RELEVANT - Issue 90 - November/December 2017

90 THE JAPANESE HOUSE | JOSEPH | DANIEL CAESAR JOHN MARK M c MILLAN | CHRISTM AS GIFT GUIDE CHIP GAINES | CHRISTINE CAINE | JOHN ELDREDGE F A I T H , C U LT U R E & I N T E N T I O N A L L I V I N G

Anthony Anderson The star of Black-ish—TV’s most poignant comedy—is bringing faith and justice to prime time.

NOV-DEC 2017 // $6.95 US

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CONTENTS

7 8 // THE JAPANESE HOUSE Inside singer Amber Bain’s face-off with her biggest critic: herself.

NOV-DEC 2017 // ISSUE 90

8 0 // THE LOVE GURU Five years after Love Does, Bob Goff is just getting started changing the world.

8 4 // EVERYTHING YOU THINK ABOUT THE AFTERLIFE MIGHT BE WRONG

John Eldredge has a whole new way of thinking about heaven and hell.

T H E M A G A Z I N E O N FA I T H , C U LT U R E & INTENTIONAL LIVING

November-December 2017, Issue 90 This issue’s pretty good-ish.

Publisher & CEO | CAMERON STRANG Brand Director | JESSE CAREY Project Manager, Content | JESSICA COLLINS Contributing Editor | TYLER HUCKABEE

1 0 // FIRS T WORD

Web Editor | AARON CLINE HANBURY Production Editor | KATHY PIERRE

1 2 // CURRENT

Contributing Writers: Steve Rosen, Seth James, Matt Adkins,

Chip Gaines on ending Fixer Upper;

Bethanne Frank, Christine Caine

Snoop Dogg’s gospel album; Pastor Hillary Clinton?; The 2017 Gift Guide and more.

Account Manager | HEATHER VOORHEES

8 8 // RELE VANT SELECT S

66

Account Manager | KAYLEE SANFORD

The latest books, music and movies you

Marketing Director | CALVIN CEARLEY

should know about. Trust us, these are

Circulation and Traffic Manager | CAROLINE COLE

ones you don’t want to miss.

9 6 // L AS T WORD

Features

Director of Business Development | AME LYNN FUHLBRUCK

Creative Director | JOHN DAVID HARRIS

Activist and author Christine Caine

Designer | ALEXA MENDEZ

breaks down what it means to have

Contributing Designer | LAUREN HARVILL

“unshakable” faith.

Contributing Photographers: Bliss Kaufman, Danny North Shawn Brackbill, Ebru Yildiz, Eric Ryan Anderson, Neil Krug,

Anthony Anderson p.66 The star of Black-ish shares how his faith has shaped TV’s most important comedy.

4 2 // JOSEPH The unlikely path of three sisters who have become indie-pop darlings.

4 6 // DOES THE WORLD RE ALLY NEED ANOTHER NONPROFIT ?

Social entrepreneurs and activists explain the pitfalls of striking out on your own.

5 0 // JOHN MARK MCMILL AN He’s created his most powerful album yet, and all it took was a spiritual crisis.

5 4 // THE MOS T DANGEROUS GAME The NFL’s concussion crisis is no longer just a sports issue. It’s a humanitarian crisis.

5 8 // SURVIVING FAMILY HOLIDAYS Don’t let bickering and your weird uncle ruin the holidays. This guide is here to help.

6 4 // K ATIE DAVIS MAJORS Meet the millennial who left everything, moved to Uganda and adopted 14 kids.

7 2 // GOD’S SPIES Are missionaries who lie and conspire with governments doing more harm than good?

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Brandon Sloter, Steven Taylor and Dennis Leupold STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION RELEVANT magazine (Publication Number: 1543-317X) is published bimonthly by RELEVANT Media Group. Filing date: 09.30.17. Number of issues published annually: 6. Annual subscription price: $27.99. The complete mailing address and General Business Offices of the Publisher are located at 55 West Church St. Suite #211, Orlando, FL 32801. The names and addresses of the Publisher, Editor and Managing Editor are: Publisher, Cameron Strang; Editor, Cameron Strang; Managing Editor, Jesse Carey; 55 West Church St. Suite #211, Orlando, FL 32801.

The owners are: Cameron Strang, 55 West Church St. Suite #211, Orlando, FL 32801; Stephen Strang, 600 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, FL 32746. There are no known bondholders, mortgagees and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities. The tax status, the purpose, function and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income purposes have not changed during the preceding 12 months.

Issue date for circulation data: July/August 2017. Extent and Nature of Circulation are as follows. Total number of copies (net press run): average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 41,500; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 37,000. Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541: average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 23,481; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 21,210. Mailed in-county paid subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541: average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 0; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 0. Paid distribution outside the mails including sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter sales, and other paid distribution outside USPS: average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 2,899; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 3,480. Paid distribution by other classes of mail through the USPS: average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 2,327; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 2,069. Total paid distribution: average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 28,707; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 26,759. Free or nominal rate outside-county copies included on PS Form 3541: average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 0; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 0. Free or nominal rate in-county copies included on PS Form 3541: average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 0; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 0. Free or nominal rate copies mailed at other classes through the USPS: average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 0; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 0. Free or nominal rate distribution outside the mail: average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 8,453; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 7,067. Total free or nominal rate distribution: average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 8,453; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 7,067.

Total distribution: average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 37,160; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 32,359. Copies not distributed: average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 4,340; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 4,641. Total: average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 41,500; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 37,000. Percent paid: average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 77.25%; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 82.69%.

Cameron Strang, RELEVANT magazine

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Director of Audio and Visual Media | NATHAN GRUBBS Audio Producer | CHANDLER STRANG Senior Project Manager | BRIDGET DOMBKOSKI Finance Director | MICHAEL BOWLES Operations Coordinator | MORGAN HICKEY Support Coordinator | MIKAYLAH ROUCHARD ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: www.RELEVANTmagazine.com/advertise

RELEVANT MEDIA GROUP 55 W. Church St., Suite 211, Orlando, FL 32801 RELEVANTmediagroup.com TO SUBSCRIBE RELEVANTmagazine.com/subscribe Rates: 1 year (6 issues) U.S. $26.99, Canada $36.99, International $45.99 SUBSCRIBER SERVICES WEB: RELEVANTmagazine.com/subservices Phone: 866-402-4746 EMAIL: support@relevantmagazine.com BULK DISCOUNTS: 866-402-4746 RETAIL DISTRIBUTION Michael Vitetta, Curtis Circulation Company mvitetta@curtiscirc.com

Issue #90 November/December 2017 (ISSN: 1543-317X).

RELEVANT is published 6 times a year in January, March, May, July, September and November for $26.99 per year by RELEVANT Media Group, Inc., 55 W. Church St., Suite 211, Orlando, FL 32801. Periodicals postage paid at Orlando, FL, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to RELEVANT Magazine, P.O. Box 531147, Orlando, FL 32853.

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CLAIM VICTORY OVER YOUR IDENTITY.

HOSANNA IS A WRITER, SPEAKER, & SPOKEN WORD ARTIST. I HAVE A NEW NAME IS HER DEBUT FULL-LENGTH BOOK. GET YOURS AT — IHAVEANEWNAME.COM

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FIRST WORD a letter from the publisher

Yes, the space looks cool. And yes,

A New Home For a New Future

there are mix rooms and studios in the back where we’ll be creating new podcasts, and daily, weekly and prestige video content.

But the most impactful part of the new office is far more subtle: There are no offices.

I don’t even have an office. I want this to be a company of openness, accountability and transparency, so our physical space now reflects those values at every level.

We have areas for people to meet

L

ast month, RELEVANT moved into a new

and collaborate. Throughout the

office in the heart of downtown Orlando.

office, there are TVs displaying live

It’s a large industrial modern loft space

data showing the staff how we’re

with walls of windows, 25-foot ceilings,

doing in every area. The space is

exposed brick, and audio and video studios

full of intentionality like that—even

in the back. We had been planning and working on the space

down to how things are organized,

for a year, so it was a huge relief to finally move in.

the kind of music that’s playing or

Normally, I wouldn’t write about something so behind-

I’m a firm believer that if you

office represents a shift for RELEVANT in a number of ways.

want your future to look different it will happen. You have to do

while ago I started prayerfully thinking about what it’d look

something about it. Don’t just talk

like to dream bigger. What would it look like to reach 20

about big new ideas, do the hard

million? What would we be doing then that we’re not doing

work too. Details matter.

That process of dreaming got us talking about video

and video content. It’s about being the kind of company He can use.

a very different model and opening my eyes to things we

One that is set up to listen to His

needed to change or cut off. Then I had a decision to make.

prompting, is healthy, has integrity,

When I looked at how we could become that company, I

operates with wisdom, and attracts

built, how we operate and even where we worked.

Our old way wouldn’t cut it. To try something radically

PAST, YOU CAN’T JUST HOPE IT WILL HAPPEN. YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

For RELEVANT, the dream God is

started becoming clear. I felt God turning my attention to

our time and resources in, but also blowing up how we’re

THAN YOUR

brewing in us is bigger than audio

content, TV, podcasts and a lot of other ideas. A new future

knew it would require changes to not only what we invested

LOOK DIFFERENT

than your past, you can’t just hope

month, with the bulk being through online articles. But a

now? It’s probably not just more web articles.

YOUR FUTURE TO

what free snacks we provide.

the-scenes to start off an issue of the magazine. But this new Right now, RELEVANT reaches about 7 million people each

IF YOU WANT

and develops world-changers.

Our new office tries to show those values in tangible ways, which excites me for what’s next. If you’re

different, we would need to embrace transparency,

ever in Orlando, stop in. We’d love

accountability and collaboration at a whole new level.

to show you around.

We’d need to plan, analyze and communicate differently.

Basically, we’d need to knock all the walls down and build a completely new company culture from scratch.

So, over the last year we’ve not only been working to reorganize the company—adding, removing and changing jobs, which is not easy—but also changing every aspect of

C A MER ON S T R A NG

our physical space as well.

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Publisher & CEO

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CURRENT A B I M O N T H LY L O O K A T F A I T H , L I F E A N D C U LT U R E

The Real Story Behind ‘Fixer Upper’ Ending Chip Gaines discusses the importance of family, the price of success and ending their popular show.

T

HIS FALL, CHIP AND JOANNA GAINES shocked

faith-based audiences about their favorite celebrity, Chip

their millions of fans with unexpected news:

Gaines came in at No. 1 (ahead of movie stars like The Rock

They would be ending their wildly popular

and Sandra Bullock), and Joanna was No. 7.

HGTV show Fixer Upper after the conclusion

show: “We would be foolish to think we can go and go and

just how popular the show is, this summer, its season four

fire on all cylinders and never stop to pause. Our family

finale was cable’s second most watched broadcast of the

is healthy and our marriage has honestly never been

year behind only The Walking Dead’s finale.

stronger … This is just us recognizing that we need to catch

The show is particularly popular among Christians.

When market research group E-Poll recently surveyed

NOV-DEC

In a statement to fans, the couple said of ending the

of its fifth season, which debuts Nov. 28. For an idea of

012

our breath for a moment. Our plan is to take this time to shore up and strengthen the spots that are weak, rest

2017

“Jo and I have chosen to focus on the reality that there’s really no way to balance our work and our lives.”

MOST POPULAR CELEBRITIES AMONG FAITHBASED AUDIENCES ( THESE ARE REAL POLL RESULTS.)

the places that are tired and give lots of love and

The TV exposure turned them into celebrities,

attention to both our family and our businesses.”

and with celebrity, life got turned upside down.

AN UNEXPECTED RISE

honest, it’s changed nearly everything,” he

“As far as how it’s affected our lives, to be Chip recently explained to RELEVANT that when

explains. “Jo and I have chosen to focus on the

1. CHIP GAINES

the show first launched, the Gaineses had no idea it

reality that there’s really no way to balance our

Reality star, entrepreneur, shiplap advocate.

would become such a phenomenon.

work and our lives.”

“Nobody predicted that it would become what

ability to fire on all cylinders in [his] career and

HGTV didn’t know it was going to be a hit like this.

with [his] family.” At the end of the day, for the

Our production company didn’t know, and Jo and

Gaineses, family trumps career.

I definitely had no idea. For us, it was just a real

2. TYRESE GIBSON

Plays a pastor on TV, and stars in movies that mostly contain explosions.

AKA that dude from The Walking Dead.

“Jo and I are sincere in our hearts when we say

labor of love. It was this effort of authenticity and

that if work and family ever did come into conflict

creativity, and for the show to have accomplished

with one another, we are completely committed to

all it has is completely miraculous for me and Jo.”

our marriage and our kids. And we’d be willing to

But with the success and exposure came a

let everything else go.”

darker side. In recent years, the couple found themselves on tabloid covers and the subject

NO REGRETS

of debunked online rumors about everything

The duo says they plan on remaining a part of

from fraudulent skincare lines to trouble in their

Waco and embracing the entrepreneurial spirit

marriage. They even faced criticism for a lack of

that has gotten them this far. They still own a real

diversity on the show. Chip, however, insists it

estate company, publish a quarterly magazine, run

wasn’t the criticism that got to him.

a massive store and restaurant in Waco, and even

“For some reason, and I believe this is a God-

3. ANDREW LINCOLN

Though he says it’s his faith that “facilitates [his]

it has,” he said. “I mean, nobody saw it coming.

sell Magnolia Homes designs in Target. It’s unlikely

given quality, I actually love criticism,” he explains.

you’ve seen the last of Chip and Jo, even if Fixer

“I love to engage with people that have different

Upper is over.

viewpoints than my own. When people have

Even though the show’s success changed

sincere criticism, those comments hold a lot of

everything for their family, Chip says he has no

weight. When it’s just a stranger on social media

regrets. “If you’ve got a desire to get out of the fray

throwing out insults, we really don’t care. I mean

or move beyond the rat race and find your own

we’re not doing this for a big social applause. If

lane, I think you should go for it,” he says. “The

we have one viewer at the end of this thing or 10

downside and the liability is that obviously not

million viewers, that really wasn’t the objective.”

everybody is made for the entrepreneurial life, and

SOURCE: E-POLL

we all have to figure out what works best for us.

THE PRICE OF SUCCESS

For me, I love it. I love the experience. I love the

Ending the show, he says, was to protect the thing

ride. I love the thrill.

4. DWAYNE JOHNSON

that made them so appealing to audiences in the

Also tops the list of “Most Popular Celebrities with the Middle Name The Rock.”

first place: their family dynamic.

“If some young man or young woman were to ask me if I would I do it again, I’d say, without a

As anyone who’s seen the show knows, they already had an idyllic life running a home rehab

doubt. If they asked my advice, I’d tell them not to hold back or second-guess themselves.”

business and raising a family in Waco, Texas, long before TV came calling.

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CURRENT

The Next Thing for Millennials to Ruin: Movies NOW THAT HE’S

changed the way you watch movies at home, one of the founders of Netflix wants to change the way you go to the movies.

Mitch Lowe’s startup MoviePass relaunched with a simple premise: For about $10 a month, subscribers could go to the movies every day.

Their goal was to sell 150,000 passes in the first 15 months. But thanks to millennials—who bought 75 percent of them—they hit the goal in just two days. Lowe has bigger ambitions than just saving theaters: He wants to change Hollywood by providing studios with analytics about consumers’ movie-going habits so they can make better movies.

All he needs to do next is solve the problem of theaters getting away with selling $9 M&M’s.

Love (and the Packers) wins.

Rob Bell Saved Aaron Rodgers’ Faith AFTER HE WON THE SUPER BOWL, Packers

there is an exclusivity that can shut you out

quarterback Aaron Rodgers went through a

from being open to the world.” However,

personal crisis and openly wondered about

after writer and pastor Rob Bell visited the

the meaning of it all. “It’s natural to question

team, the two struck up a friendship. Since

some of the things that society defines as

then, he’s begun to examine his faith and

success,” he recently told ESPN The Magazine.

how he thinks about the Bible. “It was never

It also led him to think about the devout

meant to be interpreted as I think some

Christian faith he’d grown up with. “I think

churches do,” Rodgers said. And though he

in people’s lives who grew up in some sort of

doesn’t identify with a religious affiliation,

organized religion, there really comes a time

he’s become more comfortable with his own

when you start to question things more,”

questions: “I think questions like that in your

he told ESPN. “I think organized religion

mind lead to really beautiful periods where

can have a mind-debilitating effect, because

you start to grow as a person.”

MISC.

NOV-DEC

A Lecrae and Kendrick Lamar

According to an NAE study, 76

A maintenance worker at a

collaboration? Lecrae recently

percent of evangelical leaders

1,000-year-old church in Rome may

said on Reddit that the two are

say it’s OK for Christians to give

have found skeletal remains of Peter

planning a song that “would be

their tithe to ministries and

in a long-forgotten pot, so there’s still

something special for the world.”

charities other than their church.

hope for your missing car keys.

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CURRENT

Beyonce and Her Pastor Teamed Up for Harvey Disaster Relief HERE ARE MANY

to help,” she told The Houston

contenders for the

Chronicle. “I’m working closely with

most famous resident

my team at BeyGOOD as well as my

of Houston, Texas, but

pastor [Rudy Rasmus at St. John’s in

it’s hard to see how Beyonce doesn’t

downtown Houston] to implement a

get the crown. The Queen has a long

plan to help as many as we can.”

T

track record of charitable giving to

Rasmus told Entertainment

her native city, including building

Tonight: “She’s starting out with

low-income housing and creating

a significant donation, and that

a scholarship fund. And now she’s

donation is getting us to launch out

helping Houston recover from the

into some areas that help us more

devastation unleashed by Hurricane

effectively impact the communities

Harvey this summer.

that have been the most affected.

“I remain in constant prayer for those affected, and for the rescuers who have been so brave and determined to do so much

She has, over the years, been very generous to our cause.”

Evangelicals Aren’t Big on Freedom of the Press and Free Speech FREEDOM OF RELIGION 53% 20%

CHRISTIAN ROOTS 40% 11%

BILL OF RIGHTS 2% 14%

Beyonce proves once again she’ll make lemonade out of lemons.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH 6% 21%

EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS GENERAL POPULATION

EVANGELICALS HOLD

Beyonce served food to Hurricane

freedom of the press and free speech in lower regard than the general population. The Barna Group sent out a poll asking people to determine, “What in your opinion, makes America great?” Among the general population, the top six were, in order: The opportunity to become who you want to be, the Constitution, free speech/free press, freedom of religion, democracy and the Bill of Rights. But among evangelicals, the overwhelming No. 1 was the freedom of religion, followed by “Christian origins and values.” The Bill of Rights was chosen by a mere 2 percent of evangelical Christians.

Harvey victims.

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CURRENT

THE HOT LIST Bimonthly Cultural Power Rankings

James Franco Calls the Logic of Abortion Into Question IN A RECENT EDITION OF his YouTube series

Philosophy Time, James Franco spoke with Princeton’s Liz Harman, who discussed the ethics of abortion. Harman’s argument was that since the JOHN OLIVER

aborted fetus does not have a future (because the

[Hottest]

pregnancy had been terminated), it does not have

He’s been renewed for

“moral status” —even though she concedes that

three more seasons on

fetuses are at the “beginnings stages of persons.”

