MAE ELISE CANNON: Spiritual Practices that Fuel Active Engagement in Society

There have been Christians throughout history who God has called to societal activism on behalf of the poor and oppressed. And the power in which they did so was found in their inner faith practices that connected them intimately with God through Christ and His Spirit. Mae Elise Cannon is the author of Just Spirituality: How Faith Practices Fuel Social Action (IVPress, 2013). As both a historian and a Christian advocate for peace and justice in the Middle East, she explores the direct connection between Christians' personal relationship with God and their outward actions of kindness, mercy, compassion and advocacy. She looks at how several notable Christian historical figures were able to engage in their societal challenges because of their spiritual practices.  Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon is the executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace and an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). Here is our interview with Mae Cannon.   Cannon formerly served as the senior director of Advocacy and Outreach for World Vision, as a consultant to the Middle East for child advocacy issues for Compassion International in Jerusalem, as the executive pastor of Hillside Covenant Church in Walnut Creek, California, and as director of development and transformation for extension ministries at Willow Creek Community Church. She holds an MDiv from North Park Theological Seminary, an MBA from North Park University’s School of Business and Nonprofit Management, and an MA in bioethics from Trinity International University. She received her doctorate in American History with a minor in Middle Eastern studies at the University of California (Davis) focusing on the history of the American Protestant church in Israel and Palestine.  Mae Cannon is also the author of Social Justice Handbook: Small Steps for a Better World (with a forward by John Perkins) (IVPress, 2009) and the editor of A Land Full of God: Christian Perspectives on the Holy Land (Cascade Books, 2017). You can purchase these books from independent booksellers Byron and Beth Borger at Hearts & Minds Bookstore. You can order online through their secure server or call 717-246-333. Mention that you heard about this book on the Reintegrate Podcast and get 20% off. Thanks for listening! Please leave offer a review and share this podcast with your friends.  Your hosts are Dr. Bob Robinson (@Bob_Robinson_re) and David Loughney (@David_Loughney). Go to re-integrate.org for the latest articles on reintegrating your callings with God’s mission and online resources for further learning. You can also find out about a Bible study book that you can use in your small group or individual devotions: Reintegrate Your Vocation with God's Mission. On Reintegrate’s podcast page, you’ll find more episodes and ways to email us to comment on this podcast. Music provided by Brian Donahue. Get full access to Bob Robinson’s Substack at bobrobinsonre.substack.com/subscribe