Dents in the Darkness

Covid changed a lot of things including in person worship. There is a place for online worship but in this conversation we talk about the theological and spiritual good of gathering in person rather than just online.  Jonathan Griffiths is a Lead Pastor in Ottawa, Canada and also a writer.  He wrote the book "Gathered for Good: God's Good Design for the Local Church". A great conversation on the importance of the local church.

Quebec is one of the most unchurched, unreached areas in North America. Jacob Matthieu is a church planter and now Director of Development for SEMBEQ. In this podcast we talk about MULTIPLICATION. How do you reach those who are a couple generations away from any knowledge of Christianity. Why starting new churches, developing leaders is critical to seeing God move in Quebec.  We need others to grab on to a vision of MULTIPLICATION as Jacob has for Quebec.  

In this podcast, we talk with Mac Lake with Multiply Group. Mac has written multiple books on develop leaders at different levels of the church. From the Multiplication Effect which talks about a leadership pipeline to his latest book Leading Yourself. In this podcast we talk through helping your church develop a leadership pipeline.  How are you doing developing Leaders?

Pat and Josh join us in a conversation on  how the church can better use social media to reach and disciple people. Pat Linnell is the founder and leader of Grace Bomb which is a practical tool that helps people practice their faith.  to hear more about Grace Bomb. Josh works as a  Creative Director, Brand Marketing Director, Consultant & Content Creator. 

Bishop Victor Glover from Fathers on the Move joins us on the podcast to talk through how Fathers On The Move has been making a difference in those who are incarcerated.  Not only are they seeing these men stay out of prison, but they are also seeing men come to know Jesus! Churches being started within these prisons, and churches planted across the US as these men are discipled and move all over the country.  Fathers on the move is living out Isaiah 61:1 - "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."

Dents in the Darkness is back with it's 50th Episode!As we celebrate the 50th episode, we invite Justin Bleuer (Berean Bible Church/NEC Leadership Team, and Dan Nichols (Grace Fellowship Church/Founder of NEC) on the podcast to talk through what is happenings in NEC. Celebrating what God is doing, sharing some direction for the upcoming year.... and a few surprises along the way. There is a lot to get excited about as we look back and look ahead to what God has in store for us here at NEC. To find out more about NEC, email ⁠mike@necollaborative.com

Dents in the Darkness returns with "Leading From The Second Chair" with Pastor Paul Piraino from Victory High Wesleyan Church in Corning NY. Paul has been at the same church for 30+ years in many different roles.  Although he was the lead pastor for many years, he loved leading from the second chair.  This is a great conversation on how to lead well when you are not in charge and how team leadership can be a beautiful thing.   Resources: 1. Second Chair Leadership by Tracy Reynolds 2. Leading From The Second Chair by Mike Bonem

On this episode, Hosts Tim Madeira and Mike Schooley will sit down with Jamie Overholser, from Standing Stone Ministry, and hear about their focus on the much needed mission of soul care in pastors. They will speak into "what is soul care" and "what is the soul" first. Make sure to listen in and consider any shepherd's in your circles that might benefit from this ministry! Needing some guidance? Feeling alone? Wanting to grow as a leader? Experiencing burnout? We are here to support and help you prevent crises, navigate them if they happen, and increase your health so you, your family, and your ministry flourishes. Contact Jamie to have a conversation.⁠ Jamie's email address -⁠jamie.overholser@gmail.com⁠  https://standingstoneministry.org/⁠

In this episode, Tim Madeira and Mike Schooley interview with NEC Founder/President - Pastor Dan Nichols, along with Andy Needham - Converge Northeast Regional Vice President & Associate Director https://www.converge.org/northeast Andy is a trusted connector and champion for church leaders with twenty-four years of experience in regional ministry in the northeast. Serving and solving problems for pastors is his passion and joy. Developing leaders is a critical piece of seeing the movement of God in the northeast. Converge is partnering with NEC to invest in leaders through a cohort.    Apply here: https://bit.ly/evergreencohort

Aaron Damjanovich and Dave Holvig, from Eaglebrook Association joined us on the podcast to share who they are and their passion for Christ. Hear about their upcoming church training outside of Syracuse in August. You will hear the story of why Eagle Brook does this passion - and what they will be doing during this training!

