The Ralph Moore Podcast

Raising people up to send out as church planters is a daunting task. A flurry of questions present themselves: where do I find a leader, how do I prepare them, who will replace them? In this episode, Matt and Christine flip the script and dig into how Ralph identified, trained, and replaced church planters while leading the Hope Chapel Movement

Much of the Church in the U.S. needs new life breathed into it, just as it did when Ralph starting multiplying Hope Chapels. In this episode, Matt and Christine talk about the vision that Greenhouse Church has to saturate Florida through disciple making, mirroring what happened with Hope Chapel. This conversation is packed with insight, reflection, and driving factors behind being used by God: surrender and humility.

It's easy and common to turn church gatherings into preaching events where just hear a message and leave. Jesus though was highly relational and disciple making should follow His pattern. Greenhouse Church in Florida follows this relational emphasis.In this podcast, you'll hear from two of Greenhouse's pastors who are focused on church planting – Matt Ulrich and Christine Sepulveda. Their personal stories and focus on planting new works draw out the importance of creating spaces where people can feel seen and accepted.

If Jesus showed up today, would he be welcome in most churches? Perhaps not, and that's what Alan and Ralph unpack in this episode. Christians should be known for being like Jesus and helping others be like him as well. Too often, we let other things get in the way, but this conversation helps us refocus on what's most important.

Alan Hirsch helped to open up a new way of thinking among church planters and leaders all over the world. But what made him start writing and speaking prophetically? What shaped his ministry along the way? Ralph and Alan talk about their younger years and how formative moments and God's persistent pressing created the unique voice that they both brought to the evangelical world.

David Cobia's church focuses on helping people establish new rhythms that lead to spiritual growth. Their gatherings are designed to help facilitate each individual's journey through encouragement and invitation. Together, David and Ralph talk about the unique initiatives that David has spearheaded and how others can jump in and benefit from the path he's blazed.

David Cobia leads a church that is a mission to the creatives in Los Angeles. Rather than finding a group of Christians to gain critical mass and start a traditional worship service, David went back to the drawing board and came up with a new form that blended digital and physical while overcoming some of the barriers that turn people away from traditional church.

Tobi Ishitobi's church saw a lot of disruption, with people leaving to other congregations, after COVID. For some, this might have been a cause for alarm, but for Tobi, it helped build unity and momentum. While disrupted, they discovered more blessings than drawbacks.

Tobi Ishitobi leads a church with both Japanese and English speaking congregations, and is seeing growth and interest among young people joining and becoming activated in their faith. Despite a strong community of believers supporting him early on, bridging cultures between Japanese & American while conducting a merger between an existing church and a church plant presented a unique and difficult challenge. On the other side of it, Tobi has a treasure trove of wisdom for those that are involved in mergers or intercultural ministry.

Leading like Jesus can't be boiled down to a science. It's about listening to what the Holy Spirit wants to do every day and watching for the fruits of the spirit. Curtis Hunnicutt explains how he integrates this into his daily rhythms and it empowers him for ministry.In this episode you'll hear aboutPaying attention to the metrics of JesusListening to the Holy SpiritHow studying history teaches you to navigate situations

In this podcast, Curtis Hunnicutt and Ralph Moore have a conversation about walking in faith. They share personal stories about prayer, power, and God's response.In this episode you'll hear aboutHow to make room for God to moveBeing expectant and obedientStepping out in spite of your fears

What do you do when the path forward is uncertain? Hold on to the last thing God told you to do. That's Curtis Hunnicutt's story after God called him to move from the United States to Sweden. Listen in as he shares the story of how God has moved and used him to make disciples and plant churches.In this episode you'll hear aboutHow to be obedient and wait for God's timingStepping out in faith during times of uncertaintyHow to forge lasting partnerships

Apartment communities are some of the least reached areas of the United States. That means it's going to take a while to see results. Jared Milam explains how he has had to be patient and be ok with troubleshooting while on mission to reach his apartment community. Together, he talks with Ralph about how to be faithful in this process, the finances of small churches, and how to get started in your own community.In this episode you'll hear aboutFinances of small churchesBeing open to troubleshooting on missionStaying patient while waiting for fruit

95% of people living in apartments do not go to church. Jared Milam wants to change that. He considers this an unreached people group in our backyard and focuses on planting churches to reach this community. He explains that meeting neighbors in an apartment community is much easier than many other places, so the opportunity for the gospel is significant.In this episode you'll hear aboutHow to connect with your neighborsWhy planting churches in apartment communities is an urgent need in AmericaHow to begin reaching an apartment community

