The CGN Podcast

For the remainder of this season, we are releasing the Main Session messages from this year’s CGN International Conference.This year’s conference was held at Reliance Church in Temecula, CA - and the Theme was: “The Way Forward: Ministry According to Jesus” - in which we studied through the Upper-Room Discourse in John 13-17.The fifth message of the conference was taught by Pastor Kike Torres, the Lead Pastor of Horizonte Querétaro, in Mexico. Kike is also a trained biblical counselor, and has been involved in planting several churches in Mexico and the United States.The text of this message is John 15:1-8, and it is titled: “The Vine and the Branches”

For the rest of this season, we are releasing the Main Session messages from this year’s CGN International Conference.This year’s conference was held at Reliance Church in Temecula, CA - and the Theme was: “The Way Forward: Ministry According to Jesus” - in which we studied through the’ “Upper-Room Discourse” in John 13-17.The fourth message of the conference was taught by Pastor Alistair Begg. From 1983 to 2025, Alistair served as Senior Pastor of Parkside Church, near Cleveland, Ohio. His Bible teaching ministry, Truth for Life, can be heard on radio stations around the world, as well as other media platforms.The text of this message is John 15:26 and 16:7-15, and it is titled: “The Spirit of Truth."

For the remainder of this season, we are releasing the Main Session messages from this year’s CGN International Conference.This year’s conference was held at Reliance Church in Temecula, CA - and the Theme was: “The Way Forward: Ministry According to Jesus” - in which we studied through the’ “Upper-Room Discourse” in John 13-17.The third message of the conference was taught by Pastor Alistair Begg. From 1983-2025, Alistair served as Senior Pastor of Parkside Church, near Cleveland, Ohio. His Bible teaching ministry, Truth for Life, can be heard on radio stations around the world, as well as other media platforms.The text of this message is John 15:14-16, and it is titled: “Chosen and Fruitful.”

For the rest of this season, we are releasing the Main Session messages from this year’s CGN International Conference.This year’s conference was held at Reliance Church in Temecula, CA - and the Theme was: “The Way Forward: Ministry According to Jesus” - in which we studied through the’ “Upper-Room Discourse” in John 13-17.The second message of the conference was taught by Pastor Daniel Williams — Lead Pastor of Calvary Chapel of the Palm Beaches, on the East Coast of Florida.The text is John 13:34-35 & 15:14-15, and the title is "A New Commandment"

Starting with this episode, and for the rest of the season, we will be releasing the Main Session messages from this year’s CGN International Conference.This year’s conference was held at Reliance Church in Temecula, California, and the theme was: “The Way Forward: Ministry According to Jesus” — in which we studied through the Upper Room Discourse” in John 13-17.This opening message was taught by Pastor Ted Leavenworth, Lead Pastor of Reliance Church.For more information about Calvary Global Network, visit CGN.org

Krista Fox is the founder of Applied Care for Trauma (ACT), a ministry focused on equipping churches to effectively help those who have experienced deep hurt.In this episode, hosts Nick Cady and Brian Brodersen speak with Krista, as she shares powerful stories from her years serving in Brazil—working among the vulnerable, including individuals in prostitution and victims of human trafficking—and how those experiences led her to found a ministry to equip churches to effectively minister to the hurting.We discuss:What trauma isCommon mistakes made in handling hurting peopleHow pastors and lay leaders can respond biblically and compassionatelyWhat trauma-informed ministry looks like in practiceKrista also explains why this work is not just for counselors—but for every church that wants to reflect the heart of Christ.Learn more about Applied Care for Trauma at:🌐 https://www.diagratia.org/applied-care-for-trauma-act📧 anna@diagratia.orgKeep an eye out for the main session messages from the recent CGN International Conference, which will be released on this podcast in coming weeks!

In this episode, hosts Nick Cady and Brian Brodersen talk with Justin Brierley — author, broadcaster, and longtime host of the Unbelievable? show and podcast from Premier Christian Radio in the UK. Justin shares about how, after decades of hosting debates between Christians and skeptics, he sees signs that belief in God is growing — especially among young people. We talk about the decline of the New Atheist movement, stories of unexpected conversions, and the surprising hunger for faith in today’s culture.📚Discover Justin’s books: The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God and Why I’m Still a Christian🎧 Listen to his podcast: The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in GodLearn more about CGN: cgn.org

In this episode, hosts Nick Cady and Brian Brodersen talk with Phil Metzger, Lead Pastor of Calvary San Diego.Phil shares his story of singing in Salty the Singing Songbook as a child, to serving as a missionary in Russia and planting churches in Hungary, to now leading a church revitalization effort in Southern California.Phil shares how the lessons he learned in international ministry have shaped his pastoral vision, and why revitalizing existing churches is both necessary and rewarding.This conversation is full of encouragement and insight for pastors, leaders, and anyone passionate about the gospel and the local church.Learn more about CGN: calvaryglobalnetwork.comConnect with Calvary San Diego: calvarysd.com

In this episode, hosts Nick Cady and Brian Brodersen speak with Dominic Done. Dominic served as a Calvary Chapel pastor for many years; he is also an author and theologian, and the founder of a ministry called “Pursuing Faith.”In this discussion, Dominic shares about the current state of the deconstruction movement, as well as the growing openness and interest in God that is sprouting up in its wake all around the world.Dominic shares why the church has an opportunity right now to engage in what he calls “redemptive theodicy,” to answer people’s questions with the truth of the gospel. Join us for the CGN International Ministry Conference, taking place June 22-25th at Reliance Church in Temecula, CA. This is a gathering designed for church leaders and their ministry teams to connect, collaborate, and grow together in a community of like-minded leaders.Alistair Begg is one of our main session speakers this year, along with many other guests. Find more information, and register at: conference.calvarychapel.com 

Greg Opean is an Assisting Pastor at the Packinghouse Church in Redlands, California. Prior to that, Greg spent 17 years planting and pastoring churches in Hungary, and played a major role in the Calvary Chapel movement in Central & Eastern Europe.This episode was recorded on site at Zichy Kastély in Vajta, Hungary, a property which Greg was involved in acquiring and developing. In this discussion, Greg and Brian talk about how God opened the doors for them to come to Yugoslavia and Hungary 35 years ago this month, and about how what began with a simple invitation became a thriving network of churches that continues today. We also talk about the challenges of spiritual warfare, and the beauty of discipleship through invitation. Greg will be speaking at this year’s CGN International Conference, which will be held June 22-25 in Temecula, California. This conference is open to anyone in ministry, and we would love to see you there. Our keynote speaker this year is Alistair Begg. There will be workshops for every major area of ministry in a church, so the conference is not only for pastors, but for everyone in ministry leadership.You can find more information and register at conference.calvarychapel.com