Lausanne Movement Podcast

What does it look like to lead in one of the least-reached nations on earth?

In this episode, Jason Watson speaks with Miho Buchholtz about following Jesus and serving the church in Japan, where Christians make up a very small minority and ministry often requires deep patience, humility, and long-term faithfulness. Miho reflects on her own story of depression and healing, the spiritual and cultural realities of Japan, the challenges of church planting in a secular context, and the quiet, resilient leadership needed to serve well in a place where visible fruit can come slowly.

 

🔗 Link to the Lausanne Podcast Community: https://collaborate.lausanne.org/share/FF0jv_MJcqEcpuoK?utm_source=manual 

 

Main Points

Miho shares how Jesus met her in a season of depression and gave her hope when her future felt closed off.

In Japan, many people carry hidden pain beneath outward stability, making grace and authenticity essential in the life of the church.

Gospel witness in Japan often grows through trust, patient relationships, and everyday faithfulness rather than quick results.

Ministering in your own culture can require relearning how to communicate, listen, and serve with humility.

Tokyo Life Church reflects a beautiful picture of mission from everywhere to everywhere, with Japanese and international believers serving together in one city.

Co-leading in ministry as a married couple can be deeply fruitful, but it also demands repentance, honesty, and the willingness to seek outside help when needed.

Faithful leadership in a least-reached context is often quiet, sacrificial, and marked more by endurance than visibility.

Younger leaders should pursue clarity of calling while remaining faithful in the local ministry God has already placed before them.

Call to Action
If this episode encouraged you, subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast, leave a review, and share this conversation with a ministry leader, church planter, or friend serving in a difficult context. Join us in praying for the church in Japan—that God would raise up faithful leaders, strengthen collaboration, and open new doors for the gospel.

Lausanne Movement Podcast Archive
Here are three related episodes from the Lausanne Movement Podcast archive that connect closely with this conversation:

Missional Insights from East Asia: Seth Kim on Mobilizing the Next Generation, Contextualisation, and Uniting the Church for Global Mission — Seth Kim explores how churches in East Asia are reaching their cultures and nations through contextualized mission, leadership development, youth mobilization, and collaboration.

Why Mental Health Matters for the Church and Global Mission with Gladys Mwiti — Dr. Gladys Mwiti explains why mental health, trauma care, burnout, and emotional health are not side issues, but central to the church’s witness and sustainable ministry.

Least Reached Peoples: How the Gospel Restores Dignity and Transforms Communities with Dr. Mary Ho & Lisa — This episode looks at ministry among the least reached, highlighting dignity, transformation, and the ways ordinary believers can participate in God’s mission among those with little access to the gospel.

Links & Resources

Tokyo Life Church — Miho and Grant Buchholtz’s bilingual church in Tokyo.

Lausanne Diasporas Network — Miho mentions her involvement in Lausanne’s diaspora work and the importance of collaboration between Japanese and internationals in mission.

Lausanne Issue Networks — Referenced in the conversation as a place where younger leaders can better understand the needs and opportunities facing global mission today.

Younger Leaders Gathering (YLG) — Mentioned in the episode as a catalytic space for younger leaders to discern calling and grow in mission.

Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking — Miho references Buechner’s well-known idea that calling is found where deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.

Scripture references mentioned in the episode: 1 Peter 5:10, Psalm 23, and John 14:6.

🔗 Link to the Lausanne Podcast Community: https://collaborate.lausanne.org/share/FF0jv_MJcqEcpuoK?utm_source=manual

Bio:

Miho was born and raised in Yokohama.  She became a Christian through depression she suffered in high school.  Though she earned a business degree in college and has worked in the fashion industry, God completely reoriented her life to pursue full time ministry.  She received her Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and has been serving in her home country as a missionary with her family. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago.  She is ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church. She is currently serving as the Chair of the Japan Lausanne Committee.  She is also an adjunct professor of ministry at Tokyo Christian University. She also serves as a Vision Time preacher on CGN Japan. Miho loves teaching the Bible and seeing people utilize their gifts to take part in God’s mission.  She enjoys getting inspiration while taking a walk, drinking coffee, traveling to new places, and seeing her two daughters grow.