Keeping your ministry vibrant involves change, which inevitably ruffles feathers. Ralph and Jared Milam talk about their experiences trying to promote radical change within their congregations and how best to go about doing that. In addition, you'll hear about Jared's journey towards planting in apartament communities.In this episode you'll hear aboutThe challenges of culture clashes in ministryFacing financial obstaclesImplementing radical change slowly

In recent years, Pete Lhamon has shifted much of his disciple making efforts from nonbelievers to existing Christians. Why? Because he sees them as an untapped army of missionaries who can disciple nonbelievers much faster than he can. Check out this episode to hear more about everyday disciple making.

Pete Lhamon is a full time disciple maker and a part time general contractor. Ralph interviews Pete in this episode on his journey towards that point, which hasn't always been linear. Pete's story is marked by his faithfulness across several contexts and relational investments from others. You'll hear about how God can take a variety of circumstances and work them together for spiritual renewal.

Something special happens where mission and relationships intersect. Wes Duff leads a unique camp for youth that gets them out on evangelistic mission in the community while also connecting them to adults in the church to guide them. This intergenerational practice helps make the Bible relevant and personal, keeping youth involved in mission for the long haul.In this episode you'll hear aboutThe importance of intergenerational relationshipsThe transformative power of being on missionThe most practical ways to get people on mission

This episode features Ralph Moore as Peyton Jones moderates audience Q&A with him on the newly released version of Let Go of the Ring, which chronicles how Ralph's hands on disciple making led to over 2700 churches being planted. Click here to get a copy of the book.

This episode features Ralph Moore as Peyton Jones interviews him on the newly released version of Let Go of the Ring, which chronicles how Ralph's hands on disciple making led to over 2700 churches being planted. Click here to get a copy of the book.

You don't have to have a big church to have a big impact. John Bacigalupo's church waxes and wanes as its primarily military members get redeployed; at its largest, it's a church of 80. Despite this, their open-handedness has resulted in many churches being planted and people reached through outreach ministries, both in Japan and in places like the Philippines.In this episode you'll hear aboutThe power of personally engaging on missionHow churches can support each other's missionsRemaining faithful in uncertainty

As John Bacigalupo's church grew, they sought to buy a property that could more comfortably house their congregation...to no avail. God kept closing doors time after time. Ultimately he had a plan for the church that was better than what they could have planned out on their own.In this episode you'll hear aboutHow God provides in surprising waysHow dying can open doors to the gospel and Kingdom expansionPaying it forward through blessing church plants

Church planting in military communities is difficult work because people are uprooted every few years to new places. By the time a church gets established, it's essentially time to plant again. John Bacigalupo shares his journey of moving from Hawaii to Japan with the military and planting a church in the process, which is full of obstacles and God's provision.In this episode you'll hear aboutHow God brings people together for common missionsThe challenges of church planting in military communitiesOvercoming financial challenges in church planting

John Bacigalupo was a determined individual and worked his way into the marines despite failing entrance exams; he refused to give up on his dream. While stationed in Okinawa, Bacigalupo encountered an equally determined God who overcame all of his objections and brought him into an unlikely faith community.In this episode you'll hear aboutGod's power and ability to draw people to himHow determination opens closed doorsThe gospel reaching across racial lines

In this episode, Clinton Morris shares four conceptual spaces that he moves people through as he helps them along their journey towards Jesus. These spaces allow unbelievers to self-select in or out of deeper levels without unnecessary pressure.In this podcast, you'll hear aboutHow to invite people into deeper levels of relationship and spiritual conversationsHelping people feel comfortable enough to ask questions and explore their faithFinding new measures of success for the ChurchTo find out more from Clinton Morris, visit 4-spaces.org

In this episode, Clinton Morris shares several stories about people in his gaming communities coming to faith in Jesus. Clinton and his family rely heavily on relational evangelism, building relationships with unbelievers over time, and have seen dramatic results.In this podcast, you'll hear aboutHow to deepen relationships in your communityDemonstrating love and care to people who might be resistant to ChristianityHaving the patience to build relationships instead of only proclaiming the gospel from a stage

There are 3.23 billion gamers in the world, and most churches don't consider this segment of society. Clinton Morris has become a missionary in this culture and the principles he's using to reach gamers are transferable to church planters anywhere.In this podcast, you'll hear aboutHow to leverage your hobbies for the GospelUtilizing technologies without losing a personal touchCreating welcoming environments

