Ep. 110 - Church Planting Essentials: Strategic Insights with Vance Pitman from Send Network
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
Release Date: 03/19/2025
Ep. 124 - Andy Sikora - The Hard Lessons of Church Planting: Perseverance, Calling & Healthy Leadership- The Church Planting Podcast
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, host Greg Nettle, President of , welcomes long-time friend Andy Sikora, planter and lead pastor of in Cleveland. Fresh off a two-week Patagonia trek, Andy reflects on 15 years of church planting and the lessons learned along the way. Andy shares how he and his wife moved to Cleveland after serving in young adult ministry, eventually launching Renew in 2011. He discusses the critical role of perseverance, the importance of planting with people rather than alone, and the conviction that God must truly call you to the work. He illustrates these...
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Ep. 123 - Joey Odom- Breaking the Phone Habit: Faith, Focus, and Real Connection
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of , host talks with about the intersection of faith, technology, and personal health. Joey—co-founder of —explains how constant proximity to our phones is reshaping our relationships, productivity, and even our spiritual lives. They discuss the concept of “digital thorns” — how smartphones, though powerful tools for discipleship and ministry, can choke out meaningful relationships and intimacy with God. Joey shares practical ways to reclaim time and attention, including simple steps like five minutes a day away from your phone, accountability within small groups,...
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Ep. 122 - Jay Pathak on Calling, Cost, and Multiplying Churches
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of , Greg Nettle sits down with Jay Pathak, National Director of Vineyard USA and co-author of . Jay shares his unexpected journey into church planting, from studying philosophy at Ohio State to planting Mile High Vineyard in Denver after 9/11. Key themes include: The power of a clear calling—and why clarity often means higher cost. The challenges of starting with little money, odd jobs, and slow growth. Why multiplying leaders is the foundation for multiplying churches. Lessons from on building for replication. Evangelism as the heartbeat of church planting, no...
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Ep. 121 - The Resident-First Strategy That’s Creating a Movement (with Brian Hofmeister)
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with Brian Hofmeister, founding pastor of in Muskego, Wisconsin. Brian shares the powerful story of how his church moved from a single church plant to becoming a multiplying, sending church. Key themes include: How a church of any size can invest in multiplication from the beginning Why Lakepoint committed 10% of its budget to future church plants—even in its early years Lessons learned from developing residents and sending planters during the COVID-19 pandemic A compelling vision for shared church family...
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Ep. 120 - Why the Future Church Needs Multiple Income Streams (with Mark DeYmaz)
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, host Greg Nettle welcomes Mark DeYmaz, founding pastor of in Little Rock and a leading voice in the multiethnic church movement. Mark pulls back the curtain on how his church is thriving through missional vitality and church economics—generating revenue, leveraging real estate, serving the poor, and reaching their community with tangible expressions of the Gospel. Topics include: The three-legged church model (spiritual, social, financial). How Mosaic transformed a Kmart into a 100,000 sq. ft. center of ministry and enterprise. Why your...
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Ep. 119 - Steps to Real Change: John Ortberg on Addiction, Discipleship, and Church Growth
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this powerful conversation, Greg Nettle sits down with author and pastor John Ortberg to discuss his newest book, . Drawing inspiration from the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Ortberg reveals why this recovery-based model may actually be the most effective path to real spiritual transformation—for everyone, not just those with addiction. The conversation covers: How AA emerged from discipleship roots in the Oxford Group Why most churches struggle with a “wimpy Step One” How to foster communities of grace-filled vulnerability The critical role of desperation, community, and...
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Ep. 118 - The Quiet Revival: Why Gen Z Is Coming Back to Church (with Dave Ferguson)
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this powerful episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle is joined by long-time friend and influential church leader . Dave is the founding pastor of , president of , and co-founder of the global church planting network NewThing—now integrated into Exponential. The conversation covers: Dave’s personal and organizational transitions, including appointing a new lead pastor at Community A deep dive into his 5-step leadership apprenticeship model (from his book ) His global perspective on a potential revival among Gen Z, especially in the UK The explosive growth of...
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Ep. 117 - Micro and Multiethnic Churches and the Future of Church Planting (w/ Dr. Liz Rios and Rev. Len Tang)
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
Greg sits down with Dr. Liz Rios (Founder of ) and Rev. Len Tang (Director of the ) to explore the expanding world of multiethnic, micro, and digital church planting. They unpack the rapid growth of microchurches, the increasing leadership of women of color in church planting, and the redefinition of success beyond outdated metrics. The conversation also dives into the barriers multiethnic leaders face—especially in funding and power-sharing—and the urgent need for new pipelines that elevate diverse leaders. Get practical ideas and inspiration for: Starting and supporting digital faith...
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Ep. 116 - From Church Planter to Tech CEO: Dean Sweetman & the Future of Church Tech
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode, Greg Nettle talks with Dean Sweetman, co-founder and co-CEO of , a digital giving platform now used by over 50,000 churches worldwide. Dean shares his remarkable journey from being a high school dropout and aspiring surfer in Australia to planting over 60 churches globally and building a church tech company processing billions in donations annually. Key highlights: Dean’s unconventional path into church planting across Asia, Africa, and North America. Why demographic research + Holy Spirit leading matters when choosing a church plant location. How a Starbucks app...
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Ep. 115 - Choosing the Opposite: Radical Leadership Lessons with Tammy Melchien
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with longtime friend and teaching pastor Tammy Melchien. Tammy has served at in Chicagoland for over two decades and is releasing her first book, Choosing the Opposite, in October 2025. Tammy reflects on her journey as a church planter in urban Chicago, the unique challenges of being a single woman in ministry, and the joy of seeing lives transformed in a transient, young professional community. She shares the origin story and key insights from her book—rooted in the Sermon on the Mount—and how following Jesus often...
info_outlineIn this episode of "The Church Planting Podcast," Greg Nettle chats with Vance Pitman, president of Send Network and founder of Hope Church Las Vegas. Pitman shares his transformative journey from devotional readings to planting a vibrant, multi-ethnic community church in Las Vegas. He emphasizes the importance of intimacy with Christ, viewing ministry as an overflow of this relationship, and the necessity of contextual church planting strategies suited to urban settings.
To connect with Vance and Send Network, visit https://www.namb.net/send-network/
To connect with Greg and Stadia, visit https://stadia.org
00:00:01 - Introduction by Greg Nettle
00:00:25 - Introduction of Vance Pitman
00:01:02 - Welcome and conversation begins
00:01:59 - Vance's call to church planting
00:03:01 - Decision to plant in Las Vegas
00:04:01 - Moving and preparing for Las Vegas
00:05:13 - The role of intimacy in ministry
00:06:26 - The impact of church planting on Pitman's family
00:07:10 - Importance of listening to God's voice
00:08:23 - Challenges of moving to Las Vegas with family
00:09:09 - The success of Hope Church in transforming lives
00:10:20 - Advice for church planters on family and faith
00:11:09 - Church diversity and authenticity
00:13:11 - Team-based church planting approach
00:14:12 - Vance's extensive church planting experience
00:15:00 - Shifts in church planting strategies
00:17:18 - Biblical foundations for urban church planting
00:18:58 - The rise of micro churches and co-vocational planters
00:21:22 - Future trends in church planting
00:23:02 - Lessons learned from decades of ministry
00:25:17 - Key advice for new church planters
00:26:19 - Global impact and mission of the church
00:27:25 - How to connect with Send Network
00:28:15 - Closing remarks and sports talk