LEAD Pods

This year marks two significant milestones worth our attention and our celebration. While we've already spent time reflecting on the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement, 2025 also marks the 100th anniversary of the Mennonite World Conference (MWC). Recently, leaders from around the globe gathered in Germany and Switzerland to commemorate both anniversaries, and this week, we get the inside scoop from two of our USMB representatives: Gertrud Geddert and Sebastian Mireles.In this episode, Gertrud and Sebastian help us reflect on where we've come from, how the global Church is growing, and what it looks like to follow Jesus together across languages, cultures, and continents. Their stories and insights remind us why global connection matters and how honoring our past can strengthen our faith for today and the future.

What does entrepreneurship have to do with the Church? In this episode, we're joined by President David Janzen of Tabor College to talk about the unique intersection of business, creativity, and calling.President Janzen shares why Christian entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to shape culture, solve real-world problems, and live out their faith in bold, innovative ways. We also explore the heart behind Tabor's new Business & Entrepreneurship Center, how it's training the next generation of faith-driven leaders, and why churches should care deeply about cultivating entrepreneurs.Whether you're a business leader, a pastor, or someone with a big idea on your heart, this episode offers fresh encouragement for thinking differently about vocation, risk, and Kingdom impact.

How do you train church leaders across dozens of countries and cultures without losing sight of Scripture and mission? In this episode, we talk with Doug Heidebrecht about his work with Missional Leadership Training (MLT), a global program that equips church leaders to disciple others using a biblically grounded, culturally adaptable model.Doug shares how MLT got started, what makes it unique, and how it continues to grow and expand. With a focus on training trainers, MLT is helping multiply disciples in sustainable and meaningful ways. If you're passionate about leadership development, missions, or global discipleship, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into what God is doing around the world.Learn more about MLT:Video from MultiplyDownloadable PDFIf you'd like access to the MLT content, please contact Doug at dougheidebrecht@mbseminary.ca

What does it look like when one church intentionally makes space for multiple languages, cultures, and styles of worship? In this episode, we're joined by Scott Holman, lead pastor of Butler Church in Fresno, California—a truly multi-congregational church made up of four distinct communities under one roof.Scott shares the beauty and complexity of leading a church that includes services in English and Spanish, along with a long-running Lao congregation. We talk about what unites these groups, how they make decisions together, and what it takes to build a culture of mutual respect, collaboration, and shared mission. Whether you're navigating cultural diversity in your own church or curious about what true unity in the body of Christ can look like, this conversation is packed with honest insights and hopeful vision.

How do you go beyond just “having interns” to actually developing future leaders for the Church? In this episode, we're joined by Kyle Goings and Andy Owen, who share the story behind Ridgepoint's Leadership Academy—a structured, intentional program designed to raise up leaders through hands-on ministry experience, mentorship, and spiritual formation.Kyle and Andy explain the difference between internships and residencies, how they've built a culture of leadership development across departments, and why confirming a person's calling is just as important as giving them ministry skills. Whether you're leading a large church or serving in a small congregation, this episode offers practical wisdom for anyone passionate about investing in the next generation of leaders.

Church planting isn't one-size-fits-all—especially when it happens in the same streets where you once lived a very different life. That's the story of City Church in Pueblo, Colorado, where Pastor Mario Trujillo leads a ministry shaped by personal transformation, community brokenness, and deep gospel hope.In this episode, Mario shares how his past prepared him to reach his city in powerful ways, what it looks like to truly “move into the neighborhood” like Jesus did, and how God provided a new building in a truly miraculous way. Whether you're involved in church planting, urban ministry, or simply want to hear a testimony of God's faithfulness, this episode will encourage and inspire.

When disasters strike, how can churches respond in ways that tangibly share Christ's love? This week, we talk with Jim Holm, co-chair of the California unit of Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), an organization dedicated to rebuilding homes after natural disasters.Jim shares behind-the-scenes details about how MDS operates, including their “four pillars” that guide decisions on when and how to get involved. He also provides updates on the devastating Los Angeles wildfires from earlier this year, describing both the enormous challenges faced and the inspiring ways volunteers are bringing hope to impacted communities.Whether you have practical construction skills or just a heart to serve, Jim explains how everyone can play a meaningful role. This episode is a reminder of the power of compassionate, practical service—and how, together, we can offer healing and hope in the wake of tragedy.