Every pastor is an interim pastor, but few plan well for succession. A few years ago, Dave Robinson passed his church off to Andy Wiedemann and talks about that experience and what the team got right in this episode.In this podcast, you'll hear aboutThe importance of identifying leaders for successionBest practices for healthy successionHow to be willing to be creative and open to change in the midst of transition

This week on the podcast, Dave Robinson returns to talk about how his church utilized their building in unique ways to serve and engage with the community, while providing some much needed income.In this podcast, you'll hear aboutHow to establish a community hubLeveraging microchurches and navigating the transition to themBuilding strong relationships among leadership and the congregation

This week, Ralph is joined by Dave Robinson who shares his journey from salvation through nearly three decades of ministry. Dave talks about his decision to go into full time ministry, then leave for other jobs, before returning to pastoral ministry. If you're considering your calling and whether to change your ministry capacity, then you don't want to miss this episode.In this podcast, you'll hear about:How to discern your calling and walk bravely in itHow to set boundaries and know when it might be time to leave a roleThe dangers of elevating the pastoral role too highly

Traditionally, pastors are the ones who do the ministry while everybody else watches. This is not the way God intended the Church to operate and it won't work in the future. In this episode, Andy Wiedemann talks about how leading a network of house churches has helped him move beyond doing all of the ministry work.In this podcast, you'll hear about: Rethinking the pastor's role in house churchesThe importance of personal relationships in ministryHow every member of the church can participate in disciple making

Most churches view their facility as a space they can use for Sunday services or an office. However, your facility is a key way that you interact with your surrounding community. Andy Wiedemann shares his experience in transitioning from owning a facility to selling it and becoming a decentralized collection of house churches.In this podcast, you'll hear about: Why you facility is an important way your church relates to the communityMaking your space belong to the communityThe challenges of transitioning your space

In this episode, Ralph is joined by Andy Wiedemann, who leads Elizabethtown First Church of God. Andy explains how his past experiences in ministry and discipleship allowed him to find success when God threw unexpected opportunities at him (like a heavy metal punk venue) to provide gospel inroads.In this podcast, you'll hear about: Moments that shape our callingHow relationships are key to discipleshipLeveraging unexpected opportunities for building relationships

Sometimes, in our eagerness for change and expanding God's kingdom, we move too fast and don't step into God's plans fully prepared and effective. As he helps his church reach the next generation, John DeVincent shares about how God has given him the patience to do things well and be an effective change agent.In this podcast, you'll hear about:Finding the right times to take the next step in ministryTransitioning to contemporary worship servicesImpacting others through sermons and scripture

It can be very difficult to help older churches make the necessary changes to stay healthy and vibrant. Our traditions can get in the way of reaching new people as the world changes around us. In this episode, John DeVincent shares how he's been patiently navigating change and encouraging the next generation in his own church.In this podcast, you'll hear about:Promoting change while honoring older leadersEncouraging the next generationPromoting unity within a congregation

Whether it's ourselves or others, God often uses unexpected circumstances and people to accomplish his plans. That's been Ralph Moore's story and it's been John DeVincent's story. Time and time again, God took John's life in unexpected directions, but has always provided. In this podcast, you'll hear about:Why it's important to be patient in ministryHow God activated John DeVincent's passions on a mission trip to UgandaHow to stay encouraged when change seems slow to come

Our mission as the church is to reach people who don't know Jesus and a critical component of that is making sure that your church provides a welcoming environment for new people. Brady Blasdel and Ralph talk about how to find persons of peace and minister to people who are very different than you.In this podcast, you'll hear about:How to prayerfully seek out people of peace who can help bridge the gap between the church and the changing neighborhood.The importance of recognizing and overcoming cultural superiority, and embracing diversity to better serve the community.The importance of providing excellent congregational care to create a safe and loving church community.

While we want our churches to reflect the diversity of our community, we can't just pursue diversity for its own sake. Our relationships with the people in our community have to be authentic. In this episode, Ralph and Brady Blasdel discuss how to build friendships with the people around us.In this podcast, you'll hear about:Brady discusses the shift in focus from targeting only a specific demographic to reaching a more diverse population.Ralph emphasizes the need for authentic relationships in sharing the message of Jesus.Brady introduces the concept of the six gears of conversation, highlighting the importance of genuine concern and interest in others.

