Dia-Logos: Seeking Christ's Perspective on the News

Dia-Logos Podcast
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Drawing on over 50 years of global experience, we operate at the intersection of faith and world events. Rather than just observing important global shifts, we interpret them through a biblical lens, offering the Church distinct perspectives to foster understanding and meaningful engagement. We are not the ultimate authority, but Christ is, so we seek to align our perspectives on world events to His, as found in His Word.

  1. 3h ago

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 12 - Radical Obedience: Serving Inside Malawi’s Dzaleka Refugee Camp

    What does it actually take to sell everything you own and move into a refugee camp? A heart-moving story on the latest episode of Dia-Logos! We sat down with Nico & Vicky van Wyk, full-time missionaries with Ethnos Movement International (EMI) in Malawi. They share their incredible journey from a quick "yes" to God, to serving over 67,000 refugees inside the severely overcrowded Dzaleka Refugee Camp. From providing daily meals and education to nearly 100 children, to offering wound care and healing arts for women facing extreme trauma, Nico and Vicky are living out hands-on compassion every single day. In this episode of the Dia-Logos podcast, we dive into: 👉 How they knew it was time to step out in faith 👉 The raw realities, struggles, and beauty of life in Dzaleka 👉 How to protect your heart against burnout when serving in hard places It's an honest, humbling, and inspiring conversation you don't want to miss.

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 12 - Radical Obedience: Serving Inside Malawi’s Dzaleka Refugee Camp

  2. Aug 12

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 11 - Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey and the Human Search for Home

    Can a three-hour Hollywood epic about Trojan wars, cyclopes, sirens, and capricious ancient gods actually point us back to the Gospel? In this episode of dia-LOGOS Podcast, host Brad Kirsten is joined by Church and Culture Consultant Richard Baird and Dr. Gary Cundill, visiting lecturer at Buckingham University School of Business and speaker on faith, business, and sustainability, to break down director Christopher Nolan’s massive non-linear film adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek poem, The Odyssey. Beyond the stunning visuals, ancient instruments, and cinematic hype, the team dives deep into the cultural, philosophical, and spiritual themes woven throughout Nolan’s epic. From the heavy weight of guilt and lawlessness to C.S. Lewis’s concept of sacred longing (sehnsucht), discover how even a secular retelling of a 3,000-year-old story reveals humanity’s desperate need for a Saviour. Whether you're a film buff, a fan of Greek mythology, or simply curious about how to engage modern culture through a biblical lens, this conversation offers a thought-provoking look at the epic story we are all participating in. Connect & Engage: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, and share it with a friend!

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 11 - Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey and the Human Search for Home

  3. Aug 6

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 10 - Grace and The Power of Stopping

    What happens when our busy schedules collide with someone else’s crisis? In this moving episode Brad sits down with analytical strategist and investigative journalist Mike Burnard to unpack a profound story. It begins with a chance encounter on a Monday morning walk: a young mother named Grace digging through rubbish bags, desperate to feed her six-year-old daughter. As Brad and Mike dive into Grace's story, they reveal a stark and uncomfortable contrast. George, South Africa, boasts one of the highest church densities in the world—yet over 73% of its population lives below the poverty line. How does a town spiritually "obese" allow its neighbors to sleep on wet mattresses under scrap material in icy weather? Drawing powerful parallels to Jesus stopping for the blind beggar Bartimaeus (Mark 10) and the sobering call of Matthew 25, this episode challenges us to move beyond passive Christianity.

