Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies

Hey Pastor, This week is Part 2 of my conversation with Sam Kayemba from Mityana, Uganda—a man on a mission to rescue orphans off the streets of Kampala and Mityana. What you're about to hear is heartbreaking—but it needs to be heard. Sam’s story is one of grit, faith, and fierce love for these kids. You’ll hear what it really takes to fight for children who’ve been abandoned, abused, and forgotte...

Hey Pastor, It never ceases to amaze me how powerfully God is moving across the world—and the fact that we get to be part of it? Even better. Back in January of 2025, I had the opportunity to travel to Uganda and witness firsthand the incredible things happening at an orphan village we’ve been connected to. The backstory is wild (and I’ll share it soon), but today, I want you to meet the story tha...

Hey Pastor, In this episode of Pastors Thriving , I sit down with fellow podcaster and visionary Rory Paquette. Rory has a heart for helping others find their voice and use it—literally—for the Kingdom. If you’ve ever dreamed about launching a podcast but didn’t know where to start, or if you've wondered how podcasting could both serve your church and generate additional income… this is your episo...

From I Can’t to I Did: The Journey That Will Change Your Life In this episode of Pastors Thriving , Kevin takes you behind the scenes of his brand-new book, Breaking the I Can’t Cycle: Moving Your Life from I Can’t to I Did! launching on May 6th . This isn’t just another leadership book—it’s a bold call to break free from the fears, false beliefs, and limiting mindsets that keep you stuck. Kevin s...

Hey Pastor! In this can't-miss episode, Kevin sits down with Andrew Gantt—a towering figure in more ways than one—to explore the powerful, often-forgotten biblical principle of hospitality . Not the "cookies and coffee in the lobby" kind, but the real-deal, Jesus-modeled hospitality that brings healing, connection, and transformation to people’s lives. From motorcycle outreach to culinary leadersh...

Hey Pastor, Could the thing standing between you and your breakthrough... be you? In this deep and personal episode of Pastors Thriving , Kevin explores a powerful idea: Resistance to change might be the very thing blocking the blessing you’ve been praying for. We often preach about resisting the enemy, but what about the subtle, spiritual resistance that shows up as hesitation, fear, or old rhyth...

Hey Pastor, In this vulnerable, hope-filled episode of Pastors Thriving , Kevin drops the strategies and steps for a moment to speak straight to your soul. If you’ve been feeling worn down, running on empty, or secretly wondering if God’s grace is still for you — this one’s for you. Kevin shares a personal story of restoration that changed everything for him — a retreat to a cabin where God whispe...

Hey Pastor! Ever feel like your church is doing a lot of stuff but not really making disciples? You’re running programs, hosting small groups, and pouring hours into your messages, but real transformation still feels out of reach. The problem? Most churches try to disciple everyone the same way—and end up reaching no one effectively. In this episode, I’m breaking down why a broad discipleship appr...

Hey Pastor In this intriguing episode, we dive into the unexpected but powerful intersection of hypnotherapy and church growth with our guest, Robin Stoltman. We explore how hypnotherapy can be a game-changer for pastors, church leaders, and congregations looking to overcome mental blocks, improve focus, and enhance spiritual growth. Robin shares insights into how hypnotherapy can help individuals...

Hey Pastors Have you ever felt like your sermons aren’t landing the way you want them to? Maybe engagement is low, responses are minimal, or people seem to forget your message by Monday. That changes today. In this episode of Pastors Thriving , Kevin shares 3 simple but powerful ways to preach more effective sermons —and you’ll start seeing results this weekend ! Discover how better preparation, a...

Hey Pastor Toxic church culture is a growing concern, and as pastors, we have to ask the tough question: Am I leading one? Many pastors don’t realize they’re fostering unhealthy environments until it’s too late . In this episode of Pastors Thriving , Kevin breaks down 7 warning signs that indicate you might be leading a toxic church and, more importantly, how to turn things around before it’s too...

Hey Pastor, Outreach and missions are at the heart of every ministry. There are always people who need to be reached—but who are they, and how do we reach them effectively? On this episode of Pastors Thriving , I’m joined by Pastor Jerry Morales , Senior Pastor at Victory Outreach in Santa Cruz, CA . Jerry has a deep passion for reaching the hopeless in his community, and today, he’s sharing how y...