In a world driven by consumerism, how can we help our kids develop healthy, God-honoring financial habits? On this episode, we talk with author Matt Bell, who shares insights from his book, Trusted, about teaching kids the biblical perspective of money and stewardship. Matt explains practical ways to start early and engage our children on three levels—heart, head, and hands—to create lasting habits and foster genuine generosity.Matt shares practical ideas, real-life examples, and encouragement for parents who might feel overwhelmed or unsure about teaching financial principles. Whether you're just getting started or want to reset your family's approach to money management, this episode offers helpful tips and reminds us that it's never too late to teach our kids how to be wise stewards of God's resources.This episode is sponsored by MB Foundation. MB Foundation has partnered with Matt to provide many free resources for church leaders related to Trusted. Check out the free resources today at http://mbfoundation.com/trusted.

No two church plants look the same, but every successful one shares a common thread—God's faithfulness. In this special narrative episode, we explore the journeys of three thriving MB church plants: SouthLife Church in Wichita, Lighthouse Church in Oaklawn, and Lakeview Church in Tooele County, Utah.Each church faced unique challenges, from failed launches and financial struggles to reaching communities with little to no evangelical presence. Through it all, their leaders learned to “trust the story” and follow God's lead. Whether you're passionate about church planting, curious about how new churches take root, or simply looking for encouragement in your own faith journey, this episode is filled with inspiring stories of perseverance, strategy, and God's provision.Read this story in the latest issue of Christian Leader:https://christianleadermag.com/the-story-of-three-church-plants/

Preaching is more than just delivering a message—it's a sacred responsibility. This week, we sit down with Brent Warkentin, lead pastor at Ridgepoint Church, to discuss what goes into preparing and delivering impactful sermons. Brent shares his personal approach to sermon prep, why he practices each message out loud multiple times, and how he stays fresh after decades in ministry.We also explore the tension between topical and expository preaching, the importance of authenticity, and how humor can disarm tough conversations. Whether you're a pastor, teacher, or just interested in how sermons come together, this episode offers valuable insights on preaching with both confidence and humility.

How do we develop strong leaders for the future of the church? At Mountain View Church, leadership development isn't just a program—it's part of the culture. This week, we're joined by Dave Thiessen, executive pastor at Mountain View, to talk about their approach to mentoring, training, and sending out the next generation of church leaders.From summer apprenticeships to international internships and the Elijah program, Mountain View has created multiple pathways for young leaders to gain hands-on ministry experience. Dave shares practical insights on why leadership development matters, how to give responsibility to emerging leaders (even before they feel ready), and how churches of any size can start investing in future pastors and ministry workers. Whether you're a leader looking to develop others or someone exploring a call to ministry, this episode is packed with wisdom and encouragement.Mountain View website: http://mountainview.orgLeadership Pipeline: http://leaderpipeline.net

What makes Anabaptist history radical, and how does it shape who we are today? In this episode, we're joined by Valerie Rempel, former dean of Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary and a trusted historian in MB circles, to explore the significance of Anabaptism's 500th anniversary.Valerie walks us through the bold decisions of early Anabaptists, the importance of believer's baptism, and the challenges of allegiance to Christ above all else. We also reflect on how these radical beginnings continue to influence our faith, from a commitment to discipleship to navigating today's cultural and political complexities. Whether you're familiar with Anabaptist history or hearing these stories for the first time, this episode will inspire you to think deeply about what it means to live as a follower of Jesus.

This week, we sit down with Connie Faber and Janae Shafer, the dynamic duo behind the Christian Leader magazine. They share how each issue comes together, from planning themes to collaborating with writers across the USMB family. With a mission to connect churches, celebrate stories, and inspire action, the magazine plays a vital role in reflecting the heart of the Mennonite Brethren community.Connie and Janae also discuss the challenges of balancing print and digital formats in today's fast-paced world and their vision for highlighting the rich diversity within the MB family. Whether you're a regular reader or new to Christian Leader, this episode will inspire you to see the magazine in a whole new light—and maybe even get involved!Learn more or subscribe at christianleadermag.com.

