Faith Without Frontiers

Christian Daily International
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Christianity

Faith without Frontiers tells human stories from around the world where Christian faith meets culture, society, and politics. Through intimate interviews and lived experiences, the podcast explores how faith informs decisions, shapes communities, and influences public life—sometimes quietly, sometimes controversially, always in deeply human ways. This is a podcast for listeners who value nuance, curiosity, and conversations that resist easy labels.

  1. 6d ago

    Criminality is Not a Good Career Choice in Finland | Ville Hoikkala

    Gordon Showell-Rogers interviews Ville, a Finnish Christian attorney with a 20-year solo practice focused on immigration alongside criminal and family law, meeting him at a European gathering on forced displacement. Ville explains how volunteering with Iraqi refugees in the early 1990s led him to study law and build a largely word-of-mouth immigrant clientele, including many Hindus and Muslims, and he describes helping register a Hindu temple and the mutual respect this can foster. He recounts challenges in asylum cases involving converts to Christianity, outlining how he prepares clients and witnesses and noting the complexity of assessing risk in countries like Iran and Iraq; he estimates about 20% of his convert clients are ultimately sent back. Ville shares memorable criminal cases, including a bungled bank robbery and defending a Rwandan genocide suspect, discusses how he processes disturbing testimony, and reflects on threats and domestic violence, including harassment from ex-husbands, sometimes from Christian backgrounds. 00:54 Reconnecting in Europe01:40 Life as an Attorney02:31 Refugee Roots and Calling03:28 Law School in Lapland05:01 Starting a Solo Practice06:09 Immigration Law Perks07:22 Faith and Interfaith Respect09:41 Word of Mouth Clients11:05 Courtroom Stories and Crime14:19 Proving Genuine Conversion17:02 Culture and Christian Questions17:46 Church Witness Checks18:04 Iran Risk Reality19:57 Iraq Family Persecution21:02 Who Gets Sent Back22:46 Wild Criminal Clients23:26 Rwanda Genocide Case25:45 Coping With Darkness29:01 Defending The Unliked31:08 Rapture House Will32:30 Church Abuse Warnings35:18 Closing Reflections

    Criminality is Not a Good Career Choice in Finland | Ville Hoikkala

  2. Jul 14

    God Designed the Church to Work Together in Mission | Paulo Feniman

    Paulo Feniman, a Brazilian leader with Africa Inland Mission (AIM), describes his transition from 26 years serving AIM Brazil/South America—20 as executive director focused on mobilizing churches to send missionaries—to becoming AIM International’s collaboration director, building connections with the African church and mission movement. He recounts an early calling to mission and pastoral ministry shaped by local service, later using his marketing/media background in mission communications. Feniman explains COMIBAM as a Latin American mission movement launched with a 1987 São Paulo congress that reframed the region as a “mission force,” leading to major growth, including about 35,000 cross-cultural missionaries (22,000 from Brazil), many among unreached peoples and Muslim contexts. He emphasizes partnership—setting aside “ego and logo”—training through collaboration, perseverance amid economic challenges, and the Great Commission as a privilege for the whole church. 01:29 Meet Paulo Feniman02:00 AIM Brazil to Global Role02:52 Called Into Missions04:29 Leadership Shift and Pandemic06:38 Passions Mobilization Partnership08:16 Teenage Calling and Mentors11:20 Design Career Back to Mission13:01 COMIBAM Origins and Growth15:53 Latin America Mission Stats16:13 Collaboration Principles18:56 Unity Takes Effort20:55 Humility In Teamwork21:52 Training Through Partnerships23:28 Redefining True Riches25:02 Called To Connect Others28:02 Prayer Card Breakthrough31:27 Latino Missions Perseverance35:43 Capacity And Heart Check37:23 Great Commission Invitation40:05 Final Thanks And Blessing

    God Designed the Church to Work Together in Mission | Paulo Feniman

  3. Jul 7

    Lives Full of Questions: Reaching Africa’s Next Generation | Andy Mburu

    In Nairobi, Gordon interviews Andy Mburu, leader of Litmus Africa, about engaging Africa’s overwhelmingly young population and why many churches struggle to connect with Gen Z, who face countless information sources and often question the Bible’s authority. Andy explains that in shame-honor cultures, questioning can be seen as rebellion, leaving issues like sexuality, gender identity, and whether Christianity is “good news” for Black Africans—amid renewed interest in ancestral practices—largely unaddressed in church. Litmus creates spaces for apologetics and critical thinking, welcoming questions and emphasizing that truth is ultimately a person, Jesus. Andy shares examples, his own journey after his first wife Priscilla died in a traffic accident soon after their wedding, his training at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, reflections on the Ravi Zacharias scandal, and his hope to equip Kenyan youth as “undercover missionaries,” especially those studying abroad. 01:33 Meet Andy Mburu02:01 Swahili Youth Greetings03:22 Africa Is Young06:00 Gen Z Worldview Shift07:25 Questions Seen As Rebellion10:51 Why Litmus Exists14:05 Truth Is A Person15:34 Real Questions Teens Ask18:59 Faith And African Identity23:22 Called Into Ministry24:39 Accident Details26:02 Was It Gods Will27:58 Pain Suffering Questions28:47 Discovering Apologetics30:44 Training At Oxford32:39 Ravi Scandal Fallout35:09 Truth And Coverups36:52 Comforting Victims38:37 Grief Ten Years Later42:24 Hope For Kenyan Youth44:21 Undercover Missionaries47:09 Final Thanks Farewell

