Lausanne Movement Podcast

By Lausanne MovementReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Lausanne Movement Podcast episodes

October 13Can AI Be a Missionary? | Billy Coppedge on Reimagining Mission in an AI World
AI can help share the gospel around the world. But can it ever replace the witness of someone who reflects the character of Christ?
In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with Dr Billy Coppedge, former Lausanne catalyst for orality and author of I, Missionary: Reimagining Missions in an AI World.
Together, they explore the surprising connection between orality and artificial intelligence, why human presence and relationships remain essential to Christian mission, and what it truly means to be sent by God.
Billy challenges us to look beyond the capabilities of AI and consider what technology cannot reproduce: the experience of encountering God, the wisdom that comes from walking with him, and a life that embodies Christ's character.
This conversation invites Christian leaders to approach AI with both openness and discernment, remembering that our calling is not simply to communicate the gospel, but to live it.
Main Points
Mission is more than sharing information. AI can communicate knowledge about God, but Christian witness involves reflecting his character through our lives and relationships.
Human presence matters. Orality and the incarnation remind us that how we communicate the gospel is as important as the message itself.
Intelligence is not wisdom. AI offers extraordinary access to knowledge, but biblical wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.
Stories help us imagine the future. Billy's book uses fictional scenarios to explore the opportunities and challenges AI presents for Christian mission.
Spiritual discernment must come first. Prayer, attentiveness to the Holy Spirit, and genuine human relationships should shape how we engage with technology.
Guest Bio
Dr. Billy Coppedge is a missionary, storyteller, and former Lausanne catalyst for orality. Having served in global mission for more than two decades, including in Uganda, he is passionate about Scripture engagement and embodied Christian witness. He is the author of I, Missionary: Reimagining Missions in an AI World.
Links & Resources
I, Missionary: Reimagining Missions in an AI World — Billy Coppedge's book
AI Guidelines for Christian Ministry — Practical guidance for responsible AI use in Christian ministry
Orality: The Embodied Word in the Age of AI — Part 1 and Part 2 — Articles co-authored by Billy Coppedge
Lausanne Movement Podcast Archive
Related Episodes
How to Keep Up with AI Without Outrunning God | Natchi Lazarus
Can Artificial Intelligence Lead Someone to Jesus? | Chase Cappo
If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a Christian leader navigating the opportunities and challenges of AI. Join the conversation on the Lausanne Action Hub, and consider leaving a rating or review to help others discover the podcast.
55 min
September 29How to Keep Up with AI Without Outrunning God | Natchi Lazarus on Spirit-Led Intelligence
AI is helping Christian leaders do more, faster. But what happens when our ability to move quickly begins to outpace our ability to hear from God?
In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with Natchi Lazarus about how artificial intelligence is moving beyond simply generating content and becoming something more like a coworker, agent, or additional member of the ministry team.
Natchi explores the practical potential of agentic AI for churches and ministries—from increasing personal productivity to expanding the capacity of small teams. But as the technology becomes more powerful, he argues that Christian leaders need deeper spiritual discernment, not less.
Together, Jason and Natchi discuss what it means to move from “human versus AI” to “human plus AI”, why Christians should keep God in the loop when using new technology, and how practices of Scripture, prayer, and “spiritual white space” can help us embrace the possibilities of AI without outrunning what God is actually calling us to do.
Main Points
AI is moving from tool to teammate.
AI can help ministries redeem time for what matters most.
The future is not simply human versus AI, but human plus AI.
Start with your work, not the technology.
Keep God in the loop.
Move fast with technology, but slow down spiritually.
Just because AI can do something does not mean God is asking you to do it.
