The CGN Podcast

Welcome to the new season of the CGN Podcast! In this first episode, Nick Cady speaks with Brian Brodersen about his changing role at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, and what that means for his involvement in Calvary Global Network. Nick and Brian also discuss the importance of God's calling in ministry leadership, and CGN's renewed focus on its identity as a Calvary Chapel movement. Finally, they discuss a new initiative called "Leadership Collective" and what is on the horizon for CGN. New episodes will be released every two weeks, on Wednesday mornings. Make sure to subscribe, and new episodes will be delivered to you as soon as they are released. Send us your feedback on these episodes at CGN@calvarychapel.com

The new season of the CGN podcast begins on May 8th, 2024. The CGN Podcast is the official podcast of the Calvary Global Network (CGN). This season, we will be talking about what's new at CGN and what's on the horizon for us as a network. We will also be joined by guests to talk about topics related to ministry, such as handling pastoral transitions, training resources, engaging the culture with the gospel, and other topics related to theology, church planting and preaching. Episodes will be released every two weeks on Wednesdays. Subscribe today, and keep an eye out for new episodes coming soon.

Brian Brodersen, uniquely qualified to speak about Chuck Smith's approach to ministry, discusses Pastor Chuck's humility, practical biblical teachings, and love for God's word. They share personal stories about meeting Chuck and winning his approval, as well as his reliance on the work of the Lord and his willingness to give opportunities to young individuals. The chapter also explores Chuck's preaching style and sermon structure, his approach to ministry including steps of faith and entrustment of responsibility, and his attitude towards theological diversity. Additionally, they discuss Chuck's impression of Kelsey Grammer and the portrayal of Chuck in the movie.

In this final episode of Season 4, Brian Brodersen and Nick Cady speak with Clay Worrell. Clay is the Executive Director of Calvary Global Network since 2022. Prior to that, he planted and pastored a church in Waterford City, Ireland, and more recently, he pastored a church in the Bay Area of California. In this discussion, Clay shares what it was like coming back to the United States after years in Ireland and how different cultural contexts shape the way you do ministry. Additionally, they discuss the merits of short-term mission trips and how to make them effective and successful for long-term fruitfulness. We would love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com.

This season, on Mission & Methods, we are getting to know members of the CGN Executive Team. Brian Kelly is the pastor of WestChurch in Bradenton, Florida. Prior to planting WestChurch, Brian and his wife Lynne spent several years as missionaries and church planters all over the world. In this episode, Brian shares how God led him to places as diverse as Africa and New Zealand, and the blessings and challenges of ministering in those places. He also discusses the work he is currently doing with Cultivate to encourage and equip new church planters and missionaries, and what he’s excited about for the future of CGN. We’d love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Manolo Matos is the pastor of Calvary Lima, in Lima, Peru. In this episode, Manolo talks with Brian Brodersen and Nick Cady about how he became the pastor of the church in which he became a Christian and was baptized. Additionally, Manolo shares about the unique role that Calvary Chapel churches can play in Latin America as a movement that is focused on teaching the Word of God. He shares what makes ministry in South America unique, and about open doors for ministry both in the urban context of Lima, and the diverse rural context of other parts of Peru. We would love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

This season, on Mission & Methods, we are getting to know members of the CGN Executive Team. Mike Neglia is the pastor of Calvary Cork, in Cork, Ireland. Mike also leads the Expositors Collective training initiative, which equips people to study and proclaim God’s Word, and he is the host of the Expositors Collective podcast. In this episode, Mike talks about how God led him to Ireland, where he came as a missionary 20 years ago, and he talks about being the father of a child with disabilities, and how that has shaped him as a person, and as a pastor. We’d love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

This season, on Mission & Methods, we are getting to know members of the CGN Executive Team. Rafael Manzaneras is the pastor of Santa Ponsa Community Church, on the island of Mallorca, in Spain. Rafael has a unique global perspective, having served in the United States and Europe for many years. In this episode, Rafael shares his story of growing up in both Spain and the United States, and how God led him back to Europe. We also talk about the work God is doing through Calvary Chapel churches in Western Europe, and why it is such a strategic place for the mission of God in the world. We’d love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

This season, on Mission & Methods, we are getting to know members of the CGN Executive Team. Jeff Gipe has a unique background, having been a successful businessman in Southern California, and then planting and pastoring a church. He now uses these skills and experiences to serve Calvary Global Network, both as a member of the staff, and as the head of the Funding Team. In this episode, Jeff talks about some of the ways the funding team has been able to help churches and empower ministry initiatives around the world, and why he is passionate about mobilizing the church to use our skills and resources to help each other further the mission of God. Jeff also hosts the Isms That Cause Schisms Podcast. We’d love to hear feedback from you on these episodes. You can email us at CGN@calvarychapel.com

Welcome to CGN Voices. We are in a mini series called CGN Voices from Ukraine, a series dedicated to sharing powerful stories of resilience, faith, and service in the face of great difficulty. In this episode, we have the privilege of hearing a remarkable story shared by Lena Morrison from Calvary Chapel in Svitlovodsk, Ukraine. Lena shares her story of choosing to stay in Ukraine after the beginning of the full-scale invasion, in order to house and feed refugees fleeing from the war zones in eastern Ukraine. Additionally, she recounts the inspiring story of someone they helped, who initially had deep skepticism about church, but who came to faith through the support, love, and acceptance she received, and now serves in the church in helping others. “If I would have known that church is like this, I would have come sooner!” As Lena shares this uplifting story, she also highlights the continued challenges faced by their church and community amidst the ongoing conflict. Discover how you can support and pray for them as they persevere and extend God's love to those affected by the war. Join us in this episode of CGN Voices from Ukraine, as we celebrate the transformative power of faith and witness firsthand the resilience and dedication of believers compelled to serve others as Jesus served them.