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Leadership Conversations with Nicky Gumbel Podcast: Michael Todd

Written by alpha_africa on . Posted in Leadership. No Comments on Leadership Conversations with Nicky Gumbel Podcast: Michael Todd

In this episode Nicky interviews Michael Todd. Their conversation traces the rapid turn-around and growth evidenced in both Michael’s story and the life of Transformation Church.

In this episode Nicky interviews Michael Todd. Todd is a man of many talents — an author, a speaker, a leader, and an R&B artist with a top-ten hit on the R&B Billboard charts. Never a dull moment, their conversation traces the rapid turn-around and growth evidenced in both Michael’s story and the life of Transformation Church — the church he leads. Todd’s personal narrative reminds the listener that on the best day of our lives and the worst day of our lives God doesn’t change His opinion about us — His grace is generous enough to cover the highs and lows.

At Nicky’s invitation Michael also unpacks the meaning of his frequently used phrase, “the pace of grace.” More than a catch phrase, it describes a spiritual walk that chooses divine assignment over human opportunity; a life that refuses to get caught up in what is “next” in order to be present for what is “now” — a pace that doesn’t chase anything outside of the path God calls one to pursue.

With a vision to see Christ at the center of the culture, and a faith crazy enough to believe God for the impossible, Todd is intent on leveraging technology to influence every sphere of society with the Gospel. Rather than sidelining his strategy, COVID has catapulted it to center stage. Nowhere is this more clear than when he glowingly describes his future plans for a church studio capable of producing digital content to reach as many people as possible. For the listener, hIs breadth of vision is both inspiring and contagious.

All in all, unflagging optimism, audacious faith, God-sized vision, and a rooted family life familiar with adversity collide together in this conversation to create a must-hear interview.

Show Notes

Transformation Church – https://transformchurch.us

Book: Relationship Goals – https://www.iammiketodd.com/relationship-goals

Music: Relationship Goals Revelation – https://music.apple.com/us/album/relationship-goals-revelation-feat-caleb-sean-parris/1536141963

Love Christmas – https://www.htb.org/lovechristmas

Michael Todd’s Biography

Pastors Michael and Natalie Todd are the Lead Pastors of Transformation Church based in Tulsa, OK since February 2015. They were entrusted with Transformation Church from the founding pastor, Bishop Gary McIntosh, after 15 years of operation. Michael’s personal philosophy and driving passion is representing God to the lost and found for transformation in Christ. He aspires to reach his community, city and world with the gospel presented in a relevant and progressive way. Michael and Natalie have been married since 2010 and live in Tulsa with three beautiful children.

Coming Up Next: Craig Groeschel

Craig and Amy started Life.Church in a two-car garage in Edmond, Oklahoma in January 1996. Since then, Life.Church has grown to include dozens of locations all over the United States but its mission statement remains the same: to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. Life.Church has become known for its innovative use of technology to spread the Gospel, launching the first fully digital church experience in 2006 and the most downloaded mobile Bible app in history, YouVersion, in 2008.

Craig is a New York Times bestselling author of books on a wide variety of topics, including dating and marriage, social media, purpose, direction, church leadership, and more. His latest book, Dangerous Prayers, shows you how to pray the prayers that search your soul, break your habits, and send you to pursue the calling God has for you.

As one of the most respected leaders in the Church, Craig speaks frequently at leadership events and conferences worldwide. In addition to writing and speaking extensively on leadership principles and strategies, he serves as champion for the Global Leadership Summit, and hosts the top-ranking Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast. Glassdoor has also named him in the top 10 CEOs in the U.S. (small and midsize companies) and named Life.Church the #1 Place to Work under his leadership.

Craig and Amy Groeschel married in 1991 and have six children and three sons-in-law: Catie and her husband Andrew, Mandy and her husband James, Anna and her husband Luke, Sam, Stephen, and Joy. Craig and Amy are also proud grandparents of Cole and McKenna.

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Leadership Conversations with Nicky Gumbel Podcast: Tim Keller

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In this episode Nicky interviews Tim Keller. Their conversation explores the steps for effective evangelism and how cancer has impacted his view of life, death, and God.

In this episode Nicky interviews Tim Keller. The conversation begins by discussing Tim’s cancer diagnosis and his on-going health struggles. Tim shares personally about how he is coping and his experience of God’s tangible presence. He testifies to enjoying both his prayer life and the simple gifts of God more than ever before. Their dialogue treads on sacred ground, deeply personal and revealing, as they explore Tim’s biggest fear, which is not dying, but leaving his wife behind. Through it all there is a deep commitment that God’s will is always good and perfect, and that our hope in the resurrection can be unassailable when it matters most — facing our own mortality. Tim is, in fact, currently writing a book on the resurrection where he explores the powerful historical evidence for the bodily resurrection of Jesus, which he touches on with Nicky. Nicky and Tim’s discussion also dives into the essence of the Gospel and effective evangelism in an ever-changing world. His unique and helpful insights are incredibly beneficial for anyone trying to navigate faith conversations today.

