Did you know Islam has its own end-time prophecies that shape thoughts on Middle East wars, Israel, and the West? In this special edition episode, Karen and Renod Bejjani, Authors and Founders of iHOPE Ministries, unpack what Muslims believe about the end times and why it matters for Christians seeking to share their faith. Discover how Islamic and Christian end-time prophecies influence global conflict and personal relationships. You’ll learn: Key differences and similarities between Islamic an...
Jul 17, 2025•27 min
Join Us for a Summer Online Blue Cord Study - Begins June 11th through July 23rd. For more details and to register go HERE : About the Guest: Renod Bejjani: Renod Bejjani is a former Christian who experienced intense persecution in several Islamic world nations. After years of anger and hatred towards Muslims, he had a transformational encounter with God and now serves as an instrument of God's love to Muslims. Renod is the author of two books, "Muslims: Five Biblical Essentials Every Christian ...
May 23, 2024•26 min•Season 6Ep. 17
About the Guest(s): Cathy is an experienced Christian missionary and disciple-maker. She has led gospel sharing teams in multiple countries and currently disciples a group of new believers in Pakistan. Cathy is actively involved in helping everyday believers live out their calling to make Jesus known through her work with iHOPE Ministries. Episode Summary: In this episode, Karen and Cathy discuss the challenges of inspiring and empowering Christian friends to share their faith across different f...
May 16, 2024•28 min•Season 6Ep. 16
About the Guest(s): Lisa Pack is a second-generation Korean-Canadian from Toronto, Canada. She has 14 years of global and pastoral ministry and church experience. Lisa is a global mission strategist and serves on the core team with Rick Warren's "Finishing the Task" initiative. She is passionate about reaching the world's least reached and mobilizing younger generations for the gospel. Episode Summary: In this episode of The Blue Cord Podcast, host Karen discusses the resistance factors that oft...
May 09, 2024•27 min•Season 6Ep. 15
About the Host: Karen is an everyday Christian woman who, along with her husband Renod, embarked on a life-changing adventure to inspire and empower believers to share the gospel. Renod is Karen's husband and partner in their mission to shine the light of Jesus into dark and hopeless places. Episode Summary: In this episode, Karen shares the story of how God used three ordinary believers to challenge her faith and inspire her to share the gospel fearlessly. She recounts her experiences with Muha...
May 02, 2024•30 min•Season 6Ep. 14
About the Guest: Melanie is a leader of a singles ministry at a large church in Calgary, Canada. She is an advisory board member of See Global. Melanie has a passion for reaching people who don't know Jesus and has a heart for evangelism and discipleship. Episode Summary: In this episode, Karen and Melanie discuss the importance of intentionally engaging with people from different faiths and cultures to share the message of Jesus. They emphasize the need to be open to the leading of the Holy Spi...
Apr 25, 2024•27 min•Season 6Ep. 13
About the Guest: Narmin grew up in a Muslim family in an Islamic ruled nation. After a series of events, she had a personal encounter with Christ that transformed her life. She is currently working with Global Heart Ministries as a social media evangelist and communication liaison, sharing the message of hope and the gospel of Christ to Central Asian populations. Episode Summary: In this episode, Karen interviews Narmin, who shares her journey from growing up in a Muslim family in a Soviet natio...
Apr 18, 2024•40 min•Season 6Ep. 12
About the Guest(s): Kimberly is a Christian woman who discovered The Blue Cord about a year ago when she was searching online for how to share her faith with refugees and immigrants around her. She grew up in a military family and moved around frequently, always prioritizing finding a church in each new location. At the age of nine, she asked Christ to lead her life and confess her sins to Him. She initially struggled with finding the right approach to sharing her faith, going from lifestyle eva...
Apr 11, 2024•23 min•Season 6Ep. 11
About the Guest(s): Becca is a passionate follower of Jesus who has a heart for sharing the love of Christ with people from different faiths and cultures. She grew up in a Christian home and accepted Jesus into her heart at a young age. However, it wasn't until college that she became aware of God's heart for the nations and the importance of sharing the hope of Jesus with people from all backgrounds. Through her involvement in campus ministry and building friendships with international students...
Apr 04, 2024•28 min•Season 6Ep. 10
About the Guest: Jill Lowry grew up in Bakersfield, California, in a culturally Catholic family. She accepted the Lord at the age of 11 and felt called to be an evangelist and a missionary. Jill and her husband served as missionaries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for over 26 years, working with pastors, women in prostitution, and various other ministries. They also lived in India for three years, where they worked with the majority Hindu and Muslim populations. Jill currently serves as...
