Podcasts
February 18, 2020
By Donna Barber and Caroline Triscik

Donna Barber: Bread for the Resistance

“Activism is the outworking of love and faith. It is the reason why we do what we do. And it is the source that allows us to be able to do it.... I cannot separate that from the work and the call and the mission that I have.” — Donna Barber

Listen in as WAP associate Caroline Triscik interviews educator and youth advocate, Donna Barber. In this conversation Donna shares how she clings to Jesus in the midst of pursuing justice and the way this spilled over into her book Bread for the Resistance: 40 Devotions for Justice People. In sharing her own journey in justice work, Donna guides us back to Christ as the source of hope.

As an unexpected benefit of  hosting our podcast  for the past 18 months, I find myself receiving books in the mail on a somewhat regular basis written by potential guests for the podcast. With stacks of books around me, Donna Barber’s Bread for the Resistance certainly stood out amongst the others by virtue of its colorful cover and intriguing subject matter. As I skimmed through the author bio, I was immediately drawn in by Donna’s experience as a justice worker and wanted to know more of her story. I am grateful that Donna took the time to share with us a glimpse into her life, giving us insight into how she keeps her commitment to Jesus and her calling and how she finds hope in the truth and resurrection of Christ.

—  Caroline Triscik

 

 

Tags:
justice | spiritual formation
About the Author
Donna Barber

Donna Barber has worked as an urban youth developer, educator, and program director for more than 25 years. During that time, she has served as a worship leader and bible teacher and helped to found schools, churches, and non-profits in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Atlanta, Georgia, and Portland, Oregon.

Donna considers herself a lifelong student of the Bible but studied formally at the New Life Bible Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ms. Barber holds a BA in Communications from Temple University and a Master of Science in Education from Georgia State University. She has worked as a leadership trainer and coach for the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative, Portland Leadership Foundation, FCS Urban Ministries and Mission Year and as a workshop leader for the CCDA National Conference. As a licensed minister, Donna is also a preacher and small group leader. She currently works as Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Voices Project alongside her husband, Leroy Barber. Donna and Leroy live in Portland, Oregon, and together they have six children, Jessica, Joshua, Joel, Aleathea, Asha, and Jonathan.

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Caroline Triscik

Caroline served with InterVarsity since 2002 as a campus staff member in northwest Indiana and most recently in central Pennsylvania. She received her bachelor’s degree in English with a focus on creative writing from Purdue University in 2002 and holds a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Messiah College. Caroline, her husband, and their three children live in “the sweetest place on earth,” otherwise known as Hershey, Pennsylvania. In her spare time, she likes to read, discover new music, and attempt to train her exuberant Labrador retriever, Pax. Caroline is a clinical mental health counselor and a former associate with Women in the Academy and Professions.

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