Welcome to The Rest Initiative Podcast. This episode focuses on rest. We are privileged to have guest Brittany Vergara, International Justice Mission Alumni Program Manager. We talk about rest and how it applies to IJM Alumni as well as those currently serving in IJM field offices around the world. What is rest? How do we rest well? What is the cost of not resting? Join us as we talk about caring well for yourself as you care for others. Subscribe on iTunes or Google Play
In this session of The Rest Initiative Podcast, I interview Brittany Vergara who is International Justice Mission Alumni Program Manager. We take some time to discuss the difference between being driven and being drawn. What are our motivations for the work we do and how does that effect our ability to rest well? www.therestinitiative.org neal@therestinitiative.org alumni@ijm.org
We are Back and excited to share the TRI Podcast 003. We continue to talk with Brittany Vergara who is the International Justice Mission Alumni Program Manager. We take some time to discuss relationships and how to navigate them during transition. Take some time to listen to the wisdom Brittany shares with from years of experience caring for close to 1800 Alumni. Hope you enjoy.
In this session of The Rest Initiative Podcast, I interview Will Lathrop, International Justice Mission's Interns and Fellows Director. Brittany Vergara joins us as we talk about what it takes to be resilient in the field and when you are back after serving with IJM. Will is headed back to the field in January 2018 as a Field Office Director but before he heads out we had some time to talk. This is Part 1 of the the interview. Contact info: Neal@therestinitiative.org restinitiative.org alumni@ijm.org ijm.org
In this session of The Rest Initiative Podcast, I continue to interview Will Lathrop, former International Justice Mission's Interns and Fellows Director. Will is now back in the field as the Field Office Director in Ghana. Brittany Vergara also joins us as we talk about what it takes to be resilient in the field and when you are back after serving with IJM. We had the privilege of getting some time with him before he left and excited to share our time. This is Part 2 of the interview. Contact info: Neal@therestinitiative.org restinitiative.org Brittany Vergara alumni@ijm.org ijm.org
In this episode of The Rest Initiative Podcast, Neal and Brittany interview Rene Vazquez who is with International Justice Mission. He served as a Fellow in the Guatemala field office a few years ago and is now full-time at their DC headquarters. He shares some thoughts on re-entry and how his time continues to shape his future. We would love to hear from you. If you have questions or comments contact us at: neal@therestinitiative.org www.therestinitiative.org Rene Vazquez and Brittany Vergara alumni@ijm.org www.ijm.org
In this session of The Rest Initiative Podcast, I interview Brittany Vergara who is International Justice Mission Alumni Program Manager. We take some time to discuss her work and the IJM Alumni initiative. She shares some history of the alumni program, what they are doing now and a vision for what she hopes it will become. Lastly she shares some thoughts of encouragement as alumni share some similar challenges. Brittany Vergara alumni@ijm.org Neal Salzman neal@therestinitiative.org www.therestinitiative.org
In this episode of The Rest Initiative Podcast, we interview IJM VP Jim Martin. We talk about his work as Vice President of Spiritual Formation. He discusses a posture of dependence and our spiritual rhythms that create high levels of resilience. He offers some encouragement and wisdom for all of those who have or are serving in the most vulnerable environments. Brittany Vergara alumni@ijm.org Neal Salzman neal@therestinitiative.org www.therestinitiative.org
On this episode of The Rest Initiative Podcast, we play part 2 of our interview with Jim Martin, IJM Vice President of Spiritual Formation. He discusses transition and how we make it through those vulnerable seasons. He also shares his vision for spiritual formation. "The reality is we serve a god of justice that is making all things new, what that means is our best years are ahead of us." "If we look at Jesus's life in the New Testament, the time of his most intense temptations are during times of transition. Interestingly, maybe it is true that in times of significant transition we too will be more vulnerable to temptation." "Everything I had been doing in the church was geared towards activating people in their faith. So in the IJM world [where] you already have highly active people, [they] need resources to process; the disciplines of the activist." "We should not necessarily see ourselves as doing this extreme work, on some level we are just being the church." Brittany Vergara alumni@ijm.org Neal Salzman neal@therestinitiative.org www.therestinitiative.org
On this episode of The Rest Initiative Podcast, we interview Ashlee Berghoff, small business owner and IJM Alumni. She shares her story on what the impact of serving others internationally has had on her. #interns #fellows #IJM Ashlee Berghoff ashleeberghoff@gmail.com Brittany Vergara alumni@ijm.org Neal Salzman neal@therestinitiative.org www.therestinitiative.org
On Episode 11, we have a conversation with the talented Jose Estrada. He is a graphic designer, musician, husband, friend and man of great faith. Jose talks about his lifelong battle with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and shares his wisdom on suffering. He shares how we might deal with our own suffering as well as the suffering of others. Jose Estrada Josed.estrada@gmail.com Brittany Vergara alumni@ijm.org Neal Salzman neal@therestinitiative.org www.therestinitiative.org
On Episode 12, We have a conversation with Troy Groves, Director of Events for International Justice Mission and discuss the upcoming global Liberate gathering. We wanted to know why this is an important event and what we can do to prepare. Brittany Vergara alumni@ijm.org Neal Salzman neal@therestinitiative.org www.therestinitiative.org
On Episode 13, we have a conversation with Jessica Warkentin, IJM Ghana alum. She shares her story of burnout, grief, disappointment and redemption. She talks about how her experience has prepared her for the work she does now. Brittany Vergara alumni@ijm.org Neal Salzman neal@therestinitiative.org www.therestinitiative.org
We have a conversation with Pastor Randy Greenwald of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Oviedo, FL. He is the true definition of a shepherding pastor. He has been a pastor for over 33 years and has recently returned from a sabbatical. We had the privilege of sitting down and having a conversation about rest, renewal and reimagining. We also discuss the key components of his sabbatical. If you are a pastor, this will be helpful but if you are in ministry or serving others or just in a profession where you are pouring yourself out this will be encouraging as well.
