evangelical 360°

A quiet statistic hides a loud truth: one in seven Christians lives with the risk of arrest, mob violence, or bureaucratic erasure simply for practicing their faith. In this episode we sit down with Dr. Janet Epp Buckingham—lawyer, professor, and head of the World Evangelical Alliance’s Geneva advocacy team—to unpack how smart, steady diplomacy at the UN can create real space for believers to worship, witness, and even bury their dead without fear. Janet traces her path from Canadian public policy work to leading a team that turns testimony into action. She explains how special consultative status opens doors to convene side events, deliver hard-hitting 90-second statements, and file reports that influence asylum cases and government responses. We dig into the mechanics: building trust with diplomats, coordinating with national alliances across 140 countries, and timing “good cop, bad cop” strategies so international pressure empowers local engagement rather than eclipsing it.The conversation explores rising trends—registration traps that criminalize house churches, apostasy laws that penalize conversion, and AI-fueled surveillance that tightens control. Case studies bring the stakes into focus: a pastor from Turkey facing restrictions, Nigerian Christians displaced by violence, and India’s disturbing pattern of mobs blocking Christian funerals. Through it all, Janet shows how precise language, credible evidence, and persistent presence can turn compassion into policy change and small wins into lasting protections.If you care about religious freedom, this episode offers both clarity and a roadmap: what works at the UN, how advocacy reaches the local church, and where listeners can step in—through informed prayer, careful sharing, and support for trusted relief and legal efforts. You can learn more about the World Evangelical Alliance at the UN and Dr. Buckingham's work through the WEA website and Facebook. And please don't forget to share this episode and join the conversation on YouTube! ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

A story you think you know—Soviet oppression, majestic cathedrals, and a single, monolithic “Russian Church”—isn’t the story you’ll hear today. With theologian and practitioner Dr. Johannes Reimer, we pull back the curtain on a spiritual landscape where underground resilience meets minority-language revival. From Siberian deportation villages and labour camps to St. Petersburg lecture halls and citywide evangelistic campaigns, Reimer’s journey connects the dots between history, theology, and the lived realities of people finding faith in their mother tongue. In this episode we explore how forced unions and state oversight fractured evangelical life, why glasnost opened doors faster than churches could adapt, and how a strategic shift after 2000 moved mission beyond Russian-only congregations. Think Tatars worshiping in Tatar, Khanti reindeer herders singing in Khanti, and first-generation believers in Muslim-majority districts planting vibrant churches. Alongside that, we examine Orthodoxy’s complex ecosystem—monasteries, revivalist circles, and a state-facing Moscow Patriarchate—while weighing the “Russian world” narrative that frames Moscow as a new “Third Rome” with Kyiv as a spiritual keystone. What emerges through this conversation is a map of faith that’s younger, more multilingual, and more local than headlines suggest. Brian and Johannes talk candidly about the line between ministry freedom and political speech, the thinness behind some grand facades, and the unexpected vitality of congregations that honour culture and language. You can learn more about Dr. Reimer's work and find the published articles referenced in conversation on his website, and follow him through social media. And please don't forget to share this episode and join the conversation on YouTube!  ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

Forget the old map of mission. We sit down with Rev. Dr. Joseph Handley Jr., President of A3 (formerly Asian Access), to unpack how the gospel is moving through a polycentric network of churches and leaders—where sending no longer flows from “the West to the rest,” but from everyone to everywhere. Joe shares how A3’s cohort model develops leaders in small, practitioner-led communities over two to three years, multiplying local ownership as alumni become faculty and movements take root in context. If you’ve ever wondered how to partner without paternalism, this is a masterclass in empowering local and contextual leadership.We trace why South Korea and Brazil became global mission engines, the role of Pentecostal experience in explosive growth, and what happens when worship, deliverance, and close-knit community meet real needs in places that already acknowledge the spiritual realm. Joe makes a compelling case for integrating justice and evangelism—no false dichotomies, just the holistic pattern we see in the life of Jesus. We also tackle faith in the public square: how younger leaders in Asia are stepping into civic life with moral clarity, avoiding partisanship, and choosing witness over culture-war.Technology enters the picture with surprising hope. Joe shows how AI translation, voice syncing, and transcript-to-article workflows can elevate local voices, bridge language gaps, and accelerate collaboration across borders. The thread through it all is simple and challenging - - get in the game! Whether you bring decades of pastoral wisdom or a week to mentor rising leaders, there’s a place at the table for you. You can learn more about the A3 mission through their website and you can buy Joe's book and connect with him through social media. ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

