Faith Facts

• Oklahoma Christian University President Ken Jones and leadership expert Matt Paden have released a new faith-based leadership book centered on biblical principles from the story of Esther and Mordecai
• “The Core: 8 Principles for Building Strong, Authentic Leadership” focuses on internal character and personal practices rather than external management techniques as the foundation of effective leadership
• The book uniquely combines a leadership fable with practical narrative chapters, offering Christian leaders in both church and marketplace settings a Scripture-based approach to everyday leadership challenges

True leadership isn’t just about managing people or running effective meetings. The most important leadership skills often have nothing to do with our outward interactions with others.

A groundbreaking new book is challenging conventional leadership wisdom by returning to timeless biblical principles. “The Core: 8 Principles for Building Strong, Authentic Leadership” by Matt Paden and Ken Jones offers a distinctly faith-centered approach to a topic that secular culture has tried to divorce from its spiritual roots.

Jones serves as president of Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City. Paden is president of Great Days Leadership and formerly served as vice president at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. Together, they’ve crafted a leadership resource that speaks directly to Christians seeking to lead with authenticity and biblical integrity.

The book opens with a compelling leadership fable featuring Clint, a college student interning at a local hospital, and Dr. Bill Jackson, the hospital’s longtime CEO. This narrative approach allows readers to experience leadership lessons through Clint’s eyes, making the principles both relatable and memorable.

The storytelling strategy proves particularly effective as readers witness how Jackson’s leadership directly impacts Clint as both a recipient of that leadership and a student learning to lead himself. This dual perspective reinforces how Christian leadership should simultaneously serve and teach those under our care.

Following the fable, Paden and Jones transition to detailed explanations of their eight Core principles. These aren’t just management tips—they’re foundational truths rooted in Scripture, specifically drawing from the biblical account of Esther and Mordecai.

The authors make a crucial distinction that many secular leadership books miss entirely: they focus on the “Leadership Core,” a set of internal ideas and personal practices that serve as the ultimate driver of a leader’s success or failure. Character comes before competence.

One chapter in particular stands out for its practical wisdom: “Leading with Your Ears.” This powerful reflection on the importance of listening in leadership reminds us that our greatest impact often comes not from what we say, but from the space we create for others to feel genuinely heard and valued.

The authors challenge readers to recognize that a failure to listen isn’t an ear issue—it’s a heart issue. This kind of honest, biblical assessment cuts through the superficial advice found in most secular leadership literature.

While some readers might wish for a mnemonic device or more structured progression to help memorize the Core principles, and perhaps more frequent connections between the fable and the teaching sections, these minor suggestions don’t diminish the book’s overall value.

What makes “The Core” particularly valuable isn’t necessarily that every idea is revolutionary or unprecedented. Rather, it’s the fresh presentation and creative packaging of timeless truths, enhanced by the authors’ compelling storytelling and refreshing vulnerability about their own leadership journeys.

This book is highly recommended for any Christian leader—whether serving in ministry or the marketplace—who wants to view everyday leadership through the lens of faith and Scripture. It’s especially valuable for those who share Paden and Jones’ foundational belief that leadership is fundamentally about “speaking up for others and working for the good of the people.”

In a culture that increasingly demands leaders compromise their values or separate their faith from their professional lives, “The Core” offers a much-needed alternative. It demonstrates that the most effective leadership flows from biblical principles that have guided God’s people for millennia.

“The Core: 8 Principles for Building Strong, Authentic Leadership” by Matt Paden and Ken Jones is published by Forefront Books, 240 pages, $28.

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Faith Facts

• Christian funding charity Stewardship recorded a historic 49% surge in donations, reaching £161 million ($209 million) in 2025
• The record-breaking year reflects growing commitment among believers to support Christian ministries and charitable causes
• The organization’s annual report demonstrates the strength of faith-based generosity during challenging economic times

A Christian funding charity has announced a historic milestone in charitable giving that demonstrates the enduring generosity of the faithful. Stewardship, a leading Christian funding organization, recorded an unprecedented surge in donations during 2025, marking a significant moment for faith-based philanthropy.

According to the organization’s annual report released Monday, incoming donations jumped 49% to reach a record £161 million, equivalent to approximately $209 million. The remarkable increase reflects a growing commitment among Christians to support ministries and charitable causes aligned with their values.

The surge in giving comes at a time when many believers are seeking meaningful ways to put their faith into action through stewardship and generosity. The record-breaking year demonstrates that despite economic uncertainties, Christians remain dedicated to supporting organizations that advance the Gospel and serve communities in need.

This historic achievement underscores the vital role that faith-based charitable organizations play in channeling resources to Christian ministries, missionaries, and charitable initiatives around the world. The significant increase in donations suggests a renewed emphasis on biblical principles of stewardship and generosity among believers.

The report highlights how Christian donors are increasingly recognizing the importance of strategic giving that aligns with their values and supports causes rooted in traditional faith principles. This trend reflects a broader movement among Christians to ensure their charitable contributions make a lasting impact for the Kingdom.

As churches and ministries continue to navigate changing cultural landscapes, the record level of giving through organizations like Stewardship provides crucial support for spreading the Gospel and serving others in Jesus’ name. The historic year demonstrates that faithful stewardship remains a cornerstone of Christian practice in America and beyond.

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Faith Facts

• European Christian Mission International reports 160 new churches planted across Europe by displaced Ukrainians since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
• War-displaced Ukrainian believers are establishing vibrant congregations throughout host nations, bringing spiritual renewal to secular European communities.
• The church planting movement represents one of the largest faith-driven expansions in modern European history, emerging directly from wartime displacement.

In a remarkable testimony to faith under persecution, Ukrainian refugees have established 160 churches across Europe since fleeing Russia’s invasion four years ago. The European Christian Mission International documented this extraordinary movement of believers who refused to let war extinguish their witness.

While millions fled westward seeking safety, many carried more than belongings—they brought their faith and commitment to gospel ministry. These war-weary believers are now planting congregations in nations that have grown increasingly secular, offering spiritual light in communities that desperately need it.

The church planting effort represents an unexpected harvest from tragedy. Ukrainian Christians, displaced from their homeland, have seized the opportunity to share their faith in host countries throughout the European continent. Their efforts stand as a powerful reminder that God can work through even the darkest circumstances to advance His kingdom.

This movement arrives at a critical time for Europe, where traditional Christian observance has declined dramatically in recent decades. The influx of mission-minded Ukrainian believers brings fresh energy and commitment to regions where church attendance has dwindled and many congregations have closed their doors.

The 160 new churches represent not just buildings or gatherings, but living testimonies to resilience rooted in faith. These communities serve both Ukrainian refugees seeking fellowship in their native language and local Europeans encountering vibrant Christian witness, often for the first time in their lives.

European Christian Mission International’s documentation of this phenomenon highlights how displacement can become an instrument for spreading the gospel. The Ukrainian believers demonstrate that persecution and hardship cannot suppress the Great Commission when God’s people remain faithful to their calling.

As these congregations take root across the continent, they offer hope not only to displaced Ukrainians but to European communities that have long abandoned their Christian heritage. The movement shows how believers committed to their faith can transform even the tragedy of war into opportunities for spiritual renewal and evangelistic outreach.

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