The CGN Mission & Methods Podcast

In this episode, hosts Nick Cady and Brian Brodersen speak with Dominic Done. Dominic served as a Calvary Chapel pastor for many years; he is also an author and theologian, and the founder of a ministry called “Pursuing Faith.”In this discussion, Dominic shares about the current state of the deconstruction movement, as well as the growing openness and interest in God that is sprouting up in its wake all around the world.Dominic shares why the church has an opportunity right now to engage in what he calls “redemptive theodicy,” to answer people's questions with the truth of the gospel. Join us for the CGN International Ministry Conference, taking place June 22-25th at Reliance Church in Temecula, CA. This is a gathering designed for church leaders and their ministry teams to connect, collaborate, and grow together in a community of like-minded leaders.Alistair Begg is one of our main session speakers this year, along with many other guests. Find more information, and register at: conference.calvarychapel.com 

Greg Opean is an Assisting Pastor at the Packinghouse Church in Redlands, California. Prior to that, Greg spent 17 years planting and pastoring churches in Hungary, and played a major role in the Calvary Chapel movement in Central & Eastern Europe.This episode was recorded on site at Zichy Kastély in Vajta, Hungary, a property which Greg was involved in acquiring and developing. In this discussion, Greg and Brian talk about how God opened the doors for them to come to Yugoslavia and Hungary 35 years ago this month, and about how what began with a simple invitation became a thriving network of churches that continues today. We also talk about the challenges of spiritual warfare, and the beauty of discipleship through invitation. Greg will be speaking at this year's CGN International Conference, which will be held June 22-25 in Temecula, California. This conference is open to anyone in ministry, and we would love to see you there. Our keynote speaker this year is Alistair Begg. There will be workshops for every major area of ministry in a church, so the conference is not only for pastors, but for everyone in ministry leadership.You can find more information and register at conference.calvarychapel.com

Kike Torres is the lead pastor of Horizonte Querétaro in Mexico.In this episode, Kike shares about his journey from suicidal depression to leading a thriving church which is planting churches all over Mexico and beyond.Kike's own struggles led him to become qualified as a biblical counselor, and he shares about how he is able to help people and serve others in ministry leadership.Kike will be speaking at this year's CGN International Conference, which will be held June 23-25 in Temecula, California. This conference is open to anyone in ministry, and we would love to see you there! Our keynote speaker this year is Alister Begg. Find more information and register at conference.calvarychapel.com

Roland Krumm is the Pastor of City Chapel in Stuttgart, Germany. In this episode, Roland shares his journey from a legalistic evangelical upbringing to a transformative encounter with the Holy Spirit at age 17, which sparked his vibrant faith and ministry. He discusses planting City Chapel, navigating historical divides between conservative and charismatic Christians in Germany, and the innovative Ostergarten outreach, which brings the gospel to thousands. Roland also shares his heart for revival, reaching the younger generation, and supporting Israel and the Jewish people as a German pastor.We explore how Roland fostered unity among Stuttgart's churches through the “Together for Stuttgart” network, offering insights for churches seeking collaboration while maintaining their distinct callings.Register for the CGN International Ministry Conference (June 22-25, 2025 in Temecula, California) at conference.calvarychapel.comNew episodes are released every two weeks on Wednesday mornings. Subscribe to have new episodes delivered directly to you upon release.

Welcome to Season 6 of the CGN Podcast, where we bring you updates and conversations highlighting what God is doing through the Calvary Global Network (CGN). In this premiere episode, host Nick Cady sits down with Pastor Brian Brodersen, president and founder of CGN, to discuss significant changes in his life and ministry. Pastor Brian shares about his transition from senior pastor at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa to Pastor Emeritus, what this new season holds for him personally, and how it will shape the future of CGN. This conversation offers insights into leadership transitions, the importance of involving the church community, and CGN's vision for global ministry.Resources MentionedWatch the Transition Ceremony: Available on Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa's Vimeo channel (cccm.com).CGN Initiatives: Learn more about Cultivate, Expositors Collective, and Connect at cgn.org.Creation Fest: Join Brian and the team in the UK this August (creationfest.org.uk).Calvary Chapel Book Project: Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming book.Subscribe to the CGN Podcast for new episodes every two weeks.Share this episode with your church community or friends in ministry.Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help others find the show.Get Involved with CGN by visiting cgn.org to explore conferences, church planting, and ministry resources.