A free meal, a short film and an open chair can change a life. That’s the quiet power behind Alpha, the simple, hospitable format Nicky Gumbel helped steward from a London parish into a global movement—inviting people to explore the meaning of life and the person of Jesus without pressure or pretense. In this conversation Nicky talks about the early missteps of street evangelism, the moment Alpha “went viral,” and why the small‑group experience often does what a podium can’t: it builds trust, honours questions, and makes space for real encounter. Gumbel also discusses the Alpha retreat weekend, focused on the Holy Spirit, where many participants say their change arrived not through argument but love shown. This episode might also act as a field guide for leaders. Start with Jesus, not with winning arguments. Trade expertise for authenticity. Host, don’t perform. Serve the people in front of you and trust that joy spreads with friendship. If you care about evangelism, church growth, or simply helping a friend ask better questions, you’ll find practical insight and hopeful stories here.  You can learn more about Nicky Gumbel and the Alpha course through their website, Facebook and Instagram. ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

What happens when an evangelical leader and a Catholic scholar engage in honest dialogue about the papacy? In this illuminating conversation, host Brian Stiller sits down with Dr. Michael Higgins, author of "The Jesuit Disruptor," to explore Pope Francis's revolutionary impact on Catholic-Evangelical relations.Dr. Higgins reveals how Francis fundamentally transformed the papacy through his emphasis on humility, dialogue, and authentic Christian witness. Rather than approaching evangelicals as theological opponents, Francis saw them as "companions along the way" who could teach Catholics about being "alive with the Spirit." This wasn't strategic positioning but emerged from Francis's conviction that Christians share common ground in Jesus and serving the marginalized.The conversation takes a personal turn when Stiller shares an encounter with Pope Francis. During a private lunch, Francis told the evangelical leader: "I'm not trying to evangelize an evangelical," acknowledging the legitimacy of evangelical faith outside Catholic sacramental traditions. This profound theological recognition demonstrates Francis's commitment to authentic ecumenism that respects different Christian expressions.Higgins unpacks Francis' preference for the title "Servant of the Servants of God" over more hierarchical papal designations, reflecting his determination to invert traditional power structures within the church. This servant-leadership approach characterized Francis's "penitential pilgrimage" to Canada, where he primarily listened to Indigenous communities harmed by residential schools rather than delivering prepared speeches.Looking toward the future under Pope Leo XIV, Higgins analyzes early signs of continued bridge-building while acknowledging the tensions within Catholicism regarding women's roles, Vatican diplomacy, and approaches to global conflicts. Throughout, he frames Francis' legacy not merely as institutional reform but as a rediscovery of Christian leadership rooted in encounter, humility, and recognition of Christ's presence across denominational boundaries.Whether you're curious about Catholic-Evangelical relations, intrigued by Francis's unique papacy, or seeking models of Christian leadership that transcend division, this conversation offers rich insights that challenge conventional boundaries. You can learn more from Dr. Michael Higgins through his scholarship and publications. And you can share this episode using hashtag #Evangelical360 and join the conversation online! ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

Join Dr. Michael Higgins, a Professor Emeritus and author of "The Jesuit Disruptor," as he delves into the transformative leadership of Pope Francis. He explains how Francis's humble beginnings in Argentina and Jesuit training shaped his compassionate approach. Discussing concepts like ‘the church as a field hospital,' Higgins highlights why this pope matters beyond Catholicism. Emphasizing mercy over legalism, he redefines papal identity, aiming for a more inclusive church. Discover the real challenges and reforms within the Vatican under this revolutionary leader.

