MFI Leaders Podcast

A biblical and prophetic understanding of the priesthood of believers and the call to build churches full of encounter instead of entertainment. Pastor Aaron and Rachelle Richner founded The Cause Church with a mandate from God to build a church that was not a country club for Christians, but a hospital for the hurting. Beginning in their living room with about 15 people, The Cause has grown to be...

The future of the church rests in how we invest in the next generation. But how do you know if someone is truly ready to shepherd students? This session will unpack the key qualities every church should look for in a youth pastor—spiritual maturity, relational capacity, leadership skills, and a heart for students—and encourage those called to youth ministry with insight into how to prepare for thi...

What does the Future Church that will complete the great commission look like? Daniel Hanafi is Senior and Founding Pastor of International Full Gospel Fellowship, serving through 3 campuses in the greater Los Angeles area. He founded and serves as IFGF Director of Global Missions, which has helped grow IFGF to over 5,700 churches in 74 countries. He conducts evangelistic rallies across the globe...

In a day where churches seem to crumble with little to no accountability or come under scrutiny for only having external authority structures, it’s important to reflect the wisdom of the early church and appoint elders in every city. In this session, we will look at the biblical framework for local church eldership. And after that, we’ll share and discover some practical wisdom that will help any...

We hope that this teaching left you more encouraged and equipped today. Ministers Fellowship International exists to help leaders build healthy, strong, impacting churches and to do so in a way that makes for a healthy leader.

When those in the second chair embrace the unique privilege and power of serving alongside a lead pastor, they help their staff and church fulfill God’s purposes. Arguably, we play the most critical role in creating healthy culture, helping others embrace the lead pastor’s vision and positioning the church to become everything God intends it to be. So, let’s talk about it.  Eric Crawford is the Ex...

Church Multiplication in Small Towns will explore practical strategies for planting and multiplying healthy churches in rural communities where resources and people often feel limited. This session will equip you with real tools and fresh vision to reach small towns with big Kingdom impact. Greg Hurlbut is the Lead Pastor of New Testament Church in Massena, NY, and also a contractor who somehow ma...

Change is inevitable—progress isn’t. Discover how to lead transitions at the right pace and guide your team with clarity and confidence. Gareth has spent over 30 years leading in a variety of ministry roles, from campus pastor to executive pastor to his current role as Lead Pastor of Abundant Life Church. He and his wife Jennie have walked their church through a remarkable season of healing and re...

Learn how to practically reach more people and make disciples using the most powerful gospel proclamation tools available in the 21st century. Jake is half-pastor, half-entrepreneur, and half-artist. Yeah, it doesn't make sense to him either. But sometimes it works! Jake and his wife Bethany pastor Joy Church in Eugene, OR. They tag-team raising Evie, Jack, and Penny. If he's not at a co...

In ministry, busy doesn't always mean effective. This app session will help you step back, evaluate with intention, and move forward with clarity. Let's clarify your current season, identify what's working (and what's not), refocus your energy on what matters and start building teams and systems that don't burn you out.  Jakob Haymond is a Coach, Consultant, and Creative D...

Our children’s ministries are vitally important and beautiful moments given by God to make heroes of our kids, leaders, and parents. In this app session, we will look at some of the keys to establishing a sustainable hero making children’s ministry. Jason and Ellie served as Campus Children’s Pastors at Mannahouse for years, helping to train leaders and shepherd hundreds of children and now serve...

Are you feeling stretched thin between ministry and motherhood demands? Through vulnerable storytelling and biblical insight, Jessica reveals how the Holy Spirit can take your greatest limitations and make them your greatest assets. Jessica is a Christian author, a podcaster, a special needs mom, and pastor. She has been married for 21 years to Greg Hurlbut and together they lead New Testament Chu...

Strategies, systems and shifts to help you move people from first time attendees into core members of your church. We hope that this teaching left you more encouraged and equipped today. Ministers Fellowship International exists to help leaders build healthy, strong, impacting churches and to do so in a way that makes for a healthy leader.

