S5 | Ep 25 - Freedom From Shame Based Religion (Feat. Kevin Butcher)
Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast
Release Date: 03/06/2026
S5 | Ep 42 - Looking Back, Looking Ahead (Feat. Delaney Ferguson)
Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast
In this episode of the Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast, Eric sits down with Delaney Ferguson as she reflects on five years serving on the Momentum staff and shares what's next as she steps into a new season. Delaney looks back on the unexpected path that led her from being a Momentum student to serving behind the scenes in communications, creative design, and conference media. She shares lessons she's learned about trusting God's timing, receiving feedback as a creative, stewarding relationships well, and finding confidence in God's calling rather than her own abilities. Whether you're...
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S5 | Ep 41 - Grace Refuge Outreach Worldwide (Feat. Jeana Harley)
Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast
In this episode, Eric sits down with Jeana Harley, Executive Director of GROW (Grace Refuge Outreach Worldwide), to talk about their incredible work rescuing and restoring children and families in Thailand and Cambodia. Jeana shares the powerful origin story of GROW's founder, real-life transformation stories, and how YOUR church can get involved — whether through prayer, giving, sending a team, or hosting a mission market. If you've ever seen GROW at Momentum Youth Conference, you already know how special this ministry is. Tune in to hear the full conversation. 🎙️ Learn more about ...
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S5 | Ep 40 - Why Student Led Ministry? (Feat. Doug Franklin)
Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast
Student leadership isn’t a program—it’s a pathway to deeper discipleship, stronger faith, and lasting ownership in the Church. In this episode, Eric sits down with Doug Franklin, founder of LeaderTreks, to talk about what it really means to build a student-led ministry. Drawing from more than 30 years of leadership development experience, Doug shares why empowering students to lead isn’t just a nice idea—it’s one of the most effective ways to combat apathy, develop future leaders, and help students take ownership of their faith. Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about...
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S5 | Ep 39 - Biblical Disciple-Making (Feat. Peyton Jones)
Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast
How do we move from talking about discipleship to actually making disciples? In this episode, Eric sits down with Peyton Jones to explore Jesus’ model for disciple-making and why so many believers feel stuck when it comes to living out the Great Commission. Peyton shares his powerful testimony, the heart behind his book Discipleology, and how the simple rhythms of time, teaching, and tactics can help anyone become a disciple-maker. They also discuss the free Through the Word app and how it’s helping believers build Bible habits and make disciples in everyday life. Check out...
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S5 | Ep 38 - Raising Next Generation Missionaries (Feat. Encompass World Partners)
Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast
In this episode of the Momentum Podcast, Eric sits down with Mike Yoder and Dave Pacheco from to discuss what it takes to build a healthy sending church. Together, they explore how local churches can cultivate a heart for the nations, equip future missionaries, and create practical pathways for people discerning a call to missions. Whether you're a pastor, ministry leader, or someone wondering if God may be calling you to go, this conversation offers biblical wisdom, practical insights, and real-world encouragement for living out the Great Commission—both...
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S5 | Ep 37 - Purposeful Parenting (Feat. David Eaton)
Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast
What if the biggest challenge facing parents today isn’t a lack of information—it’s a lack of conversation? This week on the Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast, Eric sits down with David Eaton, founder of Axis, to discuss why meaningful conversations are still one of the most powerful tools parents have for discipling their kids. Drawing from years of research and ministry experience, David shares practical insights on navigating social media, smartphones, mental health, and the rapidly changing culture students are growing up in. Rather than offering quick fixes, this conversation...
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S5 | Ep 36 - Parenting Christian Athletes (Feat. Brian Smith & Ed Uszynski)
Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast
This week on the Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast, Eric sits down with Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski for a follow up conversation on youth sports, discipleship, and the role parents play in shaping their athletes beyond the game. Building on their previous discussion, this episode shifts the focus directly to parents, unpacking the pressures of modern sports culture, the weight of expectations, and the tension many feel between competition and spiritual growth. Brian and Ed share from both experience and honesty, offering a fresh perspective on how sports can become a powerful space for...
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S5 | Ep 35 - How to Win in Student Ministry (Feat. Dan Istvanik)
Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast
What if the future of student ministry looks less like a production… and more like a quiet, intentional movement of discipleship? In this episode, we sit down with youth ministry veteran and Youth Ministry Hub founder Dan Istvanik to talk about the major shifts happening in student ministry today. From the resurgence of reverence and worship, to why students are craving authentic community, physical Bibles, and deeper spiritual leadership, this conversation is packed with practical insight for youth pastors, parents, and church leaders. We also discover... • Why teaching is becoming more...
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S5 | Ep 34 - Developing & Leading a Sports Ministry (Feat. Nick Demos)
Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast
In this episode of the Momentum Podcast, Eric sits down with Nick Demos to talk about how churches of any size can begin using sports to reach their communities and connect people to Christ. From small church ideas and volunteer recruitment to outreach strategy and building sustainable programs, this conversation is packed with practical insight for ministry leaders ready to think outside the box. In this episode, you’ll hear: 🏀 Why sports can be one of the strongest bridges to your community ⚽ Common misconceptions churches have about sports ministry 🙌 Practical ways to start a...
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S5 | Ep 33 - Sports as Ministry (Feat. Brian Smith & Ed Uszynski)
Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast
This week on the Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast, Eric sits down with Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski to talk about a challenge many churches feel but rarely address head-on, how to navigate sports culture in a way that actually builds the Kingdom. In this conversation, this episode explores how pastors and ministry leaders can begin thinking more intentionally about sports as a space for discipleship. From teaching a theology of play to equipping parents to showing up in the stands, Brian and Ed highlight practical ways churches can meet people where they already are and turn everyday moments...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast, Eric sits down with Kevin Butcher, longtime pastor, author of Free: Rescued from Shame-Based Religion, and founder of Rooted Pastors.
Kevin shares his story of pastoring for more than three decades while quietly carrying the weight of shame, performance, and exhaustion—and the moment that forced him to confront the emptiness behind ministry success. From there, he walks through how God began reshaping his understanding of love, identity, and what it really means to live free in Christ.
Along the way, Eric and Kevin talk about the difference between guilt and shame, why so many pastors feel pressure to perform, and why healing often begins when leaders are finally seen, known, and supported in safe community. If you’re a pastor or ministry leader who has ever felt the pressure to have it all together, this conversation offers honest encouragement and a reminder that you don’t have to walk through ministry alone.
To connect with Kevin or learn more about Rooted Pastors, visit rootedpastors.org.
Check out www.buildmomentum.org to learn more about our organization and how we seek to partner with local churches in order to equip today's young Christian leaders for tomorrow's opportunities.
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