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.

• 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.

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.

• 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

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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/

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.

• 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.

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.

• 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

• Youth for Christ International

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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