evangelical 360°

What happens when a fired youth minister transforms his pain into a forty-year exploration of spiritual friendship? Norm Allen's remarkable journey reveals pathways to deeper connection with God and others that many evangelicals have missed.After being unceremoniously dismissed in 1983, Allen faced a crucible moment—bitter, angry, and uncertain about his future. Rather than staying trapped in resentment (he eventually burned his journal of complaints), Allen discovered his unique gift for listening to leaders struggling with profound loneliness. This revelation launched Touchstone Ministries, where for four decades, he's cultivated spaces for spiritual friendship among businesspeople, ministry leaders, and seekers.Allen's approach challenges conventional evangelical spirituality by mining two millennia of Christian tradition. "I'm basically a curious person, or you might call me a spiritual magpie," he explains. This curiosity led him to explore contemplative prayer through Ignatian spirituality, Celtic prayer rhythms, Franciscan meditation on the cross, and Benedictine hospitality. Rather than abandoning his evangelical roots, Allen integrated these ancient practices to enrich his Jesus-centered faith.The heart of Allen's ministry centers on redefining friendship itself. Beyond mere friendliness, spiritual friendship involves intentionally creating space where Jesus becomes present in conversations. "We assume Jesus is present, but sometimes we need to sit together and say, 'Let's just sit in silence,'" Allen notes. This approach transforms relationships from networking or accountability into sacred encounters where mutual listening reveals God's voice.For those feeling spiritually hungry or dissatisfied with surface-level faith experiences, Allen offers gentle wisdom: seek internal quietness amidst our noisy world, take responsibility for your spiritual journey rather than expecting church programs to fulfill every need, and test every practice by whether it helps you see Jesus more clearly.You can learn more about Spiritual Friendship resources and retreats, and find Norm Allen's books at Touchstone.caAnd 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

What happens when heritage, calling and global vision converge in one leader's life? Dr. Lisa Pak's story offers a compelling answer. Born in Toronto to Korean immigrant parents, Lisa's journey defies conventional paths. Though academically driven toward medicine, a teenage encounter with Ecclesiastes sparked an existential question that redirected her life: "What lasts longer than the body? The soul." This realization set her on an unexpected path to ministry—one that would eventually lead her around the world.Her perspective on Korean Christianity provides fascinating insights into one of modern history's most remarkable church growth stories. The prayer-driven fervor that transformed Korea from a devastated post-war nation to the world's second-largest missionary-sending country reveals something profound about faith born of desperation. "I believe it was out of those seeds sown by foreign missionaries who literally gave their lives," Lisa explains, noting how those buried in Korean soil never witnessed the fruit their sacrifice would yield.Now leading Finishing the Task alongside Pastor Rick Warren, Lisa works to unite churches globally around the Great Commission. Using 2033—marking 2,000 years since Christ's ministry—as what she calls an "Ebenezer moment," this initiative fosters collaboration across denominational and cultural lines. "I believe the Great Commission was designed to be done by a unified body of Christ," she states, suggesting that division itself may be our greatest obstacle to fulfilling Jesus' command.Perhaps most compelling is Lisa's candid reflection on being a woman in leadership. The journey from never imagining ordination to her current global role, involved both personal wrestling and the intervention of unexpected allies—men who broke glass ceilings she couldn't break herself. "For women who feel called to lead, it's not just a struggle of calling, it's an existential struggle," she explains, offering hope to those navigating similar paths.As global Christianity's center shifts toward younger nations in the Global South, Lisa remains unwaveringly optimistic: "I believe in a God who has never lost a generation and He will not start now." Her story reminds us that faith transcends cultural boundaries, generational divisions, and traditional limitations when anchored in timeless biblical narratives. You can learn more about Finishing the Task 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

Gavin Calver, CEO of the Evangelical Alliance UK, challenges the myth of Britain's decline in spirituality, revealing unexpected evidence of revival among young people. Generation Z is increasingly open to faith, with a surge in Bible sales and church attendance. Calver highlights the role of 'reverse missionaries' and a collaborative spirit among churches. Surprisingly, one in three non-Christians express a desire for conversations about faith, illustrating a cultural shift that may reshape the future of spirituality in the UK.

