Everyone says Gen Z is walking away from church. But growing research tells a very different story. Today’s teenagers are spiritually curious, surprisingly open, and eager for authentic relationships. The question is: are we ready to reach them?

In this inspiring and deeply practical conversation, youth ministry leader and evangelist Jasper Rutherford shares why Gen Z is being described as The Open Generation and what this means for churches, pastors, and ministry leaders today. Drawing on his personal story of encountering Jesus amid violence, fatherlessness, and brokenness in Northern Ireland—and from 20 years of youth ministry and research across Europe—Jasper explains why young people today are remarkably open to faith, and how the church can meet them with authenticity, genuine relationships, and hope.

If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a pastor, parent, or youth leader who cares about reaching the next generation.

Subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast, leave a rating or review, and explore more global mission resources at lausanne.org.

These episodes pair beautifully with today’s conversation on Gen Z and youth discipleship:

Engaging & Mobilizing Gen Z for Christ — with Jordan Whitmer

https://lausanne.org/podcast/engaging-mobilising-gen-z-for-christ-with-jordan-whitmer

Discipling Digital Natives: Gen Z, Social Media & the Gospel — with Lucas Pegoraro

https://lausanne.org/podcast/discipling-digital-natives-lucas-pegoraro-on-gen-z-social-media-and-the-gospel

Bold Faith & Creative Evangelism: Reaching the Next Generation — with Luke Greenwood (Steiger International)

https://lausanne.org/podcast/bold-faith-creative-evangelism-steigers-luke-greenwood-on-reaching-the-next-generation-in-todays-global-youth-culture

What does it look like to plant and renew churches in one of the most atheistic regions of the world? And how can relational mission bring new life to the church in Europe?

In this episode, Jason Watson sits down with Oliver Ahlfeld, head of Church Planting and Revitalization for the Gnadauer Verband, Germany’s largest evangelical movement. Together, they explore how the gospel is taking root in secular spaces, what’s working in church planting across Europe, and how a relational lifestyle of faith is essential for revitalizing the church today.

Oliver shares personal stories of transformation, practical lessons from revitalized congregations, and a hopeful vision for awakening in Germany and beyond.

Oliver Ahlfeld (born 1968) currently serves as Head of the Division for Church-Planting and Revitalisation at the Evangelischer Gnadauer Gemeinschaftsverband e.V. (Gnadauer Verband) where he coaches teams in urban and rural Germany in launching new faith communities and renewing existing congregations. His vocational journey—from plasterer, driver and welder, to youth-worker, teacher of religion and social-pedagogue—has given him a robust, cross-vocational insight into church-planting praxis. Since February 2020 he has been steering the movement of church-plants and revitalisation efforts in Saxony-Anhalt and beyond, helping leaders move from vision to actionable mission and vibrant community.

What does it mean to follow Jesus in a city famous for witchcraft? Pastor Steven and Sarah White share how their family and church bring the light of Christ into the heart of Salem, Massachusetts—especially during Halloween, when the streets overflow with spiritual seekers and darkness feels most tangible.

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson sits down with Pastor Steven and Sarah White to explore what faithful discipleship looks like in one of America’s most spiritually charged cities. From prayer walks through the Satanic Temple to welcoming thousands of visitors during Halloween, the Whites describe how God is using gentle presence, prayer, and joy to advance the gospel in Salem. They also open up about the importance of rest, marriage, and raising children amid spiritual opposition—and how light truly shines brightest in the dark.

Called to Salem: How God led Steven and Sarah to pastor in the spiritual epicenter of witchcraft.

Faith Over Fear: Learning to live and minister without fear, even in the midst of spiritual warfare.

Halloween Outreach: Why their church turns on every light, welcomes thousands, and embodies Christ’s presence during Halloween.

Power in Prayer: Insights from praying through Salem—including inside the Satanic Temple—and what it reveals about Christ’s authority.

Transformation Story: A moving testimony of a man delivered from witchcraft who gave his life to Jesus and threw his cauldron into the ocean.

Rooted in Christ: How daily rhythms of prayer, Sabbath rest, and Scripture sustain their family and ministry.

Marriage & Mission: How the Whites protect their marriage and nurture joy together in a spiritually heavy environment.

Pray for the city of Salem this October—that Christ’s light would pierce the darkness and draw many to Himself.

📰 Steven White on Pastoring in a Spiritual Battleground

Steven White has served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Salem (Massachusetts) since 2021, leading a congregation committed to embodying the gospel in its historic New England context. He holds a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology in Missiology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, as well as a degree in Marketing from the University of Tennessee. Steven and his wife, Sarah, have two daughters.

Sarah White has served with the Lausanne Movement since 2014, where she oversees operations and logistics for global gatherings and consultations. Before joining Lausanne, she worked in higher education administration for six years at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where she also earned her Master of Divinity. She currently resides in Massachusetts with her husband, Steven, and their two daughters.

