In this episode Bruce reviews the book by Michael Paul Gama. Evangelicalism is reaching an inflection point. The exodus of millennials from Evangelical churches and the growth of those self-identifying as "Nones," as in "None of the Above," for their church affiliation, is concerning for the movement's future. Evangelical leaders offer mixed responses to this challenge--from circling the wagons to an enthusiastic "Everything must change!" posture. Theosis takes a different approach. Seeking to understand Evangelicalism and its origins, this book suggests that Evangelicalism is best understood as the sibling of western, Enlightenment Modernity, which served it well . . . until the modern cultural ethos began to shift dramatically toward post-modernity. In this shift, young Evangelicals--principally postmoderns themselves--are abandoning "their father's Evangelicalism" and its perceived linearity, hyper-rationalism, either/or exclusivity, and faith expression, too often perceived as stripped of mystery and wonder. Theosis proposes that to move forward, Evangelicalism must go back to the future, to re-engage with the patristic understanding of salvation as theosis; deification, or union with God. This radical return--and broadening of the doctrine of salvation--has begun to gain traction in Western Christendom, slowly being considered as it has always in the Christian East, as mere Christianity.  Order the Book on Amazon   Bruce & Deb have been married 27 years, have 8 children and one grandson. They are currently living in Romania serving among Ukrainian refugees. For the past 15 years they've been living in Ukraine. They are life long learners and enjoy holding cross-cultural space for meaning making. For more, find us on our blog www.liftupyoureyes.org Subscribe to our Podcast: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/ Spotify Apple Amazon Google Facebook YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe Intro Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/movediz/slow-motion License code: 6VKFZFM9YZXKJ7H6

In this episode, we talk with Aleksa Ayshpur from Kyiv, Ukraine. Aleksa is a gifted young women who has worked for the past 10yrs promoting charity projects and inspiring others in Ukraine to make culture.  Aleksa shares her story, having lost her dad when she was just one year's old, she and her sister were raised in the 90's by her mom during a very difficult time in Ukraine. She shares how she found her faith in Christ, and how God has become central to her identity and decisions moving forward now as a refugee serving with us in Romania.  You can find Aleksa here on FB at https://www.facebook.com/ayshpur and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aleksa.ayshpur/ Thank you for sharing and commenting on our podcast if you enjoy listening to stories of hope, and meaning making from a variety of faith perspectives! https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

Episode: Parenting the Teen This week we're focusing on the the teenage years. A favorite parenting season for Deb, these years are filled with exploring, questions, and the final stage before they leave the nest.. usually!  Bruce & Deb discuss sexuality, dating, and the transition into friendship as the highest form of influence through often turbulent, emotional moments. In the end, tending to our own personal formation and growth as parents is the key. Bruce & Deb have been married 27 years, have 8 children and one grandson. They are currently living in Romania serving among Ukrainian refugees. For the past 15 years they've been living in Ukraine. They are life long learners and enjoy holding cross-cultural space for meaning making. For more, find us on our blog www.liftupyoureyes.org Subscribe to our Podcast: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/ Spotify Apple Amazon Google Facebook YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe Intro Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/movediz/slow-motion License code: 6VKFZFM9YZXKJ7H6

Our family just returned yesterday from a mountain retreat in Western Ukraine with our friends from central Ukraine. For those tracking the news, there's so much ongoing information concerning Ukraine it can be overwhelming to try and try and make sense of what's actually going on. In this podcast, I discuss the past two months inside Ukraine since the Kharkiv offensive, the domino effect that brought on the ground now with conscription, drones, and now nuclear threat.  For Ukrainians, all eyes on are on winter and survival and rolling blackouts are upon the nation. I also some news inside Russia for western listeners, the deconstructing narratives and why the next few weeks in Ukraine could prove critical for those clinging to power inside Russia and Belarus. We will resume the Parenting Perspectives (Teenage years) next week. Thank you for sharing to anyone that would enjoy. ABOUT: Bruce & Deb have been married 27 years, have 8 children and one grandson. They are currently living in Romania serving among Ukrainian refugees. For the past 15 years they've been living in Ukraine. They are life long learners and enjoy holding cross-cultural space for meaning making. For more, find us on our blog www.liftupyoureyes.org Subscribe to our Podcast: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/ Spotify Apple Amazon Google Facebook YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe Intro Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/movediz/slow-motion License code: 6VKFZFM9YZXKJ7H6

