What happens when an evangelical leader and a Catholic scholar engage in honest dialogue about the papacy? In this illuminating conversation, host Brian Stiller sits down with Dr. Michael Higgins, author of "The Jesuit Disruptor," to explore Pope Francis's revolutionary impact on Catholic-Evangelical relations.

Dr. Higgins reveals how Francis fundamentally transformed the papacy through his emphasis on humility, dialogue, and authentic Christian witness. Rather than approaching evangelicals as theological opponents, Francis saw them as "companions along the way" who could teach Catholics about being "alive with the Spirit." This wasn't strategic positioning but emerged from Francis's conviction that Christians share common ground in Jesus and serving the marginalized.

The conversation takes a personal turn when Stiller shares an encounter with Pope Francis. During a private lunch, Francis told the evangelical leader: "I'm not trying to evangelize an evangelical," acknowledging the legitimacy of evangelical faith outside Catholic sacramental traditions. This profound theological recognition demonstrates Francis's commitment to authentic ecumenism that respects different Christian expressions.

Higgins unpacks Francis' preference for the title "Servant of the Servants of God" over more hierarchical papal designations, reflecting his determination to invert traditional power structures within the church. This servant-leadership approach characterized Francis's "penitential pilgrimage" to Canada, where he primarily listened to Indigenous communities harmed by residential schools rather than delivering prepared speeches.

Looking toward the future under Pope Leo XIV, Higgins analyzes early signs of continued bridge-building while acknowledging the tensions within Catholicism regarding women's roles, Vatican diplomacy, and approaches to global conflicts. Throughout, he frames Francis' legacy not merely as institutional reform but as a rediscovery of Christian leadership rooted in encounter, humility, and recognition of Christ's presence across denominational boundaries.

Whether you're curious about Catholic-Evangelical relations, intrigued by Francis's unique papacy, or seeking models of Christian leadership that transcend division, this conversation offers rich insights that challenge conventional boundaries. 

You can learn more from Dr. Michael Higgins through his scholarship and publications. 

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The power of Pope Francis's leadership lies not in doctrine changes but in his transformative approach to religious leadership itself. Dr. Michael Higgins, author of "The Jesuit Disruptor," reveals how Francis's humble Argentine beginnings and Jesuit formation shaped a pontiff who prioritizes mercy over legalism, authenticity over authority, and pastoral care over institutional preservation.

Pope Francis emerged from the turbulent "dirty war" in Argentina with a deep commitment to serving the marginalized. As Dr. Higgins explains, Francis's journey from autocratic provincial to humble archbishop reflects a profound spiritual transformation that prepared him to disrupt centuries of papal tradition. When he stepped onto the Apostolic Loggia without traditional regalia and simply said "Buona sera," he signaled a revolutionary shift in papal identity.

What makes this conversation particularly valuable for evangelical listeners is understanding why Francis matters beyond Catholic circles. His rejection of clericalism and insistence that "the church is a field hospital" for the wounded speaks across denominational lines. The famous "Who am I to judge?" comment wasn't abandoning Catholic teaching but redirecting focus toward compassionate encounter rather than judgment. Similarly, his efforts to include divorced Catholics demonstrates prioritizing people over policies.

Francis' papacy hasn't been without struggle. His mixed success reforming Vatican finances and addressing clergy sexual abuse reveals the challenges of institutional transformation. Yet through it all, Francis has consistently humanized the papacy by rejecting its princely trappings in favor of authentic servant leadership.

Whether you're curious, cautious, or simply want to understand one of Christianity's most visible leaders, this conversation offers valuable insights into how Pope Francis is reshaping religious leadership for the 21st century. 

You can learn more from Dr. Michael Higgins through his scholarship and publications. 

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When Michael Van Pelt and his colleague Ray Pennings founded Cardus twenty-five years ago, they had a revolutionary insight: politics follows culture, not the other way around. Starting with just $42,000, this Canadian Christian think-tank has grown into an $8 million organization that's become one of North America's most respected policy voices—all while maintaining an explicitly faith-based perspective in one of the world's most secular societies.

Van Pelt reveals the secret to their unlikely success: being "Christian, credible, and public." Rather than retreating from secular spaces or compromising their beliefs, Cardus researchers bring rigorous scholarship and a posture of hospitality to their work on issues ranging from family policy to medical ethics. This approach has earned them a place at the table in mainstream media and policy circles that traditionally exclude religious voices.

