06. Rethinking Community Development with Derran Reese

Ethical Evangelism

Feb 6

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Stitcher

Overview

Derran, a long-time acquaintance of Lauren from working in Southeast Asia, tackles some big questions around systems of community development. The two take a critical look at recent trends in social intervention, and ask where our best-laid plans for developing communities outside of the West have failed and how we can be more curious as we seek new strategies.

“Transformational development helps us think about how this is not a one-way transactional type of work, that it is about the transformation of all involved.”

“Creation Care is that it’s not just about caring for creation, but caring for creation is about justice. It’s about caring for vulnerable communities, because the communities that are suffering the most from climate instability are mostly vulnerable, impoverished communities.”

“Understanding the holistic nature of the gospel, that the gospel is not Jesus came to save souls to go to heaven, but that Jesus is Lord and God is making all things new through Christ.”

Guest Bio

Derran Reese is the co-author of Development in Mission: A Guide for Transforming Global Poverty and Ourselves. He currently serves as the Director of Experiential Learning at Abilene Christian University where he also teaches classes on global mission. Formerly, he worked in congregational ministry and refugee resettlement, both in Abilene, Texas. Before that, Derran served as a missionary in Thailand where he also opened and operated a brick oven pizza restaurant.

Episode Highlights