However, examining questions of meaning does not just belong to those in leadership or with seemingly important jobs or positions! The big ideas permeate everyone’s thinking, as we consume narratives and stories in media and entertainment, the digital space and within our daily conversations. By exploring questions holistically, we enable you to think through what gives you hope, meaning and purpose and whether your own conclusions to important questions are based on a solid foundation. We ask each person to consider afresh the explanatory scope of the Christian faith in a thoughtful and practical manner.
The Big Ideas
The Big Ideas
Reflecting on ‘the big ideas’ is crucial for engaging with and shaping our public spheres of influence, such as education, healthcare and government policy.
The World and Me
Our interest in the holistic space…
By investigating content for, ‘The Series’, ‘The Places’ and ‘The Articles’, we are embarking on a journey aiming to bring ideas, people and places together.
As a part of that journey, we will sometimes seek to connect to the practical efforts of an organisation invested in practical change. Lets’s explore the story and find out and support what is happening on the ground! The big ideas engaging with people and places! On other occasions, our resources and content aim to clarify how the Christian faith can bring positive change to our mindsets and attitudes. Can believing in Jesus really transform our hope, meaning and purpose? Let’s investigate meaningful questions!
Follow, ‘The World and Me’, as we primarily examine what it means to be a human being with guests offering insights, stories and lived experiences.
The Places
Much more than a travel blog, our interest in seeking out meaningful places and cultures is to bring the holistic flavour of ideas, people and places together. We will seek out opportunities to draw important reflections from the places that we visit and get inspiration from the world around us. Most importantly, this allows us to highlight important work happening on the ground that enriches how we explore questions and ideas and brings support to those devoted to practical change within their communities and nations.
Keep updated with where The World and Me team are around the world in The Places section of our website, as well as our social media updates and how this contributes to our Documentary and podcast, ‘The Series’.
The Founder
Sara is co-ordinating this organisation to connect philosophical thinking with people who offer different kinds of expertise, stories, and lived experience.
Sara has a background in Philosophy of Religion and Science, holding an MSc from the University of Edinburgh, and is an Associate speaker for the OCCA, The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Sara has an undergraduate degree in Education and Religious Studies, and is now continuing her studies with a second Master’s Degree in War Studies at King’s College, London. Sara previously worked as Head of Philosophy and Religion at The Wallace High School, Northern Ireland.
Sara enjoys speaking on a wide range of big questions and is available for speaking events on topics that explore faith, thought, and life.
The Contributors
The World and Me team works closely with contributors from across the globe – each bringing their own insights, areas of expertise, and lived experience. Together, they help us explore deeper questions through a broad, holistic and thoughtful lens. Whether they’re offering professional insight or personal reflection, each contributor plays a part in shaping meaningful conversations that reflect the complexity and richness of the world around us.
Tara Van Der Vliet is a co-host for Series 1 and will speak into her experience of how Christian principles relate to holistic and practical change. Dan Lacich is a regular guest speaker for Series 1, contributing his experience as a Christian leader and thinker to our series question. Dan joins up with the team after the trip to Geneva. Behind the scenes, Grace Stevenson is our lead content checker, focusing on the Articles section of the website.
We are also grateful to those who have helped shape the vision of The World and Me including Icon Creative, A Dope Point of View and friend, Paul McCabe.
Tara Van Der Vliet
Contributor
Tara worked as a hospital pharmacist in Queensland, Australia for five years before moving to the UK in 2023. She currently works for the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association across multiple projects. Within this role, Tara has had a range of experiences and responsibilities including leading and co-ordinating the Commonwealth Year of Youth Webinar Series, hosting the Global Health Webinar Series and co-delivering workshops for various health professionals in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Nepal. She is currently working within the education team to develop and deliver further educational packages for pharmacists across the globe.
Tara also works for OCCA, the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, as the Student Engagements Co-ordinator and is a board member for Neighbours Aid, a charity based in Queensland, Australia. She has experience in various cultures including throughout Africa, Asia and the Pacific, as she has travelled extensively within the humanitarian space as well as through Christian ministry. Tara has a range of interests, but nothing gives her as much joy as the next travel adventure!
Dan Lacich
Contributor
Dr Dan Lacich is the founding pastor at Oviedo City Church outside Orlando Florida. He received his Doctorate of Ministry from Reformed Theological Seminary. He has a Bachelor’s Degree with a double major in Theology and Psychology from Franciscan University and a Master’s Degree from Trinity School for Ministry. He has held adjunct faculty positions at Belhaven University and The International Leadership University of Burundi, Africa along with forty years serving in the local church and teaching theology, apologetics, biblical studies, and practical ministry to leaders in more than a dozen countries.
Dan has written two books, “The Provocative God; Radical Things God Has Said and Done”, and “Provocative Joy”, a commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. His current writing project is a book titled, ‘The Gospel Focused Life’ which explores how the Gospel changes every aspect of how we live, what we believe, and what we value.
Dan and his wife Barbara have three sons and seven grandchildren. Dan loves to travel internationally, and he is an avid fan of Pittsburgh sports teams and spent 20 years as a high school football coach.
Grace Stevenson
Content Checking Team
Miss Grace Stevenson has been teaching English and English literature for over 15 years. She acquired her Batchelor of Theology and English (2.1. Hons) degree from Queens University Belfast and then completed her PGCE in the University of Ulster. She has attained several master’s in education modules, including Factors Affecting Literacy and Teaching Students Online.
Grace has experience teaching in grammar, secondary and comprehensive sectors and held several management positions including Literacy co-ordinator and Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator.
Grace is currently the Head of English in Wellington College Belfast Grammar School.
Our motto…
“Abide in Me, for apart from Me, you can do nothing.”
John 15:5