The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle welcomes Dr. Ray Chang —former church planter, Corporate Manager of Faith-Based Engagement & Partnerships at Thrivent , and longtime Stadia board member—to discuss one of the greatest challenges church planters face: finances . Ray shares his journey from growing up in a Korean immigrant church to planting multi-ethnic churches in Washin...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle sits down with church planter, coach, and author Marc Lucenius , lead pastor of 938 Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Marc recently released his new book, Rest for the Restless , a practical and deeply personal exploration of how leaders can sustain healthy ministry without sacrificing their souls. Marc shares the story of planting 9...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle talks with church planter, network leader, and author Josh Benadum about the future of church planting, the rise of house churches, and what it takes to cultivate a life of lasting spiritual influence. Josh and his wife, Mary, lead a growing network of house churches in Orlando through Acacia House Churches , while also collaborating wit...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle sits down with Dhati and Angie Lewis —church planters, leaders at Blueprint Church in Atlanta, and founders of MyBLVD —to talk about one of the most important and often overlooked topics in ministry: how to build a thriving marriage and family while leading at a high level . With over 25 years of marriage, six children, and decades of mi...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle sits down with Marc Estes , pastor, author, and CEO of Visitor Reach —an AI-driven platform helping churches connect with people in today's digital-first culture. Marc shares insights from over 40 years in ministry, including his time as senior pastor of Manor House in Portland and his leadership in global church movements that have help...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle sits down with Frank Bealer , CEO of Generis , to talk about leadership, church growth, and building healthy ministry environments that reach the next generation. Frank shares his journey—from coming to faith as a teenager in a small rural church, to serving in student ministry, to helping shape family ministry strategies at churches lik...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle talks with Dr. Derwin Gray , co-founder and lead pastor of Transformation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Derwin is also the recipient of the John Perkins Justice Award and the author of books including How to Heal Our Racial Divide and What's Up with Love? . Derwin shares his powerful story—from growing up in difficult circumstance...

In this special episode of The Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle sits down with his dear friend Kathryn Ransom —a lifelong educator, author, Bible teacher, and faithful kingdom leader who, at 90 years old , continues to teach, learn, and invest in others. Kathryn shares her remarkable life story, shaped by faith-filled parents, a mobile childhood, and deep involvement in the local church from...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle sits down with Bryan Loritts , award-winning author, pastor, and nationally recognized voice on multi-ethnic church leadership. Bryan is the author of Right Color, Wrong Culture and has devoted his ministry to helping leaders communicate with clarity, humility, and credibility across cultural and racial differences. Together, Greg and Br...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle sits down with Michael Frost , internationally recognized missiologist, author, and leading voice in the missional church movement. Michael is the author of influential books including The Shape of Things to Come. Together, Greg and Michael explore what it means to lead, plant, and evangelize in a post-Christian world —a cultural reality...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle sits down with Russ Ewell , Executive Minister of the Bay Area Christian Church , author of He's Not Who You Think He Is , and founder of Digital Scribbler . Together they explore one of today's most pressing ministry questions: How do we reach, disciple, and develop Gen Z and millennials into kingdom leaders? Russ shares recent data sho...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , host Greg Nettle , President of Stadia Church Planting , welcomes long-time friend Andy Sikora , planter and lead pastor of Renew Communities in Cleveland. Fresh off a two-week Patagonia trek, Andy reflects on 15 years of church planting and the lessons learned along the way. Andy shares how he and his wife moved to Cleveland after serving in young...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , host Greg Nettle talks with Joey Odom about the intersection of faith, technology, and personal health . Joey—co-founder of ReclaimWell —explains how constant proximity to our phones is reshaping our relationships, productivity, and even our spiritual lives. They discuss the concept of "digital thorns" — how smartphones, though powerful tools for di...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle sits down with Jay Pathak , National Director of Vineyard USA and co-author of The Art of Neighboring . Jay shares his unexpected journey into church planting, from studying philosophy at Ohio State to planting Mile High Vineyard in Denver after 9/11. Key themes include: The power of a clear calling —and why clarity often means higher co...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle sits down with Brian Hofmeister, founding pastor of Lakepoint Church in Muskego, Wisconsin. Brian shares the powerful story of how his church moved from a single church plant to becoming a multiplying, sending church. Key themes include: How a church of any size can invest in multiplication from the beginning Why Lakepoint committed 10%...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , host Greg Nettle welcomes Mark DeYmaz , founding pastor of Mosaic Church in Little Rock and a leading voice in the multiethnic church movement. Mark pulls back the curtain on how his church is thriving through missional vitality and church economics —generating revenue, leveraging real estate, serving the poor, and reaching their community with tang...

In this powerful conversation, Greg Nettle sits down with author and pastor John Ortberg to discuss his newest book, Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn't Enough . Drawing inspiration from the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous , Ortberg reveals why this recovery-based model may actually be the most effective path to real spiritual transformation —for everyone, not just those...

In this powerful episode of The Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle is joined by long-time friend and influential church leader Dave Ferguson . Dave is the founding pastor of Community Christian Church , president of Exponential , and co-founder of the global church planting network NewThing —now integrated into Exponential. The conversation covers: Dave's personal and organizational transitions...

Greg sits down with Dr. Liz Rios (Founder of Passion2Plant ) and Rev. Len Tang (Director of the Fuller Church Planting Initiative ) to explore the expanding world of multiethnic, micro, and digital church planting . They unpack the rapid growth of microchurches, the increasing leadership of women of color in church planting, and the redefinition of success beyond outdated metrics. The conversation...

In this episode, Greg Nettle talks with Dean Sweetman , co-founder and co-CEO of Tithely , a digital giving platform now used by over 50,000 churches worldwide. Dean shares his remarkable journey from being a high school dropout and aspiring surfer in Australia to planting over 60 churches globally and building a church tech company processing billions in donations annually. Key highlights: Dean's...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle sits down with longtime friend and teaching pastor Tammy Melchien. Tammy has served at Community Christian Church in Chicagoland for over two decades and is releasing her first book, Choosing the Opposite , in October 2025. Tammy reflects on her journey as a church planter in urban Chicago, the unique challenges of being a single woman i...

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast , host Greg Nettle is joined by Tim Celek from Stadia's post-launch team and two dynamic kids ministry leaders from Georgia— Brittany Ara of City Church Griffin and Robyn Alexander of Foundation Christian Church. Together, they outline five essential principles for church leaders who want to reach and disciple the next generation: Safety isn't optiona...

Welcome jet pilot, pastor, and author Ricky Brown to unpack the five "hazardous attitudes" every church leader must watch out for—straight from FAA training and powerfully applied to ministry. Ricky draws on his dual experience as a commercial pilot and church planter to share practical, soul-tending wisdom for avoiding burnout and moral failure. Ricky's new book, The 5 Hazardous Attitudes: Ways t...

In this episode of the Church Planting Podcast , Greg Nettle welcomes his longtime friend Brian Tome, founder and senior pastor of Crossroads Church in Cincinnati. Brian unpacks the unfiltered reality of church planting—from answering a magazine ad with 11 strangers to building a church that reaches tens of thousands weekly. He shares how grit, vision clarity, and authenticity have shaped his jour...

In this episode of "The Church Planting Podcast," hosted by Greg Nettle, president of Stadia Church Planting, guests Josh Abernathy and Clint Nolder discuss their experiences as church planters navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. They share personal and corporate insights on leading their congregations through unprecedented times, adapting to new realities, and maintaining their mi...