Now that Pastor Brian Brodersen has transitioned out of the Senior Pastor role at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, what does the future hold for him and for CGN?This season we will be talking about what's on the horizon for Calvary Global Network, as well as some projects that are currently in the works.Guests this season will include Alistair Begg, Ed Stetzer, and others, and we will be highlighting the work of Calvary Chapel and CGN churches in Mexico, Germany, and more.Our goal is to create content that is encouraging and helpful to you, as you pursue God's calling for your life.The CGN Podcast is the official podcast of the Calvary Global Network (CGN).Episodes will be released every two weeks on Wednesdays. Subscribe today, and keep an eye out for new episodes coming soon.

Brian Brodersen is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, California. He is the founder and president of Calvary Global Network (CGN), and has served as a church planter, missionary, and the pastor of pastors for many in ministry. This message was given at the 2024 CGN International Conference, where the theme was, "Hope, Suffering and Glory: Studies in the Book of 1 Peter." In this message, Pastor Brian teaches 1 Peter 5:8-11 on the topic of "Your Adversary, the Devil." This is the final episode of Season 5. Thank you for joining us, and make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you will be notified when new episodes are released. We would love to hear your feedback on these episodes; you can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

James T. Meeks is the founder and Pastor Emeritus of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. Over the course of his ministry, Pastor Meeks has sought to serve his community in various ways, to bring holistic gospel-centered renewal to his city.  This message was given at the 2024 CGN International Conference, where the theme was, "Hope, Suffering and Glory: Studies in the Book of 1 Peter." In this message, Pastor Meeks teaches 1 Peter 5:1-5 on the topic of Shepherding the Flock of God. Subscribe to the podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. In coming weeks we will be posting more of the messages from this year's International Conference, as well as more interviews with ministry leaders. We would love to hear your feedback on these episodes; you can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Ed Stetzer (Ph.D.) is the Dean of Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He is passionate about helping pastors and has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches, in addition to being a prolific author and missiologist. This message was given at the 2024 CGN International Conference, where the theme was, "Hope, Suffering and Glory: Studies in the Book of 1 Peter." Subscribe to the podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. In coming weeks we will be posting more of the messages from this year's International Conference, as well as more interviews with ministry leaders. We would love to hear your feedback on these episodes; you can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

John Dickson is a Professor at Wheaton College, where he holds the Jean Kvamme Distinguished Chair. John has also served as a pastor in his home country of Australia. He is a speaker and author, and has served with the Centre for Public Christianity. This message was given at the 2024 CGN International Conference, where the theme was, "Hope, Suffering and Glory: Studies in the Book of 1 Peter." Subscribe to the podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. In coming weeks we will be posting more of the messages from this year's International Conference, as well as more interviews with ministry leaders. We would love to hear your feedback on these episodes; you can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