After experiencing God's redemption, forgiveness & consequences from secret sin, our friends Derek & Andrea graciously & transparently let us into their story of how God is saving their marriage after Derek's affair within their former church. This interview gives us all great caution and great encouragement no matter where we are in our marriages and walks with Christ! 

Learn more about Lance Witt - our main speaker for #NLS24 on Saturday, November 9th in Cortland, NY! Lance has been leading churches and organizations for 40+ years. He was the lead pastor for 3 different churches and then spent 7 years as an executive and teaching pastor at Saddleback Church in Southern California. In 2007, Lance launched “Replenish” which is dedicated to “Helping people live and lead from a healthy soul.”  Over the last 17 years, Lance has encouraged, challenged and equipped thousands of leaders through speaking, personal coaching, LifePlanning, and writing books. Lance and his best friend Connie have been married for 45  years. They have two grown children and 4 beautiful granddaughters.  Northeast Leadership Summit 2024 (#NLS24) Lance's Website Lance's Books 

In this episode, Tim Madeira & Dan Nichols interview Mike Schooley, planter & pastor at Higher Hope Church near Horseheads, NY. Mike is NEC's new Church Strategist! Mike is an experienced, effective ministry leader who deeply loves the Northeast. Check out his story & encouragement for ministry leaders.

In this episode, Tim Madeira & Dan Nichols interview Mark Dance, the Director of Pastoral Wellness for Guidestone Financial Resources (SBC). He was a lead pastor and planter for 27 years before becoming an associate vice president at Lifeway, the director of pastoral development for Oklahoma Baptists, and the co-founder/leader of the Care4Pastors Network. Mark earned degrees from Howard Payne University (BBA), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min).  Check Mark out more here: Mark's Book: Start to Finish ⁠⁠Mark's Website⁠⁠ Mark's Email⁠

In this episode, Tim Madeira & Dan Nichols interview Sharon Davis, wife of the late Dr. Ken Davis. They served together for 50+ years of church planting ministry in the Midwest & Northeast U.S. Hear more about their journey & resources for yours! Buy Ken's Book: Foundations for Fruitful Church Planting See Ken's Website

In this episode, Tim Madeira & Dan Nichols discuss the life and legacy of Pastor Tim Keller and the difference between idolizing and honoring human leaders. Find more information on Tim Keller's ministry at www.timothykeller.com. 

Phylicia Masonheimer is an author, speaker, and founder of an awesome ministry called Every Woman a Theologian. She lives on a small farm in Northern Michigan with her husband, Josh, and their three children. Listen to more about her story & ministry life! Find her at www.phyliciamasonheimer.com

Check out this awesome interview with Andy Needham! Andy is a New England native who spent the past two decades serving in ministry roles from church leadership, to nationally touring worship artist, to launching and leading conferences. He loves connecting, creative communication, and coaching. He currently serves as Vice President for Converge Northeast, helping start and strengthen churches here. His wife Bethany and kids Josiah and Mercy are crazy, and he wouldn't have it any other way! Andy's Website Converge Northeast's Website

Our friends Stephen Hay and Meghan Kinter with Just Cause Collaborative provide expertise, strategy development and training for non-profits in the areas of marketing communication, funding and systems so you can focus on what's most important to you - executing your mission! Hear more of their story in this latest episode. This year they are producing our Northeast Leadership Summit recap video. You & your crew can sign up today here: www.necollaborative.com/NLS22!

Bernie Elliott is planting a church in Baldwinsville, NY, and we want you to hear his story! We're also supporting Covenant Church (www.covenant315.org) by giving away 50% of the profits from our annual Northeast Leadership Summit (#NLS22) coming up on Nov. 5th, 2022 at Berean Bible Church in Greene, NY. You and your crew can sign up TODAY here: www.necollaborative.com/NLS22.

Pastor Derek Sanford serves as Lead Pastor of Grace Church in Erie, Pennsylvania (one of the snowiest cities in the country!). The emphasis of his ministry is building up and equipping leaders to walk in their God-given calling. He has served in ministry at Grace since 1995, first as Youth Pastor and then as Executive Pastor before serving in his current role as Lead Pastor. He also created a ministry called ServErie that has mobilized over 50 churches and organizations to address the needs of the greater Erie area. Derek is a graduate of Taylor University and holds a Masters of Theology degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Derek married his high school sweetheart, Kim, who runs a construction company (she wields the power tools in the family) and has three amazing kids, Caleb, Chase, and Ayden. As a washed-up athlete, Derek still enjoys old-man sports like golf and racquetball. See more about Derek's ministry here: www.dereksanford.com. He's also one of our breakout speakers for the Northeast Leadership Summit on Nov. 5th - sign up your members, key leaders, teens & volunteers today here: www.necollaborative.com/NLS22!

