About this episode

Gary Sweeten discusses the importance of relational peace and community in Christian ministry.

In this episode of God on the Move, Gary Sweeten shares how his small-town, collaborative schooling and cross-denominational Christian upbringing shaped his lifelong focus on relationships, education, and gentle, grace-filled ministry. He describes a pivotal call to serve Christ that led him into higher education leadership and counseling, including opening a house church for troubled university students in 1970. Sweeten explains that change happens through person-centered listening rather than confrontation, and he highlights the importance of addressing shame as well as guilt across cultures, drawing on his ministry in Scandinavia and beyond. He outlines “Relational Peace” as blessing others with shalom, teaching practical skills such as GREW (genuine concern, respect, empathic understanding, warmth) and renewing the mind (Romans 12:2), urging churches to move beyond a medical model, equip laypeople (Ephesians 4), and become healing communities. 📚 Links from the Interview Relational Peace 🧑‍💻 About Gary Shortly after completing his doctorate in 1975, Dr. Gary Sweeten was compelled to live out the biblical exhortation to equip people for ministry. To that end, he launched the…

More episodes of God on the Move Podcast

• 79. From Slum to CEO: A Journey With Dawn for the Poor in the Philippines · April 20, 2026 · 34 min
• 78. 500k: The Mission to Plant a Church in Every Village in India · April 6, 2026 · 45 min
• 76. Serving God Under Siege in Ukraine · March 9, 2026 · 21 min
• 75. Beyond Ritual: Mental Health Advocacy in Indonesian Churches · February 23, 2026 · 31 min
• 74. In the Shadow of Silence: A Young Man's Resilient Faith in a Troubled Niger · February 9, 2026 · 27 min
• 73. Building Bridges of Love: Leaders in Learning's Mission in Pakistan · January 26, 2026 · 27 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the God on the Move Podcast podcast page.