In this message, alternatively titled, "Deconstruction for Reconstruction," Phil and Joy Metzger look at what 1 Peter 3:1-7 has to say about the topic of marriage. Phil is the Senior Pastor of Calvary San Diego, where Joy leads the Women's Ministry. Prior to coming to San Diego, Phil and Joy served for many years with Calvary Chapel in Hungary, planting and leading churches, discipling believers, and leading a Bible college. This message was given at the 2024 CGN International Conference, where the theme was, "Hope, Suffering and Glory: Studies in the Book of 1 Peter." Subscribe to the podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. In coming weeks we will be posting more of the messages from this year's International Conference, as well as more interviews with ministry leaders. We would love to hear your feedback on these episodes; you can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Rafael Manzanares is the Lead Pastor of Santa Ponsa Community Church in Mallorca, Spain. Rafael has served as a leader with Calvary Chapel in Western Europe for many years, and he serves on the Executive Team of Calvary Global Network. This message was given at the 2024 CGN International Conference, where the theme was, "Hope, Suffering and Glory: Studies in the Book of 1 Peter." Subscribe to the podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. In coming weeks, we will be posting more of the messages from this year's International Conference, as well as more interviews with ministry leaders. We would love to hear your feedback on these episodes; you can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Dan Kimball is the founding pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, CA. He also serves at Western Seminary as the Vice President of Church Mission and Strategy and Associate Professor of Leadership and Theology. Dan is also the author of several books and was a guest earlier this season on the CGN podcast. This message was given at the 2024 CGN International Conference, where the theme was, "Hope, Suffering and Glory: Studies in the Book of 1 Peter." Subscribe to the podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. In coming weeks we will be posting more of the messages from this year's International Conference, as well as more interviews with ministry leaders. We would love to hear your feedback on these episodes; you can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Justin Thomas is the President of Calvary Chapel Bible College in Twin Peaks, CA. Prior to assuming that role, Justin was a church planter and pastor in Seattle, WA. Justin also serves on the Executive Team of Calvary Global Network. This message was given at the 2024 CGN International Conference, where the theme was, "Hope, Suffering and Glory: Studies in the Book of 1 Peter." Subscribe to the podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. In coming weeks we will be posting more of the messages from this year's International Conference, as well as more interviews with ministry leaders. We would love to hear your feedback on these episodes; you can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

This is the first of the messages from the 2024 CGN International Conference that we will be releasing here on the podcast. The theme of this year's conference was: "Hope, Suffering, and Glory: Studies in 1 Peter." Pastor Wayne Taylor has been a pioneer in the Calvary Chapel Movement. He has helped to plant over 50 churches in the Pacific Northwest, Russia, and Europe. Pastor Wayne also serves on the CGN Executive Team. Subscribe to the podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. In coming weeks we will be posting more of the messages from this year's International Conference, as well as more interviews with ministry leaders. We would love to hear your feedback on these episodes; you can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

As a Calvary Chapel network, CGN values biblical literacy. Calvary Chapel has a long history of teaching the entire Bible in an expositional way, and in this episode, Pastor Brian Brodersen and Nick Cady speak with Dr. Dominick Hernández, Associate Professor of Old Testament and Semitics at Talbot School of Theology.  Dr. Hernández has a long history with Calvary Chapel, and in this discussion he talks about teaching the Old Testament as Christian scripture, including discussions about the best ways to teach the Old Testament, good and bad methods of teaching Christ in all of Scripture, and how to understand the opening chapters of Genesis. For further study, check out Dominick's book, Engaging the Old Testament: How to Read Biblical Narrative, Poetry, and Prophecy Well

In this episode, Brian Brodersen & Nick Cady speak with Pastor Wesley Towne.  Wesley has planted two churches; he currently pastors Bayside Church in Davis, California, and he is the founder of Better Days, an organization seeking to bring hope and resources to those struggling with personal suffering and mental health.  In this discussion, Wesley shares with the story of struggling with anxiety as a young pastor, and how he found help from the Scriptures and from other Christians, as well as how he is now using what he learned to help others. As a Calvary Chapel network, CGN is a global family of churches working together to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. We would love to hear your feedback on these episodes; you can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

As a Calvary Chapel network, CGN is a family of churches working together to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. In this episode and the previous one, we are highlighting some of the training resources that we provide in order to help equip people to carry out that mission. Dr. Andrew Pack is a professor and dean at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. In this discussion, Andrew shares about his journey of church planting, and how that led him to go to seminary. He also answers questions people have asked in regard to studying at Western, and about the benefits (and potential pitfalls) of seminary education. More information about CGN's partnership with Western Seminary can be found at https://cgn.org/western/

