Next Step Leadership

Tracy and Chris are honored to have Dr. Doug Beacham on the Next Step Leadership Podcast again. The previous interviews with Bishop Beacham are some of the most popular of all of their episodes. Last year Dr. Beacham was chosen to continue serving as General Superintendent of the International Pentecost Holiness Church. Through that role—and his many years of pastoring, teaching, writing, preachin...

Chris and Tracy continue their conversation with Holly Goddard. She grew as a leader through endurance and community. Please listen to her story. Your inner life is more important than your outward ministry. Refuse to try to control outcomes. Take a low place and let God craft your story. Ask yourself questions as you process what you hear. How have you been shaken in life and ministry? When have...

Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell take time in this episode of Next Step Leadership to interview Holly Goddard. Holly did not plan to pursue ministry but academics and athletics taught her many lessons through sports marketing. After resisting God for so long, Holly grew into a deep relationship with Jesus. Through that personal experience, she realized how a life with Christ can transform her. She...

In this episode, pastor and author Justin Kendrick continues talking about his book The Sacred Us: A Radical Call to Christian Community. Chris and Tracy love hearing Justin tell stories about how he and his church have lived out the true calling of Christlikeness. You will love learning from his comments also. He offers more than correction and rebuke for areas the church has failed. Many people...

Welcome to this week’s conversation with Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell. In this episode they interview author and pastor Justin Kendrick. Justin’s latest book is a perfect fit for Next Step Leadership Podcast. The Sacred Us: A Radical Call to Christian Community reveals how the New Testament church can be like a family of those being transformed into Christlikeness. Justin tells his story. What...

Chris and Tracy continue their conversation with Jonathan Bryan in this week’s Next Step Leadership. Jonathan is a young leader who decided to love others even though love often hurts, and to minister even though ministry is often painful. Listeners will notice how excited Tracy and Chris sound as they hear about Jonathan‘s six years of ministry. Jonathan continues offering suggestions on working...

Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds love each conversation they have in Next Step Leadership. They especially enjoy dialogues like this one with Jonathan Bryan in today’s episode. Chris and Tracy met Jonathan when he was a college student. Now they continue to smile as they watch Jonathan grow and develop in his ministry. Jonathan tells his story about life as a preacher’s kid, regular involvement in...

This week’s episode of Next Step Leadership podcast continues a conversation Tracy and Chris had with author David Docusen. David’s hope of breaking cycles of poverty comes out in his words written and spoken. That hope is revealed in his actions. He doesn’t just write it or preach it. He has not let his research be the end of the story. His desire to start holistic communities begins with the hea...

Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds welcome you to the first podcast of 2023. Thank you so much for listening again. Thanks so much for passing this along to others. Please begin the new year claiming to regularly hear the podcast, subscribe, share, and find ways to apply the principles talked about in each podcast. Today, author David Ducusen joins Chris and Tracy and tells some of his story. David’...

Welcome to Next Step Leadership and welcome to 2023. As one year ends and the new year begins, Chris and Tracy offer their thoughts on this final episode of Next Step Leadership in 2022. They review stories from the year, remembering the honor of engaging in conversations with a variety of authors, singers, and leaders. Which podcasts of this year have you enjoyed the most? What did you learn from...

Merry Christmas and welcome to this episode of Next Step Leadership. Tracy and Chris hope you will have a joyful Christmas season. To help with that, they are excited to interview their friend Michael Stewart. Dr. Stewart is a pastor and author, and previously worked with Tracy and Chris at Emmanuel College when he served as President. He wrote the devotional book Journey to Christmas which guides...

Chris and Tracy continue their conversation with Cheryl Bridges Johns. Cheryl is an author, professor, and minister. Her words are crucial for today’s leaders. She sees what many fail to notice. She states what is often kept silent. Cheryl believes the need for discipleship can only be met through scriptural study. Her writing brings a method of study often neglected. She guides listeners through...

December is an important month to remember Jesus and His love for all people. In this week’s conversation, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell listen to Cheryl Bridges Johns—someone who displays deep care for people. Her years of serving in the academic and church world offer much wisdom in applying what we say we believe. God often gets in the way to guide us in seasons of uncertainty. He wants us t...