Mar 28, 2024•31 min•Season 6Ep. 9
About the Guest: Clay is a talented worship leader and church planter. He has been working behind the scenes editing all the Blue Cord Podcast episodes. Clay and his wife, Beth, have been dear friends of the hosts for over a decade. They have traveled the world together, shining the light of Jesus and sharing their faith. Clay's personal journey has taught him to shine his light for Jesus in his everyday life. Episode Summary: In this episode, Karen and Clay discuss the common problem of not kno...
Mar 21, 2024•35 min•Season 6Ep. 8
About the Guest(s): Shannon is a passionate advocate for sharing the hope of Jesus across faiths and cultures. In 2017, she discovered her calling to actively share her faith and realized that it was not just for missionaries. Shannon's heart was deeply moved during a trip to Indonesia in 2019, where she encountered Muslim women and felt a burden to share the love of Jesus with them. She has experienced disappointment and rejection from her church friends who did not share the same passion for s...
Mar 14, 2024•37 min•Season 6Ep. 7
About the Guest(s): Brandy is a married woman with two daughters and a dog. She works part-time for her church and a healthcare system, where she focuses on team building and culture building initiatives. Brandy is actively involved in her community, leading a weekly small group and attending a leadership group. She is passionate about sharing her faith and teaching others to do the same. Episode Summary: In this episode, Karen interviews Brandy, a busy mother and professional, about her journey...
Mar 07, 2024•29 min•Season 6Ep. 6
About the Guest(s): Karen Bradford: Karen Bradford is a former high school reading teacher who has a passion for sharing her faith with others. After working in industry and traveling to Indonesia, she developed a heart for reaching the nations with the gospel. Karen has been involved in various outreach efforts, including training on how to reach Muslims with the gospel. She is dedicated to modeling and teaching others how to start spiritual conversations and make a difference in their everyday...
Feb 29, 2024•26 min•Season 6Ep. 5
About the Guest(s): Linda is a seasoned traveler and worker who has spent over a decade working with immigrants, refugees, and church planters in Europe. She has been actively engaged in reaching out to people from other faiths, particularly Muslims, and has a heart for sharing the love of Christ with them. Linda is affiliated with a European church planting organization and has been involved in training and equipping Europeans to engage with people from other faith backgrounds. Episode Summary:...
Feb 22, 2024•25 min•Season 6Ep. 4
About the Guest: Andrena Sawyer is an author, business strategist, and survivor of the civil war in Sierra Leone. She left Sierra Leone at the age of nine and experienced her first encounter with God at the age of seven or eight during an altar call at church. Adrena's family was able to leave the country during the civil war due to her mother's employment at KLM Airlines. Adrena's parents were on fire for the Lord when they arrived in the United States, and she followed in their footsteps, beco...
Feb 15, 2024•24 min•Season 6Ep. 3
About the Guest(s): Amy McBrayer: Amy is a busy mom of two sons, a teacher at a local school, and a PhD candidate working on her thesis on the topic of modeling sharing faith across cultures. She is intentional about teaching her children to be authentic witnesses in their daily lives and has practical tips to share with other parents. Episode Summary: In this episode, Karen interviews Amy McBrayer, a mom and teacher who is passionate about modeling sharing faith across cultures for her children...
Feb 08, 2024•28 min•Season 6Ep. 2
About the Guest Lily (pseudonym) is a former school administrator with a heart for engaging the nations who live among us. She is currently engaged in purposeful interactions with people from various nations in a large city in North America. Lily is intentional about cultivating compassion for those who don't know Jesus and seeks to be an authentic witness in her daily life. Episode Summary: In this episode, Karen and Lily discuss the importance of cultivating compassion for people who don't kno...
Feb 01, 2024•25 min•Season 6Ep. 1
It's a wrap! In this special, year-end BONUS EPISODE, Karen gives you a sneak peek of 3 BIG things coming for The Blue Cord in '24, and ways you can get involved. Watch for new Season 6 episodes in February '24. Until then, make sure you’re on our Blue Cord email list so you get all the latest updates. Sign up at www.TheBlueCord.org . Thank you for being a part of this Blue Cord community. Your heart for God's Kingdom always inspires and encourages us, and your partnership in this great commissi...
Dec 21, 2023•12 min
About The Guest(s): Julie King is an author who grew up in Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall. She is the founder of Arise, an initiative through East-West Ministries International that focuses on mobilizing and equipping women to share the gospel around the world. Summary: Julie King shares her experiences in knowing God and making Him known. She discusses the importance of modeling and sharing the gospel, even in the face of resistance. Julie emphasizes the need for boldness and courag...
Dec 14, 2023•36 min•Season 5Ep. 14
About The Guest(s): Cathyl: A Blue Cord woman who has led four studies and is starting an international platform. Leatrice: A Blue Cord woman who has led three studies and brought nine women to the conference from Ohio. Jaiden: The youngest Blue Cord woman who led her first study at 16 and is now sharing her faith on her college campus. Summary: Cathy, Leatrice, and Jaiden share their experiences as Blue Cord group study leaders and how it has impacted their faith and the faith of those in their...
