Coming Home

Episode 6—Coming Home with Jua Robinson: Faith, Leadership, and the Work of Building Community

In this episode of Coming Home, host Nathaniel Perez sits down with Jua Robinson, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Boston Collaborative. Jua’s work lives at the intersection of faith, civic leadership, and community transformation. From helping lead a multi-ethnic church representing more than twenty countries to building partnerships across Boston’s civic, nonprofit, and faith communities, his career has been shaped by a deep commitment to justice, collaboration, and people. Jua also serves as chaplain for the New England Patriots, working alongside players on wellness and social justice initiatives. In this conversation, he reflects on leadership across different spaces—from churches and nonprofits to professional sports—and what it takes to cultivate trust, belonging, and purpose in complex systems. Episode Highlights 00:00 — Welcome to Coming HomeHost Nathaniel Perez introduces Jua Robinson and the work of the Boston Collaborative. 02:10 — From Pastoral Ministry to Civic LeadershipJua shares how his journey in ministry led him toward broader community leadership and collaboration across Boston. 06:45 — Founding the Boston CollaborativeWhy the organization was created and the problem it seeks to address through partnerships across sectors. 12:30 — Working at the Intersection of Faith and Public LifeWhat Jua has learned about navigating institutions, systems, and relationships while pursuing justice and transformation. 18:40 — Serving as Chaplain for the New England PatriotsBehind the scenes of providing care, guidance, and perspective within the culture of professional sports. 25:15 — Leadership, Pressure, and Personal FormationWhat high-pressure environments reveal about character, responsibility, and resilience. 31:30 — Investing in the Next Generation of Leaders Why mentorship and formation matter in shaping leaders who pursue both excellence and impact. 36:45 — What Leaders Need Most TodayJua reflects on integrity, humility, and hope as essential qualities for leadership today. 41:30 — Final ReflectionsClosing thoughts on faith, calling, and building communities where people can truly flourish. About the Guest Jua Robinson is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Boston Collaborative, an organization dedicated to strengthening leadership and partnerships across Boston’s civic, nonprofit, and faith communities. He previously co-founded Heart Change Fellowship, a multi-ethnic church in Jamaica Plain representing 23 countries. Jua also serves as chaplain for the New England Patriots and contributes to the organization’s player wellness and social justice initiatives. In addition, he serves on several boards including Boston Flourish, Vision New England, and the Massachusetts Society to Aid Discharged Prisoners. About Coming Home Coming Home is a podcast from Gordon College that features conversations with leaders, alumni, and changemakers whose work is shaping communities, institutions, and culture. Through thoughtful dialogue, the show explores vocation, leadership, and the deeper questions that guide our work and lives.

Episode 5 — Coming Home with Stacie Mickelson: Faith, Reconciliation & Staying Rooted in New England

