The Ralph Moore Podcast

Peyton Jones – Part 3 of 3 – Disciple Making Starts with Friendship

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In the final part of Ralph Moore’s conversation with Peyton Jones, the discussion turns practical: How does disciple making actually happen in everyday life?

As Peyton prepares to launch his new book Discipology at the Exponential Conference, he and Ralph reflect on the deeper principles behind multiplying disciples—and why the church often misses the simple patterns Jesus modeled.

Ralph shares stories of learning to connect with people through simple curiosity—like asking a waitress about her tattoos or offering to pray for someone in a restaurant. Those ordinary conversations often become the starting point for spiritual transformation.

Peyton explains that disciple making doesn’t begin with programs or sermons but with something much simpler: Following Jesus and bringing someone along with you.

Peyton Jones – Part 2 of 3 – Time, Teaching, and Tactics

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In Part 2 of Ralph Moore’s conversation with Peyton Jones, the focus turns to the heart behind Peyton’s new book Discipology and the disciple-making pattern Jesus used to train His followers.

Peyton reflects on his years planting churches in the U.K., where small congregations forced leaders to rely on disciple-making rather than large programs or events. During that season he worked a series of jobs—including factory work, firefighting, and even barista shifts at Starbucks—discovering firsthand how everyday workplaces became powerful mission fields for the gospel.

The discussion then moves to the deeper research behind Discipology. Peyton explains how studying the book of Acts and Paul’s missionary journeys revealed something surprising: Paul himself was on a learning curve, gradually adapting his strategy to mobilize teams and multiply leaders. That realization drove Peyton back to the Gospels to ask a bigger question: How did Jesus actually train the disciples?

What he found became the framework for the book: Time. Teaching. Tactics.

These three rhythms shaped how Jesus developed the Twelve—first spending extended time with them, then teaching them as they traveled and ministered together, and finally sending them out to practice the mission themselves.

From Punk Concerts to Church Planting: Peyton Jones’ Discipleship Journey

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Ralph Moore sits down with longtime friend and ministry partner Peyton Jones to talk about disciple-making, church planting, and Peyton’s new book Discipology.

The conversation begins with a look at the newly launched church plant The Abbey in North County San Diego and the surprising ways God has already been bringing together generations of leaders and young people. Ralph reflects on the personal encouragement he and his wife Ruby have experienced through the church community, while Peyton shares how the vision for the church is centered on relationships, mentoring, and raising up the next generation.

Peyton then shares his powerful personal story—from a violent and angry teenager facing expulsion from school to a dramatic encounter with the gospel that changed his life. Within months of coming to faith, he began sharing Christ with friends and leading people to Jesus, eventually discipling dozens of teenagers in a local park before he was even old enough to drive.

That early experience shaped Peyton’s lifelong conviction that discipleship happens through relationships, not just programs. He explains how discipling young believers one-by-one became the “secret sauce” that fueled the growth of a youth movement and eventually led to decades of church planting and ministry around the world.

Joshua Brown – Part 3 of 3 – The Pressure Washing Pastor...When Your Side Hustle Becomes Your Calling

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

What if the side hustle is actually the main thing?

Joshua Brown spent 22 years in vocational ministry. Seven different church teams across four states. Moving his family. Growing programs and events but not making disciples. Getting frustrated.

Then he Googled "top five businesses to start for $5,000 or less."

Pressure washing made the list. He knew nothing about it. Not handy. No dad to teach him. Just desperate to provide for his family and actually disciple people.

First year? Two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars. While still serving as campus pastor.

But here's what matters more than money: Joshua was meeting people in their driveways. Praying with customers. Hiring guys and discipling them every morning. He was doing real ministry in the marketplace while the church kept asking for volunteers.

In this episode, we unpack the whole journey. From frustration with seminary culture to building a franchise-level brand called Brown's Pressure Washing. From feeling ashamed when someone called him "pastor" to God saying, "Call it Pressure Washing Pastor."

We talk about what marketplace ministry actually looks like. How your business becomes your pulpit. How a driveway becomes an altar.

Six percent of people will walk through church doors. Eighty-four percent live in the marketplace.

If you're a frustrated pastor, this will set you free. If you've left ministry and feel like you failed, listen up. And if you're wondering how to make disciples in today's world, Joshua's got a proven model.

Your calling might be waiting in the marketplace.

Joshua Brown – Part 2 of 3 – 55%...the Fatherless Generation and How We Fix It

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Fifty-five percent of American homes are headed by single moms right now.

That's a cultural crisis. Millions of kids growing up without seeing what godly masculinity looks like. Without a model for fatherhood. Without knowing how to be the dad they never had.

Joshua Brown gets it. He lived it. And now he's doing something about it.

In this episode, Joshua introduces his "Dudes Without Dads" podcast—a platform where men share their father wound stories and learn to break the cycle. We talk about identity formation, the power of forgiveness, and what it actually takes to become an intentional father when you're starting from scratch.

Ralph shares his own story too. How his dad went from pouring beer down his throat at age three to becoming the kind of father who transformed his family.

If you're trying to be the father you never had, you need to hear this. If you know a man wrestling with father wounds, send him this episode.

Healing happens when we tell our stories.

Joshua Brown – Part 1 of 3 – From Drug Dealer to Minister...A Dude Without a Dad Finds His Father

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Some kids grow up dreaming about what they'll be when they grow up.

Joshua Brown just wanted a family.

His biological father offered to pay for his abortion. When his mom refused, the father said he'd never be part of Joshua's life. His mom's adoptive father went to prison for abuse. They slept in cars, soup kitchens, church fellowship halls.

By seventeen, Joshua was a high school dropout selling drugs in Winston-Salem, running red lights in his Honda Prelude. Then God spoke to him sitting on the side of the road after a wreck: "Your life is making an impact on nobody."

Three weeks later at a Wesleyan revival service, high with weed in his pocket, Joshua heard something he'd never heard before: "Joshua, I love you."

That was September 27, 1997. Everything changed.

In this conversation, we dig into generational brokenness, what it means to be a minister versus a professional minister, and how Joshua's learning to see himself not just as God's servant, but as God's son.

If you grew up without a father, this one's for you. And if you're still trying to figure out what it means to be a son of God, listen close.

Yvonne Nash – Part 3 of 3 – New Wineskins Without Abandoning the Old

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0400

What happens when digital ministry stops being an experiment—and becomes real community?

In Part 3, Ralph Moore and Yvonne Nash wrestle with the deeper questions behind online discipleship:

Who should (and shouldn’t) pursue ministry on social platforms
Why TikTok formed community when other platforms didn’t
What perseverance looks like when no one is watching
And how “new wineskins” don’t require abandoning the local church

Yvonne shares how digital relationships became pastoral ones—leading to prayer, counseling, in-person meetings, and even inviting thousands to attend a live church service online from the front row.

If you’ve ever wondered how the Church can hold both faithfulness and innovation—this conversation offers wisdom worth sitting with.

Yvonne Nash – Part 2 of 3 – When the Calling Doesn’t Come With a Paycheck

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0400

What happens when a staff pastor walks away from full-time ministry…with no plan, no job, and no safety net?

In Part 2 of this conversation, Ralph Moore talks with Yvonne Nash about the leap that changed everything.

After sensing God was calling her to step away from church staff ministry, Yvonne took a season of rest—and then began experimenting online. Not to build a platform, but to build relationships.

What followed was unexpected:

A growing TikTok community
Live “chapels” centered on real life: anxiety, marriage, identity, faith
And thousands of people engaging the gospel in a space many pastors dismiss

This episode isn’t a how-to on social media growth. It’s a sober, honest look at obedience, risk, and why God doesn’t waste any part of your story—before or after Jesus.

If you’ve ever sensed God calling you forward without explaining how…this conversation will resonate deeply.

Yvonne Nash – Part 1 of 3 – From the Bar Upstairs to the Kingdom Breaking In

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Yvonne Nash didn’t grow up in church. She grew up above her parents’ bar in Milwaukee, exposed early to a world most kids never see.

