ACCWA Pastors and Leaders Podcast

In this deeply honest and courageous conversation, Ps Nate Phor sits down with Ps Paul Barber shares his personal journey through burnout in ministry - and the road to healing on the other side. After decades of faithfully serving others, Paul opens up about the hidden toll of carrying people’s pain, the warning signs he didn’t recognise and the moment everything came to a halt. With humility and...

On this episode of the ACCWA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Ps Emily Elliott sits down with Ps Andy Kirk, ACC National Kids Director, to unpack one of the most urgent discipleship conversations facing the Church today:  how we intentionally disciple children and empower families to build lasting faith. Drawing from more than two decades of ministry experience, Andy shares why childhood is not a “w...

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, ACC National President Ps Joel Chelliah sits down with Ps Taryn to unpack over 25 years of ministry, leadership and the lessons that truly matter. From navigating personal challenges and protecting what matters most, to redefining success in leadership, Ps Joel shares wisdom on building healthy families, staying spiritually grounded and leading wi...

In this episode, Ps Nate sits down with Dave Adamson, Director at YouVersion Australia, to explore one of the biggest questions facing the Church today:  how do we faithfully disciple people in a digital world? From social media and messaging apps to AI and the Bible App, Dave brings decades of experience in online ministry to help pastors and leaders cut through the noise and focus on what really...

In this episode, Ps Gareth Forsdike sits down with Ps Dan Sheikh - Senior Pastor of Heart for the City Church and Director of Youth Alive WA - to unpack the heart and hustle behind building thriving youth and young adult ministries. From starting groups with just a handful of teenagers to now leading one of the largest youth and young adult demographics in Perth, Dan shares hard-won lessons on pio...

In this rich and practical conversation, Ps Gareth Forsdike sits down with Ps. James Murray of Abide Church to talk about discipleship, church culture, and what it means to truly lead people into the way of Jesus. James shares his personal journey from being Sunday-centric to discovering a deeper call to disciple-making, the four key pillars that shape their approach and why prayer and abiding in...

What does it really take to lead through crisis, navigate leadership transitions, and grow a church with intentionality? In this candid conversation, Pastor Fred Porter—Senior Pastor of Kingdom Culture Church in Brisbane—shares his remarkable journey from youth pastor to senior leader, including navigating moral failure in the early days of the church plant, stepping into leadership after his fath...

What exactly is  professional supervision  - and why does it matter for pastors and leaders today? In this episode, Ps Nate Phor sits down with Ps Paul Sanders, former pastor of 30 years and now staff chaplain with Mission Australia, to unpack the role of supervision in ministry life. Paul shares candidly about his own journey from senior pastor to chaplain, why supervision is more than just “ment...

Ministry is one of the greatest callings - but it can also take a toll on our health if we’re not careful. In this conversation, Ps Christie Blaikie sits down with Ruth Limkin, CEO of The Banyans and an ACCWA credentialed pastor, to talk about leadership wellbeing, burnout warning signs and the rhythms that keep us healthy for the long haul. From the importance of sleep and active rest, to reframi...

In this inspiring episode, Ps Nate sits down with Ps. Donna Kipps - ACCWA State Manager and WA Director for Alphacrucis University College - for a conversation about lifelong learning, faith, and leadership. Donna shares her personal journey from leaving school early to earning her master’s in leadership and undertaking governance studies, all while serving in ministry. Together, they unpack why s...

In this episode of the ACC WA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Ps Pete Hammer talks with Ps Vika McFarlane, who, along with her husband Slade, planted  Triumph Church  in Blacktown, Western Sydney. From a background in the Navy to pioneering in one of Australia’s most challenging communities, Vika shares her remarkable story of resilience, faith, and obedience. She opens up about planting a church w...

In this episode of the ACCWA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Ps Julian Kirtisingham chats with Ps Cody Byrne, Lead Pastor of Tribes Church in Perth. Originally from the U.S., Cody shares his journey of being called to Australia, planting a church from the ground up, and navigating the joys and challenges of pioneering ministry. Cody opens up about trusting God’s timing, the realities of leading a y...