When Michael Van Pelt and his colleague Ray Pennings founded Cardus twenty-five years ago, they had a revolutionary insight: politics follows culture, not the other way around. Starting with just $42,000, this Canadian Christian think-tank has grown into an $8 million organization that's become one of North America's most respected policy voices—all while maintaining an explicitly faith-based perspective in one of the world's most secular societies.Van Pelt reveals the secret to their unlikely success: being "Christian, credible, and public." Rather than retreating from secular spaces or compromising their beliefs, Cardus researchers bring rigorous scholarship and a posture of hospitality to their work on issues ranging from family policy to medical ethics. This approach has earned them a place at the table in mainstream media and policy circles that traditionally exclude religious voices.Drawing from both Reformed theology and broader Christian traditions, the organization navigates the delicate balance between prophetic witness and constructive engagement. Their work on controversial topics like Canada's medical assistance in dying legislation exemplifies how biblical principles can provide innovative frameworks for addressing contemporary challenges. As Van Pelt explains, "Even in cultural decline, even in an environment where you're sometimes seeing really troublesome animosity, there's that little yearning that just never can go away."The conversation explores how Christians should respond to changing cultural landscapes, including the rise of Christian nationalism in the United States and increasing secularization in Canada. Van Pelt suggests that in today's "Daniel in Babylon moment," believers must work respectfully within existing systems while maintaining clear theological foundations. This approach allows space for genuine pluralism without abandoning truth claims.For those wrestling with how faith can meaningfully engage public life, Van Pelt's journey from 12-year-old political activist to think-tank leader offers a compelling alternative to both religious withdrawal and culture war mentalities. In a time of societal anxiety and purposelessness, he sees unprecedented opportunity for Christian witness—not through imposing belief, but by demonstrating how the gospel brings flourishing to institutions, communities, and individual lives. You can learn more about the Cardus Institute through their website, Facebook and Instagram.And you can share this episode using hashtag #Evangelical360 and join the conversation online! ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

Dr. Byron Klaus invites us into a fascinating exploration of Pentecostalism's remarkable journey from the margins to becoming the largest segment of global Protestantism. As former president of the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and a respected Pentecostal scholar, Klaus brings both academic insight and personal experience to this conversation about a movement that has fundamentally reshaped Christianity worldwide.We begin by tracing Pentecostalism's origins to the "theological winds" of the 19th century Holiness and Keswick movements, which created a hunger for deeper spiritual experience. These currents culminated in what Klaus calls "combustion points" - most famously at Azusa Street in 1906 Los Angeles, but also through numerous immigrant communities across North America. What made early Pentecostalism distinctive was its emergence among "the marginalized, the disenfranchised, people who lived at the edges of society," who found in Spirit-filled faith a source of hope and empowerment.Dismissed by established churches, early Pentecostals formed separate communities centered on biblical authority and spiritual experience. Klaus candidly discusses both the movement's strengths and its "Achilles heel" - a tendency to follow charismatic personalities who become the movement's focal point. He also addresses contemporary challenges, particularly the political polarization affecting American churches, noting his own journey toward becoming "increasingly apolitical" as he recognizes that no political vision truly aligns with God's kingdom priorities.The conversation turns global as Klaus explains why Pentecostalism became what Harvey Cox called "a religion made to travel" - a spiritual seed that could be planted in any culture and flourish through the Spirit's power. With his denomination counting just 3 million adherents in America but 80 million worldwide, Klaus speaks from firsthand observation about how Pentecostalism's adaptability has fueled Christianity's explosive growth across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.For Western believers, Klaus suggests humility in learning from Global South Christians who demonstrate "the vibrancy of Christianity in the middle of suffering" - maintaining profound faith amid material lack, persecution, and uncertainty. His advice for future leaders emphasizes avoiding overconfidence, building cross-generational relationships, and developing strong theological foundations.You can learn more from Byron Klaus through his website and published works. And don't forget to share this episode using hashtag #Evangelical360 and join the conversation online! ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