Lausanne Movement Podcast Archive
Can Artificial Intelligence Lead Someone to Jesus? Chase Cappo on the Digital Frontier of Evangelism and Discipleship — Lausanne episode
Redeeming Human Identity: Exploring the Intersection of Scripture, AI, Biotechnology, Gender and Human Sexuality with Dr. Carmen Imes & Dr. Matthew Niermann — Lausanne episode
Emerging Digital Frontier: Amplifying the Gospel’s Impact through Technology with Simon Seow & Matthew Niermann — Lausanne episode
Links & Resources
Natchi Lazarus — Natchi’s website, writing, speaking, and resources on AI, social media, and digital ministry. natchilazarus.com
Spirit-Led Intelligence: Your God-Given Superpower for Thriving in the Age of AI, and Beyond — Natchi’s book on biblical wisdom and Spirit-led discernment in an AI-shaped world. Spirit-Led Intelligence on Amazon
Connected Church Academy — Courses, workshops, and community for Christian leaders and ministry teams learning AI, social media, and digital ministry. Connected Church Academy
The Connected Church — Natchi’s book on social media communication strategy for churches and Christian organisations. The Connected Church on Amazon
Zapier Agents — The AI-agent platform Natchi recommends in the interview as an accessible place to experiment with agentic workflows. Zapier Agents guide
Lausanne Action Hub - https://collaborate.lausanne.org/
52 min
September 14Why Good Christians Still Need Accountability: Richelle Belgira De Ocampo on Corruption, Character, and Building Churches of Integrity
What if one of the greatest threats to Christian witness isn’t corruption “out there”, but the everyday compromises we tolerate in our homes, workplaces, churches, and institutions?
In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with Filipino lawyer Richelle Joy Belgira De Ocampo about why integrity is essential to credible Christian witness—and why good intentions alone are not enough.
Richelle argues that integrity and justice are more than ethical principles; they reflect the character of God. But living with integrity requires more than avoiding obvious forms of corruption like bribery or fraud. It means confronting the smaller compromises that can become normal in everyday life and building cultures of accountability that help Christians, churches, and institutions remain faithful.
Together, Jason and Richelle explore why integrity begins in the home, how Christians can respond when corruption is embedded in the systems around them, why churches need genuine accountability around money and leadership, and how discipleship can prepare believers to live faithfully wherever God has placed them.
Main Points
Integrity is rooted in the character of God. Justice and integrity are not simply good Christian values or ethical standards. They reflect who God is, and Christians are called to reflect his character in every part of life.
Corruption often begins with ordinary compromise. It is easy to think of corruption only in terms of politicians, bribery, or fraud. But dishonesty, cheating, manipulation, and seemingly small compromises can form the same patterns of behaviour on a smaller scale.
Integrity begins at home. Before Christians speak about changing society, integrity must be formed in the ordinary relationships closest to us. Richelle highlights the family as a foundational place where honesty, consistency, responsibility, and accountability are first modelled.
Good Christians still need accountability. Churches cannot rely only on the character or good intentions of individual leaders. Shared responsibility, financial accountability, appropriate leadership structures, clear policies, and checks and balances help protect both leaders and the communities they serve.
Christian integrity must move beyond private morality. Faithfulness is not simply refusing to participate in wrongdoing. Christians are also called to bring integrity into the institutions and systems where God has placed them—whether in law, government, business, ministry, or the workplace.
Discipleship must prepare believers for real-world pressures. Christians need formation not only around prayer, Scripture, generosity, and evangelism, but also around money, authority, conflicts of interest, workplace pressure, and the responsible use of power.
Call to Action
If this episode challenged you, subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast and share it with a pastor, church board member, ministry leader, or Christian professional who is thinking about what faithful Christian witness looks like in a culture where compromise can easily become normal.
We’d also love for you to join the conversation in the Lausanne Action Hub, where you can share your reflections and engage with our global podcast community. And please consider leaving a rating or review so others can discover the podcast too.
Links & Resources
Global Integrity Network — The Lausanne and World Evangelical Alliance network focused on equipping Christians to practise integrity and resist corruption in church and society.
Lausanne Integrity and Anti-Corruption Network — Lausanne’s Issue Network connecting leaders and resources around integrity, transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption.
Integrity Is Mission: Global Integrity and Anti-Corruption Network Panel Discussion — A Lausanne panel featuring Richelle and other global leaders exploring why integrity is foundational to Christian mission and witness.
Do We Care about Corruption? — A Lausanne Global Analysis article exploring corruption and the church’s responsibility to model integrity.