Years later, a simple invitation to feed the homeless changed everything.

In this conversation, Ralph Moore talks with Yvonne about:

Why attending church didn’t transform her (but discipleship did)
What raw, first-generation faith looks like today
Why Gen Z conversions don’t look like past revivals
And how God is reaching thousands through TikTok, not church buildings

Yvonne is now an ordained pastor discipling people online who have no religious memory to return to—only hunger, wounds, and questions.

Chestly Lunday – Part 3 of 3 – Ministry in the Digital Age

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Chestly planted a church and did everything the prevailing model taught him. He was miserable. Depressed. The church wasn't growing fast enough. Then a pastor he hadn't talked to in a decade sent him a Facebook message: "Your only job is to love my people." That changed everything. This episode wrestles with significance versus success. Stage speaking versus real relationships. Why digital community is as real as physical. How AI and social media are tools—like axes, useful or dangerous depending on whose hands they're in. You'll hear about Christian influencers reaching millions, shepherds guiding people in digital spaces, and why five-year plans don't work anymore. Technology doubles human knowledge every 16 to 18 months. Churches move slower. That's okay. Community never goes out of style. Focus there. Use whatever tools reduce friction. That's not digital ministry. That's just ministry in the digital age.

Chestly Lunday – Part 2 of 3 – Social Media and Online Communities

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Sunday-centric churches get three to four hours a week with their people. Social media gets two to three hours a day. You can fight that reality or you can work with it. Chestly breaks down the difference between digital noise and actual community. He walks through Paul's hub strategy in Ephesus—how the Roman road system created a first-century network that looks surprisingly like what we have now. You'll learn Rick Warren's stages of community and why most churches stop short. Discover why your Sunday morning event might be keeping you from building the structures where people actually grow. This isn't about killing the mega church. It's about understanding what serves what. The best part? Mid-sized churches have a secret advantage. You can move fast. You're relational. You don't need new buildings or staff. You just need to flip the model right-side up.

Chestly Lunday – Part 1 of 3 – "Nobody Told Me I Couldn't Do That"

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Chestly Lunday grew up in ministry. His dad pioneered churches before anyone called it church planting. At 18, Chestly started a youth church in a skating rink—90 kids in six weeks. Then the Negative Nancy's showed up. They told him it wasn't biblical. Couldn't work. Shouldn't be done. He listened. Big mistake. This conversation traces Chestly's journey from military service to dying church turnarounds to discovering something unexpected: digital spaces aren't competing with physical church. They're extending it. You'll hear about section eight housing ministry, young professionals who wouldn't step foot in a building, and Gen Z kids who DM while sitting in the same room. The church is changing. The question isn't whether you like it. The question is whether you'll pay attention.

Why Your Church Isn't Growing (And What to Do About It)

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0400

The hard truth: what's holding back your church is probably between your two ears.

This conversation gets uncomfortable. We talk about why growth stalls, why some pastors waste time with the wrong people, and how to prioritize ruthlessly. Jared's had prophetic words about a large church, but right now he's stuck. The answer isn't working harder—it's working smarter.

We cover the ABC priority system that can restructure your whole week. Why you should never start a house church in your own home. How to use YouTube as a tool to strengthen community, not just advertise. The power of prayer walking when you're actually trying to meet people, not just blessing houses. And why making a big deal out of Easter and Christmas isn't sell-out attractional—it's strategic.

If you're thinking about quitting, listen to this first. Growth happens when you stop doing churchy things that don't matter and start doing the few things that do.

We end with homework: make an action plan. What did the Spirit say to you? What are you going to do about it? How can someone help?

Basketball, Pancakes, and the Power of Horizontal Church

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Here's what's broken: Jared can work 60 hours a week, but he's not playing basketball with anyone. And basketball matters in South LA.

This conversation gets practical fast. We dig into why community is the thing that actually makes churches grow—not better preaching, not cooler programs, but people doing life together. Why serving coffee after church was once considered radical. How asking three simple questions in a small group changes everything. And why the horizontal relationships in your church matter more than you think.

We talk about the difference between being busy and being efficient. Between filling your calendar with church stuff and spending time with people who might become the next generation of leaders. Jared's wrestling with how to build real friendships at scale when his church has pockets of community but not enough.

There's a reason people leave through the back door. Usually it's not the sermon. It's that they never connected with anyone.

From Cobra Pilot to South LA Pastor: Jared Hurst's Story

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Jared Hurst flew helicopters in the Marine Corps. Now he pastors in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

This is a conversation about sacrifice. About what it looks like when someone with serious credentials chooses hard ground over easy opportunity. Jared could have taken a staff position at a big church. Instead, he's in South LA, running between two locations, investing in young men who sometimes disappoint him, and figuring out how to build something that lasts.

We talk about his journey from basketball dreams and aviation to that moment in his car when God's presence overwhelmed him. How nine people got baptized in his living room the first month. Why he took on a second church in Pasadena when his heart was already in South LA. And the tension of serving two congregations while trying to raise leaders in both.

If you're in a hard place right now, this one's for you.

Josh Burnett – Part 3 of 3 – Leveraging AI for Children’s Ministry and Beyond

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In the third and final part of Ralph Moore’s conversation with Josh Burnett, we dive into the nuts and bolts of Church.Tech. Josh demonstrates how pastors can upload sermons and instantly generate transcripts, summaries, small group questions, YouTube chapters, podcasts, and even children’s ministry curriculum.

The episode also highlights tools that transform sermons into short, shareable video clips, complete with captions, translations, and scheduling across multiple platforms. For bivocational pastors, small churches, and leaders looking to multiply their content without multiplying their workload, these tools are a game changer.

Check out the video version: https://youtu.be/-NjnsiiWWJw?si=vM2nH9AEZM6f9iR8

Josh Burnett – Part 2 of 3 – Giving Time Back to Disciple-Makers

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In part two of Ralph Moore’s conversation with Josh Burnett, the focus shifts to how Church.Tech is reshaping the way pastors and leaders use their time. Josh explains how AI-powered tools can give back the equivalent of four full work weeks every year—freeing leaders to spend less time behind a screen and more time with people.

This episode unpacks the connection between nonprofits and church innovation, explores fundraising strategies that actually work, and highlights how Church.Tech supports sermon preparation, discipleship resources, and social media content. Whether you’re a bivocational pastor, microchurch leader, or simply overwhelmed with ministry tasks, this is a practical look at technology that makes disciple-making more effective.

Check out the video version: https://youtu.be/j1axuSiOCpg?si=m5Bi4bDVC_SM4jVl

Josh Burnett – Part 1 of 3 – From Church Planting to Church.Tech

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Ralph Moore sits down with Josh Burnett, founder of Church.Tech, to explore the journey from church planting to pioneering technology that helps pastors reclaim their time. Josh shares his early story of coming to faith, his call to ministry at a young age, and the church-planting work that shaped his vision for holistic community transformation. Out of those experiences, he stepped into the tech world—developing tools that leverage AI to free up pastors for what matters most: people and discipleship.

If you’ve ever wondered how technology could multiply your ministry impact, this conversation will open your eyes.

Check out the video version at: https://youtu.be/CYUhwwbiXpY?si=lKtoeHdv0mbvakuJ

Ryan Delamater – Part 4 of 4 – Why Empowerment Fuels Exponential Growth

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In the final part of their conversation, Ralph Moore and Ryan Delamater reflect on the lessons Ryan has learned through the growth of OCNWTR. Ryan shares how the movement continues to multiply through micro-churches connected to clean water projects, and why generosity, empowerment, and faith-filled risk are central to sustaining it.

They dive into practical insights on developing young leaders, building trust in cross-cultural contexts, and keeping ministry simple enough to reproduce. Ryan also offers encouragement for planters who feel under-resourced, showing how starting small and giving ministry away can unleash exponential impact.

This closing episode ties together the themes of the series, like innovation, suffering, multiplication, and faith, into a hopeful vision for the future of church planting in unlikely places.

