How can Christian leaders stay grounded in biblical truth while leading with courage and conviction in a polarized world?

In this episode of The Missional Leader, Rob Hoskins sits down with Dr. Ed Stetzer — president of Talbot School of Theology at Biola, leader of the Lausanne Movement in North America, and one of today’s most trusted missiologists and cultural voices. Together, they unpack what it means to lead fearlessly in an age of outrage: how to speak truth with grace, engage culture without compromise, and model a faith that is both courageous and kind.

From Ed’s roots as the son of a New York City construction worker to his decades of global leadership, this candid and humorous conversation offers practical insight for pastors, ministry leaders, and kingdom-minded influencers who want to stand firm for truth while leading while remaining compassionate.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode Guide - Access a new podcast resource designed to help you reflect and apply the learnings from this episode conversation!

Biola University: https://www.biola.edu/

Talbot School of Theology at Biola University: https://www.biola.edu/talbot

The Lausanne Movement (North America): https://lausanne.org/

TIMESTAMPS:

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Christians Avoiding Truth: Fear of Speaking Out
03:37 Navigating Controversial Issues as a Christian Leader
05:20 Humor, Social Media, and “Whimsical Ed”
06:48 Growing Thick Skin: Handling Criticism from All Sides
08:58 Figuring Out Truth When Both Sides Disagree
10:08 Calling Out Wrong on “Your Own Side”
12:00 Broad Evangelicalism: Unity Amidst Difference
15:01 Civil Disagreement and Fair Critique in Public Writing
18:15 Firm Center, Soft Edges: Vision for Evangelicalism
19:42 Criticizing Both Sides: Being an “Umpire,” Not a Team Player
22:09 Fivefold Gifts: Ed’s Calling and Passion for Mission
24:19 Getting Angry for Justice: Writing from Passion
27:57 Persuasion Through Winsomeness—Not Just Outrage
29:04 Balancing Humor on Social Media—and When It Backfires
31:59 Social Media Vibe Shift: Staying True Amid Toxicity
33:35 Living Transparently: Fearless Leadership and Apology

For today’s season finale of The Missional Leader, Rob gets the privilege of sitting down with his dad—Bob Hoskins, evangelist, missionary, and founder of OneHope—for an inspiring conversation reflecting on Bob’s life of courageous hope and relentless obedience to God’s call.

From preaching his first sermon at age seven to launching global outreaches in war zones and restricted nations, Bob shares the extraordinary journey chronicled in his new autobiography, Courageous Hope. Together, father and son reveal how humble prayer, unwavering faith, and a willingness to risk everything shaped a movement that has now reached over 2 billion young people with God’s Word.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Courageous Hope: Living on the Edge of Faith: bobhoskins.co/ch

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Power of Prayer: A Miraculous Escape
02:43 John Maxwell's Advice—“It's God's Story, Not Yours”
05:05 Prayer Over Fear: Facing Danger Head-On
08:44 Terrorists at the Door: Lebanon’s Near-Death Encounter
10:24 Prayer Alignment: Miraculous Timing and Protection
12:04 “Why Should Anyone Hear the Gospel Twice?”—Mission Calling
15:05 “Just Do It”—Practical Advice for Stepping Out in Faith
19:56 Miracles Unfold: The Deaf Girl Hears in Guyana
22:17 Healing Miracle: Hindu Family Transformed
24:33 “Power Is in the Seed”—Evangelism Through Literature
27:06 Vision for One Hope: Reaching Every Child Globally
29:41 Facing Death with Faith and Hope
31:13 Legacy of Courage and Obedience—Lessons for the Next Generation

As Africa quickly becomes the epicenter of global Christianity, is the Church prepared to empower its next generation? In this episode of The Missional Leader, Rob is joined by Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo, Team Leader of Watoto Church, one of Africa’s most vibrant and influential churches. Together, they explore why Africa’s youthful energy and spiritual vibrancy represent both an incredible opportunity and pressing challenge for the worldwide Church.

This conversation dives deep into the story of Watoto Church—a movement in Uganda transforming lives by rescuing vulnerable children, equipping women, and planting churches in some of the continent’s most underserved regions. Pastor Rwotlonyo, who came to faith as a child in Watoto and now leads the church through explosive growth and social innovation, shares his vision for empowering young Africans—not just as future leaders, but as change-makers today.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

OneHope Africa Matching Challenge: https://onehope.net/donate

Watoto Church: https://watotochurch.com/.

Miscio: https://www.miscio.io/

OneHope’s God’s Big Story & Unstoppable Programs: https://onehope.net/programs/.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Africa as the Rising Epicenter of Christianity
02:39 The Watoto Church Story and Julius’s Journey
05:02 Blending Social Outreach and Spiritual Discipleship
06:14 Transforming Orphan Care: The Family Model
08:03 Empowering Vulnerable Women Beyond Charity
09:03 Uganda’s Shift from Poverty Through Church-Led Development
10:56 Africa’s Youth: Unmatched Potential and Challenges
11:35 Disconnect Between Faith and Daily Life in Africa
13:50 Research Reveals Uganda’s Actual Spiritual Resiliency
15:15 One Hope’s Impact: Reaching 78 Million Children
18:03 Church Planting Among Unreached Muslim and Animistic Groups
20:04 Gen Z’s Questions: Discipleship in a Digital Age
21:03 Mental Health Struggles and Church Responses
25:26 Empowering African Girls: Esther’s Unstoppable Journey
27:08 Gen Z Movements, Social Unrest, and Church Engagement
29:27 Rethinking Christian Higher Education for Societal Change
32:10 Equipping the Now Generation: Empowering African Youth
34:05 Redefining Youth Ministry: Children as Church Leaders
38:05 $1M Matching Gift: Reaching 6 Million African Youth
39:53 Malik’s Story: From Muslim Street Child to Hope-Filled Leader