Global Integrity Network Resources — Articles, conferences, and practical resources on integrity, accountability, and responding to corruption.
Guest Bio
Richelle Joy Belgira De Ocampo is a lawyer from the Philippines and a Catalyst for Integrity and Anti-Corruption with the Lausanne Movement. She serves as a Senior Associate Lawyer at Salumbides & De Los Santos in Quezon City, specialising in corporate law, litigation, and anti-corruption and serving churches, businesses, and nonprofit organisations.
Her work brings together law, justice, and Christian witness, with a particular focus on helping Christians and churches cultivate greater integrity and accountability.
50 min
September 01The Kind of Leaders Young People Need | Asiri Fernando on Servanthood and Discipleship That Lasts
Young people need leaders who are willing to serve, stay close, walk in truth, and refuse to give up on them.
In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with Asiri Fernando, a Youth for Christ leader in Sri Lanka who has spent nearly 20 years reaching and discipling young people.
Drawing from decades of ministry, Asiri reflects on the kind of leaders young people need: leaders who embrace servanthood, remain rooted in Scripture, take repentance seriously, persevere when fruit is slow, and stay close to people for the long haul.
Main Points
Discipleship begins with presence. Asiri describes discipleship as “unhurried lingering with people”—staying close enough for faith to be formed through relationship, example, and time.
Servant leaders go down rather than climb up. Following the pattern of Jesus, leaders are called to resist the desire to make a name for themselves and instead draw close to the people they are called to serve.
Young people are hungry for truth and authentic community. Asiri sees a generation growing up amid fake and artificial content that is deeply hungry for Scripture, honesty, and communities where people are willing to walk in the light.
Discipleship that lasts requires Scripture, repentance, and responsibility. Asiri highlights studying the Word in community, taking repentance seriously, practising accountability, and trusting young people with meaningful opportunities to serve.
Faithful leaders do not give up when people fail or fruit is slow. Asiri calls leaders to respond with meekness, humility, and steadfast commitment—even through disappointment, failure, and seasons when little visible fruit appears.
Guest Bio
Asiri Fernando serves with Youth for Christ Sri Lanka, leading its work in the mountain regions and providing pastoral care to staff and volunteers engaged in grassroots evangelism. He is a Bible teacher and international expositor with a deep passion for discipling young people and serving the urban poor. Asiri holds an MDiv from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and is the author of Unstoppable: Total Devotion to the Gospel.
Lausanne Movement Podcast Archive
Rethinking Youth Ministry: Authentic Relationships, Bold Discipleship, and Empowering Young Leaders with Jake Bland
How Are Resilient Disciples Really Formed—and Why It Matters for Mission? | Rick Hill
Faithful Leadership, Purposeful Discipleship, and Addressing Gen Z’s Greatest Need: A Townhall Meeting with Phil Ryken
Links & Resources
Youth for Christ International
50 min
August 17Why Easter 2033 Cannot Be Business as Usual | Olivier Fleury on Mobilising the Church to Celebrate and Proclaim the 2,000th Anniversary of the Resurrection
The 2,000th anniversary of the resurrection presents an extraordinary opportunity for the church to invite the world to hear the gospel and celebrate the risen Jesus. Will we seize it—or allow Easter 2033 to become business as usual?

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with JC2033 founder Olivier Fleury about the vision to mobilise Christians around the world for the 2,000th anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus. Together, they explore why Easter 2033 cannot simply be another church celebration, but an opportunity for Christians to unite across traditions, proclaim the risen Christ, and creatively invite the world to celebrate with them.

Olivier also shares his own journey of calling and nearly two decades of building relationships around this vision, offering encouragement for leaders to dream big, start small, remain humble, and faithfully pursue what God has placed before them.

Main Points
Easter 2033 is a unique missional opportunity. The anniversary gives the church an extraordinary moment to turn outward and make the resurrection known.
JC2033 is a movement, not simply an event. The vision is for locally shaped expressions in nations, cities, neighbourhoods, churches, and homes around the world.
Unity strengthens our witness. Drawing from John 17, Olivier argues that Christian unity is not an end in itself—it serves the mission of helping the world know and believe in Jesus.
