Ep. 114 - 5 Things Every Church Planter Needs to Know About Kids Ministry
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
Release Date: 05/14/2025
Ep. 128 - A Life Well Lived: Kathryn Ransom on Faith, Purpose, and Leadership
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this special episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with his dear friend —a lifelong educator, author, Bible teacher, and faithful kingdom leader who, at 90 years old, continues to teach, learn, and invest in others. Kathryn shares her remarkable life story, shaped by faith-filled parents, a mobile childhood, and deep involvement in the local church from a young age. From teaching Bible classes and mentoring young leaders to supporting missionaries around the world, Kathryn’s life reflects a quiet but powerful commitment to serving God faithfully in every season....
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Ep. 127- Bryan Loritts on Building Trust and Unity in a Multi-Ethnic Church
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with Bryan Loritts, award-winning author, pastor, and nationally recognized voice on multi-ethnic church leadership. Bryan is the author of Right Color, Wrong Culture and has devoted his ministry to helping leaders communicate with clarity, humility, and credibility across cultural and racial differences. Together, Greg and Bryan explore why communication—not just theology or vision—is the critical factor in building healthy multi-ethnic churches. Bryan shares how his upbringing in African-American church contexts,...
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Ep. 126 - Mike Frost: Rethinking Evangelism: Reaching People Who Know Nothing About Jesus
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with Michael Frost, internationally recognized missiologist, author, and leading voice in the missional church movement. Michael is the author of influential books including The Shape of Things to Come. Together, Greg and Michael explore what it means to lead, plant, and evangelize in a post-Christian world—a cultural reality where people no longer understand the Christian story, assumptions, or language. Michael shares his personal journey from traditional church leadership into missional theology, explaining how the...
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Ep. 125 - Russ Ewell on Reaching Gen Z: How the Next Generation Will Transform the Church - The Church Planting Podcast
The Church Planting Podcast with Greg Nettle
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with Russ Ewell, Executive Minister of the , author of , and founder of . Together they explore one of today’s most pressing ministry questions: How do we reach, disciple, and develop Gen Z and millennials into kingdom leaders? Russ shares recent data showing that Gen Z is experiencing the highest levels of anxiety, loneliness, and loss of purpose of any generation in recent history. Yet he insists this generation is also deeply open, idealistic, and eager to make the world better. He outlines a practical, three-part...
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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...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, host Greg Nettle is joined by Tim Celek from Stadia’s post-launch team and two dynamic kids ministry leaders from Georgia—Brittany Ara of City Church Griffin and Robyn Alexander of Foundation Christian Church.
Together, they outline five essential principles for church leaders who want to reach and disciple the next generation:
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Safety isn’t optional – Every church needs a clear child protection policy. Not sure where to start? Ask neighboring churches to share their handbooks.
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Leadership matters – Recruit leaders who can lead teams, not just love kids. Burnout is real without shared responsibility.
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Let kids serve – Kids and teens need hands-on opportunities to experience their faith, not just hear about it.
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Know your ‘one’ – Ditch cookie-cutter strategies and design ministry that fits your local community’s needs and rhythms.
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Recruit with vision, not guilt – Celebrate wins from the stage, don’t beg for volunteers. Help your team build a long-term system for healthy recruiting.
They also share fun, creative ideas like using an ice cream truck for outreach and creating dual summer camp models for different demographics. It's a practical, passionate guide for any church looking to multiply its impact through children’s ministry.
00:26 – Meet Brittany Ara & Robyn Alexander
02:10 – Why Stadia Prioritizes the Next Generation
03:15 – 5 Things Every Church Leader Needs to Know
03:45 – #1: Safety Must Come First
07:13 – #2: Healthy Kids Ministry Requires Strong Leadership
12:00 – #3: Empower Kids & Teens to Serve
14:00 – Creative Outreach Ideas: Ice Cream Truck Ministry
17:00 – Involving Kids in "Big Church"
19:11 – #4: Forget What You’ve Seen Before – Know Your Community
21:00 – Real-Life Camp Examples That Meet Families Where They Are
25:39 – Balancing Technology in Kids Ministry
26:00 – #5: Volunteer Recruiting Should Be Vision-Driven
29:00 – What Keeps These Leaders Going