This week, we're joined by USMB National Director Aaron Box to explore the role of generosity in leadership. As we dive into the history of Giving Tuesday and its impact, Aaron shares practical ways we can live out generosity—not just in giving, but in how we lead others. From creating a culture of service in our churches to fostering servant leadership in every sphere, Aaron highlights the importance of putting others first and leading with open hands.We also discuss how generosity can transform leadership in any context, even in roles where it feels countercultural. Whether you're a pastor, business leader, or emerging leader, Aaron's insights will challenge and inspire you to think differently about what it means to lead well. Tune in to discover how generous leadership can build trust, empower others, and reflect the heart of Jesus.Give to USMB here: usmb.org/givingtuesday

Supporting missionaries abroad has long been a valued part of our heritage, but how can we live ‘on mission' right here at home? Today we're joined by Heidi Quiring and Silvia Lopez from Multiply to share the latest updates on mission programs like SOAR, Action, and Trek—each designed to help people of all ages make a difference locally and globally. Multiply is reshaping their programs to show that missions can be an accessible, ongoing journey for everyone. In this episode, Heidi and Silvia offer practical tips to help us make mission part of everyday life. If you or someone in your church is ready to learn more, visit multiply.net to explore these opportunities!

Leadership development is one of USMB's core commitments, and finding new ways to grow, stretch yourself, or gain new skills is a crucial part of leadership. In our busy world where we all feel short on time, how can we continue to grow, find new resources, and discover meaningful new ideas?Earlier this year USMB launched Leadership Fuel, a website devoted to sharing curated leadership resources for pastors and church leaders. On this episode, Jordan Ringhofer (Pacific District Conference district minister) and Kyle Goings (USMB NextGen chair) explain how Leadership Fuel came to be and how you can contribute resources that have been helpful to you. Beyond that, Kyle and Jordan also share how they intentionally continue their own leadership journeys, with practical ideas of how we can document and store new ideas and thoughts for future projects. This episode is SUPER practical, so if you're ready to grow in your leadership, start by listening to this episode, and then check out Leadership Fuel!

This week we chat with Pastor Matt Thrift about his new book, Follow, and the heart of discipleship. Matt shares his journey from Southern Baptist circles to finding a home in the Mennonite Brethren tradition, drawn by our mix of strong theology and practical love for others.Matt explains that discipleship isn't about checking boxes but developing a real, ongoing relationship with Jesus. We also discuss how churches can balance evangelism and discipleship without sacrificing one for the other. Matt reflects on personal challenges, like embracing rest and Sabbath, admitting how hard it can be to step away from busyness.If you've ever struggled to keep spiritual practices like prayer and Bible reading from feeling routine, Matt offers some practical insights. He encourages us to see discipleship as a lifelong journey rather than something we can “finish.”Learn more or buy Matt's book here. 

Building bridges across cultural and religious divides can seem daunting, yet it's at the heart of authentic Christian ministry. In this episode, we meet Cody and Janna, two young workers preparing to serve in the Middle East through Multiply who show us how genuine relationships can transcend perceived barriers. Through their ministry in this region so far, Janna and Cody have discovered a Middle Eastern life that differs significantly from how the Muslim world is typically portrayed in our media. Their stories reveal the incredible warmth and hospitality that is very common in this region, and a surprising openness to discuss religion and American culture. Ministry and evangelism are difficult in these cultures, but slowly and patiently building sincere relationships is a crucial step to gain trust that leads to important conversations about faith. Learn more in this week's episode, and we invite you to consider partnering with Cody and Janna as they prepare for this exciting new ministry opportunity! 

