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Michael J. Fast

@michaeljfast.bsky.social

phd men & religiosity | church, cultures, masculinities, mission | contexts: ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆโ™พ๏ธ ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ | acad dean, missions adjunct prof | bgc canada | he/him michaeljfast.com

92 Followers  |  145 Following  |  121 Posts  |  Joined: 27.11.2023  |  2.2304

Latest posts by michaeljfast.bsky.social on Bluesky

I'm always excited about Jesus quoting Isaiah 61 in Luke 4. I love the list of promises on how he's going to impact the world. Only recently have I realized the main controversial take of that day is he applies these actions as including people from places like Sidon & Assyria.

16.11.2025 01:03 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
The Stories That Make Usย Weep Our connection to history is mediated through stories. This is the story of how I found my own, discovering that a "blend defying easy definition" in my family's past was the very thing that allowed a work of fiction to move me so deeply, and why hearing your story is just as important.

I wept at a novel because genealogy helped me feel my ancestor's stories. Our past isn't dead; it's a story waiting to be heard.

10.11.2025 14:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

As followers of the way of Jesus, our invitation is not to escape to heaven, but to make heaven a reality wherever we are in the present moment. Weโ€™re invited not to escape a broken world for heaven, but to be people who are transforming the present world to be more like it. Benjamin Corey, Unafraid

07.11.2025 08:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Read it for free here: ac.upd.edu.ph/acmedia/zgal...

07.10.2025 01:41 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Saw this meme the other day I remembered I had written on this idea from the Filipino idea of "for the boys."

07.10.2025 01:41 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

When you pledge allegiance to empire, it spits you out a broken person. When you pledge allegiance to Jesus, he makes you a new person.

05.10.2025 08:22 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Orange is more than just a shirt: Itโ€™s a call to live the life Jesus wants us toย live! Wearing an orange shirt on Orange Shirt Day transcends mere symbolism; itโ€™s a provocative call to confront uncomfortable truths about our theological and political failures. It challenges us to embrace authenticity in our faith, prioritize reconciliation, and actively combat systemic racism while acknowledging every culture's value. Are you ready to join this crucial journey?

An orange shirt is more than a symbol. It's a theological call to action. My reflection on truth, reconciliation, and the gospel. #OrangeShirtDay #TruthAndReconciliation

30.09.2025 06:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Orange is more than just a shirt: Itโ€™s a call to live the life Jesus wants us toย live! Wearing an orange shirt on Orange Shirt Day transcends mere symbolism; itโ€™s a provocative call to confront uncomfortable truths about our theological and political failures. It challenges us to embrace authenticity in our faith, prioritize reconciliation, and actively combat systemic racism while acknowledging every culture's value. Are you ready to join this crucial journey?

An orange shirt is more than a symbol. It's a theological call to action. My reflection on truth, reconciliation, and the gospel. #OrangeShirtDay #TruthAndReconciliation

30.09.2025 06:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Would that I had learned earlier that testimony stems from lived experience rather than mere academic knowledge.

28.09.2025 01:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Exegetical or topical? Doesn't matter. God always meets us through his word regardless of the process we use to approach & present it! I've been a preaching thru James off & on this year. Every time I find myself in the text. Every time the text is significant for community.

28.09.2025 00:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Heard an idea from my colleague Renz yesterday while discussing church. He came up with this concept of "Church as a whole." By that he meant the church not as a series of groups of different sectors, genders, age groups but as one. Wow! Mindblown.

28.09.2025 00:48 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Babylon is Fallen: Is it Destructionโ€ฆ orย Transformation? In our quest for justice, we often overlook God's deeper plan: transformation over destruction. The essence of our mission lies in actively engaging with broken systems, planting hope and goodness in cursed ground, and believing in the redeeming potential of even the most resistant hearts. Let us be instruments of change, fostering restoration instead of waiting for punishment.

I thought evil's only end was punishment. I was wrong. The Bible shows a surprising path of infiltration and redemption.

22.09.2025 12:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Iโ€™m Only Human, After All: A Journey Back to our Authenticย Selves The narrative of humanity as a universal failure must be flipped. Instead of being a curse, being "only human" is our divine purpose. We're not a blight but vital agents of God's plan. Embrace your flawed humanity; it's not a hindrance but your greatest asset in the mission of reconciliation. Live with purpose.