Celebration can become proclamation. Music, art, meals, public gatherings, street parties, and other creative expressions can help take the message of the resurrection beyond the walls of the church.
Every Christian has something to contribute. The vision is not dependent on famous leaders or large organisations; families, churches, and individual believers can all bring what God has placed in their hands.
Faithfulness takes time. Building trust, relationships, and collaborative movements often requires years—even decades—of perseverance.
The question is not only what will happen in 2033, but what we will do now. Olivier challenges Christians to begin praying, building relationships, imagining possibilities, and preparing their communities today.
Call to Action
What could your church, ministry, family, or community do to help the world hear that Jesus is risen?

Visit JC2033 to explore the vision and begin considering how you could participate. Then share this episode with a pastor, ministry leader, or Christian friend who could help you start the conversation locally.
Links & Resources
JC2033 — Learn more about the global movement preparing for the 2,000th anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus.
JC2033 Mission and Values — Explore the movement’s emphasis on unity, witness, and celebration and its call for Christians to proclaim together that Christ is risen.
Then the World Will Know! by Olivier Fleury — Olivier’s first book tells the story behind the vision for JC2033 and the journey of preparing for the anniversary. The JC2033 website lists translations in more than 20 languages.
Then the World Will Believe! by Olivier Fleury — Olivier’s 2026 sequel shares further stories from around the world as relationships and initiatives develop toward 2033.
Olivier’s book offer: During the interview, Olivier invites listeners to email [email protected] to request a digital copy of his first book.

Guest Bio
Olivier Fleury is the founder of JC2033, a global movement mobilising Christians toward unity and witness in preparation for the 2,000th anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus in 2033. He previously served with Youth With A Mission, including as national leader of YWAM Switzerland, and spent more than 13 years developing Alpha across the French-speaking world. Since 2017, Olivier has devoted himself fully to developing the JC2033 vision around the world.
47 min
August 03What Leaders Who Start Movements Have in Common | Emanuel Prinz on What Research Reveals About Catalytic Leaders
What if the difference between a growing ministry and a multiplying movement isn’t strategy, resources, or even opportunity—but the kind of leader at the centre of it all?
In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with Dr. Emanuel Prinz about what years of research into Christian movements reveal about truly fruitful leadership.
Drawing on his experience as a church planter, movement coach, researcher, and ministry consultant, Emanuel explains why movements are closely connected to the character and practices of their leaders. He explores the qualities shared by catalytic leaders, including a deep hunger for God, radical learning, perseverance, transformational disciple-making, and a willingness to empower others.
The conversation also moves beyond leadership methods and strategies to the inner life of the leader. Emanuel warns that busyness can become a significant barrier to fruitfulness and encourages leaders to cultivate abiding, solitude, silence, and an identity rooted in being loved by the Father rather than in ministry achievement.
Guest Bio
Dr. Emanuel Prinz is a researcher, consultant, coach, and trainer focused on disciple-making, church multiplication, and Christian movements.
After serving in pioneer church planting among a previously unengaged Muslim people group in North Africa, Emanuel saw hundreds of churches emerge through a multiplying movement. He later coached and trained leaders across East Africa and the Middle East and served in executive leadership within a multinational missions organisation.
Today, he works with ministry organisations around the world, helping leaders develop strategies for multiplying disciples, churches, and leaders. His research has examined approximately 170 Christian movements and the shared qualities of the leaders who catalysed them.
Links and Resources
Catalytic Leadership: https://www.catalyticleadership.info
Lausanne Podcast Action Hub: *https://collaborate.lausanne.org/share/FF0jv_MJcqEcpuoK?utm_source=manual
Discover what actually catalyzes movements in Emanuel’s book, What Actually Starts Movements, available through Amazon worldwide.

Subscribe to his blog and podcast here.

Explore his research and movement consulting at www.catalyticleadership.info.
56 min
July 20Why Leadership Transitions Fail—and How to Get Them Right | Steve Woodworth
Why do so many leadership transitions fail—and what does it actually take to hand over leadership in a way that strengthens, rather than harms, the ministry?