Father Ronald Rolheiser, renowned Catholic theologian and best-selling author, offers profound insights into Christian spirituality that transcend denominational boundaries. When asked to define spirituality, Rolheiser provides both practical and theoretical frameworks: "Spirituality is the game, not just the rulebook," he explains, describing it simply as "what we do with our spirit" – how we channel the deep longing within us.A fascinating distinction emerges between "Jesus" and "Christ" – not as first and last names, but as complementary spiritual realities. "We need to learn from evangelicals about Jesus, and evangelicals need to learn from mainline churches about Christ," Rolheiser suggests. This perspective illuminates how evangelicals excel at fostering intimate personal relationships with Jesus while Catholics often emphasize the ongoing mystical reality of Christ's presence through the church community.The conversation explores Rolheiser's "four pillars of spiritual life" – personal morality and charity, social justice, community participation, and having a "mellow heart." This final pillar proves particularly thought-provoking, as Rolheiser connects it to the elder brother in the prodigal son parable who does everything "right" but remains too bitter to join the celebration. "You can be doing everything right and it can still all be wrong," he cautions.When discussing spiritual disciplines, Rolheiser borrows wisdom from Dietrich Bonhoeffer about marriage: "Today you're in love and think your love will sustain your marriage, but it won't. Your marriage can sustain your love." Similarly, spiritual rituals and habits carry us through periods when emotions fade. This reframes potentially "legalistic" practices as faithful persistence – showing up regardless of feelings.Perhaps most encouraging is Rolheiser's conviction that the gulf between Catholics and evangelicals is "much less than we imagine" – merely "500 years of misunderstanding." He shares Pope Francis's surprising statement: "I have no interest in converting evangelicals," reflecting a mutual respect that allows traditions to learn from each other without demanding conversion. This conversation offers a powerful vision for how different Christian traditions can enrich one another while maintaining their distinctive voices. You can learn more from Ronald Rolheiser through his website and books and you can find him on Facebook.And don't forget to share this episode using hashtag #Evangelical360 and join the conversation online! ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360

What does it take to serve faithfully for 27 years in politics while maintaining your Christian convictions? John McKay's remarkable journey through nine successful elections as a Liberal Member of Parliament provides a masterclass in navigating the often turbulent waters where faith and politics intersect.McKay's career demonstrates the delicate balance of standing firm on core principles while engaging constructively with colleagues across the political spectrum. When asked what sustained him through nearly three decades in Parliament, he points to the opportunity to directly influence pressing issues: "If you open the front page of any newspaper, you're likely going to be involved in whatever that discussion might be." For those drawn to public discourse and policy formation, this connection to current affairs provides powerful motivation. Throughout the conversation, McKay tackles the challenging question of being a Christian in an increasingly secular political environment. Rather than forcing "Christian ideals" or conflating faith with nationalism, he advocates making space in the marketplace of ideas for religious expression of all kinds. This approach stands in stark contrast to what he calls "the pernicious influence of secularism," which attempts to relegate faith exclusively to worship spaces rather than allowing it to inform public discourse.Perhaps most compelling is McKay's willingness to stand for his pro-life convictions within a party that explicitly requires a pro-choice stance from its members. "Mr. Trudeau and I do not see eye to eye on this issue," he acknowledges, but rather than abandoning his principles or his party, he accepted the political consequences of his position. The result? "At the end of the day, people respect you for how you stood up and said whatever it is you said." His successful passage of five private member's bills—addressing issues from preventing house fires to combating modern slavery in supply chains—demonstrates how faith-informed values can be translated into effective policy that benefits society broadly.For those contemplating their own journey into public service, McKay offers both encouragement and caution: "I don't expect it to be easy... but do get yourself involved." His story reminds us that Christian engagement in politics isn't about imposing religious doctrine, but rather allowing faith-informed wisdom to contribute thoughtfully to the common good. You can learn more about John McKay's public service through Facebook, Instagram and the Modern Slavery Act website. And you can share this episode using hashtag #Evangelical360 and join the conversation online! ____________________▶ Watch Interviews on YouTube ▶ Sign Up for FREE Dispatches From the Global Village▶ Free Downloadable eBook "Here's Hope"▶ More Info: evangelical360.com#evangelical360