Ryan Delamater – Part 3 of 4 – Why Suffering Shapes Stronger Leaders

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In Part 3 of this series, Ryan Delamater continues unpacking the journey of OCNWTR and the lessons he’s learned about leadership, multiplication, and calling. Ryan reflects on how his own limitations and personal battles with depression shaped his approach to ministry — teaching him that weakness can be a platform for God’s power.

Ralph and Ryan discuss the tension between Western models of church growth and the organic, decentralized approach that fuels movements. They also explore the role of suffering in shaping leaders, the need for authenticity over image, and why creating margin in life and ministry is critical for long-term faithfulness.

This episode is a candid look at the hidden struggles of church planters, the refining work of God through hardship, and the surprising ways brokenness can become the seedbed for multiplication .

Ryan Delamater – Part 2 of 4 – The Unlikely Places Churches Begin

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In Part 2 of Ralph’s conversation with Ryan Delamater, founder of OCNWTR, the story moves from personal calling to multiplication. Ryan shares how God brought unexpected partners into his life — from a world-class jiu-jitsu champion in San Clemente to young leaders in El Salvador, Germany, Sweden, and Argentina.

What began as a Bible study in a jiu-jitsu studio grew into Grapple Chapel, a movement of discipleship communities spreading across continents. Along the way, Ryan and his team pioneered creative water projects, combining boat desalination systems with solar power, even catching the attention of MIT’s Water Summit.

This episode highlights how scarcity can fuel innovation, how giving away leadership multiplies impact, and how God can use unconventional spaces — coffee shops, gyms, and even grappling mats — to plant churches and change lives.

Ryan Delamater – Part 1 of 4 – The Bike Ride That Sparked 100 Churches

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Ralph sits down with longtime friend Ryan Delamater, founder of OCNWTR. Ryan shares the remarkable story of how a cross-continental bike ride, a painful season of personal loss, and a growing awareness of the global water crisis led him to combine church planting with water projects.

From humble beginnings in San Clemente to launching churches across Latin America, Ryan recounts how God has used ordinary people, limited resources, and simple obedience to multiply more than 100 micro-churches around the world. Ralph and Ryan also reflect on lessons learned from Saddleback, the importance of self-awareness in leadership, and why “excellence” in the Kingdom is more about faithfulness than perfection.

If you’ve ever wondered how God can take brokenness and turn it into a multiplying movement, this conversation will encourage you to step out in faith and watch Him provide.

John Termini – Part 3 of 3 – Church Planting, Kewalo Basin, and the Future of Hawaii’s Revival

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In the conclusion of this three-part conversation, Ralph and John look ahead. What started as a church plant in Waimanalo is quickly becoming a statewide movement. John shares his passion for equipping local leaders, planting new churches, and creating space for authentic encounters with God in places like Kewalo Basin. From prophetic moments to financial faith, this episode captures the heart behind the house—why it matters, where it’s going, and how people across the islands are being drawn into something fresh, Spirit-led, and deeply rooted in love for Hawaii.

Connect with John Termini and The House Established:

Email: JT@thehouseest.com
Website: thehouseest.com
Facebook: The House Established
YouTube: The House Established

John Termini – Part 2 of 3 – Planting Roots & Rooms

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In Part 2 of this compelling conversation, Ralph Moore continues his dialogue with John Termini, pastor of The House Established in Waimanalo. This episode digs into the importance of permanence, presence, and place—how buying a home, loving a neighborhood, and honoring the land itself has shaped John’s approach to church planting in Hawaii. John also unpacks the vision behind their “rooms,” a deeply relational model of small groups rooted in shared meals and authentic discipleship. It’s a beautiful look at how sustainable ministry grows when leaders serve humbly, stay planted, and embrace both local culture and kingdom rhythms.

John Termini – Part 1 of 3 – From Manhattan to Waimanalo

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this first installment of a three-part conversation, Ralph sits down with John Termini, founding pastor of The House Established in Waimanalo, Hawaii. John shares his unlikely journey from New York’s commercial real estate world and Hillsong NYC to planting a thriving church in one of Oahu’s most local communities. With heartfelt honesty and unexpected connections (including Ralph’s early discipleship of John’s in-laws), this episode explores the risk, obedience, and supernatural provision that marked the early days of The House. It’s a powerful story of how God calls, equips, and builds His Church in the most surprising ways.

Keeya Vawar – Part 3 of 3 – Cross-Cultural Church Planting and Rescuing the Trafficked

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In the final part of her story, Keeya offers a behind-the-scenes look at Mosaic Mission Network—a church planting movement serving Liberian and African pastors in Texas and beyond. She also shares the heartbreaking and hopeful work she’s doing in Kenya, where women trafficked on the streets are crying out for safety, dignity, and a church that welcomes them. From shared worship spaces in the U.S. to sewing rooms in Nairobi, Keeya shows what it looks like when God turns pain into purpose.

Links and Resources Mentioned in this epiosde:

Keeya Vawar – Part 2 of 3 – Deliverance, Discipleship, and Meeting Her Husband

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Picking up where part one left off, Keeya recounts her return to Dallas after a mental health crisis and her path to freedom through Jesus. She shares how deliverance, discipleship, and deep healing helped rebuild her life—and how God led her to John, a West African pastor who would later become her husband. This episode explores themes of spiritual warfare, restoration, and the early days of a multicultural ministry that’s still bearing fruit today.

Keeya Vawar – Part 1 of 3 – Trauma, Trafficking, and the God Who Rescues

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this gripping first installment, Ralph sits down with Keeya Vawar to unpack her unimaginable journey—from surviving domestic violence and running away from home, to being trafficked as a teenager by figures in the music industry. Keeya shares how her story of exploitation became the foundation for a powerful ministry, reaching others who are walking the same dark road she once did. This episode sets the stage for a testimony of redemption that only God could write.

Daniel Williams – Part 3 of 3 – Merging Churches and Multiplying Culture

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In Part 3, Ralph and Daniel dive into the messy miracle of church mergers. Daniel explains how his small but missionally agile church merged with a grieving congregation twice its size—and how culture, not structure, was the real challenge. He shares practical wisdom for leading through ethnic, generational, and stylistic diversity with humility, relational investment, and a long view of culture formation. The episode closes with a heartfelt encouragement to small church pastors: your faithfulness matters more than your numbers.

Topics Covered:

Why culture—not systems—is the key to a successful merger
Leading with your life before you cast vision
Building a third culture through relationship
Encouragement for small church pastors: redefine success

Daniel Williams – Part 2 of 3 – Bi-Vocational Hustle and Open Mic Evangelism

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In Part 2, Daniel opens up about the early grind of bi-vocational ministry—selling women’s shoes by day and planting a church by night. He shares creative, relational approaches to mission: running an open mic in a downtown bar, starting third-space Bible studies near recovery meetings, and building trust with unchurched locals. You’ll hear how an offhand comment from a friend sparked an Easter launch—and why Daniel believes slow, relational, Spirit-led planting builds deeper foundations than launch-day hype.

Topics Covered:

How to fund a parachute church plant
Making disciples through bar open mics and kickball teams
Third spaces vs. Sunday gatherings
Starting with the Gospel instead of the event

Daniel Williams – Part 1 of 3 – Church Planting in Hard Soil

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In Part 1 of this inspiring conversation, Ralph Moore sits down with Daniel Williams, lead pastor of Calvary Chapel of the Palm Beaches. Daniel shares his roots growing up in a Calvary Chapel church planting family, the moment he made faith his own, and how a missions trip ignited his calling. He recounts his journey from a youth group Bible study to an accidental church plant in Washington—and eventually to a Spirit-led parachute plant 3,000 miles away in South Florida. You’ll hear about planting without a team, reaching people in recovery, and building church in one of the most unchurched parts of the U.S.

