Send Network Podcast

There’s a lot of church planting networks out there. But what makes Send Network unique? In this episode, Dhati Lewis, Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner discuss who Send Network is, where we’re going and how we’ve seen our values play out this year.

Beginning Sept. 24, new co-hosts Noah Oldham and Heiden Ratner will join Dhati Lewis for “We are Send Network.” Here’s a quick word from the guys about what’s in store.

How do you inspire your church planting team to own, sacrifice and hone the vision of your church plant? In this episode, Dhati Lewis interviews Heiden Ratner, lead pastor and church planter of WALK Church in Las Vegas, Nevada to talk about how church planters can practically help their team own the vision of the church plant and the three types of callings church planting teams members should consider before planting.

If you surveyed your church and asked what the essence of the Church is, what would they say? You may find many members answer along the lines of the church being a vendor of religious goods and services instead of a missionary incubator. In this Send Network Gathering breakout session Brad Brisco — Send Network’s director of bivocational church planting — talks about how vital it is for the Church to regain its missionary mindset and nature. To view more content from the virtual Send Network Gathering visit sendnetworkgatherings.com.

How can God get the greatest glory in every aspect of your members’ lives and thus solve your city’s greatest problem? Bruce Moore, lead pastor of Christ Fellowship Church in Tampa, Florida, answers this question in this virtual Send Network Gathering breakout session. Moore reminds us that every time God calls us into a God-size vision to solve our city’s problems, we’re invited to start with what He’s already given us — the people, places and resources around us. To view more content from the virtual Send Network Gatherings visit sendnetworkgatherings.com.

Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the world. More than 50% of the population is born outside of the country. So, how do church planters pastor and plant in such a diverse context with varying traditions and viewpoints? In this episode, Dhati Lewis interviews Kesavan Balasingham, lead pastor of Fellowship Park in Rouge, Toronto, to talk about the historical ethnic tensions in Canada and how their church has continued to make disciples in a multi-ethnic city and church. Want to learn more about how your church can have candid conversations about race, ethnicity and our present cultural moment? Register for the watch-party style Send Network Gathering on August 20. Download Undivided: More than a Hashtag at undivided.net on August 20.

This is a “Spouse Spotlight” episode with guest host, Jackie Taylor, a member of the Send Network Spouse Development team and Melinda Pacheco, church planting wife of Redemption Church in Brooklyn, New York. In this episode, Jackie and Melinda discuss how church planting has impacted her family, the blessing of the COVID-19 pandemic and what she wished she had known at the start of their church planting journey. Related Post: An Interview with Church Planting Wife Melinda Pacheco

What’s next? It’s a question we ask about ourselves, but have we asked it about the leaders we are leading? In this episode, Dhati Lewis sits down with Ed Kang, lead pastor of Gracepoint Church in Berkeley, California, to talk about how he leads and develops the next generation of church planters.

Many church planters look to the promised land of a permanent building, but Mark Lee — lead pastor of Vantage Point Church in Eastvale, California — challenges planters to see their building as a tool and not necessarily the end goal. In this episode, Mark Lee and Dhati Lewis discuss Mark’s church’s move from a portable church structure to a permanent one and the number one reason he recently joined Send Network. This episode is a recording from the Send Network Gathering in Phoenix, Arizona. Watch content from previous Send Network Gatherings at SendNetworkGathering.com. Register for the next virtual Send Network Gathering August 20 at 1 p.m. EDT as we release an all-new resource, Undivided: More Than a Hashtag.

Church planter, are you seeking to plant a church or start a worship service? In this episode, Dhati Lewis interviews Chris and Libby Phillips— planting couple of Journey Point Church in Denver, Colorado—to talk about the difference between planting a church and starting a church and what it means to be for the city, and not just in the city.

Whose church are you planting — God’s Church or your church? In this episode Rob Wilton, lead pastor of Vintage Church Pittsburg, shares four ways to help you ensure you’re planting God’s Church and not just your church. This episode is an excerpt from the May 21 virtual Send Network Gathering. Watch content from previous Send Network Gatherings at SendNetworkGathering.com. Register for the next virtual Send Network Gathering on August 20 at 1 p.m. EDT as we release an all-new resource, Undivided: More Than a Hashtag.

