The Thread, from Alpha

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, 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.

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 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.

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 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 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.