Topics Covered:

How a missions trip changed Daniel’s life
The spiritual hunger he found in hard places
Parachute planting without a core team
Why church planting isn’t the same as starting services

Developing Church Planters – Matt Ulrich & Christine Sepulveda – Part 3 of 3

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Raising people up to send out as church planters is a daunting task. A flurry of questions present themselves: where do I find a leader, how do I prepare them, who will replace them? In this episode, Matt and Christine flip the script and dig into how Ralph identified, trained, and replaced church planters while leading the Hope Chapel Movement

Breathing New Life Through Microchurches – Matt Ulrich & Christine Sepulveda – Part 2 of 3

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Much of the Church in the U.S. needs new life breathed into it, just as it did when Ralph starting multiplying Hope Chapels. In this episode, Matt and Christine talk about the vision that Greenhouse Church has to saturate Florida through disciple making, mirroring what happened with Hope Chapel. This conversation is packed with insight, reflection, and driving factors behind being used by God: surrender and humility.

Relational Environments – Matt Ulrich & Christine Sepulveda – Part 1 of 3

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

It's easy and common to turn church gatherings into preaching events where just hear a message and leave. Jesus though was highly relational and disciple making should follow His pattern. Greenhouse Church in Florida follows this relational emphasis.

In this podcast, you'll hear from two of Greenhouse's pastors who are focused on church planting – Matt Ulrich and Christine Sepulveda. Their personal stories and focus on planting new works draw out the importance of creating spaces where people can feel seen and accepted.

Discipleship and Being Like Jesus – Alan Hirsch – Part 2 of 2

Fri, 30 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

If Jesus showed up today, would he be welcome in most churches? Perhaps not, and that's what Alan and Ralph unpack in this episode. Christians should be known for being like Jesus and helping others be like him as well. Too often, we let other things get in the way, but this conversation helps us refocus on what's most important.

Alan Hirsch – Part 1 of 2 – The Road to Missional Church Planting

Fri, 23 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Alan Hirsch helped to open up a new way of thinking among church planters and leaders all over the world. But what made him start writing and speaking prophetically? What shaped his ministry along the way? Ralph and Alan talk about their younger years and how formative moments and God's persistent pressing created the unique voice that they both brought to the evangelical world.

David Cobia – Part 2 of 2 – Reimagining Spiritual Direction

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

David Cobia's church focuses on helping people establish new rhythms that lead to spiritual growth. Their gatherings are designed to help facilitate each individual's journey through encouragement and invitation. Together, David and Ralph talk about the unique initiatives that David has spearheaded and how others can jump in and benefit from the path he's blazed.

David Cobia – Part 1 of 2 – Reimagining Church

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

David Cobia leads a church that is a mission to the creatives in Los Angeles. Rather than finding a group of Christians to gain critical mass and start a traditional worship service, David went back to the drawing board and came up with a new form that blended digital and physical while overcoming some of the barriers that turn people away from traditional church.

Tobi Ishitobi – Part 2 of 2 – The Blessings of Disruption

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Tobi Ishitobi's church saw a lot of disruption, with people leaving to other congregations, after COVID. For some, this might have been a cause for alarm, but for Tobi, it helped build unity and momentum. While disrupted, they discovered more blessings than drawbacks.

Tobi Ishitobi - Part 1 of 2 – Bridging Cultures

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Tobi Ishitobi leads a church with both Japanese and English speaking congregations, and is seeing growth and interest among young people joining and becoming activated in their faith. Despite a strong community of believers supporting him early on, bridging cultures between Japanese & American while conducting a merger between an existing church and a church plant presented a unique and difficult challenge. On the other side of it, Tobi has a treasure trove of wisdom for those that are involved in mergers or intercultural ministry.

Curtis Hunnicutt – Part 3 of 3 – Leading Like Jesus

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Leading like Jesus can't be boiled down to a science. It's about listening to what the Holy Spirit wants to do every day and watching for the fruits of the spirit. Curtis Hunnicutt explains how he integrates this into his daily rhythms and it empowers him for ministry.

In this episode you'll hear about

Paying attention to the metrics of Jesus
Listening to the Holy Spirit
How studying history teaches you to navigate situations

Curtis Hunnicutt – Part 2 of 3 – Stepping Out in Faith

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this podcast, Curtis Hunnicutt and Ralph Moore have a conversation about walking in faith. They share personal stories about prayer, power, and God's response.

In this episode you'll hear about

How to make room for God to move
Being expectant and obedient
Stepping out in spite of your fears

Curtis Hunnicutt – Part 1 of 3 – Trusting God's Process

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0400

What do you do when the path forward is uncertain? Hold on to the last thing God told you to do. That's Curtis Hunnicutt's story after God called him to move from the United States to Sweden. Listen in as he shares the story of how God has moved and used him to make disciples and plant churches.

In this episode you'll hear about

How to be obedient and wait for God's timing
Stepping out in faith during times of uncertainty
How to forge lasting partnerships

Jared Milam – Part 3 of 3 – Tilling Difficult Soil

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Apartment communities are some of the least reached areas of the United States. That means it's going to take a while to see results. Jared Milam explains how he has had to be patient and be ok with troubleshooting while on mission to reach his apartment community. Together, he talks with Ralph about how to be faithful in this process, the finances of small churches, and how to get started in your own community.

In this episode you'll hear about

Finances of small churches
Being open to troubleshooting on mission
Staying patient while waiting for fruit

Jared Milam – Part 2 of 3 – Making Yourself Available on Mission

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0400

95% of people living in apartments do not go to church. Jared Milam wants to change that. He considers this an unreached people group in our backyard and focuses on planting churches to reach this community. He explains that meeting neighbors in an apartment community is much easier than many other places, so the opportunity for the gospel is significant.

In this episode you'll hear about

How to connect with your neighbors
Why planting churches in apartment communities is an urgent need in America
How to begin reaching an apartment community

Jared Milam – Part 1 of 3 – Creating a Culture of Change

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Keeping your ministry vibrant involves change, which inevitably ruffles feathers. Ralph and Jared Milam talk about their experiences trying to promote radical change within their congregations and how best to go about doing that. In addition, you'll hear about Jared's journey towards planting in apartament communities.

In this episode you'll hear about

The challenges of culture clashes in ministry
Facing financial obstacles
Implementing radical change slowly

Pete Lhamon Part 2 of 2 – Motivating Christians Towards Discipleship

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In recent years, Pete Lhamon has shifted much of his disciple making efforts from nonbelievers to existing Christians. Why? Because he sees them as an untapped army of missionaries who can disciple nonbelievers much faster than he can. Check out this episode to hear more about everyday disciple making.

Pete Lhamon Part 1 of 2 – The Journey Towards Disciple Making

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Pete Lhamon is a full time disciple maker and a part time general contractor. Ralph interviews Pete in this episode on his journey towards that point, which hasn't always been linear. Pete's story is marked by his faithfulness across several contexts and relational investments from others. You'll hear about how God can take a variety of circumstances and work them together for spiritual renewal.

Wes Duff on Mission and Relationships

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Something special happens where mission and relationships intersect. Wes Duff leads a unique camp for youth that gets them out on evangelistic mission in the community while also connecting them to adults in the church to guide them. This intergenerational practice helps make the Bible relevant and personal, keeping youth involved in mission for the long haul.

In this episode you'll hear about

The importance of intergenerational relationships
The transformative power of being on mission
The most practical ways to get people on mission

Let Go of the Ring Webinar – Part 2 of 2

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0400

This episode features Ralph Moore as Peyton Jones moderates audience Q&A with him on the newly released version of Let Go of the Ring, which chronicles how Ralph's hands on disciple making led to over 2700 churches being planted. Click here to get a copy of the book.

Let Go of the Ring Webinar – Part 1 of 2

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0400

This episode features Ralph Moore as Peyton Jones interviews him on the newly released version of Let Go of the Ring, which chronicles how Ralph's hands on disciple making led to over 2700 churches being planted. Click here to get a copy of the book.

John Bacigalupo – Part 4 of 4 – The Power of a Small Congregation

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

You don't have to have a big church to have a big impact. John Bacigalupo's church waxes and wanes as its primarily military members get redeployed; at its largest, it's a church of 80. Despite this, their open-handedness has resulted in many churches being planted and people reached through outreach ministries, both in Japan and in places like the Philippines.

