Intentional Churches Podcast

Eduardo Rivera, a leader within Mosaic Church in Winter Garden, Florida, joins Erin and Doug to talk about what it really means to lead in a multicultural church environment. With deep roots in Puerto Rico and over two decades in Central Florida, Eduardo shares his first-hand experience of how the region has shifted dramatically in Hispanic population and diversity.Eduardo explains how his calling transitioned from planting a new church to leading existing multicultural ministries, emphasizing the importance of creating spaces where both first-generation immigrants and their second-generation children can thrive spiritually. He describes the need for the Anglo church to embrace Hispanic culture—not as a project of assimilation, but as a movement of true integration grounded in shared values, mission, and trust.This episode highlights the difference between proximity and unity, the cultural nuances of relational evangelism, and the church's responsibility to engage in local mission right in their own neighborhoods.  Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how cultural intelligence, leadership collaboration, and genuine curiosity can shape a church culture that honors and celebrates diversity.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS: 00:00 Meet Pastor Eduardo 04:15 Eduardo’s journey from Puerto Rico to Florida 08:10 Demographic shifts in Central Florida 11:50 Understanding the realities of Hispanic ministry 15:30 From church planting to leading within Mosaic 18:30 Defining integration vs assimilation 24:10 What the Anglo Church can learn from Hispanic cultures 29:00 Shifting from global to local missions 34:30 Relational evangelism in multicultural settings 38:45 The role of leadership and trust in integration 42:00 Final encouragement to church leadersJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!Website: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches

Don’t forget to reserve your spot for the Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com/ Gregg and Leilani Sizemore, co-pastors of Creekside Church in Dallas, GA, join the podcast to share their incredible story of planting a church six months before the COVID-19 pandemic. From early momentum to massive disruption, and ultimately to realignment and spiritual renewal, they give church leaders a transparent look into the challenges and breakthroughs that come with living out the Great Commission in a post-COVID world.They reflect on their early days of ministry, their complementary roles as husband and wife in leadership, and how their personal faith was tested through burnout and the weight of unmet expectations. The Sizemores share how re-engaging with Intentional Churches helped them reassess everything from service structure to language alignment, catalyzing a renewed focus on reaching people far from God.Listeners will gain practical insights into implementing missional rhythms, navigating cultural and theological preferences within the church, and pushing forward when alignment feels impossible. The episode also explores how pruning and resistance can precede spiritual fruit, and how a single Sunday of breakthrough can make all the long work worth it.From stories of young families walking away to finding joy in conversations with first-time believers, this episode is packed with hope, honesty, and actionable steps for every church leader fighting to stay faithful to the mission of Jesus.The Intentional Churches Community is a free-to-join online community platform designed to foster individual growth while nurturing collective wisdom and best practices from church leaders like yourself from across the country. Get started with your free account at intentionalchurches.com/community.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS: 0:00 Welcome & Introduction02:45 Meet Gregg and Leilani Sizemore06:55 Church Planting Right Before COVID11:50 Working Together in Marriage and Ministry16:05 Burnout, Momentum, and Hitting Walls21:30 Re-engaging with Intentional Churches26:20 Volunteer Burnout and Cultural Pushback30:10 Shifting to Evangelistic Focu35:25 Rolling Out Alignment Through "Bless"39:20 Fighting for Alignment Through Resistance42:00 Encouragement to Keep Going44:30 A Sunday Worth the FightWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Jesse DeYoung, Executive Lead Pastor of Flatirons Community Church, shares his journey from youth group kid to leading one of Colorado’s largest churches. He discusses the challenge of reaching an anti-church culture in Boulder, emphasizing the importance of valuing individuals as they are. Jesse tackles the complexity of cannabis culture and its impact on church, and advocates for personal evangelism and innovative outreach strategies. He urges leaders to focus on relational connections, creating an environment that invites newcomers, and maintaining a unified church culture.