In this episode, Brady Blasdel explains how God helped him notice and have compassion for those that were hurting and far from God in his community. As a pastor in the whitest denomination in America living in the most diverse city in America, that meant that it was a unique and culturally diverse learning experience.In this podcast, you'll hear about how:Brady realized his predominantly white congregation was surrounded by non-English speaking individuals and saw it as an opportunity to serve the community.Brady's experience with a mall micro church led by John Luke shaped his perspective on the importance of a smaller, more inclusive approach to church.Brady witnessed the transformation of a church from white pastors to African American pastors, inspiring the successful transition of his own church to a unified Anglo-Hispanic congregation.

Great leadership is a blessing, but it can put you in danger in some ways. Oftentimes, great leaders are so capable that they don't empower the next generation to take over or grow in their own leadership. When that happens, our churches are in for troubled times ahead.In this podcast, you'll hear about:Ralph talks about how high-capacity leaders can become targets for moral or financial failures, creating a dependency that hinders the goal of the gospel.The values underpinning Ralph's mission, including listening to the voice of God, adjusting to His leading, and trusting the Holy Spirit.Why Ralph focused on creating a culture that prioritizes discovering, developing, and deploying disciples as Jesus commanded.

When Nate Buck wanted to free up funds for his ministry, he decided to work another job – going covocational. But rather than being a fallback, Nate and Ralph see this as a valuable strategy for church planting. Listen in and discover why covocationalism is a rising trend and may be something to consider for your ministry.In this podcast:Nate shares his experience in covocational ministry, where he worked for UPS while planting a church, and how it helped him become a better leader.Nate and Ralph discuss the potential positive effects of prioritizing people development and unifying the church.Ralph reflects on his book 'Starting a New Church' which focused more on launching large churches rather than discipleship.Nate and Ralph discussed the importance of relationship and setting the stage for people to encounter God, recognizing that it cannot be programmed or forced.

In this fourth and final podcast built on the Neil Cole interview we watch Paul as he matures over five journeys—this is about spiritual formation and missional results.While the first missionary journey finds him leaving churches without much leadership, the second reflects the importance of raising leaders from the harvest. On the third trip, he explodes with effectiveness as he stays in one place, teaching daily in the school of Tyrannus—archaeology reveals 20 churches in Asia Minor that could trace roots to Paul in Ephesus. Few recognize the fourth journey as a missionary outing, but it was in chains that he spoke to men and women of great influence. He changed the course of human history through his efforts under house arrest in Rome.The fifth journey is after the first imprisonment and at its conclusion in death.Apparently, just prior to execution, he wrote to Timothy, “You then, my son in faith, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” While we treasure those words, we seldom think of arrest and final imprisonment as an afterglow to a life well lived. We talked about how spiritual formation can be simultaneously jarring and positive. This was an apt conclusion to a great interview. Neil is accessible and willing to connect. You could hookup via social media or neilcole@aol.com.

This third portion of the Neil Cole interview will cause you pain. He starts with his early life and then deep dives into a time when God put him on a shelf with no ministry outlet. Ignored by churches, he couldn't even get a job at Walmart. Neil finally found income as a driver for Lyft and Uber. That, along with his wife's salary as a teacher in a public school system, met their needs. What painfully amazed me was his heart for God during those dark days. Where I would have reacted in anger, he did so with hope and even joy.Eventually, we got into a fruitful discussion about getting our “stuff” from the Holy Spirit rather than copying others. The upshot is that even Paul modeled his teaching after Stephen during his first journey but grew past imitation in later years. Neil is accessible and willing to connect. You could hookup via social media or neilcole@aol.com.

In part two of my interview with Neil Cole, we get into the guts of rapid church growth through the multiplication of tiny disciplemaking entities.Neil begins to unpack his desert years where he went from life as a prolific author and speaker to absolute zero. The wonder of this is how God used that time to prepare him for an explosion of ministry in the current stage of his life. One product of life in the desert is an update and upgrade of a previous book he wrote called Journeys. The new title is Journeys: Discovering God's Paths of Spiritual Formation Building to a Strong Finish. I recently discovered that it launched at the top of Amazon's sales category for Christian leadership.Better than that discovery, I've been reading it along with my morning devotions. I've found new courage and made several decisions as a result. The power in the book is the synthesis of Paul's five journeys in Acts with various statements he made in the epistles. This is history unfolded and it deeply impacted how I see myself at the current stage of my life.Neil is accessible and willing to connect. You could hookup via social media or neilcole@aol.com.