HBO. Last Week Tonight is forever.

She then went on to say that, “When you were an early fetus—all of us—I think we already did

C LOW N S [Hotter]

have moral status then. But we had moral status

It became the highest-

in virtue of our futures.”

grossing scary movie of all time. Great news for the clown industry, for sure.

Confused? So was Franco. “If a woman decides to have an abortion with an early fetus, just that act or that intention negates the ‘moral status’ of that early fetus just

FAC I A L

because if she goes out and has

R ECO G N I T I O N

an abortion, it’s pretty certain

S O F T WA R E [Hot]

that it’s not going to become a

The harbinger of the

person?”

police state ... but think of the convenience!

He used an on-screen graphic to imply Harman was employing

James Franco’s

circular logic.

skeptical face should be a meme.

However, it was Franco’s dumbfounded expression that did most of the talking.

TOYS R U S [Cold]

More like Toys Were Us. The toy chain filed for bankruptcy in September.

N E T F L I X [Colder]

The service lost 30 Rock and Friday Night Lights. Why even bother anymore?

All Those Emojis May Be Ruining Your Professional Life

H O L LY WO O D [Coldest]

It had its worst summer in 25 years. Maybe it’s

IT TURNS OUT, using

colorful pictograms in serious email correspondence isn’t a good look.

A new study in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science has found that incorporating emojis into your emails communicates the worst possible message: It makes you seem incompetent.

The team specifically looks at the smiley face emoji, and found that when fellow professionals encounter them in emails, they “undermined information sharing” by informing the receiver’s “perceptions of message appropriateness.” In other words: Save the emojis for texts—not emails to your boss. [winky face emoji]

time for a gritty reboot.

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CURRENT

Millennials Are More Faithful to Their Spouses Than Their Parents’ Generation A NEW STUDY from the

Rumors of Dwindling Interest in the Bible Have Been Exaggerated FROM A BIRD’S EYE VIEW, interest in the

are. Eighty-five percent of practicing Christian

Bible has seen better days. More than half of

millennials say the Bible came from God and

millennials describe themselves as “neutral”

they read it multiple times a week. Practicing

or “skeptical” of the Bible—a larger percentage

Christian millennials also know the Bible just

than any other generation. But a closer

as well as their elders—sometimes better, in

look from Barna and the American Bible

fact. Seventy percent of practicing Christian

Society reveals some surprising details about

millennials knew that the “3” in “John

millennials and their feelings on the Bible.

3:16” stood for the chapter. Only 60 percent

While millennials are generally less

Institute for Family Studies shows that millennials are less likely to cheat on their spouses than their parent’s generation and Generation X. One reason? Millennials tend to be less sexually active in general. Additional research from the Archives of Sexual Behavior found that, believe it or not, millennials have fewer sexual partners in their lifetimes than any generation since the 1940s.

REPORTED HAVING SEX OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE

20%

55 YEARS OLD

14%

UNDER 55

AND OVER

of practicing Christian millennials could

interested in the Bible than older generations,

correctly identify the first five books of the

Christian millennials are actually more

Bible, compared to only 59 percent of Boomers

invested in the Bible than older Christians

and 49 percent of elders.

YEARS OLD

MISC.

NOV-DEC

Finance company Credible found

Your childhood is a lie: Nintendo

Finally, you can apply pumpkin

that 50 percent of student loan

says Mario is no longer a plumber.

spice directly into your armpits. The

holders would give up their right

Apparently his lengthy adventures

company Native Deodorant has

to vote in two elections to have

in the Mushroom Kingdom

released the pumpkin spice latte-

their student debt erased.

hampered he and Luigi’s business.

scented offering for just $12.

020

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07/14

CURRENT

MISC.

Prayer Remains Popular, But It’s Changing

Researchers at the University of Warwick have found that both good and bad moods are highly contagious. So, if your coworkers need a pick-meup, just do your best Chris Traeger

AMERICA’S FAVORITE AND LEAST

A

FAVORITE PRAYER TOPICS

NEW STUDY FROM BARNA

impression. They’ll thank you later.

says that while prayer is the most common faith practice in America, our reasons and

motivations for praying remain different, and how we pray remains very different.

What the study seemed to reveal is that while most Americans do pray (Almost 80

62%

49%

GRATITUDE

GUIDANCE IN CRISIS

20% 12%

8%

percent say they’ve prayed in some form or another at some point in the past three months.), there is not a huge consensus on what prayer is. As a fun aside, as you’ll see,

Actor and writer Jordan Peele 61%

is working on a

COMMUNITY NEEDS

TV show about 20% GLOBAL PROBLEMS

the most common topic of prayer in America

12% SLEEP

is thankfulness but, plot twist, it won’t stay

8% LITURGY/SCRIPTURE

that way for long: Millennials are the least

hunting Nazis.

The Hunt takes place in the ‘70s, featuring a group of vigilantes who

likely group to pray in thankfulness.

band together to hunt down Nazis hiding out in the midst of America.

A Chance the Rapper-Donald Glover Collaboration Is Probably Happening THERE HAVE BEEN rumors of

Give Donald Glover a Chance.

NOV-DEC

a Chance the Rapper/Donald Glover mixtape pretty much since the two of them burst onto the scene, but they’ve never been more than just rumors.

But Glover recently put some real weight to the

022

rumors, saying it was “probably” going to happen.

“I feel like if I don’t make a Chance the Rapper mixtape ... a bunch of 14-year-olds are gonna kick my a–,” Glover told reporters. “They stop me on the street and it scares me. It kind of scares me.”

After more than 100 years, an Episcopal church in Lexington, Virginia, has officially taken “Robert E. Lee” out of its name.

It will now be called Grace Episcopal.

2017

08/14

CURRENT

The world needs Liz Lemon now more than ever.

FEDERAL MATTERS: THE URKEL FILES HBO Urkel’s genius has netted him a job in the most exclusive halls of government power. But when he stumbles upon a conspiracy that may go all the way to the top, he’s forced to turn to the one cop he knows he can trust: Carl Winslow.

Gritty Reboots Aren’t Just for the Big Screen Anymore

THE EVEN NEWER ADVENTURES OF MCGEE AND ME! ABC He may be grown up and newly sober, but McGee is still a cartoon character in a human world. And he’s realized that just because you’re a two-dimensional character, it doesn’t mean you don’t have three-dimensional problems.

Breaking down the shows we want to see get a new life

NO SERIOUSLY, WHO’S THE BOSS? TV LAND In a blatant rip-off of Undercover Boss, a barely disguised Tony Danza goes undercover at various workplaces, only to be continually undermined by the fact that everyone realizes it’s Tony Danza pretty much instantly.

NBC ENTERTAINMENT Chairman Bob Greenblatt recently

told reporters at a Television Critics Association event that the network might not be done reviving old shows after successfully bringing back Will & Grace this fall. He said he’s approached the creators of former NBC hits like The Office, 30 Rock, ER and The West Wing about reviving those series, picking up with the characters years later. He explained, “Expectations are so high, and you’ve got to get it just right.”

BIBLEMAN BEGINS

Though revivals of the shows aren’t imminent at this point,

FOX

the idea of recapturing the magic of past hits (like reboots of

The man who became a symbol. The symbol who became a legend. Prepare yourself for a whole new translation of Bibleman. Not the hero we need, but the one with a life-changing message we don’t deserve.

The X-Files, Dynasty, Hawaii Five-0, Miami Vice, etc.) is all the rage right now. We can’t help but notice that TV executives are still missing a few good ideas. Here are four shows we want to see rebooted next.

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Pastor Hillary: Clinton Wants to Go Into Ministry?

MISC.

Jim Carrey is teaming up with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind director Michel Gondry for a new TV show called Kidding. He’ll I see that hand.

play a children’s series host who experiences an existential crisis.

Hillsong United is taking time out of their touring schedule to play at penitentiaries across the United

WELL, THIS IS ONE YOU

start preaching. Though

Bible and her experience of

States, serving up

probably didn’t see coming.

she’s considered becoming

caring for people and loving

intimate worship

Former first lady, Senator,

an ordained minister in

people, she’d make a great

Secretary of State and

the Methodist church for

pastor.” Though he added,

presidential candidate

years, now that her political

“She probably won’t pursue

Hillary Clinton has expressed

career has ended, Clinton

an official lay position in the

a desire for yet another

has considered getting more

Methodist church.” Instead,

career change. According

involved in ministry. He told

he thinks she may start guest

to her longtime pastor Bill

The Daily Beast, “Given her

preaching—something she’s

Shillady, Clinton wants to

depth of knowledge of the

wanted to do for years.

A Quarter of Officers Fired for Police Misconduct Get Their Jobs Back

A NEW INVESTIGATION HAS

uncovered a massive problem in the American criminal justice system: A quarter of police officers fired for misconduct—including actions like shooting unarmed suspects, sexual abuse and drinking and driving—end up getting rehired. A

team of investigative reporters at The Washington Post found that because of police unions’ appeal process, which often involve taxpayer-funded lawyers looking for loopholes, one in four officers who violate the trust of the public end up back on the street, and get back pay for the missed time.

services for the inmates. The first one they visited was in Folsom, California.

A new PRRI survey found that white evangelicals have become more forgiving of politicians who behave immorally in their personal lives.

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The convenience store of the future, it seems.

A New App Might Mean the Death of Convenience Stores ONLY ABOUT 10 PERCENT of all shopping is done online,

according to Fast Company. That doesn’t seem like very much, and that’s what two former Google employees are out to change. Paul McDonald and Ashwath Rajan are launching a new concept called “Bodega”—unmanned pantry boxes set up at central locations stocked with nonperishables you would normally pick up at a convenience store. These boxes are unlocked and the items are paid for via app, so there are no “employees” and very little overhead. If it sounds a little like an app-based vending machine, well, you’re not far off.

“The vision here is much bigger than the box itself,” McDonald told Fast Company. “Eventually, centralized shopping locations won’t be necessary, because there will be

4

100,000 Bodegas spread out, with one always 100 feet away from you.”

5

NO END IN SIGHT: WHAT WILL MILLENNIALS KILL OFF NEXT?

1

2

3

NOV-DEC

CALENDARS WITH INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

6

Basically just an early version of Twitter, except not terrifying and infuriating.

FINGER GUNS

7

Questionable legality in gun-free zones.

PUBLIC POOLS

8

To be replaced with an Airbnb-type app to rent out local bathtubs.

028

AVOCADOS (CANCELED)

Upon consideration, avocados will be allowed to live.

MILLENNIAL THINK PIECES

Does anyone really need another article about millennials? My column: THE PRINT MAGAZINE INDUSTRY

Basically just a website that doesn’t move, right? Boring.

CHUCK E. CHEESE

Just the restaurant chain. The actual mouse will be spared.

MURDER, IN GENERAL

Too violent.

2017

11/14

CURRENT

A Handy Guide to Fake News, in All Its Many Forms YOU’VE HEARD ABOUT IT. You’ve read about it. You’ve heard other people

talk about it. You may have even been accused of spreading it. But truthfully, fake news isn’t as easy to spot as you might think—there are degrees of fake news. It’s not all created equally and different kinds need to be engaged differently. Here’s a handy cheat sheet:

BIASED, REAL NEWS:

After Losing Two Houses, Heroic Pigs Finally Foil Big, Bad Wolf’s Plan to Huff, Puff and Blow Last House Down The New Yorker; Wall Street Journal INCORRECT NEWS, CORRECTED LATER:

Three Little Pigs Foil Wolf’s Plan to Blow Their Houses Down [CORRECTION: The wolf successfully blew over two houses first, but was foiled on the third. We regret the error.]

The Snoop Dogg Gospel TV Show You Knew Was Coming Is Finally Here

The New York Times, The Washington Post INCORRECT NEWS, NEVER CORRECTED:

One Little Pig Foils Three Wolves’ Plan to Blow Over His House MSNBC, Fox News INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING NEWS:

Decent, Hardworking Wolf Blocked Access to Basic Needs by Heartless Pigs Salon, Breitbart OUTRIGHT INSANE NEWS:

Government-Controlled Wolf Brainwashed By Chemtrails Into Pursuing Innocent Pigs Infowars

SNOOP DOGG’S CAREER has

taken another interesting turn.

The Impact Network, home to evangelists like T.D. Jakes and Joyce Meyer, has announced that it will air a reality show starring Snoop.

The show will follow Snoop’s journey to make a gospel album, along with his work as a community activist.

It’s not nearly as out of left field as it seems. Snoop’s mother, with whom he’s always been very close, is a well-known evangelist.

MISC.

NOV-DEC

Actor Ed Skrein is fighting

It’s a rare condition, this day and

According to USA Today, around 80

Hollywood whitewashing by

age, to read any good news

percent of all disaster relief aid in the

leaving his role in the Hellboy film

on the newspaper page: The

United States comes from nonprofit

after learning the original comic

Chicago home from Family

groups—most of which are faith-

character was of Asian descent.

Matters has been demolished.

based—in partnership with FEMA.

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1.PLAN AHEAD

You probably don’t have a Martha Stewart-level kitchen but even if you do, you don’t want to make the entire dinner on the same day.

4. GET A PLAYLIST READY

Stick with mellow tunes that’ll sit comfortably in the background. No Christmas music.

2. USE RECIPES

A Definitive Guide to the Perfect Friendsgiving Pulling off a memorable

M

AYBE YOU CAN’T

afford the trip home; maybe you’ve got some friends who need a

Thanksgiving; or maybe your family isn’t really the Thanksgiving type. to throw a Friendsgiving, you should definitely go for it. It’s a great way to make memories with some of your good friends.

But if you want those memories to be the good kind, you’re going

easier than you

to have to do a little bit of prep

5. START A TRADITION

Go around the table and talk about what you’re all thankful for. Cheesy? Sure.

Meaningful? Usually.

Important? Very.

Whatever your reason for wanting

holiday is might think.

Speaking of Martha Stewart, there’s no shame in copping a recipe from her or any of the other celebrity-chef types you see on TV. Also make sure you ...

work. Contrary to what you might think, it’s not as hard as it sounds.

Practically anyone can cook a Thanksgiving dinner, as long as they can find a space big enough to hold the guests and a few pots and pans.

And as for the rest, well, read on.

We’ve got everything you need to know right here.

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3. DIVIDE AND CONQUER

Even the biggest kitchens get crammed for space. Recruit friends to bring some dishes of their own.

2017

CURRENT

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[ T H E C H E AT S H E E T ]

Holiday Travel Hacks to Get You There and Back Again There’s no place like home for the holidays, and with a few simple tips, the trip there can be a lot easier.

HEADING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS is probably

going to be stressful almost regardless of what you do, but there are definitely ways to make it less stressful for yourself, which will make you more fun to be around when you get to your destination. Just commit these tips to memory and with a little planning ahead, you can make travel ... almost painless.

1

BOOK SUNDAY FLIGHTS.

Flights tend to be cheapest on Sundays, sometimes by $70 or more, according to a study from ABC News. If flying over the weekend isn’t an option,

2

CLEAR YOUR CACHE BEFORE LOOKING FOR FLIGHTS.

And delete your search history while you’re at it. Some airline companies will check your history before offering you their price options.

Tuesday is your best bet.

3

4

5

GO FOR GATEGURU.

GateGuru is an app that can really change your airport experience. It’s got maps, ground transportation options and even estimated TSA wait times.

APPLY FOR TSA PRECHECK.

Not everyone is eligible for TSA Precheck, but if you do qualify, it’s like having security line superpowers. Become the envy of the airport.

WRAP YOUR PRESENTS AFTER YOU LAND.

Wrapping presents beforehand is not as smart as it sounds.

The wrapping can tear during travel and TSA agents can unwrap presents. Best to wait.

6

GO FOR THE SECONDEARLIEST FLIGHT.

The earliest flight, in addition to just being early, is often one of the busier flights. You’ll find shorter lines if you go for the second-earliest option.

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[T H E B IG Q U E S T IO N]

CURRENT

What’s one thing you do every day that you think other people should do as well?

I

t’s not easy to come up with a universal rule. Almost every guideline has some sort of personal element to it. But there are some basic rules everyone accepts as generally true: Brush your teeth before bed; wear a seatbelt; The Blueprint is the best Jay-Z

album. In the interest of creating more generally dependable rules for daily life, we asked three people with admirable interior lives what daily practices they’d recommend for the rest of us.

Derek Minor

Kim Walker-Smith

Joshua DuBois

Rapper, and co-founder of

Worship leader at

Former head of the Office of Faith-

Reflection Music Group

Jesus Culture

Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

I TRY TO LIVE A LIFE OF PRAYER.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE. I TRY TO

I TRY TO SPEND SOME TIME IN

Life can be busy, but I try to make time to settle my heart and be thankful for the blessing of life [that] God has given me.

be thankful every single day for my health, my family, good friends and overwhelmed with thankfulness that Jesus found me.

prayer and pick up my Bible before I pick up my phone. Quite literally—I’m not allowed to check notifications before I’ve spent a little time with God. I’m not always successful with this, but on days that I am, I have a better day.

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The RELEVANT Christmas Gift Guide F

INDING THE RIGHT CHRISTMAS GIFT can be

into it—but also give back to communities,

stressful. Thankfully, we’re here to help.

support artisans, fund charities and help the

We’ve created a list of ideas that are not only

environment. This year, it really is better to

unique—and show you put some thought

give than to receive.

Solo “India” Sunglass Named for the country where the company funds restorative eye care, the bamboo shades are also an eco-friendly sunglass option. $89 SOLOEYEWEAR.COM

Fire Dept. Coffee These beans, sourced from environmentally friendly farms, are roasted when you place an order and their sales support firefighter- and veteran-assistance programs.

Love 41 Toiletry Bag Carry your toothbrush like an adult with these handcrafted leather bags. One hundred percent of the profit supports education and anti-hunger projects across Africa. $129 LOVE41.COM

$11.99 FIREDEPTCOFFEE.COM

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2017

R ELE VA N T GI F T G U I D E

1Q Speakers

From Vers Audio, these bluetooth speakers emphasize sustainability with their wooden design. Also, they sound as good as they look. $129.95 VERSAUDIO.COM

Out of Print Tote These canvas bags feature classic artwork from great books. And for each one of the bags sold, a book is donated to the education organization Books for Africa. $18 OUTOFPRINTCLOTHING.COM

Waterproof Nomad Journal With waterproof pages, rain won’t spoil your travel adventures. And because it’s from Apolis, each one supports artisans in the developing world. $18 STORE.APOLISGLOBAL.COM

Our Spare Change Bangle Each piece from Our Spare Change is made from actual coins and is handcrafted with inspirational messages.

Canada Goose PBI Jacket This durable, handmade jacket will keep you warm and help with conservation efforts. Each jacket helps Polar Bears International save at-risk habitats.

