Front Light

On this episode, we hear from Mennonite Action’s founding directors Nick Martin and Adam Ramer. As they transition out of their director roles, we talk to them about their joys, hopes and lessons learned.

Huge thank you to the incredible Jewish recording artist, Batya Levine for the use of their song “We Rise” as our theme song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tkmkwufRVw). The beautiful logo is by Jesse Bergen. Front Light is edited by Ken Ogasawara, who is a co-producer along with Jonny Rashid, Joanna Lawrence Shenk, Holly Harris, and Nick Martin. Thank you all for listening and sharing.

On this episode, we hear from Mennonite Action alumnus Amy Yoder McGloughlin. She is the Conference Minister with Allegheny Mennonite Conference, and she is the Denominational Minister of Education with the Mennonite Church USA.  She's been travelling to Palestine every year since 2013, leading delegations with Community Peacemaker Teams. We talk to her about her upcoming book and a recent delegation to Palestine that some Mennonite Action folks went on!
Huge thank you to the incredible Jewish recording artist, Batya Levine for the use of their song “We Rise” as our theme song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tkmkwufRVw). The beautiful logo is by Jesse Bergen. Front Light is edited by Ken Ogasawara and produced by Jonny Rashid, Joanna Lawrence Shenk, Holly Harris, and Nick Martin. Thank you all for listening and sharing. 
Iran Money Clock: https://iran-cost-ticker.com/
Picket and Pray registration link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tU6krXE_RRGWnxK-mzybJg#/registration

On this episode, we hear a report-back from Joanna after her trip to Minneapolis during the ICE surge and amidst the mass movement resisting ICE occupation. She, along with Adam Ramer, participated in a Week of Action conference coordinated by organizers in the city. They also had a chance to meet with Mennonite Action folks in the Twin Cities and learn about how they are participating in the movement. Joanna recorded conversations with community members Jakob, Joan, Phil and Sadie which is followed by a conversation with Jonny. 
Huge thank you to the incredible Jewish recording artist, Batya Levine for the use of their song “We Rise” as our theme song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tkmkwufRVw).
The beautiful logo is by Jesse Bergen. Front Light is edited by Ken Ogasawara and produced by Jonny Rashid, Joanna Lawrence Shenk, Holly Harris, and Nick Martin. Thank you all for listening and sharing. 
mennoniteaction.org

On this episode honoring Black History Month, we interview Drew G. I. Hart. Dr. Hart is an associate professor of theology at Messiah University where he has directed the Thriving Together: Congregations for Racial Justice program in central PA since 2021. He co-hosts Inverse Podcast with Australian peace activist Jarrod McKenna and is the author of Trouble I've Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism (2016), Who Will Be A Witness?: Igniting Activism for God's Justice, Love, and Deliverance (2020), and he co-edited and contributed to Reparations and the Theological Disciplines: Prophetic Voices for Remembrance, Reckoning, and Repair (Nov. 2023). His newest book is Making It Plain: Why We Need Anabaptism and the Black Church (September 2, 2025). Drew regularly speaks at colleges, conferences, churches, and community groups across the country. He is married to Renee and is the father of three sons.
Huge thank you to the incredible Jewish recording artist, Batya Levine for the use of their song “We Rise” as our theme song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tkmkwufRVw). The beautiful logo is by Jesse Bergen. Front Light is edited by Ken Ogasawara and produced by Jonny Rashid, Joanna Lawrence Shenk, Holly Harris, and Nick Martin. Thank you all for listening and sharing. 
Sing Down The Doors: https://www.mennoniteaction.org/updates/singdownthedoors
AP article on Target featuring Menonite Action: https://apnews.com/article/target-ice-protest-minneapolis-4a9012400f6c8b44e96451a04e0113c8
Making it Plain by Drew Hart: https://heraldpress.com/9781513816364/making-it-plain/

In this powerful episode, the Mennonite Action national team reflects on their journey as they enter their third year of activism. Nick Martin is the co-founder and Campaign Director at Mennonite Action. Adam Ramer is the co-founder and the Fundraising and Partnerships Director at Mennonite Action. Holly Harris serves as the Digital Communications Coordinator. Rhea Clymer and Lorren Oesch serve as distributed organizers.

The conversation highlights the lessons learned over the past two years, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and adaptability in response to changing political landscapes. We hear insights on the Courage Tour, which successfully trained over 1,000 individuals across the US reinforcing the organization's commitment to countering Christian nationalism and Zionism. The team discusses the significance of building community connections and the role of faith in motivating public action, while also addressing the ongoing struggles faced by marginalized communities, particularly in relation to Palestine and immigration issues.
Huge thank you to the incredible Jewish recording artist, Batya Levine for the use of their song “We Rise” as our theme song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tkmkwufRVw). The beautiful logo is by Jesse Bergen. Front Light is edited by Ken Ogasawara and produced by Jonny Rashid, Joanna Lawrence Shenk, Holly Harris, and Nick Martin. Thank you all for listening and sharing.
Keywords

Mennonite Action, Courage Tour, Christian nationalism, Palestine, immigration, grassroots activism, community organizing, faith-based action, social justice, anti-authoritarianism

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mennonite Action Team
01:31 Reflections on Growth and Lessons Learned
07:06 Impact of Political Events on Organizing
12:25 The Interconnectedness of Struggles
17:43 The Role of the Church in Social Justice
21:40 Strategies Against Authoritarianism
25:20 The Ceasefire Illusion and Its Implications
27:28 Grassroots Organizing for Palestine
33:21 Local Solidarity and Immigrant Support
37:37 Red Line Moments: Community Mobilization
45:16 Looking Ahead: Plans for the Future