What if โ€œIโ€™m only humanโ€ isn't an excuse, but your God-given purpose?

07.09.2025 13:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

God doesnโ€™t have a policy of isolation. God doesnโ€™t have a policy of keeping out those who are bad and keeping in those who are good. Rather, God reaches out to those who are outsiders to bring them in...

05.09.2025 08:11 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Ang Kagubatan: Isang Pagmumunihan Patungkol sa Kalikasan at Kaluwalhatian ngย Diyos Ang Kagubatan ay isang tanyag na patunay ng kaluwalhatian ng Diyos, na pinapakita ang kanyang paglikha sa mga detalye at ingay ng kalikasan. Ang mga hayop, puno, at lawa ay nagkukwento tungkol sa kanyang kabutihan. Bilang bahagi ng nilikha, may tungkulin tayong ipahayag ang ating testimoniya tungkol sa Diyos, kahit na naapektuhan tayo ng kasalanan.

Ang Kagubatan ay patunay ng Diyos, na ipinapakita sa kalikasan. Mga nilalang nagsasabi ng Kanyang kabutihan. Tungkulin nating ipahayag ang testimoniya sa Kanya, kahit may kasalanan.

13.08.2025 03:03 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
The Bush: A Reflection on Nature and Godโ€™sย Glory In the cacophonous beauty of the Bush, nature's vibrant testimony lays bare the glory of God. Each rustling leaf, every bird call, insists on a divine narrative that transcends human judgment. Yet, amidst our sin and societal chaos, the challenge remains: will we engage with creation, amplifying its chorus, or let it fade in silence?

In the Bushโ€™s vibrant beauty, natureโ€™s testimony reveals Godโ€™s glory. Each rustling leaf & bird call tells a divine story beyond human judgment. Amidst sin and chaos, the challenge is to engage with creation, amplifying its chorus, or let it fade in silence.

08.08.2025 08:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Looking forward to this. Christian HEIs -- Let us know what you need to move forward!

30.07.2025 08:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Bears, Babylon, and Grace: Where God Meets Us in both the Wild and the Civilised Civilization and wilderness coexist, but can churches remain fortresses? History warns against boundaries yet urges connection. Amidst modern distractions, God operates everywhere, transcending ourโ€ฆ

โ€œWe donโ€™t bring God to them; our task as people entering the world is to share our experiences with the God they already know.โ€

From the archives โ€“ Bears, Babylon, and Grace: Where God Meets Us in both the Wild and the Civilised

michaeljfast.com/2025/05/24/b...

24.07.2025 23:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Following up on BGCC Celebration 2024: How Jose de Mesaโ€™s Hermeneutics of Appreciation provides a practical way for Canadian churches to engage society Canada is no longer a Christian stronghold; itโ€™s a mission field, teeming with opportunities to reconnect with faith. As new immigrants, especially Filipinos, infuse life into dying churches, we muโ€ฆ

Remembering the needs of home challenges us to be mission-minded.

โ€œCanada is now a mission field & as Jesusโ€™ followers we need to approach it as such.โ€ โ€” How de Mesaโ€™s Hermeneutics of Appreciation provides a practical way for ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ churches to engage society

michaeljfast.com/2025/05/17/f...

22.07.2025 08:39 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Theology should never remain on the page. Whether Iโ€™m teaching a seminary class in the Caucasus or preaching to a handful of men in Quezon City, I keep returning to this question: What kind of people does the gospel form?
#TheologicalEducation #GlobalChurch #ChristianLeadership

19.07.2025 01:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

As a Pastor, must one of my goals be to bring someone up behind me to take over?

02.07.2025 01:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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ICHE Manila 2026 Conference Information Gathering We are planning a conference with the International Council for Higher Education to be held in Manila in June 2026. Part of those plans include finding out what our needs are as Philippine and South E...

SEAsian Christian HEIs. Please fill up the form to help plan the ICHE Manila 2026 conference to advance the cause of Christian scholarship & develop sustainable & integrated models of higher education that reflect biblical faith through learning & service.
forms.gle/y77ie31ctAZK...

