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.

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

Jackie Pullinger is a missionary in Hong Kong and founder of the St Stephen's Society. She has been serving in Hong Kong since 1966. The early years of her Hong Kong ministry are chronicled in her book Chasing the Dragon.

https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-jackie-pullinger

In this interview with Nicky Gumbel, historian, author and co-presenter of the world-famous The Rest is History podcast, Tom Holland describes his renewed interest in Christianity in the past decade. He reflects on the impact Christianity has made on history, right up to shaping the modern world and guiding how we all think – whether we call ourselves Christians, or not.

Jon Tyson is a Pastor and Church Planter in New York City. Originally from Adelaide, Australia, Jon moved to the United States twenty years ago with a passion to seek and cultivate renewal in the Western Church. He is the author of Beautiful Resistance, Sacred Roots, A Creative Minority, and The Burden is Light.

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-jon-tyson/

Anthony Tan is Group CEO and Co-Founder of Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading mobile technology company focused on bringing transport freedom and financial inclusion to the region. Under his leadership, the company has expanded into eight countries across Southeast Asia. Grab's core product platform includes commuting solutions for drivers and passengers with an emphasis on convenience, safety, and reliability, as well as its proprietary mobile payments platform, GrabPay.

By focusing on a hyperlocal business strategy and building strategic partnerships, Anthony and his team successfully transformed Grab from a taxi booking app to the market-leading offline-to-online consumer app that offers the most diversified portfolio of transport services, and its popular mobile payments platform in Southeast Asia.

Anthony graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Economics and Public Policy from the University of Chicago and has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with Honors from Harvard Business School. Anthony has a hands-on leadership style and travels obsessively within Southeast Asia to inspire and fight with his teammates on the ground.

https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-anthony-tan/

Craig and Amy started Life.Church in a two-car garage in Edmond, Oklahoma in January 1996. Since then, Life.Church has grown to include dozens of locations all over the United States but its mission statement remains the same: to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. Life.Church has become known for its innovative use of technology to spread the Gospel, launching the first fully digital church experience in 2006 and the most downloaded mobile Bible app in history, YouVersion, in 2008. Craig is a New York Times bestselling author of books on a wide variety of topics, including dating and marriage, social media, purpose, direction, church leadership, & more.

https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-craig-groeschel/

Pastors Michael and Natalie Todd are the Lead Pastors of Transformation Church based in Tulsa, OK since February 2015. They were entrusted with Transformation Church from the founding pastor, Bishop Gary McIntosh, after 15 years of operation. Michael’s personal philosophy and driving passion is representing God to the lost and found for transformation in Christ. He aspires to reach his community, city and world with the gospel presented in a relevant and progressive way. Michael and Natalie have been married since 2010 and live in Tulsa with three beautiful children.

https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-michael-todd

Timothy Keller is the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, which he started in 1989 with his wife, Kathy, and three young sons.  For 28 years he led a diverse congregation of young professionals that grew to a weekly attendance of over 5,000. He is also the Chairman & Co-Founder of Redeemer City to City (CTC), which starts new churches in New York and other global cities, and creates resources for ministry in an urban environment. In 2017 Dr. Keller transitioned to CTC full time to teach and mentor church planters and seminary students. Dr. Keller’s books, including the New York Times bestselling The Reason for God and The Prodigal God, have sold over 2 million copies and been translated into 25 languages.

https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-tim-keller/

Danielle is a spiritual leader, justice advocate, communicator and peace maker. Her aggressive compassion has served people firsthand in countries all over the world. From establishing justice departments and church plants, to launching global anti-trafficking initiatives, to creating new initiatives to mobilize people towards transformational spiritual life. Danielle trains, advocates, and inspires people to live differently through initiatives like: Amplify Peace, Brave Global, Women’s Speakers Collective, and Infinitum. Currently based in Toronto, Canada, Danielle is the proud mum of 3 boys, wife to Stephen, and as an enneagram 7, has been affectionately called the "ambassador of fun".

https://www.alpha.org/blog/leadership-conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-danielle-strickland/

Sandy Millar is married to Annette and they have 4 grown up children.  He practised as a barrister for ten years before being ordained and served as a Curate at Holy Trinity Brompton in London under 2 vicars before changing places with the latter one.  He was Vicar there for 20 years and worked closely with Nicky Gumbel on Alpha before moving to three parishes in North London.  During that time he was consecrated as a Bishop in Uganda.  He remains an Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Dioceses of London and St Edmundsbury. He is retired and lives in Suffolk.

https://www.alpha.org/blog/conversations-with-nicky-gumbel-podcast-sandy-millar/

Nicky Gumbel is the pioneer of Alpha and Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton 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/nickygumbelpodcast

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

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 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 episode 4 of The Thread, Stephen is joined by Shaila Visser, National Director of Alpha Canada and Global Senior Vice-President of Alpha International. Shaila shares learnings from her own remarkable journey in leadership. In this conversation, Shaila and Stephen discuss what it looks like to live a truly surrendered life, why breadth of leadership requires spiritual depth, and how to clear the way for the rising generation.

In this episode of The Thread, Stephen Foster speaks with New Testament Scholar, thinker and theologian, N.T. Wright. This conversation centres on the resurrection of Jesus, looking at both the historical evidence supporting its truth and the significance it marks for God’s new creation on earth. Talking about being identified in Christ, the role of the Church today and the importance of imagination in the life of a follower of Christ, we hope you this episode.

Opening the Leadership Conference 2025, Nicky Gumbel makes a rallying call to the Church, to resist the spirit of the age and to embrace the Spirit of Jesus.