Summary
In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with Steve Woodworth about one of the most critical and often overlooked aspects of leadership: succession. Drawing on over 40 years of experience in Christian nonprofit leadership—and his recent transition out of a CEO role—Steve explains why so many transitions fail and how leaders can navigate them with humility, intentionality, and a deep sense of stewardship.
Guest Bio
Steve Woodworth is the founder of Masterworks, a marketing agency serving Christian ministries globally, and a trusted advisor to nonprofit leaders navigating growth and transition. With more than four decades of leadership experience, Steve has coached numerous organizations through succession and is the author of Lost in Transition: Lessons from the Most Disastrous and Successful Ministry Successions, a guide to helping leaders finish well and pass leadership on faithfully.
Main Points
Many leadership transitions fail—and often unnecessarily. A lack of planning, communication, and humility can derail even the most promising successions.
Succession is a process, not an event. Healthy transitions take time, involving mentoring, shared leadership, and gradual handover.
Leaders are stewards, not owners. Leadership is entrusted for a season and must eventually be passed on.
Letting go is emotionally complex. Even prepared leaders can struggle to release control and allow others to lead differently.
Open-handed leadership builds trust. Intentionally giving away responsibility develops the next leader and strengthens the organization.
Pride is one of the greatest threats. Both outgoing and incoming leaders must walk in humility for transitions to succeed.
If this episode encouraged you, subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast and share it with a leader, board member, or mentor navigating leadership transitions. We’d also love for you to join the conversation in the Lausanne Movement Podcast space on the Lausanne Action Hub, where you can share your thoughts and engage with our podcast community—and if this episode encouraged you, please consider leaving a rating or review so others can discover it too.
Lausanne Movement Podcast Archive
https://lausanne.org/podcast/the-making-of-a-leader-how-god-forms-character-calling-and-influence-over-a-lifetime-with-richard-clinton
https://lausanne.org/podcast/how-are-resilient-disciples-really-formed-and-why-it-matters-for-mission-rick-hill
https://lausanne.org/podcast/the-hidden-gap-in-christian-leadership-knowing-christ-vs-becoming-like-him-herman-moldez
Links & Resources
Lost in Transition: Lessons from the Most Disastrous and Successful Ministry Successions — Steve Woodworth - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7GF49BK?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback
https://www.masterworksagency.com — Masterworks agency website
https://www.masterworksagency.com/succession — Leadership succession resources
53 min
July 06Reframing the Church’s Leadership Crisis: Why Christlike Leadership Begins with Discipleship
What if the church’s leadership crisis is really a discipleship crisis?
Summary
In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with Josh Benadum about why Christlike leadership begins with discipleship. Drawing from his experience in house church movements, life-on-life disciple-making, and conversations with global leaders at the Fourth Lausanne Congress, Josh invites the church to look beneath the surface of the leadership crisis and recover the slow, relational work of forming everyday believers into the likeness and mission of Jesus.
Together, Jason and Josh explore why leadership cannot be reduced to platform, gifting, or specialized roles, and why the church must invest deeply in ordinary Christians who are equipped to make disciples in their homes, workplaces, communities, and churches. This conversation is a call to recover leadership as the overflow of a life being formed by Christ, sustained through humility, guarded against hidden traps, and kept in motion for the sake of God’s mission.
Guest Bio
Josh Benadum is a pastor, disciple-maker, and ministry coach based in Orlando, Florida. He and his wife, Meri, serve with Acacia House Churches and are involved in developing and encouraging house church and microchurch movements. Josh also works with Brave Future, a global collective that connects house church and microchurch movements for mutual encouragement, learning, and collaboration. He is the author of A Life That Leads, a book focused on pursuing Christ and impacting others through everyday discipleship and intentional relationships.
Main Points
The leadership crisis is a discipleship crisis. The church does not simply need more gifted leaders; it needs deeply formed disciples whose leadership flows from life with Jesus.
Christlike leadership begins with formation. Christian leadership is not primarily about role, platform, or skill, but about becoming the kind of person who lives and leads in the way of Christ.
