On Speaking Plainly About Trump's Racism

Live from Fuller Texas!

In this special episode recorded live at Fuller Seminary’s Houston, TX campus, the Micah Mobilizers are joined by local pastors and Fuller faculty for a conversation about fear, formation, and the church’s witness in a divided world. Using the Supreme Court's recent gutting of the Voting Rights Act and the rise of authoritarianism as a backdrop, the group wrestles with the ways fear has shaped Christian imagination, how scarcity and control can distort the gospel, and what it looks like to re-center the church on the abundance, love, and way of Jesus. Where is God at work right now, and what does faithful, hopeful resistance look like? Special guests include Houston pastors: Joseph Yoo, Founding Pastor at Mosaic Episcopal Church;  Mia Wright, Co-Pastor at The Fountain of Praise; and Brandon Alred, Lead Pastor at Redemption Church And Fuller Seminary faculty: Jaclyn Williams, Assistant Professor of the Practice of Preaching and Chaplaincy; Collin Cornell, Assistant Professor of Bible and Mission; and Jennifer Ackerman, Assistant Professor of Preaching and Director of Brehm Preaching—A Lloyd John Ogilvie Initiative

On Two Kinds of Christian Unity

In this episode, the Micah Mobilizers discuss two kinds of unity Christians are being called to at this moment. On one hand, U.S. leaders are calling on the church to support unchecked military power. On the other hand, Christians are calling on the church to lay down our denominational differences and come together to proclaim plainly the message of Christ—a message of love, justice, and humble walking before the Lord. So the question is: which unity are we participating in—by what we are doing, and by what we fail to do?

Speaking Prophetically Across Cultural Divides

Bret’s recent experience preaching in a Black church context and realizing, in real time, that his message was not landing as expected, sparks this discussion about the challenge of speaking across cultural divides. What happens when our assumptions don’t translate? What does it mean to speak prophetically in a space shaped by different lived experiences? The Micah Mobilizers are joined by Eric Nicolaysen, a Vineyard pastor and hospital chaplain in Des Moines, Iowa, as they reflect on code-switching, double consciousness, and the weight of communicating faithfully. How do we remain attentive to the Spirit without silencing ourselves—or others?

Following the Prince of Peace in Times of War

Since the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, among others, some are celebrating and some are terrified about what comes next. The modern world continues to assume that violence is the final answer, but the church cannot simply echo that logic. In this episode, the Micah Mobilizers are not asking a partisan question, but a discipleship question: what does it mean to follow the Prince of Peace in times of war? What should pastors say? How should churches pray? How do we resist the seduction of violence while still naming injustice?

On Speaking Plainly About Trump's Racism

Recently, the sitting president of the United States posted a video portraying the Obamas as apes. This blatant racism plays on one of the oldest, vilest, tropes of white supremacy that has been used to justify centuries of dehumanization of Black men and women. This is not an agree to disagree situation. Christ-followers must stand against this kind of evil rhetoric. In today’s episode, Jin, Joy, and Bret discuss: How can we begin to talk about this plainly? Why is it so hard? How can we help each other do this better?