COGO Podcast

Hospitality is about far more than a handshake at the front door. It's often the first step in someone experiencing the love of Christ. In this episode of the COGO Podcast, host R.W. Moody sits down with Rev. Missy Potts and Megan Oyler to explore why creating a welcoming culture isn't just a ministry responsibility; it's a vital part of making disciples. Drawing from years of hands...

In this episode, RW sits down with Rev. Becky Heller, Director of Communications & Events at COGO, and they talk about how you can use Canva (more than just a FREE online editing program) and use it to help communicate with your church. You'll want to listen carefully to this episode as she encourages everyone to use Canva whether or not you are tech savvy or a professional graphic design...

In this episode of the COGO Podcast, R.W. Moody sits down with Rev. Dr. Mirriam Knight-Wilson for an inspiring conversation about calling, leadership, and personal transformation. Mirriam shares her powerful testimony of growing up as the daughter of missionaries in southern Africa, discovering a deeply personal relationship with Jesus through seasons of hardship, and embracing a lifelong call to...

In this episode of the COGO Podcast, R.W. Moody sits down with author, pastor, and disciple-making leader Jeff Vanderstelt for a conversation that feels both challenging and deeply encouraging. Jeff shares pieces of his own story — from growing up around church while wrestling with a “mask” of Christianity, to the moment God met him personally and changed the direction of his life. Along the way,...

In this episode of the COGO Podcast, R.W. Moody sits down with Pastor Rebecca Palmatier to talk about faith, discipleship, and the adventure of church planting in rural West Virginia. Rebecca shares her journey of coming to know Jesus as a teenager through the influence of her father’s transformed life and how God later called her family to step into the unknown by rebuilding a struggling church a...

In this episode of the COGO Podcast, R.W. Moody sits down with longtime ministry leader Rev. Dr. Leslie Barnes to explore her journey of faith, leadership, and discipleship. Leslie shares how growing up in a Christ-centered family shaped her relationship with Jesus and led to over three decades of ministry at Arlington Church of God. Her story highlights the powerful influence of spiritual legacy...

In this episode of the COGO Podcast, RW Moody sits down with the student leadership team behind the Ohio State Youth Convention (OSYC)—Andrew Long, CeCe Salguero, Jade Peronne, Paige Gill, Rylan Webb, and Sheridan Deem. The conversation feels real and unfiltered as they talk about what it’s actually like to step into leadership as students—figuring things out as they go, working together, and lear...

In this episode of the COGO Podcast , host R.W. Moody sits down with Pastor Tim Riley, lead pastor of Connection Point Church in Sidney, Ohio, for an engaging and honest conversation about ministry, leadership, and answering God’s call. Tim shares his journey from growing up in a ministry family within the Salvation Army to pursuing a career in professional counseling—only to later realize that Go...

In this episode of the COGO Podcast, host R.W. Moody sits down with Isaac Steiner to explore the heart of discipleship, student leadership, and reaching the next generation. Isiaac shares his personal journey of faith—from growing up in a Christ-centered community to a defining moment in his teenage years that solidified his relationship with God and redirected his calling into ministry. Together,...

What does it look like when a church becomes known more for serving its community than simply holding services? On this episode, R.W. sits down with Robert Holt, Executive Director at Healing Waters Outreach Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, to explore practical approaches to church multiplication, discipleship, and community impact. Holt shares his experience leading a ministry center that serves...

In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to reshare this incredible conversation with Bishop Timothy Clarke, ENJOY! Even if you listened to this when it came out last year, this episode is TIMELESS and you will benefit from another listen! Preaching is one the primary responsibilities of a pastor. It is an art that one must work on continuously through study, prayer, and practice. In this episod...

On this episode of the COGO Podcast, R.W. Moody sits down with Pastor Steve Anthony and ministry leaders Amy Thomas and Tricia Lantz from Hilltop Church of God. Together they explore how God is using ordinary believers to make an extraordinary impact in Columbus. Steve shares his personal journey of answering God’s call to ministry before fully surrendering to it as a young adult. Amy and Tricia r...