Every day, believers must be equipped for mission. The future of the church’s witness depends on ordinary Christians who see their lives as part of the Great Commission.
Life-on-life discipleship is essential. Mentoring, apprenticeship, and intentional relationships are central to forming leaders who can endure and multiply.
Churches must make time for disciple-making. If leaders believe in forming others, they must prioritize personal investment over simply maintaining programmes or platforms.
Hidden traps can undermine long-term fruitfulness. Spiritual pride, legalism, mission drift, materialism, and bitterness can slowly take leaders off course.
Christlike leaders stay in motion. Faithful leadership means continuing to grow, serve, disciple, and follow Jesus until the end.
Call to Action
If this episode encouraged you, subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast and share it with a pastor, mentor, disciple-maker, or emerging leader in your life. We’d also love for you to join the conversation in the Lausanne Movement Podcast space on the Lausanne Action Hub, where you can share your reflections and engage with our podcast community. And if this conversation helped you, please consider leaving a rating or review so others can discover the podcast too.
Lausanne Movement Podcast Archive
https://lausanne.org/podcast/the-making-of-a-leader-how-god-forms-character-calling-and-influence-over-a-lifetime-with-richard-clinton
https://lausanne.org/podcast/how-are-resilient-disciples-really-formed-and-why-it-matters-for-mission-rick-hill
https://lausanne.org/podcast/the-art-of-whole-life-mentorship-an-interview-with-ole-magnus-olasfrud
Links & Resources
https://alifethatleads.com/ — Josh Benadum’s book and resources on Christlike leadership and disciple-making
https://www.bravefuture.org/ — A global learning community focused on microchurch and disciple-making movements
https://www.100movements.org/books/a-life-that-leads-josh-benadum — Publisher page for A Life That Leads
The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman
The Radical Disciple by John Stott
Discipling in a Multicultural World by Ajith Fernando
53 min
June 08Why Sexuality Is Relevant for Global Mission: Vaughan Roberts on Grace, Truth, and Identity
How can the global church speak about sexuality with both biblical conviction and the compassion of Christ?
Summary
In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with Vaughan Roberts about why sexuality has become one of the most pressing mission conversations facing the global church. Drawing on Scripture, pastoral experience, and his own personal story, Vaughan helps listeners reflect on identity in Christ, the goodness of God’s design, the false promises of the sexual revolution, and the need for churches to speak with both grace and truth.
Guest Bio
Vaughan Roberts is Rector of St Ebbe’s Church in Oxford and President of The Proclamation Trust. He is a pastor, speaker, and author of Full of Grace and Truth: The Gospel and Sexuality in the Global Church, a short book based on his Lausanne presentation that offers a biblical and pastoral vision for engaging questions of sexuality with compassion and faithfulness.
Main Points
Sexuality is now relevant in the global mission conversation. Vaughan explains how the sexual revolution has become a major barrier for many people engaging with Christianity, and how the internet is discipling younger generations around the world.
Identity in Christ is deeper than sexual desire. Vaughan shares from his own story, distinguishing between same-sex attraction as part of his reality and Christ as his true identity.
The Bible begins with a positive vision of sexuality. Vaughan frames biblical sexuality around four truths: God is for sex, sex is for marriage, marriage is for life, and life is for Christ.
Marriage points beyond itself to Christ and the church. Human marriage is not the ultimate answer to our deepest longings; it points to the greater union between Christ and his people.
Shame and isolation make discipleship harder. Vaughan urges leaders to remember that when they speak about sexuality, they are speaking to real people in the room who need both truth and grace.
The church must be full of grace and truth. Leaders must resist both compromise and condemnation, offering courageous biblical teaching alongside the open hands of Christ.
Call to Action
If this episode encouraged you, subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast and share it with a pastor, ministry leader, parent, or young adult who is seeking to engage questions of sexuality with biblical conviction and Christlike compassion. We’d also love for you to join the conversation in the Lausanne Movement Podcast space on the Lausanne Action Hub, where you can share your thoughts and engage with our podcast community—and if this episode encouraged you, please consider leaving a rating or review so others can discover it too.