Episode Description What does it mean to stay rooted in faith when leadership is costly and outcomes are uncertain? In this episode of the Coming Home Podcast, host Dr. Nathaniel Perez sits down with Stacie Mickelson, Executive Director of the Emmanuel Gospel Center, for a thoughtful conversation about calling, reconciliation, and faithfulness in New England. Stacie shares her personal faith journey—from early belief through seasons of doubt and rediscovery—and reflects on how “coming home” is less about a physical place and more about belonging, safety, and being fully known. Together, they explore why staying matters, how churches can become true places of home, and where hope can be found in a divided world. Episode Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome to Coming Home 01:01 — Introducing Stacie Mickelson and Emmanuel Gospel Center 01:55 — What does “coming home” really mean? 02:37 — Growing up in faith, rebellion, and learning to trust God 04:23 — Rediscovering faith and being “wooed back” by God 05:49 — Praying “I want to want You” and navigating disillusionment 08:31 — Place, culture, and calling: Connecticut, Boston, and beyond 09:24 — From international development to serving New England 12:22 — Finding a calling at Emmanuel Gospel Center 14:03 — Leadership, availability, and answering God’s call 14:52 — The challenges and joys of leading people 16:21 — Reconciliation: what it means and why it matters 18:22 — Loving others in a divided and polarized world 20:47 — Holding onto hope and living with eternity in mind 26:07 — Why New England matters—and where God is at work here 27:22 — Hidden growth, church planting, and stories of renewal 28:43 — The mission of Emmanuel Gospel Center 29:56 — When churches truly become a “home” 32:01 — Encouragement for students and young adults discerning where to stay 36:44 — Finding community in New England 38:55 — Formation, mentors, and learning from hard feedback 42:02 — What burdens Stacie’s heart in this cultural moment 44:50 — Redefining success as obedience, not visibility 46:23 — Fun rapid-fire questions 48:24 — Looking ahead: hope for the church in the next 5–10 years 49:53 — Closing reflections and gratitude About the Guest Stacie Mickelson is the Executive Director of Emmanuel Gospel Center, a Boston-based organization supporting churches and Christian leaders through research, consulting, and storytelling. She holds degrees from the University of Massachusetts and Clark University and lives in Jamaica Plain with her husband and daughters. Her work centers on helping churches pursue shalom—right relationship with God, others, self, and creation.

Episode 3—Coming Home with Daniel Montañez: A Hope for the Next Generation of the Church

Note: This episode was reuploaded during a platform transition and may appear out of sequence in the feed. Description: What does it mean to follow a God who moves? In this episode of the Coming Home Podcast, host Dr. Nathaniel Pérez sits down with theologian and advocate Daniel Montañez to explore faith, migration, and the call to belonging. Together they discuss how Scripture reveals a God of movement—from Genesis to Revelation—and how the Church today can respond with compassion, courage, and hope. Montañez shares his story as a Mexican and Puerto Rican American, his research as a doctoral candidate at Boston University School of Theology, and his work as Executive Director of the Center for Public Theology and Migration and founder of the Migration Christian Conference. 🕰 Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & introduction 01:40 – What “coming home” means 04:30 – Growing up between cultures 09:50 – God as a God of movement 13:50 – Reading Scripture through migration 17:20 – The Imago Dei and human dignity 20:40 – The Church’s role in reframing immigration 24:20 – Fear, faith & courageous hospitality 31:50 – Discovering calling and identity 38:30 – Stories of hope from the immigrant church 46:50 – The Migration Christian Conference 52:10 – Hope for the next generation of the Church

Episode 2—Coming Home with Dr. Dorothy Boorse: Creation Care, Climate Justice & Shalom

