The Cause+Effect Podcast

Jeff Schreve has been the pastor of First Baptist Church Texarkana for 18 years and he joins Trent to talk about all things ministry and the growth of his church. They unpack the importance of effective media, a healthy marriage, and how getting to the root of your emotions can be the pathway to healing.

What began as a simple concert and surf contest on the beaches of San Diego sixteen years ago has grown to over 17,000 in attendance, raising millions for local charities. No doubt, Chad Butler, lead drummer for the band Switchfoot, and his wife Tina are taking new ground for the Kingdom every day. Chad and Tina talk with Trent about band life on the road with a young family, how their event BRO-AM is impacting their community (and beyond), and Tina’s recent leap of faith in the midst of a new and exciting season.

Media is the language of our culture, but unfortunately, Christians don’t always speak it very well. Phil Cooke is the CEO and Founder of Cooke Media Group – and he’s filling a niche among Christian nonprofits by helping them tell their story effectively through media. Phil talks with Trent about the biggest mistake churches make when it comes to communicating, tips on managing creative people, the best ways to promote and distribute content, and the importance of engaging your online audience. Phil encourages us to see this pandemic as an opportunity, not a limitation. The world has changed – and it’s never going back.

Is your church or ministry known for reconciliation? Tommy Kyllonen, Pastor of Crossover Church in Tampa, Florida, sets the bar pretty high when it comes to leading a church through the whirlwind of 2020. He talks with Trent about his unique approach and fresh vision for serving his community and gives us tangible action points for building unity, diversity and sensitivity among our people.

If you’re wondering how to keep your donors engaged as you head toward year-end, this one’s for you! D+C CEO and Founder Rick Dunham lays out the state of giving coming out of 2019, the effects of the pandemic in 2020, and some things to anticipate as we head into Quarter 4. He points to some of the characteristics associated with people who are more likely to stay financially engaged with nonprofits and the crucial need to double down on efforts to be relevant and authentic.

Danny Forshee is the Lead Pastor at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, Texas and is passionate about motivating his people to share the gospel on a regular basis. In this episode, he challenges leaders to stay emotionally healthy by paying attention to biblical rest. Here’s your opportunity to take inventory when it comes to your pace of life and ministry.

When a crisis hits, often major donors are the first to pull back. It’s been a wild ride in 2020 and Chief Strategist Major Gift Services at Dunham+Company, Erik Rogers, helps to make some sense of it all when it comes to keeping your major donors close and engaged. He also predicts how your organization’s major gifts will likely be impacted in Q4.

Joshua Crowther, Executive Director of Dunham+Company Australia, joins Trent to talk about the driving force of all we do (hint: Kingdom impact), how and why your ministry should define outcomes, and why it’s so important to value people over profit. Josh is passionate about his calling and has a perspective on this global pandemic you’ll want to hear. It’s pretty dark out there right now… but be encouraged – the light is breaking through.

As a ministry or organization, are you disciplined in your communication when it comes to your identity? When you’re presented with a new challenge (like the past 6 months!), how do you process it understanding the core of who you are? Brandon Thomas, Founding Pastor of Keystone Church, unpacks this concept and speaks to the importance of staying true to your DNA, even when the seasons change.

Short answer: YES! Liz West, Chief Strategist, Branding and Marketing at Dunham+Company, joins Trent to unpack the importance of assessing the deepest needs of your target audience and identifying your distinctiveness as an organization.