Hey Pastor! The idea of success in the church stirs up strong opinions. Should pastors even pursue success? If so, what does it actually look like? In this episode of Pastors Thriving , Kevin unpacks the tension between worldly vs. biblical success , challenges unhealthy metrics, and offers practical ways to measure true, kingdom-impacting success . If you’ve ever felt conflicted about what it mea...

Hey Pastor! In this episode, I sit down with Patricia Stepler, who shares her insights on the law of attraction and manifestation from a biblical perspective. Patricia breaks down these popular concepts and explains how they align with biblical teachings, offering a fresh perspective on how to intentionally create the life you desire. We discuss how faith, positive thinking, and speaking God's pro...

Hey Pastor How does your church approach missions? My first exposure to missions back in high school completely changed my life, shaping my heart for global impact. In today’s episode, I want to help you refine your church’s missions focus and share some key insights from my recent trip to Africa. In this episode, I reflect on my recent trip to Africa, sharing key moments that inspired and challen...

Hey Pastor! Your mindset determines your ministry’s impact—but it’s your daily practices that keep it in check. In Part 2 of The 7 Mindset Shifts Every Pastor Needs to Thrive , I'm going to dive into actionable, daily strategies that will help you maintain a healthy, thriving mindset. Whether you're struggling with self-doubt, burnout, or just the pressures of leadership, these practical steps wil...

Hey Pastor! Your mindset is the foundation of your ministry. In this episode of Pastors Thriving , I will share 7 daily mindset shifts that every pastor needs to adopt in order to lead with confidence, overcome self-doubt, and stay energized for the long haul. If you’ve ever struggled with feelings of inadequacy, burnout, or the weight of ministry responsibilities, this episode will give you pract...

Hey Pastor, Money and ministry—two words that often create tension for pastors. But what if financial growth wasn’t about greed, but about greater impact? In this episode of Pastors Thriving , I'm going to share practical and biblically sound strategies for increasing your income in 2025 without sacrificing your integrity, your time, or your primary purpose. Learn how to diversify your income, cre...

Hey Pastor! Are you measuring church growth the right way, or have you been seeing it through a limiting lens? In this episode of Pastors Thriving , I'm going to challenge common perspectives on church growth with four crucial insights that will reshape how you approach ministry expansion. Learn why growth isn’t just about numbers, why leadership development is a game-changer, how over-programming...

What does real-life discipleship look like? In this episode, I share my favorite discipleship story —a powerful example of how one transformed life can spark an incredible ripple effect. This story isn’t just inspiring; it’s a reminder of what’s possible when discipleship is done right. Whether you're looking for hope, encouragement, or a fresh perspective, this episode will reignite your passion...

Hey Pastor New Year, new opportunities to help many more people take specific steps to follow Jesus. Every church is looking for the best dynamic ways to help people take these steps and I want to help. Are your church programs truly creating disciples, or just filling seats? In this episode, we unpack 3 critical mindset shifts every pastor needs to move from simply running programs to multiplying...

Pastor, You're going to love this episode. Caleb and I are going to drill deep into pressing issues of apologetics that are confronting the culture today. This episode is going to stretch your thinking and give you pointed help in the direction of what you are facing. Get a notebook and prepare yourself to take notes on this content that is going to empower you toward growth. If you'd like to reac...

April D. Metzler is the founder of Intentionally Teachable Leaders, LLC, a leadership strategist, speaker, and host of The R.S.V.P. Show. She empowers business, ministry, and community leaders to lead with purpose, clarity, and strategy through her signature frameworks: F.O.C.U.S., R.A.I.S.E., and STRATEGY. Known for fostering unity and collaboration, April equips leaders to elevate their impact a...

Hey Pastor! We're just a few days into the new year. You're already neck deep into movement and preaching, planning and strategizing for how this year is going to be your best year yet. Spend a few minutes with me on this podcast and let me talk you through a few specifics about how to face and focus on just that. You'll want to have a legal pad with you so you can take some notes and document you...

Pastor, let me introduce you to my new friend, Brad. I think you're going to gain a new friend from this also. Brad has a powerful message to share with you in this podcast today and you're going to walk away feeling encouraged, inspired and motivated to go do some introspection in a clear new way. Grab something to write with and let's get to work! If you'd like to reach out to Brad, and learn mo...