Episodes

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 128 Series: Church on the Frontier Description: Discipleship was never meant to remain a class, curriculum, or concept. Peyton Jones of Discipology and Patrick Linnell of Grace Bomb are helping ordinary followers of Jesus turn Scripture, kindness, and faithful intention into everyday action. Their work shows what becomes possible when people realize that participating in God’s mission does not require a platform, professional title, or complicated program. This ...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 127 Series: Church on the Frontier Description: Technology is not the mission, but it can help remove barriers the Church has tolerated for too long. Aiden Britnell of Kaleo AI and James Donley of OneChurch.io share how digital tools can increase accessibility, strengthen collaboration, and serve Gospel movement. From real-time translation that helps people participate across language barriers to city-wide platforms that connect churches around prayer and missio...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 126 Series: Church on the Frontier Description: What happens when the Church stops asking the next generation to come to us and begins recognizing where God is already at work among them? Michael Swalley of Break Free Ministries and Austin Rockwell of Kamp Love share how they are cultivating Jesus-centered communities within hip-hop culture and on college campuses. Their stories reveal the power of trusted relationships, culturally rooted leadership, and meeting...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 125 Series: Church on the Frontier Description: Some of the Church’s most important innovation is happening in neighborhoods and congregations that rarely receive the spotlight. Dhati Lewis of MyBLVD and Doug Beutler of Seeds of Change Network discuss contextual discipleship, urban mission, and the untapped potential of smaller churches. Together, they challenge the assumption that multiplication requires a large platform or extensive resources. This conversatio...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 124 Series: Urban Missions 101: Why America’s Cities Need Missionaries Too Description: In this closing episode, Dhati Lewis and Missie Branch reflect on the biggest themes from the series and explore why urban missionaries need intentional investment, coaching, community, and care to thrive for the long haul. This conversation is part of a collaboration between Exponential NEXT and MyBLVD, working together to equip and encourage leaders serving on mission in c...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 123 Series: Urban Missions 101: Why America’s Cities Need Missionaries Too Description: What does contextualization actually mean, and why does it matter in urban missions? Daniel Yang brings theological and cultural insight to the conversation, helping listeners understand how cities shape Gospel ministry today. This conversation is part of a collaboration between Exponential NEXT and MyBLVD, working together to equip and encourage leaders serving on mission i...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 122 Series: Urban Missions 101: Why America’s Cities Need Missionaries Too Description: What does it take to sustain ministry in today’s cities? In this two-part conversation, Dhati Lewis is joined by James Hobson and Pete Contreras to explore the realities of urban mission beyond traditional ministry models. From entrepreneurship, nonprofits, and creative funding strategies to serving across multiple ministry contexts at once, they discuss why many urban leader...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 121 Series: Urban Missions 101: Why America’s Cities Need Missionaries Too Description: Dhati Lewis and Dale Huntington explore what it means to lead where you live, work, and worship. From neighborhood discipleship to navigating violence, addiction, and broken systems, this episode highlights the depth and complexity of hyperlocal ministry. This conversation is part of a collaboration between Exponential NEXT and MyBLVD, working together to equip and encourage...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 120 Series: Urban Missions 101: Why America’s Cities Need Missionaries Too Description: In one of the most personal episodes of the series, Dhati and Angie Lewis open up about the emotional, relational, and spiritual costs of urban ministry and the unexpected gifts that come with it. Together, they reflect on what ministry in the city has cost them, what it has given them, and why healthy support systems are essential for long-term faithfulness. This honest conv...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 119 Series: Urban Missions 101: Why America’s Cities Need Missionaries Too Description: Why do we often think of missions as something that only happens overseas? In this episode, Dhati Lewis is joined by Missie Branch and Isaac Badaraco to help us rethink America’s cities as strategic mission fields and see urban missionaries through a new lens. Together, they explore the realities of staying rooted in difficult contexts, the calling and sacrifice required for ...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 118 Series: Candid Conversations About Women and the Church Description: In this episode of Candid Conversations About Women and the Church, Andrea Chung shares her inspiring journey into ministry. She reflects on how a gentle prompting from God during a college summer break opened the door to a life of serving others, and how the faithful legacy of her father’s ministry helped shape her calling. Andrea also shares about planting and leading a church in Orange C...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 117 Series: Candid Conversations About Women and the Church Description: In this episode of Candid Conversations About Women and the Church, Missie Branch shares her journey of faithfully walking with Jesus through various seasons of life, ministry, and leadership. From serving in a church plant to running a baking business to leading MyBLVD, Missie reflects on the importance of helping Christ-followers discover and live out their God-given calling. Her story of...