The Current
We're seeking inspiration toward deeper discipleship through conversations with people working toward justice, cultivating deep spiritual practices, forming community and connection in significant ways, and helping one another heal from trauma. As we follow Christ to the margins of society, to the wounded and grieving, and into the hard work of peacemaking, we find that we are not alone on this journey. Join us to resist despair, and to regain some hope in the world, in the church, and in Christ. Most weeks, Pastor Chris Nafis is talking with scholars and practitioners who are inspiring and faithful, and some weeks Pastor Chris is engaging with the book of Acts. Each week, we find the Spirit calling us deeper into the death and resurrection of Jesus, into a life with God, and into loving one another well. This is a ministry of Living Water Church of the Nazarene, which gathers in San Diego's East Village, the epicenter of homelessness in this city. We are committed to meaningful worship, community formation, and service. Join us sometime :)
Episodes
The sound of a hammer striking hot metal echoes across a church parking lot as something remarkable unfolds—a deadly weapon transforms into a tool for growing food. This is the Guns to Gardens movement, and in this powerful conversation with volunteer Dave Creel, we explore how unwanted firearms become symbols of peace and new life.
Dave walks us through the practical mechanics of these community events, wher...
As artificial intelligence weaves itself into the fabric of our lives, how should people of faith respond?
This conversation between two pastors explores the spectrum of reactions to AI in ministry settings—from those who eagerly use it for sermon preparation to those who refuse to touch it. Rather than settling for simplistic answers, they dig into the nuanced ethical terrain of this emerging technology, dra...
What if the path to healing trauma lies not just in talking about it, but in experiencing it differently through creative expression? In this illuminating conversation, Pastor Chris Nafis sits down with expressive arts therapists Jamie Rosen and Sook Kyoung Kwon to explore the profound connection between creativity, trauma healing, and spiritual growth.
Both therapists share their compelling journeys into exp...
Dr. Jamie Gates offers a powerful, deeply personal exploration of growing up as a white American in apartheid South Africa, revealing striking parallels between South Africa's racial history and America's ongoing struggles with justice and reconciliation. As someone who straddled two worlds - attending all-white Afrikaner schools while his missionary parents ministered in Black communities - Gates provides u...
Dr. Rebecca Laird takes us on a journey through spiritual formation, direction, and the enduring legacy of Henri Nouwen in this deeply personal conversation. Drawing from her years as Dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry at Point Loma Nazarene University, alongside decades in pastoral ministry and spiritual direction, Dr. Laird illuminates the pathways to a more meaningful spiritual life.
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What does the journey from success to rock bottom and back again really look like? Laura Davis Mansfield's story defies simple narratives about homelessness and addiction.
Growing up amid family dysfunction and trauma, Laura nonetheless excelled, becoming a star athlete and graduating from Lehigh University with dual degrees. Her move to California promised new beginnings, but as a single mother fighting...
Grace can lead us home—but first, we need to dismantle the myths many believe about what keeps people on the streets. Kevin Nye, author and homeless services provider, takes us on a journey to the heart of a crisis that's widely misunderstood, especially within faith communities.
Nye begins by challenging what he calls "the central myth" of homelessness—that people somehow deserve their situati...
When a church gathers to wash feet at an immigration detention center, is it worship or protest? According to Isaac Villegas, it's both - and that's precisely the point. In this profound conversation, Villegas shares stories from his new book "Migrant God: A Christian Vision for Immigrant Justice," revealing how authentic Christian practices become revolutionary acts in contexts of injustice.
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The Current is back for a second season! We hope you'll join us!
Join us for an insightful conversation with theologian Dr. Craig Keen as he shares how the Book of Acts became a beacon of guidance in his life during the turbulent year of 1968, amidst the Vietnam War. Reflecting on his journey of faith within a conservative environment, Dr. Keen reveals the profound impact Acts had on his understanding of nonviolence and pacifism. We uncover his introspective exploration of scriptur...
How do we navigate the challenging concept of enmity within the Christian faith while remaining committed to justice and peace? Join us for a profound conversation with Melissa Florer-Bixler, pastor of Raleigh Mennonite Church, as she unpacks these complexities through her experiences and insights from her book, "How to Have an Enemy." We examine the nuances of defining true enemies, especially in the contex...
Discover the transformative power of the Psalms with our special guest, Dr. Ellen Davis from Duke University Divinity School. Through her profound insights, Dr. Davis illuminates how Psalm 145, an "alphabet of adoration," serves as a timeless bridge connecting spirituality and community across generations. As she opens up about personal experiences, particularly during times of mourning, you’ll find inspirat...
Chelsey Brunt is the Director of Women's Soccer at Cumbre Alta, a soccer club in Quito, Ecuador and a ministry of IncaLink Ecuador. Chelsey played competitive soccer from a young age through college and eventually found her calling as a coach and a mentor. Cumbre Alta seeks not only to develop excellence on the pitch, but to provide love, care, and discipleship for athletes. Over the last ten years, Chelsey and C...
We jump back into the story of Pentecost, talk about the significance of language, the beauty of the plurality of language in witnessing God, the images of the Spirit, and dig a little deeper into the meaning of the Pentecost theophany.
Flaming tongues, the tower of Babel, the internet and A.I... today we return to the book of Acts and look at the connection between the Pentecost narrative and emerging technology and human accomplishment. Join us to contemplate these issues as we prepare ourselves to receive the Holy Spirit.
Bishop Cornelius Bowser was a drug dealer and gang member in one of San Diego's most notorious gangs, but since giving his life to Christ, he has committed his efforts to combating gun violence, intervening in gang conflicts, and creating avenues out of gang life for young men and women who are caught up in the lifestyle. Working with other credible witnesses with lived experience, Bishop Bowser and his organizat...
Rev. Carrington Moore is the Executive Director of Common Cathedral, a church seeking to overcome the barriers between housed and unhoused folks in Boston, which has gathered outdoors in Boston Common every Sunday for the last 29 years. He is also a Pastor at Bethel AME Church in Boston. Rev. Moore is a community leader, active in organizing and advocacy in the city and in the church. He has led his church through the...
Monte Mansfield is a former professional baseball player who found himself sliding into addiction and homelessness. When he finally realized that he needed to turn his life around, God was waiting through the Salvation Army. Monte shares his journey in sports, addiction, recovery, and now a call into ministry. He is full of joy and hope, an encourager at heart who loves Jesus and has given his life to his service. Hus...
Dr. Brad Kelle is the Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Point Loma Nazarene University and an Ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. He is an accomplished scholar in his field who has specialized in the prophets. He has written a commentary an Ezekiel, is writing another one on Hosea, and in this episode's discussion, we talk about the topic of his book The Bible and Moral Injury: Reading Scripture ...
We are blessed to welcome Rev. Dr. Cari Willis to the podcast this week. Cari is a fellow Duke Divinity School graduate, and she serves as a chaplain on death row in eight states. We discuss what life looks like on "the row," what men condemned to death are processing spiritually, how it's possible to maintain strength and hope in ministry filled with pain and grief, and what we can learn from journeyin...
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