Neil is one of my favorite people, and how we met is one of my favorite stories.He had followed me to four cities where I was teaching the same material—I thought he was a stalker until he told me what he was up to.He brought his team to that last seminar believing in what I taught, but “…your numbers are wrong!” After sharing lunch with his dozen friends, I was convinced that my numbers were wrong. You'll need to listen to the podcast to understand the numbers thing.In this episode, we discuss everything from rapid multiplication to “adolescent rebellion” amongst disciples (Paul experienced this, too). We get into the stuff Neil wrote in those early years and how today he's discovering people doing what he wrote in places like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistanand even India. The story is humorous in that those people have invited Neil into their countries, not knowing that he generated the tools they've been using to make disciples. Neil is accessible and willing to connect. You could hookup via social media or neilcole@aol.com.

Just before Christmas in 2022, Myron Pierce shocked his family, friends and congregation when he appeared in a string of erratic Instagram posts.He had lost touch with reality, acting out behaviors no one would ever expect from the veteran of over a decade of outstanding ministry and church multiplication. Everything got pushed aside in favor of a life that no one could be proud of.Because of his insane behavior and outlandish activities, those of us who were friends with him sometimes wondered who we saw on our screens. It couldn't have been the same person we knew. He finally called almost three months into his downward slide to say that he had been diagnosed with type one bipolar disorder and that he was checking into a clinic. Just one year after getting help, we decided to do this interview. The goal is to update those who worried and prayed for him. This is NOT an attempt to re-insert him into pastoral ministry.Myron is working hard to care for his family and run his businesses as healingcontinues. If God wants him to return to pastoral ministry, that would be a long way off. A standout in the discussion is Josh Dotzler. In their formative days, Josh and Myron partnered in ministry. Josh's dad, Ron, initially pulled Myron into pastoral ministry. The important thing is that Josh was there for Myron and his family, albeit in different ways, both during and after the mess. He continues to play a crucial role in healing the family.Aside from church work, Myron is a serial entrepreneur. He continues to help others build businesses in difficult, even blighted places. One of his training centers for startup businesses is in Gary, Indiana.Despite his departure from traditional pastoral ministry, he keeps sharing his faith in Jesus and works to bring the gospel into everything he does. No longer a pastor, he continues to make disciples of Jesus Christ.Connect via ownthepondnetwork.comor email him at thisisus@ownthepondnetwork.com

Just before Christmas in 2022, Myron Pierce alarmed his family, friends and the church he had pastored. He shocked us all while appearing in a string of erratic Instagram posts.He had lost touch with reality, acting out behaviors no one would ever expect from the veteran of over a decade of outstanding ministry and church multiplication. Everything got pushed aside in favor of a life that no one could be proud of.Because of his insane behavior and outlandish activities, those of us who were friends with him sometimes wondered who we saw on our screens. It couldn't have been the same person we knew. He finally called almost three months into his downward slide to say that he had been diagnosed with type one bipolar disorder and that he was checking into a clinic. Just one year after getting help, we decided to do this interview. The goal is to update those who worried and prayed for him. This is NOT an attempt to re-insert him into pastoral ministry.Myron is working hard to care for his family and run his businesses as healing continues. If God wants him to return to pastoral ministry, that would be a long way off. A standout in the discussion is Josh Dotzler. In their formative days, Josh and Myron partnered in ministry. Josh's dad, Ron, initially pulled Myron into pastoral ministry. The important thing is that Josh was there for Myron and his family, albeit in different ways, both during and after the mess. He continues to play a crucial role in healing the family.Aside from church work, Myron is a serial entrepreneur. He continues to help others build businesses in difficult, even blighted places. One of his training centers for startup businesses is in Gary, Indiana.Despite his departure from traditional pastoral ministry, he keeps sharing his faith in Jesus and works to bring the gospel into everything he does. No longer a pastor, he continues to make disciples of Jesus Christ.Connect via ownthepondnetwork.comor email him at thisisus@ownthepondnetwork.com

Ron Nishihara, a Honolulu architect, discusses how he established an online microchurch to support people struggling with cancer.Confronted with his own cancer, Ron's mentor, Tom Nakamine, helped him overcome anxiety and regain composure. Their relationship led to an awareness of others facing the “big C.” Gathering a few friends, they birthed an online microchurch for cancer patients and survivors. Tom moved to heaven early in the saga, but the group lives on.Having begun with immediate friends, they now share with formerly unchurched people.Bivocational leadership allows the group to focus on their love and hope quotients rather than measuring success by numbers or financial goals.The upshot of Ron's story is the power of population-targeted microchurches. Still a member of his home church, Ron sets an example of how a church member with access to another people group can extend the kingdom.Ron emphasizes the value of having faith in Jesus' plan for the world via disciplemaking and outward thinking.According to Ron, the most critical factors that determine the success of their little church are the quality of their relationships with one another and their determination to share the gospel.This episode will provoke thoughts of the possibility that there is a group of people in your church who possess unique access to a people group you are not yet reaching.

