Send Network Podcast

In this final episode of the We are Send Network podcast, hosts Noah Oldham, Dhati Lewis and Heiden Ratner share their favorite moments and final thoughts. For more content with practical answers to ministry and church planting questions, check out the New Churches Podcast at NewChurches.com. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* SEND NETWORK to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

After his first cancer diagnosis at 19, Richard Pope still felt God was calling him to plant a church. Years later, and after many obstacles, he planted Canvas Church in Salisbury, Maryland — right after receiving this third cancer diagnosis. But this time was different. The doctors said he had three to five years to live. In this episode, Richard shares his story of redemption, his battle with cancer and his passion to share Christ in what may be his final years. Read More: The hope we carry: pastor with cancer walks 100 miles with the cross To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* SEND NETWORK to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

Social unrest, world-wide pandemic and political angst. The last two years have forced leaders into a place of humility and endurance as we've navigated unpredictable seasons. Rob Wilton, the lead church planter and pastor of Vintage Church in Pittsburgh, shares how he has continued to practice and develop a necessary quality for all church planters: resilience. Read More: Essential Qualities of a Leader: Endurance (Read Time: 4 Minutes) To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* SEND NETWORK to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

God was doing something in the hearts of the people at Gracepoint Church in Berkeley, California—even in the midst of the pandemic. It seemed God was calling them to plant another church. So, when lead pastor Ed Kang sent out a Google forms sheet asking who would be interested in planting another church, he was surprised to see 1,154 people sign up. In this episode, pastor Ed shares about how one Google forms sheet led to 35 planting teams — 400 adults and 90 children — being sent out throughout the U.S. to plant churches. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* SEND NETWORK to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

There are many ways to remind your members of the gospel throughout a Sunday service and the week. In this episode, our hosts talk about how they infuse the gospel in all areas of the life of their church, even some unexpected places. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* SEND NETWORK to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

Everyone is busy, and church planters are no exception. With so many demands for your attention, how do you prioritize your time? What do you say ‘no' to? In this episode, our hosts discuss where they direct their finite energy, their unique giftings and the way different seasons effect what they give their time to. Read More: 5 Priorities for Managing Time (Read Time: 4 Minutes) To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* SEND NETWORK to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

Peyton Jones is the author of Church Plantology: The Art and Science of Planting Churches. It is a result of asking the question, “What do church planters need to know?” In this episode, Jones explains more about the art and science of church planting, rediscovering the first century style of ministry and the difference between planting a church and starting a new church. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* SEND NETWORK to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

Shane Pruitt is the next gen evangelism director for the North American Mission Board, and this summer, he saw thousands of students profess faith in Christ and hundreds acknowledge their call from God into ministry. In this episode, he talks about the “revival generation,” the difference between the universal call of God to all Christians and a unique call from God, and the significance and necessity of calling out the called. Read More: God Can Use Anyone to Plant a Church (Read Time: 9 Minutes) To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* SEND NETWORK to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

When you think about a metropolis of church planting activity, Omaha, Nebraska may not be top of mind. But through a few faithful men, God has used one church to plant 13 churches and baptize over 1,000 people. In this episode, Ryan Johnston, a Send Network church planting catalyst, talks about how they've been part of a movement of multiplying churches throughout Nebraska and what practices and principles planters throughout North America can learn from what God is doing in the Midwest. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* SEND NETWORK to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

Daniel Yang is the director of Send Institute and a well-known missiologist. On May 4, he unexpectedly suffered a heart attack and immediately underwent a quadruple bypass surgery — an event that would undoubtedly change anyone's life. In this episode, he talks about what the Lord spoke to him during his hospital stay, his spiritual mentors, listening and obeying the call of God and the future of the church. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* SEND NETWORK to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

Where will your next church planter come from? A seminary? Another church? Or is he sitting in your pew, right now, waiting to be challenged and trained? In this episode, Aaron Cavin, lead pastor of Life Community Church in Quincy, Massachusetts, describes their pipeline process that has allowed them to reproduce healthy church planters from within their congregation. He also talks about the importance of a slow, sustainable pipeline that adequately prepares future planters. Read More: Getting Multiplication in Your Church's DNA (6 Minute Read) To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* SEND NETWORK to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