    Lives Full of Questions: Reaching Africa’s Next Generation | Andy Mburu

  4. Jun 30

    Born As A Refugee - But I Didn’t Know That Until I Was 9 Years Old | Javad Bakhtiari

    In an interview, Javad (born in Iran to Afghan parents, later living in Norway, Germany, Afghanistan, and now Austria) describes how his family fled Afghanistan during the Soviet war, and how at age nine he first learned he was a refugee when UNICEF aid was distributed at school, leading him to hide his identity and resent his parents’ choice of Iran. As an adult and Christian, he later understood his father’s decision as a practical move to provide quickly due to shared language and culture. Javad recounts discovering Christianity after watching The Passion of the Christ, being welcomed by churches in Norway and Germany, and then being deported to Afghanistan due to lack of documentation, where he secretly followed Jesus, connected with an underground church, and faced Taliban violence, including the killing of a YWAM teacher and his children. He escaped via Iran–Turkey–Greece and gained asylum in Austria, where he married and serves refugees, emphasizing Jesus as his true identity, the prodigal son’s themes of shame and restoration, and the need for “hamyar” companionship in church, while acknowledging the cost of putting Jesus first, including separation from family. 01:06 Where Is Home02:05 Family Flees To Iran02:46 Languages Of Afghanistan03:51 Finding Out He's A Refugee05:46 Second Class In Iran07:30 Faith Reframes His Past11:05 Dreams For Afghanistan11:54 First Trip Back14:02 Discovering Jesus19:21 Asylum Struggles In Europe21:39 Deported to Afghanistan22:07 Secret Faith and Shame23:01 Underground Church Connections24:33 Taliban Threat and India Escape25:49 Back to Europe as Refugee27:23 Dangerous Border Crossing29:16 Asylum and New Purpose31:08 Norwegian Pastor Hospitality33:53 Prodigal Son Through Honor37:33 Identity Found in Jesus39:29 Hamyar Companions for Life41:55 Cost of Following Christ42:59 True Belonging Conclusion

    Born As A Refugee - But I Didn’t Know That Until I Was 9 Years Old | Javad Bakhtiari

  5. Jun 23

    How Do We Prevent Suicide Among Your Teenage Friends? | Geordon Rendle

    Geordon Rendle is a Canadian raised in Colombia whose parents served with Prison Fellowship International and who has lived mostly in Latin America (including Argentina, Venezuela, and Costa Rica) while serving with Youth for Christ (YFC). Rendle describes Venezuela’s danger, diaspora, and natural beauty, then argues YFC’s answer is to reset a generation through integrity/holiness, the fear of God, and giving teenagers agency and mission. He recounts being sent at age 12 to share the gospel with “sicarios” in a Medellín prison, and explains YFC’s juvenile justice work, including being called to sit with youth offenders. Rendle advocates “upstream leadership,” applied listening, and equipping, endorsing, and entrusting youth, sharing examples like an eight-year-old leading a church in prayer and his daughter leading YFC social media. He also discusses five Ironmans, two cerebral aneurysms and surgeries, and his message that there is always hope in Jesus, with an ultimate hope that two billion teenagers know God loves them. 01:11 Reconnecting With Geordon02:26 A Global Citizen Story03:36 Life Across Latin America04:17 Venezuela Under Chávez05:23 Why Venezuela Captivates07:33 Integrity Holiness And Youth08:24 Agency For Teenagers09:57 Meeting Marilyn On Mission11:33 Integris People And Imago Dei15:08 Medellín Prison Ministry Origins16:32 Sharing The Gospel At 1218:47 Juvenile Justice Ministry20:51 Advocating Teen Leadership22:02 Kids Leading in Prayer24:34 Upstream Listening on Suicide26:35 Passing the Baton Well30:07 Applied Listening to Leaders32:30 Equipping and Entrusting Teens34:59 Scripture Fueled Mission36:35 Ironman and Body Stewardship37:26 Aneurysm Scare and Recovery41:32 Always Hope in Jesus

    How Do We Prevent Suicide Among Your Teenage Friends? | Geordon Rendle

  6. Jun 16

    Life Jacket: A Filmmaker's Journey Into the Refugee Crisis | Faten Alfaraj

    In this episode, host Gordon Showell-Rogers speaks with Jordanian-Canadian filmmaker Faten Alfaraj, the producer and director of the award-winning documentary Life Jacket. Faten shares her journey from Jordan to Canada — a leap of faith that left her well-established life behind — and how that experience of chosen displacement gave her unexpected empathy for those who had no choice. She takes us to the island of Lesbos, Greece, where she spent two weeks filming inside the notorious Moria refugee camp, one of the most overcrowded camps on earth. Through conversations with Syrian, Iraqi, and Afghan refugees, she encountered stories of unimaginable loss, extraordinary resilience, and a deep, cross-cultural trust in God as the ultimate "life jacket." We hear about the film's three-layered title, a woman who witnessed her entire village massacred by ISIS, children who smiled despite trauma, and the missionaries and organisations quietly sharing hope on the ground. Faten also reflects on what fifteen years in Canada have taught her about belonging, identity, and the citizenship that matters most.