Many Christians in America today feel ill-equipped to share their faith with Muslims. Our media and our culture tend to paint Muslims in a certain way that often makes us feel intimidated and maybe even scared, but those biases are almost always unfounded and unfair. As we hear from today's guest, sharing about Jesus really comes down to humility, curiosity, and sincerity, regardless of our cultural backgrounds. Today we speak with Nasser al'Qahtani, Multiply's Regional Team Leader for North Africa and the Middle East. Nasser is a former Muslim himself, and he has amazing stories of how God has done wonders in his life and opened incredible doors for him to teach around the world. Nasser is a gifted storyteller and an engaging biblical scholar, so enjoy this episode as we hear how God is at work in the Middle East and how we can appropriately share our faith with others.Nasser's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NasseralQahtaniNasser's Multiply profile: https://multiply.net/global-worker/nasser-alqahtani

Next year marks a significant anniversary for our MB history and heritage, so we're preparing for a big party! The roots of our MB tradition can be traced to 1525 and the birth of the Anabaptist movement beginning in Zurich. For those of us involved with USMB, it's helpful for us to remember that our heritage and our roots go way beyond our U.S. history, and this event is a meaningful chance to learn, remember, and reconnect with our Mennonite and Anabaptist brothers and sisters around the world.This week our guests are César García, the general secretary of the Mennonite World Conference, and Dr. Tim Geddert, our USMB delegate to MWC. We hear some behind-the-scenes planning for the anniversary event coming up next year, but César and Tim also share important reminders of what it means to be Mennonite, why adult baptism is such a big deal, and what we can learn from our larger Mennonite family around the world. To learn more about the anniversary events in Zurich, visit mwc-cmm.org or anabaptism500.ch. 

This week we get to know James Moore, the recently appointed eastern district minister. In addition to this important role, James is also the lead pastor of West End MB Church in Lenoir, North Carolina. James discusses the joys and challenges of serving in both roles, including his role in helping immigrant Congolese churches become more self-sustaining. Before James became a pastor, he served a full career as a police officer in Lenoir. He still occasionally helps out with special events around town in this capacity, and his unique role as both a pastor and police officer lead to a distinct perspective on bridging the gap between the church and the community. James emphasizes the importance of prayer and the benefit of working together as we all aim to more effectively reaching the younger generations. 

This week, Fred and Esther Leonard from Mountain View Church in Fresno, California, share their passion for global missions and how they've integrated it into their church's DNA over the past 31 years. The Leonards discuss their upcoming "Live the Mission" conference and their extensive experience in missions work across 37 countries. They emphasize the importance of partnering with local leaders, empowering nationals, and creating sustainable mission strategies that don't rely solely on American funding or leadership.Fred and Esther share practical advice for churches looking to engage in missions, including starting small by adopting a missionary, sending short-term teams, and balancing local and global outreach. They stress the importance of a "theology of presence" and the power of prayer in mission work. They also share inspiring stories of how their church's involvement has transformed lives and communities around the world, highlighting the need for a long-term commitment to see lasting change. This episode offers valuable insights for church leaders looking to cultivate a missions-minded congregation and make a global impact.

This week we speak with Donna Sullivan and Lori Taylor, two long-serving staff members of USMB who are retiring and concluding their careers this week. Over their decades of experience, their roles have changed significantly over time, and today they discuss some of their favorite experiences and reflections on their careers in church administration and ministry. Behind-the-scenes heroes like Lori and Donna often go unnoticed and under-appreciated, but their impact and their influence on our churches can't be overstated. Their day-to-day work truly was a ministry, and we've been blessed by the fruit of their labor. Both Lori and Donna acknowledge USMB is in a season of significant transition, and while they both are excited to exit and spend more time with family and friends, they also look to the future of USMB with great anticipation and promise as new leaders get settled in their roles.Donna and Lori, congratulations on a job well done! 

Our resident MB historian Peggy Goertzen is back for another episode of history and storytelling, this time recounting the early days and foundation of the Latin America Mennonite Brethren (LAMB) district. Back in the 1930s, MB pioneers Peter E. Penner, Harry Neufeld, and others were trailblazers in reaching Spanish-speaking people near the Rio Grande Valley. After years of hard work and multiple challenges, these leaders eventually established several Spanish-speaking MB churches, as well as El Faro (The Lighthouse), an important Christian school for children in the region. In this era of our history, two MB trademark priorities were once again evident: In our mission work, we have a rich history of elevating both evangelism AND discipleship. This outreach to Spanish-speaking communities was one of the first times we openly welcomed a new ethnic group to our family of churches, and that spirit of inclusion continues today. Peggy is a fascinating storyteller, so we hope these stories from our past leave you inspired and encouraged for your next season of ministry! 