For all who love and benefit from the work of Tim Keller this interview is a must listen.

Show Notes

The Glory of Christ – John Owen

Broken Signposts – NT Wright

Surprised by Scripture – NT Wright

The Second Mountain – David Brooks

Evangelism in the Early Church – Michael Green

Jesus and the Disinherited – Howard Thurman

Generous Justice – Tim Keller

Making Sense of God – Tim Keller

Hope in Times of Fear – Tim Keller

Tim Keller’s Biography

Timothy Keller is the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, which he started in 1989 with his wife, Kathy, and three young sons. For 28 years he led a diverse congregation of young professionals that grew to a weekly attendance of over 5,000.

He is also the Chairman & Co-Founder of Redeemer City to City (CTC), which starts new churches in New York and other global cities, and publishes books and resources for ministry in an urban environment. In 2017 Dr. Keller transitioned to CTC full time to teach and mentor church planters and seminary students through a joint venture with Reformed Theological Seminary’s (RTS), the City Ministry Program. He also works with CTC’s global affiliates to launch church planting movements.

Dr. Keller’s books, including the New York Times bestselling The Reason for God and The Prodigal God, have sold over 2 million copies and been translated into 25 languages.

Christianity Today has said, “Fifty years from now, if evangelical Christians are widely known for their love of cities, their commitment to mercy and justice, and their love of their neighbors, Tim Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians.”

Dr. Keller was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and educated at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. He previously served as the pastor of West Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, Virginia, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, and Director of Mercy Ministries for the Presbyterian Church in America.

Coming Up Next: Michael Todd

Pastors Michael and Natalie Todd are the Lead Pastors of Transformation Church based in Tulsa, OK since February 2015. They were entrusted with Transformation Church from the founding pastor, Bishop Gary McIntosh, after 15 years of operation. Michael’s personal philosophy and driving passion is representing God to the lost and found for transformation in Christ. He aspires to reach his community, city and world with the gospel presented in a relevant and progressive way. Michael and Natalie have been married since 2010 and live in Tulsa with three beautiful children.

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Leadership Conversations with Nicky Gumbel Podcast: Danielle Strickland

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In this episode Nicky interviews Danielle Strickland. Their conversation explores the beginnings of Danielle’s passion for Jesus, justice and the marginalized.

In this episode Nicky interviews Danielle Strickland. Their conversation explores the beginnings of Danielle’s passion for Jesus, justice and the marginalized. From encountering Jesus in a Toronto prison cell, to befriending a brothel owner in Edmonton, Danielle’s life is shaped by a love for Jesus and a profound advocacy for the disenfranchised and oppressed.

After asking about Danielle’s past, Nicky steers the conversation to the various aims of the organizations she has pioneered. Everything from Brave Global — which exists to mobilize the church to end trafficking and prevent vulnerable girls from being preyed on — to the Women Speaker’s Collective — which empowers and equips women to grow as speakers and preachers — is touched upon.

Danielle’s skill as a story-teller is on full display as she unpacks the origin stories of these organizations. Through it all, the listener is drawn into God’s vision for a better future and inspired to disrupt the present to participate in it.

We hope you enjoy this conversation between Nicky & Danielle.

Show Notes

Danielle Strickland’s Website

Better Together

Amplify Peace

Brave Global

Women’s Speakers Collective

Infinitum

Danielle’s Biography

Danielle is a spiritual leader, justice advocate, communicator and peace maker. Her aggressive compassion has served people firsthand in countries all over the world. From establishing justice departments and church plants, to launching global anti-trafficking initiatives, to creating new initiatives to mobilize people towards transformational spiritual life. Danielle trains, advocates, and inspires people to live differently through initiatives like: Amplify Peace, Brave Global, Women’s Speakers Collective, and Infinitum. Currently based in Toronto, Canada, Danielle is the proud mum of 3 boys, wife to Stephen, and as an enneagram 7, has been affectionately called the “ambassador of fun”.

Coming Up Next: Timothy Keller

Timothy Keller is the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, which he started in 1989 with his wife, Kathy, and three young sons. For 28 years he led a diverse congregation of young professionals that grew to a weekly attendance of over 5,000.