In this episode you'll hear about

The power of personally engaging on mission
How churches can support each other's missions
Remaining faithful in uncertainty

John Bacigalupo – Part 3 of 4 – God's Surprising Methods of Provision

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

As John Bacigalupo's church grew, they sought to buy a property that could more comfortably house their congregation...to no avail. God kept closing doors time after time. Ultimately he had a plan for the church that was better than what they could have planned out on their own.

In this episode you'll hear about

How God provides in surprising ways
How dying can open doors to the gospel and Kingdom expansion
Paying it forward through blessing church plants

John Bacigalupo – Part 2 of 4 – Church Planting in the Military

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Church planting in military communities is difficult work because people are uprooted every few years to new places. By the time a church gets established, it's essentially time to plant again. John Bacigalupo shares his journey of moving from Hawaii to Japan with the military and planting a church in the process, which is full of obstacles and God's provision.

In this episode you'll hear about

How God brings people together for common missions
The challenges of church planting in military communities
Overcoming financial challenges in church planting

John Bacigalupo – Part 1 of 4 – Faith Through Determination

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

John Bacigalupo was a determined individual and worked his way into the marines despite failing entrance exams; he refused to give up on his dream. While stationed in Okinawa, Bacigalupo encountered an equally determined God who overcame all of his objections and brought him into an unlikely faith community.

In this episode you'll hear about

God's power and ability to draw people to him
How determination opens closed doors
The gospel reaching across racial lines

Clinton Morris Part – 3 of 3 – Four Spaces for Ministry

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Clinton Morris shares four conceptual spaces that he moves people through as he helps them along their journey towards Jesus. These spaces allow unbelievers to self-select in or out of deeper levels without unnecessary pressure.

In this podcast, you'll hear about

How to invite people into deeper levels of relationship and spiritual conversations
Helping people feel comfortable enough to ask questions and explore their faith
Finding new measures of success for the Church

To find out more from Clinton Morris, visit 4-spaces.org

Clinton Morris Part – 2 of 3 – Relational Evangelism

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Clinton Morris shares several stories about people in his gaming communities coming to faith in Jesus. Clinton and his family rely heavily on relational evangelism, building relationships with unbelievers over time, and have seen dramatic results.

In this podcast, you'll hear about

How to deepen relationships in your community
Demonstrating love and care to people who might be resistant to Christianity
Having the patience to build relationships instead of only proclaiming the gospel from a stage

Clinton Morris – Part 1 of 3 – Reaching Nerd Culture

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

There are 3.23 billion gamers in the world, and most churches don't consider this segment of society. Clinton Morris has become a missionary in this culture and the principles he's using to reach gamers are transferable to church planters anywhere.

In this podcast, you'll hear about

How to leverage your hobbies for the Gospel
Utilizing technologies without losing a personal touch
Creating welcoming environments

Dave Robinson – Part 3 of 3 – Successful Succession

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Every pastor is an interim pastor, but few plan well for succession. A few years ago, Dave Robinson passed his church off to Andy Wiedemann and talks about that experience and what the team got right in this episode.

In this podcast, you'll hear about

The importance of identifying leaders for succession
Best practices for healthy succession
How to be willing to be creative and open to change in the midst of transition

Dave Robinson – Part 2 of 3 – Embracing New Models for Community Impact

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

This week on the podcast, Dave Robinson returns to talk about how his church utilized their building in unique ways to serve and engage with the community, while providing some much needed income.

In this podcast, you'll hear about

How to establish a community hub
Leveraging microchurches and navigating the transition to them
Building strong relationships among leadership and the congregation

Dave Robinson – Part 1 of 3 – Calling and Courage

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

This week, Ralph is joined by Dave Robinson who shares his journey from salvation through nearly three decades of ministry. Dave talks about his decision to go into full time ministry, then leave for other jobs, before returning to pastoral ministry. If you're considering your calling and whether to change your ministry capacity, then you don't want to miss this episode.

In this podcast, you'll hear about:

How to discern your calling and walk bravely in it
How to set boundaries and know when it might be time to leave a role
The dangers of elevating the pastoral role too highly

Andy Wiedemann – Part 3 of 3 – The Evolving Role of Pastors in Ministry

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Traditionally, pastors are the ones who do the ministry while everybody else watches. This is not the way God intended the Church to operate and it won't work in the future. In this episode, Andy Wiedemann talks about how leading a network of house churches has helped him move beyond doing all of the ministry work.

In this podcast, you'll hear about:

Rethinking the pastor's role in house churches
The importance of personal relationships in ministry
How every member of the church can participate in disciple making

Andy Wiedemann – Part 2 of 3 – Innovating with Church Facilities

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Most churches view their facility as a space they can use for Sunday services or an office. However, your facility is a key way that you interact with your surrounding community. Andy Wiedemann shares his experience in transitioning from owning a facility to selling it and becoming a decentralized collection of house churches.

In this podcast, you'll hear about:

Why you facility is an important way your church relates to the community
Making your space belong to the community
The challenges of transitioning your space

Andy Wiedemann – Part 1 of 3 – How God Shapes Us for the Road Ahead

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Ralph is joined by Andy Wiedemann, who leads Elizabethtown First Church of God. Andy explains how his past experiences in ministry and discipleship allowed him to find success when God threw unexpected opportunities at him (like a heavy metal punk venue) to provide gospel inroads.

In this podcast, you'll hear about:

Moments that shape our calling
How relationships are key to discipleship
Leveraging unexpected opportunities for building relationships

John DeVincent – Part 3 of 3 – Preparing the Way for the Future

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Sometimes, in our eagerness for change and expanding God's kingdom, we move too fast and don't step into God's plans fully prepared and effective. As he helps his church reach the next generation, John DeVincent shares about how God has given him the patience to do things well and be an effective change agent.

In this podcast, you'll hear about:

Finding the right times to take the next step in ministry
Transitioning to contemporary worship services
Impacting others through sermons and scripture

John DeVincent – Part 2 of 3 – Navigating Change in Legacy Churches

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

It can be very difficult to help older churches make the necessary changes to stay healthy and vibrant. Our traditions can get in the way of reaching new people as the world changes around us. In this episode, John DeVincent shares how he's been patiently navigating change and encouraging the next generation in his own church.

In this podcast, you'll hear about:

Promoting change while honoring older leaders
Encouraging the next generation
Promoting unity within a congregation

John DeVincent – Part 1 of 3 – How God Surprises Us with the Unexpected

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Whether it's ourselves or others, God often uses unexpected circumstances and people to accomplish his plans. That's been Ralph Moore's story and it's been John DeVincent's story. Time and time again, God took John's life in unexpected directions, but has always provided.

In this podcast, you'll hear about:

Why it's important to be patient in ministry
How God activated John DeVincent's passions on a mission trip to Uganda
How to stay encouraged when change seems slow to come

Brady Blasdel – Part 3 of 3 – Creating Welcoming Environments

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Our mission as the church is to reach people who don't know Jesus and a critical component of that is making sure that your church provides a welcoming environment for new people. Brady Blasdel and Ralph talk about how to find persons of peace and minister to people who are very different than you.

In this podcast, you'll hear about:

How to prayerfully seek out people of peace who can help bridge the gap between the church and the changing neighborhood.
The importance of recognizing and overcoming cultural superiority, and embracing diversity to better serve the community.
The importance of providing excellent congregational care to create a safe and loving church community.

Brady Blasdel – Part 2 of 3 – Developing Authentic, Diverse Relationships

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

While we want our churches to reflect the diversity of our community, we can't just pursue diversity for its own sake. Our relationships with the people in our community have to be authentic. In this episode, Ralph and Brady Blasdel discuss how to build friendships with the people around us.

In this podcast, you'll hear about:

Brady discusses the shift in focus from targeting only a specific demographic to reaching a more diverse population.
Ralph emphasizes the need for authentic relationships in sharing the message of Jesus.
Brady introduces the concept of the six gears of conversation, highlighting the importance of genuine concern and interest in others.

Brady Blasdel – Part 1 of 3 – Compassion for Your Community

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Brady Blasdel explains how God helped him notice and have compassion for those that were hurting and far from God in his community. As a pastor in the whitest denomination in America living in the most diverse city in America, that meant that it was a unique and culturally diverse learning experience.