01.07.2025 03:11 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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โ€œThen he will judge disputes between many people and settle arguments between many nations far and wide. They will hammer their swords into plowblades and their spears into pruning shears. Nations will never fight against each other, and they will never train for war again.โ€
โ€ญโ€ญMicahโ€ฌ โ€ญ4โ€ฌ:โ€ญ3โ€ฌ โ€ญGWโ€ฌโ€ฌ

22.06.2025 06:43 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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โ€œSya ang magja-judge sa mga tao, at magdi-decide para sa mga bansang malakas at malayo. Mamartilyuhin nila ang kanilang mga espada para gawing pang-araro, ang mga sibat nila, gagawing pangtagpas ng ani. Hindi na maglalaban-laban ang mga bansa, di na sila magte-training para sa gera.โ€ โ€” MICAH 4:3

22.06.2025 06:42 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
The Divine Imprint: How Godโ€™s Design Outlasted the Sovietย Plan Beneath the lifeless facade of Soviet-era concrete lies a vibrant resistance to conformity. Individuality blossoms as residents personalize their bleak spaces, offering glimpses of life amid uniformity. Georgian faith infuses hope into this stark landscape. Against the odds, humanity yearns for beauty, diversity, and joy, proving we can never truly be suppressed.

Beneath the lifeless facade of Soviet-era concrete lies a vibrant resistance to conformity. Individuality blossoms as residents personalize their bleak spaces, offering glimpses of life amid uniformity. Is it Georgian faith that infuses hope into this stark landscape & defeats oppression?

15.06.2025 04:48 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Bears, Babylon, and Grace: Where God Meets Us in both the Wild and the Civilised Civilization and wilderness coexist, but can churches remain fortresses? History warns against boundaries yet urges connection. Amidst modern distractions, God operates everywhere, transcending ourโ€ฆ

Civilization & wilderness coexist but can churches remain fortresses? History warns against boundaries yet urges connection. Amidst modern distractions God operates everywhere transcending definitions. Join God's mission, discover grace in chaos & share your journey.
michaeljfast.com/2025/05/24/b...

24.05.2025 11:37 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Bears, Babylon, and Grace: Where God Meets Us in both the Wild and theย Civilised Civilization and wilderness coexist, but can churches remain fortresses? History warns against boundaries yet urges connection. Amidst modern distractions, God operates everywhere, transcending our definitions. Join God's mission, discover grace in chaos, and share your journey through the wilderness.

Civilization & wilderness coexist, but can churches remain fortresses? History warns against boundaries yet urges connection. Amidst modern distractions, God operates everywhere, transcending our definitions. Join God's mission, discover grace in chaos, & share your journey through the wilderness.

24.05.2025 10:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Excited for the upcoming SEATS schedule. Also excited for the three upcoming campus graduations.

24.05.2025 03:21 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Following up on BGCC Celebration 2024: How Jose de Mesaโ€™s Hermeneutics of Appreciation provides a practical way for Canadian churches to engageย society Canada is no longer a Christian stronghold; itโ€™s a mission field, teeming with opportunities to reconnect with faith. As new immigrants, especially Filipinos, infuse life into dying churches, we must abandon outdated methods and embrace fresh perspectives. Understanding cultural nuances and using redemptive analogies is crucial for the church's revival.

Canada is now a mission field, offering chances to reconnect with faith. New immigrants, particularly Filipinos, revitalize struggling churches. We must discard outdated methods & adopt new perspectives, understanding cultural nuances & using redemptive analogies for the churchโ€™s revival.

17.05.2025 09:40 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
The ultimate question of the gospel is this: Is it a treasure to be buried & protected? or is it a fortune to be enjoyed &ย spent? The gospel is a treasure meant to be shared rather than hidden. It should circulate like currency, promoting love and transforming lives. Jesus emphasized that this treasureโ€”representing hope and communityโ€”must be embraced and celebrated. Ultimately, its value lies in its ability to address real-life needs and inspire change.

The gospel's a treasure to be shared rather than hidden. It circulates like currency, promoting love & transforming lives. Jesus emphasized that this treasureโ€”representing hope & communityโ€”must be embraced & celebrated. Its value lies in its ability to address real-life needs & inspire change.

10.05.2025 08:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

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