Calvary Chapel Bible College is about to celebrate 50 years of training people in the Scriptures - and in this discussion, we talk about the school's recent move back up to their original location, as well as some new opportunities that the school provides in regard to course offerings and accreditation.  Calvary Global Network is a family of churches working together to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. This is the first of two episodes highlighting some of the training resources that we provide to help equip people to carry out that mission. Send us your feedback on these episodes at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Justin Thomas is the president of Calvary Chapel Bible College in Twin Peaks, California. Prior to leading the Bible College, Justin was the founding pastor of Calvary: The Hill in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington.  In this discussion, Nick Cady and Brian Brodersen speak with Justin about how the topic of cultural engagement. How should Christians and ministry leaders think about and relate to the surrounding culture in the place where we live? Is it possible to overemphasize the need for cultural understanding and engagement? How has Calvary Chapel approached this topic in the past?   Justin will be teaching one of the main sessions at this year's CGN International Conference, happening June 23-26, 2024 at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa. You can find more information and register at conference.calvarychapel.com

Dan Kimball is the Founding Pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, CA. He is also the Vice President of Church Mission and Strategy at Western Seminary, and he is someone who is passionate about the Bible and equipping the next generation to rightly divide God's Word. In this discussion, Dan shares about his involvement in the early days of the Emerging Church movement, and what caused him to leave that movement and distance himself from it. He also shares about what he sees as the most pressing needs for church leadership today. Dan will be speaking at this year's CGN International Conference, happening June 23-26. We'd love for you to be there; you can find more information and register at conference.calvarychapel.com Check out Dan's most recent book: How (Not) to Read the Bible Send us your feedback on these episodes at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Doug Sauder is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. In this episode, Doug shares about how he and the church navigated the moral failure of their founding pastor, how the church weathered that storm, and what they learned through the process that other churches can benefit from. Doug also shares about Church United, a coalition of churches working together in South Florida to reach their community with the Gospel. We discuss how churches can partner together without losing their unique calling and identity.  New episodes will be released every two weeks, on Wednesday mornings. Make sure to subscribe, and new episodes will be delivered to you as soon as they are released. Register here for the CGN International Conference (June 23-26, 2024) Send us your feedback on these episodes at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Welcome to the new season of the CGN Podcast! In this first episode, Nick Cady speaks with Brian Brodersen about his changing role at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, and what that means for his involvement in Calvary Global Network. Nick and Brian also discuss the importance of God's calling in ministry leadership, and CGN's renewed focus on its identity as a Calvary Chapel movement. Finally, they discuss a new initiative called "Leadership Collective" and what is on the horizon for CGN. New episodes will be released every two weeks, on Wednesday mornings. Make sure to subscribe, and new episodes will be delivered to you as soon as they are released. Send us your feedback on these episodes at CGN@calvarychapel.com

The new season of the CGN podcast begins on May 8th, 2024. The CGN Podcast is the official podcast of the Calvary Global Network (CGN). This season, we will be talking about what's new at CGN and what's on the horizon for us as a network. We will also be joined by guests to talk about topics related to ministry, such as handling pastoral transitions, training resources, engaging the culture with the gospel, and other topics related to theology, church planting and preaching. Episodes will be released every two weeks on Wednesdays. Subscribe today, and keep an eye out for new episodes coming soon.

October 3, 2023 marks ten years since the passing of Pastor Chuck Smith, who was the man God used to start the Calvary Chapel Movement of churches. In this bonus episode, Nick Cady speaks with Brian Brodersen about Chuck Smith's approach to ministry, including some questions about how Chuck pastored personally, what were challenges and struggles he faced in ministry, and what were the major influences that shaped Chuck's theology, and his preaching. Pastor Brian is uniquely qualified to speak to these questions, as he not only served alongside Pastor Chuck and eventually succeeded him as the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, but he also shares close family ties to Pastor Chuck, as his son in law. We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at cgn@calvarychapel.com

In this final episode of Season 4, Brian Brodersen and Nick Cady speak with Clay Worrell. Clay is the Executive Director of Calvary Global Network since 2022. Prior to that, he planted and pastored a church in Waterford City, Ireland, and more recently, he pastored a church in the Bay Area of California. In this discussion, Clay shares what it was like coming back to the United States after years in Ireland and how different cultural contexts shape the way you do ministry. Additionally, they discuss the merits of short-term mission trips and how to make them effective and successful for long-term fruitfulness. We would love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com.

