Doug Fountain has spent nearly four decades working at the intersection of Christian mission, health systems and global development, but his journey toward that work began much earlier. Growing up in Oregon, Doug's life changed when his mother became seriously ill when he was nine and eventually spent much of the last 20 years of her life bedridden. Caring for her alongside his father taught him about caregiving, responsibility and the realities of health, while a painful response from their church also forced him to wrestle with what faith should and should not look like. In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Doug reflects on wanting to become a missionary doctor, discovering instead a passion for public policy and systems, and eventually coming full circle into global health. He also shares how eight years living and working in Uganda fundamentally reshaped his understanding of international development: not arriving with solutions, but being invited to come alongside people who are themselves responsible for the change they want to make.

Today Doug is Executive Director of Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH), where his work focuses on strengthening the visibility, quality and connectedness of faith-based health actors. Our conversation explores what faith communities can contribute to holistic health, where churches and faith-based organizations sometimes get things wrong, what genuinely locally led health systems require, and why funding and accountability need to be much more closely aligned. We also talk about trust between communities, institutions, governments and faith actors; Doug's concern about increasing loneliness and disconnection; what the SDGs have and have not accomplished; and why he finds the Inner Development Goals useful for thinking about the capacities leaders need to confront complex problems. Along the way, Doug shares a beautiful childhood story about a teacher and a box of geography flashcards, reflects on music and human connection, and leaves us with a challenge that runs throughout the conversation: we can do better, and we must do better.

• Learn more about Doug Fountain and his work through Christian Connections for International Health, and follow CCIH on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. CCIH brings together Christian organizations, individuals and partners working to advance health and wholeness around the world.
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