Here's an amazing stat you may not expect: A billion dollar disaster now occurs in the U.S. every 18 days. Between tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters, thousands of people across the country are left with significant needs after unforeseen disasters, and many have to completely rebuild their homes and their lives. Luckily, Mennonite Disaster Service has been around for decades, and their team is equipped to do amazing acts of service to get people back on their feet and restore hope to broken communities. Kevin King has been their national director for 20 years now, and today we get to hear amazing stories of how communities have been healed and the amazing power that can come from a team of volunteers willing to serve. MDS's goal is to "make the path as level as possible from the pew to the project," and you'll hear today how you and your church can "pray, pay, and go" to share the hope of Jesus to broken communities around the country. 

In light of the upcoming retirement of Don Morris, Aaron Box was recently announced as the new USMB national director (effective July 1). Aaron has been an MB pastor for many years and was active on the USMB Leadership Board, but many of you likely don't know Aaron yet. As he prepares to transition into this new role, we wanted to take some time for you to get to know Aaron's history and hear his heart for ministry.Aaron has more than 20 years of ministry experience, including the past 13 years as senior pastor of North Park Community Church in Eugene, Oregon. Throughout his experience, Aaron notes he is "MB by choice" and is energized by our history and distinctives. Looking ahead, Aaron says his experience and gifting are well-suited for ongoing growth and advancement in our areas of focus: church planting, intentional discipleship, and leadership development. We're excited about this new season in the USMB story, and we hope this conversation helps you get to know our new leader! 

Brian Harris is back on LEAD Pods this week discussing his new role as the southern district minister. After previously serving as the church planting mobilizer, Brian now acts as a "pastor to the pastors" by providing support, coordination, and advocacy across the southern district of MB churches. In this interview, Brian shares insights from his first few months of meeting with church leaders, unpacking themes like the desire for collaboration between churches on initiatives in missions, leadership development, and pastor encouragement. There are notable challenges for our pastors today, but there are also exciting opportunities to unite and take advantage of our diversity so we can learn and grow together. 

Don Morris has served in MB leadership for decades, most recently as USMB national director. As he prepares for retirement, this week we look back on Don's career as he reflects on the joys and challenges facing our denomination. Much has changed in church leadership and in American culture, but our MB family of churches has also grown and expanded so much with guidance from Don's leadership. In this episode, Don shares some encouragement for those of us leading congregations today, thoughts on how to transition out of leadership well, and what excites him most as we look forward to the future of USMB. 

You likely know the names and some details about your grandparents, but can you list all eight of your great-grandparents? Most Americans can't, and although we may not have had very close relationships to them, there is a lot of value in "generational storytelling" where we can learn from our family history and be proud of where we came from. On this episode, we talk with author Elaine McAllister. She is an accomplished author of seven published books, and she is passionate about helping others record their family histories through writing, photos, and preserving heirlooms and documents. Today Elaine shares how (and why) we can research our ancestors, what "sentimental trash" we should hang on to, and how to pass on meaningful stories to future generations. 

As we inch closer to summertime, we're also preparing for our biennial USMB pastors' conference and national convention coming to Omaha this July. On this episode we're joined by Kelsey Ensz and Daniel Rodriguez who both serve on the planning committee for the convention. They both share stories of how past conventions have been helpful to their ministries and provide some details of why YOU should consider joining us this year. To learn more or sign up, visit usmb.org/usmb-gathering-2024. 

We made it to 100 episodes! Wahoo! Thank you for listening over the past four years.Today Matt talks with the entire USMB staff as we look back and reflect on our favorite episodes, go through some fun trivia, and share details about a $100 prize giveaway for the listeners. The USMB staff also shares a bit about their hearts behind the ministry, and we look ahead to what the next 100 episodes may look like for the podcast. Thanks for listening with us, and be sure to 1) follow us on social media, 2) comment on this episode's post, and 3) share your response for a chance to win the gift card! 

This week Matt talks with Scott Thomas, the new interim USMB Church Planting Mobilizer. Scott shares his extensive experience in church planting, having been involved with literally hundreds of church plants across the U.S. during his time with Acts 29 and serving as a lead pastor for 17 years. Scott passionately discusses the importance of continually planting new churches and why it's a crucial strategy for both spreading the gospel AND revitalizing existing churches. Scott emphasizes that every USMB church, no matter its size or resources, can get involved in church planting efforts through prayer, finances, sending out members to plant, and more. With his decades of experience and wisdom, Scott casts a vision for the USMB conference to multiply disciple-making churches. 

