Redeemer Network Podcast

Listen in to the first session of our 2024 conference featuring our main speaker, JR Vassar. JR Vassar (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) is the lead pastor at Church at the Cross in Grapevine, Texas. From 2005 to 2013, he served as the founding and lead pastor of Apostles Church in New York City. JR and his wife, Ginger, have three children. He is the author of Glory Hunger: God, the Gospel, and Our Quest for Something More.

In this engaging conversation, guests Jeremy Buck, a Texas pastor and experienced church planter; Justin Smith, a passionate foster-care minister; and Ky Martin, a global missions leader, dive into the vital role of churches in global engagement. They share personal missionary experiences, discuss strategies for choosing global partnerships, and emphasize the importance of mobilizing students for missions. The panelists highlight how deep, meaningful connections with fewer partners can drive impactful long-term support for missionaries worldwide.

Join Dusty Thompson, Lead Pastor of Redeemer Lubbock, David Ritchie, Lead Pastor of Redeemer Christian Church, and Chris Cummings, Church Planter at Doxa Church, as they dive into the importance of church multiplication. They explore biblical foundations for disciple-making and the challenges churches face in this journey. From strategic visioning to practical tactics for raising new leaders, the conversation highlights the joys of creating lasting community impact. Discover how collaboration within the Redeemer Network is fueling this mission.

Jason Hatch, lead pastor and church planter at Redeemer in Midland, Texas, and Dave Bruskas, a seasoned coach for the Redeemer Network, dive into the significance of leader development in healthy churches. They discuss biblical foundations of leadership and the urgency for adaptable leaders in today's shifting culture. The conversation explores practical frameworks for identifying and equipping leaders, as well as the consequences of neglecting leadership development. They share personal reflections and hope for a future filled with effective, thriving church leaders.

In this engaging discussion, Ricky Garzon, the lead pastor at Redeemer Borger, shares insights from his journey in church planting, while Joe Guenther, a pastor at Redeemer Hutto, highlights effective discipleship strategies. They explore the essence of gospel-centered discipleship, emphasizing depth over sheer growth. Topics include the importance of gospel communities, the defining role of scriptural teachings, and practical challenges like busyness and the fear of vulnerability in relationships. Prepare for thought-provoking perspectives on nurturing genuine discipleship!

Join JR Cochran, lead pastor at The Well in Abilene, Paden Behrens, pastor at Redeemer Brady, and Sarah McLean, director of We Love Abilene, as they dive into the transformative concept of city-reaching. They discuss the importance of churches engaging holistically with their communities to meet various needs. Paden shares insights on mobilizing volunteers for practical outreach, while Sarah highlights successful community partnerships. The conversation emphasizes blending mercy ministry with evangelism and tailoring approaches to local contexts for genuine impact.

This discussion features Robert Livingston, a church planter and lead pastor at Redeemer Georgetown, and J. R. Favela, also a church planter and lead pastor at CityLight Amarillo, with a rich Hispanic Pentecostal background. They explore the essential role of the Holy Spirit in church health, emphasizing Spirit-dependence in ministry. Topics include defining Spirit-empowered ministry and practical steps for increasing spiritual reliance, such as scheduled prayer retreats. They also tackle common misunderstandings about Spirit-led experiences, grounding their insights in scripture.

In this engaging conversation, Jordan Elder, a church leader and Redeemer Network Director, teams up with Cody McMurray, the lead pastor and church planter. They delve into the critical role of deacons in shaping church culture and supporting elders. Highlighting biblical foundations, they emphasize how deacons, qualified servant leaders, empower churches by allowing elders to focus on ministry. They also discuss practical strategies for identifying and developing deacons and the importance of aligning their roles with the church’s mission.

Paden Behrens, lead pastor at Redeemer Church in Texas, Austin Lawrence and JR Cochran, both from The Well in Abilene, come together to explore the vital role of elders in church health. They share gripping stories of their own church planting journeys and tackle the biblical foundations of eldership. The trio delves into the essential qualities that make good elders, emphasizes the importance of healthy team dynamics, and provides practical steps for churches to cultivate a strong elder leadership. Plus, they recommend valuable resources for further exploration!

In this insightful discussion, Jordan Elder, pastor and Redeemer Network Director, and Jeremy Buck, lead pastor of Redeemer Pampa, delve into missional-ecclesiology. They share inspiring stories from their churches' beginnings, highlighting community-focused planting. The conversation emphasizes aligning church structures with God’s mission, the importance of personal formation for mission, and practical ministry strategies. They advocate for creating flexible environments for witnessing and celebrate life as mission, encouraging listeners to engage deeply in their communities.