What happens when spiritual passion meets thoughtful engagement? Rev. Dr. David Wells, General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, takes us on a remarkable journey through the explosive growth of the Pentecostal movement from its humble beginnings to becoming the largest Protestant movement worldwide.Against the backdrop of increasing secularization, Wells reveals a surprising counter-narrative: Pentecostal churches are experiencing "incremental growth" with "record levels of first-time responses to Jesus." His approach rejects false dichotomies between heart and mind, embracing instead what he calls "wholehearted, whole-minded, whole-life discipleship."Perhaps most fascinating is Wells' unique role as chaplain for multiple Olympic Games, where he developed best practices for multi-faith environments. This work required building trust across religious divides while maintaining his evangelical convictions—a skill increasingly valuable in our polarized world.Wells offers fresh perspectives on denominational identity, describing a shift from rigid "franchise models" to a more flexible "center-set" approach that maintains theological integrity while allowing contextual adaptation. He addresses leadership development challenges with multiple pathways for ministry preparation, including traditional academic routes, second-career ministers, and global perspectives.For anyone interested in how faith communities can remain vibrant in changing times, Wells provides wisdom drawn from five decades of ministry. His story demonstrates how spiritual renewal comes through both passionate engagement and respectful collaboration, offering hope for the future of the church in an increasingly complex world.You can learn more about Rev. Dr. David Wells and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada through their website and Facebook.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

What happens when Indigenous identity meets Christianity? For Rev. Dr. Ray Aldred, Director of Indigenous Studies at Vancouver School of Theology, this intersection has been both painful and profoundly illuminating.Ray's story begins with generational trauma - a grandmother lost to alcoholism, a murdered uncle, experiences of racism that as a child he simply thought were "how it is with everybody." His journey through addiction to Christian faith, and eventually to deeper healing, reveals the gaps in how many churches address cultural shame and historical wounds."When you feel ashamed of who you are," Ray explains, "you think you're too bad to receive God's love. You spend most of your Christian life trying to do more religious stuff so God will actually love you." This breakthrough realization transformed not only his personal faith but his approach to theology and reconciliation.The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Ray describes reading scripture through Indigenous eyes. Suddenly biblical humour comes alive, community connections deepen, and creation itself becomes family. His interpretation of Adam as "son of God" led to the revelation that the earth could be understood as mother - not in an idolatrous sense, but as a relative deserving care and respect. "If people could feel that about the land," he suggests, "maybe we could make different decisions when it comes to how we live upon it."As Canada continues its journey toward reconciliation following the devastating legacy of residential schools, Ray offers wisdom for moving forward: tell the truth completely, listen with your heart to understand pain, then develop a shared plan to heal the damage. His approach places "the gospel in the center" while honoring Indigenous identity and addressing historical trauma.For anyone seeking to understand Christianity beyond colonial frameworks or wondering how faith communities might participate meaningfully in reconciliation, Ray's insights illuminate a path that requires courage, honesty and deep listening. You can learn more with Ray Aldred through his books and the Vancouver School of Theology. 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