Mental health isn't widely talked about among pastors and church planters, but that doesn't mean it's any less of a harmful reality. D.A. Horton is a professor at California Baptist University, and in this episode, he vulnerably shares the ups and downs of his church planting journey and mental health and healing for pastors. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

William “Duce” Branch serves as the assistant professor of Preaching and Bible at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He's also a rapper, a preacher and was part of a church planting team. At the time, church planting wasn't on his radar, but he was encouraged by a friend to consider planting a church that was welcoming to hip-hop — something he hadn't experienced yet. In this episode, he talks about the difference between church planting then and now, contextualization, fame and engaging with social media. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

Jimmy Scroggins brings a wealth of experience to the table about church multiplication. He's the lead pastor of Family Church in West Palm Beach, Florida, and he describes the church culture as “baptisty” when he first got there. This barrier — among other things — prevented them from reaching the unchurched in their community. As intentional and strategic changes have been made, the Lord has used the Family Church community to multiply and spread the gospel throughout South Florida. In this episode, Jimmy talks about their church multiplication strategy, the financial cost of church planting, convocational planting and more. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

Church planters are busy. Each week a stream of tasks, people and obligations yell for his attention. It's easy to get to Friday afternoon only to realize you have a whole sermon to write. In this episode, we talk with H.B. Charles, the pastor-teacher at Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church of Jacksonville and Orange Park, Florida, about the significance of the preached Word of God, shaping your congregation's worldview and addressing the felt and real needs of your congregation. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

The phrase ‘gospel driven' is tossed around a lot in evangelical spaces these days. It's easy to say, but hard to live by — especially in seasons of pastoring and church planting when the seats and pews of your church are bare each Sunday. In this episode, our hosts interview Jared Wilson, the director of content strategy for Midwestern Seminary, about a subtle threat to gospel-driven church planting. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

At the North American Mission Board (NAMB), it's all about the gospel. In this episode, our hosts talk with Kevin Ezell, the President of NAMB, about planting churches with Send Network and what it's like to be part of a family of churches that are planting churches everywhere for everyone. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, visit us online at SendNetwork.com or text “Send Network” to 888123. (Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.)

Is the multiethnic church a realistic prospect for the Church today? Should planters and pastors pursue this vision? In this episode, our hosts — with Sam Dula who leads the Boulevard program at Send Network — answer these questions and talk about the ways multicultural tensions are affecting church planting and the necessity of partnering with churches who are different from your own. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, visit us online at SendNetwork.com or text “Send Network” to 888123. (Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE .)

We say it all the time in Send Network: We can do far more together than we could apart. No church planter can plant churches alone. He needs people and churches to partner with him and his team to fulfill the ministry God has called them to in their city. But navigating church partnerships can be tricky for the planter and the church, especially when each has different expectations. In this episode, our hosts talk again with Chris Phillips, the lead pastor and planter of Journey Point Church, Denver, Colorado to talk about navigating church partnerships. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, visit us online at SendNetwork.com or text “Send Network” to 888123. (Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE .)

Chris Phillips oozes joy. He finds joy in church planting (even though it's immensely challenging), and he finds joy in knowing his city and loving his neighbors. He's the lead pastor and planter of Journey Point Church in Denver, Colorado, and on this episode, our hosts chat with him about where his joy comes from, how to cultivate healthy partnerships and why it's critical for church planters to know, love and date their city. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text* “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com. *Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/1goE.