$25 OURSPARECHANGE.COM

$600 CANADAGOOSE.COM

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

Pure Cycles “Yankee” Bike Pure Cycles teamed up with charity: water for these fix-geared, yellow-wheeled (like the group’s trademark clean-water jugs) road bikes that support clean-water projects. $399 PURECYCLES.COM

Mercy Ships Anchor Earrings The inspiration for these earrings comes from Mercy Ships, which provides free medical care.

NOV-DEC

TOMS Sweatshirt Just like their footwear, with every shirt purchased, TOMS donates a pair of shoes to a child in need.

$28

$44

STORE.MERCYSHIPS.ORG

TOMS.COM

City Classic Leather Tote

Hi-Fidelity Ear Plugs

Handmade Tic-Tac-Toe Game

This leather bag, which is also available in plum, is durable enough for everyday trips to the office with your laptop but spacious enough for your next big adventure.

Protect your ears without giving up sound quality.

Each purchase supports the Hear the World Foundation.

From UNICEF’s Market, this handcrafted game is made from rain tree wood from artisans in Thailand.

$149.99

$23.99

$19.99

DEUXMAINS.COM

DISCOVERVIBES.COM

MARKET.UNICEFUSA.ORG

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2017

R ELE VA N T GI F T G U I D E

Conscious Step Socks

1:Face Watches

These collections of dress and athletic socks will elevate your foot game while also helping to support organizations dedicated to seven incredible humanitarian and environmental causes.

The company behind these sleek, modern watches was founded as a way to fund six charity initiatives, with each color watch band representing a different cause.

$14.95 a pair

$39.95

CONSCIOUSSTEP.COM

1FACE.COM

Preemptive Love Sisterhood Soap Candle

Made by women in Iraq who lost everything to ISIS, these candles from the Preemptive Love Coalition truly empower refugees.

PRICES VARY PREEMPTIVELOVE.SHOP

WakaWaka Solar Powered Charger

Falling Whistles Necklaces

Using only sunlight, the Power+ can juice up your phone via a USB port. And the WakaWaka Foundation gives solar chargers to at-need communities in the developing world.

Fashioned after the whistles given to child soldiers on the front line of conflicts in the Congo region, each purchase supports local communities in the area.

$69.99

$50

US.WAKA-WAKA.COM

FALLINGWHISTLES.COM

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

JOSEPH The real harmony behind the three sisters’ rise to indie-pop stardom.

BY BETHANNE FRANK

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W

When Natalie Closner Schepman asked her two sisters to sing backup vocals on songs she’d written and had been performing at local coffee shops, she had no idea the decision would be so life-altering.

“I really don’t think they knew what they were getting into, honestly,” Schepman says. “We didn’t grow up like going to shows or understanding the world of live music. So, when I volleyed the idea to them, I don’t think—I mean, I had an inkling—but I don’t think even I knew anything like what we are doing now.”

Reflecting on the band’s early days, Schepman says, “It took a little bit of time to realize what we’ve actually gotten ourselves into.”

At the time, her sister Allison was working in a bakery, contemplating moving to Colorado to go to school and her other sister Meegan was living in Seattle working at a grocery store. Soon though, it became clear that what sounded like a fun, temporary experiment—singing at Schepman’s small shows— was going to be something bigger.

“It was like the first or second time we were singing together, I had this moment where I was like, ‘Oh, this is gonna be a different thing.’”

043

“Instead of trying to create something and then live into it, we just have to be still and quiet, and listen to

and although they’re not “Christian musi-

have dependents, or they have whatever, and

cians,” you can still hear the hope in their

they don’t get to follow this dream and this

music—the way their faith makes it buoyant.

idea. So, why don’t you guys quit your jobs?

Schepman says these “hopeful, anthemic, tri-

Why don’t you drop your stuff at our house,

umphant” songs connected with audiences

and just go? Just play shows, wherever you

early on, along with their tendency to wear

can play. Just do it. Because how many people

their emotions on their sleeves, and embrace

get this opportunity?’”

authenticity rather than irony.

Speaking of their self-described “very ear-

It was solid advice, but it also shows how closely their music is linked to family.

nest” approach to songwriting, Schepman

The sisters grew up in the Pacific North-

says, “We have zero cool. We’re just like,

west, and would frequently visit their grand-

‘Here, this is what it is.’ I think that’s some-

father Joe, who’d take them camping in his

thing that we find that we have to do.”

small town of Joseph, Oregon—a name they

There’s a reason why the band’s music

would later take in tribute to him.

sounds so different than anything on the

When asked what sets them apart from the

pop landscape—and why their authentic-

multitude of other acts currently popping up

ity-over-image approach to the creative

in the PNW like wildflowers, Schepman an-

process is so unique in the world of iro-

swers, “The thing that we nerd about is the

ny-drenched indie rock. Joseph’s origins

harmony. That’s definitely the thing that’s our

weren’t contrived in Nashville studios or New

strength.” On the surface, she’s talking about

York nightclubs.

the stirring vocal effect the three sisters are

The sisters came into being a band with so

able to achieve together. But it’s their family

what’s already

few expectations that it took an unexpected

harmony—the chemistry that only siblings

force to actually push them to try to make

could understand—that’s helped them refine

inside.”

their dream into a career: their parents.

their creative style that’s actually a strength greater than just a sound.

FAMILY HARMONY

“Even in the harder moments, when we’re

“When we first started doing it, it came to

like, ‘Oh my gosh. What are we doing?’ [our

a point when the gigs, the opportunities for

parents] have been the ones to say, ‘No, no,

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

gigs, were becoming too much for us,” Schep-

you have to keep going. You have to do this,’

If you hear Joseph’s music, it’s clear what

man says, remembering back to the early

and holding the vision for us,” she explains.

Schepman means when she calls it “a dif-

days. “It was so many that our jobs were real-

So far, that vision has them performing at

ferent thing.” Yes, there are still elements of

ly hindering the progress. And in a conversa-

coffee shops and family restaurants in their

folky, personal singer-songwriter confession-

tion with our parents, they were just like, ‘Lis-

hometown, appearing on The Tonight Show,

als, but their sound and songs have evolved

ten, so many people have to keep jobs, or they

gigs at Lollapalooza, performing on The To-

into something totally unique. It’s a mix of pop, folk and indie-rock that brings big emotions to sincere lyrics about relationships, life and growing up.

Take their breakout single “White Flag” from their 2016 album I’m Alone, No You’re Not. Leading up to the massive chorus— which culminates with the sisters sing-shouting “Burn the white flag!”—Schepman sings, I’ll sing a marching song and stomp through the halls louder than you.

It’s not just a pop song: It’s a proclamation.

Schepman is a Christian, like her sisters,

STAY AWAKE Joseph’s latest EP contains a mix of new songs, covers and demos.

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2017

day Show and being a featured guest in NPR’s acclaimed “Tiny Desk” live series.

But even still, the best may be yet to come for Joseph.

HOLDING THE VISION

This fall, the band released a follow-up to I’m Alone, No You’re Not, the album that has led to so much early success. They knew the seven-song extended play Stay Awake would be shouldering big expectations. It also represented a turning point. They could either re-create the sound and feel that earned them their fan base and recognition or they could continue the evolution of Joseph.

“It really challenges a solid inner compass, because you do have so many more voices giving opinions,” Schepman says. “And you have so many different cooks in the kitchen, and you also have this broader range of people you want to please, honestly.”

At first, she says, the instinct was to try and return to the formula from I’m Alone, but they realized in order to maintain the spirit of authenticity that has defined their music from day one, doing some derivative of early songs would be a mistake. “It’s interesting how starting with that in mind only produces falsity. You know what I mean?” she says.

Instead, they did what they do best: They were sincere.

“It was a process of realizing, ‘Oh, OK. So, actually instead of trying to create something

and actual things we’re going through and

started with personal journal entries. It’s an

feeling. And then write about that.’”

idea instilled in them by their parents—to

and then live into it, we just have to be still

The resulting collection of songs is a sim-

and quiet, and listen to what’s already inside

pler, more stripped-down version of their early work with hints of folk, Appalachian spirituals and Americana.

“holding the vision” and following their passion first and foremost.

“Hopefully, the shows are a chance to take a moment with yourself,” Schepman says. “And

“I don’t really have any adjectives yet to

hopefully the songs filter in the listener—like

describe what we’re trying to accomplish on

an experience and a meeting with themselves

the next album, because I think we’re still dis-

that they can kind of think through and be

covering that,” Schepman says. “But I would

honest about things that they’re feeling.”

say that the EP nods to the direction that we’re going.”

That ethos of being open about how you feel has gotten them this far. And whatever

When you talk to Schepman, she frequent-

the next step is, that will still ring true. Be-

ly mentions ideas like trusting her “inner

cause Joseph understands something about

compass”—making music industry decisions

harmony: It’s all about being honest with

based “gut instinct” and writing songs that

yourself and those who know you best.

BETHA NNE FR A NK is a music journalist who lives in Dallas, TX with her dog, Coco.

L-R: Allison Closner, Meegan Closner and Natalie Closner Schepman

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

DOES THE WORLD REALLY NEED ANOTHER The pitfalls of launching a justice organization in a world full of causes

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2017

BY JESSE CAREY

W

hen Liz Bohannon trav-

this really beautiful way. And there’s this ebbing and flow-

eled to Uganda in the sum-

ing of giving and receiving to this co-dependency that we

mer of 2011, she knew she

have with each other.”

wanted to make an impact. Though the purpose

Instead, the relational dynamics she witnessed seemed totally one-sided.

of the trip was initially journalistic, she soon

“A lot of what’s happened over the last several decades

realized she wanted to help the women she

is that the ebb and flow of that has been completely cut

met in the country.

off, and it’s like, ‘Oh no, you’re an African, that means

Many of them were smart and talented,

you’re the receiver,’” she explains. “I’m an American, I’m

but simply didn’t have the resources to go to

a Westerner, so I’m the giver. Therefore, that’s my iden-

college or set a clear path to succeed profes-

tity over here on the giving side. Your identity is in the

sionally. Bohannon’s immediate impulse was

receiving side. I think it’s actually incredibly dehumaniz-

to figure out how to help them through a non-

ing to kind of create a cemented, permanent identity for

profit organization.

somebody—both for the Africans and for the Americans.”

“The only kind of framework I had for

The experience eventually led her to start Sseko De-

thinking about how to make a positive impact

signs, a fashion and footwear brand that not only employs

was like, ‘Oh, some sort of charity or human-

women in East Africa—allowing them to earn an income

itarian aid organization or sponsorship pro-

and break cycles of poverty—but also helps provide them

gram,’” she explains. “Those were the only

with college scholarships that foster entrepreneurialism

models I was aware of. So I just kind of as-

in their own communities.

sumed that if I wanted to make the world a

After moving to Uganda, living among the people she

little bit better, I would have to do it in the

wanted to help and learning the dynamics of the prob-

nonprofit space.”

lems they were facing, she decided starting a nonprofit

Her background in journalism made her

simply wasn’t the best way to get involved.

question how the nonprofits she encountered

However, her impulse—launching a nonprofit organi-

were operating so she could understand the

zation to solve the world’s problems—is a common one.

real long-term impact they were having in

Not only are millennials entrepreneurial—49 percent

women’s lives. What she found startled and

plan to start their own businesses within the next three

challenged her.

years—but 94 percent of millennials want to use their

“To be totally honest, I kind of went through a season of disillusionment,” she remembers.

skills to benefit a cause, according to The Society for Human Resource Management.

Not only were many of the nonprofits she

“It’s almost like a euphemism or a go-to for people, like,

encountered only focused on short-term re-

‘Yeah, I want to do my thing, or I want to have a career,

sults, they also fostered a dynamic between

but then I eventually want to start a nonprofit,’” says Kohl

donors and the people they were helping that

Crecelius. “Yeah, but do you really? What are you trying

Bohannon saw as deeply problematic.

to accomplish?”

As she learned more about the relational

He’s the founder of Krochet Kids, a hybrid business-non-

dynamics that existed between Westerners

profit that also employs women in the developing world

and Ugandans in the nonprofit and aid sec-

to make apparel and helps them achieve better lives.

tors, she remembers thinking, “I don’t think I could be a part of something like this.”

He says in the 10 years since the founding, he’s met dozens of people who want to launch nonprofits, but don’t

“I am of the firm belief that the way God’s

understand the commitment it entails. “If you’re not will-

Kingdom works—the most beautiful part

ing to make a long-term commitment to living or being in

of it—is that there are givers and there are

Africa, you probably shouldn’t go to Africa,” he says.

receivers. And that’s supposed to be a really

Like Bohannon, he says it’s critical to truly understand

fluid thing,” she says. “Because, it’s like, some-

the problem facing the people you desire to help. But

times I’m the giver, and you’re the receiver.

finding out if something really is needed, understanding

And then the tables turn, and the seasons

the needs on the ground and actually coming up with a

switch, and you’re able to meet my needs in

sustainable model to help can be an extremely involved

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

process. Just ask the founder of the world’s

Finally, four years after he first landed in Rwanda and

most respected nonprofit: The International

saw firsthand how desperately the world needed an orga-

Justice Mission.

nization to advocate on behalf of victims of violence, he founded what today is known as IJM.

FINDING THE NEED

LIZ FORKIN BOHANNON

Today, the organization employs more than 750 people

Gary Haugen was 30 years old, working as a

in offices globally and has helped more than 40,000 peo-

prosecutor at the United States Department of

ple facing oppression.

Justice when he was sent on an assignment

“I am so immensely grateful for all of the development

that would change his life: He went to Rwan-

that had proceeded, professional development and a little

da to investigate the genocide that had killed

bit of maturity because I was actually way over my head

hundreds of thousands.

getting started,” he admits.

The experience led to a revelation.

What he learned in the years it took to start IJM was,

“I just had this sense that if I could do any-

first and foremost, to be clear on what you personally are

thing in the world, I would do this justice law-

setting out to achieve. And it all starts with asking three

The Sseko Designs founder

yering thing where you are an advocate on

major questions.

is so committed to pouring

behalf of people who don’t have a voice and

“I’ve talked to ... young people who are interested in

who are being abused by others,” he says. “I

starting a nonprofit, and I generally tell them there are

also thought I would love to be able to render

really just three questions you need to ask, and these are

change her mind when she

that kind of service in the developing world

the three questions I found myself asking,” he explains.

was on the show.

where the situations are most desperate and

money back into the lives of women in Uganda that Shark Tank investors couldn’t

there are so few resources for those who are

IS THERE A NEED?

poor. And thirdly, I would love to do that as

“Almost every nonprofit is supposed to be in response to

an expression of my Christian faith and in

a need, but you have to really ask yourself that question,”

community with other followers of Jesus.”

he explains. “Because it sometimes turns out that we can

As an experienced lawyer who had already made his way into the highest levels of government, Haugen’s initial plan was to find a nonprofit and get involved.

almost make up a need because there’s something we like to do.”

It’s a question that Bohannon wrestled with early on when she looked at the work being done by organizations

“I think this is a reasonable thing to then

in Uganda. “The reality is, 90 percent of the problems that

say, ‘Well, maybe I could go work for that or-

these nonprofits are seeking to solve, would be solved if

ganization,’” he explains. He and his brother,

the people they are seeking to serve had jobs,” she says.

a pastor, began looking for an organization

Essentially, many misidentified the need. It wasn’t just

that was helping those suffering from vio-

feed the hungry—it was help people to be able to support

lence, but they couldn’t find anything.

themselves and their families.

“Isn’t this strange that there’s a Chris-

Crecelius says it’s also key to truly understand the need

tian response to almost every kind of need

by involving yourself in the community you want to help.

amongst the poor—if it’s a lack of food or lack

“Wherever that community is you want to serve, my en-

of fresh water or housing or medical care or

couragement is get there, be there and listen before you

The Krochet Kids founder

education—but what if the problem is vio-

make plans,” he says. “Far too often the case is like … ‘I

is launching a new T-shirt

lence?” he says.

have a heart for inner-city youth, so I’m going to create a

KOHL CRECELIUS

brand called “Known Supply”

For the next three years, Haugen studied

program and go implement it, but I didn’t grow up in that

the problem of violence against impover-

context’ or ‘I don’t know what specifically the needs are.

customers with the people

ished communities, looking for others who

I’m creating a program in a vacuum and I’m not actually

who make their clothes.

were trying to make a difference, learning

understanding its correlation to the people I’m wanting

what it took to start a nonprofit and honing

to serve.’”

that emphasizes ethical production and connecting

his legal skills—all while maintaining his fulltime job.

NOV-DEC

Bohannon agrees. “The No. 1 most important thing you can do specifically in the beginning stages of anything is

048

2017

“Because it sometimes turns out that we can almost make up a need because there’s something we like to do.”

to have the courage to ask really, really hard questions and to shut up and actually listen to the answer.”

IS SOMEONE ELSE MEETING THAT NEED?

those,” he says. “And then, after doing that for

first place? And what could that look like if

Haugen says that once you understand the

a period of time, if you still felt like there was

you went ahead and pursued that and then

need, the next step is to see if there are other

a hole for the particular nonprofit that you

what could you do in that field, what could

organizations or people doing something al-

had a passion for, you [have] a lot of expe-

you do in that office?”

ready and “then just join that effort.”

rience from that kind of work with the other

“Are there organizations in those commu-

one that you can go, ‘Alright, I’m ready to go

TAKING THE LEAP

nities that you should be partnering with or

do this.’ But just going straight into it … most

Bohannon realized that to be most effective,

learning from? If there are, jump in and help

of the time, it doesn’t work out.”

she needed to forgo the traditional nonprofit

them,” Crecelius says. “Even if the end result is you help them and realize where there were inefficiencies and you start something else, that’s great.”

Crecelius says that it’s critical that no one simply tries to go it alone.

model and start a business that empowered women.

“The most creative minds and successful

Haugen witnessed widespread injustice

people in the world, you read their stories

and founded a nonprofit to help people the

Krochet Kids employs women in Uganda

and you realize they were typically a part of

world was ignoring. After 10 years of running

and Peru who make the clothing and acces-

a team or this community of people that were

a nonprofit, Crecelius is shifting the model of

sories they sell. Their names are then written

all pursuing that dream together,” he says.

his brand to a hybrid for-profit to find better

on the inner tags of hats and apparel so cus-

ways to serve the women he employs. Mer-

tomers know whose life is being affected. In

CAN I ADD VALUE?

rick’s Project 7 is continuing to learn how to

a way, that comes back to finding someone

“Can I actually do something that would make

best provide money to its nonprofit partners,

meeting a need—women in developing coun-

a difference? Because it can also be true that

while also supplying a great product to his

tries who want to work to provide for their

there’s a need and no one else is doing [any-

customers.

families—and walking beside them.

thing], but I don’t actually have anything I

Each of them has taken different journeys

can honestly bring to the table,” Haugen says.

while pursuing their passion to help others,

you make products or you know how to do

Just because there is a need to be met, it

and each has learned their own lessons along

something, find an organization that is doing

doesn’t mean everyone has the specific skills

amazing community development work in

and resources to do it. But that’s not a bad

the developing world or is working with ar-

thing or anything to feel ashamed about.

