Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies

Many pastors are doing everything they know to do—praying, preaching, serving faithfully—yet still feel exhausted, stalled, or quietly discouraged. In this episode, Kevin Elworth returns to Pastors Thriving after a short pause to address a tension most pastors feel but rarely say out loud: Faithfulness alone doesn’t guarantee effectiveness. This conversation reframes burnout, disengaged volunteers...

What if your church’s discipleship system could multiply without adding a single new program? In this fast-paced episode, Kevin unpacks three powerful shifts every pastor must make to move from maintenance to movement in their discipleship culture. Drawing from his Make More Disciples Challenge , Kevin explains how small mindset shifts can unlock massive ministry impact. In this episode, you’ll le...

Today on Pastors Thriving , I welcome Pastor Bryan Samms , lead pastor of River City Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL. Bryan and his wife, Angie, along with their five kids, are living proof that prayer and radical belief in an almighty God still move mountains today. Now, you might be thinking, “Isn’t that what every church is about?” Great question—and in this power-packed episode, you’ll disc...

In this episode of Pastors Thriving , I sit down with Pastor Emmanuel Kuta from Kenya to hear firsthand about the miraculous movement of God unfolding in his ministry. From healings to transformations, Pastor Emmanuel shares stories that will stir your faith and encourage you to believe for more in your own context. Whether you’re pastoring a small church or leading a growing ministry, these mirac...

In this episode of Pastors Thriving , I sit down with Meme Mulugeta, a woman with a powerful story of redemption and renewal. Meme shares how the Lord has led her out of a wilderness season into a fresh place of growth, freedom, and obedience to His Spirit. If you’ve ever felt stuck, dry, or desolate in your spiritual journey, Meme’s testimony will encourage you to keep trusting the Lord’s leading...

What if your church’s discipleship system could multiply without adding a single new program? In this fast-paced episode, Kevin unpacks three powerful shifts every pastor must make to move from maintenance to movement in their discipleship culture. Drawing from his Make More Disciples Challenge , Kevin explains how small mindset shifts can unlock massive ministry impact. In this episode, you’ll le...

Special episode in honor of Charlie Kirk and his profound and powerful legacy

If someone asked your staff to write down your church’s mission, would they all say the same thing? In this episode, Kevin walks pastors through 7 clarity-defining questions that reveal how well your church’s mission, discipleship process, and expectations are actually understood—not just by you, but by your staff, volunteers, and congregation. Clarity kills confusion. Without it, you lose momentu...

What lies have you unknowingly partnered with that keep you from experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with author Jodi Goshorn to talk about her new book, Goodbye Lies, Hello Life . Jodi opens up about her journey from missions work in Thailand to homeschooling mom of six, and the painful but freeing process of uncovering lies she believed about...

Rebuild momentum, reenergize your people, and stop settling for surface-level ministry. Pastor—what if the energy you’ve been praying for is just three decisions away? In this episode of Pastors Thriving , Kevin breaks down the 3 key decisions that can reignite engagement in your church —without burning you out or overhauling everything. Whether you're sensing apathy in your people, fatigue in you...

Abundance is a word we throw around in church circles — but have you ever stopped to ask, what does abundance look like for me? In this episode of Pastors Thriving , Kevin takes you into Psalm 24:1, John 10:10, and Romans 8:28 to explore how God’s definition of abundance intersects with your personal desires, ministry goals, and family life. Kevin shares his own story of a sabbatical retreat where...

Fall is here—and it’s not just about launching the next sermon series. It’s about building momentum that actually lasts. In this episode, Kevin breaks down five crucial areas pastors must refocus on to see sustainable growth—not just in numbers, but in culture, engagement, and team ownership. If you’ve ever felt like your fall ministry season turns into a sprint with no finish line, this episode i...

Hey Pastor—are you tired but still pushing through? You’re not alone. In this episode, Kevin opens up about the hidden fatigue many pastors feel right now: mentally foggy, spiritually dry, and emotionally stuck… all while ministry is picking up speed. Before fall kicks off and your calendar takes over, this is your pause button —an invitation to reset your mind and reclaim your soul. Inside this e...