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 10 - Grace and The Power of Stopping

  4. Jul 30

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 9 - Beyond the Ancient Stones: Young Voices from the Holy Land

    When you hear places like Bethlehem and Jerusalem, you might think of ancient history or modern conflict, but did you know there is a vibrant, living church on the ground today? In this deeply moving episode of the Dia-Logos podcast, host Brad connects with two young men serving on the frontlines of ministry in the West Bank and Jerusalem: Alfred Ghawali (a 27-year-old Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem) and Rafi Filmon (a 24-year-old theology student from Jerusalem). Both work with Jerusalem Evangelical Outreach (JEO), bringing relief, food, youth ministry, and spiritual hope to communities experiencing intense pressure and uncertainty. Alfred and Rafi open up about what daily life is actually like under the shadow of conflict, economic stress, and occupation. They share why so many young people dream of leaving, how they fight to keep youth anchored in their identity in Christ, and what it looks like to live out a "shepherd's heart" by listening to families who feel forgotten. In this episode, you’ll discover: The Reality of the Living Church: Why Christianity in the Holy Land isn't just about historical monuments, but active, faithfully living believers ("living stones"). The Struggle of the Next Generation: How young Palestinian Christians navigate identity, stress, and the temptation to flee the region. Living Out Theology: How Rafi and Alfred combine practical relief work—delivering food, medication, and youth outreach—with deep spiritual care. Stories of Unexpected Light: How God is reviving once-abandoned local churches in the heart of Jerusalem. An Upcoming Visit: What Alfred and Rafi are looking forward to as they prepare to visit South Africa to share their stories with the broader body of Christ. If you’ve ever wondered how to pray for the Holy Land beyond the headlines, or want to be inspired by young leaders courageously living out the gospel in tough places, this episode is a must-listen.

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 9 - Beyond the Ancient Stones: Young Voices from the Holy Land

  5. Jul 23

    Dia-Logos Podcast - EP 8 - Flipping the Script: Brad on Life, Faith, and Navigating the News

    What happens when the host steps into the spotlight? In this special episode of the Dia-Logos Podcast, we flip the script on regular host Brad Kirsten! Stefan takes the interviewer's chair to dive deep into Brad’s personal journey of faith, his 26-year career in radio broadcasting, and his heart for communications at Dia-Logos. Brad opens up about a pivotal moment 20 years ago when—lonely, desperate, and living in a remote village in Taiwan—a simple prayer on New Year's Day sparked a miraculous chain of events. From chasing down Afrikaans-speaking strangers on a train platform to finding both his faith and his wife, Laura, Brad’s testimony is a powerful reminder that God takes us to the ends of the earth to reveal His purpose. Plus, drawing on more than two decades in radio, Brad shares practical wisdom on how Christians can navigate today's overwhelming news cycle. He breaks down how to spot AI-generated "fake news," why our core values act as an internal compass, and how choosing faith over fear allows us to hold onto God's peace in uncertain times. In this episode, you’ll discover: The Taiwan Turning Point: How a moment of total isolation turned into a radical encounter with God's grace. The Power of Christian Community: How persistent, non-judgmental friendship paved the way to Christ. Discerning Truth in the Digital Age: Practical advice for evaluating media, managing cynicism, and avoiding the spread of fear or fake news. Anchored Hope: Why the shifting kingdoms of this world can never steal the eternal peace found in God’s Word. “Faith speaks to God's promises; fear speaks to worst-case scenarios. We can’t let what’s happening in the world steal our peace.” - Brad Kirsten Subscribe & Share Enjoying the Dia-Logos Podcast? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave us a rating, and share this episode with a friend who needs a message of hope today! #DiaLogosPodcast #FaithOverFear #ChristianTestimony #RadioHost #MediaDiscernment #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #KingdomWork #GodsGrace #PeaceInChrist #FaithAndCulture

    Dia-Logos Podcast - EP 8 - Flipping the Script: Brad on Life, Faith, and Navigating the News

  6. Jul 15

    Dia-Lgos Podcast - Ep 7 - Forgotten No More: Loving Syrian Refugees on the Frontlines of Lebanon

