discipleFIRST

Not every disciple-making effort lasts. Many churches launch with enthusiasm, see early momentum, and celebrate transformed lives. Then, over time, the excitement fades. Groups stop multiplying, leaders become discouraged, and what once felt like a movement slowly becomes another ministry program. I mportant links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst C...

In this episode of the Disciple Making Leader Podcast, Ben Borgman and Craig Etheredge are joined by Gibson Largent of the CrossCreek Network to discuss one of the most important questions facing church leaders today: How do you faithfully make disciples in a ministry context that looks different from everyone else’s? I mportant links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst...

In this episode of the Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, Ben Borgman, Craig Etheredge, and Gibson Largent tackle an important question facing churches and church planters today: Why are church planting and disciple making so often treated as separate ministries? I mportant links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Coaching: https://disciplefirst.com/coa...

In this episode of the Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, Ben Borgman, Craig Etheredge, and JT Thornton tackle one of the most hidden and destructive struggles impacting the church today: pornography. I mportant links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Coaching: https://disciplefirst.com/coaching/ Catalyst 645: https://www.catalyst645.com/

In this episode of the Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, Ben Borgman and Craig Etheredge are joined by Pastor JT Thornton of Trinity Baptist Church and Catalyst 645 for an honest conversation about the real challenges pastors and ministry leaders face today. I mportant links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Coaching: https://disciplefirst.com/coachin...

In this episode of the Disciple Making Leader Podcast, Ben Borgman, Craig Etheredge, and Glenn Underhill move from identifying the problem in discipleship to offering a clear solution: a defined pathway rooted in the life of Jesus. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/

In Part 2 of this series, Ben Borgman, Pastor Glenn Underhill, and Pastor Craig Etheredge continue unpacking the State of Discipleship study from Lifeway Research, focusing on solutions to the challenges facing churches today. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Lifeway Study – The State...

In this episode, Ben Borgman and Pastor Craig Etheredge revisit the true story of Saint Patrick and his lasting impact as a disciple-making missionary. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Book Mentioned – The Celtic Way of Evangelism by George Hunter: http://amazon.com/Celtic-Way-Evangeli...

In this episode of the Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, Ben Borgman is joined in the studio by Pastor Craig and Pastor Glenn Underhill to discuss key insights from the State of Discipleship study by Lifeway Research. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Lifeway Research – The State of Disci...

A special live episode from The Collective featuring Pastor Prem and Pastor Lakpa from Nepal, along with Keith Squires from CrossCreek Church. Pastor Prem and Lakpa share the powerful story of the Church in Nepal - from having no known Christians before 1950 to becoming one of the fastest-growing Christian movements in the world. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://di...

There’s something powerful that happens when you hear real stories of leaders who are faithfully making disciples where God has placed them. In this episode of The Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, we bring you a special conversation recorded live at Disciple-Making Leader Live during last year’s Cross Creek Collective gathering. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disc...

Welcome to a special live episode of the Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, recorded at The Collective - a gathering celebrating what God is doing through disciple-making leaders across diverse contexts. In this episode, you’ll hear from Glenn Underhill, Executive Pastor at CrossCreek Church, as he shares his disciple-making philosophy and powerful stories of multigenerational impact rooted in person...

What does it look like to follow Jesus and make disciples in the middle of one of the busiest, most influential cities in the world? In this special episode of The Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, Craig Etheredge sits down with his daughter, Leah Beth Etheredge, and executive director Josh McCaslin for a powerful conversation about living sent, embracing bold faith, and building intentional relatio...

What does it look like to make disciples where you work every day? Craig Etheredge is joined by Josh McCaslin and Jack Springer for a dynamic and down-to-earth conversation on living as a disciple-making leader in the marketplace. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from thi...

What does it look like to make disciples in the boardroom—not just the sanctuary? In this episode of The Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, Craig Etheredge, Zach Towery, and Josh McCasland sit down with Jack Springer—a seasoned CEO, board member, and bold disciple-maker in the marketplace. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: ht...

If the mission of the church is to make disciples who multiply, why are so many leaders stuck in systems that don’t? In this episode, Glenn Underhill and Craig Etheredge sit down with special guest Zach Towery to unpack a game-changing truth: church multiplication doesn’t happen through programs - it happens through intentional disciple-making groups. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFir...

Disciple-making rarely follows a straight line. It’s often forged in the quiet, behind-the-scenes moments of obedience, through closed doors, difficult seasons, and the faithful investment in others. That’s the kind of life Shannon Deloach is living. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Sp...

Sometimes the best leadership lessons come from stories you didn’t expect. In this episode, Ben Borgman and Craig Etheredge sit down with Kaleigh Farnan, stepping into her first full-time ministry role, and Tommy Adams, reflecting on a year of growth since completing the Cross Creek Residency. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resour...

What does it really take to raise up the next generation of disciple-making leaders? In today’s episode of The Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, hosts Ben Borgman and Craig Etheredge sit down with Dr. Gary Chevalier, director of the Cross Creek Residency, to unpack how intentional investment is transforming emerging leaders from the inside out.  Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Websi...

What if sharing your faith didn’t feel awkward or forced but natural, relational, and even joyful? In this powerful episode of The Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, hosts Craig Etheredge, Ben Borgman, and Glenn Underhill dive into the real-life challenges and opportunities of living out a lifestyle of relational evangelism. Go to the episode webpage to download the accompanying listening guide: http...

What does it look like to preach with purpose instead of pressure? This timely conversation brings clarity to the sermon planning process. Ben Borgman, Craig Etheredge, and Glenn Underhill step into the studio during Holy Week to tackle one of the most practical and pressing challenges pastors face: sermon planning. Go to the episode webpage to download the accompanying listening guide: https://di...

What happens when a business leader catches a vision for making disciples? In this powerful conversation, Craig Etheredge and Ben Borgman sit down with Chad Alvarez—an accomplished entrepreneur, faithful family man, and a board member at discipleFIRST—to explore how leaders can align their influence with Jesus’ model for ministry. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://d...

Craig Etheredge and Ben Borgman sit down with Cameron Bundy—a seasoned ministry practitioner and trusted discipleFIRST trainer—for a conversation that hits at the heart of a challenge every leader faces: staying focused on what matters most. Go to the episode webpage to download the accompanying listening guide: https://disciplefirst.com/podcast/productivity-as-a-disciple-making-leader-s3e4/ Impor...

In this powerful conversation, hosts Ben Borgman and Glenn Underhill connect with David Pothier, senior pastor of La Chapelle Church in Montreal, to unpack what it looks like to ignite a disciple-making movement in one of the most secular, post-Christian environments in North America. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: http...

What happens when a leader stops trying to do it all and starts empowering others to lead? In this episode of The Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, Craig Etheredge and Ben Borgman sit down with Cameron Bundy, Adult Ministry Pastor at Cross Creek Church, to unpack a powerful shift in ministry leadership. Go to the episode webpage to download the accompanying listening guide: https://disciplefirst.com...