We all work hard for our paychecks, and sometimes it can feel like our income falls short of our financial needs--maybe especially for those of us employed by a local church. That may be true, but today our guest Brian Kluth has an important reminder to share. God, not our day job, is our primary provider. Our salary is one way God provides, but it's not the only one. There are many ways God chooses to bless those who say yes to His calling on their lives, and it's up to us to trust Him to ultimately bring provisions. Brian is far from a prosperity gospel teacher. Instead, his years of experience as a pastor, financial expert, and missionary provide story after story of how God has surpassed each of his needs. His teaching has helpful reminders for all of us, both for practical financial day-to-day decisions, as well as a God-centered mindset that reminds us where to place our trust.Brian will be one of the featured speakers at our convention this summer, so get to know Brian now, and sign up to join us this July in Omaha! 

Like it or not, most ministries require a budget. And even if they don't, Jesus was clear that His followers needed to have an appropriate and God-honoring view of money. As church leaders, how can we realistically encourage and grow our generosity? What steps can we take to earn our congregation's (and our community's) trust so they can be confident their offerings are used appropriately? How can we model generosity to our churches, and just how transparent do we need to be?This week we're joined by the self-proclaimed "Generosity Monk," Dr. Gary Hoag. Gary is one of our featured speakers at our upcoming convention in July, and he has devoted his career to increasing generosity and teaching healthy giving practices to church leaders around the world. Today he shares practical advice and insightful wisdom that we would be wise to consider in our local churches. 

According to recent research, the number of Americans with a biblical worldview continues to decline. In our world where secular culture boosts the ideas of self-authority and subjective truth, how can believers stay anchored to Jesus and the Bible? How can we help our kids navigate this new world, and how can we guard ourselves against competing worldviews? Natasha Crain is this week's guest, and her popular books, blogs, and podcasts are all about this topic. How can we wrestle with truth without losing our faith, and does Christianity really stand up to academic scrutiny? Natasha shares the latest stats and trends, and also encourages us to hold on to prayer and trust in God's supernatural work to lead and guide us in today's culture.

Many people would agree that our relationship with our spouse is among the most important things in life, likely second only to our relationship with Jesus. If the Church believes that, why aren't there more resources for marriage ministry in our local churches? What are some of the biggest issues facing couples today, and how can church leaders help build strong marriages that last? Nathan Ensz is the lead pastor of Kingwood Bible Church in Salem, Oregon, and he has created a marriage retreat with sessions designed to strengthen and encourage the modern marriage relationship. In this episode, Nathan shares details about his teaching, but also has insight on how we as church leaders can talk about relationships in a way that doesn't exclude the singles in our churches. 

As we launch into a new year, we're continuing our theme from December of what our denomination can do to better prepare a new generation of leaders in our MB churches. This week, Dr. Quentin Kinnison and Dr. Darren Duerksen from Fresno Pacific University share details about their Bridge to Ministry Pathway that makes it easier for students to earn a master's degree in ministry.Plus, Quentin and Darren share their desire to equip Gen Z and Millennials to lead and use their talents to serve the local church. Since they work with college students every day, they also share insight into Gen Z's motivations and goals and how church leaders may be able to utilize young leaders for a new season of ministry. 

USMB recently hosted a live webinar where we addressed the topic of the perceived leadership gap in our churches today. Statistics show that pastors are getting older, enrollment in ministry majors is on the decline, and our culture at large is dismissive of careers in the local church. With this truth in our USMB churches and other denominations around the country, how we can address this issue now and start preparing the emerging generation of leaders?On this final episode of 2023, we hear from Kyle Goings, Wendell Loewen, and Joanna Chapa to discuss this growing concern. The presenters share a wealth of stats and background that led to this decline, what trends they're currently witnessing, and some initial steps we can take to better prepare leaders for TODAY--not just the future. 

