Episode 139 - The Fight Against Child Exploitation: Child Rescue
Today's episode is a sobering one, but such an important listen. I sat down with Tony and Louisa from Child Rescue at the Thinking Matters 'Truth Matters' conference. Child Rescue is an organisation working to locate and free children trapped in exploitation around the world.In this episode you'll hear what this work actually looks like - where the children are being rescued from, how the raids happen, and the heartbreaking reality of the trauma no child should have to endure. One story I can’t stop thinking about is the girl at the green gate - a three-year-old who was being sold online. For two years, one team member devoted himself to searching through Google Maps and walking the streets until he finally found her and was able to orchestrate her rescue from her abusers.We talked about how Tony and Louisa hold onto hope and how their faith sustains and motivates them in their work.If this episode moves you like it did me, please take a moment to pray for the work Child Rescue is doing - and if you can, visit their website (https://www.childrescue.org.nz/) to support or get involved.Click here to watch this episode on YouTube. 0:00 – Coming Up0:43 – Intro1:19 – Meet Louisa1:57 – Meet Tony2:33 – What Is Child Rescue? The mission behind the organisation and how they fight child exploitation.6:17 – Where Are the Children Being Rescued? The places and countries affected most by trafficking and abuse.9:48 – The Biggest Drivers of Trauma10:38 – How Do Rescues Actually Happen? From intelligence gathering to on-the-ground operations.14:29 – Inside the Raids17:15 – Faith is the key19:00 – Stories That Stay With You: Including the heartbreaking rescue of the girl at the green gate - a 3-year-old found after two years of searching.28:00 – How to Support Child Rescue: Ways to pray, give, or get involved in this vital work.29:27 – How do Tony and Louisa live their faith outside of Sunday?Support the showOutside of Sunday is part of the Outsider Network and is made with the help of Inspirational Media.
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Episode 138 - The Most Strategic Christian Harvest Field You've Never Heard of, Todd Funk
This chat was recorded at the Truth Matters Conference - and it wasn’t even supposed to happen! Todd Funk stepped in at the last minute to fill in for astrophysicist Dr. Luke Barnes, and with no prep and no plan, we hit record and went with the flow. What came out was one of the most genuine and inspiring conversations as Todd shared his passion with us.Todd talks about how the 4–14 window is the most strategic - and often overlooked - harvest field in the Christian world. From his work with Launch Pad (Bible in Schools) to Children’s Bible Ministries at Camp Raglan, Todd has a FIRE in his belly for the kids of New Zealand, and I’m so thankful we have him! We also touch on his apologetics work and tackle the question, “Why does truth matter?”. 👉 Learn more about Thinking Matters at thinkingmatters.org.nzClick here to watch this episode on YouTube.0:00 – Coming up1:00 – About Todd Funk and coming to New Zealand1:39 – The most strategic harvest field: the 4–14 window2:50 – Todd’s role at Thinking Matters and reaching young minds for Christ3:42 – Reaching kids for Christ in today’s culture5:35 – Launch Pad (Bible in Schools) 6:35 – Pushback on sharing the gospel in schools8:02 – Camp Raglan 10:06 – Living in God’s purpose13:56 – Why truth matters14:59 – The most compelling evidences for Christ17:25 – How Todd lives his faith outside of SundaySupport the showOutside of Sunday is part of the Outsider Network and is made with the help of Inspirational Media.