What if the most important work God is doing in your leadership right now is not through you, but in you?

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with Dr. Richard Clinton about how God develops leaders over time through formation, testing, experience, and response. Drawing on leadership emergence theory and decades of ministry experience, Richard explains why the years between ages 25 and 35 are especially significant for character formation, mentoring, and learning to lead for the long haul.

Main Points

Leadership is both shaped by God and developed over time; it does not appear fully formed overnight.

God is often more concerned with who a leader is becoming than with what that leader is accomplishing.

The 25–35 stage is often a crucial season of inner life growth and ministry maturing.

Four core character foundations for emerging leaders are integrity, obedience, humility, and faith.

God uses tests and checks throughout a leader’s life to strengthen character and response.

Mentors are essential for helping leaders navigate difficult seasons, avoid burnout, and finish well.

Two stabilizing truths for every leader: God is with you and God wants to help you.

Subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with an emerging leader or mentor who needs encouragement for the long journey of leadership.

Lausanne Movement Podcast Archive
Here are the top three related episodes I found from the Lausanne Movement Podcast archive:

The Art of Whole Life Mentorship: An Interview with Ole-Magnus Olafsrud - https://lausanne.org/podcast/the-art-of-whole-life-mentorship-an-interview-with-ole-magnus-olasfrud 

Discipling Future Leaders for Global Mission: Nana Yaw Offei Awuku on Building Generational Impact & YLG 2026 - https://lausanne.org/podcast/discipling-future-leaders-for-global-mission-nana-yaw-offei-awuku-on-building-generational-impact-ylg-2026 

Links & Resources

Clinton Leadership 2.0 — Richard Clinton’s website, which exists to continue the work of J. Robert Clinton and Richard Clinton by helping leaders finish well.

The Making of a Leader by J. Robert Clinton — the foundational book behind much of the conversation on leadership emergence and lifelong formation.

Connecting by Paul D. Stanley and J. Robert Clinton — a mentoring resource Richard specifically recommends in the interview.

Courses from Clinton Leadership 2.0 — Richard mentions courses and leadership development tools available through the Clinton Leadership site.

Leadership coaching with Richard Clinton — coaching resources for leaders seeking help understanding their development journey.

“The Emerging Leader” article by J. Robert Clinton — a useful complementary resource on early leadership development.

Richard Clinton Bio
Dr. Richard Clinton is a leadership mentor, pastor, and co-founder of the Clinton Leadership Network, dedicated to helping leaders understand how God develops their calling, character, and influence over a lifetime. Building on the groundbreaking research of his father, Dr. J. Robert Clinton, Richard has spent more than four decades studying, teaching, and coaching leaders around the world.

He has served in a wide range of ministry roles—including church planter, pastor, professor, consultant, and leadership trainer—and has worked with leaders across cultures and contexts globally. Richard also continues to steward and expand the leadership development insights behind The Making of a Leader, equipping emerging and seasoned leaders to grow in character and finish well.

Richard continues to mentor leaders, teach on leadership formation, and provide resources through Clinton Leadership 2.0, helping a new generation discern how God is shaping their lives and leadership for long-term impact.

Mental health challenges affect millions of people around the world—but what if caring for the mind and emotions is not just a pastoral concern, but a critical part of the church’s mission?
 

Summary

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with Dr. Gladys Mwiti, a Kenyan clinical psychologist, trauma specialist, and founder of Oasis Africa Wellness. Drawing from over three decades of ministry and counseling experience, Dr. Mwiti explains why mental health care is essential to God’s mission of restoring the whole person. The conversation explores how addressing trauma, burnout, and emotional health strengthens evangelism, discipleship, and Christlike leadership in the global church.

Main Points

Mental health is central to holistic mission. The gospel addresses the whole person—spiritual, emotional, relational, and social healing.