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 116 Series: Candid Conversations About Women and the Church Description: In this episode of Candid Conversations About Women and the Church, Simi John shares her passion for preaching and teaching the Gospel both within the local church and through her professional vocation as a physical therapist. Simi reflects on her journey of immigrating from India, the ways God has shaped her faith and calling, and her deep commitment to faithfully teaching Scripture. She a...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 115 Series: Candid Conversations About Women and the Church Description: In this episode of Candid Conversations About Women and the Church, Ashley Weece shares her journey of planting a church alongside her husband while raising a young family. With honesty and grace, she reflects on the joys and challenges of ministry, her passion for serving the Church, and the realities of navigating both affirmation and opposition in her calling. Her story is a powerful tes...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 114 Series: Candid Conversations About Women and the Church Description: In this episode of Candid Conversations About Women and the Church, we are joined by Vanessa Cruz as shares thoughtful insights on the discipleship needs of the next generation. Drawing from her work with Urban Youth Workers Institute, she offers a compelling vision for whole-life discipleship and its transformative impact on young people today. Vanessa highlights the importance of shaping ...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Bonus Episode Description: What if the biggest shifts shaping the future of the Church are already happening…and most leaders are just starting to notice? In this one-hour conversation, Dave Ferguson, Carey Nieuwhof, and Carrie Williams unpack the 7 Disruptive Church Trends Defining 2026…from the surprising rise of Gen Z faith to the quiet crisis of leadership pipelines, from algorithm-driven discipleship to the looming impact of AI. This isn’t just a trends conversatio...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 113 Series: Candid Conversations About Women and the Church Description: In this episode of Candid Conversations About Women and the Church, Jaime Levi shares her journey of deconstruction, being drawn back to following Jesus through the genuine love of two co-workers. Jaime shares that early on her return to following Jesus she heard God say He was going to use her voice, but it has been a journey of navigating working with both healthy and unhealthy leaders. S...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 112 Series: Exploring Distinct Expressions Within the Landscape of Church Planting Description: What if church planting wasn’t tied to a place—but to a people? In this episode, we will explore anew the conversation surrounding the innovative world of affinity church planting—a model focused on reaching specific communities rather than geographic regions. Join us as we hear from Steven Barr, founder of Cast Member Church, which ministers to Walt Disney Company em...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 111 Series: Exploring Distinct Expressions Within the Landscape of Church Planting Description: Can a church actually grow by getting smaller? Join Bill Couchenour as we revisit his discussion with Jason Shepperd, founder of Church Project in The Woodlands, Texas, to uncover the secrets to Network Church Planting. Explore the power of relational communities, discover how to cultivate leaders from within, and learn how to use your church building as a shared reso...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 110 Series: Exploring Distinct Expressions Within the Landscape of Church Planting Description: Forget the building, forget the budget – what if all you needed was your neighbors? Come along as we explore this conversation again with Brian Johnson and Rob Wegner, leaders of the Kansas City Underground, as they share their powerful journey into microchurch planting. The Kansas City Underground equips people to live as missionaries in their own networks through rh...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 109 Series: Exploring Distinct Expressions Within the Landscape of Church Planting Description: What happens when church planting takes an unexpected turn—and it’s exactly what God intended? In this episode, join us as we take another look at the conversation between our hosts Carrie Williams and Bill Couchenour and Justin and Janae Klatt, founders of Imagine Church Global, a fully digital faith community born from obedience and innovation. What began as a tradi...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 108 Series: Exploring Distinct Expressions Within the Landscape of Church Planting Description: What if your church could fight hunger AND fuel your soul? Let’s revisit the forward-thinking approach of entrepreneurial church planting with our guests, Carl Johnson and Scott Woller. These innovative leaders are embedding their churches in the heart of their communities, using coffee shops, grocery stores, and workforce development programs as powerful expressions ...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 107 Series: Exploring Distinct Expressions Within the Landscape of Church Planting Description: Is your church ready to reach more people in more places? Join us as we revisit this conversation and dive into the world of multisite church with Christy Gibas, Lead Pastor of The Table Church. Drawing from her own leadership journey, Christy offers a behind-the-scenes look at how her church has reproduced its ministry into multiple locations. She unpacks the vision,...

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 106 Series: From Soil to Forest: The Practice of Networked Ministry Description: In this episode, Patrick O’Connell and guest Andrew Hoffman discuss the evolution of church planting networks and the shift from isolated ministry to collaborative missional work. Host: Patrick O’Connell, Networks NEXT, Director Guest: Andrew Hoffman, Bay Area Church Planting Network, Director Links Shared in Episode: Bay Area Church Planting Network Category: Networks NEXT