Leading Conversations

Have you ever wondered how a quest for identity can lead to a profound spiritual transformation? Join us as we sit down with Marlon Minx, the National Director of Church Planting for Converge, and uncover his powerful journey from an Irish Catholic upbringing to embracing a life in ministry. Marlon opens up about his formative years, the heartache of losing his father early on, and how these pivot...

What happens when a passion for baseball intertwines with a deep-rooted faith? In this episode of the Leading Conversations podcast, we sit down with Mike Alford from Macon, Georgia, to explore his incredible journey. Growing up in a Christian home, Mike's love for baseball was matched only by the influence of his parents' authentic faith. From playing the game in South Africa to his imp...

What if the foundation of your faith journey began at six years old? Join us as we sit down with David Whitaker, president of Venture Church Network, who shares his compelling story of growing up as a pastor's son and navigating its unique challenges. From the blessings and pressures of being a pastor’s child to the critical role his parents played in maintaining a healthy environment amid ch...

In this conversation, J.D. spends some time with Chan Kwak. If you know anything about the city of Compton, CA, you would never imagine a Korean child who was brought to the United States in the middle of the night by his parents would plant a church and reach that diverse community—his story of perseverance and dedication to sharing the gospel with whoever would listen will inspire you when you h...

In this conversation, J.D. speaks with Haig Kherlopian, a leader, a pastor, and even a stand-up comedian. He shares a brief history of the first Christian nation, Armenia, and details how ping-pong brought his family to the United States. You will want to hear his whole story. Listen and be encouraged. Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL ....

Today's conversation is with Jason Squires, a worship leader, songwriter, and speaker who travels around the country leading worship and teaching at conferences. His passion is leading people to Jesus through creativity and inspiring creatives to reach their full potential. Listen to his story and be encouraged. Ministry Partner: https://mycccu.com/excel Jason: https://jsmusic.net   Send us F...

J.D. has a conversation with Andrew Alesso.   His full-time job is helping non-profit companies to develop and grow their fundraising. He also happens to be the lead pastor of Thrive LA church. Listen to his story and be encouraged. Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL . 

  J.D. has a conversation with serial church planter Jay Nickless. Listen to his story and be encouraged.   Ministry Partner: https://mycccu.com/excel Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL . 

Alex Sweng is the pastor of Missio Dei Oakland, an Urban House Church Network in Oakland, CA. If you have been watching the news lately, Oakland is having quite a season. If you were to ask Alex if the news is all true, he would say that it is worse than you think and better than you think. Despite the city's challenges, God is working in the lives of those in need. Alex, a son of Korean immi...

Jeff Snodgrass is the Lead Pastor at Unite Church located in Pasadena, CA. He grew up in Southern California, where, at 16, he made a life change and began to follow Jesus. After hitting rock bottom in his junior year, he prayed, “Lord, the life I live is now yours. Do with it as you will.” This is the same prayer that led him into ministry and is the same prayer he continues to pray daily. He has...

Josh was born and raised in Sacramento, California. He worked as a youth pastor in Atwater and Santa Rosa. In 2005, he moved back to Sacramento to pastor Northside Church, a church re-planted from Arcade Church. Like most church plants, bringing it back to a healthy place took work. Through all of that, he developed a partnership with Venture Church Network. He is now on their staff as a Regional...

Today's conversation is with Al Soto from Shingle Springs, California. You can't say much more about his journey to become a Christian and his call to ministry; it could be a movie script. His life and journey took turns that one might find hard to believe. This is a conversation you won't want to miss and won't want to end. Make sure that you listen to this one, and you will b...

It’s just easier to call him Pastor Vlad. Today’s JD has a conversation with Vladimir Kotyakov. He came to the United States at the age of 11. Vladimir has a rich Christian heritage. A grandfather died for his faith in a Russian gulag, and his father and other family members were also pastors in Russia. He is currently serving as pastor at the House of Bread church near Sacramento, California. His...