We continue our conversation with Pastor Randy Greenwald of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Oviedo, FL. He is the true definition of a shepherding pastor. He has been a pastor for over 33 years and has recently returned from a sabbatical. We had the privilege of sitting down and having a conversation about rest, renewal and reimagining. We also discuss the key components of his sabbatical. If you are a pastor, this will be helpful but if you are in ministry or serving others or just in a profession where you are pouring yourself out this will be encouraging as well. Neal Salzman neal@therestinitiative.org Brittany Vergara alumni@ijm.org www.therestinitiative.org
In Episode 16 of The Rest Initiative podcast, Brittany and Neal sit down with Eddie Kaufholz, producer and host of the The New Activist podcast and a Director of Church Mobilization with International Justice Mission. They spend time discussing the church and how to engage the church when returning from the field. Eddie’s wisdom comes from his experience as a pastor as well as current responsibilities with IJM. Eddie Kaufholz The New Activist podcast Neal Salzman neal@therestinitiative.org Brittany Vergara alumini@ijm.org www.therestinitiative.org
In Episode 17 of The Rest Initiative podcast, Part 2 of the conversation Brittany and Neal had with Eddie Kaufholz, producer and host of the The New Activist podcast and a Director of Church Mobilization with International Justice Mission. They spent time discussing the church and how to engage the church when returning from the field. Eddie’s wisdom comes from his experience as a pastor as well as current responsibilities with IJM. Eddie Kaufholz The New Activist podcast Neal Salzman neal@therestinitiative.org Brittany Vergara alumini@ijm.org www.therestinitiative.org
In Episode 18 of The Rest Initiative podcast, Brittany and Neal sit down with Abraham ‘Abey’ George, International Justice Mission’s Global Director of Church Partnerships. He is also a pastor, seminary professor, author and speaker. They spend time discussing how to make it in ministry. By discussing living in the present, seeing the bigger picture and understanding success they engage deep principles of the christian faith. Check out the episode on iTunes or below! Neal Salzman neal@therestinitiative.org Brittany Vergara alumini@ijm.org www.therestinitiative.org
In Episode 19 of The Rest Initiative podcast, Brittany and Neal sit down with Abraham ‘Abey’ George, International Justice Mission’s Global Director of Church Partnerships. He is also a pastor, seminary professor, author and speaker. They spend time discussing how to make it in ministry. Abie shares more about his family and story as well as his deep passion for encouraging others. Check out the episode on iTunes or below! Neal Salzman neal@therestinitiative.org Brittany Vergara alumini@ijm.org www.therestinitiative.org
In Episode 20 of The Rest Initiative podcast, Brittany and Neal talk about the emotional and physical effects of being employed by an anti-human trafficking organization. They do this by discussing their time at the Together event and specifically the counseling center that Neal had the privilege of being a part of. The Together event was the IJM global staff gathering outside of Dallas Texas. It was an amazing event where for the first time ever the entire IJM global staff came together from all the field offices around the world. They spent the week resting, playing and being encouraged from IJM senior leadership. It was a once in a lifetime event. Specifically, Neal and The Rest Initiative staff were asked to set up a counseling center to serve the staff of over one thousand. Brittany and Neal spend some time discussing who and what Neal saw that week. Also they talk about what He learned as a result of this great privilege. Check out the episode on iTunes or below! Neal Salzman neal@therestinitiative.org Brittany Vergara alumini@ijm.org www.therestinitiative.org