The Thread, from Alpha

Nicky Gumbel is the pioneer of Alpha and Vicar of HTB in London, one of the largest Church of England churches in the UK. He is the author of many books and is married to Pippa. https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-nicky-gumbels-call-to-the-church-in-this-unique-season

In 2009 in Iran, Maryam and Marziyeh were imprisoned and sentenced to death because of their Christian faith. Maryam and Marziyeh were born into Muslim families but converted to Christianity and began to share the Gospel with those around them. They were arrested in March 2009 after being accused of evangelism and apostasy. After 259 days in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison they were released. This is their story.  https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-maryam-marziyeh/

The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town was born in 1960 and grew up in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg. He holds a BSc, a BA(Honours) in Applied Psychology, and a MEd in Educational Psychology, all from the University of the Witwatersrand. He lectured at Wits University and was Dean of Knockando Residence at Wits College of Education (formerly Johannesburg College of Education – JCE), as well as Senior Lecturer. He is married to Lungi Manona and they have two children, Nyakallo and Paballo. He recently authored the book: Faith & Courage – Praying with Mandela. https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-archbishop-thabo-makgoba/

Rick and Kay Warren are pastors, authors and global influencers. They founded Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California in 1980. Since then Saddleback has become one of the most influential churches in the United States and Rick and Kay continue to be at the forefront of the evangelical movement, encouraging churches everywhere to be a sanctuary for hope and healing. https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-rick-kay-warren

Heidy Quah is a 26-year-old human rights activist who founded Refuge For The Refugees [RFTR], a one-stop centre that looks into advocating for the rights of refugees in Malaysia. Almost a decade into working with underserved populations, Heidy specializes in taking on highly complex human trafficking cases, as well as advising corporations on their anti-slavery and human trafficking policies. Heidy is currently an Associate Professor at Taylors Lakeside University, and a supervisor to a PHD candidate in Australia Catholic University. Heidy’s work over the past decade has seen her recognized regionally and globally, winning two notable awards – The Queen’s Young Leaders Award and the South East Asia Women Of The Future Award, marking some of the best practices in the region. https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-heidy-quah

Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. was appointed the 16th Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in 2009. In this role, Dr. Collins oversees the work of the largest supporter of biomedical research in the world, spanning the spectrum from basic to clinical research. Dr. Collins is a physician-geneticist noted for his landmark discoveries of disease genes and his leadership of the international Human Genome Project, which culminated in April 2003 with the completion of a finished sequence of the human DNA instruction book. He served as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute at NIH from 1993-2008. Dr. Collins is an elected member of both the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2007, and received the National Medal of Science in 2009. In 2020, he was elected as a Foreign Member of the Royal Society (UK) and was also named the 50th winner of the Templeton Prize, which celebrates scientific and spiritual curiosity. https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-francis-collins

Rebecca served on the staff at the HTB Group for 14 years, as Head of Alpha UK, COO and Group CEO, prior to which she worked in banking, consulting and head-hunting.  Rebecca now works with charitable foundations and is the Vice-Chair of Alpha International.  She is married to Alex and they have two children. https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-rebecca-stewart/

Jump into the Leadership Conference archives to hear this conversation between Cardinal Luis Tagle and Nicky Gumbel from 2017. Cardinal Tagle is currently living in Rome working as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. He was the 32nd Archbishop of Manila from 2011 to 2020.  Today he also serves as the president of Caritas International, a federation of Catholic relief, development, and social service organizations, and of the Catholic Biblical Federation. More recently in 2021, he has become a member of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See. https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-cardinal-luis-tagle

Isaac Borquaye (Guvna B) is an author and multi award-winning, record-breaking urban rap artist from London. He has carved out a unique place for himself in the music world, and his other artistic endeavours draw on his personal experiences of life in London, bringing together themes of faith, masculinity and identity. Since winning his first MOBO Music Award at just 20 years old, Guvna’s journey has been one of breathless success and cutting-edge creativity. In a world often plagued by negativity, Guvna B hopes that he can be a beacon of light. His work is intended to demonstrate the strength and inspiration faith can bring. He lives in London with his wife and son. https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-guvna-b

Together with her husband, Nick, Christine founded the anti-human trafficking organization, The A21 Campaign – a recipient of the Mother Theresa Memorial Award for their work combating human trafficking among refugees. They also founded Propel Women, an organization designed to celebrate every woman’s passion, purpose, and potential. Christine and Nick make their home in Southern California with their daughters, Catherine and Sophia. https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-christine-caine