Drawing from both Reformed theology and broader Christian traditions, the organization navigates the delicate balance between prophetic witness and constructive engagement. Their work on controversial topics like Canada's medical assistance in dying legislation exemplifies how biblical principles can provide innovative frameworks for addressing contemporary challenges. As Van Pelt explains, "Even in cultural decline, even in an environment where you're sometimes seeing really troublesome animosity, there's that little yearning that just never can go away."

The conversation explores how Christians should respond to changing cultural landscapes, including the rise of Christian nationalism in the United States and increasing secularization in Canada. Van Pelt suggests that in today's "Daniel in Babylon moment," believers must work respectfully within existing systems while maintaining clear theological foundations. This approach allows space for genuine pluralism without abandoning truth claims.

For those wrestling with how faith can meaningfully engage public life, Van Pelt's journey from 12-year-old political activist to think-tank leader offers a compelling alternative to both religious withdrawal and culture war mentalities. In a time of societal anxiety and purposelessness, he sees unprecedented opportunity for Christian witness—not through imposing belief, but by demonstrating how the gospel brings flourishing to institutions, communities, and individual lives. 

You can learn more about the Cardus Institute through their website, Facebook and Instagram.

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Dr. Byron Klaus invites us into a fascinating exploration of Pentecostalism's remarkable journey from the margins to becoming the largest segment of global Protestantism. As former president of the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and a respected Pentecostal scholar, Klaus brings both academic insight and personal experience to this conversation about a movement that has fundamentally reshaped Christianity worldwide.

We begin by tracing Pentecostalism's origins to the "theological winds" of the 19th century Holiness and Keswick movements, which created a hunger for deeper spiritual experience. These currents culminated in what Klaus calls "combustion points" - most famously at Azusa Street in 1906 Los Angeles, but also through numerous immigrant communities across North America. What made early Pentecostalism distinctive was its emergence among "the marginalized, the disenfranchised, people who lived at the edges of society," who found in Spirit-filled faith a source of hope and empowerment.

Dismissed by established churches, early Pentecostals formed separate communities centered on biblical authority and spiritual experience. Klaus candidly discusses both the movement's strengths and its "Achilles heel" - a tendency to follow charismatic personalities who become the movement's focal point. He also addresses contemporary challenges, particularly the political polarization affecting American churches, noting his own journey toward becoming "increasingly apolitical" as he recognizes that no political vision truly aligns with God's kingdom priorities.

The conversation turns global as Klaus explains why Pentecostalism became what Harvey Cox called "a religion made to travel" - a spiritual seed that could be planted in any culture and flourish through the Spirit's power. With his denomination counting just 3 million adherents in America but 80 million worldwide, Klaus speaks from firsthand observation about how Pentecostalism's adaptability has fueled Christianity's explosive growth across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

For Western believers, Klaus suggests humility in learning from Global South Christians who demonstrate "the vibrancy of Christianity in the middle of suffering" - maintaining profound faith amid material lack, persecution, and uncertainty. His advice for future leaders emphasizes avoiding overconfidence, building cross-generational relationships, and developing strong theological foundations.

You can learn more from Byron Klaus through his website and published works. 

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Father Ronald Rolheiser, renowned Catholic theologian and best-selling author, offers profound insights into Christian spirituality that transcend denominational boundaries. When asked to define spirituality, Rolheiser provides both practical and theoretical frameworks: "Spirituality is the game, not just the rulebook," he explains, describing it simply as "what we do with our spirit" – how we channel the deep longing within us.

A fascinating distinction emerges between "Jesus" and "Christ" – not as first and last names, but as complementary spiritual realities. "We need to learn from evangelicals about Jesus, and evangelicals need to learn from mainline churches about Christ," Rolheiser suggests. This perspective illuminates how evangelicals excel at fostering intimate personal relationships with Jesus while Catholics often emphasize the ongoing mystical reality of Christ's presence through the church community.

The conversation explores Rolheiser's "four pillars of spiritual life" – personal morality and charity, social justice, community participation, and having a "mellow heart." This final pillar proves particularly thought-provoking, as Rolheiser connects it to the elder brother in the prodigal son parable who does everything "right" but remains too bitter to join the celebration. "You can be doing everything right and it can still all be wrong," he cautions.

When discussing spiritual disciplines, Rolheiser borrows wisdom from Dietrich Bonhoeffer about marriage: "Today you're in love and think your love will sustain your marriage, but it won't. Your marriage can sustain your love." Similarly, spiritual rituals and habits carry us through periods when emotions fade. This reframes potentially "legalistic" practices as faithful persistence – showing up regardless of feelings.

