What does it mean to pursue justice with humility in a world filled with division and persecution? In this episode of my podcast, I speak with Teresa Conradie and Ligia Vallejo of Advocates International, a global network of Christian lawyers dedicated to promoting religious freedom and human dignity across 142 countries. We explore Teresa’s journey from co-founding one of South Africa’s first multi-racial law firms to serving as an acting High Court judge and transforming the legal landscape through faith-rooted advocacy. Ligia shares how a “supernatural connection” led her from a career in education to supporting this mission from the organization’s U.S. headquarters. Together, we reflect on the role of faith, forgiveness, and moral clarity in healing injustice. I invite you to listen, share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for more conversations that aim to bring hope and truth to light.

Find more from Teresa and Ligia: https://linktr.ee/advocatesinternational

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— Chapters —
00:00 - Opening the Conversation
01:14 - Advocates International: A Global Christian Legal Network
05:03 - Teresa’s Work in Post-Apartheid South Africa
08:41 - Communism and Division in South Africa
11:10 - Apartheid Ideology and Its Legal Legacy
13:07 - Healing Division Through Shared Faith
20:02 - Ending Apartheid: The Role of Collective Will and Prayer
24:08 - Personal Reflection and Global Implications of Conflict
29:17 - From Resentment to Grace: Tammy’s Personal Story
33:47 - Ligia’s Role Supporting the Mission from the U.S.
38:31 - Praying for God’s Will Over Personal Outcomes
39:15 - Reforming South Africa’s Electoral Act
44:05 - Reflecting on Colonial History and Divine Providence
51:40 - The Need for Compassionate Advocates Worldwide
53:07 - Advocating for the Persecuted: A Global Mission
59:59 - Legal Support for Persecuted Christians
62:20 - Masculine and Feminine Forms of Battle and Advocacy
66:20 - Brave Voices: From Forced Marriage to Religious Freedom
69:32 - The Cost of Silence in Academia and Public Life
74:29 - Christian Lawyers Balancing Work and Home Obligations
76:16 - Challenges Teresa Faced as a High Court Judge
80:56 - A Leap of Faith: Leaving the Bench to Serve the Mission
86:26 - Christianity’s Growth in Africa vs. Decline in the West
90:06 - Closing Thoughts and Future Travel Plans