The need for North American church-planting is at an all-time high. Dr. Ken Davis has dedicated decades of his life to training, mobilizing, coaching and empowering planters to move the Gospel forward into hearts and homes across this nation - especially the Northeast! He directed a ministry called Project Jerusalem that planted 10 churches in Northeast America, and NEC was birthed from this ministry's legacy. Check out his interview with Tim Madeira & Dan Nichols!

Karl Vaters has been in pastoral ministry for 40 years. He is the teaching pastor of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, a healthy small church in Orange County, California, where he has ministered for over 28 years with his wife, Shelley. They have three kids and two grandkids. Karl produces resources for Helping Small Churches Thrive at KarlVaters.com. His heart is to help pastors of small churches (up to 90 percent of us) find the resources to lead well, and to capitalize on the unique advantages that come with pastoring a small church – something virtually every pastor will spend at least some of their ministry years doing. He also believes that big and small churches can and should work together more often – to the benefit and blessing of everyone. He's written these four books below: The Church Recovery Guide: How Your Congregation Can Adapt and Thrive after a Crisis 100 Days to a Healthier Church: A Step-By-Step Guide for Pastors and Leadership Teams Small Church Essentials: Field-Tested Principles for Leading a Healthy Congregation of Under 250 The Grasshopper Myth: Big Churches, Small Churches and the Small Thinking That Divides Us

Revitalization is hard work that requires a very long time investment and gritty perseverance, but it's totally worth it! Listen to Pastor Sal Maiorana's story & wisdom on church revitalization in the Northeast as he's led Waymart Church in Waymart, PA from a handful of people to hundreds of people with lives changed for eternity and significant spiritual fruit over the last decade.

In this episode, NEC's directional team (along with WRGN's Tim Madeira) recap God's faithfulness through 2021 with some exciting previews for NEC's ministry in 2022! Learn more here: www.necollaborative.com.

The Northeast Leadership Summit (#NLS21) is coming up on Saturday, November 6th at Berean Bible Church! Sign up you & your crew for #NLS21 here: www.necollaborative.com/NLS21. David Whiting will be our keynote speaker, and David is no stranger to Northeast America. Hear more from David in this interview & here's a short bio below: David served as a youth pastor for over eight years in Harrisburg, PA, then served as the lead pastor of Northridge Church in Rochester, NY, for over fifteen years. In 2016, he moved to Houston, TX to consult with churches through the Vanderbloemen Search Group. While there, his youngest daughter was diagnosed with cancer. The move to Houston became a huge blessing as MD Anderson (arguably the top cancer hospital in the world) was only 25 miles from their home. Once chemo was complete, David began to wonder what future God may have for him. That resulted in him connecting with New Heights Church in Vancouver, WA. Each weekend over 3500 people attend the five-campus church. His passion is making more & better disciples.

Division in the American Church is at an all-time high, but that is not Christ's plan for His Church (see John 17). In this episode, we review Francis Chan's latest book Until Unity with Pastor Brad Travelpiece from LCBC Church - a dynamic church in PA with 16 locations throughout the state. Listen as NEC's Dan Nichols & WRGN's Tim Madeira discuss the book with Brad and how we can play major roles in bringing healing unity back to the American Church! Until Unity Book LCBC Church

Grace Bomb is a nation-wide movement of intentional acts of love motivated by Jesus, and in this episode - founder Pat Linnell tells us more about all that God's doing through this incredibly powerful discipleship tool for you and your church! Hear more of Pat's story & stories of transformed lives as NEC's founder & president Dan Nichols and WRGN's general manager Tim Madeira interview Pat. Get more info at the links below too! Grace Bomb's Website Get the Grace Bomb Book

Hear more from our friend Mandy Chapman with Care Portal, a ministry that creates connections for isolated children by bringing together the family, church and community to create a holistic, healthy approach to caring for kids - because every child matters! Learn more here: https://www.careportal.org.