“One of my encouragements is always, if

tisans,” he says.

the way.

But even with all of the questions they each encourage people to ask and investigate

Merrick says that too often, many millen-

before launching their own organization,

Specialty gum and candy brand Project

nials—particularly Christians—believe that

Haugen says there’s one singular step that he

7 partners with organizations around the

they are only doing truly good work if they’re

would tell anyone looking to make a differ-

world to help those in need, and to date,

doing something outwardly impactful, even if

ence to take.

thanks to their efforts, has helped serve more

they’re equipped for it.

“Talk to God about what it is you’re trying

than 4 million meals in the U.S. alone, pro-

“That’s a trap and a lie of the enemy that

to do, everyday,” he says. “I mean it’s amaz-

vided 116,000 malaria treatments, built wells

can be the sirens that lure you—that make

ing you can be doing this thing, especially if

around the world, helped children receive an

you think God doesn’t love you where you’re

you’re a Christ follower. You’re actually prob-

education and more.

at and you would matter more if you were

ably trying to do this meaningful thing be-

Its founder, Tyler Merrick encourages

doing more, if you were doing full-time min-

cause you think it’s what God wants done in

anyone wanting to make a difference to first

istry or nonprofit,” he says. “I would try to

the world and it’s service to Him. The amaz-

link arms with someone else already doing it,

tell a young person that’s in that place of ‘I

ing capacity is for us to not actually talk to

and then evaluate whether they still want to

want to come out of college and I want to

Him about it.”

strike out on their own.

work somewhere that matters and I want to

Haugen says if you truly seek God, ask the

“There are already a lot of nonprofits that

do something that’s bigger’ … Well, what does

right questions and partner with the right

are going and you could be a part of those

that look like? What is your degree in and

people, then there will nothing stopping you

and help and learn and get experience from

why did you get passionate about that in the

from literally changing the world.

JESSE CAREY is RELEVANT’s brand director and a mainstay on the RELEVANT Podcast.

049

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

J O H N MAR K M CM I LLAN Inside the crisis of faith that led the singer to question how to worship in the first place.

NOV-DEC

050

2017

BY M AT T A D K I N S

W

hen John Mark

Instead of embracing basic platitudes

McMillan sat down to

about God, he was going to embrace all of

work on the album that

the questions he was facing.

would become Mercury

“I’m having this faith crisis and this

& Lightning, he thought

midlife crisis, and I’m still a believer, but

he was going to be writing a worship album.

I’m trying to figure out what type of believer

Instead, something different happened.

I am and who I am in the world,” he says.

“In the early stages, I was trying to write a worship record,” he explains. “And I was

“And people are looking to me for answers, and I have way more questions at this point.”

The resulting record isn’t just McMillan’s

like, ‘This is really hard.’”

If you’re familiar with McMillan’s catalog,

strongest to date; it’s an exploration of

that may seem like an odd statement.

questions—and a challenge to how we see

After all, for the last 10 years, his mega-

worship in the first place.

hit “How He Loves Us” has been a staple of contemporary worship services and

FOLLOW THE MONEY

Christian radio, and has been covered by the

McMillan’s big epiphany about what’s wrong

likes of David Crowder, Kim Walker-Smith,

with modern worship hit him following

Todd Agnew, Flyleaf and countless others.

a somewhat unlikely moment—he was

But when McMillan started writing songs

frustrated while Bible shopping.

Lately, he’s been doing a lot of preaching

for the new album, he realized “worship” music—at least in the sense that many

at his home church in North Carolina, and

Christians think of it—didn’t feel honest.

decided he needed a new Bible, one with big

“I had a little bit of a crisis of faith during recording this record,” he says.

enough print for him to read while standing and speaking from the pulpit.

He noticed something strange at his local

He wanted to express the actual thoughts and emotions he was experiencing, and

bookstore: “You can’t get any translation in

in the moment, the kinds of songs many

any style.”

people think of as worship just didn’t fully

All of the ESV Bibles—his translation

represent how he was feeling or thinking.

of choice—had a cool look to their design,

“It’s like, ‘OK, so I’m really struggling

binding and covers. They were Bibles that fit

here, and I’m trying to write this record,’” he

his personal style. After picking one out, he

explains. “I feel like I know the record that

decided to get another translation as well.

That’s when he noticed something that

everyone wants from me, but I have a hard time honestly making that record right now.”

would go on to challenge a lot of the ways he

The moment led to a revelation.

views worship and even faith: He didn’t like

What if he ignored preconceived notions

the way any of the other translations looked.

“I started to notice every translation has

about “worship”—as dictated by the kinds of music that is typically marketed as “praise

a very different look, and I was like, ‘Why is

and worship”—and just wrote something

that?’” he explains. “I realized, ‘Oh, I get it;

that felt real, vulnerable … dangerous?

they are marketing different translations to

051

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

“ I D O F E E L LI K E WO R S H I P A S A W H O LE H A S B E CO M E A LIT TLE LE S S I NTE R E STI N G , A N D I TH I N K TH AT H A S A LOT TO D O W ITH H OW S U CC E S S F U L IT ’ S B E E N .”

different groups of people.’”

Somewhere, in a marketing meeting, someone decided that certain translations

The same concept applies to worship music, he says.

spirituality?” he wonders.

In other words, are worship artists

“All of a sudden there’s a lot of money

pressured to write songs that will sell

would be appealing to certain types of

in worship music,” and there are also

instead of ones that are honest about their

people. People—depending on their age,

consequences. He’s grateful that worship

doubts and fears? It’s a question that directly

background and denomination—like

music is popular, but that popularity might

affected his latest album.

different design styles.

also have spiritual repercussions.

But in this case, commerce was directly

“It makes you wonder like, ‘If you know a

“Don’t you wonder if we have a responsibility to be a little more honest [in]

affecting spirituality. He realized this kind of

certain song is going to do better because it

marketing and commerce-driven strategy—

says a certain thing, but you kind of would

making products that affirm what people

rather say it a different way, but you’re

BEYOND BIAS

want rather than challenge it—just creates a

going to say it this way because you know it’s

There’s a psychological phenomena that

spiritual echo chamber.

going to do better, what does that do to our

researchers call “confirmation bias.” The

NOV-DEC

052

what we do?”

2017

idea is that people tend to favor and seek

morning services, but that doesn’t make it

out information that will affirm their pre-

less worshipful. His approach isn’t jaded or

existing values.

cynical—instead it’s decidedly honest, even if

Inherently, most people would rather be told

the honesty doesn’t lead to easy conclusions.

they are right than proven wrong.

If one isn’t careful, confirmation bias can

“I’m not trying to challenge people; I’m not trying to argue with people,” he says.

create distorted imbalances in the media

“I’m more just working through things on

they choose to consume, in the personal

my own and just putting it out there for

advice they agree to accept and in almost

people to listen to, and I’m pretty positive … I

every part of day-to-day life that involves

think people will hear that in the record and

making any sort of value judgment.

what I was afraid of at first, I think, people

And it might also be affecting how we worship God. “I think there’s a huge industry now in

are actually going to find refreshing maybe.”

Ultimately, he’s hoping that when people hear songs that ask questions about God and

worship and there wasn’t when I was a kid.

the Church—instead of simply repeating

That was not a thing,” he says. “I don’t know

things the Bible says—they’ll be encouraged

that we always realize how commerce plays

by the transparency of hearing someone else

into the conversations we’re having. I do feel

ask questions and come out on the other side

like worship as a whole has become a little

with their faith intact. Being that inspiration,

bit less interesting, and I think that a lot of it

in and of itself, he explains, is its own kind

has to do with how successful it’s been.”

of worship.

On Mercury & Lightning, McMillan seems more interested in challenging big ideas than simply putting a soundtrack to them.

“Nobody is listening to music to challenge

the album’s closing track, “Nothing Stands Between Us.” But even for a “worship” song,

to affirm what they already believe so when

there’s something different about it.

“The climax of the song is a question,” statements, and they want clear statements and they want big statements. The one song

expectations, even if it affected how the

on the record where I think people are going

record would be received.

to feel that, we reach that moment where

commerce and your opinion about things,

they’re waiting for the big statement and it’s a question.”

After a big chorus in which McMillan

but it’s really interesting how beneath the

sings, Nothing stands between us, oh /

surface, it influences the way we think

Nothing stands between us but love now, the

almost on a fundamental level no matter

music builds to a crescendo, and he sings,

who we are,” he says.

Have I tried to scale Your walls in vain? / To

When McMillan sat down to write

cross Your seas, I pushed against Your waves.

Mercury & Lightning, he realized he had

/ What for all the miles have You to say? /

a decision to make: Write what he knows

Were You there beside me this whole way?

people will want to hear, or take a risk, and deal with his crisis of faith head on.

Album chart.

he explains. “Most of the time people want

he decided to abandon other people’s

commerce and art, and you want to separate

Billboard Top Christian

However, he contends, “There’s one song

“It’s true in Christian music, too. They want

“It’s funny, you want to separate

landed at No. 1 on the

on the album that I think people would consider to be a worship song,” referring to

In order to create something new,

The 14-track album

“There’s definitely a worshipful

you to do is affirm their lifestyle,” he says.

a lot of conflict.”

L IG H T N IN G

conversation throughout the record,” he says.

the way they believe. Really what they want

I’m struggling with what I believe, it creates

M E R C U RY &

It’s an open-ended question. And though the “answer” may not be clear—it’s a question he’s comfortable asking, because

A DIFFERENT KIND OF WORSHIP

he’s realized worship isn’t just certainty;

Mercury & Lightning doesn’t have a lot of the

it’s faith in a God that’s comfortable with

kinds of songs you’ll likely hear in Sunday

questions, even in our worship of Him.

053

M ATT A DKINS is a freelance writer, who lives in Seattle with his wife and son.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

NOV-DEC

054

2017

ON

a Sunday morn-

behavior, aggression, short-term memory

ing in Septem-

loss, difficulty walking, dementia and, yes,

ber, Cyndy Fea-

substance abuse.

sel came home

“Every single symptom on that list coincid-

from church and

ed with different events that had happened

burst into tears.

in our life that were actually recorded in my

It was Sept. 10,

journals,” she says.

week one of the

In 2012, two decades after his final snap as

2017 NFL season.

a center for the Seattle Seahawks, Grant Fea-

BY

Throughout the sanctuary of her

sel was dead. “He died not knowing what he

STEVE ROSEN

church, people were wearing foot-

had,” she says.

ball jerseys.

CTE, football and the ethical dilemma of Christians embracing the NFL.

Though he didn’t know that CTE was slow-

The experience was so jarring

ly killing his brain, he knew the pain he’d

for her because football killed the

inflicted on his body had led him down the

man she called her husband for 29

path of addiction. Some of his last words to

years. It’s something that still haunts

Cyndy were, “If I’d only known what I loved

her, and seeing the reminders of

the most would have ended up killing me and

the sport on the backs of her fellow

taking away everything I loved, I would have

Christians was especially upsetting

never done it.”

that Sunday morning.

“I think about it every day,” she

***

says. “And I think about how different our lives would have been

This fall, researchers at Boston University

if Grant and I had known what we

School of Medicine and the VA Boston Health-

know now.”

care System released the findings of a shock-

What she knows now is that even

ing study. They examined the brains of 111

though Grant Feasel—who spent 10

former NFL players and found that 110 of

years playing in the NFL—officially

them had CTE.

died of cirrhosis of the liver linked

Chris Nowinski has dedicated his life to

to alcohol consumption, an autop-

making sure researchers are equipped to

sy later revealed something else

better understand the disease and its links

very wrong with Grant’s health. He

to activities like football. The organization he

had stage three Chronic Traumatic

co-founded and is currently the CEO of, the

Encephalopathy, a condition also

Concussion Legacy Foundation, helps ensure

known as CTE.

that the school’s brain bank continues to have

After Cyndy learned of the condi-

new evidence to study.

tion, which causes parts of the brain

“We are reaching out to families, and we

to slowly die, she began researching

are reaching out to athletes to pledge their

some of the symptoms, and sudden-

brains to create a culture of brain donation

ly, Grant’s plunge into addiction fol-

in the U.S.,” he explains. “We’re almost to 440

lowing his retirement at age 32 start-

brains donated. We’re averaging nearly 100

ed to make sense.

a year now.”

Though it’s still being understood,

The research is so important to him be-

doctors have identified a series of

cause Nowinski still suffers from the effects

very serious conditions linked to

of brain trauma he received after years of

the disease: depression, cognitive

playing football and wrestling professionally.

impairment, suicidal thoughts and

To him, the link between football and CTE

055

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

is clear: “CTE is a progressive, de-

They’re ignoring it.”

tainment,” she says. “They’re willing to con-

generative brain disease, that all

In recent years, the league has implement-

evidence points to, is caused by trau-

ed new rules and policies meant to protect

ma—and usually repetitive brain

players, largely at the request of the NFL Play-

During football season, she gets a weekly

trauma—that appears to be acquired

ers Association, which represents the best in-

reminder of the dangers Christians are allow-

while you are an athlete, and then

terests of the players. Nowinski serves on a

ing their children to be exposed to: “I can’t get

slowly rots your brain the rest of

Players Association research committee and

through a Friday without seeing a hundred

your life.”

says, “NFL players are safer than they have

posts of Friday night lights, and all I can see

ever been on the field,” but also admits that

is death.”

And right now, it’s a disease that there is simply no cure for: “We know that moments come when your head just won’t get better.”

“safe is a relative term.”

tinue to put their children on a football field, and you know what the evidence is.”

As popular as high school football is, the

The real problem, he says, is with football

sport’s cultural prevalence is ultimately fu-

culture in general. After all, each NFL roster

eled by the cultural behemoth that is the NFL.

Days after the report was re-

has just 53 positions. However, at the high

According to Nielsen, five of the top 10 most

leased, the NFL released an official

school level, football is far and away the most

watched telecasts of 2016 were NFL broad-

statement acknowledging the find-

popular sport according to a recent report by

casts. The Super Bowl post-game show alone

ings, but also suggesting that they

the National Federation of State High School

received more viewers than The Oscars and

may not be representative of all of

Associations, which found that more than

Game 7 of the NBA Finals combined.

the league’s players: “The report

1,085,000 students played during the 2015-

doesn’t confirm that the condition

2016 season.

***

is common in all football players; it

“Changes that have happened on the NFL

reflects high occurrence in samples

field cannot be matched at any other level of

“If the Gospel applies to all of life—and it

at the Boston brain bank that stud-

football,” he says. “So all the other levels of

does—then it requires critical spectating of

ies CTE,” they wrote. “Many donors

football are still extremely dangerous—and

all of sports, and the biggest of them right

or their families contributed (to the

relative to the NFL.”

now is the NFL,” says John White, an assistant

brain bank) because of the players’

Essentially, the dangers of college, high

professor of practical theology and the direc-

repeated concussions and troubling

school and little league football are still seri-

tor of the sports chaplaincy/ministry program

symptoms before they died.”

ous and widespread. That same Boston Uni-

at Baylor University.

The

league’s

attitude

toward

versity study found CTE in 21 percent of high

For White, the problems don’t just stem

CTE—and its approach to dealing

school football players’ brains and in 91 per-

from the risk of brain damage, it’s the distort-

with the families of victims—has

cent of college players.

ed message about things like masculinity that

long frustrated Feasel.

It’s that kind of data that Feasel finds

the NFL sends to fans and young players.

“We have a timeline now of a lot

deeply troubling. After she began to speak

“My problem, though, is how the matrices

of people who are dead from CTE,

out about the dangers of football following

of football can come together to construct an

and the NFL’s really not saying any-

Grant’s death, she lost her job at a Christian

extremely narrow view of masculinity,” he

thing about it,” she says. “Our story

school where she taught for 17 years in the

explains. “Caricatures of maleness abound

is just one of the stories. It’s not like

football-crazed state of Texas. “People don’t

in the NFL with images, rhetoric and ritu-

they are running to console us and

want to hear about football killing anyone,

als, making football a space in which bully-

saying, ‘What can we do for you?’

because they want to continue to have enter-

ing, dominance, belligerence and violence become the fruit of authentic manhood. The Gospel counters such stories and helps us un-

If the Gospel applies to all of life—and it does—then it requires critical spectating of all of sports, and the biggest of them right now is the NFL.

learn these hyperboles by truly seeing who and whose we are.”

These are increasingly problematic ideas, even outside of just a Christian worldview.

Chuck Klosterman is a writer and sports journalist who thinks the dangers of the game and the ethical problems it presents for both

– JOHN WHITE

NOV-DEC

056

2017

Feasel references 1 Corinthians 6 as well,

ers are making millions of dollars

“I played high school football and looking

saying that our bodies are “temples” of the

and are given a massive platform—

back on it, I probably learned more from

Holy Spirit, and questions if we should be do-

the line becomes more blurry for

playing football than I did in almost any of

ing things to hurt them.

many people. “Ethically, adults can

my classes,” he says. “It was a really good

“It would be a conflict of interest for me be-

thing for me, and yet when I think about the

ing a Christian to say, ‘I’m going to go out on

choose to play a dangerous game if they want to,” he says.

messages that were part of that, they seem

For both Feasel and Nowinski

like things you’re not even supposed to say in

though, it’s important that every-

culture anymore. There was a huge empha-

one involved truly understands the

sis on playing in pain and toughness. When I

stakes. “If Grant were here today,

learned to hit and tackle people the goal was

he would be saying, ‘Please parents,

to take them out of the game, to hit them as

look at the evidence,’” she says.

hard as you could. And it just seems like now

Now that the Players Association

we’re not supposed to have those ideas.”

and the media are doing more to ex-

Klosterman points to the example of

pose the dangers of CTE, Nowinski

dodgeball being eliminated from schools:

is beginning to see an impact within

“To me, that is almost like a precursor to the

the league.

issues we’re having with football,” he says.

“It’s been interesting this fall

“People would see dodgeball, they would see

to see reporters interviewing NFL

kids throwing balls at each other’s heads and be like, ‘Why are we doing this? Why are we having kids do this?’ And I think that ques-

A NORMAL BRAIN This cross section of a normal, healthy brain shows what tissue looks like when it is unaffected

by CTE, which causes slow deterioration.

players about how much they’re following CTE, and how much they’re understanding,”

he

says.

“Some

tion—‘Why are we doing this?’—spills into

are choosing to keep their head in

this world of football.”

the sand so they don’t have to wor-

He says the bigger ideas that sports like

ry about long-term consequences.

football represent run counter to modern

They’re out there playing a risky

social values: “We’re much more conscious,

sport, and other ones are having

basically, of things like bullying and intimida-

those conversations with their wives

tion and making sure we don’t prioritize mas-

or are even talking about walking

culine values or feminine values,” he says.

away from the game … I think at

“And yet that’s kind of part of sports, that hap-

that level, you want players to have

pens in sports all the time. I don’t know if this

informed consent, and you want

continues how sports will exist in culture.”

them to know what the right choice

But even with displaced ideas about masculinity, “toughness” and competition, football has a core issue that all Christians who support the game must reckon with: It is, at its very core, a game of violence.

A CTE BRAIN

is to make.”

