A special time of encouragement with Dr. Ed Stetzer

At TV 7 Albania we recently had the joy and honor of conducting an interview with a distinguished guest, a man whose voice has inspired believers across the globe: Dr. Ed Stetzer. Pastor, teacher, author, and global leader in church planting, Dr. Stetzer came all the way from California to share his heart, his experience, and his encouragement for the church in Albania.

For decades, Dr. Stetzer has been at the forefront of Christian ministry worldwide. His calling has taken him to six continents, where he has planted churches, trained leaders, and built bridges across cultures for the sake of the Gospel. Today, he serves as the Dean and Professor of Leadership and Christian Ministry at the prestigious Talbot School of Theology, Biola University.

In our conversation, Dr. Stetzer opened his heart about his own journey of faith. He spoke of his early beginnings, the first steps he took in following Jesus, and the passion that grew inside him to serve God wholeheartedly. He recalled the challenges he faced along the way, and how each obstacle only deepened his trust in the Lord.

When asked about what first drew him toward church planting, Dr. Stetzer explained that it was a burning desire to see new communities of faith come alive — places where people could encounter Jesus in a fresh, authentic way. Over the years, that vision expanded into a mission of training and equipping leaders, empowering the next generation to step boldly into their own callings.

Speaking directly to the Albanian context, Dr. Stetzer had a special message for young believers. He acknowledged the doubts and fears that often hold people back from answering God’s call, but he urged them not to hesitate:

“Take the first step of faith. God equips the ones He calls. Don’t wait until you feel ready — obedience comes first, and the courage will follow.”

His words resonated deeply, especially for those in our nation who are navigating their faith journey in environments that may not always be supportive or open.

Dr. Stetzer also shared his personal experiences with the Albanian church, reflecting on the courage and resilience of believers here. He expressed admiration for the way the Gospel is taking root in Albania and emphasized the importance of faithful, biblical teaching to strengthen the foundation of this growing movement.

His message was clear: the church in Albania has a unique role in God’s story, and He is raising up leaders here who will impact not only their communities but also the nations beyond.

For us at TV 7, this was not simply an interview — it was a moment of encouragement, a reminder that we are connected to the global body of Christ.

Our team recorded the Church Planting Conference where Dr. Stetzer was one of the speakers and broadcasted his teaching on our weekly program encouraging other pastors and Christian leaders who were not able to attend the conference.

Dr. Stetzer’s presence and words reminded us that Albania is not forgotten, but is part of a much greater mission that spans the world. As he closed, Dr. Stetzer left us with a message of hope: that even in times of challenge, God’s church is alive, growing, and unstoppable.