Leading Conversations

The Pulleys are an example of how sometimes dating the boss is a good idea. The journey of two Californians (one born in Iran)  working together in a restaurant to planting a church in Utah is quite a tale. This month we hear from Nick and Sogol Pulley and how they have grown in ministry together throughout their relationship. You will be encouraged by their story. Send us Fan Mail We want to help...

Imagine being a child, and one morning, you wake up in a completely different country, don't speak the language, and look different from all the other kids. That was how Chan Kwak began his life in the United States when his parents moved the family from South Korea in the middle of the night. His journey has brought him to the streets of Compton, CA, where he has launched LA One Church. You...

Raymond and Cassandra Rojas lead Real Life Church in the San Diego community of Chula Vista. Ther are passionate about serving those in need in their city. Raymond shares his journey to ministry and his call to leaders to take a risk and take a rest. Take some time to hear their story, and it will inspire you. Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with...

Chris Hall is the Lead Pastor at Catalyst Church Ventura. His passion for church planting and church planting pastors is only matched by his skills as a professional inline skater. Chris' experience has developed him into a valuable resource as a mentor and a coach for new church planters. You will be encouraged by his story. Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in minist...

Nathan, "Chivo" to those who know him, has first-hand U.S. church planting experience, having led in a church plant re-launch in New Orleans post-Katrina. As an adoptee and adoptive father, Nathan is passionate about children who come from difficult backgrounds. Originally from inner-city Minneapolis, Nathan grew up in a Christian home in a culturally diverse environment. He served a chu...

Dave Lodwig, a pastor in Missoula, Montana, shares how the church was a refuge from a turbulent childhood. Several years in ministry in various roles have led him to River Valley Church, where he is turning around a historic church that had been a fixture of the town for over 130 years. Dave shares the unique challenges, struggles, and triumphs involved in this process. Send us Fan Mail We want to...

Josh is one of the founding pastors of Multiply Indiana, a regional (and multi-denominational) church planting network rapidly planting churches throughout Indiana. Multiply Indiana has the vision to plant 100 churches regionally within the next 16 years in every context of their state (urban, suburban, and rural...) -   MultiplyIndiana.com . Additionally, Josh is the founding pastor of the Mercy...

Matt and Carrie Dilley have been in full-time ministry for the last 10 years. They are passionate about helping people discover their purpose, potential, and most importantly knowing Jesus because they believe that following Jesus makes your life better and makes you better at life. Over the past several years they've grown weary of watching young families become marginalized in the local chu...

Peyton started in Huntington Beach, CA at a megachurch, then went to Wales, and served as the evangelist at Lloyd-Jones’s church Sandfields, and started planting churches in public spaces, like Starbucks. He has served in collegiate campus churches, rural and urban churches, legacy churches, churches in public space…you name it. Peyton has written several books. Most recently Church Plantology: Th...

Paul is almost as passionate about Georgia Bulldogs football as he is about reaching people with the saving message of the gospel. A church planter at heart, Paul planted Rivers Crossing Community Church in 2007. Rivers Crossing is passionate about reproducing other missional churches. He has been married to Farrah for 25 years and together they have four children: Alexandria, Ansley, Gavin, and E...

Pastor Scott and his wife Kim Lackey founded New Story Church in Buffalo, New York. Home of the most zealous football fans the Bills Mafia. Prior to planting New Story Church, Scott and Kim both worked at The Chapel in Getzville, NY, and a church plant locally. Scott and Kim are passionate about building the local church and inviting all to discover the New Story God has for their life. Scott also...

Willie Nolte is the CEO/Mission Lead of Transformation Ministries. Transformation Ministries (TM) is a covenanting association of leaders and 200 churches in the United States, and Northern Mexico committed to seeing more healthy churches. Before joining TM, Willie pastored in local congregations for 32 years in Illinois and California. Willie enjoys reminding church leaders that “No church or lea...

Simon Geller, his wife Amanda, and their six children moved to Texas in 2015 to plant a church in Livingston. As a former police officer, Simon offers a unique perspective on the conversations happening around the country today. In addition, he shares some real suggestions for pastors as they lead their communities through challenging times. Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next step...

David Diaso has served in missions for almost 30 years. He and his wife Dawn began church planting in Mexico City in 1990, one of the world's largest and neediest cities. Then they ministered out of Colorado Springs preparing and training missionaries. Now they minister in the world’s largest bi-national city: the San Diego-Tijuana border. On the podcast, he shares some of his harrowing stori...

Stu Streeter is a church planter, a pastor, and oversees church planting for the North American Baptist denomination. He shares with us his journey to know Christ and how that impacted his life. He also recently completed a sabbatical and talked about the importance of taking time to refresh and renew and what it looks like to return to active ministry. Document: Ambition The Driver of Isolation  ...

Brian Burman has been involved in ministry for many years as a church planter, pastor, and leadership coach. He was part of the original launch of Excel Leadership Network and after some time away has come back to lead Excel coaching. He shares his personal journey, struggles, and victories over the past few years. Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here...

Ralph Moore has been tied to more church plants than anyone in North America.  He planted churches in Southern California and Hawaii and has a family tree that includes over 2300 churches!  Ralph lives in San Diego with his wife, Ruby.  He coaches and advises church planters and serves as a church planting catalyst for Exponential.   Learn more about Excel at our website: excelnetwork.org Send us...