In this podcast, you'll hear about how:

Brady realized his predominantly white congregation was surrounded by non-English speaking individuals and saw it as an opportunity to serve the community.
Brady's experience with a mall micro church led by John Luke shaped his perspective on the importance of a smaller, more inclusive approach to church.
Brady witnessed the transformation of a church from white pastors to African American pastors, inspiring the successful transition of his own church to a unified Anglo-Hispanic congregation.

Nate Buck – Part 2 of 2 – The Danger of Dependency on Leaders

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Great leadership is a blessing, but it can put you in danger in some ways. Oftentimes, great leaders are so capable that they don't empower the next generation to take over or grow in their own leadership. When that happens, our churches are in for troubled times ahead.

In this podcast, you'll hear about:

Ralph talks about how high-capacity leaders can become targets for moral or financial failures, creating a dependency that hinders the goal of the gospel.
The values underpinning Ralph's mission, including listening to the voice of God, adjusting to His leading, and trusting the Holy Spirit.
Why Ralph focused on creating a culture that prioritizes discovering, developing, and deploying disciples as Jesus commanded.

Nate Buck – Part 1 of 2 – The Importance of Covocational Ministry

Fri, 31 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

When Nate Buck wanted to free up funds for his ministry, he decided to work another job – going covocational. But rather than being a fallback, Nate and Ralph see this as a valuable strategy for church planting. Listen in and discover why covocationalism is a rising trend and may be something to consider for your ministry.

In this podcast:

Nate shares his experience in covocational ministry, where he worked for UPS while planting a church, and how it helped him become a better leader.
Nate and Ralph discuss the potential positive effects of prioritizing people development and unifying the church.
Ralph reflects on his book 'Starting a New Church' which focused more on launching large churches rather than discipleship.
Nate and Ralph discussed the importance of relationship and setting the stage for people to encounter God, recognizing that it cannot be programmed or forced.

Neil Cole - part 4 of 4 Gleaning Life from the 5 Journeys of Paul

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0400

In this fourth and final podcast built on the Neil Cole interview we watch Paul as he matures over five journeys—this is about spiritual formation and missional results.

While the first missionary journey finds him leaving churches without much leadership, the second reflects the importance of raising leaders from the harvest.

On the third trip, he explodes with effectiveness as he stays in one place, teaching daily in the school of Tyrannus—archaeology reveals 20 churches in Asia Minor that could trace roots to Paul in Ephesus.

Few recognize the fourth journey as a missionary outing, but it was in chains that he spoke to men and women of great influence. He changed the course of human history through his efforts under house arrest in Rome.

The fifth journey is after the first imprisonment and at its conclusion in death.

Apparently, just prior to execution, he wrote to Timothy, “You then, my son in faith, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

While we treasure those words, we seldom think of arrest and final imprisonment as an afterglow to a life well lived.

We talked about how spiritual formation can be simultaneously jarring and positive. This was an apt conclusion to a great interview.

Neil is accessible and willing to connect. You could hookup via social media or neilcole@aol.com.

Neil Cole - part 3 Pain!

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0400

This third portion of the Neil Cole interview will cause you pain.

He starts with his early life and then deep dives into a time when God put him on a shelf with no ministry outlet. Ignored by churches, he couldn’t even get a job at Walmart.

Neil finally found income as a driver for Lyft and Uber. That, along with his wife’s salary as a teacher in a public school system, met their needs.

What painfully amazed me was his heart for God during those dark days. Where I would have reacted in anger, he did so with hope and even joy.

Eventually, we got into a fruitful discussion about getting our “stuff” from the Holy Spirit rather than copying others. The upshot is that even Paul modeled his teaching after Stephen during his first journey but grew past imitation in later years.

Neil is accessible and willing to connect. You could hookup via social media or neilcole@aol.com.

Neil Cole part 2 - Life In the Desert

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0400

In part two of my interview with Neil Cole, we get into the guts of rapid church growth through the multiplication of tiny disciplemaking entities.

Neil begins to unpack his desert years where he went from life as a prolific author and speaker to absolute zero. The wonder of this is how God used that time to prepare him for an explosion of ministry in the current stage of his life.

One product of life in the desert is an update and upgrade of a previous book he wrote called Journeys. The new title is Journeys: Discovering God’s Paths of Spiritual Formation Building to a Strong Finish. I recently discovered that it launched at the top of Amazon’s sales category for Christian leadership.

Better than that discovery, I’ve been reading it along with my morning devotions. I've found new courage and made several decisions as a result.

The power in the book is the synthesis of Paul’s five journeys in Acts with various statements he made in the epistles. This is history unfolded and it deeply impacted how I see myself at the current stage of my life.

Neil is accessible and willing to connect. You could hookup via social media or neilcole@aol.com.

Neil Cole and a Funny Story

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0400

Neil is one of my favorite people, and how we met is one of my favorite stories.

He had followed me to four cities where I was teaching the same material—I thought he was a stalker until he told me what he was up to.

He brought his team to that last seminar believing in what I taught, but “…your numbers are wrong!”

After sharing lunch with his dozen friends, I was convinced that my numbers were wrong.

You’ll need to listen to the podcast to understand the numbers thing.

In this episode, we discuss everything from rapid multiplication to “adolescent rebellion” amongst disciples (Paul experienced this, too).

We get into the stuff Neil wrote in those early years and how today he’s discovering people doing what he wrote in places like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan

and even India. The story is humorous in that those people have invited Neil into their countries, not knowing that he generated the tools they’ve been using to make disciples.

Neil is accessible and willing to connect. You could hookup via social media or neilcole@aol.com.

Whatever Became of Myron Pierce? - part 2 of 2

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 01:00:00 -0400

Just before Christmas in 2022, Myron Pierce shocked his family, friends and congregation when he appeared in a string of erratic Instagram posts.

He had lost touch with reality, acting out behaviors no one would ever expect from the veteran of over a decade of outstanding ministry and church multiplication.

Everything got pushed aside in favor of a life that no one could be proud of.

Because of his insane behavior and outlandish activities, those of us who were friends with him sometimes wondered who we saw on our screens. It couldn't have been the same person we knew.

He finally called almost three months into his downward slide to say that he had been diagnosed with type one bipolar disorder and that he was checking into a clinic.

Just one year after getting help, we decided to do this interview. The goal is to update those who worried and prayed for him. This is NOT an attempt to re-insert him into pastoral ministry.

Myron is working hard to care for his family and run his businesses as healing

continues. If God wants him to return to pastoral ministry, that would be a long way off.

A standout in the discussion is Josh Dotzler. In their formative days, Josh and Myron partnered in ministry. Josh’s dad, Ron, initially pulled Myron into pastoral ministry. The important thing is that Josh was there for Myron and his family, albeit in different ways, both during and after the mess. He continues to play a crucial role in healing the family.

Aside from church work, Myron is a serial entrepreneur. He continues to help others build businesses in difficult, even blighted places. One of his training centers for startup businesses is in Gary, Indiana.

Despite his departure from traditional pastoral ministry, he keeps sharing his faith in Jesus and works to bring the gospel into everything he does. No longer a pastor, he continues to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Connect via ownthepondnetwork.com

or email him at thisisus@ownthepondnetwork.com

Whatever Became of Myron Pierce?

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 01:00:00 -0400

Just before Christmas in 2022, Myron Pierce alarmed his family, friends and the church he had pastored.

He shocked us all while appearing in a string of erratic Instagram posts.

He had lost touch with reality, acting out behaviors no one would ever expect from the veteran of over a decade of outstanding ministry and church multiplication.

Everything got pushed aside in favor of a life that no one could be proud of.

Because of his insane behavior and outlandish activities, those of us who were friends with him sometimes wondered who we saw on our screens. It couldn't have been the same person we knew.

He finally called almost three months into his downward slide to say that he had been diagnosed with type one bipolar disorder and that he was checking into a clinic.