That choice isn’t just one players

This image shows a brain that has been

who participate in the game have to

damaged by CTE. The damage—caused by

make. It’s also one fans—especially

repeated head trauma—is irreversible.

“The Bible affirms that human bodies are

Christians—must reckon with as they decide how and if they are go-

good and that they belong to the Lord (1 Cor-

the field and I’m going to put another nail my

ing to support America’s most dan-

inthians 6: 12-20),” White says. “If the moral

coffin,’” she says.

gerous game.

meaning given to our bodies starts and ends

Nowinski—as well as many others in

with God, then perhaps we need to call a tim-

the field—agrees that “the most important

eout on these trespasses against bodily digni-

change for all of football to improve football

ty, and we need to consider carefully whether

player health is to eliminate tackle football

we rationalize a form of entertainment that

for children.”

devalues human bodies.”

But when it comes to the NFL—where play-

057

STEVE ROSEN writes about sports, faith and culture.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO CREDIT: ANN MCKEE, M.D., BOSTON UNIVERSITY, VA BOSTON HEALTHCARE

fans and parents could lead to its decline.

NOV-DEC

058

2017

... or how to ignore your crazy uncle (and other tips to survive family holidays) BY TYLER HUCKABEE

millions of Americans of all races and creeds

and having some actually pleas-

will gather in their homes, sit around big ta-

ant, or at least generally not-ter-

As long as your most contrar-

bles stacked high with plates of roasted tur-

rible, conversations around the

ian family members aren’t ac-

keys, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie to ar-

table, read on. Here are your

tively verbally abusive, it’s worth

gue about politics. It’s one of America’s oldest

best bets for actualizing peace on

trying to engage them before

and most hallowed traditions.

Earth and goodwill toward men

the turkey’s carved. This doesn’t

Ever since the pilgrims sat down with In-

in your holiday season.

have to be a long, heartfelt con-

dians at the first Thanksgiving, kicking off

this,” you’re going to butt heads.

versation, in case you’re worried

the Great “Actually, We’re Not Indians, We’re

START THE DAY OFF RIGHT

your kid brother is just going to

Native Americans Fight of 1621,” our nation

The easiest way to clash with

start bringing up bands you’ve

has kept alive a great tradition of ruining an

your uncle who thinks God told

never heard of with names like

otherwise great meal with some of the ugliest

him to donate $10,000 to buy

“Nightmares of Fallen Empires.”

and stupidest debates the English language is

some televangelist a jet or the

There’s no harm in bringing a

capable of producing.

cousin who seems to have invest-

good game, a soccer ball or even

Of course, not all traditions are worth keep-

ed his parents’ life savings in Hot

a couple episodes of a solid TV

ing alive, and some should get a turkey baster

Topic apparel is to just show up

show to get things off on the

through the heart. So, if you’re interested in

for dinner and start eating. When

right foot. You’re establishing

burying one of the lamest national holiday

the only context for your rela-

fresh context for a relationship

traditions this season, enjoying your meal

tionship is “let’s just get through

based on something other than

059

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

If all else fails, just ask about their favorite moments of the year.

wrestling over the same turkey leg or debating whether or not Bernie Sanders would have won.

A more solid, inoffensive foundation at the outset is going to save you a lot of time and energy in the future when you’re trying to steer a conversation away from dicier topics. You’ll actually have something to talk about that doesn’t involve violently opposed opinions.

ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS

If you get stuck next to your dad’s stepsister and

hostility by asking them ques-

Colin Kaepernick? Talk about

her dinner-long monologue about how much

tions about safe, mutually en-

your favorite Christopher Nolan

healing she’s found through energy crystals, it’s

joyable topics. Are politics going

movies. Everyone has a favorite

only because you let the conversation get away

to be thorny? Talk about sports.

Christopher Nolan movie. If all

from you. When talking to relatives who are

Think sports might lead to some

else fails, just ask about their fa-

prone to conflict, pre-empt some of the potential

contentious conversations about

vorite moments of the year or a

The Family Cheat Sheet

1.

No two family members are the same.

Here are your best bets for dealing with each of them.

Overbearing Mother: Mom is feeling a lot of pressure to make the day as perfect as possible.

Seriously, cut her some slack (Unless the turkey is dry, obviously.).

2. Hyperactive Nephew: Everyone is praying that someone else will go play with him for just 20 minutes and give the rest of the family a break. You could be the answer to that prayer.

3. Bored Grandmother: Older family members can look like they’d rather be anywhere else.

Sitting with them to ask them about past holiday memories might just help. Actually, maybe she’ll hang with that sugar-charged kid.

4. Highly Opinionated Uncle: Avoid these words at all cost: Benghazi, Antifa, Man Bun. 5. Nervous New Boyfriend: Take a brief break from trying to size up the new guy. He’s nervous, and he might be missing his family. Try to make him feel welcome. Also, force him to say the blessing and maybe even sing.

NOV-DEC

060

2017

The 5 Guidelines of Holiday Dinners

favorite holiday memory.

This serves a double purpose. The first and most obvious is to keep your talk away from anything that might end with you wanting to press your head into the gravy bowl until you pass

1.

out. But more important, you’re learning things

Wear something presentable: You might be at home but trust us, people will feel better if you’re not barefoot at the table.

about your family that will reveal more about who they are as a person and not just a debate partner. As you probably know from Facebook, it’s easy to lash out at someone else’s opinions

2. Respond politely, no matter the question: Even if you’re sick unto death of explaining why you don’t have kids yet, keep your cool. Or just act like you didn’t hear them over the electric turkey slicer you’re holding at all times.

when you don’t really know them. The more you grow to see them as an actual three-dimensional human being, the easier it will be to engage them on contentious issues without things blowing up in your face.

BE READY TO REDIRECT

3. Talk to people you don’t get to see often: Maybe it’s a weird cousin, a vegan uncle or a great-grandparent you didn’t even know you had, take the rare opportunity to get to know someone else in your family.

With family, the natural pull of conversation can

4. Ask questions: People love to talk about themselves (Unless it’s about not having kids.).

her some grandkids (You’re 19 and single.). It’s

be toward the contentious. There’s no scientific explanation for why this is the case, but scientists know it’s true just as well as the rest of us. In fact, they fight about it with their families over the holidays. That’s why your mom keeps asking when you’re finally going to settle down and give also why your dad brings up some study he read on a flyer he found on the street about how the moon landing is a hoax perpetuated by the New World Order.

5. Help clean the dishes: Don’t take no for an answer.

That’s why you have to be ready to redirect. As good as it might feel to clap back with some withering snark, (“Maybe I’d have some kids by now if Jason hadn’t dumped me after Dad threatened him with a shotgun last Thanksgiving, Mom.”) it’ll be better for all involved if you try to steer your chat back to calmer waters.

This will require some sharp improvisation on your part. No matter how good your intentions, suddenly changing the subject can look less like peacemaking and more like a seizure if done poorly. Remember, you’re not necessarily trying to evade certain topics, you’re just trying to keep certain topics from becoming a source of needless conflict.

Someone wants to talk politics? Take the conversation to local elections, where opinions can often be less feisty. Someone wants to bring up their conspiracy theory about the globalist ori-

061

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

Tips for Setting the Table

gins of the climate change theo-

all the talk about equality, that

ry? Talk about the weather. The

opinion could very well be doing

more peaceable members of your

damage to communities, families

family will be grateful for subtle

and even Uncle Mike’s own soul.

segues that keep the dinner table

Looking to help out? Setting the table is a great way to pitch in, but here’s how to do it like a pro.

1.

Forks on the left, knives and spoons on the right: The knife is closer to the plate, for self-defense reasons.

2. Water glass goes above the knife: Any other glasses go to the right of the water glass (leaving plenty of room for your self-defense knife).

3. Napkin goes on the plate: Especially if it’s a fancy one.

4. Salad fork goes to the left of the dinner fork: Just to the left.

A little further ... a little further ... all the way off the table and into the trash. No salads during a holiday meal, thanks.

out now?

for everyone to engage.

Just because something should be corrected doesn’t mean it

KNOW WHEN TO STAND YOUR

should be corrected immediate-

GROUND

ly. Christmas dinner is a special

There are times, of course, when

time when the whole family gets

redirection isn’t an option. Some

together—for a lot of people it’s

opinions go beyond aggravating

the only time they get with their

or argumentative, and right into

extended family all year long.

being offensive. At times like this,

This may or may not be a huge

there is some value in kindly but

deal to you, but it could mean a

firmly offering real correction

whole lot more to your parents

and rebuttal.

or grandparents. That’s why

There’s

no

hard and fast rule for when this is but if you hear

a

fami-

ly member or someone at the table say something you think might be worth calling out

them

over,

you

Part of having a family­—part of having a life, for that matter— is unavoidable conflict.

could try asking yourself

5. Bread plates go above the forks: Bread plates are the sign of a solid meal.

these

questions: 1. Does this really need to be

it’s worth asking if addressing whatever you’re considering

called out?

addressing is really worth doing

Is this an opinion that just bugs

on the spot. Is this something

you, or is it really causing harm?

that should perhaps be handled

You might disagree with Uncle

discreetly? If so, then follow

Mike’s negative assessment of

through and actually have the

the new Taylor Swift album but

conversation later—or take the

it’s probably not worth throwing

passive-aggressive approach and

dinner plates over unless you

post about it on Facebook so the

are Taylor Swift, in which case,

family member definitely will

thanks for reading. However, if

see it later.

Uncle Mike thinks the new Tay

NOV-DEC

2. Does this need to be called

calm and provide opportunities

3. Does this need to be called

Tay album is bad because wom-

out by me?

en are getting too uppity these

This is a tricky one, because

days and really need to lay off

social media has taught us all

062

2017

What to Bring and Not to Bring

S OME T IME S • Extra phone charger: In case somebody else forgot theirs (or you have a thief in the family.). You might just save the day.

A LWAY S • Drinks to share: A bottle of wine, some iced tea or even just soda.

• Presents for kids: It doesn’t have to be big, but nieces, nephews, little cousins and the like will definitely appreciate a small something.

• Candy: Sharing a little extra dessert might win you some allies.

• A movie or two: Bring a new release that stuck out to you this year.

• Fake hearing aid: An excuse to “not hear” uncomfortable questions.

NE V ER • A weapon: We understand the temptation, but no.

• Actor posing as a date: It’s not worth the risk.

• Fake pregnant belly: Also not worth the risk.

to speak our minds at all times, about all

that you’re just not the right person for this

no less prone to conflict than we are. But be-

things, to anyone who happens to be in ear-

particular fight. That said, there are some

ing a peacemaker—someone who actually

shot. That’s fine when you’re tweeting about

opinions that are just going to have to be

makes peace—can look like a lot of different

how much you hate Mondays, but when it

called out, no matter who you are. Displays

things. Usually, it takes action on your part—

comes to correcting your cousin’s boyfriend’s

of blatant racism, bigotry and offensive slurs

thoughtful, loving communication to dispel

opinions about “fake news,” it’s a little dicier.

are in everyone’s wheelhouse.

needless anger and create some lasting calm

Consider the context of your relationship

in its place. But sometimes it might look like

with the person you’re talking to, and how it

KNOW WHEN TO JUST BE QUIET

standing down, swallowing your pride and

might be perceived. Does your relationship

Unfortunately, sometimes you can follow all

letting something go.

have a foundation that will help guarantee

of this advice to the letter, and things will

you’ll be heard? Is there already too much

still go south around the dinner table. Part of

hostility between you two for your point to

having a family—part of having a life, for that

really get across? Consider whether or not

matter—is unavoidable conflict.

you’re the right person to address what’s going on and if not, consider the possibility

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” and He said it to a group of people who were

063

After all, you’ll have more time to eat if you’re not shouting.

T YLER HUCK A BEE lives in Nashville and is a contributing editor at RELEVANT.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

Meet the Girl Who Moved to Uganda, Adopted 14 Kids and Started a Charity— All Before Turning 30

BY TYLER HUCKABEE

NOV-DEC

064

2017

very few actually make those fanciful visions

learn the culture. Always assume that you do

into a reality. Davis did, and the one thing

not know, and always ask the local people or

she wants to make absolutely sure everyone

the people you’re serving to tell you.”

knows is that it’s not as hard as it looks.

“Really, our day-to-day is that we get up,

THE RELATIONSHIP COMES FIRST

and we scramble a little for breakfast and

And that’s not the only lesson Davis has tak-

to get people out the door to school, and to

en away from her time in Uganda, but the

start home school,” she says. “Then we do

other one is less tangible and, perhaps, less

math, and we read a book, and I put the baby

comforting to those with big dreams of start-

down for a nap, and we make some lunch.

ing an organization or sending over a lot of

It’s quite a normal day. I think, especially for

money. According to her, “I’ve grown a fairly

atie Davis Majors does

a mom, I do the same stuff that all moms all

large ministry that brings in a lot of money,

not care for attention.

over the world do. I fold laundry, and peel po-

and money is necessary, but the only time

That’s the sort of thing

tatoes and things. Yeah,

everyone is supposed to

I think people would be

say, but with her, it really

surprised, even just to sit

feels that way. She’s not

around our dinner table

shy, but she’s not interested in talking about

and hear the different

herself and certainly not about the unusual

conversations.

K

circumstances she’s found herself in.

“I think people would

“I really dislike this idea that people will

be surprised that it really

say, ‘Oh, you’re so amazing’ or ‘I could nev-

is so much like every oth-

er do that’ or ‘I wish I could do that kind of

er dinner table.”

thing,’ because we’re all just doing our thing that God gave us to do with the people He

DAY TO DAY

gave us to do it with,” she says. “And on [a

According to Katie, the

day-to-day basis], it doesn’t look that amaz-

hardest parts of what she

ing, really.”

does have had more to do Katie and her husband, Ty, are the adoptive

For those not in the know, the “it” in ques-

with her own perspective

tion here is taking place in Uganda, where

and attitude, and less to

Davis showed up 10 years ago for what was

do with the big, eye-grab-

supposed to be a yearlong mission trip. That

bing moves and sacrifices she’s made.

I’ve ever seen real, true life change has come

mission trip led to an extended stay which, in

“Honestly, I don’t think I’m a patient per-

out of a one-on-one relationship,” she says.

turn, led to Davis calling Uganda home.

son by nature,” she says. “I like efficiency,

“I think you can build all the buildings, and

Today, she’s the adopted mother of 14 chil-

especially in a large family. Ugandan culture

grow all the programs, and raise all the mon-

dren and the founder of Amazima Ministries,

is very hospitable, and very relational, so it’s

ey, [but] if it isn’t about relationship, and it

which cares for vulnerable children and fam-

very common and expected that you would

isn’t about discipleship [or] one-on-one time

ilies in Uganda. She’s the author of The New

just stop whatever you’re doing to speak with

... I don’t think there will be change.”

York Times best-seller Kisses From Katie and

whoever came in your door ... and I think

And in the end, maybe that’s why she

has a second book, Daring to Hope, coming

that’s super, countercultural to me, as an

doesn’t care for attention—because she

out this year.

American. So I pray for patience a lot.”

knows that while all the acclaim tends to fo-

parents of 14 children.

Sure, all of that sounds amazing. Truth

Katie has been in Uganda for a decade now,

be told, it’s the sort of thing many people on

but while that seems like a long time, there

cus on the headlines, the real change is hap-

short-term mission trips dream of—turning

are still culture shocks every now and then.

“I think I can say pretty confidently that

the week or month overseas into a daily re-

She still feels her Westernized American at-

anytime I’ve seen big, big life change, it hasn’t

ality, giving it all up, living their lives on the

titude springing up in life, which is why she

been because of a program,” she says. “It has

bleeding edge of service and sacrifice. But

says the most valuable advice she could give

always been because of investment from

to anyone is to commit to being a learner.

a person.”

pening on a much smaller level.

“I think so often we feel like we need to put ourselves in the position of teacher or leader,” she says. “I wish I had asked so many more questions. I just think there’s so, so much we can learn from the people we think we are coming to serve. Learn the language,

065

T YLER HUCK A BEE lives in Nashville and is a contributing editor at RELEVANT.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

The Real-ish Life of

BY TYLER HUCKABEE

The star of ‘Black-ish’ is making sure everyone has a seat at the table.

A

FAMILY GATHERS for dinner, and a father asks his teenage daughter to say a prayer to bless the food.

She takes a deep breath, and tells her family she’s not comfortable saying grace because she’s no longer sure if she believes in God. A stunned, concerned silence falls over the table as she explains, “If there’s a God, why are people hungry?

Why is there cancer? Why do babies die? “... Why do men wear pleats?”

An awkward back-and-forth about science, the existence of God and His nature is interrupted when the girl’s grandmother, the family matriarch, enters the room. Quickly, to change the subject, her dad says, “Zoey led a beautiful prayer, and I’m not failing as a father.”

It’s a line packed with humor, love and honesty—all of which are hallmarks of ABC’s hit sitcom Black-ish.

What follows the dinner table discussion is an episode-long exploration of what it means to be a believer, the role of faith within a family and how to ask big questions. It’s thoughtful, nuanced and, yes, really, really funny.

And it’s the kind of scene that is playing out each week on one of TV’s most acclaimed shows.

Black-ish is, in large part, the brainchild of actor and comedian Anthony Anderson, who is the show’s star, narrator and executive producer.

For him, scenes like that are important, not only because they feature conversations that can’t be found anywhere else in primetime, but also because he

067

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

feels called “to impart the gift I’ve been blessed with.” That “gift” is the ability to create a show that does more than just entertain; it can cause people to think about and see the world differently.

“My faith and my belief in that is what keeps me going,” he says.

Anderson has a way of acknowledging the impact the show is having while still deflecting the praise onto things like a God-given gift. The more you talk to him, the more you get the sense he’d personally rather not get the glory for its success.

“That starts with our team,” he says when asked about how he’s made Black-ish as balanced as it is, pointing to its “very eclectic group of writers” that “reflects the world in which we live.”

Note that his answer never gets to how he makes Black-ish so good. That’s not how Anderson thinks. He sees himself as part of a broad and diverse community. If he takes any credit for the fact that Black-ish pushes the very idea of black representation to the forefront of primetime on a weekly basis, he never says so. And the more you talk to him, the clearer it becomes that this very humility is the key to Anderson’s success.

YOUNG-ISH

Anthony Anderson was born in Compton, California, the son of a mother who worked as a telephone operator and a father who ran a chain of clothing stores. Anderson started acting early, getting cast in a spate of guest appearances on shows like Ally McBeal and In the House before finding steadier work in The Bernie Mac Show and Til Death. He was, like a lot of people struggling to make it in the industry, getting by without ever really getting ahead—but he was never deterred, partly because of his belief in God.

time TV.

Lear, the legendary American writer who cre-

“We looked at the landscape of television

ated television shows like Sanford and Sons,

“I believe that I’ve been blessed with a

and what was missing,” Anderson explains.

