What I learned from Banning Liebscher and Kris Vallotton

This past weekend, my good friend Sammy Robinson hosted the RISE UP Conference, gathering pastors, leaders, and believers from across Canada for a powerful weekend of faith and leadership. I had the honour of interviewing Banning Liebscher and spending time with Kris Vallotton—two voices I deeply respect and admire.

Here’s what struck me most: sometimes the most profound lessons aren’t taught from the stage but caught in the quiet moments between sessions, or while sharing a meal. You can learn a lot by simply watching how people live off the platform.

Here are a few things I learned from Banning and Kris this weekend:

1. Be a lover of people.

Both Banning and Kris don’t just talk about loving people—they live it. It was evident in how they treated every person they met, not just those with influence or title. They weren’t concerned about being recognized or elevated; they simply loved people well. Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 NLT). These men model that kind of love—quiet, consistent, and genuine.

2. Show an interest in others.

It’s no small thing to make someone feel seen, heard, and known. I watched as Kris and Banning took time to ask people about their stories—and then truly listened. The joy that came over people’s faces as they were heard reminded me of Proverbs 20:5: “Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.” Great leaders draw people out. They listen more than they talk.

3. Walk in humility.

Both men carried a deep spirit of humility. There was no ego, no entitlement—just servants showing up ready to serve. You’ve heard the phrase, “Never meet your heroes”? That didn’t apply here. These are men of depth, grace, and character. Philippians 2:3 says, “Don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” Humility isn’t weakness—it’s strength under control.

4. Lead with honour.

Both Banning and Kris honoured everyone around them. They brought people with them—young leaders they were investing in—and created opportunities for those leaders to grow and minister. Honour wasn’t reserved for the stage; it flowed to every volunteer, every conversation, every interaction. Kingdom culture is built on honour, and honour never diminishes you—it multiplies you.

5. Don’t forget to have fun.

This one might sound simple, but it’s powerful. These guys laughed. They told stories. They didn’t take themselves too seriously. There’s something contagious about leaders who bring joy into every room. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” Joy keeps leadership light and relationships healthy.

It might sound simple—but these small, consistent traits are what mark leaders of great integrity.

The older I get, the more I realize: the fruit of the Spirit looks like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).

And this weekend, I got to see that fruit lived out in real time.

Question for you: Which of these five traits do you want to grow in this week? Reply and let me know—I’d love to hear from you.

Kris Vallotton reminded us that every church must be preaching hope in this season. The world is heavy with fear, division, and uncertainty—but the Church carries the message of hope through Jesus. Hope isn’t wishful thinking; it’s holy defiance in the face of despair.

Kris went on to share how gratitude became his anchor in one of the hardest seasons of his leadership. When everything around him felt unstable, he chose to give thanks. Gratitude didn’t change his circumstances overnight—but it changed him. It lifted his eyes, softened his heart, and reminded him that God was still working.

That’s exactly why I wrote my latest book, The Hope Habit: Daily Rhythms for Transformational Hope in a Broken World. It’s a field guide for walking through hard seasons with courage and faith. If you’ve ever struggled to keep hope alive, this book will help you build it—day by day, habit by habit.

You can’t control everything around you, but you can choose your rhythm. And when you choose hope, gratitude follows.

👉 Grab your copy of The Hope Habit today and start living with defiant hope.

And while we’re talking about leadership, if you’re looking for a book that will reshape how you lead, I highly recommend Lead Like a Shepherd by Larry Osborne. It’s one of the best resources out there for pastors and leaders who want to lead with heart, humility, and health.

Let’s be leaders who preach hope, live with gratitude, and lead like shepherds.