    Life Jacket: A Filmmaker's Journey Into the Refugee Crisis | Faten Alfaraj

  7. Jun 9

    There is Hope for Kenya | Bp. Dr. David Oginde

    What does it take to lead with integrity in a culture where leadership is often viewed as a pathway to power, status, and personal gain? In this episode, we sit down with Bishop Dr David Oginde—former bishop, leadership scholar, consultant, and now Chairperson of Kenya's Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. David shares his remarkable journey from studying architecture to spending decades in student ministry, church leadership, leadership development, and eventually stepping into one of the most challenging public roles in Kenya. We explore why leadership begins with self-awareness, how identity shapes integrity, and what happens when leaders pursue influence for what they can get rather than what they can give. David also offers practical insights from his leadership training work, including his powerful framework: Know Yourself. Accept Yourself. Appreciate Yourself. The conversation then turns to corruption, ethics, and public service. David reflects on the realities of combating corruption, the risks involved, and why he still believes transformation is possible. 01:01 Introduction and Background01:23 From Architecture to Ministry02:31 Eleven Years with FOCUS03:01 Becoming a Bishop03:25 Transition During the Pandemic04:12 Academic Journey in Leadership05:18 Life Lessons in Leadership06:54 Training the Next Generation08:07 The Catalead Consultancy08:50 High Impact Leader Program10:13 Building Leadership Muscles10:29 Growing Leadership Capital11:28 Leadership Without a Title12:39 Changing the Tide in Africa13:38 Leadership for Impact Not Gain14:27 Sacrificing Status for Service16:55 Leadership Crisis in the Church18:13 Empowering Through Self Confidence19:01 Biblical Foundation of Leadership19:40 Know Accept Appreciate Yourself22:21 Identity and Material Possessions23:02 Corruption and Self-Worth24:13 Leading the Anti-Corruption Commission26:09 From Leadership Studies to Government27:59 The Appointment Process29:14 Parliamentary Vetting on Live TV29:35 Inside the Fight Against Corruption30:28 Global Corruption Networks31:28 Dangers of the Role32:15 Recent Attack on Staff33:25 Why Take This Risk34:22 Life with Bodyguards35:02 Committed Young Investigators37:43 Hope for Kenya's Future38:13 Prayer and Divine Intervention39:39 The Jericho Strategy40:34 David Facing Goliath41:00 Closing Prayers and Gratitude

    There is Hope for Kenya | Bp. Dr. David Oginde

  8. Jun 2

    Living With Grief in Everyday Life | Adrian Blenkinsop

    Gordon interviews Adrian Blenkinsop of Access the Story in Adelaide, which runs the Junction cafe op shop and supports scripture engagement and youth mental health, and also houses Converge Oceania. Adrian describes the “Your Story” nationwide Australian research (439 respondents aged 16–20 connected to Christian contexts) exploring influences shaping young people’s experience of God, highlighting that faith is complex and non-linear. He reports churches help most when they welcome young people, respect their agency, and allow doubts and questions, and harm when they misuse power or act coercively; he shares examples including a same-sex attracted young person welcomed by a small church. Reports are free at convergeoceania.com, with schools and churches applying findings (e.g., longer home groups, mapping relational ecosystems, and eight faith trajectories). Adrian also recounts his daughter Imogen’s death from brain cancer at 13, his anger and lament toward God, grief as waves where joy and sorrow coexist, and his critique of Christians offering simplistic “God’s plan” answers instead of presence and practical support. 00:40 Reconnecting in Goa01:42 What Access the Story Does02:33 Junction Cafe Op Shop03:10 Converge Oceania Overview03:52 Your Story Research Origins05:38 Church at Its Best09:08 Beyond In or Out Faith10:14 Young People Stepping Away13:47 Who Was Surveyed15:20 Negative Influences Power19:21 Reports Without Prescriptions20:29 Early Responses in Schools21:00 Home Groups After Lunch22:29 Faith Grows Relationally23:04 Eight Faith Trajectories24:00 Discipling With Small Teams25:08 Imogen’s Cancer Story27:54 Anger Lament and Faith30:44 Grief and Joy Together33:43 When Christians Get It Wrong37:36 Jesus the Alongsider40:50 Staggering Forward

    Living With Grief in Everyday Life | Adrian Blenkinsop
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About

Faith without Frontiers tells human stories from around the world where Christian faith meets culture, society, and politics. Through intimate interviews and lived experiences, the podcast explores how faith informs decisions, shapes communities, and influences public life—sometimes quietly, sometimes controversially, always in deeply human ways. This is a podcast for listeners who value nuance, curiosity, and conversations that resist easy labels.

Information

  • Creator
    Christian Daily International
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©2025 Christian Daily International LLC
  • Show Website
    Faith Without Frontiers

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