Step Five – The Adaptable Playbook
Posted October 5, 2025
Listening is the first step to impact. In this episode, Chris Gough talks with Stacie Mickelson (Emmanuel Gospel Center, Boston) about how listening tours uncover blind spots, connect leaders, and spark informed action. Discover practical tools and real stories showing why slowing down to listen may be the fastest way to advance the gospel in your city.
She answers the questions:
How would more talk lead to an increase in evangelism?
Why did your team choose to do this in Boston, benefitting the work of EGC and the Boston E-Team?
Walk us through your process in Boston…
What will you do with the compiled information?
What are your top best practices when doing a listening tour?
Why did your team choose to do this in Boston, benefitting the work of EGC and the Boston E-Team?
Walk us through your process in Boston…
What will you do with the compiled information?
What are your top best practices when doing a listening tour?
Bio:
Stacie Mickelson is the Executive Director of Emmanuel Gospel Center (EGC), a Boston-based nonprofit that helps churches respond faithfully to the realities of their city through applied research, strategic partnerships, and Spirit-led innovation. She helped design the Palau Association’s listening tour model and brings years of experience leading community-rooted learning processes—particularly alongside grassroots and immigrant church leaders.
EGC’s current work includes mapping the spiritual landscape of Boston, elevating local wisdom, and equipping churches to live out the Gospel with clarity, humility, and courage. From charting the city’s evolving church landscape to reimagining how church properties can serve the common good, EGC’s mission lives at the intersection of practice and imagination.
Stacie lives in Boston with her husband Elijah and their two daughters, Eden and Anna, who keep her honest, joyful, and on her toes.
To learn more about Evangelism Teams, the Adaptable Playbook, or what God is doing through collaborative evangelism efforts across North America, visit citygospelmovements.org.