Ron Nishihara, a Honolulu architect, discusses how he established an online microchurch to support people struggling with cancer.Confronted with his own cancer, Ron's mentor, Tom Nakamine, helped him overcome anxiety and regain composure. Their relationship led to an awareness of others facing the “big C.” Gathering a few friends, they birthed an online microchurch for cancer patients and survivors. Tom moved to heaven early in the saga, but the group lives on. Having begun with immediate friends, they now share with formerly unchurched people.Bivocational leadership allows the group to focus on their love and hope quotients rather than measuring success by numbers or financial goals.The upshot of Ron's story is the power of population-targeted microchurches. Still a member of his home church, Ron sets an example of how a church member with access to another people group can extend the kingdom.Ron emphasizes the value of having faith in Jesus' plan for the world via disciplemaking and outward thinking.According to Ron, the most critical factors that determine the success of their little church are the quality of their relationships with one another and their determination to share the gospel.This episode will provoke thoughts of the possibility that there is a group of people in your church who possess unique access to a people group you are not reaching.

Somewhat like Abram, Dustin and his wife felt called to another place without knowing quite where.Feeling moved by God, they left their newly renovated home and teaching jobs in Florida to “move to California to start a church.”There was no direction toward a specific town, so they moved to Oceanside because that was the first school system to offer his wife a job.Having landed, their prayers for further direction led them to Ryan Delameter and OCNWTR churches.Ryan offered the right kind of direction because that movement is built around very young people, mostly planting churches in coffee shops after closing time on weeknights.Upon meeting Ryan, they decided the beach might be a better place, so they and two friends lit a bonfire one Friday night, offering s'mores to anyone who might stop to listen to the guitar and worship songs.As you might imagine, they touch a broad mix of people.Disenchanted former church members mix with people bound by drugs alongside homeless people looking for free food. They've even had a couple of crazies try to physically attack Dustin.But following the Spirit has its rewards. There are now four churches spread along that stretch of beach. One meets in Malibu, though they've moved indoors. There are more, but we'll let Dustin tell you about them in the interview.The churches are called Jesus parties.One important lesson is that you can start churches with almost no funds if you think bivocationally and are willing to meet in unorthodox places. The more significant lesson is that the Spirit is moving, and excitement lies in our path if we're eager to follow.Old men have a fondness for their younger days—for me, what I encounter when I'm with Dustin and his friends takes me back to the Jesus Revolution. There is a hint of something delicious in the air that I tasted very long ago…You can follow these guys on Instagram at “jesuspartyca” or email Dustin at jesusparty@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Somewhat like Abram, Dustin and his wife felt called to another place without knowing quite where.Feeling moved by God, they left their newly renovated home and teaching jobs in Florida to “move to California to start a church.”There was no direction toward a specific town, so they moved to Oceanside because that was the first school system to offer his wife a job.Having landed, their prayers for further direction led them to Ryan Delameter and OCNWTR churches.Ryan offered the right kind of direction because that movement is built around very young people, mostly planting churches in coffee shops after closing time on weeknights.Upon meeting Ryan, they decided the beach might be a better place, so they and two friends lit a bonfire one Friday night, offering s'mores to anyone who might stop to listen to the guitar and worship songs.As you might imagine, they touch a broad mix of people.Disenchanted former church members mix with people bound by drugs alongside homeless people looking for free food. They've even had a couple of crazies try to physically attack Dustin.But following the Spirit has its rewards. There are now four churches spread along that stretch of beach. One meets in Malibu, though they've moved indoors. There are more, but we'll let Dustin tell you about them in the interview.The churches are called Jesus parties.One important lesson is that you can start churches with almost no funds if you think bivocationally and are willing to meet in unorthodox places. The more significant lesson is that the Spirit is moving, and excitement lies in our path if we're eager to follow.Old men have a fondness for their younger days—for me, what I encounter when I'm with Dustin and his friends takes me back to the Jesus Revolution. There is a hint of something delicious in the air that I tasted very long ago…You can follow these guys on Instagram at “jesuspartyca” or email Dustin at jesusparty@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.