Salty Talk: Inspiring Intentional Community Engagement

In this bonus episode of Salty Talk , our hosts are joined by John Heflick, Local Engagement Lead at Crossroads Christian Church in Evansville, Indiana, to discuss how healthy teams are built through relationships, proximity, coaching, and shared ownership. John shares practical strategies for moving people from simply serving to becoming passionate advocates for their communities, while emphasizi...

In this episode of Salty Talk , Jerome and Becky explore what it takes to build strong, effective teams in community ministry that create a culture of trust, feedback, and appreciation. Drawing from personal ministry experiences and biblical examples, they discuss why effective teams require more than simply gathering willing people. This conversation explores tools like personality assessments, t...

Our Salty Talk host, Becky King, talks with author Kris Eldridge about his great new resource for local outreach leaders: A 2 book series called "Beyond The Walls - Mobilizing Your Church for Community Outreach”

In this episode, our hosts dive into one of the most complex challenges facing local communities—homelessness. With various perspectives from Ohio, Kentucky, and California, they unpack how geography shapes the experience of homelessness and how community ministers can respond with empathy, wisdom, and collaboration. From visible encampments to invisible car-sleeping families, this conversation ca...

In this follow-up episode on human trafficking, our team sits down with Jennifer Juarez from Waymakers and the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force to explore how churches can play a meaningful, sustainable role in prevention and restoration. Rather than rushing to “do something,” this conversation challenges community ministers to slow down, listen well, and partner wisely with organization...

In this powerful episode, our hosts welcome  Carrie Bradley , founder of Identifreed , to unpack the realities of human trafficking through both lived experience and ministry leadership. Carrie shares her personal story of survival, redemption, and calling, offering rare insight into the complexities of trafficking, trauma, and long-term restoration. Together, this conversation challenges common m...

In this episode of Salty Talk , your hosts Becky, Erica, and Jerome dive deep into what it really takes to care for and manage volunteers well. Drawing from their own experiences in community ministry, they discuss the fine line between managing logistics and shepherding people. You'll hear real stories about burnout, relational check-ins, and how to gracefully "fire" a volunteer whe...

In this follow-up to last episode’s tactical holiday planning tips, the Salty Talk crew gets real about what it means to personally show up during the busiest time of year. How do community ministers lead with joy while navigating fatigue, family, and the pressure to be “on” 24/7? In this honest and uplifting conversation, Jerome, Erica, and Becky share how they set boundaries, embrace rest, and k...

In this holiday episode, the Salty Talk crew dives deep into the realities of leading local outreach ministry during the busiest time of year. From maximizing generosity to building sustainable systems, they explore how to engage both church members and the unchurched in meaningful acts of service—without burning out your team or losing focus on the bigger mission. Hear about real-life stories, he...

In this episode of Salty Talk , hosts Becky, Erica, and Jerome dive deep into the art and impact of storytelling in community ministry. From the “why” behind telling stories to the “when” and “how” to share them effectively, this conversation is centered around biblical perspective and heartfelt wisdom. Our trio unpacks the role of stories in inspiring volunteers, building compassion, and elevatin...

What if your church disappeared tomorrow—would your city notice? In this episode of Salty Talk , we’re joined by Chris Winn from Community Life Church in Shawnee, Kansas. With over 40 years of ministry experience and a heart for his city, Chris shares how asking one tough question changed the direction of his church forever. He walks us through the practical (and sometimes messy) journey of partne...

How do you measure success when you’re serving people instead of selling a product? In this follow-up to the previous conversation on ministry metrics, the Salty Talk crew digs into the heart (and grit) of setting and measuring goals in community ministry. From tracking meals served to navigating the tension between big numbers and real impact, this episode is packed with honest, practical insight...

In this episode of Salty Talk , hosts Becky, Jerome, and Erica dive into a tricky element of community ministry: how to measure success. From failed events and unexpected wins to long-term transformation and small but powerful stories, this honest conversation explores what it really looks like to lead local outreach with both strategy and soul. Whether you're a seasoned community minister or...

We’re back with part two of our conversation on church collaboration—and this time, we’re digging even deeper. Join hosts Becky, Jerome, and Erica as they swap real-life stories and practical advice about what it takes to build meaningful partnerships between churches of all sizes and styles. Hear how cross-church efforts are meeting community needs, why intentional humility matters, and how you c...

In this episode, co-hosts Jerome, Erica, and Becky explore the realities, challenges, and rewards of church-to-church collaboration. From awkward cold calls and territorial reputations to humbling rejections and beautiful partnerships, they break down what it looks like to pursue unity among churches of all sizes and styles. Erica shares practical insights on approaching other churches with humili...

In this episode, the Salty Talk team welcomes guest Mike Lindeman, Community Minister at NorthStar Church in Atlanta, to discuss what it really looks like to serve local schools with consistency, compassion, and no strings attached. With over a decade of experience building sustainable school partnerships, Mike shares stories, strategies, and encouragement for churches looking to make a long-term...

In this honest and energizing episode of Salty Talk, co-hosts Jerome, Erica, and Becky tackle the real and relatable topic of compassion fatigue that is so prevalent in the world of service work. Drawing from their own experiences as community ministers, parents, and people who wear many hats, the team explores what compassion fatigue looks like, why it shows up, and how to guard against it with h...

Fresh off the 2025 Community Minister Network Summit in Louisville, KY, Jerome and Becky are joined by special guest Carissa Figgins for a real, refreshing recap of what made this year’s gathering so powerful. From unexpected ministry connections to vulnerable conversations about fear, advocacy, and the gospel, this episode is a heartfelt look at what happens when local outreach leaders get in the...

In this episode, the Salty Talk team dives into what it really looks like when churches come together to respond to crisis—specifically wildfires in Southern California. Guest Paula from Shepherd Church shares how her team mobilized local churches, nonprofits, and even government leaders to serve families affected by the fires. The conversation explores the beauty and challenges of disaster relief...

In this foundational episode of Salty Talk , hosts Becky, Jerome, and Erica welcome special guests Kent and Mary Lee, the founders of the Community Minister Network. Together, they unpack the origin story of the Network, share the heart behind the movement, and reflect on why community ministry is one of the most vital—yet often isolating—roles in the Church today. From building citywide church co...

In this very first episode of Salty Talk , co-hosts Becky, Jerome, and Erica kick off the podcast with laughter, vulnerability, and purpose. Listeners get to know each host’s journey into community ministry, while also hearing the heart behind the show: to inspire intentional community engagement and provide a place for outreach leaders to learn, grow, and get a little “salty” together. You’ll hea...