In this week’s Next Step Leadership podcast, Chris and Tracy invite listeners to join them as they continue learning from Warren Maye. To lead, we must learn. To learn, we must listen. Warren, an author and editor who serves with The Salvation Army, is a leader to learn from. He has found hope and opportunities through difficulties. He truly lives and leads a “with Jesus” life—praying early each m...

For the Thanksgiving Day episode of Next Step Leadership, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell interview Warren Maye. Warren is an author and editor who serves with The Salvation Army. He tells his story, revealing how God has worked through good and difficult times to guide him where he is now. Like many people, Warren remembers painful chapters in his life. But he has found hope amid the conflict, f...

Chris and Tracy continue their conversation with Derek Senestraro. Derek’s wise perspective and caring heart come out in this conversation. Take time today to learn from his story—and tell your friends to listen to this conversation. Maybe listen together with a friend. Why? Because, as Derek reminds us, technology is important but it is not enough. Relationships are very important in our modern w...

Welcome to a new episode of Next Step Leadership. Derek Senestraro is this week’s guest. Derek has a wonderful history in music, worship, and technology, presently working with Sweetwater Music. Tracy and Chris love hearing Derek’s desire to help today’s leaders find the best way to reach their potential with the needed equipment but also by maintaining the ideal attitude. Derek’s personal story e...

Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell continue their conversation with Phil Cooke. Phil serves in a variety of leadership roles—filmmaker, media consultant, writer, and speaker. In this podcast, Phil brings more ways leaders can think creatively and practically. What is really needed? What can each of us do to be more effective? What is holding us back? How can leaders live while facing deadlines? Sund...

In this episode of Next Step Leadership, Chris and Tracy enjoy an amazing conversation with filmmaker, media consultant, writer, and speaker Phil Cooke. Phil offers wisdom on leading creative people. Today’s leaders need to apply modern methods of learning, marketing, ministering, and mentoring. Through Phil’s wisdom and experience, he gives great insight on what works best in our busy society. Ho...

Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds continue their conversation with Linda Gunter, of the ministry “Love Him Love Them.” As Chris and Tracy invite their audience to take the right steps of life—they hope we all hear the cries of the hurting, the forgotten, the neglected. Linda and her choir travel to sing and pray for their audiences. Her books offer stories of God doing what seems impossible. “Love...

Linda Gunter is an author, speaker, and a servant leader seeking to change the world. She’s inviting many others to join her in this journey. As leaders of “Love Him Love Them” ministry, Linda and her husband have adopted children from Haiti and continue finding ways to offer help and supplies to forgotten people. She tells her story to Tracy and Chris, including her initial reluctance, hoping the...

Chris and Tracy continue their conversation with Kevin Durham. Kevin’s story connects with so many people. His work and ministry reveal how creative minds and humble hearts are desperately needed in today’s culture. Listen to his story. Consider again the important question, “What is your story?” Think about your own story. How does your story help others know they belong and can believe in the Cr...

Kevin Durham is a fascinating communicator, leader, film maker, and story teller. His own life journey has inspired Kevin to help others find their own stories. Tracy and Chris enjoy their conversation with him and believe you will also. Kevin created the film Miracle Matt, and connected to many athletes helping them see the transformation of lives through the love of Jesus. Films and stories open...

In this episode of Next Step Leadership, Tracy and Chris talk about practical ways to help others find balance in the uneven surfaces of life—while also remembering to apply that themselves. Tracy has used the book Equilibrium to guide church leaders to learn and live the key elements of a better life. The book is available for today’s leaders. The stories and questions and guidelines offer peace...

In the second segment of their interview with Trés Ward, Tracy and Chris love continuing to hear his story. Leaders are bombarded with gifts and dreams and ideas, and they often unfortunately miss opportunities right beside them to serve others. Trés talks about finding his true life purpose means helping others find theirs. Trying to find what God is doing and how we can be a part of that. Trés a...