Episode: Parenting the Preteen This week we're focusing on the emotional preteen years. As parents, we need to embrace this season as a time of testing and differentiation as our kids begin to embark on discovery of their identity. This essential transition is only made more difficult when parents enforce performance and outward behavior rather than holding space for some unpredictable behavior. - Our kids begin exploring and pushing boundaries. - They test our reactions and give plenty of opportunity to showcase unconditional love. - Inconsistencies in our faith+practice become more obvious to our kids. - This is NOT the time to increase discipline, but focus on maintaining trust and parent the heart. - Grace in this phase will produce MUCH less rebellion in the teen years. - Danger zone once again for religious families. Bruce & Deb have been married 27 years, have 8 children and one grandson. They are currently living in Romania serving among Ukrainian refugees. For the past 15 years they've been living in Ukraine. They are life long learners and enjoy holding cross-cultural space for meaning making. For more, find us on our blog www.liftupyoureyes.org Subscribe to our Podcast: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/ Spotify Apple Amazon Google Facebook YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe Intro Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/movediz/slow-motion License code: 6VKFZFM9YZXKJ7H6

Episode: Parenting the Middles (Ages 4-10yrs)) Join Bruce & Deb as they discuss the parenting journey from pregnancy through becoming grandparents.  Each episode will focus on a stage in the parenting journey and hopefully will encourage, bring some practical wisdom, and vision for the formational journey ahead. In this episode, ages 4-10yrs old: The Crowe’s share about paying attention to your body, your emotions, and parenting through self-awareness. So often we are parenting from other places and spaces, our stress, and fears. Learning to be present in these formative years grounds our kids in the unconditional love they, and we need to thrive. They also discuss holding space for rebellion, and moving from the authority of "role", to the more lasting influence of "relationship" as essential for preparing for the teenage and young adult years.  Bruce & Deb have been married 27 years, have 8 children and one grandson. They are currently living in Romania serving among Ukrainian refugees. For the past 15 years they've been living in Ukraine. They are life long learners and enjoy holding cross-cultural space for meaning making. For more, find us on our blog www.liftupyoureyes.org Subscribe to our Podcast: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/ Spotify Apple Amazon Google Facebook YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe Intro Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/movediz/slow-motion License code: 6VKFZFM9YZXKJ7H6

Episode: The Early Years (Infant - 3yrs) Join Bruce & Deb as they discuss the parenting journey from pregnancy through becoming grandparents. Each episode will focus on a stage in the parenting journey and hopefully will encourage young parents and provide some comic relief to those still on the journey with us! In this episode, we cover the New Born - 3 Years phase of parenting. Deb talks about creating rhythms, schedules, and bonding. We talk about creating boundaries, nurturing the heart vs outward obedience and how the early years provide young parents a reflective mirror into their own soul. We have been married 27 years, have 8 children and one grandson. We're currently living in Romania serving among Ukrainian refugees. For the past 15 years we've been raising kids in Ukraine as a missionary family, engaged in humanitarian work, business and mission projects. We love laughing, becoming best friends with our kids, and learning. For more, find us on our blog www.liftupyoureyes.org Subscribe to our Podcast: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/ Spotify Apple Amazon Google Facebook YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe Intro Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/movediz/slow-motion License code: 6VKFZFM9YZXKJ7H6

Episode: Pregnancy Join Bruce & Deb as they discuss the parenting journey from pregnancy through becoming grandparents. Each episode will focus on a stage in the parenting journey and hopefully will encourage young parents and provide some comic relief to those still on the journey with us! In this episode, we'll go back in time and give our younger selves the advice we wish we had from the perspectives of a more experienced husband and wife. In this episode Deb talks about the realities of a changing body during pregnancy, home vs hospital births, we chuckle about the challenges of sex and importance of communication as well as other random things along the way. We have been married 27 years, have 8 children and one grandson. We're currently living in Romania serving among Ukrainian refugees. For the past 15 years we've been raising kids in Ukraine as a missionary family, engaged in humanitarian work, business and mission projects. We love laughing, becoming best friends with our kids, and learning. For more, find us on our blog www.liftupyoureyes.org Subscribe to our Podcast: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/ Spotify Apple Amazon Google Facebook YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe Intro Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/movediz/slow-motion License code: 6VKFZFM9YZXKJ7H6