Creating a Biblical structure and system to see the local church thrive. Jonathan has been the Lead Pastor of Hope Point in Richmond, VA for almost 13 years and in ministry for almost 24. He's been married to his wife Ami for almost 24 years and has two kids, Colin (21) and Bella (16). His educational background is in Leadership and Theology. He's helped start a leadership school called...

We all have constraints in church - time clocks, kids' attention span in kids' ministry, and parking lot turnaround.  In this session, Joseph and Tosha will speak to the tension that exists between honoring God's presence and honoring people's time.  It's not one or the other, it's both/and!  You'll leave this app session with tools and philosophies that will hel...

The Church can become the center of the arts again—glorying Jesus, and pointing the way. Kyle served as the Creative Pastor of his church before stepping into the role of Lead Pastor in 2020. He wants to see a world where the Church is the center of the arts again—glorifying Jesus through beauty. Kyle is a husband to Kenzie, dad to Story and Scout, and pastor of LIFE CO. in Richmond, VA.  We hope...

Engage Now: AI, Outreach, and the Future of Evangelism equips church leaders to read the times and respond to the massive cultural shifts since 2020, from declining in person engagement and rising anxiety to a strong surge in spiritual openness and digital consumption. You will learn practical, data informed strategies to reach people where they are using maps and voice search, one to one texting,...

We will discuss the practical steps, the steps of faith, and the logistics of the building project we just completed. The goal is to give real hands on advice to those approaching this season in their church life. Matt & Lisa Molt started New Vintage Church in 2010, in Tri Cities, WA.  They have 3 adult children and four grand babies, with 2 on the way!  The church's mission is Following...

Come and learn about my heart behind production at church and the skills I feel like every creative staff or volunteer should have when approaching a weekend. Also, I will discuss the importance of understanding the system that you have and how to best set yourself up for success when issues arise. I am the Production Pastor at The Heart in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho where i have had the privilege of be...

"Living Free" is a practical, Bible based session designed to help believers break free from sin, shame, and fear through the power of Jesus. After years of struggling with addiction, I found freedom 21 years ago through God’s transforming power. For the past 15 years, I’ve been serving as a pastor, dedicated to leading others into the same life of freedom, faith, and purpose. We hope th...

In this breakout, you’ll gain a simple framework, practical tools, and guiding principles you can immediately apply to develop the leaders your church wants today and needs tomorrow. Philip Engle partners with pastors and executive leaders to strengthen churches through organizational health, effective team-building, and strategies for sustainable growth. With more than 20 years of ministry and le...

AI is reshaping how we work and Bitcoin is redefining money. In this session, we’ll explore the unique threats and opportunities this moment presents for church leaders. Pradeepan Jeeva is a Church planter in Seattle, author with Zondervan, child of refugees, and a special needs dad. We hope that this teaching left you more encouraged and equipped today. Ministers Fellowship International exists t...

Create worship experiences where prayerful planning meets the freedom of the Holy Spirit, blending excellence and sensitivity so people encounter God in a life-changing way. Roger Yadon is Lead Pastor of Celebration Church in Nampa, Idaho. A graduate of Christian Life College in Stockton, California, he served nine years in youth ministry in Fairbanks and pastored a church in Eagle River, Alaska,...

Old mindsets regarding "full-time church ministry" are out. and by necessity, co-vocational ministry is the new reality in building God's Kingdom. Old concepts of bi-vocational ministry, where we compartmentalized ministry work so that it can be financially supported by secular work are being replaced by a holistic approach where everything we do at work is an essential part of buil...

You carry a message that can change lives—but how do you turn that message into a book? In this practical and inspiring session, you’ll learn how to move from idea to written word with clarity, purpose, and impact. It's time to stop waiting and start writing.  Tracy Wilde-Pace is a fifth-generation pastor and preacher with a long family history that is rich with ministry wealth going back as...