What if making disciples isn’t about running programs… but sharing your life?

And what if mission doesn’t start with strategy… but with resilient disciples formed through ordinary rhythms of church life?

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Rick Hill unpacks:

✅ How Jesus formed disciples through stages of invitation (“come and see” → “follow me” → “go and make”)

✅ Why life-on-life formation is more powerful than programs

✅ How to build spiritual habits that create self-feeding, resilient believers

✅ Why mission is the natural overflow of discipleship

✅ How Ireland’s spiritual story reveals both the dangers of cultural Christianity and the hope of renewal

✅ What the global church can learn about humility, dependence, and crossing boundaries for the gospel

If you care about discipleship, mission, or the future of the church, this episode is for you.

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES

Rick Hill’s Book:

📖 Deep Roots of Resilient Disciples (available on Amazon & major retailers)

Connect with Rick:

📝 Blog: https://rickhill.wordpress.com 

📱 X / Instagram: @RickHillNI

Presbyterian Church in Ireland – Mission & Church Planting:

🌍 https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Mission 

Lausanne Movement:

🌐 https://www.lausanne.org

About Rick Hill

Rick Hill serves as the Mission Development Officer for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, where he helps plant and revitalize churches, cultivate a missionary posture, develop leaders, and equip communities to engage with the gospel. Based just outside Belfast, Rick is passionate about revitalizing churches and equipping everyday believers to grow as disciples of Jesus and live on mission in a post-Christian culture.

He is the author of Deep Roots of Resilient Disciples, a widely used resource exploring how followers of Jesus can develop a long-haul faith through intentional formation, community, and mission.

Rick has previously served in student and youth ministry, is an elder in his local church, and speaks regularly across Ireland on mission, discipleship, leadership, and church revitalization.

He is married to Sarah, and they have two young boys.

How can we get our people into small groups and involved in the mission of discipleship?

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with Lindsey Jodts, Groups Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church, about how discipleship flourishes in the context of community. Lindsey shares her journey into ministry, Willow Creek’s evolving small group strategy, and why their vision is “everyone in groups, every group on mission.” This conversation is packed with practical wisdom for churches of every size seeking to form Christlike disciples who live for the sake of others

If this conversation encouraged you, share it with your pastor, small group leader, or ministry team. Be sure to subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast, leave us a review, and join us in the vision of disciple-making churches for every people and place.

Is ministry destined to be lonely? Jason Ballard offers a hopeful vision for pastors and ministry leaders — one rooted in deep friendship, shared burdens, and collaboration between local churches and parachurch ministries.

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Ballard — lead pastor of The Way Church in Vancouver and executive director of The Pastorate — reflects on the challenges and joys of pastoral leadership. Drawing from his own journey in both parachurch and local church ministry, Jason explores how friendships sustain pastors, how parachurch leaders can walk alongside churches, and why flourishing relationships are essential for the witness of the gospel and the advance of God’s global mission.

Main Points

Call to Action

If this conversation encouraged you, subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast, leave us a review, and share this episode with your pastor or a ministry leader. Together, let’s strengthen the bonds of friendship in God’s mission.

Links & Resources

Guest Bio

Jason Ballard is Lead Pastor of The Way Church Vancouver, a community dedicated to “joining Jesus in the restoration of all things” in Vancouver and beyond. He also serves as Executive Director of The Pastorate (formerly the Canadian Church Leaders Network), where he hosts The Pastorate Podcast—connecting with pastors across Canada to strengthen their heart, vision, and resilience. Jason is passionate about making space for doubt and honest exploration of faith, and helping people grow as disciples of Jesus. He lives in Vancouver with his wife Rachael and their three children, Hudson, Mary, and Millie.

What if the true measure of ministry isn’t size or success—but simple faithfulness to Jesus?

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Daniel Im—author, pastor, and disciple-maker—shares his powerful journey from disillusionment in ministry to a renewed vision for the local church. He opens up about his own season of pain and healing, challenges traditional church growth models, and invites us to embrace the call of making disciples who make disciples. This conversation is both deeply pastoral and profoundly practical for anyone passionate about the Great Commission.

Main Points

Call to Action

If this conversation encouraged you, take a moment to subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone passionate about discipleship and the global church.

Links & Resources

Guest Bio

Daniel Im is the Lead Pastor of Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton, Alberta, a Bible teacher on 100 Huntley Street, and the author of several books including The Discipleship Opportunity: Leading a Great-Commission Church in a Post-Everything World, No Silver Bullets, Planting Missional Churches, and You Are What You Do. He has served in churches ranging from 100 to 50,000 people across Canada, Korea, and the U.S., and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation and Relational Neuroscience from Western Theological Seminary. Daniel has co-hosted podcasts with over 3 million downloads and now co-hosts the IMbetween Podcast with his wife, Christina, equipping couples to build marriages and families they love. Married since 2006, Daniel and Christina have three children and speak together at FamilyLife Canada’s Weekend Getaway Marriage Conference.