Jonah Easley was living as a missionary in China when he and his wife had their first child. They noticed developmental delays and brought him to America where he was diagnosed with autism. Amid having more children — each diagnosed with autism as well — they planted Awakening Church in Seattle, Washington. In this episode, Jonah vulnerably shares about how God has used his family to help him grow emotionally and spiritually, the church planting experience and the spiritual apathy of Washington state. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

There's a lot of talk these days about leadership in the church. But what's the difference between leadership development and disciple-making? In this episode, our hosts sit down with Charles Smith. He's the Senior Vice President for Institutional Relations and Assistant Professor of Christian Leadership at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. They talk about what leadership is, who leaders are, how to differentiate between leadership development and disciple-making and how church planters can lead well. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

In this episode, Vance Pitman, senior pastor of Hope Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, reflects on 20 years of church planting and ministry experience. He talks about how they planted their church without losing their family, the power and necessity of prayer, and one pivotal word of advice to new planters. Mentions: Vance Pitman Leadership Podcast Unburdened: Stop Living for Jesus so Jesus can Live Through You The Stressless Life: Experiencing the Unshakeable Presence of God's Indescribable Peace

A proper view of the Kingdom of God is essential to planting a healthy church. God is expanding His rule and reign throughout the world, and every local church is a temporary tool established by Jesus to expand His Kingdom. In this episode, our hosts sit down with Vance Pitman, senior pastor of Hope Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, to talk about the essential nature of having Kingdom perspective while church planting. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

For years now, Send Network churches and planters have been planting churches everywhere for everyone in the diverse place that is North America. In this episode, Noah, Dhati and Heiden talk with Félix Cabrera — regional director for Puerto Rico and director of Send Network Español — about how the gospel is moving forward through Spanish-language churches. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

In this episode, Dhati, Heiden and Noah talk about how to think missionally in the summer by looking at the gifts and resources you have in hand and deciding how to use them strategically. They also talk about how to rest with intentionality. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

Noah, Heiden and Dhati talked with special guest Ed Stetzer — executive director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center — at the Send Network breakfast at the SBC annual meeting this week. In this episode, they discuss where the future of the SBC and church planting is headed, covering everything from post-pandemic life to navigating differences. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

When it comes to membership and church plants, it can be complicated. In this episode, Dhati, Heiden and Noah talk about when and how to handle church membership. They also talk about the three-week challenge, how COVID-19 complicated things, and how to move from a social club mindset to a family mindset. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

In this week's episode, Noah and Dhati react to a conversation from Twitter about church planting and friendships. Noah and Dhati talk about their personal experience, and how relationships and multiplication go together. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

In this week’s episode, Noah and Heiden — joined by Send Las Vegas team member Josh Carter — each discuss three things church planters should think about when planning the next season of their church’s life.  To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

In this week’s episode, Noah and Heiden interview Josh Carter, who recently joined the Send Las Vegas team. Josh recently came out of an amazing but challenging church planting adventure in Portland, Oregon, and shares about the spiritual warfare he faced, how he’s processing it and how he paced his church’s planting process.  To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

In another shot-clock-style episode, Heiden asks Noah questions on topics from Bible translations to multiplying church plants, along with where the name August Gate Church came from. A couple of surprises make it in there too, like home-run wars and missional beard oil. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

From time management to team management, Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner talk about the most challenging things about starting a church plant and what is still a struggle for them today.  To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

It’s a little bit of a trick question, but Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner talk through it with Shane Pruitt in part two of their conversation on evangelism. Plus, they share their three personal favorite ways to share the gospel.  To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

Has COVID killed the altar call? What’s the difference between an altar call and a gospel invitation, and how do you make them effective? Shane Pruitt, National Next Gen Evangelism Director for the North American Mission Board, joins Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner for the first of a two-part conversation on evangelism. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

What does it mean for a church planter to create a bonfire rather than a light post? What’s the best way to multiply small groups, and how much vacation time should a church planter take? In another shot clock style episode, Noah gives Dhati 30 seconds to answer questions on topics relevant to church planters—and topics like his favorite workout and current playlist. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

This week on We are Send Network, Dhati and Noah talk about the dynamics of planting a church in a gentrifying neighborhood. From navigating cultural preferences and unexpected changes, to making people feel welcome no matter their background, the guys talk about finding common ground and gospel effectiveness amid these tensions. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

