Perspectives Podcast

15/03/2024

After a year off, we're firing up the old podcast again, this time with my son Broderic as we journey through pioneering a new missional space in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Join us over the coming months as we unpack missional theology, philosophy, and stories along the way from a variety of faith perspectives.

You can find the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Direct link to listen: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/e/were-back-perspectives-podcast-returns/

To learn more about Lighthouse Cluj, visit https://mirministries.org/lighthouse

After a year break, we're back to conversations on a variety of missional and faith perspectives. This week, I'm joined by Broderic Crowe, our eldest son who's joined us in Cluj-Napoca Romania for the launch of a new missional creative space called Lighthouse Cluj. In this episode, we're just warmin...

18/11/2022

First of some recommended book reviews.

Podcast: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-w6u9b-131a099
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe

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.

18/11/2022

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 movemen...

08/11/2022

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 sis...

08/11/2022

November 8th, Aleksa's journey from Ukraine, to Italy, to Romania.. navigating loss and living into a surprising new world.

Podcast Subscribe: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/
Listen YouTube: https://youtu.be/M52n_XGhkss

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 sis...

02/11/2022

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...

23/10/2022

Our family just returned yesterday from a retreat with friends in 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 give a summary of the past two months since the Kharkiv offensive, the domino effect from conscription, drones, weaponizing energy and now the potential for disaster in the Kherson region if the dam is destroyed.

For regular Ukrainians, the focus is surviving the winter, and the new rolling blackouts. I talk about how Ukrainians heat their homes, and the practical challenges ahead.

Subscribe to our Podcast: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

You can watch this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe

23/10/2022

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,....

11/10/2022

Episode: Parenting the Pr***en This week we're focusing on the emotional pr***en 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 e...

07/10/2022

Parenting can be so exhausting!

In this episode, we focus on 4-10yr olds and the importance for parents to pay attention to their bodies, emotions and take care of their own soul first.

So often, young and first time parents are reactionary, and unaware of the deeper issues going on in their own hearts. Without realizing this, we'll we're train our kids that it's normative to operate in stress with others.

Bruce & Deb discuss importance of moving from the 'outward obedience' focus of the toddler years the more sustainable and life-giving 'relational influence' by focusing on the heart, and the power of unconditional love.

Whether your single or married, come join us as we dive deeply into ways we're learning how to form emotionally and spiritually healthy kids, teens, and young adults.

Deb is a certified Spiritual Director, and Bruce is a cross-cultural leader in missional spaces. They've been married 28yrs, raising 8 of their own children in the US, Ukraine and now Romania. They enjoy living rooms, meaning making, and conversations that engage the soul.

Subscribe & Listen on your favorite player: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BU1RPbS0fcDliYlYXOR0z

Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspectives-podcast-with-bruce-crowe/id1636524283

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe

Listen to Perspectives Podcast with Bruce Crowe on Spotify.

28/09/2022

Parenting Perspectives Episode 2: Infant - 3yrs old.

In this episode, Deb and Bruce Crowe talk about creating rhythms, nurturing the heart vs outward obedience and how the early years set the stage for friendship with our children.

The Crowes have been married for 27 years, they have 8 children and one grandson. They are currently living in Romania with their four youngest kids.

Each week they share their perspective on a stage of parenting, and advice they would give their younger parenting selves.

Subscribe to your favorite player: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe

21/09/2022

This week the lovely Deborah Crowe joins me on the Perspectives Podcast as we start a fun series on the nature of parenting. In this first episode we discuss the pregnancy phase and travel back to give ourselves advice we wished we had.

We'll journey in the coming years through parenting toddlers, teens, and young adults. Figured we have enough practice now to share some helpful advice in a fun format. We'll do some video options later, we didn't have time to do our hair.

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https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

Episode: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-s2y54-12cbf20

14/09/2022

Don't miss episode 10! Alejandro from Costa Rica shares his powerful story of redemption and hope. Fatherless, raised by two moms, inundated by po*******hy 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 and fill him with a mission of love for others.

Subscribe and Listen: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/yv2EpSK8JOE

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

Intro Music from Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/movediz/slow-motion
License code: 6VKFZFM9YZXKJ

07/09/2022

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 episode, 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 study Jazz and now pioneering 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.

Subscribe and listen:
https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe

31/08/2022

Rares Calugar shares his story of growing up in communist Romania, living through a revolution, and finding God.

Rares (pronounced ‘Raresh’) is the director of a charity called Meeting Point which has been instrumental this year sending dozens of convoys of aid into Ukraine. They also host refugees at their hotel for free, which serves normally as a place for cancer patients and their families.

Join us as we hear his story, and how he is creating culture as a native Romanian and using his Orthodox heritage to love his neighbors.

You can 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

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 ...

31/08/2022

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....

24/08/2022

Musician Peter Putnam from Georgia joins the Perspectives Podcast to discuss his original song "We Didn't Want Your War" which he wrote in solidarity with Ukraine.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/SmYzmhRu0jY
Audio: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

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 Ukrainians say in response to this war.

On behalf of all Ukrainians praying for this war to end, and artists that continue to stand with Ukraine, 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:
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.

Don't miss another podcast, subscribe at https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

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22/08/2022

Dropping this Wednesday on the podcast, American musician Peter Putnam joins me to discuss the song he wrote at the onset of the war in Ukraine.

Available on all major streaming platforms.

18/08/2022

In this episode, Andrew Draper and Dar Draper share how they went from a comfortable ministry position in the US to answering God's call to serve orphans in Ukraine.

Subscribe and share! https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

Episode DescriptionIn 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 G...

12/08/2022

LIFE INSIDE RUSSIA DURING THE WAR

For more in-depth conversation and updates on Ukraine, Russia subscribe to Perspective Podcast with Bruce Crowe: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

👉 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?

✍️ Perspectives YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe

11/08/2022

Life inside Russia during the war 🪖
Full interview - https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

08/08/2022

Meet Onisim!

A Romanian friend, and leader, one of 15 kids who's story sounds a lot like Jonah's. Enter his story in conversation and be encouraged by the vision on his heart to create welcoming space outside the confines of traditional religion, deep in the heart his city's bar district.

To subscribe to the Perspectives Podcast Visit: https://perspectives-podcast.podbean.com/

To learn more about his project and participate, visit https://mirministries.org/case-study/...

Watch his project promo video! https://youtu.be/Ae3t4lfv3Nw

Thank you for subscribing and sharing!

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucecrowe

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 h...

03/08/2022

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/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BU1RPbS0fcDliYlYXOR0z

Listen to Perspectives Podcast on Spotify.

28/07/2022

Olena Koval is herself 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/4BU1RPbS0fcDliYlYXOR0

Listen to Perspectives Podcast on Spotify.