Visionary leaders Steve Lutz and Jonathan Weibel share their amazing ministry Front Yard Mission that is catalyzing a #LoveYourNeighbor movement across the Northeast! Front Yard Mission's Website

Answering hard questions about sexuality, gender, identity, and so much more is really difficult today. In this episode, author, scholar, and professor Nancy Pearcey (who personally studied under Francis Schaeffer) sits down with WRGN's general manager Tim Madeira & NEC's president Dan Nichols to get real about these really tough topics and share lots of great content from her amazing book Love Thy Body! Love Thy Body Book Nancy Pearcey's Website

The new cultural narrative regarding the Bible no longer says it's irrelevant. Now the cultural narrative says the Bible is evil. In this interview, NEC's president Dan Nichols and WRGN's general manager Tim Madeira interview Pastor Dan Kimball about his book that helps unbelievers and believers alike understand the Bible better in a rapidly growing anti-Christian culture. Dan Kimball is originally from the Northeast, hailing from NJ! He is the author of several books on leadership, church, and culture. He was one of the founders of Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, California where he still serves on staff. He is also a faculty member at Western Seminary and leads the ReGeneration Project, which exists to equip and encourage new generations to think theologically and participate in the mission of the church. He is married to Becky and has two daughters, Katie and Claire. His passion is to see Christians follow and represent Jesus in the world with love, intelligence, and creativity. He has a master’s degree from Western Seminary and a doctorate degree from George Fox University. He enjoys comic art, punk and rockabilly music, big band jazz, pre-1960 gospel roots music, Ludwig drums and Zildjian cymbals, Ford Mustangs, bowling, Sun Records and 1930’s though 50’s Universal Monster Movies. Dan's Website Buy the Book

Take a quick journey through Ephesians with NEC’s President Dan Nichols to re-discover God’s game plan for His Church.

NEC cares deeply for the spiritual health and longevity of pastors and ministry leaders, and this episode features one of our soul-care coaches Jamie Overholser who serves the deeper needs of ministry leaders in partnership with Standing Stone Ministry. This conversation is extremely helpful for pastors and ministry leaders who are facing decision fatigue, exhaustion, and potential burnout. Feel free to reach out to Jamie here: jamie.overholser@gmail.com.

Safe Place Ministries provides guidance and care to those who serve in any definition of ministry. Listen to co-founder Bethann Miller share about this vital counseling ministry with WRGN’s Tim Madeira & NEC’s Dan Nichols! https://safeplaceministry.org/

Kevin & Alisha Greene and Joey & Cara Wright are church planting in the Northeast along with their lovely daughters, and NEC is honored to partner with them in their journeys forward! Kevin’s plant ConnectUs Church is launching weekly services on Sunday, Jan. 31st in Lancaster, PA. Joey is in the internship phase & prayerfully looking to plant in either Paterson or Newark, NJ. Learn more about their stories in this episode and get in touch with them here: www.ConnectUschurch.org joeyrwright@icloud.com

One of our NY churches asked NEC's founder & executive director Dan Nichols to preach on the topic of abortion for Sanctity of Life Sunday on Jan. 17th. Wherever you're coming from on this personal, painful, polarizing and often private topic - this episode is for you! Below are links to resources Dan recommends in the episode... Reversing Roe Documentary on Netflix Phil Vischer/Skye Jethani Abortion Video Unplanned Movie Love Thy Body by Nancy Pearcey Why Pro-Life? by Randy Alcorn Abortion by R.C. Sproul Reimagining Pro-Life - YouVersion App Reading Plan Making Life Disciples Training by CareNet Care Net Pregnancy Centers

As we all process the challenges of 2020, NEC’s founder & executive director Dan Nichols sits down with WRGN’s Tim Madeira to talk about the future for healthy churches in 2021 while reflecting on God’s faithfulness in 2020 as well! One of the key articles they highlight is a Gallup study that found the ONLY positive change in mental health from various demographic groups were weekly church attenders: https://news.gallup.com/poll/327311/americans-mental-health-ratings-sink-new-low.aspx.

This month Pastor Michael Brewster joins us from Mount Zion Baptist Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA to share the story of their church’s for-profit business: Mount Zion Food Services! Tim and Dan talk with Pastor Mike about new, alternative income solutions for churches that can simultaneously impact your community for Christ. See more info on Mount Zion here: www.mtzionwb.com. Contact Zion Food Services for more info here: zfswarehouse@mountzionwb.com.