Perhaps most encouraging is Rolheiser's conviction that the gulf between Catholics and evangelicals is "much less than we imagine" – merely "500 years of misunderstanding." He shares Pope Francis's surprising statement: "I have no interest in converting evangelicals," reflecting a mutual respect that allows traditions to learn from each other without demanding conversion. This conversation offers a powerful vision for how different Christian traditions can enrich one another while maintaining their distinctive voices. 

You can learn more from Ronald Rolheiser through his website and books and you can find him on Facebook.

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What does it take to serve faithfully for 27 years in politics while maintaining your Christian convictions? John McKay's remarkable journey through nine successful elections as a Liberal Member of Parliament provides a masterclass in navigating the often turbulent waters where faith and politics intersect.

McKay's career demonstrates the delicate balance of standing firm on core principles while engaging constructively with colleagues across the political spectrum. When asked what sustained him through nearly three decades in Parliament, he points to the opportunity to directly influence pressing issues: "If you open the front page of any newspaper, you're likely going to be involved in whatever that discussion might be." For those drawn to public discourse and policy formation, this connection to current affairs provides powerful motivation. 

Throughout the conversation, McKay tackles the challenging question of being a Christian in an increasingly secular political environment. Rather than forcing "Christian ideals" or conflating faith with nationalism, he advocates making space in the marketplace of ideas for religious expression of all kinds. This approach stands in stark contrast to what he calls "the pernicious influence of secularism," which attempts to relegate faith exclusively to worship spaces rather than allowing it to inform public discourse.

Perhaps most compelling is McKay's willingness to stand for his pro-life convictions within a party that explicitly requires a pro-choice stance from its members. "Mr. Trudeau and I do not see eye to eye on this issue," he acknowledges, but rather than abandoning his principles or his party, he accepted the political consequences of his position. The result? "At the end of the day, people respect you for how you stood up and said whatever it is you said." His successful passage of five private member's bills—addressing issues from preventing house fires to combating modern slavery in supply chains—demonstrates how faith-informed values can be translated into effective policy that benefits society broadly.

For those contemplating their own journey into public service, McKay offers both encouragement and caution: "I don't expect it to be easy... but do get yourself involved." His story reminds us that Christian engagement in politics isn't about imposing religious doctrine, but rather allowing faith-informed wisdom to contribute thoughtfully to the common good. 

You can learn more about John McKay's public service through Facebook, Instagram and the Modern Slavery Act website. 

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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.ca

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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. 

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Is the United Kingdom truly a spiritual graveyard, or are we witnessing the first signs of an unexpected revival? Gavin Calver, CEO of the Evangelical Alliance UK, reveals compelling evidence that challenges the narrative of Britain's religious decline.

While headlines focus on empty pews, something remarkable is stirring beneath the surface. Gen Z is twice as likely to believe in God as their Gen X parents. Bible sales have surged 87% in five years. Two million more people attend church now than five years ago. These aren't just anecdotes—major media outlets like The Times are reporting on this shift, confirming what Calver describes as "an openness to the gospel that hasn't existed in my lifetime."

What's driving this spiritual renaissance? Calver points to several factors: "reverse missionaries" from Africa, Asia and beyond bringing faith back to Britain; the unifying effect of secular pressure forcing churches to collaborate; and a renewed focus on equipping everyday Christians to share their faith. Most surprising is research showing one in three non-Christians actively want conversations with Christian friends about faith.

The Evangelical Alliance itself presents a fascinating case study in navigating complex cultural waters while maintaining theological clarity. Founded in 1846 (predating even the World Evangelical Alliance), the Alliance has consistently focused on two missions: uniting evangelicals to share the gospel and providing a voice for believers in the corridors of power. Today, it represents 3,000 churches, 500 organizations and 27,000 individual members across the UK's four nations.

Multicultural Christianity has transformed British evangelicalism, with 25-33% of UK evangelicals now from global majority backgrounds. This diversity has strengthened prayer culture, evangelistic effectiveness, and the church's ability to transcend social divides. As Calver notes, "The church can do something no one else in London can do – get every tribe, every tongue, every age group around the table together."

You can learn more with Gavin Calver through the Evangelical Alliance UK website , his literature, and you can find him on Facebook and Instagram. 

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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.

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