About Us
Our Vision
Burning Hearts is a global Spirit-empowered missions movement, with a vision inspired by the disciples’ encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:
Luke 24:31 – “And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him…”
Luke 24:32 – “They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?’”
As a movement, we exist so that eyes would open to see Jesus and hearts would burn with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Our Mission
To Reach the Unreached with the Gospel
Bring the life-changing message of Jesus to those who have never heard it, opening hearts and minds to encounter His love and power.To Raise & Release the Next Generation
Equip, empower, and mobilize young leaders to step boldly into their calling, impacting their communities and the world for Jesus.To Contend for Revival Across the Nations
Ignite spiritual awakening in churches, communities, and nations through prayer, worship, and Spirit-led ministry—stirring hearts to burn with the fire of the Holy Spirit and contend for revival in their cities and nations.
Our Work
We lead missions projects in Asia, Europe & The Middle East and regularly minister at events across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America. We also work in collaboration with a number of global ministries, organisations and church networks to fulfil our mission and maximise our effectiveness across the globe. Some of the organisations we are connected with include: The Global Evangelist Alliance; Empowered21; Europe Shall Be Saved; Awakening Europe; Iran Alive
Our Leadership
Layla Nahavandi
Founder & Director
Layla Nahavandi is the founder and director of the Burning Hearts Movement. A globally renowned preacher and leader, Layla travels internationally to preach and minister in churches, conferences, and events across many nations. Known for her passion to preach with faith and fire, she contends to see lives transformed and nations shaken by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Layla has been in full-time ministry for nearly two decades and is an ordained minister with the Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God in Australia). She holds a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees, and is currently completing a PhD in theology.
In addition to leading the Burning Hearts Movement, Layla is a teaching pastor at Citizen Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and serves as the NextGen Lead for the Global Evangelist Alliance, representing Empowered21 NextGen worldwide through evangelistic projects and initiatives that equip, mobilize, and reach the next generation. She is based out of Planetshakers Church in Melbourne, Australia, lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is actively involved with Empowered21, contributing to the Pentecostal and Charismatic movement globally.
Contact: layla@theburningheartsmovement.com
Kristen Willett
Assistant Director
Kristen Willett serves as the Assistant Director of the Burning Hearts Movement. She is a seasoned pastor, preacher, and leader whose prophetic ministry carries a unique mantle to ignite faith, pioneer new ground, and mobilise believers for mission.
An ordained minister with the Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God in Australia), Kristen has served in full-time ministry across campus leadership, global events and services, missions, preaching and teaching, curriculum development, evangelism, and church planting. She also brings experience from the business and education sectors, equipping her to lead with both spiritual insight and practical wisdom.
When in Europe, Kristen is based at Awakening Church in Germany and in Australia, Kristen calls Tribes Church home. Kristen also serves the Global Evangelist Alliance, partnering with global leaders to strengthen the Church and advance the mission of Jesus worldwide.
Contact: kristen@theburningheartsmovement.com
Our Governance
The Burning Hearts Movement has boards in Australia, Germany and the USA who oversee the operations of Burning Hearts as a non-profit entity globally and locally.
Our Team
The Burning Hearts Movement has both an executive team and an ever-expanding global team who outwork projects in various nations across the world.