Drawing from Revelation 22:1-2, Nicky speaks about God’s plan to use His Church for the healing of the nations and he encourages us all to lead with integrity, courage and a Kingdom mentality as we share the unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ.

This episode brings you Priscilla Shirer's mainstage talk from the Leadership Conference 2025. Priscilla speaks on how to remain steadfast, immovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord through the course of time and different seasons of life.

This episode brings you Pastor Andrés Spyker's mainstage talk from the Leadership Conference 2025. Andrés Spyker is the senior pastor of Masvida Church in Mexico City. In this talk he addresses the insecurities of a leader, the threat they pose to the church today and how we can overcome them.

In this episode, Stephen is joined by Keithen Schwahn, who is Pastor of Young People at Church of the City New York. In this conversation, Stephen and Keithen dive into what is rising in young people today – from boldness to a spiritual openness and a hunger for truth. Keithen shares from his own journey about the importance of protecting the hope in your own spirit, building on truth and how to become a person of intercession and be set on fire with a contending heart of prayer.

In this mainstage talk from the Leadership Conference 2025, Harvard professor, PhD social scientist, #1 bestselling author and columnist of The Atlantic's popular "How to Build a Life" column, Dr Arthur Brooks studies and teaches on the art of happiness. He shares data-backed methods for finding deep purpose and happiness at every stage of life.

In this episode, Rachel shares her journey from a theology dissertation on the Spice Girls to grassroots youth ministry in Blackburn. She explores the spiritual hunger of today’s teens, the most irreligious generation in history, yet simultaneously marked by a powerful spiritual hunger, and how the church can meet them with authenticity, hope, and the transformative presence of Jesus.

This episode brings you Dr. Johannes Hartl's seminar from the Leadership Conference 2025, exploring how we can find clarity and rest in an age of distraction. To work creatively and to rest deeply, both need something our world seems to lack more and more: the willingness and capacity to focus on one thing. In this seminar, you will learn why focus is the crucial skill for our time, how to understand the deeper spiritual dimensions of it, and how to strengthen your own focus.

This bonus episode brings you a seminar from the Leadership Conference 2025 in which Jon Thompson and Tammy Comer join Pete Hughes to examine the influence that the demonic can have within our lives as Christians. Nothing of the kingdom goes uncontested. As we lead people into God’s purposes, we should expect spiritual resistance and opposition. What does this look like? How do we navigate and overcome it? Jon, Tammy and Pete share a theological overview, real stories, and what we can do about it. 

In this next bonus episode from Leadership Conference 2025, we feature a seminar presented by those currently stewarding moves of God among young leaders in various global contexts. With a surprising and significant openness to faith among the rising generations in many places around the world, how can we – as emerging and established leaders – seize the moment, prepare for awakening, and respond to what God is doing?

In this episode, Stephen is joined by Alpha’s Global Youth Director, Dan Blythe. Dan works alongside young people and youth leaders globally to inspire, innovate and support the mission of Alpha to bring the gospel to young people around the world. In this conversation, Dan shares his own journey into faith at a young age, the values and priorities of the ‘now’ generation and his own tips for fighting fear, dismantling pride and living out the ‘new thing’ that God has for your life.

This episode brings you Rachel Gardner's mainstage talk from the Leadership Conference 2025. Rachel looks at what God is doing amongst younger generations today, and how we as the Church must respond in this particular cultural moment.

In this bonus episode from Leadership Conference 2025, Al Gordon and Farida Matthews explore the biblical and psychological aspects of the imagination and look at how you can unlock the creative potential of your mind.

In this episode of The Thread, Stephen sits down with Abel Cheah, Vicar of HTBB Church in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to explore topics like the hunger, not for more leadership content, but for authentic examples of leadership, the raising up of new leaders, and what it takes to be a disciple-making disciple.

In this episode from Leadership Conference 2025, Amy and Rachel Hughes are joined their husbands Tim and Jonny Hughes alongside Priscilla Shirer for a conversation on how we wear the dual hats of both parenting and leadership and how we navigate the challenges and the joys of wearing those two hats together.

Jacintha Tagal leads HTBB Church in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with her husband, Abel Cheah. In this episode, she shares with Stephen how her father’s headhunting Lun Bawang tribe in East Malaysia received the gospel and experienced the miraculous. She and Stephen discuss revival, spiritual inheritance, ministry, grief, and doing succession well.

In this Leadership Conference 2025 bonus episode, Rachel Gardner, Youth Innovation Lead at St Luke's church in Blackburn, is joined by emerging young leaders for a conversation on how we can reshape our thinking on social transformation, justice and God's kingdom, looking at how we can partner with God's work in bold new ways.

In this Bonus episode from Leadership Conference 2025, Patricia Lau, Executive Director of Alpha Hong Kong, is joined by global business leaders to look at how we can transform everyday work into patterns of Kingdom impact in the workplace.

In this episode of The Thread, Stephen sits down with Director of the Chinese Alpha Film Series, the Alpha Youth Series and the upcoming new Alpha Series, and the CEO of SignalFlare Productions, Steve Chao. Steve shares incredible insights into leading with faith in creative spaces and how his background in journalism at the heart of war zones across the globe shaped his passion for storytelling.

Content Warning: This episode contains several mentions of topics associated with warfare.

In this Bonus episode of The Thread from Leadership Conference 2025, we hear from multiple Emmy and BAFTA Award winner Bear Grylls. Bear joins Nicky Gumbel live from the Royal Albert Hall and shares about his new book "The Greatest Story Ever Told", the process of writing it, and how deeply it has impacted his life.