Jedd sits down with Haejin Shim Fujimura – lawyer, human trafficking advocate, and entrepreneur – and explores how the ideas and practices we talk about in each episode of Justice + the Inner Life apply in every sector – including business, medicine, home life…and even a New York City law firm.
In this episode, we'll explore:
- What it means to “seek the Kingdom of God” in our ordinary places and daily lives.
- Practical ways to care for staff and colleagues in any work setting.
- How the ancient Japanese art of kintsugi reflects the restorative work God desires to do both in and through His people every day.
Key Quotes
"You are God’s masterpiece…no matter what position you have, you are so valued."
"We are to pour ourselves into the broken pieces of our neighbors and become that kintsugi hold for them…[W]hen we do that, this person who was broken can be mended into a new creation."
"The necessity of thoughtful, intentional care for human souls...applies everywhere, in every field, every part of life."
"Whatever your work, and wherever you are, God wants it to be a place where His grace and healing and new life are growing. That’s the Kingdom of God breaking forth."
Resources and Guests
Haejin Shim Fujimura is a lawyer and an entrepreneur. Haejin is the managing partner and founder of the law firm Shim & Associates, P.C., which was founded on the vision of cultural renewal for the legal industry and advocacy for the oppressed.
Haejin is also a Co-founder and the CEO of Embers International, Inc., a global NGO protecting, restoring, and empowering the victims of injustice to end intergenerational oppression. Haejin also serves as the NYC Area Leader of International Justice Mission, the largest anti-slavery organization in the world.
Haejin is also the President of Kintsugi Academy, and with her husband Makoto Fujimura, a leading contemporary artist, leads the movement of “beauty + justice”.
Jedd has seen (and experienced!) that lives are turned upside-down when Christians begin to reflect God’s heart through adoption, foster care and service to orphans worldwide. This kind of love transforms not only vulnerable children, but also those who open hearts and homes to them. Churches begin to look different, too, as the entire community pulls together for children who’ve known great hurt. Finally, the change touches even onlookers, who encounter the Gospel not only in words, but made visible before their eyes.
Desiring to spur this kind of transformation through the Church, Jedd serves as President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans.
Through CAFO, more than 225 respected organizations unite in shared initiatives, along with a wide network of churches. CAFO’s membership works in tandem to inspire and equip families, churches and organizations for effective service to vulnerable children and families — from adoption and US foster care, to aid and empowerment programs worldwide.
Prior to his this role, Jedd served in the White House as a Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, leading the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. In this post, he oversaw reform efforts across the government to make community- and faith-based groups central partners in all Federal efforts to aid the needy, from prisoner reentry to global AIDS. As described by the Harvard Political Review, these reforms “fundamentally changed the government’s strategy for improving the lives of the downtrodden…”
Previously, Jedd held a range of posts in the California State Legislature. He also helped establish the California Community Renewal Project, which strengthens nonprofits in some of the state’s most challenged communities. He has worked, studied and served in more than thirty countries, with organizations ranging from Price-Waterhouse in Moscow to Christian Life Bangladesh.
Books written by Jedd include Upended and Four Souls. He also writes articles and op-eds for publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post to Comment Magazine, and engages radio interviews with both faith-based and mainstream outlets, from NPR and Al Jazeera to Moody Radio. Jedd’s most recent book, Becoming Home, offers a brief-yet-rich exploration of how families and communities can embrace vulnerable children with wisdom and love through adoption, foster care, mentoring and more.