David Bebbington, the world's foremost scholar on evangelicalism, returns for a second illuminating conversation that dives deep into the global evolution and remarkable growth of the evangelical movement.Starting with his observations on evangelicalism's consistent characteristics worldwide, Bebbington explains how the movement maintains its core identity across vastly different cultural contexts. He makes a compelling case for retaining the term "evangelical" despite political associations in America, arguing this centuries-old religious identifier serves a crucial function for believers worldwide who share common theological commitments.The conversation explores evangelicalism's extraordinary numerical expansion from approximately 90 million adherents in 1960 to over 600 million today. Bebbington attributes this unprecedented growth primarily to evangelicalism's emphasis on personal evangelism, reinvigorated by Pentecostal and charismatic movements that have injected fresh spiritual dynamism across denominations and borders.Yet alongside this expansion, Bebbington identifies serious challenges facing evangelicals today. External persecution threatens believers in many regions, while internally, he warns against "therapeutic evangelicalism" - a shallow, psychologically-oriented approach lacking doctrinal substance. His concerns about declining biblical literacy and the rise of Christian nationalism reveal the tensions within modern evangelicalism as it navigates contemporary cultural pressures.Drawing from his extensive publication history and research spanning Baptist communities, Methodism, and denominational studies, Bebbington demonstrates why historical understanding remains vital for evangelical identity. His insights on colonialism's complex relationship with evangelicalism and the increasing collaboration across denominational lines provide essential context for anyone seeking to understand this global religious movement.Whether you're a scholar of religious history, an evangelical believer seeking deeper understanding of your tradition, or simply curious about one of the world's fastest-growing religious movements, this conversation offers invaluable perspective from one of Christianity's most respected historians. You can learn more from Dr. David Bebbington 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

What exactly makes someone an evangelical Christian? Dr. David Bebbington, whose work has become the definitive framework for understanding this global movement, joins us to unpack the rich history and defining characteristics of evangelicalism.Prof. Bebbington's "quadrilateral" – emphasizing the Bible, the Cross, conversion, and activism – has become the most widely cited definition of evangelical identity since its introduction in 1989. In this illuminating conversation, he traces how evangelicalism emerged in the 18th century, drawing from Puritan theology while incorporating Anglican and continental influences. Far from being static, the movement constantly evolved in response to cultural shifts from the Enlightenment through Romanticism and beyond.We explore fascinating questions about evangelical boundaries: Are Pentecostals evangelical? What about fundamentalists? Can Roman Catholics be evangelical? Bebbington provides nuanced answers that challenge simplistic categorizations, revealing the movement's theological flexibility despite its clear core commitments.The conversation also addresses how evangelicalism catalyzed modern missions through voluntary societies that transformed Christianity's global footprint. While acknowledging the political associations that have become attached to the evangelical label in countries like the United States and Brazil, Bebbington reminds us that these alignments are not universal – in Britain, for instance, evangelicals have historically spanned the political spectrum.For anyone seeking clarity about evangelical identity amid today's complex religious landscape, this conversation offers rare historical perspective from the scholar whose insights have shaped our understanding of a movement that has grown from approximately 90 million believers in the 1960s to around 600 million today. You can learn more from Dr. David Bebbington 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

Against all predictions, Africa has become the world's fastest-growing center of Christianity. Rev. Dr. Goodwill Shana, Executive Chair of the World Evangelical Alliance and prominent Zimbabwean pastor, brings us inside this remarkable transformation while sharing his own unlikely journey from orphaned boy to global church leader.Growing up fatherless during Zimbabwe's colonial period, Dr. Shana initially pursued law driven by a passion for justice. Despite the injustices around him, a white Baptist missionary became his spiritual father—teaching him early to separate systemic problems from individuals. This perspective would prove invaluable as he reluctantly transitioned from legal practice to church leadership during Zimbabwe's turbulent political history.Pastor Goodwill offers fresh insights on several critical issues facing global Christianity. He challenges misconceptions about evangelicalism, arguing that its political associations in Western contexts shouldn't define the movement worldwide. "Evangelicalism is not the same as being politically right-wing," he explains. "Evangelicalism really is about Judeo-Christian values that are enunciated in the New Testament." The term itself, he believes, remains valuable: "Evangelical is in the Bible. Evangelical is good news."As Executive Chair of an organization representing over 600 million Christians through approximately 140 national alliances, Pastor Goodwill sees the WEA providing crucial stability in what military strategists call a "VUCA world"—volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. While many institutions and relationships fragment, the evangelical movement offers certainty, dependability, and global community.Perhaps most powerfully, Dr. Shana's personal testimony embodies hope for anyone feeling insignificant or overlooked. "God is a God of grace and He's a God of the improbable," he shares. "Our God can touch and use and transform anyone from anywhere to be anything in the world, because people's value is not defined by where they come from, or what they weigh or which family they belong to, but which God they belong to."You can learn more about Rev. Dr. Goodwill Shana and the World Evangelical Alliance through their website and Facebook.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