Don't miss Alejandro's powerful story of redemption and hope. Fatherless, raised by two moms, inundated by pornography and a deep anger towards God, young Alejandro wanted to die. Listen to his amazing story of how God answered his desperate prayer and continues to restore his life.   Alejandro now serves, with his wife Rosanna and daughter in Romania as missionaries. He has a heart for the marginalized and oppressed. His vision is to open a residential safe house, and place of healing for victims desperate for the same hope He has found in Christ.   You can find Alejandro at https://www.facebook.com/alevenegasr   If you enjoy conversations from a variety of cultural and faith perspectives, subscribe to the Perspectives Podcast with Bruce Crowe. https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/ Spotify Apple Amazon Google Facebook Intro Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/movediz/slow-motion License code: 6VKFZFM9YZXKJ7H6

Jon is a Jazz musician from New Zealand who’s story will encourage creative souls to be true to yourself, and develop your gifts. He and his wife Ruth have lived and worked in several cultures, giving them a perspective to position their lives for loving on the margins.  In this podcast we'll learn about Jon's story, growing up partially Maori (Indigenous people group in New Zealand), marrying his wife Ruth, moving to Ukraine, working through cancer in their family, making a bold decision to return to school at 38 to get a master's degree in Jazz and now starting a creative musical academy. In just it's second year, his Te Hiku musical platform gives lessons to over 150 students, in 6 schools. Jon is a listener, a caring and creative dude that is bringing life and inspiration to those on the fringes. Learn about his next dream to get a touring bus and take mission+music on the road in the remote parts of New Zealand. Follow the school on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/Te-Hiku-Music-Academy-101119042501975 Find Jon - https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.pirini   If you enjoy conversations from a variety of cultural and faith perspectives, subscribe to the Perspectives Podcast with Bruce Crowe. https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/ Spotify Apple Amazon Google Facebook Intro Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/movediz/slow-motion License code: 6VKFZFM9YZXKJ7H6

In this episode, Rares Calugar from Meeting Point, joins us sharing his story of living in the former Soviet Union in Romania as a child, and his journey to finding his purpose in serving Christ as a native missionary to his people.  Rares is a United Methodist Pastor in Romania, who gathered a team of like-minded NGO's to collaborate and share space in an old hotel in Cluj-Napoca. There, their teams serve the elderly, orphans, cancer patients, and now Ukrainian refugees.  Find Rares and the team at Meeting Point:  https://www.facebook.com/MeetingPointRO/ Thank you for listening, be sure to subscribe to our Audio Podcast at https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/  Like our YouTube channel for more updates each week! https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe

Musician Peter Putnam from Georgia joins the Perspectives Podcast to discuss the song "We Didn't Want Your War" which he wrote in solidarity with Ukraine. Listen how the story took shape, from sitting on his couch watching the terror unleashed by Russia on Ukraine in the early days of the war, to recording the song in less than two weeks. One of the coolest things about the song, is that the lyrics were translated quotes directly from Ukrainians as Peter began to jot down what he was hearing them say in response to war. On behalf of all Ukrainians praying for this war to end, thank you for your support! To download and listen to the song, search for: Artist: Peter Putnam Song Title: We Didn't Want Your War Instagram: @peterputnam Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pumpputnam   If you enjoy conversations from a variety of cultural and faith perspectives, subscribe to the Perspectives Podcast with Bruce Crowe. https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/ Spotify Apple Amazon Google Facebook

Episode Description In their mid 40’s, Dar and Andrew Draper had a comfortable life in North Carolina. Their life took a major shift then they began sensing God was calling them to serve orphans in Ukraine!  Listen in as they share their life journey and how they transitioned to serving as missionaries in Ukraine with their new ministry called GLOW (Go Love Others Well).  Glow Website: https://glowmission.org  Dar and Andrew on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dar.draper  ***If you enjoyed this podcast, remember to subscribe!*** https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/  This podcast is on our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe Spotify Apple Amazon Google Facebook