Every member in your church is your next potential church planter or church planting team member. This week, Dhati Lewis sits down with Brian Bowman, lead pastor of Valley Life Church in Phoenix, Arizona, to talk about how his church has raised up missional leaders from within their congregation to plant churches in metro Phoenix. Related Article: 5 ways to generate vision and passion for church planting by Garth Leno

Whether it’s a pandemic, racial injustice, or the critical importance of spreading the gospel to communities across North America through church planting, this is the moment for the Church of Jesus Christ. Moments of crisis are always opportunities for the church to make Jesus known and invite others into His kingdom. This episode is an excerpt from Vance Pitman, senior pastor of Hope Church in Las Vegas, from the May 21 virtual Send Network Gathering. Watch content from previous Send Network Gatherings at SendNetworkGathering.com. Register for the next virtual Send Network Gathering on August 20 at 1 p.m. EDT as we release an all-new resource, Undivided: More Than a Hashtag.  

You can’t give what you don’t have, and in hard seasons, caring for our souls is one of the first disciples to go. In this episode, Dhati Lewis interviews Rivers Partin —  a planting wife, member of the spouse development team for Send Network and licensed professional counselor —  to talk about the challenges and importance of caring for your soul in difficult seasons.

As pastors and church leaders grapple with a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and the reopening process, they’re having to look at the future of their church with new eyes. What aspects of life and ministry will quickly return to normal, slowly return to normal and what will never be the same again? In this episode, Dhati Lewis interviews Bruce Moore, lead pastor of Christ Fellowship Church in Tampa, Florida, to discuss churches’ reopening process. Related Blog: Florida Send Network churches aid healthcare community Helpful Resources: Practical guidelines for returning to church Church member return-to-church survey Mentions: Recovery Shapes Document (Courtesy of Family Church in West Palm Beach, Fla.) Send Network Virtual Gathering

These days, it feels like we’re being engulfed with bad news. As pastors and leaders, it’s tempting to feel the pressure to say the right thing, at the right time, in the right way without first processing our own thoughts and emotions. In this episode, Dhati Lewis sits down with Noah Oldham, Send Network’s senior director of Deploy, to talk about the need for pastors and leaders to process complex emotions in challenging seasons — especially in light of the recent killing of Ahmaud Arbery. Related Blog Post: Pastor, you need to process your grief too Pastoral Care Line: Call 1-844-PASTORS1 to talk to trained, professional counselors, available every day from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Confidentiality is ensured by Focus on the Family.

Pastors and church planters are wearing a lot of hats these days. And while most people see only one side of their lives, their wives see it all—the good days and the bad. This special episode of We are Send Network features Kathy Litton, director of planting spouse development for Send Network and Angie Lewis, a church planting spouse and Send Network vice president, Dhati Lewis’ wife, to talk about how spouses can emotionally support their husbands in this season and beyond. Related Blog Post: When your husband needs emotional support

Kevin Ezell, president of the North America Mission Board (NAMB), is caring for thousands of pastors and church planters during the present crisis. In this episode, Dhati Lewis interviews Ezell to talk about how NAMB is caring for North American missionaries and their families during the coronavirus pandemic and how he has navigated leading a organization in an ever-changing and unpredictable season.

Should churches continue to exclusively meet online after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides? In this episode, Dhati Lewis interviews Bobby Gruenewald, a pastor at Life.Church; Ed Stetzer, executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College; and Micah Fries, senior pastor of Brainerd Baptist Church; about continuing to meet online as a church after the pandemic subsides and if our new way of gathering should be the long-term norm. Mentions: Church Online

In this special episode, Dhati Lewis sits down with some of the leading church planting practitioners and thought leaders in the nation — Vance Pitman, Ed Kang, Sean Sears, James Roberson and Martín Vargas — to answer your questions about how to practically shepherd your church and continue to fulfill the Great Commission during COVID-19. Related Blog Post: What has COVID-19 exposed about the Church in North America?