What happens to people after they're sentenced and the news cycle moves on? In this profound and eye-opening conversation, Stacey Campbell, President and CEO of Prison Fellowship Canada, pulls back the curtain on a world most of us never see.Stacey's remarkable journey began at just 15 years old when a chance connection with Prison Fellowship in its early days planted seeds that would later bloom into her life's calling. Now, with over 15 years of leadership, she offers rare insights into Canada's prison system and the transformative work happening within its walls.The statistics might surprise you. Contrary to popular belief, 75% of Canadian inmates are serving time for drug-related offenses, not violent crimes. Perhaps most troubling is the dramatic overrepresentation of Indigenous people – making up only 5% of Canada's population but 33-40% of male inmates and a staggering 50% of female prisoners.Through powerful stories of transformation, Stacey reveals how Prison Fellowship's programs work through a three-part process of encounter, repair, and transformation. Their restorative practice brings surrogate victims together with offenders, creating spaces for healing conversations that answer long-held questions and foster genuine accountability. "We don't bring Jesus into prison," Stacey explains. "Jesus is already there. We just highlight him and say, 'See, there he is.'"Beyond prison walls, their Bridge Care program supports former inmates transitioning back to society, while Angel Tree connects thousands of children with their incarcerated parents through Christmas gifts. These connections prove crucial not just for emotional wellbeing but for breaking intergenerational cycles of crime.Whether you're interested in criminal justice reform, faith-based rehabilitation, or simply want to understand a forgotten corner of our society, this conversation challenges assumptions and inspires hope for lives being restored and redeemed in places we too often prefer to ignore. You can learn more about Stacey Campbell and Prison Fellowship Canada through their website and Facebook.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

What happens when a nation rejects its moral compass only to find itself lost in the wilderness? Philip Yancey takes us on a journey through one of history's most remarkable untold stories - how Russia's brief spiritual awakening after communism's collapse ultimately gave way to authoritarian rule and war.In this fascinating conversation, Yancey shares his firsthand experiences from the early 1990s when both Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin made an extraordinary request of Western Christians: help "restore morality" to their country. For approximately ten years, Russia experienced an unprecedented openness to spiritual matters, with missionaries flooding in and churches flourishing. Yet this window of opportunity eventually closed under Vladimir Putin's leadership.The historical connections between Russia and Ukraine run deeper than most Western media coverage acknowledges. Yancey expertly guides us through the spiritual roots of the current conflict, explaining how Kyiv represents the birthplace of Russian Orthodox Christianity dating back to 988 CE. This religious heritage helps explain why Patriarch Kirill frames the Ukraine invasion as a "holy war" to reclaim Christianity's Russian birthplace.Perhaps most compelling is Yancey's cautionary tale about church-state relations. After enduring severe persecution under communism, the Russian Orthodox Church welcomed Putin's support and protection - only to become an instrument of state policy rather than its moral conscience. Meanwhile, Ukraine demonstrates a different model, with Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim communities uniting to serve those suffering from the conflict."The church should not be master of the state or servant of the state," Yancey reflects, citing Martin Luther King Jr. "It needs to be the conscience of the state." This wisdom challenges believers everywhere to consider how their faith intersects with political power. Rather than seeking influence through corridors of power, perhaps our most effective witness comes through consistent, compassionate action that embodies the gospel.As Ukraine stands at a historical turning point, Christians worldwide are called to respond with prayer, compassion, and support. Whatever the geopolitical outcome, the contrast between Russia's state-aligned church and Ukraine's interfaith cooperation offers profound lessons about faith's true power in a broken world. You can learn more from Philip Yancey 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