This is a very interesting and crucial time to be involved in Christian higher education. In our denomination, we have two colleges we support that teach within the USMB Confession of Faith, and this week we talk with the two presidents leading these institutions. Dr. David Janzen is in his third year as the president of Tabor College, while Dr. André Stephens is in his second year as president of Fresno Pacific University. Since they started their positions around the same time and their schools are similar in many ways, these men are often linked together as leaders of our MB education initiatives. We cover a lot of ground in this episode. Both presidents share encouraging updates about the spiritual climates on their campuses, plus what they're currently working on to prepare future leaders of the church. Issues surrounding the cost of college and student loan debt are also high on their minds, and they share how both Fresno and Tabor are actually more affordable than you might think. Preparing young Christian leaders should be a crucial goal for all of us in the MB family, so be encouraged by these stories and remember to pray for Dr. Stephens and Dr. Janzen as they lead our education institutions. 

Our MB faith tradition is full of incredible stories and faithful heroes. In this week's episode, Peggy Goertzen (the director of the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies) shares insight and introduces us to some of the first MB leaders established in the U.S.She shares two particularly interesting and noteworthy stories of how early MB pastors took huge risks to start a school for black children in North Carolina (at a time when this was unheard of!), plus early and important outreach to the Comanche tribes in Oklahoma. We have a rich history to be proud of, and these stories highlight the common thread of our ongoing efforts to care for others while sharing the Gospel. 

If there's one single issue MBs are known for, it might be the idea of peacemaking. While that may still be true today, our official and documented views on peace and war have shifted in recent history. Our denominational leaders reworded Article 13 of our USMB Confession of Faith ten years ago now, with a strategic shift away from addressing only violence and war and instead broadening what it looks like to live a life of peace. On this week's episode, we talk with Larry Nikkel, who was chair of the USMB Board of Faith and Life at the time of this change. Larry shares how this shift came about, what kinds of impact the change had on our churches, and what it looks like to be a peacemaker today. Sadly, headlines of war around the world are very common today, and division among friends and family members is likely more common now than it was ten years ago. So how can we be agents of peace in our churches, families, and other relationships? Larry has some thought-provoking questions and advice to share that we would all be wise to consider. 

Tim and Donna Sullivan have served in USMB leadership for 30+ years. As they are both in the process of transitioning into retirement, we take time in this episode to hear them reflect on our denomination and the southern district specifically. What has changed over the years, what opportunities are they currently excited about, and does anything make them nervous in this season of ministry? Why are denominations important, and how can we continue to work together to serve and mutually benefit each other? They also share thoughts on succession and how to work together as husband/wife ministry partners. Tim and Donna have served well, and their heart for ministry will encourage you as they share stories from their ministry.

Pastor Terry Hunt has served as a leader on the USMB national level for several decades now. As he prepares for retirement from one of these roles, Terry reflects on his tenure as the Eastern District minister, which included major growth in the district; a name change; and the addition of several Ethiopian, Hispanic, and Congolese immigrant churches. Terry chose the timing of this transition strategically so he can serve and encourage future leaders. His focus and dedication to succession is a wise model for all leaders to follow, and Terry encourages us to move forward with prayer and faith in God that He will continue to provide quality leadership across the USMB family. Enjoy hearing these reflections and encourgements from Pastor Terry, and join us in praying for all of the areas of USMB where new leadership will be needed in this new season of ministry. 

If we're honest, many of us don't really know what to do with the Old Testament. We know it's important, but some of the stories are hard for us to understand in our modern American evangelical context. In this week's episode, we talk with Dr. Tim Geddert about his new book "The Beginning of the Story: Understanding the Old Testament in the Story of Scripture." Tim taught New Testament courses at Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary for 37 years. Although Tim has focused on the New Testament in his career, his new book tackles common questions and misconceptions that Christians have about the Old Testament. He says properly understanding the Old Testament is crucial for understanding the New Testament and Jesus' teachings. Tim discusses several challenging aspects of the Old Testament, such as violence and war, Old Testament law, and the reward/punishment narrative. He emphasizes the importance of reading the Old Testament through the lens of Jesus and the New Testament writers. We hope today's episode and Tim's book will be helpful tools to better understand the Old Testament as an essential part of the biblical story.