Just one year after getting help, we decided to do this interview. The goal is to update those who worried and prayed for him. This is NOT an attempt to re-insert him into pastoral ministry.

Myron is working hard to care for his family and run his businesses as healing continues. If God wants him to return to pastoral ministry, that would be a long way off.

Despite his departure from traditional pastoral ministry, he keeps sharing his faith in Jesus and works to bring the gospel into everything he does.

No longer a pastor, he continues to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Connect via ownthepondnetwork.com

or email him at thisisus@ownthepondnetwork.com

Ron Nishihara: Confronting Cancer in an Online Microchurch - part 2

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 01:15:00 -0400

Ron Nishihara, a Honolulu architect, discusses how he established an online microchurch to support people struggling with cancer.

Confronted with his own cancer, Ron’s mentor, Tom Nakamine, helped him overcome anxiety and regain composure. Their relationship led to an awareness of others facing the “big C.” Gathering a few friends, they birthed an online microchurch for cancer patients and survivors.

Tom moved to heaven early in the saga, but the group lives on.

Having begun with immediate friends, they now share with formerly unchurched people.

Bivocational leadership allows the group to focus on their love and hope quotients rather than measuring success by numbers or financial goals.

The upshot of Ron’s story is the power of population-targeted microchurches. Still a member of his home church, Ron sets an example of how a church member with access to another people group can extend the kingdom.

Ron emphasizes the value of having faith in Jesus’ plan for the world via disciplemaking and outward thinking.

According to Ron, the most critical factors that determine the success of their little church are the quality of their relationships with one another and their determination to share the gospel.

This episode will provoke thoughts of the possibility that there is a group of people in your church who possess unique access to a people group you are not yet reaching.

Ron Nishihara: Confronting Cancer in an Online Microchurch

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 01:00:00 -0400

Ron Nishihara, a Honolulu architect, discusses how he established an online microchurch to support people struggling with cancer.

Tom moved to heaven early in the saga, but the group lives on. Having begun with immediate friends, they now share with formerly unchurched people.

Bivocational leadership allows the group to focus on their love and hope quotients rather than measuring success by numbers or financial goals.

Ron emphasizes the value of having faith in Jesus’ plan for the world via disciplemaking and outward thinking.

According to Ron, the most critical factors that determine the success of their little church are the quality of their relationships with one another and their determination to share the gospel.

This episode will provoke thoughts of the possibility that there is a group of people in your church who possess unique access to a people group you are not reaching.

Dustin Nelson Planting Churches on Beaches in California - Part 3

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 09:03:00 -0400

Somewhat like Abram, Dustin and his wife felt called to another place without knowing quite where.

Feeling moved by God, they left their newly renovated home and teaching jobs in Florida to “move to California to start a church.”

There was no direction toward a specific town, so they moved to Oceanside because that was the first school system to offer his wife a job.

Having landed, their prayers for further direction led them to Ryan Delameter and OCNWTR churches.

Ryan offered the right kind of direction because that movement is built around very young people, mostly planting churches in coffee shops after closing time on weeknights.

Upon meeting Ryan, they decided the beach might be a better place, so they and two friends lit a bonfire one Friday night, offering s’mores to anyone who might stop to listen to the guitar and worship songs.

As you might imagine, they touch a broad mix of people.

Disenchanted former church members mix with people bound by drugs alongside homeless people looking for free food. They’ve even had a couple of crazies try to physically attack Dustin.

But following the Spirit has its rewards. There are now four churches spread along that stretch of beach. One meets in Malibu, though they’ve moved indoors. There are more, but we’ll let Dustin tell you about them in the interview.

The churches are called Jesus parties.

One important lesson is that you can start churches with almost no funds if you think bivocationally and are willing to meet in unorthodox places. The more significant lesson is that the Spirit is moving, and excitement lies in our path if we’re eager to follow.

Old men have a fondness for their younger days—for me, what I encounter when I’m with Dustin and his friends takes me back to the Jesus Revolution. There is a hint of something delicious in the air that I tasted very long ago…

You can follow these guys on Instagram at “jesuspartyca” or email Dustin at jesusparty@gmail.com.

Dustin Nelson Planting Churches on Beaches in California - Part 2

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 09:02:14 -0400

Somewhat like Abram, Dustin and his wife felt called to another place without knowing quite where.

Feeling moved by God, they left their newly renovated home and teaching jobs in Florida to “move to California to start a church.”

There was no direction toward a specific town, so they moved to Oceanside because that was the first school system to offer his wife a job.

Having landed, their prayers for further direction led them to Ryan Delameter and OCNWTR churches.

Ryan offered the right kind of direction because that movement is built around very young people, mostly planting churches in coffee shops after closing time on weeknights.

As you might imagine, they touch a broad mix of people.

Disenchanted former church members mix with people bound by drugs alongside homeless people looking for free food. They’ve even had a couple of crazies try to physically attack Dustin.

The churches are called Jesus parties.

You can follow these guys on Instagram at “jesuspartyca” or email Dustin at jesusparty@gmail.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dustin Nelson Planting Churches on Beaches in California

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 09:01:06 -0400

Somewhat like Abram, Dustin and his wife felt called to another place without knowing quite where.

Feeling moved by God, they left their newly renovated home and teaching jobs in Florida to “move to California to start a church.”

There was no direction toward a specific town, so they moved to Oceanside because that was the first school system to offer his wife a job.

Having landed, their prayers for further direction led them to Ryan Delameter and OCNWTR churches.

Ryan offered the right kind of direction because that movement is built around very young people, mostly planting churches in coffee shops after closing time on weeknights.

As you might imagine, they touch a broad mix of people.

Disenchanted former church members mix with people bound by drugs alongside homeless people looking for free food. They’ve even had a couple of crazies try to physically attack Dustin.

The churches are called Jesus parties.

You can follow these guys on Instagram at “jesuspartyca” or email Dustin at jesusparty@gmail.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Absolom Interviews Ralph Moore - Jesus Revolution Part 3 of 3

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 09:11:57 -0400

Alex and I had a great time reviewing the Jesus Revolution and the part Hope Chapel played in it.

It was what historians call a spiritual awakening. I only realized that as it ended. Until then my peer group mostly thought we were smarter than those who had preceded us.

It couldn't be called just a revival as it wasn't about reviving a dying church but effected a transformation in the outside culture. One of the early earmarks of the movement was the presence of miracles. Mostly we saw people delivered from the grip of hard drugs without counseling or treatment. But there were healings, events involving protection from fires and extreme weather, and of course healings.

The Jesus Revolution movie is worth watching as it catches much of what the Spirit was doing. However, it would need to be a prolonged series to fully depict those exciting times.

After others view the film I get asked, "Did those things really happen?" The answer is that those things did happen but in a larger sense than could be depicted on film. The baptisms were bigger. The miracles were everyday events. Chuck Smith was a great Bible teacher going into it and Lonnie Frisbee was no rebel but had a supernatural anointing that caused some leaders discomfort.

I hope the talk Alex initiated will strengthen you in your own hunger for more from God.

For more from Alex check his website at dandelionresourcing.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Absolom Interviews Ralph Moore - Jesus Revolution Part 2

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 09:05:46 -0400

Alex and I had a great time reviewing the Jesus Revolution and the part Hope Chapel played in it.

It was what historians call a spiritual awakening. I only realized that as it ended. Until then my peer group mostly thought we were smarter than those who had preceded us.

The Jesus Revolution movie is worth watching as it catches much of what the Spirit was doing. However, it would need to be a prolonged series to fully depict those exciting times.

I hope the talk Alex initiated will strengthen you in your own hunger for more from God.

For more from Alex check his website at Dandelion Resourcing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Absolom Interviews Ralph Moore - Jesus Revolution

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 09:01:39 -0400

Alex and I had a great time reviewing the Jesus Revolution and the part Hope Chapel played in it.

It was what historians call a spiritual awakening. I only realized that as it ended. Until then my peer group mostly thought we were smarter than those who had preceded us.

The Jesus Revolution movie is worth watching as it catches much of what the Spirit was doing. However, it would need to be a prolonged series to fully depict those exciting times.