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Episode 137 - Can Christianity and Te Ao Māori Coexist? Henare Whaanga, Part 2
In this second part of our chat with Henare Whaanga, we pick up where we left off - asking what’s contributed to the shift away from Christianity in Māoridom, and whether faith and culture can truly coexist. If you’ve ever wrestled with how to honour your culture while following Christ, I hope this conversation will bless you.Henare shares his thoughts on navigating identity, subjectivism, and the growing resurgence of Māori spirituality. We also touch on whether a spiritual experience alone is enough to sustain our faith.This is an honest conversation that you might find challenging - but my hope is that it will leave you encouraged and embracing the opportunity to grow in grace where we disagree. Click here to watch this episode on YouTube.For more information and resources from Thinking Matters head to www.thinkingmatters.org.nz0:00 – Previously: Recap of Part 1 and Henare’s journey so far1:10 – Why Many Māori Are Shifting Away from Christianity: Cultural, historical, and social factors shaping faith today4:26 – Subjectivism in Māoridom6:05 – Reconciling Christianity with Te Ao Māori7:33 – A Confronting Kōrero: Nothing is true8:41 – From Re-indigenisation to Māori Religion: When celebrating heritage turns spiritual 11:19 – “Not the First Generation to Wrestle with This”12:35 – Picking a Side: Choosing where to stand when faith and culture collide14:23 – Leaving Old Religions for Christ: How every culture has faced this crossroads17:01 – Why a Spiritual Experience Is Not Enough: The need for spirit and truth21:32 – Does the New Zealand Church Need Change?24:02 – Henare’s Words to the Doubting: Encouragement for those questioning their faith25:42 – Henare’s Words to the Wrestling: Finding peace between culture and Christianity27:47 – Henare answers how he lives his faith 'outside of Sunday'Support the showOutside of Sunday is part of the Outsider Network and is made with the help of Inspirational Media.
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Episode 136 - Christianity, Colonisation, and Māori Identity: Henare Whaanga, Part 1
In this episode, I sit down with Henare Whaanga at the Truth Matters Conference for an honest chat about faith and identity. Henare shares his journey to Christ and what it’s been like walking with Jesus as Māori - which hasn’t always been easy...We tackle big questions too, like whether Christianity was just a tool of colonisation, and how forgiveness radically shaped Māori in the 19th century. It’s real, thought-provoking, and such an important conversation to have.Part two drops 23 October, where we’ll go even deeper into what’s shaped the shift in Māoridom away from Christianity, explore the resurgence of Māori spirituality, and talk about how it is possible to reconcile faith and culture.Click here to watch this episode on YouTube.For more information and resources from Thinking Matters head to www.thinkingmatters.org.nz0:00 – Coming up: What to expect in this conversation with Henare Whaanga1:09 – Welcome & Introduction: Meet Henare and hear a little about him2:17 – Henare’s Journey to Christ: Personal testimony of how he found faith7:45 – Being a Christian in a Māori Space: Challenges of following Jesus within Māori communities10:04 – Is Christianity a Tool of Colonisation?: Exploring historical and cultural questions17:30 – Forgiveness and Māori History: How the concept of forgiveness shaped Māori society in the 19th century20:48 – Coming up in Part 2Support the showOutside of Sunday is part of the Outsider Network and is made with the help of Inspirational Media.
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Episode 135 - Insights on Spiritual Growth
In this Insights episode of Outside of Sunday, Christa and Laura start by catching up on the very first Outsider Retreat - sharing a few highlights, from late-night karaoke to a beautiful shared communion. Then, they reflect on MK’s powerful two-part episode, revisiting the story, their reactions, and the deeper lessons about faith, surrender, and spiritual growth that came through it all. From The Pilgrim’s Progress to the purpose of the Church, this episode invites you to pause and consider how God uses even our hardest seasons to grow us closer to Him.Click here to watch this episode on YouTube0:00 - Coming up1:00 - Welcome3:00 - Outsider Retreat chat12:52 - Recap and reaction to part 115:32 - Recap and reaction to part 218:04 - Laura draws from the Pilgrims Progress20:57 - When Christians face trials we have a choice… our will or His23:38 - It all comes down to spiritual growth25:53 - The purpose of the church is not evangelism30:49 - Does God cause suffering so that we grow in our faith?Support the showOutside of Sunday is part of the Outsider Network and is made with the help of Inspirational Media.
NZ-based Christian women's podcast. Genuine conversations, inspiring testimonies, and biblical encouragement to live our faith in and outside of Sunday.