In this episode of the Velvet Ashes Legacy Podcast, we welcome Dr. Kendal P. Mobley to explore the life and legacy of Helen Barrett Montgomery — a pioneering educator, preacher, translator, and leader in the early women’s missionary movement. Dr. Mobley shares stories from Helen’s childhood, her passion for social reform in Rochester, and her deep commitment to missions as a form of Kingdom work. We also take a thoughtful look at the complexities of her legacy, including the racial and cultural blind spots of her era. Tune in to be inspired by a woman who believed deeply in the power of the gospel to transform not just souls, but society — and whose influence still echoes today.

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Featured music is "Daughters and Sons" by Eine Blume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

We are grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast! Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Get in touch with Dr. Laura Chevalier Beer at laura.chevalierbeer@velvetashes.com to share thoughts on Legacy stories or suggest a woman to highlight.

Find the first edition of Dr. Mobley's book on Amazon and watch for the revised edition coming soon!

BU School of Theology Bio on Helen

Archived versions of Helen's books

In this episode, Cindy Wu shares her journey of faith and service, exploring the intersection of cross-cultural work, hospitality, and justice. With a heart for the marginalized and a deep understanding of cross-cultural ministry, Cindy unpacks what it means to welcome the stranger and embody the love of Christ in tangible ways. Join us as we discuss her experiences, the lessons she's learned, and how we can all cultivate a spirit of hospitality and compassion in our daily lives.

Cindy is also one of the retreat leaders for the 2025 Velvet Ashes Online Retreat! It isn't too late to register and access the amazing teaching and resources in this year's retreat. Learn more about the retreat here.

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Featured music is "Daughters and Sons" by EineBlume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

We are grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast! Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Rev. Cindy M. Wu is co-founder and Director of Diaspora Ministries of Mosaic Formation, a Christian non-profit she co-directs with her husband, David. Additionally, she mobilizes Christians to welcome refugees, a true passion of hers. As a “pastor to pastors,” her ministry focuses on serving the city and church at-large through community organizing, spiritual direction, leading workshops and retreats, and cross-cultural training.

Cindy is author or co-author of books and articles on global Christian identity, religious demography, and refugee welcome (browse publications here). She also delves some into poetry.

Cindy is based in Houston, TX, and is ordained to word and service with the Evangelical Covenant Church. She enjoys global cuisine, historical fiction, (short) triathlons, and thunderstorms.

Connect with Cindy at cindymwu.com.

This month on the Legacy Podcast, we explore the extraordinary life of Volahavana Germaine, known as “Nenilava.” Her bold faith and unwavering spirit carried herthrough immense challenges as she ministered in Madagascar and beyond.

Guiding us through her story is Reverend Dimbiniaina H. Randrianasulu—Reverend Andry—an ordained clergy in the Lutheran Church of Madagascar and Nenilava’s godson. His personal connection and deep insights offer a unique perspective on her impact.

Join us as we uncover the historical and spiritual significance of Nenilava’s legacy, a story that continues to inspire and encourage today.

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Featured music is "Daughters and Sons" by Eine Blume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

We are grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast! Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Get in touch with Dr. Laura Chevalier Beer at laura.chevalierbeer@velvetashes.com to share thoughts on Legacy stories or suggest a woman to highlight.

Since 2005, Rev. Andry has been an ordained clergy in theLutheran Church of Madagascar. Previously, in 1996 after two years of training he was certified and commissioned as a mpiandry (shepherd), a Malagasy Lutheran ministry concept whereby a person is certified and commissioned to function in three main ways: 1) as an evangelist, 2) as a= mission-doer, and 3) as an exorcist. The duties and functions of mpiandry include evangelism, spiritual counseling, mission work, exorcism, and healing ministry. Rev. Andry spent two years serving in a remote part of the island nation. He has also served as parish pastor and the Deputy Director of theMalagasy Lutheran Regional Seminary in southeastern Madagascar. He was a professor and taught courses on Lutheran Practical Theology and Church Ministryat the same school. Rev. Andry is currently a PhD candidate in the Intercultural Studies program at Asbury Theological Seminary, with a concentration in evangelism and discipleship.