    “Many of the families I’ve built relationships with have told me, ‘You are literally the only person who cares about us.’ That’s such a wonderful thing to hear, but it’s also so sad. They lost everything. And the world has forgotten them.” - Jacobus van Zyl In this deeply moving episode of the Dia-Logos podcast, we travel to Lebanon to speak with Jacobus van Zyl, a 27-year-old cross-cultural missionary from South Africa. Jacobus shares his unexpected journey of moving from South Africa to Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley to serve the Syrian refugee population - a community of over 1.5 million people living in a country facing one of the worst economic crises in modern history. Working alongside the Nexus Centre and Dia-Logos, Jacobus steps into the gaps left by the rest of the world. From helping teach young refugee children to managing administrative tasks, his true passion lies in the hours after school, where he visits families in the camps, builds relationships, and shows the love of Jesus through consistent, practical care. In this episode, you’ll hear: The Reality on the Ground: What life is really like inside the informal Syrian refugee camps of Lebanon. Relational Ministry vs. Street Preaching: How to share the gospel in a Muslim-majority country where actions, presence, and genuine care speak louder than words. Miracles in the Midst of Crisis: The powerful, real-life stories of Jana, an 11-year-old girl receiving life-saving blood transfusions, and Hayat, a young paralyzed girl whose life was changed by a sponsored electric wheelchair. Missions Where You Are: Jacobus’s advice for anyone who wants to serve but cannot travel across the world. Support & Subscribe Every bit of support makes a massive difference on the ground. To partner with Dia-Logos and support projects like Jana's medical treatments, visit our website. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

    Dia-Lgos Podcast - Ep 7 - Forgotten No More: Loving Syrian Refugees on the Frontlines of Lebanon

  7. Jul 9

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 6 - Reinventing Missions in Modern Africa

    How can Africa have the world’s largest Christian population, yet still be one of the most unreached continents on Earth? In this eye-opening episode of the Dia-Logos podcast, host Brad sits down with Aron Mwasile, the Tanzania Country Director for Dia-Logos, to unpack a staggering spiritual contradiction. With over 750 million Christians, Africa leads the globe in numbers, yet statistically, it remains the second least-reached continent after Asia. Aron takes us on a historical and statistical journey, explaining how traditional mission models successfully reached rural, traditional religious communities but left urban and Islamic strongholds largely untouched. Now, as the growth of the African church reaches a critical "plateau point," the old methods of rural charities and NGOs are no longer enough. “When you reach a saturation point, it’s not that you are lazy. But you’re doing the same thing, the same way, and the same place. We need to reinvent missions in Africa.” - Aron Mwasile In this episode, you’ll discover: The Data Behind the Contradiction: Why percentage-wise, Africa is still one of the "darkest" continents regarding gospel reach. The Historical Shift: How early missionary strategies shaped the current religious landscape of mainland Tanzania versus Zanzibar. The Saturation Point: Why the church's growth has flattened out and what it means for the future. Reinventing the Curve: What it practically looks like to "launch into the deep" by shifting from rural charity models to marketplace ministry and Business as Mission. If you want to understand the changing face of global Christianity and how the church can adapt to interpret global trends from a Christ-centered perspective, this conversation is a must-listen. Subscribe & Share: Don't forget to subscribe to the Dia-Logos podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone passionate about global missions!

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 6 - Reinventing Missions in Modern Africa

  8. Jul 1

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 5 - Faith, War, and the Red Rose

    What is the difference between studying the theory of faith and actually experiencing it on the front lines? In this episode of the Dia-Logos podcast, host Brad Kirsten sits down with Mike Burnard, analytical strategist for Dia-Logos, to discuss his frequent travels to conflict zones in Lebanon and Syria. Through the lens of a famous philosophical thought experiment called "Mary's Room," Mike challenges the church to stop merely theologizing about God's faithfulness and to start experiencing it firsthand. "𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘴. 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬-𝘢𝘯𝘥-𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺, 𝘨𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦." Connect & Engage: We want to hear from you! What does stepping out of your "black-and-white room" look like in your daily life? Leave a comment below and join the conversation. Website: dialogos.co.za Social Media: Follow @dialogossa on Facebook and Instagram Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Dia-Logos podcast on your favorite hosting platform!

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 5 - Faith, War, and the Red Rose
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Drawing on over 50 years of global experience, we operate at the intersection of faith and world events. Rather than just observing important global shifts, we interpret them through a biblical lens, offering the Church distinct perspectives to foster understanding and meaningful engagement. We are not the ultimate authority, but Christ is, so we seek to align our perspectives on world events to His, as found in His Word.

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