Lausanne Movement Podcast Archive
Redeeming Human Identity: Exploring the Intersection of Scripture, AI, Biotechnology, Gender and Human Sexuality with Dr Carmen Imes & Dr Matthew Niermann
Restoring Biblical Sexuality — Lausanne Movement — Vaughan’s Fourth Lausanne Congress presentation on sexuality through the lens of creation, fall, and redemption.
Links & Resources
Full of Grace and Truth: The Gospel and Sexuality in the Global Church — Vaughan Roberts’ short book on the gospel and sexuality in the global church.
Living Out — Resources for Christians, churches, and leaders seeking to think biblically and pastorally about sexuality, identity, singleness, marriage, and same-sex attraction.
Restoring Biblical Sexuality – Worldwide | Living Out — A Living Out post sharing Vaughan’s Lausanne talk as a model for speaking biblically and graciously about sexuality.
St Ebbe’s Church, Oxford — The church where Vaughan serves as Rector.
Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5, Revelation 21 — Key passages Vaughan references in his biblical overview of sex, marriage, Christ, and the church.
50 min
May 25Where Christ Is Not Yet Known: Janelle Stoops on Frontier Mission and Leadership for the Long Haul
What does it take to bring the gospel where Christ is not yet known—and remain faithful for the long haul?
Summary
In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with Janelle Stoops about calling, cost, perseverance, and leadership formation in frontier mission. Drawing from her years in Central Asia and her current leadership with A3, Janelle shares what she has learned about reaching unreached and unengaged people groups, preparing leaders for mission, and cultivating rhythms that sustain faithful service over time.
Main Points
Calling begins with surrendered obedience. Janelle shares how a sense of calling at age 16 eventually led her to Central Asia as a young missionary.
Frontier mission is costly and often slow. Life among unreached people requires perseverance, cultural humility, language learning, and faithful obedience when visible fruit takes time.
God is already at work among the unreached. Stories of dreams, visions, digital outreach, and spiritual hunger remind us that mission begins with joining what God is already doing.
Prayer must come before strategy. Janelle emphasizes extraordinary prayer as foundational for ministry among unreached and unengaged peoples.
Disciple-making should be relational and reproducible. The gospel spreads naturally through families, friendships, local believers, and simple practices that new disciples can carry forward.
Leadership must be formed for the long haul. Competence and charisma should never outpace character; healthy leaders need spiritual formation, rhythms of silence and solitude, and wisdom for each season of life.

Call to Action
If this episode encouraged you, subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast and share it with a leader, missionary, or young person discerning a call to mission. We’d also love for you to join the conversation in the Lausanne Movement Podcast space on the Lausanne Action Hub, where you can share your thoughts and engage with our podcast community—and if this episode encouraged you, please consider leaving a rating or review so others can discover it too.
Guest Bio
Janelle Stoops serves as U.S. President of A3, bringing experience in global missions leadership, organizational strategy, and cross-cultural engagement. She previously served with her family as a church planter in Central Asia, later worked with Frontiers in strategic leadership roles, and now helps strengthen A3’s work of developing Christlike leaders for mission and multiplication. A3’s announcement of her appointment describes her as uniquely qualified to lead its U.S. ministry into its next chapter of growth and impact.
Lausanne Movement Podcast Archive
The Making of a Leader: How God Forms Character, Calling, and Influence Over a Lifetime with Richard Clinton
The Art of Whole Life Mentorship: An Interview with Ole-Magnus Olasfrud
Training Christlike Leaders for the Harvest: Preparing Leaders in Every Nation and Every Sector of Society

Links & Resources
A3 — Learn more about A3’s work developing Christlike leaders who multiply churches and transform communities.
A3 Leaders — Explore stories, updates, and resources from A3’s global leadership community.
Mission Frontiers Article by Janelle Stoops — Janelle’s article on using AI tools with wisdom in nonprofit and mission contexts.
54 min

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The Lausanne Movement podcast brings you insights from a global community of Christian influencers to help advance the gospel, foster thriving churches, nurture Christlike leaders, and catalyse…