The Jeffersons and All in the Family, and who

gift,” he says. “Not a talent, but a gift. And it’s

“And we looked at how television shaped us

married comedy with social commentary in a

my responsibility to share this gift with as

and shaped our ideology as young men. We

way that hadn’t been done before him. It was

many people as I possibly can.”

wanted to make shows like that—that had

incisive without being off-putting and opin-

It’s this gift that inspired him and his

social commentary that was rooted in some-

ionated without being alienating.

friend, writer and producer Kenya Barris, to

thing, and had a point of view and were fun-

take a chance, and try something completely

ny. We took a page from Norman Lear.”

different than what was currently on prime-

NOV-DEC

Anderson speaks with a lot of affection for

068

It was, in other words, the sort of show that’s in short supply since Lear’s glory days.

That was something Anderson and Barris

2017

“I believe I’ve been blessed with a gift. Not a talent, but a gift.”

which they’re all handled.

“We’re just authentic to ourselves in telling these stories that we tell,” Anderson demurs.

“I think that is what is resonating with our audience. They see us and they look at our family and see themselves. They see their family in the Johnson family.”

SERIOUS-ISH

Anderson has a story about Paul Lee, the man who was president of ABC Entertainment Group at the time Black-ish was picked up by the network. Anderson says that he and Barris pitched the show to five channels and got five offers, but it was Lee’s faith in the show that led them to ABC. Lee brought Anderson into his office and made him a promise.

“He said, ‘Anthony, I want you to go out there and make the show that you want to make and I will support that,’” he recalls.

“And I said, ‘OK, Paul, I’m going to hold you to your word because when we get into production and we start making these shows and you start reading these scripts, I don’t want you to sit there and be like, ‘Whoa, whoa, wait a minute, what did I buy?’ He’s like, ‘No, you won’t get that from me.’”

That promise was put to the test a short time later when Black-ish tackled one of its many tricky issues. In a second season episode called “The Word,” various generations of the Johnson family debate and wrestle with the modern usage of the “n-word.”

“We actually wanted to say the word in the episode,” Anderson says. “And Paul Lee said, ‘You go make your show. I will go fight for this. Don’t worry about this. You don’t have to worry about fighting for this. I will fight this fight for you.’”

It was a good thing too, because Black-ish wanted to change.

in the 21st century; and not enough people in-

has not been without its detractors. Most fa-

“When Kenya and I sat down five years

terested in hearing them. The show turns Dre

mously, of course, was a tweet from the man

ago, we realized we had more in common

into sort of a semi-unreliable narrator in his

who would one day be president. In 2014,

than we didn’t and were going through the

own story, mulling over his opinions on social

Donald Trump tweeted: “How is ABC Televi-

same things with our children and our fam-

issues and family life. In this sense, the prem-

sion allowed to have a show entitled ‘Black-

ilies,” Anderson says. “And that’s how Black-

ise is not so different from dozens of other

ish’? Can you imagine the furor of a show,

ish was born.”

network sitcoms featuring hapless husbands

‘Whiteish’! Racism at the highest level?”

The show stars Anderson as Andre John-

and the life lessons they learn and impart.

That was back before anyone actually

son, a well-off advertising executive with a

What sets Black-ish apart is the gravity of the

thought Trump had a shot at winning the

large, loving family; a lot of feelings about life

issues Dre wrestled with and the nuance with

presidency. When asked how having a vocal

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

LEFT to RIGHT: Miles Brown, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Anthony Anderson, Marcus Scribner, August Gross, Marsai Martin, Laurence Fishburne, Jenifer Lewis

critic of the show in the White House has el-

our community,” he explains. “But there’s no

evated the pressure, Anderson is honest but

added pressure or added responsibility be-

Dealing with “it all” and trying to do so

not overly perturbed.

cause of what’s happening in the world be-

while including every point of view is no

cause we are of the world.”

small order, and according to Anderson, the

“Our job stays the same no matter what happens in the rest of the country,” he says.

deal with that. ... We deal with it all.”

key to doing it well starts with who you hire

“First and foremost, our responsibility is to

BALANCED-ISH

make a great show that people will be enter-

Anderson is an empathetic guy, and that em-

“In the writers room it’s like no one agrees

tained by. That’s our responsibility. That’s our

pathy has lent Black-ish one of its most engag-

on everything,” he says. “Because of that, it

duty every week.”

ing qualities: an interest in exploring multi-

becomes a hotbed of discussion and debate

ple viewpoints without ever feeling like it’s

which are some of the best things that can

refusing to take a side.

happen in a writers room. ... I think that’s

That said, Anderson is aware that the tensions around the sort of issues Black-ish deals

to create the show in the first place.

with—like racism, sexism and bigotry—have

“We deal with it from every point of view

grown tighter and become a larger part of

so everyone has an opportunity to voice their

where some of the best stories can come from.

the national spotlight in the four years since

opinions,” Anderson says proudly. “Good, bad

And what happens in the writers room, ac-

Black-ish premiered. He’s mindful of the fact

or indifferent about it. I think we’re very fair

cording to Anderson, is something that may-

that many people come to his show expecting

in dealing with things and how they affect

be should be happening more outside of it.

to see something real—and lately, reality in

our family and our community. ... This family

“You want it to be—not a struggle, not a

America requires a very different hand than

and our show have a very distinctive point

fight—but a great debate,” he says. “Because

it did even four years ago.

You don’t want a room that’s monolithic.”

of view and we will continue to talk about

in a great debate you learn things that you

“We put that responsibility on ourselves to

things that affect our community but, more

never knew and vice versa. You can teach and

reflect what’s going on within our world and

importantly, affect this family and how they

learn at the same time.”

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“I want to be a lesson in what it is to have faith.

In what it is to believe.”

REAL-ISH

For people who watch Black-ish, the line between Anderson and the character he plays seems very thin. For Anderson himself, it’s even thinner. He calls Dre an “amalgamation” of himself and Kenya Barris.

“Both of us are first-generation successful,” he explains. “Both of us are from the inner city here in Los Angeles. Kenya [is] from Inglewood, myself from Compton. Both of us are the only African Americans who live in our neighborhood. ... That’s what this character is.”

That authenticity stretches through every part of Anderson—from his thoughts about politics and social justice, to his beliefs about faith which are, like Dre’s, complex. “My belief is a very powerful one,” he says. “Not necessarily religion. It’s about my [relationship with] God ... I can’t sit back and think that there isn’t a higher being or a higher power out there. There’s too many things that we, as mere men, can’t explain.”

He takes that relationship very seriously, and it’s one of the few areas in which he’s

NEXT-ISH

willing to talk about himself, specifically, and

When asked how he wants to be remem-

“I’ve never been selfish in terms of my

the meaning that being a spiritual person

bered, Anderson answers so quickly and con-

success and how I got here because people

holds for him.

fidently that this interviewer took to Google

helped me to get to where I am,” he says. “So,

to see if he’d memorized some famous speech

I owe it. It’s my responsibility to help the next

(He had not.).

person—persons—not only to where I am but

“I want to be a lesson in what it is to have faith,” he says. “In what it is to believe, in

as memorable.

what it is to understand and be a tool and be a

“That as he stood on the shoulders of those

beyond where I am. I hope that is the lega-

beacon and a light for those who are looking

who came before him, he stood side by side

cy that I’m building now and will leave be-

for that in someone who is looking for ... I’m

and shoulder to shoulder with those who

hind—that ‘he helped others as he was help-

not going to say a hero, but who’s looking for

were there with him,” he says. “So that the

ing himself.’”

someone that they can latch on to. Someone

next person could stand on his shoulders and

that they can look up to. Someone that they

bring the next generation up.”

can see and be like, ‘Oh, wow, I see the light in

Once again, he pulls the conversation away

him. I see the light in her.’ That’s who I want

from himself. He deflects. He wants to talk

to be like. That’s what I want to become.’”

about making sure the next generation is just

071

T YLER HUCK A BEE lives in Nashville and is a contributing editor at RELEVANT.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

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2017

THE TRUE STORY OF ESPIONAGE, MISSIONARIES AND LIES THAT MIGHT BE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

BY T Y L E R H U C K A B E E

IT

is still not entirely clear how and when

the attention of Boykin, a senior De-

Kay Hiramine attracted the attention of

partment of Defense official and vocal

Lt. Gen. William “Jerry” Boykin. After

evangelical at the Pentagon. According

all, Hiramine’s faith-based aid organi-

to The Intercept, he approached Hi-

zation, the Humanitarian Internation-

ramine about smuggling sensitive espi-

al Services Group (HISG), was large,

onage equipment into the country. That

but not particularly well-known back

would be a boon to U.S. intelligence of-

in 2004. All that is known for sure is

ficials who knew even less about North

that Boykin was impressed with how

Korea’s then-fledgling nuclear program

well HISG was able to smuggle Bibles

than they do today. So the Pentagon

into North Korea. And he figured if Hi-

set up a deal with Hiramine: He would

ramine could smuggle Bibles, then he

continue to provide aid to North Korea,

could be convinced to smuggle espio-

but smuggled inside that aid would

nage equipment as well.

be things like sensors and small radio

The whole story begins back during

beacons that could provide the U.S. mil-

President George W. Bush’s administra-

itary with intel. Hiramine utilized the

tion, though it lasted well into President

help of other missionaries in the coun-

Barack Obama’s tenure in the White

try, including fellow aid workers, to

House. Given the understandable secre-

transport the military equipment. One

cy surrounding the operation, many of

hitch, according to The Intercept: none

the details are unconfirmed. But what

of these helpers knew they were part of

is known, thanks to reporting from The

a top-secret Pentagon mission.

Intercept, is this: Hiramine’s success-

That program was disbanded in

ful track record of Bible smuggling got

2012. While The Intercept couldn’t find

073

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any officials who were able or willing to say what—if any—intelligence HISG was able to deliver, numerous experts were willing to go on the record about what a severe

“WE CANNOT ACCOMPLISH THE

ethical breach the plan constituted.

“If true, to use unwitting aid workers on behalf of an

THING THAT WE SAY WE WANT TO

intelligence operation, people who genuinely do humanitarian work, to turn their efforts into intel collection is un-

ACCOMPLISH IF WE ENGAGE IT IN

acceptable,” Rep. Jan Schakowsky, a member of the House Intelligence Committee told The Intercept at the time.

WAYS THAT DIMINISH TRUST.”

“Now we have people who have been hired to do some

– JEREMY COURTNEY

good work and become unwitting accomplices to an intelligence mission? They can face all kinds of retaliation. It is completely unacceptable.”

Unacceptable as it may be, it’s certainly not unprecedented. HISG may be a dramatic example, but missionaries have long been infamous for their clandestine expertise. While ostensibly bringers of the light, their work is often shrouded in secrecy and deception, utilizing covert tactics to bring the Good News to closed countries. And while it’s generally been considered a given that such covert tactics are a necessary evil for the greater good of the Gospel, a growing number of detractors are starting to question whether such tactics do more harm than good.

SPY GAMES

North Korea is far from the only country in which Christian missionaries must use spy-like tactics to be admitted.

In many countries in the Middle East, Islam is the official state religion and religious conversion is illegal. The frequency and consistency of how laws regulating Christianity in such countries are enforced vary from being forced to pay a punitive fine to being deported. In places like Sudan and the Maldives, Christians can be imprisoned and even killed.

Faced with this grim reality, missionaries have often adopted a professed purpose to serve as their excuse for entering a closed-off country. Sometimes they pose as aid workers, bringing medical relief to impoverished areas.

Other times, they enter the country under the guise of being translators.

Often these aren’t, strictly speaking, complete lies. As was the case with HISG, where real, tangible relief was being offered in the form of warm clothes for North Korea’s harsh winters, missionaries will often be sincere in offering some legal form of relief while concealing their illegal, spiritual goals. That’s where the ethics get murky.

Jeremy Courtney is the co-founder and executive director of the Preemptive Love Coalition, an organization that provides medical and general aid in Iraq. Iraq’s relationship with the U.S. is, shall we say, complicated, but Courtney’s tenure in Iraq has been long and fruitful. While he’s never made any secret of his faith or the way it plays into

NOV-DEC

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2017

his work in Iraq, Courtney insists that he’s

against Cambodian women.

found the Iraqi government to be far more

It started when CNN ran an article about women in

open and accepting of his beliefs and mission

Cambodia who sell their daughters into sex slavery. AIM

than the commonly held assumption might

founder Don Brewster, who estimates his organization

lead one to believe.

has rescued more than 700 girls from sex slavery in Cam-

“The idea that I could never come into a Muslim country and speak openly and hold

bodia, was heavily involved in the CNN story and quoted throughout.

my head high as a Christian because they

But the featured women in CNN’s story were ethnically

would kill me has proven to be patently false,”

Vietnamese, not Cambodian. Cambodian Prime Minister

he says. “Not just in one country but in nu-

Hun Sen was livid, and ordered AIM to be investigated

merous Muslim countries, I have been able to

and shut down. “My country is poor,” he says. “But you

walk in, head held high, no covert cover story

cannot insult my people,”

and not only identify passively as a Christian

Brewster released an apologetic statement, saying

but identify openly, work openly and hold se-

that he and his organization “were mistakenly accused of

rious talks about faith between Muslims and

working with CNN to defame the integrity of Cambodian

Christians, and not just at the grassroots level

mothers and of not having programs to help the people of

of poverty—people who needed my help—

Cambodia.” Brewster said he’d told CNN the women were

but also with the powerful and influential

Vietnamese, not Cambodian, and CNN had botched its re-

people who could have, in that moment, had

porting (CNN released its own statement, saying the news

me arrested and had me taken out back.”

organization stood by its reporting, though they changed

While Courtney stresses that he doesn’t

a headline that identified the women as Cambodian.).

want to set his experience in Iraq up as typ-

Hun accepted Brewster’s apology and backed off his

ifying the norm, his experience provides a

calls to have AIM kicked out of the country, but the in-

clear counter to the narrative that mission-

cident highlights the fragile relationship faith-based non-

aries have to sneak around in closed coun-

profits have with the countries in which they operate,

tries. He’s found strength in openness, and

and how easily that relationship can be fractured by even

whatever liabilities may come with his bold-

minute errors.

ness have been made up for in effectiveness, and he’s critical of those who use duplicitous

TWISTS AND TURNS

means to gain access to closed countries.

Massive faith-based nonprofit Compassion International

“When we lie, we destabilize communi-

made waves last March when it was kicked out of India,

ties, we destabilize families, we sow seditious

despite ranking at or near the top of the country’s largest

ideas, conspiracy theories and we make real

donors. The government claimed Compassion was using

truth tellers impossible to believe. So, a true

donor money to fund religious conversion, an accusation

business comes in with no ulterior motive

the organization adamantly denies. Many speculate that

and they cannot be trusted because every-

Compassion was the victim of a recent nationalist surge

one knows that the CIA, the Pentagon and

in India that finds government leaders aggressively cut-

missionaries have all used similar covers be-

ting ties with foreign aid as a way of asserting ideological

fore,” Courtney says. “Societies rise and fall

independence.

on trust; that is the currency of development

Mark Yeadon is Compassion International’s senior vice

and when we enter into trust-deficient com-

president of global program, and while he was unable to

munities and engage through tactics that fur-

discuss the situation with India, he was able to shed light

ther erode trust all in the name of bringing

on Compassion’s unique method of marrying local relief

Jesus, democracy, gospel, development, aid,

work with religious conviction.

help, whatever, we cut off our nose to spite

“We engage local churches that are in the midst of com-

our face. We cannot accomplish the thing that

munities in extreme poverty, so that’s [in countries of ]

we say we want to accomplish if we engage it

Asia, Africa, Latin America, Caribbean, [places] like that,”

in ways that diminish trust.”

he says. “And we walk alongside those churches for a long

A recent example of just such suspicion

time. Sometimes, well, easily a 20-year run. We help those

and mistrust took place in August, when an

churches reach out into their communities and start min-

anti-trafficking nonprofit called Agape Inter-

istering, expressing tangible acts of love in Jesus’ name to

national Missions (AIM) came under fire from

children in the community.”

the Cambodian government for purportedly working with CNN to stage a smear campaign

075

The nature of Compassion’s work rules out covert tactics, since local churches are key to their mission.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

“We want to be open,” Yeadon stresses.

price to pay for the greater good of sharing the Gospel—

“We don’t come in covert, if you will. We

missionaries like Doug. Due to the sensitive nature of his

legally register, and we adhere to the local

work, he asked that his last name and the mission organi-

laws. It’s who we are. There’s the pragmatics

zation he worked with be withheld, but he has a couple

of that also. We’re quite big. So to kind of go

decades of experience on the mission field in closed-off

in stealth ... it doesn’t work real well for us.”

countries. He and his wife, Jan, push back against the no-

When asked if working as a Christian organization ever creates tension, he chuck-

tion that they “lied” to gain entrance to certain countries.

They prefer the adjective “creative.”

les. “Only on a daily basis,” he says. For the entirety of its storied existence, Compassion

“We tried not to lie,” Jan says. “You just have to be creative. ... I feel like we were creative.

has been explicitly faith-based and explicitly

“It’s very foolish for an American—we believe—to go

industrial. Their lauded sponsor-a-child pro-

into a place and say, ‘Oh, it’s wrong to not say that we’re

gram works in cooperation with local church-

missionaries. It’s wrong to try and use a creative descrip-

es to provide holistic health and education

tor of why we are here,’” he says.

to children of all religious backgrounds. By

“First of all, the likelihood of them being able to stay

working with area churches, Compassion is

there is almost zero,” he continues. “Secondly, any con-

able to provide the aid it promises to children

tacts they begin to establish with nationals—particularly

while equipping local churches to carry out

in countries where it’s against the law to renounce your

the faith-based element of their mutual mis-

state religion, your birth religion, and convert to Chris-

sion, effectively absolving Compassion of any

tianity—are punishable by death. You immediately put

accusations about untoward proselytism.

at risk the lives of people who may or may not be open,

A commitment to working with local

in terms of being Christ-followers. If there’s a church

churches necessarily limits the scope of Com-

that’s in existence in that place, you immediately put that

passion’s reach. If there is no local church, or

church at risk to be shut down, for people to be impris-

the local church is underground, Compassion

oned, for people literally to be killed.”

can’t get involved. For some mission organizations, that’s simply too high a price to pay.

It’s important to note here that Doug’s issue is not as much with his own safety as it is with the safety of the cit-

Some mission organizations or individual

izens. Nevertheless, Courtney feels differently, saying that

missionaries consider a few “creative tactics”

no matter how well-intentioned such work might be, it

to gain admission to a closed country a small

still runs the risk of discrediting other aid organizations.

“If you can only win or succeed or build or plant or whatever your particular brand is, by lying to get in, lying to stay in, lying to earn the support of your neighbors, lying to gain access to this place or that place, then you model, teach or just outright instill or replicate the kind of modalities that you want the next generations to embody and they don’t have a ticket home,” he says. “They

YOU JUST HAVE TO

don’t have a way out. They don’t have a big foreign government to back them into wheeled international aid or

BE CREATIVE. ... I

trade, treaties and deals. So if we get kidnapped, if we get

FEEL LIKE WE WERE

government might come for us is pretty reasonable. If we

CREATIVE.

imprisoned, if we get tortured, the likelihood that the U.S. teach others to do this kind of lying, manipulative, covert work, who is going to come rescue them? Who is going to come help them?”