Imagine the gospel in every heart language through digital storytelling. Discover how projects like The Chosen illustrate the power of media, collaboration, and creativity in advancing global mission.

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson sits down with Stan Jantz, Global Ambassador for the Come and See Foundation, the organization behind The Chosen. Together, they explore how digital media can serve as a powerful tool for mission, the role of storytelling in reaching across cultures, and the global impact of translating The Chosen into 600 languages. Stan also shares his personal mission of being “an influence for the Lord” and how collaboration can accelerate the Great Commission.

Main Points:

Call to Action:

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast, leave us a review, and share this conversation with a friend who is passionate about mission in the digital age. For more resources, visit lausanne.org.

Links & Resources:

🔥 What kind of church will shape Africa in 2060? According to Pastor Pascal Ndagijimana, it starts with indigenous disciple-makers who multiply from the ground up.

🎧 Episode Summary

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Pastor Pascal Ndagijimana shares how God transformed his life—from homelessness in Kigali to becoming a movement leader equipping disciple-makers across Sub-Saharan Africa. As founder of the Humira Mission Agency and President of the Evangelical Baptist Churches of Rwanda, Pascal unpacks how deep discipleship, indigenous leadership, and grassroots mission are preparing the church in Africa for a spiritual awakening in the coming decades.

📌 Main Points & Takeaways

• A Story of Redemption and Calling: How Pascal’s encounter with Christ as a street youth changed everything—and led to a lifetime of mission.

• Why He Returned to Rwanda: Despite opportunities in the U.S. after Wheaton, obedience to God’s call drew him back to invest in the African church.

• Rwanda Ministry Context: In Rwanda, people are no longer convinced by words—they want to see lives transformed.

• Humira Mission Agency: A growing network training local leaders as tentmaking disciple-makers in Rwanda, Uganda, DRC, and Mozambique.

• Discipleship Is a Lifestyle: Beyond events or teaching—it’s about relationships, obedience, and slow, intentional investment.

• How to Train Multipliers: Pascal shares how they equip leaders with theological depth, practical skills, and character formation.

• Encouragement for Discouraged Leaders: Disappointment is part of the journey—Jesus experienced it too. Keep going.

🙌 Call to Action

If you were inspired by Pascal’s story and vision, take a moment to pray for the work of the Humira Mission Agency and the future of the African church. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with a ministry leader or missionary friend.

🔗 Links & Resources

• 🌍 Humira Mission Agency – https://humuramissionagency.org/

Guest Bio:

Pascal Ndagijimana is a Rwandan church planter, pastor, and movement leader passionate about multiplying indigenous disciple-makers across Africa. He is the founder of Humura Mission Agency (HMA), serves as President of the Evangelical Baptist Churches of Rwanda, and is also the Vice President of Africa Bora Ministries.

Pascal pastors Rugerero Village Baptist Church and is widely known as a Bible teacher and conference speaker. Through HMA, he organizes leadership and discipleship conferences that equip local leaders in Rwanda, Uganda, the DRC, and Mozambique.

A graduate of Wheaton College (M.A. in Evangelism and Leadership), Pascal was also part of the Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering in 2016 (YLG2016)—an experience that helped shape his vision for grassroots disciple-making movements.

He and his wife, Peace, have two children, and serves full-time with Humura Mission Agency.

🔥 How can churches move beyond simply gathering people to actually making disciples who transform communities?

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson talks with Mark Williamson, leader, coach, and pioneer behind One Rock International and Fresh Expressions UK. Mark shares how disciple-making lies at the heart of true church growth, why he believes Fresh Expressions of church are crucial for reaching today’s world, and how raising Christlike leaders fuels Kingdom transformation. Packed with practical examples and spiritual wisdom, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about seeing the global Church thrive.

Are you ready to build a disciple-making church and raise leaders who transform communities for Christ? Subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast, leave us a review, and share this episode with your network. Explore more resources on our website to equip your journey in global mission.

Contact Mark Williamson → [email protected]

Mark Williamson is the co-founder and Executive Director of One Rock International, where he equips emerging Christian leaders through spiritual formation, coaching, and leadership training. He also serves as Chair of the Board for Fresh Expressions UK, helping pioneer new forms of missional church that reach people outside traditional congregations.

A Methodist lay preacher and seasoned leadership trainer, Mark has spent over 20 years mentoring church planters, social entrepreneurs, and ministry pioneers across the globe. He has helped lead innovative faith communities like Sanctuary Westminster in central London, and he regularly writes and teaches on Christlike leadership, disciple-making, and the global mission of the church.