The global church faces a growing mental health crisis. Mental health disorders are among the leading causes of disability worldwide.

Ignoring mental health weakens the church’s witness. Trauma, anxiety, and depression affect families, communities, and ministry leaders.

Pastors and ministry leaders often carry hidden burdens. Many leaders experience stress, burnout, and isolation while caring for others.

Burnout develops gradually. Warning signs include emotional fatigue, decreased motivation, cynicism, and social withdrawal.

Young leaders face increasing pressure. Social comparison, high expectations, and limited mentorship contribute to rising anxiety.

Healthy leadership begins with inner health. Emotionally healthy leaders are better equipped to demonstrate humility, wisdom, and compassion.

Sustainable ministry requires intentional rhythms. Rest, Sabbath practices, journaling, peer accountability, and counseling help leaders finish well.

The church can respond through community care. Congregations can train members to provide basic support and referrals through collaborative mental health ministries.

 

Links & Resources

Oasis Africa Wellness - https://www.oasisafricawellness.co.ke

 

Connect with Dr. Gladys Mwiti

LinkedIn: Oasis Africa Wellness

Email: [email protected]

Admin contact: [email protected]

 

Lausanne Articles by Dr. Gladys Mwiti

Turning the Church’s Attention to Mental Health - https://lausanne.org/global-analysis/turning-the-churchs-attention-to-mental-health

Task Shifting for Mental Health and Trauma: Implications for the Global Church- https://lausanne.org/gathering/task-shifting-for-mental-health-and-trauma-implications-for-the-global-church

 

Guest Bio

Dr. Gladys Mwiti is a Kenyan clinical psychologist, trauma specialist, and founder and CEO of Oasis Africa Center for Transformational Psychology and Trauma in Nairobi. With more than three decades of experience, she has equipped churches, leaders, and communities across Africa to respond to trauma, mental health challenges, and leadership development. Dr. Mwiti has served as chair of the Kenya Psychological Association, co-chaired the Lausanne Congress Mental Health and Trauma Advisory Group, and has written several books and articles on Christian counseling and holistic care in mission.

What if the true measure of your leadership isn’t how far you go — but how far the mission goes after you?

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Ian Conolly explores how organisational health — rooted in servant leadership and Christlike character — determines whether ministries flourish across generations. Ian shares insights on strengthening leadership, teams, and structures so that mission impact outlasts any individual’s tenure.

🔗 Link to the Lausanne Podcast Community:
https://collaborate.lausanne.org/share/FF0jv_MJcqEcpuoK?utm_source=manual

Main Points & Key Takeaways
• Impact over tenure: Leading with longevity in view reshapes priorities beyond personal legacy.
• Health as mission strategy: A healthy organisation better sustains vision, people, and Kingdom work.
• Servant leadership anchors culture: Christlike leaders shape teams by humility, clarity, and shared purpose.
• Systems support sustainability: Governance, processes, and clarity fuel organisational resilience.
• Generational thinking expands influence: Leaders think beyond seasons to generational outcomes.

📚 Lausanne Movement Podcast Archive — Related Episode
Building Healthy Ministries for Kingdom Impact: Neil Hart on Leadership and Organizational Health
Discover what it takes to build ministries that endure — including leadership as the foundation, organisational health frameworks, long-term thinking, and tools like the 9D assessment from FiftyFour.
👉 https://lausanne.org/podcast/building-healthy-ministries-for-kingdom-impact-neil-hart-on-leadership-and-organizational-health

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned
• FiftyFour (Organisational Health Tools): https://www.fiftyfour.global
• Mergon Foundation: https://mergon.co.za/
• Lausanne Podcast Community: https://collaborate.lausanne.org/share/FF0jv_MJcqEcpuoK?utm_source=manual