Dec 07, 2023•21 min•Season 5Ep. 13
About the Guest: Sarah, a former Buddhist from Burma, shares her compelling journey from a life of uncertainty and striving to the profound peace and transformation she found through encountering Jesus Christ. Her story illuminates the impact of God's love in her life and the remarkable transition from practicing Buddhism to embracing Christianity. Episode Summary: Karen welcomes Sarah to the Blue Cord Podcast, initiating a conversation about Sarah's upbringing in a predominantly Buddhist enviro...
Nov 30, 2023•19 min•Season 5Ep. 12
About The Guest(s): Hediah Miramadi is the founder of Resurrect Ministry. She was a devout practicing Muslim for over 20 years and worked in the US government and private sector focused on defeating Islamic terrorism. After a series of life events, she had a personal encounter with Christ and her life was transformed. Summary: Hediah Miramadi shares her journey from being a devout Muslim to encountering Christ and starting Resurrect Ministry. She discusses her childhood growing up in a secular M...
Nov 23, 2023•32 min•Season 5Ep. 11
About The Guest(s): "Zana" - Born in Kenya, Zana came to the United States with her family in early 2000. She grew up in an Islamic household but surrendered her life to Christ at a young age. "Abha": Originally from India, Abha moved to the United States in 2001 after an arranged marriage. She grew up in a Hindu background and followed Hinduism. However, after reading the Bible and attending church, Abha decided to follow Jesus and threw away her idols and scriptures. "Sarah": Sarah is from Bur...
Nov 16, 2023•23 min•Season 5Ep. 10
About The Guest: Renod Bejjani is the author of "Muslims, 5 Biblical Essentials Every Christian Should Know and Do," and "The Way to Paradise," a Bible study for Muslim Seekers. Renod founded iHOPE Ministries with his wife, Karen, in 2011,to empower everyday Believers to be authentic witnesses across cultures in daily life. Renod has extensive experience in cross-cultural ministry and has a heart for reaching non-believers with the love of Christ. Summary: Renod Bejjani joins Karen on the Blue C...
Nov 09, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 9
About The Guest(s): Renod Bejjani is the author of "Muslim's Five Biblical Essentials Every Christian Should Know and Do" and the president of iHOPE Ministries. He grew up in the Middle East and North Africa and has a deep understanding of the Muslim culture and worldview. Summary: Renod Bejjani joins Karen on the Blue Cord Podcast to discuss the ongoing conflict in the Holy Land and how Christians can engage with Muslims in a wise and gracious manner. Renod provides a historical and cultural co...
Nov 02, 2023•24 min•Season 5Ep. 8
About The Guest(s): Kim: Lifelong Christian with over 30 years of ministry experience, currently a fourth-grade teacher. Nita: Retired teacher of teachers, serves with ISI (International Students Inc.) and the Richardson Faith Alliance. Asma: Mom of young kids, former Muslim, now shares her faith with Muslims globally and locally. Summary: Kim, Nita, and Asma share their experiences of being authentic Christian witnesses across cultures in their everyday lives. They discuss the negative self-tal...
Oct 26, 2023•23 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Ever wondered how you can step out of your comfort zone and truly be the church scattered? Join Karen and Deanna Sanders in this enlightening episode as they unravel the impactful story from the Gospel of Mark—bringing people to Jesus, reaching out, and igniting faith. Delve into the crucial importance of sharing your faith across diverse cultures, understanding the challenges, and embracing the call to be the light. So, how can we engage with the unseen people around us, transcending cultural a...
Oct 19, 2023•26 min•Season 5Ep. 6
What are you glorifying? Where do you find joy? In this inspiring episode, Karen engages in a captivating conversation with the author of "Hard is Only Half the Story" from Serbia, Wendy Zaharanski. Wendy unravels her incredible faith journey, emphasizing the profound importance of personal awe and conviction in God's glory to effectively point others to Him. How can we authentically shine this light in our own lives? Wendy's hard-earned wisdom guides us: it begins with a vibrant relationship wi...
Oct 12, 2023•24 min•Season 5Ep. 5
NOTE: This episode amplifies lessons from The Blue Cord Group Study Session 3. Ever grappled with doubts that hinder you from being a true witness of your faith? Join Karen and Mirielle in this thought-provoking episode as they delve into the doubts and assumptions that often restrain Christians from being authentic witnesses. From assumptions about people from different faiths to the fear of judgment, they share personal stories and profound insights. So, how can we break free from these limita...
Oct 05, 2023•25 min•Season 5Ep. 4