Following the leak of HISG’s actions in North Korea, it’s

– JAN

very difficult to imagine North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un allowing other Western aid organizations in and running the risk of exposing his top-secret and globally condemned nuclear program to U.S. intelligence.

Timothy Sisk is a professor of intercultural ministries at Moody Bible Institute. He grew up in a missionary family in Japan, and then spent some time overseas in Bolivia as well. Today he’s in the business of training missionar-

NOV-DEC

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2017

ies for overseas work, and he’s very familiar with the argument that missionaries should be upfront about their intentions when they go overseas.

“I spent some time in China on a visit one time and I was talking to some folks,” he relates. “And this person was with the registered church in China. Of course, they knew that there were a number of other independent missionaries there, and [one of them] said, ‘I just wish they would be honest about what they’re doing because once the government finds out, it makes all Christians look like liars.’”

This story and others like it have led Sisk to be an advocate for what he calls tent-making, a named gleaned from the Apostle Paul’s reputation for making tents in addition to spreading the Good News. That, says Sisk, is something today’s missionaries should strive to mirror.

“Whatever we claim to be doing, we better be doing that well,” he explains. “So if we’re going to be an English teacher, don’t use it as a fake identity to get in some place and then not do it. If you’re going to be an En-

years of operation. It would have remained a secret for-

glish teacher or if you’re going to be an NGO

ever, if not for The Intercept. But HISG’s legacy—and mis-

or you’re going to be in education, then you

sionaries’ unique skill sets—remain in place. The exact

make sure you do that really well.

measures missionaries should take in order to spread

“That doesn’t mean you can’t be a witness

the Good News, and what “creative” means are morally

too, but it does mean that you have to carry

permissible, remains a debate with very few concrete an-

both of those responsibilities honestly.”

swers, especially in a global community as rapidly shift-

Sisk acknowledges that there may be times

ing as our own.

when missionaries working as “tent-makers”

“I think we should live to be as transparent and open as

may need to violate the law in order to tell

possible,” Courtney says. “And that’s the premise that a lot

people about Jesus, but he sees that as a sep-

of my friends in that community reject. They reject that

arate issue from using covert tactics to gain

you can be open and I just am here to say, ‘Well, I’ve been

entrance to a closed country.

doing it for 10 years in Iraq and nearly 15 years in the

“When it comes to being a witness of Jesus Christ, I may be a law breaker in that sense,”

region. And it doesn’t always have to be this combative thing. It just doesn’t.”

he explains. “But that’s not so much saying, ‘I’m saying one thing and doing another.’

That’s just simply saying, ‘I’m going to be obedient to God rather than man.’”

THE MISSION CONTINUES

The Pentagon’s operation with HISG was discontinued in 2012, after around eight

T YLER HUCK A BEE lives in Nashville and is a contributing editor at RELEVANT.

077

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THE JAPANESE HOUSE BY

SETH JAM ES

NOV-DEC

078

A

AMBER BAIN IS HARD ON HERSELF.

It comes up a lot, the way she continues to set a higher bar for herself to jump over, and the way she quickly dismisses old standards and moves on to new, loftier goals. It even shows up in the few moments she allows herself to feel proud of her accomplishments.

“The last [extended play] I made—I’m very

proud of [that],” she says. “But I think it’s sort of intimidating. I’m like, ‘I have to make my

2017

national festival circuit. That’s an unusual

S AW YO U I N

achievement for a musician who hasn’t even

A D R EA M

released a full-length album yet, but Bain is

Bain’s four-song

an unusually talented artist. And now she’s

EP—her fourth

intent on staying true to what’s gotten her ca-

so far—has been critically

reer this far, even as she prepares for much

acclaimed.

bigger things.

“When I think about it too much I get really spaced out,” she says of her sudden ascent. “Where I’m just in this hole of thinking,

and lyrically explores rarefied territory, in-

‘Where am I?’ When I take a step back I’m

cluding the title track which she calls “one

like, ‘Oh, OK. I’m playing Lollapalooza and

of the most personal songs I’ve written.” It’s

I’m in Chicago because I wrote a song in my

about an old friend who passed away after

room.’ Yeah, it is weird.”

years of Bain slowly growing apart from her.

Bain says she still writes songs in her bedroom, and they sound like it—deeply personal, so intimate you’re not sure you should be next album better than that.’ Like, why didn’t I save a couple?”

allowed to listen in.

She says she wasn’t sure initially whether or not the song should even be released.

“I just thought maybe it would be disrespectful—maybe to [the friend] and her fam-

“They all come from a very dark chasm in

ily or whatever. It was like, ‘If I can write

But if she’s honest with herself, Bain—best

my soul which you wouldn’t believe talking

about something that wasn’t about me, then

known by her moniker The Japanese House—

to me, because I’m hilarious,” Bain confirms.

I can definitely write about something that is

isn’t one to hold back. “I don’t know how to

She’s only half-joking here.

my experience.’ But I think it was just a very

compete with my previous self,” she admits.

The songs do sound like they come from a

hard one. I really like the song, and I think

“But then obviously I’ll have days where I’m

dark place, and Bain is hilarious, peppering

it’s like an honest song, probably because it’s

like, ‘I can do that again.’”

her dialogue with a deadpan, self-effacing

about something very personal.”

Bain’s been doing it again and again for a

wit. She says she must be in a good mood to-

few years now. The British 22-year-old has

day because she’s feeling proud of her most

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

taken the indie scene by storm with a slew of

recent EP, Saw You in a Dream, which has

Bain is working on her full-length album.

arresting EPs that have won her a vast and

drawn widespread critical acclaim.

Here again, she’s making it hard on herself,

growing number of fans. She’s grateful for the attention, she stresses, but it’s all very new.

Saw You in a Dream showcases Bain’s gift

saying that it’s “all I’m thinking about.”

for eminently singable melodies. It’s difficult

“If I’m happy with my album, that’s really all

“People know an awful lot about me,” she

to believe, listening to her music, that cho-

I care about,” she says. “If I’m not happy with

says. “Like, people I wouldn’t expect, like old

ruses this lovely have never been written

my album, I would probably be more pissed

women. Not like I don’t want them to like my

before—that they’ve just sat there, undiscov-

off if it got successful, because I wouldn’t

music, I think it’s great! I just couldn’t imag-

ered, waiting for someone like Bain to come

be able to trust my following anymore.”

ine my mom being obsessed with a band and

along and turn them into an actual song, one

She laughs a little at that thought, saying, “I

knowing everything about them.”

her voice floats under in a way that feels both

would be like, ‘You’re all idiots! Why do you

Bain is still getting used to all this. We

intimate and disembodied. It’s enough to

like this ?’ ... I’m a very harsh critic, so it bet-

spoke shortly after she landed in Chicago, and

make anyone feel deeply connected to what

ter be pretty good.”

she had just met a girl who had The Japanese

she writes after just one listen. Anyone, that

House lyrics tattooed on her arm.

is, except for Bain herself.

Bain says her full-length will be entirely original content—no recycled tracks from

“She was with her mom and her mom ob-

“As soon as I release [my songs], I usually

viously was not happy about this tattoo,” Bain

become completely detached from them,” she

“I want the album to be full of songs that

laughs. “And I was like, ‘Sorry and umm, it

explains. “I kind of listen to them like they’re

are like, ‘Oh I haven’t heard of The Japanese

looks great?’”

other people’s songs. I haven’t really listened

House. What do I listen to first?’” she says.

to them too much so when I do actually hear

“And I want them all to be contenders.”

RAPID ASCENT

them, I’m like, ‘That’s pretty sick. Well done,

She’s probably going to have to get used to

me. Well done, good young me.’”

that sort of obsessive fandom. She’s released

Bain has good reason to be proud of Saw

four stellar EPs in the last two years and has

You in a Dream, which adds some new pro-

already netted coveted slots in the inter-

duction tricks to her already sterling oeuvre,

079

any of her EPs.

SETH JA MES is a music writer who lives in the Hollywood Hills.

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2017

THE

LOVE GURU He wrote the best-selling Love Does—and is known by millions for balloons and whimsy—but the work Bob Goff is doing now is nothing short of world changing.

BY TYLER HUCKABEE

F

our days can be quite eventful in the life

did, but one of them isn’t that he’s removed from

of Bob Goff. On a Saturday, he walked

love,” he says. “He’s learning way more than me.

onto a San Francisco street to find the

I just want to catch up to him. I want to learn and

windows smashed out of his team’s

be as desperate for God as he is.”

rental van and everyone’s belongings

Later that same day, Goff went skydiving.

stolen—including Goff’s phone and lap-

It’s been five years since Love Does, The New

top, where he’d saved his entire next

York Times best-seller that catapulted Goff, a law-

book. But instead of being devastated,

yer and professor by profession, to the interna-

Goff laughed at the thought of the thief

tional stage.

receiving a hundred phone calls a day

In the public eye, he’s like a mix of Willy Won-

from people who read his first book,

ka, Mr. Rogers and Ms. Frizzle from The Magic

Love Does (in which he encouraged

School Bus. Stories about him spread like folk-

readers to call him).

lore. Go to any Christian conference or seminar,

“I live in constant anticipation of good

and you’re likely to find someone fix a wild eye

stuff,” he says. “It’s not being ‘Pollyanna’

on you to tell you about the time Goff helped

about things, but most stories don’t have

Uganda achieve space travel.

the ending we would give them right away. The better endings come later.”

It’s a relief for this reporter to tell you that the man lives up to the legend and then some. There

The next day, Goff landed in Oklaho-

are no dark secrets. There’s not a hidden, calcu-

ma, where he attended an event for a

lating Goff who carefully projects a certain image

foster care nonprofit. On Tuesday, Goff

onto social media and lives another way behind

received a letter from a witch doctor in

the scenes. There’s just Bob, the guy who seems

Uganda, whom Goff had put on death

dead set on actually changing the world.

row. Now they’re pen pals, telling each

Goff has a boat named Grace that he sails in

other what they’re learning about Jesus.

a San Diego harbor. Facing inland, you can see

“There are consequences for what he

Goff’s spacious home and the flag of Uganda fly-

081

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Goff practiced law for 30 years, but when he visited Uganda 16 years ago, he realized what he was meant to do. The Ugandan Civil War was still going on, and many children were displaced and had nowhere to receive education. “My worst subject in school was school, but it turns out I’m great at starting them,” he says.

With the proceeds from the million copies sold of Love Does, Goff has now helped start schools in Uganda, Somalia, Iraq, Nepal, India, Mongolia and Nicaragua. Approximately 650 children are sitting in classrooms, thanks ing below the American flag in his yard. His

around the world. How does this guy get away

to the work of Restore International, and

property is technically Ugandan land, he’ll

with only knowing his next four days, quitting

more than 100 students from these schools

excitedly tell you. Goff has lived here for 20

something every Thursday and flying around

are now attending universities.

years, raising three children with his wife

the world to start schools for poor children?

whom he affectionately calls “Sweet Maria.”

One of the best moments of practicing law in Uganda for Goff was when he saw the way

HOW TO BE HELPFUL

justice caused a wave of forgiveness to envel-

author or a law professor or the honorary

“Wouldn’t you say that most of us are a re-

op broken families. A group of young Ugan-

consul for the Republic of Uganda to the Unit-

flection of or a reaction to the people who

dans who had been jailed without ever going

ed States. It’s not even about being the found-

have been closest to us? I’m a reflection of my

to trial finally had the opportunity to stand

er of the nonprofit Restore International.

grandmother.”

before a judge, but before the judge heard

For Goff, it’s not about being a best-selling

Whereas many people seem to live in a

Goff grew up in the San Francisco Bay

their cases, he separated the children from

world of binary, confined boxes, Goff lives

Area, where he would often walk a mile and

their parents. The judge stood before the par-

in a world of “what ifs.” Imagine the kid in

a half to his grandmother Mary’s home. He re-

ents and said, “Parents, you need to forgive

school who hands out balloons to his class-

members having a room in his grandmother’s

your children.” Then he walked into the other

mates when he’s supposed to be presenting

house, and every time she would walk into

room and told the young men, “I just met with

his science project or the kid who climbs up

his room, she’d pay him “rent” by putting a

your parents, and they forgive you.”

the playground slide when everyone else is

nickel in a jar. “I don’t know if she put a fistful

“Sometimes I get the feeling that people

sliding down.

of nickels in there right before I showed up,”

have separated [love and justice], like loving

he says. “It didn’t matter. She taught me what

people is somehow going soft on justice,” Goff

it’s like to have a really winsome life.”

says. “But I think it’s great advocacy to love

“Do I look like a guy with a plan?” he asks me in his most jovial, non-Joker voice. Christians should have plans, right? We should

It wasn’t until late high school that Goff

be strategic, as we’ve seen too many times

learned about faith. “Something about it just

the devastating effects of good intentions all

resonated with me,” he says.

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082

people, because then you get access to every court you want.”

For a lawyer who has fought countless

2017

“I don’t think Jesus needs a lawyer, and I don’t think He needs a bunch of people to argue for Him.”

cases, argued his way to victory and made a

something will burn down and it’s just what

“pile of money” doing so, Goff quit his own

you do next. I’m not denying it; it was a really

oring those on the other side of the screen.

law firm last May. “I literally came home from

sad thing. But we’re just going to get busy. I’m

That’s why he carries around a $2 bill in

work and Maria said, ‘How was work?’ and I

going to make it bigger, just in case Satan was

his pocket to give to a kid who’s never seen

said, ‘Work?’ And she said, ‘Nooooooo.’”

behind the whole thing.”

one before.

But Goff wants none of that.

On the practical side, Goff decided to quit

A Fender Stratocaster adorns a wall in

Love means buying a house in Washington,

because he’s become quite the popular ad-

Goff’s office. It’s not signed by Bruce Spring-

D.C. so government leaders from both parties

dition to the evangelical speaking circuit in

steen, but by the former child soldiers in

had a place where they could learn how to

America. He does not have the time or need

Uganda who enrolled in a school Goff helped

get along, even though the idea failed and he

to practice law anymore. But on the spiritual

start. To him, they are heroes who’ve chosen

lost some money trying. Love means send-

side, he is always quitting something in pur-

love over war. One particular boy, Oboma,

ing people $1.29 Starbucks cake pops when

suit of becoming a “new creation”—snipping

lost his parents when rebels from the Lord’s

they criticize him. Love means responding

out parts of life that have stopped being nec-

Resistance Army took the roofing material

to hundreds of emails per day from readers

essary ways of loving people.

from his hut and used it to burn them alive.

and fans because Keith Green once respond-

“I don’t think Jesus needs a lawyer, and I

Goff and his team helped Oboma through his

ed to one of his letters. It’s washing the feet

don’t think He needs a bunch of people to ar-

trauma, and he ended up finishing elementa-

of witch doctors in Uganda, even though it

gue for Him,” he says. “I think He needs hum-

ry, junior high and high school. He was the

terrifies him and he’s not a toe guy. Love is

ble men and women who know what He said

valedictorian of a school with 360 students.

learning how to solo sky-dive with his son.

and just try to apply it.”

The next “caper,” as Goff calls it, was helping this student get into law school in Uganda.

GOING DEEPER

It’s also why he tries never to let a call go to voicemail—one of his more famous habits

But for Goff, loving people does not start

that continues to hold true, even after he put

So there’s this lodge that’s become sort of fa-

in Africa; it starts with being neighborly. He

his cell phone number in the back of Love

mous among Goff’s friends. Or—more accu-

hosts parades with his neighbors on his San

Does, just in case anyone ever needed to talk.

rately—there was a lodge. Goff owned a giant,

Diego street and parties in his backyard. He

“I literally get one hundred calls a day,”

beautiful cabin on a remote bay in British Co-

hugs his neighbor as he walks on the path to

Goff says. “I can’t get anything done, but I’m

lumbia, where he and his family would host

his boat.

happy about it. If you want to make a ton of

getaways for leaders in dire need of one. It

“They think I’m nuts,” he says. Love is a

money, go practice law. But if you want to

was a place for forging friendships, making

confusing concept for Christians in America

make a mountain of difference, go be avail-

resolutions, diving off of cliffs, weeping tears

today. On the one hand, notions of romantic

able to people.”

and finding redemption. And now, one work-

love permeate thoughts, worship songs and

er’s misplaced oil rag and an accidental spark

entertainment: Love is a watered-down but-

later, it’s gone—the home that impacted so

terfly feeling in our stomachs. On the other

“I’m not trying to be efficient in the way

many lives is a pile of ashes.

hand, Christians often fixate on keeping bibli-

that I love people,” he says. “What I’m trying

For Bob Goff, love is being available. It’s doing the next thing.

“We’re sad, but we’re not stuck,” Goff says.

cal doctrine pure from sinful culture: Love is

to be is available and present in the way that

“It was a hit, but we all take a hit. Either it’s a

defending Jesus and arguing about Him in ev-

I love people, and I don’t always get it right,

relationship or your hope, a family member,

ery Twitter thread at the expense of dishon-

but I’m trying to do it anyway.”

T YLER HUCK A BEE lives in Nashville and is a contributing editor at RELEVANT.

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BY JESSE CAREY

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2017

W

WHAT IF EVERYTHING YOU WERE TAUGHT ABOUT THE

WHERE DID THAT CONCEPT COME FROM?

AFTERLIFE WAS WRONG?

I’ve heard a lot of worship leaders and pastors say from

If you grew up in church, there’s a good chance you were

the pulpit or on stage, “Hey, I can’t wait until we’re

taught a pretty simple message about the afterlife: When

with the Lord, we’ll get to worship forever.” They’re not

you die, you either go to heaven, or you go to hell—both

saying that because they’re trying to deceive. It’s just

of which will last forever and never change.

what we got handed. I think we got ripped off.

Many Christians believe that at the moment they die,

The big thing we lost is that you actually don’t spend

they get to go to heaven, and nonbelievers spend eternity

your eternal life in heaven. You spend it here on the new

being punished in hell. But author John Eldredge thinks

Earth. And I think that’s where we got off track.

we’ve gotten it all wrong. His new book, All Things New: A Revolutionary Look at Heaven and the Coming

SO WHEN THE BIBLE SAYS THERE WILL BE THIS

Kingdom, challenges the basic precepts of modern

NEW EARTH AFTER THE SECOND COMING AND THE

Christian thinking about the afterlife. According to him,

DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE, IS IT ACTUALLY TALKING

eternity isn’t about escaping Earth for a church service

ABOUT PLANET EARTH RIGHT NOW? OR IS THIS A NEW

in the sky—it’s about creating a new Earth that everyone

PHYSICAL/SPIRITUAL DESTINATION?

will have a chance to participate in.

Let’s use a couple things to help us get to the answer.

