The Thread, from Alpha

In this episode of The Thread, Stephen talks with Mark Sayers on how the Church is uniquely placed to navigate today's 'grey zone' of transition and uncertainty with a steadfast hope and the presence of the Holy Spirit.In this conversation, Stephen and Mark look at the opportunities that are awakening as secularism faces a moment of doubt, discussing the historic pattern of crisis preceding renewal and how suffering is a well-worn track in the path of a leader.

In this episode of The Thread, Stephen is joined by Jodie Lintern, student outreach pastor at St Aldates Church in Oxford. Driven by her own radical coming to faith, Jodie shares wisdom from the front row of working with the rising generation in the church today.From the importance of authenticity, to creating a culture of feedback and the value of proximity over perfection, this conversation offers practical and hope-filled insights on what God is doing in young people today.

Welcome to The Thread! In our first episode, Stephen Foster talks with Jon Tyson, who shares his own leadership journey - from dropping out of school at 14 to leading a community of people at Church of the City New York and seeking renewal and revival in the Western church today. In this conversation, Stephen and Jon discuss a God-centred approach to leadership, how our hunger attracts the presence of God, and some practical guidance for Christian leaders today on praying Kingdom prayers, living in reliance on the Holy Spirit and what to do when resistance gets in the way.

Join historian and author Tom Holland, renowned for his work 'Dominion', as he unpacks Christianity's profound influence on modern society. He shares his journey from admiration of Greco-Roman ideals to a deep appreciation of Christian values. Holland explores the transformation of the cross from a symbol of shame to one of strength. He discusses Christianity's foundational role in Western culture and the challenges churches face today. Finally, he emphasizes the need to reconnect with biblical narratives to keep Christianity relevant in contemporary life.

In this episode, Jennie Allen shares her personal experiences of journeying through tough times. She also outlines the hope she has for a reawakening and how we can all play our part, together. Jennie will be speaking at Leadership Conference on 6–7 May 2024, live at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Book your place now: leadershipconference.org.uk/lc24 _________________________ About Jennie Allen: Bible teacher, author, and the visionary behind IF:Gathering, Jennie leads a new chapter as the Founder & Visionary of Gather25, a 25-hour global prayer gathering. Driven by a deep love for God and an unyielding belief in the potential of this generation, Jennie's mission is to disciple a generation of Jesus followers to live what they believe. Jennie is a passionate leader following God's call on her life to catalyze a generation to live what they believe. Jennie is the New York Times' best-selling author of Untangle Your Emotions, Find Your People and Get Out of Your Head. Jennie has a masters in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband, Zac, and their four children. Discover Jennie's books

In this episode, Maanda and Bev Tshifularo talk with Nicky Gumbel about their experiences growing up through hardship to find success at the top of the business world. Now, Maanda is an author, strategist, and founding CEO of SuperLead, and Bev works as a Digital Consultant in the banking sector. https://www.maandatshifularo.com/

Shelbi and Jordy will be speaking live at ⁠Leadership Conference 2024⁠ over 6–7 May at the Royal Albert Hall. This episode: Shelbi and Jordy Shutt share their story of navigating life and faith through disability. At the age of 16, Shelbi received a shock diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy. In this conversation with Nicky Gumbel, Shelbi and Jordy give an open and honest account of their experiences and what they've learned as a couple so far on their journey. They explore the value of vulnerability, the power of forgiveness, and share insights into marriage, ministry, and how to prioritise God's presence.

Dr Johannes Hartl is a philosopher, Catholic theologian and an influential mediator between Christian spirituality, philosophy and psychology. He reaches hundreds of thousands of people through his books, lectures, and YouTube videos. In 2005, he founded the House of Prayer in Augsburg, Germany. In this conversation with Nicky Gumbel, they discuss theocentricity, the importance of being rooted in reality, and the challenges and opportunities of reaching young people in the post-modern world. Find more videos and resources from Johannes Hartl on his website: https://johanneshartl.org/

In the build up to Leadership Conference 2024 (6–7 May) we'll be sharing conversations with experts from various fields. This episode: In this conversation with Nicky Gumbel, Arthur shares his expertise and insights on the science and philosophy of happiness. He outlines the role faith plays in his understanding of purpose and fulfilment, and how Jesus' model of servant leadership gives us a framework for finding meaning and joy in everyday life. They also discuss how to make the most of the second half of life, exploring how our strengths and abilities evolve over time. Bio: Arthur Brooks is a Harvard professor, PhD social scientist, #1 bestselling author, and columnist at The Atlantic who specialises in using the highest levels of science and philosophy to provide people with actionable strategies to live their best lives. Arthur provides happiness training and professional development to businesses, academia, government, and faith communities based on cutting-edge research in social science and neuroscience, as well as philosophy and wisdom traditions. Show notes: Build the Life You Want – Arthur Brooks From Strength to Strength – Arthur Brooks Leadership Conference 2024 – Book your place ⁠Take the Arthur Brooks Personality Quiz

Scott and Viktoria Harrison have been on a journey – from working as colleagues at Scott’s kitchen table, to becoming a husband-and-wife team who would revolutionise the way the non-profit sector thinks about branding, fundraising, and marketing. As co-founders of charity: water, Scott and Viktoria have helped over 15 million people gain access to clean water through over 111,000 water projects in 29 countries, work which has saved countless lives and given dignity and hope to countless more. In this interview, they share their stories of how they got here, how they reimagined the rules of how charities operate, and how much more there is yet to be done in the task of making water poverty a thing of the past. Bio |  Scott and Viktoria Harrison are husband and wife, and co-founders of charity: water – an organisation on a mission to bring clean and safe water to every person on the planet. Scott is author of Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World. Previously Creative Director for charity: water, Viktoria now runs Mission Critical, a course platform that teaches other rising non-profits essential marketing and fundraising skills to accelerate growth. Show Notes Charity: water Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World Mission Critical Leadership Conference 2023 On 1–2 May 2023, Nicky Gumbel will be hosting the Leadership Conference from Alpha in person at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Join us to experience live worship, hear from inspiring speakers, and to connect with other global leaders. Book tickets and find out more at: leadershipconference.org.uk