Danielle Strickland on Racism, Justice & Canada as a Place of Healing for the Nations
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In this conversation Jason explores a wide-range of topics with Danielle Strickland. They dive into the importance of disruption as a catalyst for spiritual growth. The listener is reminded in that, “There is no changing the future without disrupting the present.” Leaders have a tendency to view disruption as a threat, but Strickland reminds us that it can be an invitation to transformation.
Danielle also explores the eruption of concern over racism and inequality due to the death of George Floyd. How should the Christian leader respond? Her encouragement is theologically rich, deeply practical and unapologetically prophetic. Racism is named as “anti-Christ.” The reality of racism is identified as more than skin-deep. Danielle shares that we are waging war against principalities and powers — spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places — it is a spiritual battle for the souls of people.
And our God is a God who hears the sighs of the oppressed and brings freedom through His chosen people. Danielle urges us to confront the powers of evil with the assurance that Jesus is with us. This is flushed out more when discussing justice and evangelism. As Strickland says, “Justice is love in public.” We need more than a theology of love. What is required is a public demonstration of love and justice in such a time as this.
The episode ends with a prophetic call for Canada to be a place of healing for the nations.
Danielle Strickland
Danielle is a spiritual leader, justice advocate, communicator and peace maker. Her aggressive compassion has served people firsthand in countries all over the world. From establishing justice departments and church plants, to launching global anti-trafficking initiatives, to creating new initiatives to mobilize people towards transformational spiritual life. Danielle trains, advocates, and inspires people to live differently through initiatives like: Amplify Peace, Brave Global, Women’s Speakers Collective, and Infinitum. Currently based in Toronto, Canada, Danielle is the proud mom of 3 boys, wife to Stephen, and as an enneagram 7, has been affectionately called the "ambassador of fun".
“This generation doesn’t just want a theology of love, they want a demonstration of love. Justice is a demonstration of love.”
Episode Links
Danielle has written a few different books that you can find on her website, including her most recent book Better Together - an impassioned plea and workable solution for women and men to imagine a better world, embrace their differences, find ways to end oppression, and learn how to work better together. In one quote from this book Danielle says, “I refuse to believe that all men are bad. I also refuse to believe that all women are victims. I don’t want to be just hopeful, I want to be strategically hopeful. I want to work toward a better world with a shared view of the future that looks like equality, freedom, and flourishing.”
Danielle also hosts a podcast which she describes as a show that contains her “preaches, rants, and revelations.” This podcast covers anything that Danielle is passionate about including the power of someone’s story, sexual exploitation, and deepening one’s life.
“There’s no changing the future, without disrupting the present.”
Conversation Links
Danielle has pioneered a variety of impactful initiatives, all of which are listed below.
Brave Global - Invites God’s people to reach out to the most vulnerable girls with a message of empowerment and works to prevent human trafficking.
Amplify Peace - A global movement launching peacemakers through transformational encounters and trips.
Women Speakers Collective - Develops and equips women communicators, with intensive bootcamps and coaching programs online and in cities around the world.
Infinitum - A spiritual practice for those who follow Jesus and want to prayerfully practice surrender, generosity, and mission. Infinitum gives you tools and rhythms to live out in your personal spiritual life and your community spiritual life.
Youtube Links
We have also posted some of our favourite sections of this interview on our Youtube Channel - here is one of them:
This episode was brought to you by…
Briercrest College and Seminary has been committed to raising up and developing Christians leaders for the last 85 years. With a goal to serve and bless the local church, Briercrest’s programs help the leaders of the future develop a biblical worldview, and hone the practical skills needed to succeed in the world of church leadership and nonprofit management. Every year hundreds of young adults choose Briercrest and experience an intentional discipleship community that helps them deepen their faith in such a formative time in their journey. If you know someone who could benefit from an education that focuses on spiritual formation, Biblical learning, and the practical skills needed to succeed as a leader, Briercrest is the place for them.
Coming Up Next
Ben Karuhije
Ben Karuhije is the pastor of Cities Church, a local church with a Canada wide mission to plant one hundred churches, in one hundred cities. After a series of direction-defining encounters with Jesus in his late teens, he left university and gave himself wholly to reaching as many people as possible with the reality of Who Jesus is and the life-changing potential of His power and love. God has authenticated this calling through much confirmation over the years, but most of all through the visionary tribe that has rallied around his leadership. He is married to his beautiful wife Sarah, and they live in Brandon Manitoba, from where they faithfully pursue the mission of Jesus.