🎧 Call to Action
If this conversation challenged or encouraged you in your leadership journey:
❤️ Subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast on your favourite platform.
⭐ Leave a review to help more leaders discover this episode.
💬 Share this conversation with leaders, pastors, and ministry teams who need encouragement toward sustainable mission.
📍 Join the Lausanne Podcast Community: https://collaborate.lausanne.org/share/FF0jv_MJcqEcpuoK?utm_source=manual

👤 Guest Bio: Ian Conolly
Ian Conolly is the Executive Director of the FiftyFour, an initiative founded by Mergon, Maclellan, and 3W Foundations to equip ministry leaders worldwide in building healthy, thriving organisations. Ian previously led his own consulting practice, strengthening leadership capacity and operational effectiveness across ministries. He has led the launch and growth of FiftyFour, developing organisational assessment tools and resources to help leaders navigate challenges and scale their impact. FiftyFour has been accessed by over 20,000 leaders from every country in the world. With a passion for leadership development, Ian brings expertise in team building, strategic planning, financial stewardship, and organisational transformation. He finds deep fulfilment in walking alongside ministry leaders, enabling them to maximise their impact and build sustainable, mission-driven organisations.
🌐 Find out more: https://www.fiftyfour.global/en

What if the greatest obstacle to Global Mission isn’t persecution, secularism, or other religions—but the people of God themselves?
In this prophetic message from the Third Lausanne Congress in Cape Town (2010), Dr. Chris Wright delivers a call to the global Church. Drawing from the sweeping narrative of Scripture, he argues that the greatest hindrance to God’s redemptive mission is not external resistance but internal idolatry among God’s own people. He names three seductive idols—power and pride, popularity and success, and wealth and greed—and calls the Church to radical repentance marked by humility, integrity, and simplicity.

MAIN POINTS

The greatest obstacle to God’s mission is not the world, but God’s own people.

Idolatry remains the central threat to authentic Christian witness.

Three seductive idols distort and corrupt Christian mission:

Power and pride

Popularity and success

Wealth and greed

Jesus himself resisted these same temptations in the wilderness.

The Church must undergo ongoing reformation, beginning with repentance.

There is no biblical mission without biblical living.

The marks of Christlike mission are humility, integrity, and simplicity.

Before we seek to change the world, we must return to the Lord ourselves.

CALL TO ACTION
After listening, take time to pray and reflect:

Where might power, recognition, or comfort be shaping your ministry more than Christ?

What would humility, integrity, and simplicity look like in your leadership?

Subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast and share this message with a ministry leader or team who needs this challenge.

LAUSANNE MOVEMENT PODCAST ARCHIVE

Theology and Mission: A Conversation with Dr. Chris Wright and Dr. Ivor Poobalan on The Lausanne Movement’s Theological Influence on Global Mission
https://lausanne.org/podcast/theology-and-mission-a-conversation-with-dr-chris-wright-and-dr-ivor-poobalan-on-the-lausanne-movements-theological-influence-on-global-mission

Let the Church Declare and Display Christ Together: Dr. Patrick Fung on the Theme of the Fourth Lausanne Congress
https://lausanne.org/podcast/let-the-church-declare-and-display-christ-together-dr-patrick-fung-on-the-theme-of-the-fourth-lausanne-congress

Training Christlike Leaders for the Harvest
https://lausanne.org/podcast/training-christlike-leaders-for-the-harvest

GUEST BIO
Dr. Christopher J. H. Wright is a missiologist, Anglican clergyman, and theologian, and one of the leading evangelical voices on the theology of mission and Scripture. Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, he holds a Ph.D. in Old Testament economic ethics from Cambridge University and has served in global theological education and leadership, including teaching at Union Biblical Seminary in India and serving as principal of All Nations Christian College in the UK. Dr. Wright currently serves as the Global Ambassador and Ministry Director of Langham Partnership International. He has written extensively on biblical theology and mission, including The Mission of God and Old Testament Ethics for the People of God. Within the Lausanne Movement, he chaired the Theology Working Group and played a pivotal role in developing the Cape Town Commitment at the Third Lausanne Congress in 2010.