He is also the Chairman & Co-Founder of Redeemer City to City (CTC), which starts new churches in New York and other global cities, and publishes books and resources for ministry in an urban environment. In 2017 Dr. Keller transitioned to CTC full time to teach and mentor church planters and seminary students through a joint venture with Reformed Theological Seminary’s (RTS), the City Ministry Program.

Dr. Keller’s books, including the New York Times bestselling The Reason for God and The Prodigal God, have sold over 2 million copies and been translated into 25 languages.

Dr. Keller was born and raised in Pennsylvania and educated at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary.

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Leadership Conversations with Nicky Gumbel Podcast: Sandy Millar

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In this episode of Conversations With Nicky Gumbel, Nicky interviews who he refers to as “the best leader he’s ever come across” – Bishop Sandy Millar.

Years of friendship and mentorship between Nicky and Sandy are evident in this honest, thought-provoking conversation — packed to the brim with humorous anecdotes and hard-won wisdom. Their lively discussion explores prioritizing family in ministry and giving oneself fully into the hands of God in wholehearted recognition that we are His. Sandy speaks about being filled with the Holy Spirit and proceeds to give practical guidance on how to develop and maintain intimacy with God.

Beyond the personal walk of a leader, their give-and-take also dives into cultivating a ministry model, inspired by John Wimber, that creates space for the Holy Spirit to move in power when His people gather. The importance of change for the sake of reaching a younger generation, the power of encouragement, and the role of the pastor are other beneficial threads pulled on in this interview, drawing to the surface moving insights from Sandy’s life of faithful service.

We hope you enjoy this conversation between Nicky & Sandy.

Show Notes

All I Want is You by Sandy Millar

Alpha Course

Sandy’s Biography

Sandy Millar is married to Annette and they have 4 grown-up children. He practiced as a barrister for ten years before being ordained and served as a Curate at Holy Trinity Brompton in London under 2 vicars before changing places with the latter one. He was Vicar there for 20 years after that and worked closely with Nicky Gumbel on Alpha before moving to three parishes in North London. During that time he was consecrated as a Bishop in Uganda. He remains an Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Dioceses of London and St Edmundsbury. He is retired and they live in Suffolk.

Coming Up Next: Danielle Strickland

Danielle is a spiritual leader, justice advocate, communicator and peace maker. Her aggressive compassion has served people firsthand in countries all over the world. From establishing justice departments and church plants, to launching global anti-trafficking initiatives, to creating new initiatives to mobilize people towards transformational spiritual life. Danielle trains, advocates, and inspires people to live differently through initiatives like: Amplify Peace, Brave Global, Women’s Speakers Collective, and Infinitum. Currently based in Toronto, Canada, Danielle is the proud mum of 3 boys, wife to Stephen, and as an enneagram 7, has been affectionately called the “ambassador of fun”.

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3 Practical Ways to Do Food at Alpha

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Alpha Team

Food has a way of bringing people together, whether it’s a group of friends gathered around a kitchen table or a quick catch-up over coffee and cake. It’s no different at Alpha. Every session starts with food because it’s a way to build community and get to know each other with casual conversation. There are so many ways to do food on Alpha from serving snacks to a full hot meal. Here are three practical ideas that groups and churches have used to make eating together a part of their Alpha every week.

1. Have a Potluck

For smaller groups, a potluck can be a fun and affordable idea. For example, the Alpha hosts might provide the main course (eg. lasagna) and then guests could be invited to bring sides (eg. salad). One group that ran Alpha in their home did a fondue every week where everyone brought different types of cheese and chocolate. The great thing about a potluck is it doesn’t require a lot of planning while ensuring there will be some sort of food to share together.

2. Recruit a Kitchen Team

Another option is to recruit a team that can make meals in the church kitchen. This works well for small or large groups and it can cut down on costs if food is purchased in bulk. The kitchen team is usually in charge of the grocery shopping, the meal prep, cooking, and clean-up. They can check with local restaurants as some will gladly donate food items each week. Some churches will freeze make-ahead meals like chili, soups, and lasagnes that can be warmed up the day of Alpha to save time.

3. Hire a Caterer

A third option is to hire a catering service to take the pressure off of the Alpha team to provide food each week. Catering can be expensive so to offset the costs, you could do suggested donations or better yet, provide the meal for free by asking other groups in the church to donate towards the cost.

Ultimately the food at Alpha can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. The main thing is to try to have some sort of food because eating together helps break the ice and pulls people together in a natural way. It sets the groundwork for friendship and hospitality and paves the way for deeper discussion throughout the course.

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