#82: Biblical Justice: Bridging the Gap Between Scripture and the Streets

Inés Velasquez-McBryde joins hosts Dr. Alicia Granholm and Rev. Dr. Terri Elton to explore the rich biblical foundations of pursuing justice in our churches and ministries.

In this compelling Pivot podcast episode, pastor, church planter, scholar, and justice advocate Inés Velasquez-McBryde joins hosts Dr. Alicia Granholm and Rev. Dr. Terri Elton to dive deep into the biblical roots of justice. Through eye-opening stories and practical insights, Inés illuminates what biblical justice looks like, from the prophetic voices of the Old Testament to Jesus’ own embodiment of God’s heart for the marginalized.

Whether you’re planting a new church, innovating in your current context, or simply seeking to go deeper in your understanding of biblical justice, this episode offers invaluable wisdom on studying the history of your community, partnering with local leaders, and joining the work God is already doing in your neighborhood. Learn how you can embody biblical justice in your life and leadership, and be empowered to take practical steps towards shalom in your own context.

Featuring

Inés-Velasquez-McBryde

Inés Velasquez-McBryde

Inés Velásquez-McBryde is a pastor, preacher, reconciler, and speaker. She is a co-lead pastor of The Church We Hope For, planting a multiethnic church in southern California.

Inés earned her Master of Divinity at Fuller and has over 23 years of combined ministry experience in church planting and pastoral staff leadership in multiethnic churches. She was the recipient of the Ian-Pitts Watson Preaching Award at Fuller Seminary and has spoken in local church pulpits across the nation, as well as at national and regional conferences sharing her passions for multiethnic church planting, racial reconciliation, justice, and full inclusion of women in pastoral leadership.

Inés is originally from Nicaragua and has lived in the United States for over 20 years. She has been married to Rob for 19 years and loves being a soccer mom to their son Nash. She loves the telling of stories over a good café con leche, especially if it involves encouraging women to find their God-given voice and walk in the fullness of their gifting.

Meet Your Hosts

  • Dr. Alicia Granholm

    Alicia Granholm is senior director of Faith+Lead and a leadership and church consultant based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. She helps pastors and leaders engage culture to make a lasting impact. For nearly two decades, she has trained, equipped, and empowered followers of Jesus to engage their local communities by contextualizing the Gospel and its application. Alicia compassionately crosses cultural boundaries having lived, studied, traveled, and served in 25 countries on six continents. Alicia has a Doctor of Strategic Leadership, Global Consulting (Regent University), MDiv (Bethel Seminary), and MA in Teaching (University of St. Thomas).

  • Dwight Zscheile

    The Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile is vice president of innovation and professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.

    He is the author of Embracing the Mixed Ecology (with Blair Pogue, Seabury Books, 2025), Leading Faithful Innovation: Following God into a Hopeful Future (with Michael Binder and Tessa Pinkstaff, Fortress 2023), Participating in God’s Mission: A Theological Missiology for the U.S. (with Craig Van Gelder, Eerdmans 2018), The Agile Church: Spirit-Led Innovation in an Uncertain Age (Morehouse Publishing, 2014), People of the Way: Renewing Episcopal Identity (Morehouse Publishing, 2012) and The Missional Church in Perspective: Mapping Trends and Shaping the Conversation (with Craig Van Gelder, Baker Academic 2011) and editor of Cultivating Sent Communities: Missional Spiritual Formation (Eerdmans, 2012).

    A graduate of Stanford University (BA), Yale University (MDiv) and Luther Seminary (PhD, Congregational Mission and Leadership), Dwight previously served congregations in Minnesota, Virginia and Connecticut. Dwight’s experience growing up in a secular home in California has shaped his commitment to helping the church cultivate Christian community with neighbors in today’s changing world.