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ABOUT THE EPISODE

Writer, activist, and founder of Love Beyond Walls, Terence Lester sits down with Sarah to tell a number of stories—from the formation of his not-for-profit organization to his unexpected journey to becoming a communicator. Sarah and Terence talk about where Love Beyond Walls began, its mission, and how to see people in poverty or facing homelessness not as problems but as “people going through problems.” They talk about the human desire to be seen, what happens when we allow ourselves to be interrupted, as well as Terence’s newest book, When We Stand: The Power of Seeking Justice Together.

MEET THE GUEST

Terence Lester is a minister, speaker, community activist, author, and founder of Love Beyond Walls, a not-for-profit organization focused on poverty awareness and community mobilization. In 2019, Terence launched the first museum in the U.S. representing homelessness out of a shipping container, called Dignity Museum.

Terence has written five books. His new book, When We Stand: The Power of Seeking Justice Together, released on May 18th, 2021, with InterVarsity Press. He also holds four degrees and is working towards his Ph.D. at Union Institute & University in Public Policy & Social Change.

He is happily married to his best friend, Cecilia Lester. They have two amazing children, Zion Joy and Terence II. You can connect with Terence at TerenceLester.org as well as on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

EPISODE NOTES

• hope*writers online writing community (Take their FREE 30-second quiz to find our where you are on the writing path.)

• Love Beyond Walls

• Kurt Salierno (original founder of Church on the Street in Atlanta, GA)

• The Good Samaritan (a Bible story found in Luke 10:25-37)

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God.” (from Life Together)

• The Mind of Me, a book of poems by Terence Lester

• When We Stand: The Power of Seeking Justice Together (Terence’s latest book that released May 2021)

• What Terence is reading: Becoming All Things: How Small Changes Lead to Lasting Connections Across Cultures by Michelle Ami Reyes

• Connect with Terence:

  • Twitter: @imterencelester

  • Instagram: @imterencelester

  • Facebook: @imterencelester

  • Website: TerenceLester.org

• SIGN UP for Sarah’s monthly newsletter, The Shelf, and get “What’s Your Story?” as a welcome gift.

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