Take a moment and dream of all the projects and mission opportunities you would take on if you had more people and a little bit more money. “Heart and resources often follow vision. I love bringing mission teams in to enable them to do what my people haven’t been able to do,” said cohost Noah Oldham. In this episode, Noah and Heiden Ratner talk about the advantages and potential drawbacks of having mission teams serve your church plant and how planters can practically help prepare them. Heiden also shares three clear goals he communicates to every mission team. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

What translation of the Bible should we use? What’s the perfect size of a small group? How long should my sermon be? In this shot clock style episode, Noah Oldham gives Heiden Ratner 30 seconds to answer common questions church planters often wonder about—along with some fun preferences, like Jordan or Kobe. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

Church plants inevitably go through an ebb and flow of seasons. There’s the prelaunch and postlaunch seasons, and some seasons are full of success while others seem to pile up with obstacles. In this episode, our cohosts describe how they have stewarded the various seasons of church planting and how they have had to fight coveting the seasons others are in and their own past seasons of success. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.    

In this episode, the guys respond to listener feedback! They engage with the question of whether church planting team members can themselves be considered church planters. They talk about the role of the lead church planter, his team members and the togetherness and diversity of skills necessary for planting a church. To find out more about church planting with Send Network, text “Send Network” to 888-123, or visit us online at SendNetwork.com.

Why should a pastor or church planter consider being part of Send Network? In this episode, our cohosts share their top three reasons why they chose Send Network and love being part of a network that’s working to plant churches everywhere for everyone.

Church planters are never called to the mission alone. In this episode, cohosts Dhati Lewis, Heiden Ratner and Noah Oldham talk about how to develop a church planting team and the different roles people played on their planting teams as they were planting their churches.

For most pastors and church planters, Easter is a big day. And it’s a big evangelistic day as newcomers are more likely to be sitting in the pews. In this episode, Heiden Ratner and Noah Oldham get very practical about how pastors and planters can begin preparing for Easter this year.

In this episode, cohosts Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner are joined by special guest, Michael Byrd, the lead planter and pastor of Faith Community Bible Church in St. Louis, Missouri, to talk about Black History Month and kingdom contributions in the past, present and future — as well as church planting in the inner city.

How do we create a culture of generosity in our churches — especially in a season that has felt more depleting for many of our members? In this episode, pastors Heiden Ratner and Noah Oldham talk about a few ways planters, pastors and church leaders can help create a culture of generosity in their churches where members freely give their time, talents and treasures to those in need. To read church planting stories and to learn more about how you generously invest in the work of church planting in North America visit AnnieArmstrong.com. Mentions: Annie Armstrong Easter Offering NAMB’s Next Step Leader The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn

The Church is more than a Sunday gathering, but not less. And in this season where many haven’t been able to gather normally, we’ve had to take a step back and truly evaluate what Sunday is all about. Who is it for? The person who doesn’t know Christ? Those who are already in the body of Christ? Both? In this episode, our cohosts talk about who Sunday service is for and why it’s important for Christians to “not forsake the assembly,” even when we can’t meet in person.

Do you have a space where you’re really known? There comes a point in the church planting journey—after you’ve built community for everyone else—that it becomes difficult for planters and their wives to have community for themselves. In this episode, our cohosts discuss why authentic community is vital for church planting families, the models and rhythms of community and obstacles to having it.

Every context is different, and so are the thoughts and preferences of our co-hosts. In this episode, they discuss their preferences between the neighborhood model and the regional model — and how God sometimes led them in a different direction when they planted their churches.

How do the men and women surrounding the Christmas narrative — a story over 2,000 years old — give principles for church planting today? In this episode, co-hosts Dhati Lewis, Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner share what the wise men, Joseph, Anna and Simeon remind us about several nonnegotiable principles of church planting.

How far in advance should pastors plan their sermons? Is it ever appropriate to deviate from your preaching calendar? In this episode, co-hosts Dhati Lewis, Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner discuss how they think through preaching strategies, calendars and team teaching.