast is created in partnership with the Good Shepherd Church of India. For more details head to www.gsi.org
- 62Understanding the resistance movement in AfghanistanAli Maisam Nazary is an Afghan politician and Head of Foreign Relations for the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF). With an accomplished career in politics and international relations, Ali has become an effective advocate for the establishment of a democratic and decentralized form of governance in Afghanistan that would guarantee equal rights for all citizens regardless of race, religion, or gender. Ali Maisam Nazary began his career at Khorasan TV, hosting a weekly politics show on politics and current affairs in Afghanistan. He then was Director of Media Affairs for Abdullah Abdullah's 2014 presidential campaign. His work reflects a deep dedication to securing a brighter future for Afghanistan. Babel Undone is produced by Premier. For more podcasts which help Christians grow in their faith head to www.premier.plus/podcasts This podcast is created in partnership with the Good Shepherd Church of India. For more details head to www.gsi.org
- 63Tackling misconceptions about IslamJesus told us 'blessed are the peacemakers'. In our global world we are exposed to many cultures though with that comes misconceptions. In the first episode of Babel Undone's sixth series we hear from Muath Alamri. He's CEO of the World Muslim League and is passionate about teaching people about Islam and its people within the UK and the US. Based in Saudi Arabia, he sacrificed a 12 year career as a journalist to find common grounnd among people of different faiths and none and bust some misconceptions about Islam along the way.
- 64Bold love and interfaith dialogueIn his own words Dr. Bob Junior is a a man who's been on the front lines of 'multi-faith' dialogue. He's a pastor and church planter as well as a podcast host himself. Based in Texas he's the son of a pastor who two years ago became the President of the Institute of Global Engagement (IGE) an organisation which is committed to freedom of faith worldwide and preparing leaders for effective global engagement. As the voice behind the Bold Love podcast, Dr. Junior explores what it means to live and lead with a love that reflects the radical example of Jesus. He's authored 6 books the latest of which is Transformation: Discipleship that Turns Lives, Churches, and the World Upside Down.
- 65Striving for independenceSomaliland wants independent and that's something Bashir Goth - a journalist and poet - has been advocating for many years. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has maintained a stable, democratic government ever since - no mean feat. But despite functioning as a de facto independent state, it remains unrecognized internationally. It's a complex situation but Goth, a diplomat and head of the Somaliland Mission to US, believes it can be done. As a journalist, Goth has worked for the Washington Post, The New York Times and Al Jazeera addresing topics ranging from Somali identity its diaspora and the dynamic and regional drive for peace and development.
- 66What's the point of church?Dr Carmen Imes is a biblical scholar, author, and professor best known for her work in Old Testament studies. She's currently an Associate Professor of the Old Testament at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology. Her books include: Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters and Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters. Her latest book is Becoming God's Family. In this episode of Babel Undone, Johnny Moore and Bishop D'Souza discuss the the individualistic approach of western society, Sabbath and what the point of Church is.
- 67Engaging with politicsBunni Pounds - named after Billy Graham's daughter - says she works in the 'mud-slinging' profession of politics. She's a political strategist who herself has stood for Congress in Texas so she knows a thing or two about the world of Washington. With 20 years of ministry as well and as a writer and speaker she has also addresses issues that intersect faith, politics and biblical truth. She is founder of Christians Engaged which calls people to pray, vote and engage in civic life. In her new book Jesus and Politics: One Woman's Walk with God in a Mudslinging Profession she encourages christians to change the world.
- 68Why Babel Undone's Johnnie Moore has taken up chairmainship of Gaza Humanitarian FoundationOur very own Rev Dr Johnnie Moore has been hitting the news headlines this week in taking up the chairmanship of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. We find out why he was willing to lead an organisation receiving criticism at this critical time for the region.
- 69Being a Christian in IranBeing a Christian in Iran is complex. It's not illegal to practise you faith there but it depends on how you do it. Even being a member of a house church can have you thrown in jail. But despite being a majority Muslim nation the Church there is growing there. Dr. Hormoz Shariat is an Iranian-American Christian evangelist and the founder of Iran Alive Ministries, an organization that uses TV and digital media to broadcast Christian content into Iran and the broader Persian-speaking world. He's often referred to as the "Billy Graham of Iran" because of his large-scale evangelistic impact though he'd never call himself a televanglist. His is a global church using media. He was born in Iran then came to the United States in the late 1970s. He originally studied Computer Engineering, earning a Ph.D. from USC (University of Southern California) only later transitioning to full-time ministry. Dr. Shariat became a Christian while in the U.S., and his personal transformation played a major role in shaping his mission to share The Gospel with other Iranians.
- 70What makes the UAE different?What makes the UAE different from other middle eastern countries? That's a question and that Obaid Ahmed AlZaabi can easily answer. Dr. AlZaabi has been actively involved in various international forums, representing the UAE's interests and perspectives on global issues and has held particular emphasis on UAE's commitment to religious openness and minority rights. As a seasoned diplomat he's worked as a permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and has served as the UAE's Permanent Representative to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva.
- 71Managing public relations within churchesPhil Cooke is the son of a preacher but says he never felt the call to the pulpit. Yet his upbringing gave him a fundamental understanding of the pressures that come with leading a church. He went on to become founder of Cooke Media Group – a consulting company that works with religious and nonprofit organizations to improve their branding and storytelling. He’s helped clients like The Salvation Army, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and Joel Osteen Ministries, among many others. His latest book Church on Trial: How to Protect Your Congregation, Mission, and Reputation During a Crisis, gives churches a much needed toolkit on how to manage public relation issues that can do more damage than people think.
- 72Innovating prayerPrayer is fundamental to our lives as Christians as Russ Kirkpatrick - ministry strategist and digital innovator at Pray.com - knows only to well. Pray.com is a leading faith-based app where Kirpatrick focuses on leveraging technology to spread the gospel and build unity among believers. It's a platform that is designed to facilitate religious communities through daily prayers, sermons, biblical content, and podcasts
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