In this raw and unfiltered episode, Kevin Elworth opens up about a deeply personal season of discouragement and what it means to feel like everything is falling apart. From wrestling with trust in God to navigating financial pressures and ministry disappointment, Kevin shares what led him to step away for the month of July—and what he learned in the stillness. This episode is for any pastor who fe...

Your church doesn’t need another program—it needs movement. If your discipleship strategy feels like a dead-end… if you’re doing everything and still seeing minimal fruit… this episode is for you. In this episode, I break down 3 of the biggest reasons discipleship fails to stick—and how to flip each one fast. These aren’t theories. They’re battle-tested truths from 20 years of ministry—and what’s...

On this episode of Pastors Thriving , I’m joined by pastor, entrepreneur, and travel hacking pro— Tim Walker . Tim wears a lot of hats: church planter, business owner, leadership coach, husband, and dad. But today, we’re narrowing in on one powerful topic that could seriously change the game for your personal and ministry travel: how to travel anywhere for free using points. We’re talking: What tr...

If you’ve ever felt let down by ministry, misunderstood by the people you serve, or disillusioned by the gap between what you hoped would happen and what actually did… you’re not alone. In this heartfelt episode, Kevin opens up a conversation that pastors rarely get to have — about disappointment. The kind that wears on your soul. The kind you don’t talk about from the stage. The kind that quietly...

🎙️ Pastors Thriving — Episode: “Why You Keep Burning Out Every Winter (And What to Do Instead)” with Ruben Gomez Episode Summary: In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Ruben Gomez , founder of The Seasonal Movement and creator of the Neuro-Seasonal Harmony Method . Ruben spent years doing everything right — discipline, hustle, grind — and still found himself crashing every winter. Sound f...

In this episode of Pastors Thriving , we dive into one of the most powerful — and honestly, most painful — passages in the Gospels: John 15 . It’s a chapter we love to preach… but hate to live. Jesus tells us that those who bear fruit will be pruned so they can bear even more. But what does that actually mean? Kevin unpacks a deeply personal and biblically rich look at how pruning isn’t about puni...

Hey Pastor, We all need encouragement— all the time. Sometimes it's a steady stream we need. Other times, just one word can carry us through. Either way, the truth is the same: we need it. So today, I’m keeping it real and raw—offering the kind of encouragement you might need right now, in this exact moment. Kevin's book, Breaking the I Can't Cycle is live on Amazon right now! It's a quick read th...

Hey Pastor! On my show today, I'm delighted to introduce you to Shawn Andrews. Shawn is a husband and father to three daughters. He is also a John Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, speaker, and the founder of “The Inked Disciple podcast” and the “Memento Mori Method”—a faith-based coaching movement helping men live with purpose, lead with strength, and leave a legacy. Blending biblical truth wit...

Hey Pastor, On today’s episode of Pastors Thriving , we’re talking church planting with Andrew Broucher—a guy who didn’t just dream about ministry, he came back home and built it from the ground up. Born and raised in Somerset, PA, Andrew planted New Hope Baptist Church in 2018 with just 17 people. Fast-forward seven years, and they’ve grown to over 300 and are still gaining momentum. It hasn’t be...

In this episode of Pastors Thriving , we dive deep into John 15 —a passage every pastor knows but not every pastor lives from . If ministry has felt like a grind lately… if you’re doing all the right things and still seeing little fruit… this isn’t a hustle issue. It’s an abiding issue. Jesus makes it clear: fruit doesn’t come from effort, it comes from connection. This is your personal invitation...

Hey Pastor, Let’s be honest—ministry can be fulfilling and financially frustrating at the same time. If you've ever felt the pinch, this episode is going to be a game-changer. I’m talking with Dr. Michael Shafer—a faithful pastor, founder of G6 Allies, and the brilliant mind behind Stocks for Pastors . He’s on a mission to help ministry leaders like you build long-term financial stability without...

Hey Pastor, On today’s episode of Pastors Thriving , I sit down with Jason Purvis —a husband, father, former pastor, and now CEO of Next Phase Leadership . Jason is on a mission to equip Christian men to lead their homes with strength, humility, and unshakable faith. As a Men’s Mental Strength Trainer, he’s helping dads break free from passivity and step fully into the role God’s called them to. I...