This season, on Mission & Methods, we are getting to know members of the CGN Executive Team. Brian Kelly is the pastor of WestChurch in Bradenton, Florida. Prior to planting WestChurch, Brian and his wife Lynne spent several years as missionaries and church planters all over the world. In this episode, Brian shares how God led him to places as diverse as Africa and New Zealand, and the blessings and challenges of ministering in those places. He also discusses the work he is currently doing with Cultivate to encourage and equip new church planters and missionaries, and what he's excited about for the future of CGN. We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Manolo Matos is the pastor of Calvary Lima, in Lima, Peru. In this episode, Manolo talks with Brian Brodersen and Nick Cady about how he became the pastor of the church in which he became a Christian and was baptized. Additionally, Manolo shares about the unique role that Calvary Chapel churches can play in Latin America as a movement that is focused on teaching the Word of God. He shares what makes ministry in South America unique, and about open doors for ministry both in the urban context of Lima, and the diverse rural context of other parts of Peru. We would love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

This season, on Mission & Methods, we are getting to know members of the CGN Executive Team. Mike Neglia is the pastor of Calvary Cork, in Cork, Ireland. Mike also leads the Expositors Collective training initiative, which equips people to study and proclaim God's Word, and he is the host of the Expositors Collective podcast. In this episode, Mike talks about how God led him to Ireland, where he came as a missionary 20 years ago, and he talks about being the father of a child with disabilities, and how that has shaped him as a person, and as a pastor. We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

This season, on Mission & Methods, we are getting to know members of the CGN Executive Team. Rafael Manzaneras is the pastor of Santa Ponsa Community Church, on the island of Mallorca, in Spain. Rafael has a unique global perspective, having served in the United States and Europe for many years. In this episode, Rafael shares his story of growing up in both Spain and the United States, and how God led him back to Europe. We also talk about the work God is doing through Calvary Chapel churches in Western Europe, and why it is such a strategic place for the mission of God in the world. We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

This season, on Mission & Methods, we are getting to know members of the CGN Executive Team. Jeff Gipe has a unique background, having been a successful businessman in Southern California, and then planting and pastoring a church. He now uses these skills and experiences to serve Calvary Global Network, both as a member of the staff, and as the head of the Funding Team. In this episode, Jeff talks about some of the ways the funding team has been able to help churches and empower ministry initiatives around the world, and why he is passionate about mobilizing the church to use our skills and resources to help each other further the mission of God. Jeff also hosts the Isms That Cause Schisms Podcast. We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Welcome to CGN Voices. We are in a mini series called CGN Voices from Ukraine, a series dedicated to sharing powerful stories of resilience, faith, and service in the face of great difficulty. In this episode, we have the privilege of hearing a remarkable story shared by Lena Morrison from Calvary Chapel in Svitlovodsk, Ukraine. Lena shares her story of choosing to stay in Ukraine after the beginning of the full-scale invasion, in order to house and feed refugees fleeing from the war zones in eastern Ukraine. Additionally, she recounts the inspiring story of someone they helped, who initially had deep skepticism about church, but who came to faith through the support, love, and acceptance she received, and now serves in the church in helping others. “If I would have known that church is like this, I would have come sooner!” As Lena shares this uplifting story, she also highlights the continued challenges faced by their church and community amidst the ongoing conflict. Discover how you can support and pray for them as they persevere and extend God's love to those affected by the war. Join us in this episode of CGN Voices from Ukraine, as we celebrate the transformative power of faith and witness firsthand the resilience and dedication of believers compelled to serve others as Jesus served them.

Welcome to "Voices from Ukraine", a mini-series inside look at the resilience, faith, and service of Calvary Chapel believers in Ukraine during the difficult months since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. In this special edition, we sit down with Tanya Kotelenets from a church in eastern Ukraine. Kotelenets shares her harrowing experiences from the first days of the war - the fear, uncertainty and eventual decision to flee the city with her church community. Despite difficult conditions, God's provision and grace sustained them. Though she returned home months later, the impact of war remains. Kotelenets's husband ministers at funerals almost daily, including that of a coworker who recently died in combat. Our listeners are reminded that all parts of the body of Christ feel the suffering of others. Kotelenets asks for prayers for the children enduring so much change and loss, and for strength to continue living through this conflict with hope. If you'd like to support relief efforts in Ukraine, donations can be made through calvaryglobalnetwork.com/relief Join us next time for another firsthand account of courage, sacrifice and faith continuing to burn bright within the Calvary Chapel family amidst the darkness of war.