In this episode of the ACCWA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Ps Peter Hammer sits down with Ps Shannon Riley, Senior Pastor of Riviera Church in Victoria. Shannon shares his journey from coming to faith in a church plant as a 24-year-old to leading Riviera Church through transition, crisis, and now into a season of planting and multiplication. Together, they unpack the unique challenges and opportu...

In this episode of the ACCWA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Julian Kirtisingham sits down with Ps Dustan Bell, Senior Pastor of Calvary - a multi-site church with campuses across Queensland, South Africa and Papua New Guinea. Dustan shares his journey from youth pastor to becoming senior pastor at just 33 years old, and the leadership lessons learned along the way. He offers practical insights on...

In this deeply moving episode of the ACCWA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Ps Nate Phor sits down with  Sally Hewitt , grief recovery specialist and founder of  Aging Gratefully . Out of her own painful loss - the sudden passing of her husband - Sally shares her journey through grief and how God met her in the rawest moments of anger, lament and healing. Together, Nate and Sally unpack what grief r...

What makes marriages thrive - and what causes them to fall apart? In this episode, Ps Christie Blaikie is joined by Ps Sabrina Peters - psychologist, pastor, author, wife, and mum - to explore the heart of marriage. Drawing from years of ministry and clinical experience, Sabrina unpacks Gottman’s  Four Horsemen  that predict relational breakdown, practical rituals that build intimacy, how to navig...

In this episode Ps Julian Kirtisingham sits down with Ps Mark Varughese, Founder of Kingdomcity, whose journey took him from a legal career in Perth to planting a church in Malaysia in 2006 that has since grown into a vibrant global movement. Together they unpack Kingdomcity’s origin story, the pivotal moments of acceleration, and the leadership lessons learned along the way. Ps Mark shares practi...

In this inspiring episode, Ps Peter Hammer sits down with Ps Charlie Burke - Executive Ministry Director of Exponential Australia and local church planter in Blacktown, Western Sydney. Charlie shares his powerful story of coming to faith, resisting the initial call to plant, and eventually pioneering a church in one of Sydney’s toughest suburbs just before the pandemic hit. We explore the heart an...

In this inspiring episode of the ACCWA Podcast, Pastor Ken Lee of Nations Church joins Ps Gareth Forsdike for an honest and practical conversation about preaching, communication and leading with vision. Pastor Ken shares insights from his journey of planting and growing a multi-site, international church - from crafting sermons that bring Scripture to life, to staying spiritually fresh in ministry...

In this inspiring episode of the ACCWA Podcast, Ps Christie Blaikie sits down with powerhouse leader Ps Bronwyn Bonnell - church planter, leader of The Chapel Collective, and mentor to pastors across regional NSW. With eight churches and counting, Bron shares her courageous journey of planting churches in small towns, what it's like starting from scratch in your 40s, and why obedience always t...

In this episode of the ACCWA Podcast, Ps Phil Ayres sits down with Ps. Sharon Chelliah to explore one of the biggest questions for any pastor: How do you lead well both in church and at home? Together, they unpack the vital role of prioritising your family as your “first flock”, cultivating intentional rhythms of presence and fostering deep connections in the home. From setting boundaries and shap...

In this powerful and deeply practical episode, Ps Nate Phor sits down with Ps John Finkelde - former senior pastor and seasoned church consultant - to talk about what it really takes to last the distance in ministry. From avoiding burnout and establishing sustainable rhythms, to protecting your emotional health and navigating the complexities of pastoral relationships, this is a must-listen for an...

In this episode, Ps Christie Blaikie sits down with Alicia Leis, governance expert and partner at WLF Accounting & Advisory, for a practical and powerful conversation on church finances. From navigating the "blur factor" and understanding the distinct roles of pastors and boards, to building trust with donors and balancing faith with financial discipline - this episode is packed with...