Every successful church, ministry, or business needs to do the hard work of getting to know and serving its local community. Jason Quiring & Drew Pankratz are doing just that in Saratoga Springs, Utah where evangelical Christians are in a significant minority compared to the hugely influencial Latter-Day Saints churches around them. Jason, Drew, and the other leaders of Greenhouse Community Church are very intentional in how they invest in their local community, and the language they use--and don't use--as part of their ministry efforts. As the North American culture continues to become increasingly post-Christian, we can all learn lessons from Jason and Drew and their "slow/fast" approach to befriend their neighbors, earn their trust, and establish relationships where conversations about faith are more effective. 

Jon Fiester and Abby Giwojna know their neighborhood well--and it can be a rough neighborhood. Renewal MB Church in Rapid City, South Dakota is located in a part of town known for drugs, gang activity, and (frankly) a lack of hope. While planting a church in this type of community brings a set of challenges, it also brings unique opportunities. In this week's LEAD Pods, Jon and Abby share how they "live missionally" in their community day-to-day by intentionally working alongside police officers, offering free coffee to teenagers, and being ok with a broken foosball table. Your community likely doesn't look like theirs, but their dedication to knowing and loving their neighbors is something we can all learn from! 

Like it or not, artificial intelligence is here and.... well, everywhere. Technologies like Chat GPT have evolved rapidly, and nearly every week we see headlines of new ways AI is being used in virtually every industry. So how does this affect the church? Are there tools that can help pastors be more effective? What are the moral issues we need to wrestle with? How much can we rely on these tools before it starts to be too much? As you'll hear in this episode, AI isn't a pastor. We still have a relationship with Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so we are uniquely positioned to lead our churches in ways machines never could. Still, it's also possible AI could help us with some elements of our work that could make us more effective.  We dive into this crazy new world with some help from Jason Moore, one of the leading voices in the early days of AI in the church. 

Most U.S. churches were forced to develop at least some type of online ministry during the COVID shutdown. Now that we're past that stage, how should we think about our online presence? Does online church "count," or are we just giving our congregations excuses to be lazy? Are there times when online church might be more beneficial than in-person worship? What new tools do we need to keep an eye on, and how can we develop those strategies? Today we're talking with Alan George, a pioneer in the online church space. Alan was the online pastor for Life.Church for more than a decade, and he has really helpful insight for how we should view online ministry, regardless of the size of your church staff or budget. 

After decades of planning and a few failed attempts, Ridgepoint Church recently launched their first church plant--with a path and strategy that no one expected. On today's episode, we hear SouthLife pastor Kevin Friedberg and Andy Owen from Ridgepoint share the story of how this new church came to be, with pieces fitting together from literally around the world to benefit an underserved community in Wichita. 

So many people in our culture today struggle with anxiety and depression. Addictions and temptations related to pornography are also incredibly common. Since Christians are humans too, these struggles and addictions are often found within the walls of the church, and even some of the best Christian leaders in the world wrestle with these issues.We want to make one thing really clear in this episode: Whatever your role or title is, there is hope, encouragement, and light within reach for you if you're facing any of these struggles. Hiding and ignoring these issues often make them worse, and you were never meant to face this alone. On this episode, Pastor Brad Burkholder openly shares his story of overcoming depression and pornography and re-discovering a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. After years of struggle, Brad has a pretty incredible testimony of discovering a newfound desire for Jesus and freedom from the bondage of depression and anxiety. You're not alone, and we hope Brad's hope-filled transparency encourages and inspires you.  

The war in Ukraine has been continuing for over a year now, and there continues to be a lot of darkness in the midst of so much destruction. It's also true that our friends in MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) have been directly involved with providing aid and resources to help those affected with material, emotional and spiritual support.On this week's episode, we're joined by three ladies directly involved with MCC's relief and peacemaking efforts. Ann Graber Hershberger (MCC's executive director), Pastor Yvette Ngale (MCC U.S. board member) and Anna Rubel (MCC staff member from Ukraine) have firsthand insight and stories to share about what's happening on the ground in Ukraine, how MCC is helping, and what we can do to help provide for and support those affected the most from the ongoing war. Learn more about MCC's efforts in Ukraine here: https://mcc.org/stories/crisis-ukraine