In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to reshare this incredible conversation with our Interim Director, ENJOY! The future is bright for our movement and we are thrilled to have our Interim General Director, Rev. Monté Dillard, join us on this episode as he shares his story and how God led him to serve at our national office. God is at work in some incredible ways in the Church of God and you...

In this powerful and timely conversation, R.W. Moody sits down with Rev. Eric and Twila Butler to talk honestly about unity, discipleship, and the future of the Church of God movement. Recorded during Black History Month, the discussion centers on the importance of cross-cultural relationships, shared leadership, and the responsibility believers have to move beyond divisions toward genuine connect...

In this episode of the COGO Podcast , R.W. Moody sits down with Abby Heaton from East Canon Church of God and member of the OSYC 2025 Student Leadership Team to talk about what it really looks like to follow Jesus as a student today. Abby shares her personal journey of faith and reflects on the challenge of living set apart in a culture that often pressures young people to fit in. Drawing from Scr...

In this episode of the COGO Podcast, R.W. sits down with Rob Wegner, founder of the Kansas City Underground (kcunderground.org) and Microchurch Next Director at Exponential, to explore what transformational discipleship looks like in everyday life. Rob shares the story behind the Kansas City Underground—a decentralized network of microchurches born out of a “holy ache” to see ordinary believers re...

In this episode of the COGO Podcast, host R.W. Moody sits down with Rev. Tina Yarger from Avenue Church in Ontario, Ohio, to explore what authentic Christian discipleship looks like in everyday life. Through personal stories and ministry experience, Tina shares how discipleship often begins quietly; through faithful relationships, prayer, and a life lived close to Jesus. Tina reflects on her faith...

Missions isn’t just overseas—it’s everywhere you serve. On this episode, R.W. Moody sits down with Andrew Gale, Executive Director of Global Strategy for Church of God Ministries, to unpack why all ministry is cross-cultural. From life-shaping missions stories to empowering leaders around the world, Andrew challenges leaders to pray bigger, learn deeper, and engage God’s global kingdom with humili...

In this episode, R.W. sits down with Patricia Gomez and her son, Daniel Gomez, as they share about their church planting efforts with Planting Together Ministries.  Patricia and her husband, José, are leaders in the church planting network for Church of God's Spanish-speaking congregations. Currently, they are working to disciple leaders of church plants across several Midwest states and arou...

Trellis Churches is a ministry organization committed to educating, empowering, and equipping the next generation of church leaders. Their holistic training pathway includes a three-year internship and a two-year residency, combining hands-on church experience with accredited university education — all designed to prepare people for full-time ministry without accumulating crippling debt. In this e...

In this episode, R.W. sits down with Chase Perkins, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Kids Around the World (KATW.org), to discuss the incredible global impact of this faith-driven organization. Chase shares inspiring stories about how KATW equips communities through meal packing, playground builds, and discipleship programs that bring hope to children across the globe. Together, they explore...

In this episode, RW sits down with Daniel & Christy Kihm, (missionaries to Europe and the Middle East) who share how their team works to support and encourage pastors and national leaders around the world. From creating safety nets that prevent burnout to building synergy and global connection, they reveal how community and collaboration keep ministry thriving.  For more information about the...

When was the last time you had an injury that slowed you down? Perhaps your arm was in a sling, or you had your foot in a cast. It's frustrating when our bodies are limited or in pain, right?  Painful limitations are the reality for the families that Children of Promise work with around the world. However, each person is made whole as they belong to the Body of Christ and are given the tools...

In this episode, R.W. and guest, Joe Watkins, explore how pastors and churches can use AI to help navigate changing work and life, especially as it continues to be integrated more into all that we do. By grounding our identity in God’s calling and fostering strong, supportive relationships, we can prevent AI from replacing community. Joe has served as a youth and senior pastor and currently he is...

On this episode of the COGO Podcast, R.W. Moody hosts Bart Rendel, co-founder of Intentional Churches, for a conversation rooted in the mission of helping churches become one-aware, activated, and radically aligned with the Great Commission. Drawing from the proven tools and vision of Intentional Churches—including ChurchOS / OneTeam—Bart shares how to mobilize the “ninety-nine” in your congregati...