I hope the talk Alex initiated will strengthen you in your own hunger for more from God.

For more from Alex check his website at Dandelion Resourcing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jervie Windom: Hub and Spoke in Action - part 3 of 3

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 09:03:00 -0400

I met Jervie Windham a few years ago at an exponential event and was immediately impressed.

Here's a guy who started three churches while he was a career military officer: one in Korea and two in the United States. So, he was a seasoned man with big ideas about planting a conventional church.

We talked about what we were beginning to call micro church at the time. To date, he's planted a hub church with micro churches all around his community of Texas City, Texas. They utilize unique locations in the city and in rural areas beyond it. A large group meets on Sunday morning, but there are far more people meeting in the small spaces.

In this podcast, he describes churches in barber shops. He started one microchurch in a barber college, got involved in counseling the young students there, and was invited to set up microchurches in three barber colleges and a beauty school. Now, those who graduated are starting little churches in their barber shops. They're doing evangelism and they're discipling their members.

As this caught on, they've got a crazy thing going on at a deer rescue ranch that will surprise you as he talks about it.

He goes on further and talks about personal problems and the pains that go on in ministry. He details the struggle in his own household when raising one of his kids was really, really tough. However, that story ends nicely. His “problem child” just graduated from medical school as a young doctor bent on using his medical practice as a way of bringing the Gospel to people.

This is an exciting, encouraging and encouraging podcast. If you're discouraged, this is for you. If you're encouraged and up, you'll be excited and encouraged that much further.

You can connect with Jervie at Resonate Church or jervie.windom@gmail.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jervie Windom: Hub and Spoke in Action - part 2

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 09:03:36 -0400

I met Jervie Windham a few years ago at an exponential event and was immediately impressed.

As this caught on, they've got a crazy thing going on at a deer rescue ranch that will surprise you as he talks about it.

This is an exciting, encouraging and encouraging podcast. If you're discouraged, this is for you. If you're encouraged and up, you'll be excited and encouraged that much further.

You can connect with Jervie at Resonate Church or jervie.windom@gmail.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jervie Windom: Hub and Spoke in Action

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 09:01:51 -0400

I met Jervie Windham a few years ago at an exponential event and was immediately impressed.

As this caught on, they've got a crazy thing going on at a deer rescue ranch that will surprise you as he talks about it.

This is an exciting, encouraging and encouraging podcast. If you're discouraged, this is for you. If you're encouraged and up, you'll be excited and encouraged that much further.

You can connect with Jervie at Resonate Church or jervie.windom@gmail.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russell Joyce - Hope Brooklyn NY & Faith Center, Eugene OR (Part 3 of 3)

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 08:03:12 -0400

Russell Joyce planted Hope Brooklyn and now leads Faith Center Eugene, one of the most significant churches in Oregon.

My friend Bill Gross discipled him as a young man at Hope Chapel Apex, NC. After graduating from seminary, he and a small team planted a church affiliated with Drew Hyun, Edwin Colon and New City Network.

Part of Russell’s story involves Edwin’s generosity when he offered free meeting space (a rare commodity in New York) to a church centered a location just two blocks away. That generosity characterizes New City Network.

Around the time the Spirit began nudging him to hand off the Brooklyn church, he was asked to assume the leadership of Faith Center – during COVID.

He describes the strength he gained via the trials of the pandemic and its attendant isolation, along with the charge from the previous pastor, Steve Overman, him to be his own man rather than give place to the giants who had gone before him.

Besides leading the Eugene congregation, Russell heads “Foursquare Multiply” the church planting arm of that denomination. He describes their efforts as a trellis to aid others as their vine grows to fruitfulness.

A mutual friend brought us together, so I first met Russell in this interview. But it felt like meeting an old friend partly due to shared values but also because our lives were shaped by some of the same people.

Russell pastors the church planted by my friend and “older brother” Roy Hicks Jr. It was Roy who set the bar for church planting in our early years in Hermosa. Steve Overman, who followed Roy and now supports Russell, is an admired friend. Bill Gross came up in Hope Chapel Hermosa during my last few years there – and he continues to influence me when we interact.

You may ask yourself, “Isn’t a lot of name-dropping happening here?”

There is!

It’s because meeting Russell so underscored how we’re “no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”

You can connect with Russell through the email at faithcenter.org. his Instagram or foursquaremultiply.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russell Joyce - Hope Brooklyn NY & Faith Center, Eugene OR (Part 2)

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 08:12:38 -0400

Russell Joyce planted Hope Brooklyn and now leads Faith Center Eugene, one of the most significant churches in Oregon.

Around the time the Spirit began nudging him to hand off the Brooklyn church, he was asked to assume the leadership of Faith Center – during COVID.

You may ask yourself, “Isn’t a lot of name-dropping happening here?”

There is!

You can connect with Russell through the email at faithcenter.org. his Instagram or foursquaremultiply.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russell Joyce - Hope Brooklyn NY & Faith Center, Eugene OR

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 16:25:57 -0400

Russell Joyce planted Hope Brooklyn and now leads Faith Center Eugene, one of the most significant churches in Oregon.

Around the time the Spirit began nudging him to hand off the Brooklyn church, he was asked to assume the leadership of Faith Center – during COVID.

You may ask yourself, “Isn’t a lot of name-dropping happening here?”

There is!

You can connect with Russell through the email at faithcenter.org. his Instagram or foursquaremultiply.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kenneth Makuakāne: Joining Hawaii's First Spiritual Awakening to Its Most Recent - Part 4 of 4

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 08:04:10 -0400

This is part four of a four-part podcast with deep interest to me.

My friend John Honold and I interviewed Kenneth Makuakane, a third-generation Hope Chapel Kaneohe Bay pastor.

He's an award-winning Waikiki entertainer concurrently leading the largest Hawaiian congregation in the state. The original missionaries planted the church.

As the story unfolds, I discipled John Honold, who multiplied several churches and leads a string of micro churches today. John now coaches Ken, whom he discipled decades ago. And Ken is plowing ground that lay fallow until his arrival. The church is growing, and elderly people often engage with street kids.

Most ethnic Hawaiians, whether they go to church or not, call Kawaiaha'o Church their home. This is significant as it links the first spiritual awakening in the Kingdom of Hawaii to the most recent in the State of Hawaii.

The congregation is steeped in tradition as it became the church home to the kings and queens of ancient Hawaii.

Beginning with the original New England-born missionaries in the early 1700s, Hawaii experienced four church-planting movements. In terms of per capita penetration, it remains the most successful awakening in human history.

The second planted churches among Japanese Americans. Thousands of Japanese immigrated to Hawaii to work in sugar plantations, and many came to Christ. Takie Okamura, the innovator God used to drive that awakening planted what we would call microchurches in the sugar cane camps. He ran a Japanese-language newspaper and invented language schools for evangelism. He also planted Makiki Christian Church which prevails today.

From the 1940s to the early 1980s or late 1970s, church multiplication centered on Olivet Baptist Church, which launched more than 40 congregations.

My friends and I showed up in 1983, thirty of us including children. We planted and multiplied 69 churches in the Hope Chapel arena in about 27 years. Shortly after our arrival Wayne Cordeiro launched the New Hope movement, which is responsible for another 69 congregations during those same years. Theirs are often larger than ours, but we were privileged to send a little more than 100 people to help launch New Hope Oahu, including their long-serving first worship band.

The greater excitement of the fourth awakening comes via hundreds of small churches planted after the example of the larger networks. These are mostly independent congregations. At one point, every public school in the state (650+) hosted at least one or more congregations. None started from the more noticeable movements.

This podcast is significant because Ken's role links the original spiritual awakening with the most recent.

I hope it blesses you as it has me. And I hope you'll join us for all four installments of this podcast.

If you need more information, you can learn about the church at https://kawaiahaochurch.com or connect with Ken via email.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kenneth Makuakāne: Joining Hawaii's First Spiritual Awakening to Its Most Recent - Part 3 of 4

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 08:03:25 -0400

This is part three of a four-part podcast with deep interest to me.