We recently spoke with Eldredge about why he wanted

First off, look at the story God is telling: A loving and

to tackle the controversial (just ask Rob Bell) topic of the

creative father creates Earth; gives it to us, powerful sons

afterlife, what happens when people die and what the

and daughters who are creative like He is; and He tells us

Bible might really say about heaven and hell.

to reign. And then the human tragedy happens, and the train wreck, and then Christ comes. And Jesus begins to

ANY TIME YOU’RE CHALLENGING MODERN CHRISTIAN CONCEPTIONS OF ETERNITY, IT CAN BE CONTROVERSIAL.

demonstrate restoration.

Almost all of His miracles are not random proof that

WHY IS IT SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO WRITE ABOUT?

He is the Son of God—they are illustrations for His

One, because we’re in a big crisis of hope right now.

message, and His message is the coming of the Kingdom

The world is just trashed, and people really don’t have

of God. The blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk and

a lot to hope for. And two, I think they don’t have a lot

the dead are raised. It’s restoration.

to hope for because what we’ve handed to them is sort of the Christian answer: Here is the great, stunning hope that God offers you: an eternal church service in the sky—

Then you get to the end of the Book of Revelations and God says, “Behold, I’m making everything new.”

Reality is one continual existence. Your unending life

which is unbiblical, and it’s also totally unappealing. I

has actually already begun, and a restored you is in a

mean, who wants that?

restored Earth. God doesn’t change the reality.

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[Another example] of that is Christ at His resurrection.

Most sincere believers believe that life is eventually lost.

He’s the forerunner, right? He’s raised from the dead,

That everything you love, everything you hold dear, all

but He’s still Jesus. Like He literally still has the scars in

of it eventually gets destroyed or burned up or goes away

His hands and feet. Same guy. Same Lord. Same person.

and we go somewhere else to spend our eternal life—a

Same personality.

vague heaven, a worship service that lasts forever,

In Romans 8, Paul says that all creation, meaning

something like that. But the bottom line is that in the

this created world—including, by the way, the animal

human heart, this experience feels like loss, and [we

kingdom—groans for the day of its redemption when the

need] to begin to understand that nothing is lost.

sons and daughters of God are revealed. So what you get

When Jesus promises the restoration, He says, “I tell

in the flow of the story is a very clear message of things

you the truth that the renewal of all things, you who

being restored versus one reality being exchanged for

have followed me and have lost (Luke 19:28-29)”—and

another.

then He gets very specific—houses, careers, loved ones, He says, that it is going to be restored to you.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR HOW CHRISTIANS

I long for my restoration. I want my brokenness

BELIEVE ABOUT HELL AND ETERNITY?

healed. And it is. I’m a different person than I was

It is a very, very difficult thing to discuss what the future

20 years ago. But it’s a process that I can continue

is of those who do not choose God. And the question is,

to participate in knowing that it’s going to be fully

are you the kind of person who even wants to be around

accomplished, knowing that we can care for things like

God, to be in His unfiltered presence? If the answer

the Earth, because the Earth is not going to be destroyed.

is yes, you get in and if the answer is no, then He will

It’s going to be restored.

arrange the best that He possibly can for you outside His presence which is going to be a pretty dark place.

We can care for things like cultures because God fully intends on restoring them. He cares about this. Yeah.

You’re right. It’s huge.

FOR A LOT OF CHRISTIANS, THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A MASSIVE REVELATION BECAUSE IT CHALLENGES NOT

THE OTHER THING MANY OF US WERE TAUGHT IS THAT

JUST THE NATURE OF WHAT WE THINK ABOUT ETERNITY,

ETERNITY BEGINS THE MOMENT YOU DIE—THAT DEATH

BUT THE NATURE OF WHAT WE THINK ABOUT GOD.

IS THIS SORT OF DEMARCATION AND TRANSFER POINT

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086

2017

FROM NOW UNTIL THE HEAVEN THAT WE’LL ALWAYS

might enjoy called The Great Divorce in which people are

KNOW. IF THERE IS A CONTINUITY AND THE NEW EARTH

given kind of one last opportunity to experience heaven

THAT IS HEAVEN IS TO COME, WHAT DO YOU THINK

and experience the kingdom and see if they want it.

HAPPENS TO PEOPLE WHO DIE IN THE MEANTIME?

Because the whole point is this: If you want to be with

Well, heaven is clearly in the meantime. That’s the role

Jesus as He reigns on the new Earth, He is going to make

that heaven plays in Scripture.

room for that.

In Acts chapter 3, Peter is preaching, and he says,

Sadly, there are two types of human beings: There are

“Jesus must remain in heaven until the time comes for

those who are moving in a direction of longing for the

God to restore everything.”

presence of God and there are those human personalities

Hanging on the cross, He says to the thief who doesn’t

who are actually moving away, they do not want

curse Him, the thief who says, “Hey man, when you come

goodness; they can’t stand to be around love; they don’t

into Your kingdom remember me.” Jesus says, “Today,

want the presence of God in their current existence.

you will be with me in paradise.”

Well, how could they possibly endure the unfiltered

So, heaven is where the precious ones of God are now,

presence of God on the new Earth? Because the dwelling

any soul that longs to be in the presence of God is now.

of God will be with man, He will fully manifest. So they

Preserved, whole, well, enjoying themselves and I think,

are moving further and further away from the One who

actually actively involved in the coming kingdom.

created them, and I think that God will do everything in His ability to offer them the taste of what could be.

But if in their very soul they’re saying, I don’t want that, He says, “OK, then you have to go where I don’t

H O P E I S T H E M O S T P OW E R F U L T H I N G . . .

exist.” And that is not an enviable option.

YO U H AV E TO AC T I V E LY PA R T I C I PAT E I N

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR CARING FOR THE EARTH, OUR

H O P E . I T ’ S N OT S O M E T H I N G T H AT J U S T

KNOWING THAT WE’RE ON A PATH TO RESTORATION, NOT

H A P P E N S TO YO U . YO U H AV E TO TA K E

BODIES, COMMUNITIES, NEIGHBORS AND CULTURE ESCAPING THIS FIREBALL THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE CONSUMED BY? HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOUR DAY-TODAY LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN?

H O L D O F I T.

Hope. Hope is the most powerful thing. Because it’s hopelessness that causes us to give up. It’s hopelessness that causes us to pull out, right? Of a marriage, of a For example, the trumpet blast sounds and Christ returns. It says that the hosts of heaven return with Him. There’s an active participation. They’re not bored either.

community, of a culture, of the earth. It’s hopelessness that causes people to quit.

You have to actively participate in hope. It’s not

They’re not singing forever either. Heaven is where

something that just happens to you. You don’t get hope

our dear ones are now who have passed away, and the

like you get the flu. You have to take hold of it. You

restored Earth takes place at the coming of Christ and

will actually be the kind of person who then naturally

ushers in what Scripture refers to as the coming age—

engages the world because you’re not hopeless. You’re

kind of the next chapter in the story right here on the

not giving up because you’re filled with hope.

planet you love.

And then people are going to go, “Wow, what is with you? Tell me, you seem to know some secret. Tell me the

FOR THE THIEF ON THE OTHER SIDE OF JESUS, IS HIS

secret.”

OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE RESTORATION DONE AT THAT POINT? HOW WILL IT BE HANDLED IN TERMS OF A CONTINUED CHANCE TO BE RESTORED AND BE A PART OF THIS NEW CREATION?

C.S. Lewis wondered that too. He wrote a fascinating book that those of you who are wondering about that

087

JESSE CAREY is RELEVANT’s brand director and lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with his wife Dana and two kids.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

R E L E VA N T SELECTS

FILM/TV MUSIC BOOKS

THE RELEASES YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

Daniel Caesar Toronto’s rising star is fusing gospel inspiration with his own brand of alt-R&B. alfway through his debut album,

in 2014 was even called Praise Break.). But

Freudian, Daniel Caesar sings,

don’t expect blatantly religious messages.

FREUDIAN

Yes, I’m a mess but I’m blessed

He’s comfortable with asking big questions,

[GOLDEN CHILD

/ To be stuck with you. It’s not

wrestling with feelings of heartbreak,

RECORDINGS]

totally clear if he’s singing about a significant

poetically musing about creation and singing

Caesar is a master of

other or if he’s talking about his relationship

about love.

melodies. He strings

H

with God. But Daniel Caesar is OK with

It’s this unique mix of gospel, soul and

ambiguities. Caesar grew up in the Seventh-

alt-R&B that has made him a standout in

day Adventist Church, and his music makes it

his hometown, Toronto; an impressive feat

evident that gospel has been a major influence

considering he shares the ZIP code with the

on his modern R&B sound (His breakout EP

likes of Drake, The Weeknd and Majid Jordan.

NOV-DEC

088

notes together with such a natural ease you’ll find his songs stuck in your head after just one listen.

2017

Lana Del Rey The ‘Gangsta Nancy Sinatra’ returns with a genre-bending effort.

FEW ARTISTS HAVE shouldered more expectations—and more

criticism—than Lana Del Rey. Five years after her infamous Saturday Night Live performance—where she polarized critics with her low-energy onstage cool—she’s released her fifth album that touts a fresh sense of “lust for life.” There are still hints of moody darkness, but with collaborations with the likes of A$AP Rocky and Stevie Nicks, she’s not just pushing genre boundaries; she’s keeping the critics guessing.

LUST FOR LIFE [INTERSCOPE]

With collaborations with artists from The Weeknd to Sean Ono Lennon, the singer’s fifth studio album boldly mixes everything from hip-hop to dance to classic rock, while still maintaining Del Rey’s deadpan pop vocals.

AN INCONVENIENT

A decade after

EMA

around a lot, and

SEQUEL: TRUTH

Al Gore’s original

EXILE IN THE

usually it just means

TO POWER BONNI COHEN, JON SHENK [PARAMOUNT]

documentary, he’s

OUTER RING

returned with a look at

[CIT Y SLANG]

why the fight against

“weird.” But EMA’s music is an experiment that actually works,

climate change is more

People throw the

creating something

urgent than ever.

word “experimental”

both fresh and friendly.

Little Dragon THIS SWEDISH GROUP has worked

with everyone from Gorillaz to Big Boi, bringing their soothing, synth-soaked pop with squeals of Prince-inspired rock ‘n’ roll licks to bear the world over.

“We weren’t aiming to write a record in the beginning,” confesses lead singer Yukimi Nagano. “We just loved writing music. Then we formed the band afterward. We were completely comfortable.”

SEASON HIGH [LOMA VISTA RECORDINGS]

You wouldn’t think a blend of ‘80s glam rock and contemporary dance pop would work this well.

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

02/03

SELECTS

The Lone Bellow T THIS POINT,

Always Leaving.” “We’ve always

The Lone Bellow

tried to hide serious lyrics in

could make a

fun music,” says frontman Zach

comfortable living

Williams. “That song started

on autopilot, rehashing the feel-

out as a poem I wrote, and if

good, boot-stomping folk-rock

you read the lyrics, it’s about

anthems that made them stars

wrestling with that thing that’s

until they all retire, but Walk

on all of our backs. Is time

Into a Storm continues to push

passing too fast? Am I living

the boundaries with challenging

with my eyes wide open? With

juxtapositions like in the spine-

my heart wide open?”

A

WALK INTO A STORM [SONY MUSIC

DUNKIRK CHRISTOPHER NOLAN

ENTERTAINMENT]

[WARNER BROS.]

Zach Williams and

This epic retelling of

co. have their feet in Nashville, their heads in Brooklyn and their eyes on heaven. What more could you ask for?

tingling first single “Time’s

a WWII evacuation forgoes heavy dialogue in favor of action that puts viewers on the frontlines of one of history’s most tense rescue efforts.

GRIZZLY BEAR PAINTED RUINS [RCA RECORDS]

Few bands are as patient with their recording process as Grizzly Bear, and the attention to detail shows in every second of meticulous production.

“WE’VE ALWAYS TRIED TO HIDE SERIOUS LYRICS IN FUN MUSIC.” MY ABSOLUTE DARLING GABRIEL TALLENT

SLEEP WELL BEAST

MEET ME IN THE BATHROOM

THE NATIONAL

LIZZY GOODMAN

[4AD]

[DEY STREET BOOKS]

NOV-DEC

Sixteen years into their run, and

[RIVERHEAD BOOKS]

With his debut novel, Tallent proves himself as a huge talent with this

This look at the “rebirth of rock ‘n’ roll”

The National remains one of—if not

haunting, unforgettable

examines how bands like The Strokes

the most—consistent bands on the

tale of one teen’s fight

led a rock revival in post-9/11 New York.

market. Another stellar album.

090

for survival.

2017

JAPHIA LIFE WELCOME TO HEARTSVILLE [ARMS OUT]

Japhia Life’s flows are deliciously easy, but don’t mistake easy for simple. These soulful songs reveal their complexities over repeated listening.

Brand New The indie icons ride SOUR HEART JENNY ZHANG [LENNY]

These seven stories from Chinese immigrant women paint an, at

off into the night.

BRAND NEW HAD been saving their best for last.

Eight years after the release of their last album, the indierock legends dropped the surprise Science Fiction. The

times, heartbreaking

album, which they’ve hinted is their last, serves as both

but also inspiring look at

a farewell and a reminder of just how important they’ve

what people are willing

been to the genre they helped established. Yes, the album

to leave behind for hopes of a better life.

SCIENCE FICTION [PROCRASTINATE! MUSIC TRAITORS]

For almost two decades, Brand New has been synonymous with the rise

has hints of their emo and post-punk roots, but instead

of “emo,” but the final

of rehashing where they’ve been, they look forward with

album is their farewell to

dark tones while lingering on experimental riffs.

both their band, and in a

Jesse Lacey, who’s always been known for his heartfelt vocals, sings lyrics that serve as a final goodbye, and he’s never sounded more emotional.

way, the genre. It’s a dark exploration of getting old, maturity and saying goodbye forever.

CODY CARNES THE DARKER THE NIGHT/ THE BRIGHTER THE MORNING

THE SACRED ENNEAGRAM

A GHOST STORY

CHRIS HEUERTZ

[SPARROW RECORDS]

DAVID LOWERY

If you know Carnes at

[LIONSGATE STUDIOS]

[ZONDERVAN]

all, it’s as the husband of

Despite the name, the Casey Affleck-

Author Chris Heuertz makes the case

beloved worship leader

Rooney Mara drama isn’t a horror

that the enneagram is more than

Kari Jobe. But his debut

movie. It’s a reflection on grief and

just a personality test that helps

album proves he’s got an

the power that memories have to

you understand yourself better; it’s

help us move on from even the most

actually a map to developing a deeper

painful losses.

relationship with your Creator.

awful lot to offer in his own right.

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03/03

SELECTS

Kings Kaleidoscope The indie band’s album is forthcoming.

T

HE LATEST MIXTAPE

from experimental worship outfit Kings Kaleidoscope is based

on what frontman Chad Gardner calls “a big idea.” “You can measure maturity by being able to hold two conflicting ideas together at the same time,” he says. “That’s sort of what that big idea is around.” Along with their intricate arrangement, it contains guest spots with hip-hop artists like Andy Mineo and Derek Minor on songs that explore joy, disillusionment, hurt and hope.

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092

THE BEAUTY BETWEEN [KINGS KALEIDOSCOPE]

An album for anyone who’s ever felt like worship music is in a rut.

2017

The War on Drugs THERE’S A LINE in the new song

“Strangest Thing” where Adam Granduciel describes a sky “painted in a wash of indigo.” It’s a fitting metaphor for the album which combines his poetic musings with

A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING [ATLANTIC]

their signature, atmospheric guitars.

By channeling ‘60s’

It’s an album that’s more concerned

rock greats, they

with creating a mood and painting a picture than any single message.

created an indie masterpiece.

THE BIG SICK

comedy tells the story

SINNERS IN THE

Jonathan Edwards’

MICHAEL SHOWALTER

of a Pakistani-American

HANDS OF A

famous sermon about

[AMAZON STUDIOS]

comedian who falls in

LOVING GOD

love with a woman right

Based on actor and

before she suffers a

writer’s Kumail Nanjiani

serious illness. Trust us, it’s

real-life relationship, the

funnier than it sounds.

BRIAN ZAHND [WATERBROOK]

Challenging revivalist

093

an “angry” God, the book recharacterizes God as a loving, gracious father, not a vengeful one.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

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LAST WORD A Thought Before We Go

on the truth of the Word of

perspective to His perfect peace.

God and not on the facts of your circumstances. Your

LEAN ON HIM

circumstances can change, but

The truth is the world around

our God never changes. He who

us will always be changing. It

promised is faithful.

will always have turmoil. But,

But with all of the turmoil

that never changes: our God.

today, you may not feel very

He is the same yesterday, today

unshakable. It can be easy to be

and forever. The next time

swayed by the pain and struggle

circumstances threaten to shake

we face or be thrown off course

you up, choose to remember that

by the obstacles we encounter.

you can lean on God.

So how can we become

Becoming Unshakable How to develop a stronger, deeper faith in God.

hen I was 33, everything I thought

W

to be true about my life was shattered when I found out my brother and I were adopted. A

discovery like that can shake your world.

anything staring you down.

that cannot be moved?

There’s no question He can’t answer. There’s no enemy He

KEEP YOUR FOCUS

can’t defeat. There’s no difficulty

If we want a faith that is

He can’t overcome. There’s

unshakable, we have to feed our

nothing our God can’t do.

minds with truth and starve our

Impossible is where He starts.

doubts. And there is no better

Miracles are what He does.

way to do that than by daily reading God’s Word.

Instead of starting each day

world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the

chaos of the world, start your

world.” There is nothing that

day in God’s presence. This daily

can take down Jesus or the Spirit

habit will help you focus on Him

of the living God inside each of

when uncertainty, fear or pain

us. We can take heart, we can

come knocking at your door.

be unshakable, we can have complete peace because we are

BE GRATEFUL

more than overcomers through

We are living life faster than

Jesus who has already overcome

we ever have before. Our on-

the world.

and mistrust that was ignited

to extinguish that fire before it

is better” can distract us from

could have consumed my life.

became a roaring blaze.

remembering what God has already done for us. We can

I was adopted, my response

betrayal of a dear friend,

was, “Before I was formed in

maybe you’ve found yourself

my mother’s womb—whosever

in financial turmoil or perhaps

is enough. His grace is enough.

womb that was—God knew

your physical world has been

His power is enough.

me. He knitted together my

turned upside down by a

innermost parts. I am fearfully

hurricane or a flood.

Because I know the Word of God, His truth, His promises

NOV-DEC

Whatever it is, you can

for you and I. He said, “In this

Instagram reading about the

demand culture that says “more

and wonderfully made.”

Jesus’ promise to His disciples in John 16:33 is also a promise

scrolling through Facebook or

and His character, I was able

For you, maybe it’s the

Remember He is bigger than

unshakable and develop a faith

The fire of insecurity, doubt

But when my mother told me

in all of that, there is one thing

swirling around us in the world

forget that life in Him is enough.

His love is enough. His healing

The next time you are feeling shaken, remember the ways God has shown up for you in

CHR IS T INE CA INE is a best-selling author and the

be unshakable by building

the past and thank Him. This

founder of The A21 Campaign and

the foundation of your life

simple practice will realign your

Propel Women.

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