Note: This episode was reuploaded during a platform transition and may appear out of sequence in the feed. Episode Summary In this episode of The Coming Home Podcast by Gordon College, host Dr. Nathaniel Perez welcomes Dr. Dorothy Boorse—beloved professor, ecologist, and longtime advocate for sustainability and environmental justice. Together, they explore the deep interconnection between faith, creation care, and loving one’s neighbor. Dr. Boorse shares stories from her Mennonite upbringing, her academic journey into ecology, and reflections from a recent student trip to Hawaii. They discuss the Christian call to steward the Earth, how climate change impacts the most vulnerable, and why sustainability, systemic justice, and Shalom must be part of the Church’s mission today. Guest Bio Dr. Dorothy Boorse is a Professor of Biology at Gordon College and a national voice in the intersection of science and faith. A contributing author of Loving the Least of These: Addressing a Changing Environment (National Association of Evangelicals), she brings decades of expertise in wetland ecology, sustainability, and environmental ethics. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — “Taking care of the environment is part of loving your neighbor.” 00:35 — Introducing Dr. Boorse: faith, science, and a love for Gordon College 01:14 — Childhood on a 300-year-old farm and a strong sense of place 03:20 — Growing up with science: dolls, insects, and becoming a teacher 04:46 — Finding God’s calling through ecology and environmental studies 06:23 — A transformative student trip to Hawaii and learning from native voices 10:59 — The power of gratitude, ceremony, and slowing down 12:20 — Climate change, simplicity, and Christian responsibility 15:03 — Who are the “least of these”? Environmental injustice in action 19:19 — How climate change impacts us all: water cycles, storms, asthma, and more 23:27 — Why talking about climate change matters—and how to do it 25:44 — Students want solutions, not just awareness 26:18 — Connecting the Great Commission with creation care 28:05 — Why Christians must address systemic injustice 29:35 — What is sustainability, and how does it relate to home? 32:21 — Reclaiming community, critique, and hospitality in a hyper-individualistic world 35:31 — Diversity in nature, humanity, and the Church 38:24 — Shalom and sustainability: caring for creation as Christian witness 41:50 — “There is a role for everybody.” Hope and urgency in creation care 44:04 — Real-world examples: Flint, Jackson, and the need for cross-disciplinary action 46:13 — Encouraging students to integrate sustainability into every major 48:21 — What this should look like from the pulpit: Shalom, sacrifice, and stewardship Notable Quotes “Taking care of the environment is part of loving your neighbor as yourself.” “The problem is real, it's here, it’s big—and there are things we can do about it.” “You can study anything and care about sustainability. There is a role for everybody.” “If Christians don’t lead in this, someone else will—and we’ll have lost our voice.” “Sustainability means meeting today’s needs without undermining tomorrow’s.” Resources & Mentions * Loving the Least of These – National Association of Evangelicals [https://www.nae.org/loving-the-least-of-these/] * Laudato Si’ – Encyclical by Pope Francis on caring for our common home * Gordon College Environmental Science: gordon.edu/earth

Episode 1—Coming Home with Rich Villodas: Deep Formation, Diversity & Belonging

Note: This episode was reuploaded during a platform transition and may appear out of sequence in the feed. Episode Summary In this inaugural episode of The Coming Home Podcast by Gordon College, host Dr. Nathaniel Perez welcomes Rich Villodas, pastor of New Life Fellowship in Queens and author of The Deeply Formed Life and The Narrow Path. Together, they explore the deeper meaning of “coming home”—not just as a physical space, but as a return to the heart of God. Rich reflects on spiritual formation, abiding in God, the power of community, and how diversity and reconciliation are essential aspects of Christian faith. Guest Bio Rich Villodas is the lead pastor of New Life Fellowship, a large, multiracial church in Queens, NY. He is the author of The Deeply Formed Life and The Narrow Path, and is a respected voice on spiritual formation, racial reconciliation, and contemplative life in the modern church. Key Topics & Timestamps * 00:00 — What does “coming home” mean to Rich? * 01:25 — The link between deep formation and finding identity in God * 02:40 — Practices that ground us in anxious times: prayer, scripture, and community * 05:05 — What true belonging in the church looks like * 06:18 — Walking the narrow path in a culture of division * 08:30 — Shame, vulnerability, and embracing God’s love * 10:13 — Rich’s daily spiritual rhythm (and making breakfast for his kids!) * 11:58 — Encouragement for those wrestling with doubt and distance from faith * 13:15 — The gospel and its call to justice and reconciliation * 15:03 — Diversity vs. reconciliation and the myth of colorblindness * 17:39 — Racial justice as a core part of spiritual formation * 19:01 — How to humbly step into diverse spaces * 20:23 — A steeping tea metaphor for presence with God * 21:29 — Fun questions: Knicks, Mets, Marvel movies, Jordan sneakers, and more! Notable Quotes “Repentance is not a word we should fear—it's a return to the arms of a loving Father.” “Prayer isn’t about escaping myself. It’s about integrating what’s really going on in my life and bringing it to God.” “God is not colorblind—He celebrates difference.” “The gospel determines the scope of our mission. Reconciliation starts with how we define the good news.” Resources & Mentions * The Deeply Formed Life * The Narrow Path * New Life Fellowship: newlife.nyc [https://newlife.nyc] * Gordon College: gordon.edu [https://www.gordon.edu]