Leading Conversations

Today's conversation is with Chris Pinion. A pastor in Kansas City or "K.C.K.," a chaplain, and a volunteer fire chief. Chis makes being a part of his community a big part of his ministry. Coming out of a dysfunctional family, his mom was married eight times; Chris shares how God always has a plan, and that plan continues throughout life. You won't want to miss the ventriloquis...

If you'd like to hear from the individual JD calls one of the smartest persons he knows, here is your chance. Today's interview is with his son Scott Pearring. Raised as the son of a church planter, Scott shares his view from the backseat on the journey that led to Excel and his personal faith and professional growth. If you don't have a plan for your future, you will want one after...

After years of working in ministry together, Jeff and Lisa Harrington decided to retire and move to Hawaii. What could be better than palm trees and beautiful beaches? Of course, planting a church. After Jeff and Lisa had spent some time in Hawaii, they saw how life for people living there is not the same as those who vacation there. God placed a call on their hearts to plant Lion's Den Churc...

The call to church planting can lead someone to many places. In the case of Pastor Chris Finchum, he and his wife were led to Yuba City, CA, from Tampa, FL. After a few trips to visit his wife's family, they both saw the need for a church that could reach the people of the community that had walked away from the Jesus that wasn't the Jesus of the Bible. Of course, the fact that wild chic...

Disregarding her girlfriends' advice to avoid the new football player on their college campus, Deb decided to introduce herself to Larry. That choice lead them both into a remarkable ministry adventure together. They saw God's vision to change from the popular church growth model to a church multiplication model (church planting). Their church caught the vision as, well, and they got goi...

You have probably heard people talk about God's big plan for this world. Most assume that those plans are for someone else. Not Pastor Daniel Nunez. He caught God's crazy, audacious, bold, and inspiring vision to plant 50 churches in Mexico. The really crazy thing is that, in early 2023, he and his team of pastors will be planting church 50. Daniel is an example of how God can do the imp...

Jon and Christian were two friends on different journeys in their faith. Both came to realize that God was more than they had initially imagined. After working in various ministry roles in different areas, Jon and Christian were led to plant Fireside Church in September of 2022 near Phoenix, AZ. They would be the first to tell you that you can't give up on God's call and being genuine to...

Justin and Heidi Fox are planting a church in California. It's just not where you might first think of; this part of California is nearly three hundred miles north of San Francisco, in Arcata, CA. Think redwood forests instead of palm trees. It's a community of artists and creatives. You might want to listen to Justin's tip about having the shortest altar call at the end of a sermon...

Larry Osborne is a pastor, author, mentor, and leadership consultant. He pioneered several concepts that shape our modern church today, teaching teams, multisite churches, and sermon-based small groups. Larry shares his own journey and how his family and their support shaped his faith. You will be encouraged by his story. Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Conne...

Ray and Rachel Hudson are church planters in Berkley, California, arguably one of the most challenging cities in the U.S. to plant a church in. They had to devise a unique plan to reach their community. It's all about loving and serving the city "so hard that they rethink their preconceived notions of faith." Rather than focusing on college students, they strive to impact people who...

Ken Hendrix is a church planter with a long history in ministry that brought him to California for over a decade. Ken and his wife have been back in their home state of Kentucky for several years now. As with most of his ministry work, Ken's original plan was not God's. Inspiration for a church plant became an interim lead pastor position, allowing an existing church to thrive and grow....

Sometimes when you are a church planter, you feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. Andrew Morrison, a church planter in Colorado, can actually calculate that weight. It starts at 675 pounds and goes up from there. Andrew participates nationally in Strongman competitions. So if you ever feel like you have a lot on your shoulders, you can be encouraged by his story. Send us F...

This is part two of our conversation with the Drinkwines. How would you handle your church plant launch when more than half of your launch team is in COVID quarantine and half of your RSVPs cancel for the same reason? Brain & Sarah found themselves in that situation when they launched their second church plant in the Spring of 2022. You will be encouraged by their journey, and you might even w...

How would you handle your church plant launch when more than half of your launch team is in COVID quarantine and half of your RSVPs cancel for the same reason? Brain & Sarah Drinkwine found themselves in that situation when they launched their second church plant in the Spring of 2022. You will be encouraged by their journey, and you might even want to pack up everything you own and move to Na...

Ken and his wife Carolyn lead Mercy Road Church Northeast in Indianapolis, Indiana. They share how their desire to be faithful to God's plan for their ministry, brought them both from southern California and Hawaii to the midwest. After hearing their stories, you may just want to go fishing and eat some cookies. Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect he...

If anyone is proof that God has a plan for your life, it is Church planter, Andy Elliott. Currently the pastor of The Beat Church in Round Rock, Texas. The intervention of Christian friends pulled him away from an addiction to alcohol and self-destructive behavior. A willingness to be open to what God wanted him to do, helped him overcome severe social anxiety. You will be encouraged by Andy'...

In this episode, J.D. meets with Josh Ferris, a church planter from Loveland, CO. If there is one takeaway from the conversation, it could be, don't join the Marines without telling your wife first. Beyond that, Josh has learned first hand when you ask God for faith; God provides you with opportunities to develop faith. You will be encouraged by Josh's journey. Send us Fan Mail We want t...

In this episode, you will hear from Luke Allen. Not only a church planter that has planted other churches out of his own, but the COO of Excel Leadership Network. You will be encouraged by his journey, and after listening, you may feel the need to head to a Cracker Barrell restaurant for a challenging conversation.  Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect her...

If you have ever been to an Excel Discovery Center, then you have probably met today's guest. From its beginnings, Geoff Wells and his wife Sharon have been a part of Excel Leadership Network. As a retired Army officer, he is often referred to as "The Colonel." Geoff's life story is worth listening to. For anyone that has been lucky enough to meet him, you walk away from that m...

Today's conversation is with Paul Mints, pastor of the TCAL Church in Midland, TX. Paul was fortunate to grow up in a Christian home where both parents demonstrated their commitment to Jesus. His call to ministry came naturally. When Paul was led to plant a church, like most planters, it started with Paul wearing many hats to get all the pieces moving. He developed a novel approach to leaders...

As a church planter or leader, this thought has probably crossed your mind; my work would be much easier if my church were located on a beautiful island paradise in the Pacific. It turns out the opposite is true. Stefen and Amber Fussle launched Awakening church on the island of Maui. Beyond all the typical challenges faced when planting a church, they needed to find a way to navigate a resilient...

Weston Brown led his first church at the young age of 19. He went on to work in various church settings, both large and small, until he finally was led to plant a church in Shreveport, Louisiana. As he shares his journey, he shares how important it is not to get caught up in the operations of a church and lose sight of people in need of the gospel. Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your ne...

Churches across the country have mostly figured out how to operate in a COVID world. It has been a long two years for many to figure out how to reach their communities effectively. Chris Kirish made what many would consider at the time to be a crazy decision. He decided to launch his new church plant entirely online. That wasn't how you started a church. It worked and has led Renovate Church...

After you hear the story of Stuart's life, you'll learn how God's mercy and plan for our lives are real. It was a long road from dealing drugs and time in prison, to now planting a church in Valley Center, CA. Listen to his story and you will be encouraged by the plan that God had for Stuart's life, and for yours. Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in min...

To say that Tim and Kyah have been on a spiritual journey their whole lives is an understatement. Both separately and together as a couple, God has taken them through some exciting adventures. They are currently planting Neon Chapel in Whittier, CA. Their story will inspire you. Afterward, you will be on the lookout for "Scooter." Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps...