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  • In this episode we welcome two extraordinary leaders Aye Chananan, the National Director of Sisters of Grace and Emily Leatherbarrow the President and Founder. Join us as we dive into the incredible work being done by Sisters of Grace- a ministry providing a sanctuary for young girls in the perilous and impoverished villages of Northern Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. The grim reality is that human trafficking has become more profitable than the drug trade with children as young as four or five being sold into slavery. Aye and Emily share their inspiring journey and the unwavering leadership that fuels Sisters of Grace. They reveal how their ministry offers more than just rescue—providing community, love, and comprehensive support including personalized therapy, education, life skills, vocational training, and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

    Tune in to hear heart-wrenching stories of rescue, hope, and redemption, and discover how Sisters of Grace is making a profound difference in lives. This episode is a testament to the power of compassion and the unyielding fight against human trafficking.

    Podcast Guest Links:
    Website: Wearesistersofgrace.org
    Visit Sister's of Grace's website to sign up for the mailing list to receive regular updates and reports from us about the ministry, the girls and the Family of Grace, to learn more about becoming a sponsor, and other ways to get involved.

    Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to IMF’s Channel: http://youtube.com/@imfserves

    Want to hear more podcast episodes? New episodes are released every first and third Thursday of the month! Unscripted with IMF is the podcast that covers leadership, relevant hot topics, encouragement, stories, and the future of the church. This is a space for ministry leaders to learn how to ignite change and inspire growth wherever you serve because IMF exists to serve those who serve others!

    Unscripted with IMF:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HQARE9Ax4skTZvdWB2KMl?si=5c98ff0e0a82425b&nd=1
    iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-unscripted-with-imf-108080352/
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1669111563
    Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4236415
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLWY8LqEsxlebeRoerrtb2I3D9qXb5nDH

    IMFServes Socials:
    http://instagram.com/imfserves
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    http://youtube.com/imfserves
    https://linkedin.com/company/internationalministerialfellowship

  • In this episode, we are honored to have Ron Sellers, President of Grey Matter Research & Consulting here with overview of research on evangelical Christians, and the Spiritual Journey we see in the Christian life and families. The Spiritual Journey covers how old today’s adult evangelicals were when they came to faith, what were some of the most common influences on their decision to accept Christ, and whether they can recall a specific point of decision or whether it was gradual. There is discussion on the level of spiritual engagement evangelicals show currently in Bible readership and study, worship attendance, prayer, small group attendance, etc.).

    Podcast Guest Link: www.greymatterresearch.com

    Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to IMF’s Channel: http://youtube.com/@imfserves

    Want to hear more podcast episodes? New episodes are released every first and third Thursday of the month! Unscripted with IMF is the podcast that covers leadership, relevant hot topics, encouragement, stories, and the future of the church. This is a space for ministry leaders to learn how to ignite change and inspire growth wherever you serve because IMF exists to serve those who serve others!

    Unscripted with IMF:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HQARE9Ax4skTZvdWB2KMl?si=5c98ff0e0a82425b&nd=1
    iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-unscripted-with-imf-108080352/
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1669111563
    Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4236415
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLWY8LqEsxlebeRoerrtb2I3D9qXb5nDH

    IMFServes Socials:
    http://instagram.com/imfserves
    http://facebook.com/imfserves
    http://youtube.com/imfserves
    https://linkedin.com/company/internationalministerialfellowship

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  • In this episode, we engage in a discussion about family-friendly entertainment and the integration of Christian values in the media industry with Dr. Ted Baehr. Dr. Ted Baehr is the Founder and Publisher of MOVIEGUIDEÂź: The Family Guide to Movies and Entertainment and serves as the Chairman of the Christian Film & Television CommissionÂź ministry. He is also widely recognized as a critic, educator, speaker, and media pundit. His mission is to utilize media as a tool for promoting values while educating audiences on the importance of discernment in choosing their entertainment. Check it out!

    Podcast Guest Links
    About Ted Baehr: www.movieguide.org/about/dr-baehr
    Movie Guide Website: www.movieguide.org

    Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to IMF’s Channel: http://youtube.com/@imfserves

    Want to hear more podcast episodes? New episodes are released every first and third Thursday of the month! Unscripted with IMF is the podcast that covers leadership, relevant hot topics, encouragement, stories, and the future of the church. This is a space for ministry leaders to learn how to ignite change and inspire growth wherever you serve because IMF exists to serve those who serve others!

  • In this episode, we dive into the transformative work of Reverend Carl Wesley Anderson, an internationally renowned equipping evangelist and documentary filmmaker. With a unique blend of itinerant ministry and media missions, Carl's vision is to ignite passion for discipleship and amplify the voice of God in believers worldwide.

    As the author of "LOVE SPEAKS" and the creative force behind the acclaimed "LOVE SPEAKS" and "FROM HISTORY TO HOPE" series, Carl discusses the power of storytelling in conveying spiritual truths and fostering spiritual growth. Through his role as the Executive Director of Born To Blaze Ministries, he shares insights into the mission of producing high-quality, evangelistic content to impact lives and advance the Kingdom of God.

    Join us as we explore Carl's journey, his insights into the intersection of faith and media and his commitment to equipping believers for dynamic spiritual living.

    Podcast Guest Links
    Carl’s Website: www.carlwesleyanderson.com
    Born to Blaze Ministries: https://borntoblaze.com

    Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to IMF’s Channel: http://youtube.com/@imfserves

    Want to hear more podcast episodes? New episodes are released every first and third Thursday of the month! Unscripted with IMF is the podcast that covers leadership, relevant hot topics, encouragement, stories, and the future of the church. This is a space for ministry leaders to learn how to ignite change and inspire growth wherever you serve because IMF exists to serve those who serve others!

    IMFServes Socials:
    http://instagram.com/imfserves
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    http://youtube.com/imfserves

  • Join us for an engaging conversation with Michael A. Rivera Jr., MDiv, BCC, CPES, the CPE Director and Civilian Chaplain Endorser at IMF. In this episode, Michael shares his some of his personal journey as a chaplain and discusses the exciting Clinical Pastoral Education Program offered by IMF.

    We have partnered with the Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training (ICPT) to launch our CPE center. The program is distance learning, leveraging technology, and is accredited-recognized by the US Department of Education. At IMF, we believe that every ministry member (not just Chaplains) can benefit from at least one unit of CPE.

    To inquire for CPE, visit the CPE Center webpage and fill out the “Enroll in a CPE Unit” form. If you have any questions please reach out to Michael at [email protected]. Michael will be happy to assist you with the registration process and address any questions you may have.

    Podcast Guest Links
    CPE Center: www.imfserves.org/cpecenter

    Unscripted with IMF is available on:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HQARE9Ax4skTZvdWB2KMl?si=5c98ff0e0a82425b&nd=1
    iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-unscripted-with-imf-108080352/
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1669111563
    Podcast Addict: https://us1.admin.mailchimp.com/campaigns/show?id=10344261
    Youtube: http://youtube.com/@imfserves

    IMFServes Socials:
    Instagram (@IMFServes)
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  • In today's episode, we have the privilege of hosting a renowned author, speaker, and expert in the megachurch world, Warren Bird. Join us as Warren shares insights from his latest book on Team Resilience. Listen to explore the intriguing question: What could God do if every member of a team was operating at their best, supporting one another, fostering a high-trust environment, and achieving peak effectiveness? Get tuned in for a conversation that will inspire, challenge, and reshape your perspective on team dynamics and resilience.

    Warren Bird, Ph.D., researches cutting-edge churches and works with their leaders to multiply their evangelistic and disciplemaking impact. He is widely recognized as among the nation’s leading students, researchers and writers about megachurches.

    He has authored or co-authored over 30 books, receiving several awards along the way. For example, he received the prestigious Gold Medallion Award, the top honor given by the international trade association for Christian publishers. He has also contributed collaborative chapters or sections to 7 other books. He has published almost 200 magazine articles and more than 30 major research reports. He has served on advisory boards for several magazines and several other book projects.

    As an ordained minister, he served on staff for 11 years at Princeton (N.J.) Alliance Church, an innovative church with a worship attendance approaching 2,000. Other pastoral experience includes leading a C&MA church-planting team for four years. He has also served as a long-time regularly contributing faculty member at Alliance Theological Seminary teaching in the D. Min Program.

    Today he is Vice President of Research and Equipping at the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit accrediting agency designed to enhance trust and certify integrity in Christ-centered churches and ministries.

    Podcast Guest Links

    Co-authored books mentioned in this episode:
    The Resilience Factor: A Step-by-Step Guide to Catalyze an Unbreakable Team: https://a.co/d/8Eru2cc
    Better Together: Making Church Mergers Work (expanded and updated edition): https://a.co/d/aAa01Pj
    Next: Pastoral Succession that Works (expanded and updated edition): https://a.co/d/2brHZ1x
    Liquid Church: Six Powerful Ways to Saturate Your City for Christ: https://a.co/d/fUVtMwb

    Warren’s Website: https://warrenbird.com
    ECFA’s Website: https://www.ecfa.org

    Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to IMF’s Channel: http://youtube.com/@imfserves

    Want to hear more podcast episodes? New episodes are released every first and third Thursday of the month! Unscripted with IMF is the podcast that covers leadership, relevant hot topics, encouragement, stories, and the future of the church. This is a space for ministry leaders to learn how to ignite change and inspire growth wherever you serve because IMF exists to serve those who serve others!

    IMFServes Socials:
    http://instagram.com/imfserves
    http://facebook.com/imfserves
    http://youtube.com/imfserves

  • In this episode, we are honored to have Greg Ligon, a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in serving churches and leaders as our guest.

    Greg is the founder of The Ligon Group a dynamic organization dedicated to maximizing kingdom impact through leadwell cohorts, consulting, and brand strategies. Greg is actively involved in various cohorts, recruiting for the spring season. These cohorts include Senior Pastors in their 30s, Executive Pastors, and Senior Pastors Finishing Well (55+), offering consulting services such as Smart Succession, Multisite Next, and What's Next Strategy. Greg also provides coaching for personal and professional development. His wealth of experience includes both founding and executive roles in multiple organizations with a focus on strategic planning for churches.

    Greg's leadership extended to the publishing imprints associated with Leadership Network, where he provided executive leadership and spearheaded strategic services for the organization. Prior to his role at Leadership Network, Greg made significant contributions as the founding director of the United Methodist Campus Ministry at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and as a senior associate pastor at First United Methodist Church in Waco, Texas.

    Podcast Guest Links:
    The Ligon Group: https://ligongroup.com
    Email Greg: [email protected]
    The Multi-site Church Revolution Book: https://a.co/d/i8Ya4jl
    A Multi-site Church Roadtrip: Exploring the New Normal: https://a.co/d/fsd1hYN

    Leadwell Cohorts:
    Through LeadWell Cohorts, leaders gain unique insights from peer learning environments. LeadWell Cohorts leverage the group setting for leaders in similar roles. The wisdom of well seasoned mentors and expert resources from multiple disciplines empower participants to tackle some of the most pressing issues and opportunities of our time. This collaborative community helps leaders bust through their leadership lids and create plans for accelerated results.

    Organizations with Digital Driven Discipleship Tools mentioned by Greg:
    Studio C: https://thestudioc.org
    Apollos: https://www.apollos.app

    Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to IMF’s Channel: http://youtube.com/@imfserves

    Want to hear more podcast episodes? New episodes are released every first and third Thursday of the month! Unscripted with IMF is the podcast that covers leadership, relevant hot topics, encouragement, stories, and the future of the church. This is a space for ministry leaders to learn how to ignite change and inspire growth wherever you serve because IMF exists to serve those who serve others!

    Unscripted with IMF:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HQARE9Ax4skTZvdWB2KMl?si=5c98ff0e0a82425b&nd=1 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-unscripted-with-imf-108080352/
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1669111563
    Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4236415
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLWY8LqEsxlebeRoerrtb2I3D9qXb5nDH

    IMFServes Socials:
    http://instagram.com/imfserves
    http://facebook.com/imfserves
    http://youtube.com/imfserves

  • Hannah Fordice, the founder of House of Faith and Freedom, is a writer and advocate with a passion for ending intimate partner violence. She developed House of Faith and Freedom to help equip individuals, churches, and ministries to prayerfully and effectively deal with abusive situations in their congregation and surrounding community.

    Hannah has a B.A. in Psychology and a M.A. in Human Services Forensic Behavioral Health. She has experience working with various non-profits and government agencies around the areas of domestic violence, victim services, and community outreach and education. Join in on the conversation of breaking the silence and navigating intimate partner violence in our church communities.

    **Disclosure: Special Interview Episode**
    This episode is a special interview featuring John Braland, President and General Overseer of IMF and Lead Pastor at Freshwater Church. We have been granted access by Freshwater Church and the We Bring Life Podcast to share this content through our podcast channels. We appreciate this collaboration and hope you enjoy the insightful conversation.

    Podcast Guest Links
    House of Faith & Freedom: https://www.houseoffaithandfreedom.org
    Godly Response to Intimate Partner Violence Course: https://house-of-faith-and-freedom.trainercentralsite.com/course/godly-response-to-abuse#/home
    Hannah’s Book Ready Refuge: A Cross-Denominational Guide for Church Leaders on Intimate Partner Violence https://a.co/d/3Sp9x9v

    Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to IMF’s Channel:
    http://youtube.com/@imfserves

    Want to hear more podcast episodes? New episodes are released every first and third Thursday of the month! Unscripted with IMF is the podcast that covers leadership, relevant hot topics, encouragement, stories, and the future of the church. This is a space for ministry leaders to learn how to ignite change and inspire growth wherever you serve because IMF exists to serve those who serve others!

    Unscripted with IMF:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HQARE9Ax4skTZvdWB2KMl?si=5c98ff0e0a82425b&nd=1
    iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-unscripted-with-imf-108080352/
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1669111563
    Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4236415
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLWY8LqEsxlebeRoerrtb2I3D9qXb5nDH

    IMFServes Socials:
    http://instagram.com/imfserves
    http://facebook.com/imfserves
    http://youtube.com/imfserves

  • In this episode, we are honored to have Dr. Langston as our guest, a seasoned Seminary Professor and Chaplain with a rich background in law enforcement, sports, healthcare, and military settings. He brings great wisdom into the world of chaplaincy, exploring the trends that shape this vital field.

    Dr. Langston shares his journey in establishing the Chaplaincy program at CIU’s Seminary & School of Ministry, and his role in crafting the PhD in Practical Theology. Drawing from his extensive experience as a Law Enforcement Chaplain, Sports Chaplain with NASCAR, Healthcare Chaplain, and Military Chaplain, he sheds light on the challenges faced by veterans and active personnel, particularly focusing on moral injuries that leave lasting impacts.

    The conversation deepens as we unpack the core issues that bring guilt, shame, and mental health struggles for both Chaplains and those who Chaplains are serving. Dr. Langston guides us through the process of unpacking conflict resolution, making assessments of complex situations, and understanding the underlying dynamics.

    IMF and CIU’s Strategic Partnership - The partnership provides IMF Members scholarship options for both part-time ($250 per semester) and full-time ($500 per semester) students. Students may be eligible for additional CIU scholarships and grants. It also allows qualified CIU faculty, staff, seniors, and graduates to a 25% reduced application fee when applying for ecclesiastical credentialing through IMF.

    Podcast Guest Links:
    Michael Langston's Biography: www.ciu.edu/faculty-staff/michael-w-langston
    Check out CIU for advanced degree options: https://www.ciu.edu
    IMF Partnerships: http://Imfserves.org/strategicpartnerships

    Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to IMF’s Channel:
    http://youtube.com/@imfserves

    Want to hear more podcast episodes? New episodes are released every first and third Thursday of the month! Unscripted with IMF is the podcast that covers leadership, relevant hot topics, encouragement, stories, and the future of the church. This is a space for ministry leaders to learn how to ignite change and inspire growth wherever you serve because IMF exists to serve those who serve others!

    Unscripted with IMF:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HQARE9Ax4skTZvdWB2KMl?si=5c98ff0e0a82425b&nd=1
    iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-unscripted-with-imf-108080352/
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1669111563
    Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4236415
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLWY8LqEsxlebeRoerrtb2I3D9qXb5nDH

    IMFServes Socials:
    Instagram (@IMFServes)
    Facebook (facebook.com/IMFserves)
    YouTube (@IMFServes)

  • Join us on this episode of Unscripted with IMF with our Guest Larry Osborne. He shares on the impact of fostering genuine discipleship through information and relationships, sharing the growing discipleship trends that are sticking since covid, and how to maintain and propel discipleship while experiencing church growth and church expansion.

    Larry Osborne is a pastor, author, mentor, and leadership consultant who has trained and coached thousands of top-level leaders in both the non-profit and profit sectors. Recognized as one of America's most influential pastors due to his pioneering work with concepts like sermon-based small groups, pastoral teaching teams, video venues, and multisite churches, his fingerprints are found on ministries and churches throughout the world.

    Podcast Guest Links
    Larry Osborne’s Website: https://larryosborne.com
    List of Books: https://larryosborne.com/books

    Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE to IMF’s Channel:
    http://youtube.com/@imfserves

    Want to hear more podcast episodes? New episodes are released every first and third Thursday of the month! Unscripted with IMF is the podcast that covers leadership, relevant hot topics, encouragement, stories, and the future of the church. This is a space for ministry leaders to learn how to ignite change and inspire growth wherever you serve because IMF exists to serve those who serve others!

    Unscripted with IMF:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HQARE9Ax4skTZvdWB2KMl?si=5c98ff0e0a82425b&nd=1
    iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-unscripted-with-imf-108080352/
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1669111563
    Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4236415
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLWY8LqEsxlebeRoerrtb2I3D9qXb5nDH

    IMFServes Socials:
    Instagram (@IMFServes)
    Facebook (facebook.com/IMFserves)
    YouTube (@IMFServes)

  • Join us in this inspiring episode with our guest, Pastor Londa Lundstrom, a true multi-talented disciple maker, communicator, evangelist, pastor, and so much more.

    Discover how the power of the gospel provided a firm foundation for Londa's sacred calling and shaped her remarkable journey. From her parents founding Lowell Lundstrom Ministries in 1957 to her own ministry today, Londa's passion for reaching the lost for Christ shines through.

    Londa provides valuable insights on leadership, emphasizing the importance of leading oneself before leading others. Learn from her wisdom as she highlights the significance of life long learning, taking care of oneself through proper sleep, nutrition, nurturing relationships, and engaging in hobbies fills a leader's cup in order to serve and pour into the lives of others.

    Want to dive deeper into the concepts discussed in this podcast episode? You can purchase Londa's book, "Living with a Yes in Your Heart” HERE.

  • Join us on this episode of Unscripted with IMF as we dive into an important topic: Soul Care and Boundaries in ministry leadership. Our guest speaker, Anna Brant, brings her wealth of experience and expertise to shed light on prioritizing your own well-being while effectively leading and serving others.

    Anna Brant's journey in ministry first began at Freshwater, where she served in various roles such as Women's ministry, greeting, and kids ministry after first attending in 2005. Over time, she emerged as a leader and underwent training through Pastoral Leadership Institute, further solidifying her passion for full-time ministry.

    Currently, Anna serves as a licensed pastor for adult ministries and is on staff as the Discipleship Pastor at Freshwater Church in Waconia, MN. She not only ministers to the church community but also mentors leaders and ministers, providing them with guidance and support for maintaining a healthy balance of physical, spiritual, and mental health practices.

    In this episode, Anna will delve into the significance of soul care, emphasizing the importance of setting healthy boundaries in ministry leadership. She will share practical insights, personal experiences, and valuable advice for keeping a healthy pace around soul care and boundaries while serving others in ministry leadership.

    Checkout Anna Brant’s website here: https://mamadaviab.wixsite.com/annabrant

  • Pastor John and Troy Hillstrom dive into the fascinating ways technology has shaped and revolutionized the church in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. From livestreamed sermons to virtual prayer groups, discover how digital tools have brought congregations together, transcending physical barriers and redefining the way we worship. Join us as we explore the impact of technology on the church's outreach, community engagement, and spiritual growth, and how these changes are shaping the future of faith in a rapidly evolving world.

  • Pastor John Braland takes a deep dive with Pastor Stephen Black on a highly controversial topic in today's world: Finding Freedom from Homosexuality and Living A Life Free from Labels.

    Pastor, Speaker, and Author, Stephen Black, Gives Hope Through the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Sexually & Relationally Broken.

    Stephen was called by God into ministry through the healing he received himself. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, he was wounded and confused during his teenage years, drawn into homosexuality; and lived gay-identified for 8 years. Acquainted with the grief of sexual sin and abuse, Stephen’s heart is to make known what he discovered - that Jesus Christ has come to set the captives free, and that the grace of God is transformative, that The Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives!

  • There can be a lot of controversy surrounding women in church leadership. It makes sense that it would. A church's view on the topic impacts how it operates in very real and practical ways. The Bible emphasizes how important the role of women in the Church is, and it also implies how men should do their roles similarly to how Christ loved the Church. Both play a huge part in making the Church a success.

    In today's episode Pastor John and Heather Precht chat with Dr. Dawn Lundgren on this matter. Gain wisdom on the topic of women pastoring churches.

  • In this episode, Pastor John Braland and Pastor Bill Goodwin speak with Pastor Javon Ruff, our keynote speaker for the 2023 Chaplain Training Event.

    Javon Ruff is a leader of men. He stirs the hearts of champions. As pastor of a large, diverse congregation in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Javon speaks truth and light into the pervading darkness. He is a man that carries a deep passion for Jesus and produces an infectious passion for people to be set free in Christ.

    Javon has served at Free Chapel for the past 21 years collectively at the Gainesville campus (8 years), the Orange County campus (10 years), and currently 3 years at the Spartanburg campus under the leadership of Senior Pastor Jentezen Franklin. Javon is a four year graduate of Spirit Vision Bible Institute and also a graduate of the National Institute of Christian Leadership.

    When you spend time with Pastor Javon Ruff – your heart is filled with hope and purpose and the inner strength to go after your destiny.

  • Luke Barnett is a charismatic pastor, husband, father, author, international speaker and visionary. Luke and his wife, Angel, have been married over 25 years and have two daughters, Aubrey and Annalee. Luke is Senior Pastor of Dream City Church (DCC), with eight campuses and a church body of over 30,000 people. He is driven by a God-inspired vision to see Arizona become known as a Christian state.

    Pastor Luke is a passionate advocate of human trafficking rescue and
    humanitarian relief. According to the U.S. State Department, Arizona is the
    main destination and transit point for labor and sex trafficking, both
    nationally and internationally. The Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Colorado City
    Dream Centers, along with StreetLightUSA, now house the world’s largest
    human trafficking rescue and recovery programs, earning a 92% success rate with over 2,800 girls rescued to date, some as young as nine years old. At the Phoenix Dream Center 126 babies were born during the girls’ time in the program.

    The Colorado City Dream Center rescues women and children from the polygamist cult led by Warren Jeffs, who is currently serving a life plus 20-year prison sentence. The Dream Center provides hope, emotional support, education, food, identity recovery, and job placement as part of a transition plan, moving victims from an oppressive socialistic community to a healthy, restored, modern economy.

    The Dream Centers are also dedicated to feeding and serving the homeless, housing, and empowering military veterans, caring for aged-out foster kids, and recovering individuals struggling with addiction. These programs impact over 45,000 people weekly through hundreds of recovery initiatives, food distribution centers, housing, education, and job placements. Even the jails and prison systems are reached with 44 different church services to thousands of inmates each week. Ultimately, the individuals in our programs enter back into society with a 91% success rate.

    Luke has led the outreach arm of Dream City Church to be stronger than ever through ministries that reach locally, regionally, and globally; Thrive, Where Hope Lives, StreetlightUSA, Mom’s Pantry, Adopt-A-Block, Celebrate Recovery, Grief Share, and The Dream Centers are great examples of... “finding a need and filling it, finding a hurt and healing it.”

  • In today's episode, Pastor John dives into succession planning with Dave Travis.

    Succession is the intentional transition of power, authority and responsibility from one primary leader to another. In most of these cases the Senior Leader seeks to productively transition their own ministry and the life of the church to a new season. Many of these are founders, or “founder-like” in that the ministry has significantly grown over many years of ministry. The church is often ill-prepared to deal with the situation because of the size of the church. Copying another church’s process is often not the best choice for many churches. Why? Because each church has unique dynamics and cultures.

    Dave Travis has advised large church pastors for over 30 years. Twenty-three of those years were spent with Leadership Network, where he led the large church area and then retired as CEO in 2018.

    Since then, he has worked with dozens of churches and their leaders, helping guide them to solve wicked, sticky challenges through his role as Director of Strategic Counsel to Pastors and Church Boards at Generis.

    Website: https://generis.com/team/dave-travis/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravisnow/
    Twitter: @davetravis
    Other: https://churchleaderinsider.substack.com/

  • People talk a lot about diversity today-ethnic, gender, and income diversity. But there is an elephant in the room. A different kind of diversity exists: generational diversity. This session explores the characteristics of each generation working today and how to leverage them to be your competitive advantage. Too often we stereotype, taking mental shortcuts and profiling young or old team members. This session offers practical strategies to bring out the best in each generation.

    Dr. Tim's expertise on the emerging generation and generational diversity in the workplace has garnered media coverage in The Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes.com, USA Today and The Washington Post.

    Dr. Tim Elmore is the founder and CEO of Growing Leaders. His work grew out of 20 years of serving alongside Dr. John C. Maxwell. Elmore has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, USA Today, Psychology Today and he’s been featured on CNN’s Headline News and Fox and Friends. Tim has written over 35 books, including Habitudes: Images That Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes.

  • President and Founder of Sister's of Grace, Emily Leatherbarrow, received her bachelors in Church Leadership from Southeastern University in 2004. In 2006, Emily was ordained with the Assemblies of God. Reverend Leatherbarrow now holds her ordination with the International Ministerial Fellowship. Emily and her husband, James were married in 2002 and have three children, Juliet, Camille and Everett.

    An accomplished author and speaker, Reverend Leatherbarrow has dedicated her life to fighting human trafficking, poverty and abuse. Over the last 20 years Emily has traveled and preached around the world, sharing about the horrors of human trafficking and raising awareness for the cause. With more than 15 years of experience rescuing girls at risk of sexual slavery, working as the international director for children’s homes in both Thailand and West Africa, she now faces human trafficking both internationally and stateside. Above all Emily believes God has called us to protect the vulnerable and heal the broken hearted. This can only be done through His Grace and endless love.

    Sister of Grace Asia is providing a safe haven for girls living in the dangerous and poverty stricken villages of Northern Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. The beautiful tribal people spanning the mountains of the golden triangle are easy prey for human traffickers. Drug trafficking has always been a huge problem for the mountain people. The drug lords use their villages as passageways for illegal activities from one country to the next. Now those same criminals who devastated so many of the Hill Tribes with addiction and fear, turn their eyes to human trafficking.

    For more information on Sisters of Grace visit http://www.wearesistersofgrace.org
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