The Church Leadership Pulse

Church Leadership Radar - Wednesday, May 20, 2026


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On today's Church Leadership Radar: A pastor imprisoned in China for refusing government surveillance, a missionary doctor who contracted Ebola serving in the DRC, a sobering Gallup survey on pastoral trust, and a church in Indianapolis doing something inspiring with a closed university campus.

Stories covered:

  • Pastor Ezra Jin — Beijing pastor imprisoned for refusing government surveillance cameras in his church (Wall Street Journal)
  • Dr. Peter Stafford — Christian surgeon evacuated to Germany after contracting Ebola while serving at a hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Gallup survey: Only 27% of Americans rate pastors high on honesty and ethics — below politicians, accountants, and mechanics
  • Eastern Star Church in Indianapolis purchases former Martin University campus for $3.5M to create a community impact center

Takeaway: Trust isn't rebuilt through better marketing. It's rebuilt through consistency — showing up when things are hard, handling money with integrity, treating people well whether anyone's watching or not.

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The Church Leadership PulseBy Todd