Two wonderful ladies Diane Lytle & Terry Perrine join us this month to share their personal stories, an update on one of our terrific resourcing partners Clark’s Summit University, and a great opportunity for women called the LYFE Women’s Conference on May 28-29, 2021. Get more info at www.clarksummitu.edu & www.clarkssummitu.edu/lyfe.

Jim Childs spent 30 years in the gay lifestyle and never found peace until God found Jim right where he was. After finding a life of fulfillment and freedom that can only be found by trusting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Jim became a pastor and now travels the country with ABWE’s EveryETHNE team coaching, counseling, and leading Heart, Mind, Soul seminars to empower the average believer to build grace & truth relationships with LGBTQ individuals. If you’d like more info, connect with Jim here: jchilds@abwe.cc.

Check out this interview with church consultant Matt Svoboda, founder of ChurchOps and former executive pastor at The Bridge Church (the 5th fastest growing church in 2018), who serves churches around the country by identifying and solving problems to spiritual growth in leadership, reach, and depth. He offers a generous discount for NEC member churches, and his website is www.churchopsgroup.com.

This is a conversation recorded pre-COVID with Dr. Matthew Hoskinson from Redeemer City-to-City on the why &what of pastoral coaching!

This month we’re honored to share a conversation on finances with Karen Vannice from our strategic partner Life Institute (www.lifeinstitute.org). Karen is the Ministry Coordinator for this incredible organization that partners with churches to disciple Christians, offer practical Biblical teaching for everyday stewardship decisions, and provide personalized family guidance from a Biblical worldview. They offer great opportunities for local churches to live out God’s design for their finances; check out this conversation with Karen, host Tim Madiera, and NEC's executive director Dan Nichols.

Pastor Shawn Walker from Shiloh Baptist Church in Scranton, PA sat down with NEC’s executive director Dan Nichols for an imperfect conversation on race, injustice, and Jesus. They’re not experts. They didn’t say everything right, and they didn’t say enough. But they’ve been friends for many years and simply want to keep growing closer and growing better as leaders - together.

Pastor Errol Morgan from Parker Hill Church with multiple locations in Dickson City, Clarks Summit, and Wilkes-Barre, PA sat down with NEC’s executive director Dan Nichols for an imperfect conversation on race, injustice, and Jesus. They’re not experts. They didn’t say everything right, and they didn’t say enough. But they’ve been friends for many years and simply want to keep growing closer and growing better as leaders - together.

We’re highlighting stories of #SomeGoodChurchNews in Northeast America in the middle of this COVID crisis! In this episode, we interview Pastor Tim Madden from Cornerstone Bible Church in Forest City, PA and Pastor Tim Walker from Restored Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Both of these leaders are good friends, lead NEC member churches, and have different viewpoints on re-opening based on their church context. Listen to them celebrate wins, God’s faithfulness, and unity in diversity of re-opening perspectives.

This month we get to hear #SomeGoodChurchNews from Pastor Josh Park - lead pastor of Branch Life Church in Pottstown, PA. They just celebrated their one year anniversary since their public launch, and God’s doing amazing things through their team! Check out their website here: https://www.branchlife.church. And check out the book Gaining by Losing by J.D. Greear here: https://www.amazon.com/Gaining-Losing-Belongs-Churches-Exponential/dp/0310533953.

We’re highlighting stories of #SomeGoodChurchNews in Northeast America in the middle of this COVID crisis! In this episode, we interview Pastor Dan and Lynn Nold from State College, PA along with Pastor Max and Priscila Pera from Newark, NJ who recently survived coronavirus. Check out their stories of hope with co-hosts Tim Madeira from WRGN Radio and our executive director Dan Nichols.

Dan Nichols sits down with Fred Jacoby from Foundations Christian Counseling. You can find more info on them here: www.foundchristcounsel.org!

In this month's episode, Dale Sellers and Austin Savage from the 95 Network (www.95network.org) discuss how they serve & resource the 95% of American churches under 500 people. NEC is bringing them out to Restored Church (Wilkes-Barre, PA) on Tuesday, Feb. 25th and Berean Bible Church (Greene, NY) on Thursday, Feb. 27th. See more info on these one-day conferences here: www.95network.org/conferences.