Ted Leavenworth is the Lead Pastor of Reliance Church in Temecula, CA. In addition to pastoring Reliance, Ted leads the Care and Coaching Team for CGN. In this episode, Ted discusses the benefits of coaching and church assessment, and describes how their team is able to help provide support for leaders, but also practical training to up-skill those who desire help from other leaders with more experience. Prior to planting Reliance Church, Ted worked as a paramedic and was the founder and Executive Pastor of a large church in Menefee, California. He shares how his experience in those roles shapes his approach to ministry today. Check out the Leadership Collective Podcast. We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Wayne Taylor is the founding pastor of Calvary Fellowship in Seattle, Washington. As part of the first generation of Calvary Chapel pastors, Wayne has been in pastoral ministry for over 40 years, during which time he was involved in the planting of over 50 churches in the Pacific Northwest, Europe, and Russia. Wayne is passionate about prayer and evangelism, and in this episode, he shares about how the work of CGN is carrying on these important aspects of what the Calvary Chapel movement has been about since the beginning. We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. Contact us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Richard Cimino has been a pastor for over 40 years, the majority of which was spent in Northern California. In this discussion, we talk about the importance of cultivating friendships in ministry. Richard shares very candidly about some of his hardest experiences as a pastor, including closing down a church, and how it was his friendships with other pastors and ministry leaders which God used to encourage him and give him direction in those times. We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. Contact us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Kellen Criswell serves as the Global Strategist for Calvary Global Network. In many ways he is the architect of CGN. In this episode, Kellen shares about his background as a worship leader and church planter, and the events which led to him being involved in helping build CGN as an organization. Kellen is currently based in Hungary, and we discuss God's work through Calvary Chapel in Europe in the past and to this present day, as well as what Kellen is excited about for the future of CGN. We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. Contact us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Bill is the pastor of Calvary Chapel in Inglewood, California — a community that is rapidly changing, and in this episode, Bill shares about some ways they are addressing those changes, reaching out, and discipling the people God is bringing their way.  Bill is also the father of a child with a disability, and he shares how his son's disability has shaped him and his family, and how it has changed the way he approaches ministry and leads his church to love people who have unique challenges.  As a member of the CGN Executive Team, Bill also talks about what he is excited about in regard to Calvary Global Network in regard to "gospel unity" and the ability to do more for God's Kingdom together than we can separately. We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. Contact us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Tommy Cota is the pastor of Hope Alive Church in Santa Ana, California.  In this episode, Tommy shares about his background, growing up in Los Angeles and being involved with drugs and gangs, and how God took hold of his heart and transformed his life. Tommy also shares about his journey of planting a church in Santa Ana, and how God has opened doors for him to minister to youth in public schools. Tommy is a member of the CGN Executive Team, and he also talks about what he is excited about in regard to the future of Calvary Global Network. We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. Contact us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

In this bonus episode, Nick Cady speaks with Zhenya Chekushkin, the leader of the Calvary Chapel network of churches in Ukraine. Calvary Chapel has had a presence in Ukraine since the early 1990's, and currently has around 20 churches in different cities throughout the country. Recently a group of CGN leaders travelled to Western Ukraine to encourage those in the Calvary network who have been ministering to others in their country since the full scale invasion in February 2022. This retreat provided an opportunity to recharge physically and spiritually. In this episode, Zhenya shares about some of the ways Calvary Chapel churches have been serving people, and how God has been working, even in the midst of these difficult circumstances. We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

