Driving Innovation and Collaboration: Navigating Change in the Christian Relief Sector
Release Date: 10/15/2024
How Joyful Generosity Is Changing the Way We Give
The Better Samaritan Podcast
What if giving could be joyful instead of guilt-driven? In this episode, Jamie Goodwin, professor at Wheaton College, shares how her background in global churches, journalism, and teaching led her to a deeper view of generosity. We talk about practical ways to give—like giving circles and hybrid nonprofit models—that engage communities and reflect diverse cultures.
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The Future of Foreign Aid
The Better Samaritan Podcast
What’s on the horizon for foreign aid and humanitarian response strategies, especially in light of ongoing funding cuts to foreign aid around the world?
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NGO Strategy and Leadership: 10 Steps of Crisis Management
The Better Samaritan Podcast
Veteran humanitarian leader Roger Sandberg joins us to discuss how NGOs can lead effectively in the midst of funding cuts and uncertainty. As political shifts tighten budgets, the gap between global needs and available resources continues to widen. Roger shares practical strategies for assessing risk, strengthening communication within teams, and re-imagining sources of funding.
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Faith, Resilience, and the Realities of Humanitarian Work
The Better Samaritan Podcast
What happens when humanitarian work collides with political upheaval and shifting policies?
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How Funding Cuts Are Impacting Anti-Trafficking Efforts With Rev. Dr. Sandra Morgan
The Better Samaritan Podcast
How do federal and foreign aid cuts impact anti-trafficking work, both directly and indirectly?
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Compassion and Complexity: Evangelicals on Government and Humanitarian Aid
The Better Samaritan Podcast
What happens when churches, governments, and communities work together across differences in opinion for the common good? In this episode, Dr. Walter Kim, President of the National Association of Evangelicals, joins us to talk about how different parts of the evangelical church are responding to shifts in humanitarian aid and funding, and why these varied responses matter.
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Beyond Charity: Rev. Eugene Cho on Faith, Advocacy, and Fighting Global Hunger
The Better Samaritan Podcast
How do advocacy and policy help combat child hunger and malnutrition, both in the U.S. and around the world? In this episode, Rev. Eugene Cho, president and CEO of Bread for the World, joins us to talk about what’s needed to tackle food insecurity around the world, what’s working, what’s not, and why surface-level solutions won’t cut it.
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What Happens When Foreign Aid Gets Cut? Lessons from the Front Lines
The Better Samaritan Podcast
What happens when humanitarian aid gets pulled, but the needs don’t stop? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Beth Stuebing, a missionary surgeon in Malawi with the Christian Health Service Corps. She shares what it’s like on the front lines of healthcare when funding disappears—and why faith-based organizations working on the ground can’t do it alone.
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Faith in Action: How Students Are Advocating for Global Health and Justice
The Better Samaritan Podcast
What happens when college students decide to take action on global issues?
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Inside PEPFAR: What’s at Stake and How Churches Can Engage
The Better Samaritan Podcast
This episode, we talk with Jenny Dyer, founder of the 2030 Collaborative, about her involvement raising awareness for HIV/AIDS - from working with Bono and the ONE Campaign to championing global health in Washington and beyond.
info_outlineIn this episode of The Better Samaritan Podcast, Kent and Jamie chat with Michael Cerna, CEO of the Accord Network, about the balance between innovation and relationships in the Christian relief sector. Michael shares his journey from Hope International to leading over 100 organizations, offering insights on how to drive progress without losing trust and collaboration.
Michael discusses the challenges of moving from a high-pressure consulting role to Christian development work, including burnout, resilience, and the importance of self-care. His candid reflections provide valuable lessons on setting boundaries and building supportive leadership for a sustainable career.
We also explore how diversity fuels innovation within the Accord Network's 120 member organizations. Michael explains how embracing different perspectives can lead to transformative change, even when consensus is challenging. This conversation highlights the beauty of collaboration across differences, reflecting the kingdom of God as we all strive to be better Samaritans in our communities.
Bio:
Michael Cerna is the CEO of Accord Network. He recently left his role as Director of Partnership Strategy with HOPE International. His journey in the Christian Relief & Development sector began with a research position in the West Bank and Palestinian territories before spending time with McKinsey & Company, a global management firm. Those experiences and the previous decade in this sector have helped Michael fulfill his passion for assisting faith-based NGOs to become more collaborative, effective ministries for God's Kingdom.
Resources:
Download your free copy of our Called to Serve: Navigating Your Christian Vocation in Humanitarian, Disaster, and Development Work e-book, which includes articles full of practical advice, insight, and encouragement. Each of the three sections concludes with thought-provoking questions and a prayer. We hope this e-book informs and guides you toward reflection, prayer, and next steps.
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This episode was produced by WildfireCreative
Theme Song: “Turning Over Tables” by The Brilliance
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(Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll host Evangelicals, and sometimes we won't. Learning how to “do good, better” involves listening to many perspectives with different insights and understanding. Sometimes, it will make us uncomfortable; sometimes, we'll agree, and sometimes, we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction–especially in our blind spots.)
The Better Samaritan podcast is produced by the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, which offers an M.A. in Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership and a Trauma Certificate. To learn more and apply, visit our website.
Jamie Aten, Ph.D., and Kent Annan, M.Div., co-direct the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College and are the Co-Founders of Spiritual First Aid.
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