Bible Project has been a tidal wave of blessing to this world and one of the Bible Project’s key visionaries is Michael McDonald. Sometimes it takes a rough childhood, and the longing of a young boy to find a father figure, to inform his global focus and mindset. Changed by the love of his Father, he grows up to be a world changer, albeit imperfect. Michael McDonald is currently the Bible Project Director of Global Focus and Strategic Relationships in Portland, Oregon. His story to get there is rare, and is a beautiful global adventure we are invited on. It is so easy for our homes to be self-focused and American-focused. His perspective will change you.Matthew 5:14 -"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3HzW5q9

Bible Project Website: https://bibleproject.com/

Topics Shared:
Raised strong Baha'i
Nelson, crazy wild childhood
Mental illness and abuse in the home
How the Baha'i faith shaped his views about God
Traveling alone at 14 and on his own at 17
Where he got his love for helping with injustice, compassion and women's equality
Living in Turkey to find himself
His move from business into the non profit world
Starting his nonprofit, Hear The Cry
10 years + traveling with Bob Goff and Dream Big
His current work at Bible Project, with John Collins & Tim Mackie
His heart to bring Bible Project to the nations
Bible Project in 30 languages so far
Book to help our Global Mindset: "Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" Kenneth Bailey

Quotes from Michael McDonald:

"We started a number of schools, opened up some hospitals and some rescue homes for gals getting rescued out of the sex trade. We worked in Ughanda Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nepal, India, different ministries in each of those places. So we find incredible local leaders that have a passion for one of those types of things and then help create some infrastructure and do that." (with Bob Goff)

"I have been part of Bible Project since the beginning, because it has been friends that were working on this project. I saw the first two videos that came out in 2014, and just thought 'wow, these are going to be an incredible resource for people.' I was thinking of them globally right away, just because I worked with so many pastors and teachers in other countries that are starving for good Bible resources, and thought these would be a great asset, especially because they are free, and they are so well done."

"The reality is Christianity isn't a western religion. It was a Middle Eastern religion that is coming out of Israel...we need to understand history and context."

------------------------------------------

For more inspiring stories: https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/