Brett and Karla Burner, from Spring Valley, California near San Diego, are from two different backgrounds and countries. They met at a summer camp and have been together ever since. Brett jumped into ministry. Bible studies led to teaching, which led to pastoring. Their journey will encourage you. And if you ever see Swell soda on the menu or in a store, you can thank Brett. Send us Fan Mail We wa...

Jim began his walk with Jesus as a seventh grader in Cookeville, Tennessee, when he walked the aisle during a revival meeting and received Christ as his Savior and Lord. He later answered God’s call to the pastorate between his Junior and Senior years in college. His journey with Jesus has spanned five decades and has taken him across the country three times, serving as a lead pastor in four churc...

A coach at heart, Steve Clifford lived the “Friday Night Lights” life as a high school football coach in Texas. But it was an invitation to a summer camp that changed his life in high school. There, he committed his life to Christ and didn’t look back. Early work in Young Life eventually led to a two-year volunteer commitment to help a church. That two-year commitment turned into a lifetime spent...

If the state of Arizona were a dartboard, the city of Payson would be in the bullseye. It is located near the geographic center of the state. Dr. Aaron Walp, who goes by “Walp” because of serving in law enforcement earlier in life, is J.D.’s guest today. Walp currently serves as the head administrator for a Christian school. Like so many kids, he experienced divorce in his parents’ marriage, and t...

If you were thinking about planting a church, the last place you might consider is Flint, Michigan. It just so happens that Steven and Katrina Bentley followed God’s lead and did just that. From their first date at Taco Bell to enjoying grandchildren today, the Bentleys have always sought after what God wanted them to be doing. Even when people around them said they weren't making “smart” cho...

If you ever wanted to know someone who was from Peoria twice, J.D.’s guest, Jim Powell, is your man. He is currently serving as the Senior Pastor of Palm West Community Church. While he grew up in a Christian home, Jim went through all the mechanics of the Luther church his family attended. But he never really understood what it meant to have a relationship with Christ. In college, Jim worked as a...

You may have never wondered where Panhandle, Texas, is located. If you wanted to find it on a map, think out the square top of Texas, and it’s right in the middle of that. J.D.’s guest on this episode is Brent Warren, pastor of The River in Panhandle. Running from an abusive father when Brent was three, his mom took him and his sister to live with his Godly grandparents. At an early age, he felt t...

J.D.'s guet on this episode is Tom Mercer. Odds are, if you have worked in ministry, you have probably read at least one of Tom's many books. He gew up in a Christain homa and his father was a pastor. Tom had always thought he would go into the “family” business of ministry. However, he witnessed the mistreatment of his father by the church he was serving in, and decided he wasn’t going...

Sometimes, what makes you different makes you who you are. While that may seem obvious, that cannot be truer for Eric Gamero, the pastor of The Local Church in South Florida. Eric had a Cuban father and a Korean mother. The culture clash eventually led to his parent's separation. Spending weekends with his mom meant that he grew up in a Korean church. Accepting Christ at 12 while at a summer...

Our guest today comes all the way from Holland. Not the land of Tulips, Holland, Michigan. Travis Rae is the Discipleship Pastor at Central Wesleyan Church and the Director of Waters Edge, a church building and planting organization. It truly is a miracle that you can hear from Travis today. His parents (mom pregnant with Travis) were traveling in Eastern Europe on April 26, 1986. The date may not...

Jamal Jones knows he was fortunate to be raised in a Christian home with both of his parents. The youngest of five children, he learned early that he wanted to dedicate his life to serving the Lord. He wasn't sure what that would look like. A successful high school football experience led to a scholarship to play for the Fresno State Bulldogs. While at Fresno State, he became involved with th...

J.D.'s guest today is Pastor Jeremy McGarity. Growing up in a non-Christian home, Jeremy loved sports, but mostly baseball. He was drafted out of high school into the Minor Leagues as a pitcher. On the team, Jeremy noticed that the third baseman handled life differently than all the other players. A conversation led to an invite to a Bible study. This led to Jeremy leading the study, and his...