This podcast is recorded from an undisclosed location in Far East Russia. For more in-depth conversation and updates on Ukraine, Russia subscribe to Perspective Podcast with Bruce Crowe - Click https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/  Episode Description: David is a friend from Switzerland who is living with his Russian wife and children (2 are adopted). He's lived in Russia for over a decade, and has remained in the country while most foreigners have left fearing persecution. We'll begin our conversation learning about David's early years in Switzerland, his fascination with the former Soviet Union, and eventually raising his family in the the Far East. In the second half, listen as David and Bruce discuss the competing narratives inside Russia, the power of propaganda on both sides, and state of ordinary life inside Russia. Are the sanctions having any effect? Is the average citizen even aware what is taking place in Ukraine? What was David's reaction when Russia launched it's offensive back in February, and has anything chanced since? We thank David for sharing an important perspective from many inside Russia who risk 15 years in prison for even using the word 'war' let alone publicly opposing the bloodshed taking place in Ukraine. Our Host: I'm Bruce, my wife and our eight children have lived in Ukraine for the past 15 years. I'm an avid missional thinker with a master's degree in global leadership from Fuller Seminary. I've started several businesses in the US and Ukraine, and been busy the past decade pioneering platforms for emerging Slavic leaders towards personal development and start-ups. The war in Ukraine uprooted our family to Romania, where we are now serving alongside refugees and some local outreach projects. You can visit our blog at www.liftupyoureyes.org  Links: Perspectives YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe Cultural Comparison Website (mentioned in podcast) https://www.hofstede-insights.com/fi/product/compare-countries/ Spotify Apple Amazon Google Facebook

Meet Onisim!  A Romanian believer, missionary, one of 15 kids who's story sounds a lot like Jonah's. Enter his story and be encouraged by the vision on his heart for creating welcoming space outside the confines of traditional religion, deep in the heart his city's bar district.  Watch the interview on YouTube - https://youtu.be/g_PkykixYz0 To learn more about his project and participate, visit https://mirministries.org/case-study/project-destiny-community-cluj-napoca  Perspectives Podcast is a place for engaging cultural and faith through conversation. Thank you for subscribing and sharing!  To subscribe visit - https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Perspectives-Podcast-105426408932120 ---------------- Podcast Website – click Here Spotify: click here iTunes: click here Amazon: click here  YouTube: click here Facebook Podcast Page: click here #cluj #romania #missiondei #mirministries #perspectivespodcast #perspectiveswithbrucecrowe   Intro Music by https://uppbeat.io/t/movediz/slow-motion License code: 6VKFZFM9YZXKJ7H6

When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th, Lena decided to stay in Ukraine and serve her community with her husband. After five consecutive months of living through war in Ukraine, Lena and her friend Anya have joined Bruce in Romania for a week of much needed R&R. Bruce sits down for a catch-up with Lena, and you're invited to listen in. You'll enjoy a down to earth, non-political perspective on the conditions inside Ukraine, as well as Lena's personal story of faith and missional service in this crisis.  To send Lena an encouraging word, you can find her at https://www.facebook.com/lyena.loobyloo For those who are interested, a comprehensive Podcast that provides daily, reliable information from inside Ukraine in English: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/03/02/russia-ukraine-war-listen-daily-podcast/

Olena Koval is a displaced Ukrainian refugee, adapting to life in Cluj, Romania with her daughter.  She has been serving the refugee community with group therapy, and online counseling since arriving at the onset of the war. In this, our second episode of Perspectives, we'll hear about how Olena changed career paths and became a professional psychologist in Kyiv, Ukraine and how the war has impacted the trajectory of her life. If you have suffered from trauma, or would like some insight among from one of the millions now displaced inside and outside of Ukraine, join us!!! **** To contact Olena, you can find her at https://www.facebook.com/olena.koval.5 ****For weekly episodes visit us at https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BU1RPbS0fcDliYlYXOR0z

We've launched the Perspectives Podcast! Meaningful conversations from a variety of cultural and faith perspectives... Episode Info: in this initial podcast, I introduce myself, and give a little background on our family and interest in the art of life-long learning. Conversations and interviews will be uploaded weekly, starting in August, 2022. Listen in and learn with us on Apple, Spotify, and Podbean. https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/ *Music from Uppbeat License code: 6VKFZFM9YZXKJ7H6