On this season of Mission & Methods, hosts Nick Cady and Brian Brodersen are interviewing some of the members of the CGN Executive Team, so that you can get to know who they are and what they are passionate about. Nate Holdridge is the Pastor of Calvary Monterey, in Monterey, California. He is the author of several books, including his recent book: Whole-Hearted Work, which you can find on his website: nateholdridge.com. Nate is a pastor's kid, and in this episode, Nate talks about what it was like growing up in a church planting family, and what he learned through that about how Pastors can help their children to grow up in a way that helps them love the church and follow Jesus. Nate is also a member of the Pastoral Care and Coaching Team for CGN, and so we talk about the importance of pastoral care and sabbaticals, and how to access those resources through Calvary Global Network. We'd love to hear your feedback on these episodes. Email us at cgn@calvarychapel.com

Welcome to Season 4 of the CGN Mission & Methods Podcast! This season, hosts Nick Cady and Brian Brodersen are interviewing the members of the Calvary Global Network executive team so you can get to know them, their hearts, and what they are excited about for the future. In this first episode of the new season, Nick and Brian speak with Joel Turner, pastor of Mountain Springs Calvary Chapel in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Joel is the author of Humor Me: How to Add Comedy to Your Brain, Your Life, and Your Message. He is an evangelist and has a background as a professional comedian. New episodes will be released every two weeks, on Wednesday mornings. Make sure to subscribe, and new episodes will be delivered to you as soon as they are released. Send us your feedback on these episodes at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Get ready for season four of the Mission and Methods podcast! Host Nick Cady and the CGN Team will be bringing you exclusive interviews with members of the CGN executive team, diving into their roles, passion, vision, and personal history. You'll get to know these dynamic leaders and hear about the unique ways they are furthering the Kingdom and inspiring others within the network. Get an inside look at the heart and soul of CGN, and gain insights and inspiration from those who are making a real difference. Subscribe now to have these engaging and informative episodes delivered straight to your podcast app.

Pastor Ray Ortlund is the president of Renewal Ministries and serves as a pastor to pastors from his home base at Immanuel Church in Nashville, Tennessee. A friend of Calvary Global Network, Ray spoke at the 2022 CGN International Conference on the topic of building and fostering gospel-centered culture in our churches. In this second bonus episode, and the final episode of Season 3, we have Pastor Ray's message from the conference, as well as a special interview, in which Pastor Brian Brodersen speaks with Ray about his experience in ministry and why he sees such a need for developing gospel culture in our churches. If you liked what you heard in the bonus episodes this season, then consider attending the next CGN International Conference — which will be held at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa from June 25-28, 2023. We are currently planning the next season of the podcast. Make sure you are subscribed so you will be notified when those new episodes are posted in early 2023. Thanks for listening, and God bless you!

In this, the first of two bonus episodes as we close out this season, we have the opening message from the 2022 CGN International Conference, in which Nick Cady shares on how to create a “gospel culture” in our churches. In the midst of that message, we have a special interview with Cheryl Brodersen, in which she talks about the culture of the Jesus People Movement and the early days of Calvary Chapel. Cheryl leads the Joyful Life Women's Ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. She is the wife of Pastor Brian Brodersen and the daughter of Pastor Chuck Smith, which gives Cheryl a unique perspective, having had a front row seat for all that God has done through the Calvary Chapel Movement and CGN from the beginning. Cheryl shares some insights from the history of Calvary Chapel about how to not only create, but also maintain a gospel culture in our churches. Stay tuned for the next (and final) bonus episode, featuring a message and a conversation with Pastor Ray Ortlund.

In the New Testament we see how, as the gospel spread, new churches were established as hubs for discipleship and carrying out God's mission in a local area. But is there still a need for new churches today? In this final episode of Season 3, Nick Cady speaks with the Core Team of the Cultivate Church Planter Training Program, an initiative of CGN which has developed a local-church based program to assess, train, deploy, and care for leaders who will spearhead new church plants around the world. The members of the Cultivate Core Team believe that the world needs more gospel-centered churches, and in this episode they talk about why there is a need for more churches, as well as some common mistakes that church planters and sending churches can make, and some proven methods for helping new church plants succeed. Finally, they discuss how Cultivate works, and how people can get connected. Listen for a clip from Pastor Chuck Smith on the topic of church planting. The Cultivate Core Team is: Nick Cady, Kellen Criswell, Brian Kelly, and Bruce Zachary. More information about Cultivate can be found at cultivatechurchplanting.com Send us your feedback on these episodes at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Expositors Collective is an organization that hosts training events and provides resources to help people grow as Bible teachers and preachers of God's Word. Recently, Expositors Collective came into formal relationship with CGN. Teaching, according to the Bible, is a Spiritual gift, and it is also a skill which can be developed and improved. What is the relationship between the spiritual gifting of teaching, and the responsibility to steward that gift by doing your best to make sure you are rightly dividing and effectively communicating the "Word of Truth"? As Christians, we all engage with the Bible at some level, so even if someone isn't preaching sermons on Sunday mornings, they will likely have many opportunities to share Biblical truth and wisdom with others. For this reason, it is important for us to grow in both our private study and our public proclamation of God's Word. In this episode, Nick Cady speaks with Kellen Criswell and Mike Neglia about the history of Expositors Collective and what are some of the unique elements of it, as well as how Expositors Collective works with CGN in our mission to Proclaim the Gospel, Make Disciples, and Plant Churches. Listen for a clip from Pastor Chuck Smith about sermon preparation and how it works together with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

In Acts 20:26 Paul the Apostle tells the leaders of the Ephesian church that he innocent of their blood because, during his time in Ephesus, he taught them “the whole counsel of God's Word.” What does it mean to teach the whole counsel of God's word, and how can we be sure we are doing this in our churches? One of the core values of CGN is biblical literacy. In this episode, Nick Cady speaks with Kellen Criswell to discuss what CGN is doing to promote biblical literacy and to encourage the teaching of “the whole counsel of God's Word.” As part of this discussion, they talk about biblical theology and Christ-centered hermeneutics, as they discuss the importance of teaching every part of the Bible in relation to the big story that all of the Bible together tells. We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Since one of the roles of CGN as a network is to provide care and coaching for those in ministry leadership, what is CGN doing to support women specifically, who are serving in ministry leadership? In this episode Nick Cady and Kellen Criswell are joined by Brenda Leavenworth, who leads the Women's Care and Coaching Team for CGN. They discuss some of the unique challenges that women face when it comes to serving in ministry, and what CGN is doing to provide resources and support to meet those needs. They discuss some of the ways that women can be involved in leading in the local church within a complementarian framework, and Brenda shares some stories of ways in which this team has helped women, as well as how those listening can connect with what is being provided. Resources mentioned in this episode - The CGN Statement on Women in Ministry Leadership CGN Mission & Methods episode on Women in Ministry Leadership: What CGN Leaders Believe When She Leads Conference in Temecula, CA - October 21-22, 2022 When She Leads Podcast We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

One of the things CGN exists to do, is to provide care and coaching for those in ministry leadership. How do we help people to avoid burnout? How do we help those who are struggling with very difficult things, either in ministry or on a personal level? This past July, we partnered with Cross Culture Missions to put on a conference specifically for those in our network who have been involved in providing aid and relief on the ground, since the war began in Ukraine. We have ministry partners both in Ukraine and the surrounding countries who have been helping suffering and displaced people — and yet, many of these leaders are suffering and displaced themselves. Using some of the resources and relationships God has provided us with, we were able to minister to these families at our conference center in Austria. The following conversation is a "Field Report," recorded at that conference, between some CGN leaders and good friends, discussing what was unique about this conference, and sharing and celebrating God's work through Calvary Chapel in Europe over the past four decades. Donations to the CGN Relief Fund can be made here: https://calvaryglobalnetwork.com/relief/ We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

What does CGN believe about the nature, purpose, and destiny of the church, both locally and globally? What constitutes a church, and what role do churches, and “the church” as a whole, have to play in God's mission in the world? Furthermore, what models of church government can be found in CGN churches? In this episode, Nick Cady speaks with Kellen Criswell about CGN's beliefs about ecclesiology. They talk about the “Moses Model” and other forms of church government, as well as questions of contextualization in different cultural settings. We'd love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com