Albuquerque presents both deep challenges and incredible opportunities for ministry. Pastor Nate Bush of New City Church shares how his team navigates the complexities of serving a city with both high levels of poverty and a large population of PhDs. He discusses the importance of balancing justice work with evangelism and how New City Church has shifted to ensuring every member owns the Great Commission.Nate outlines how initiatives like the Shine School Partnership and Getting Ahead have helped connect churches with schools and support individuals in escaping poverty. He also introduces "Go There for the One," a church-wide commissioning strategy aimed at mobilizing every member for personal evangelism.This episode is filled with practical insights for church leaders looking to impact their communities while keeping the gospel at the center of their mission.The Intentional Churches Community is free-to-join online community platform designed to foster individual growth while nurturing collective wisdom and best practices from church leaders like yourself from across the country. Get started with your free account at intentionalchurches.com/communityDon’t forget to reserve your spot for the Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS:00:00 - Introduction to the Intentional Churches Podcast02:10 - Meet Nate Bush: Church Planting in Albuquerque06:45 - The Reality of a "Low-Hope" City12:30 - Balancing Justice Work and Evangelism18:15 - The Role of Prayer in Church Vision24:00 - The "Go There for the One" Initiative29:30 - Encouragement for Church LeadersWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

The future of the church in America is increasingly multicultural—compelling leaders to be intentional about fostering environments where diverse cultures can thrive together. Juan Carlos Heredia, Spanish Ministry Pastor at Houston’s Sugar Creek Baptist Church, joins Doug for this eye-opening episode of The Intentional Churches podcast to discuss the evolution of Hispanic ministry, the importance of personal ownership in evangelism, and how churches can strategically integrate different cultural groups without forcing assimilation.During their conversation Juan Carlos shares his personal story of growing up between Ecuador, Mexico, and the U.S., how his calling led him into ministry, and the challenges of leading a Spanish-speaking congregation. He also gets into why Houston is a strategic hub for global missions and how its diversity presents both opportunities and challenges for churches.This timely episode offers practical advice for churches looking to engage Hispanic communities, emphasizing the need for leadership that understands both cultures and the importance of contextualizing ministry without losing the gospel’s core message.The Intentional Churches Community is free-to-join online community platform designed to foster individual growth while nurturing collective wisdom and best practices from church leaders like yourself from across the country. Get started with your free account at intentionalchurches.com/communityDon’t forget to reserve your spot for the Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment Website: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches  CHAPTERS:00:00 - The Importance of Tools in Evangelism00:17 - Welcome & Introduction to Juan Carlos Heredia01:42 - Juan Carlos’ Background and Calling to Ministry04:59 - The Diversity of Houston as a Mission Field07:14 - Integration vs. Segregation in Houston’s Cultural Landscape09:09 - Challenges of Hispanic Ministry in America12:35 - Creating a Culture of Invitation and Evangelism15:19 - How Sugar Creek Integrates Spanish Ministry19:10 - The Future of Multicultural Church Partnerships24:54 - Practical Steps for Assimilation Without Assimilation30:44 - Personal Ownership of the Great Commission33:35 - Using Events as Evangelistic Tools37:22 - The Challenge of Retaining Young Generations in Faith40:08 - Final Thoughts & Leadership Challenge

The Intentional Churches Conference is not your typical church leadership event—it's a movement. In this week’s special bonus episode, Erin sits down to interview Doug all about how The Intentional Churches Conference is evolving and what attendees can expect this year.Doug explains that IC is about more than just content—it's a collaborative network where church leaders learn from one another in real-time. Last year’s conference highlights included a hands-on coffee-making experiment, a panel of non-Christians sharing their perspectives, and interactive networking designed to spark innovation.This year, IC is introducing new tools, including a conference-exclusive book—Radical Alignment to Personal Ownership of the Great Commission—and a role-based track system to help church leaders implement practical strategies in their ministries.If you're looking for an event that prioritizes collaboration over consumption, don’t miss this year’s Intentional Churches Conference! Join us April 29-30! Register now at intentionalchurchesconference.com.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches  Chapters:00:00 The Unconference: A New Kind of Church Leadership Gathering01:35 What is IC Becoming? A Collaborative Movement04:00 Highlights from Last Year’s Conference06:24 What Makes This Conference Different?08:51 Practical Ways This Year’s Conference Will Help Church Leaders11:31 Final Invitation: Join Us in April!

What does it mean to cultivate a “missional mindset?” In this week’s episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Momentum Christian Church’s Sheryl Riggins sits down with Erin and Doug to share her personal journey of moving from a traditional church background to a mission-driven approach to faith.During their conversation, Sheryl opens up about her early years as a preacher’s kid, her career at Coca-Cola, and her unexpected path to leadership at Momentum. She also dives into how Momentum is making shifts to prioritize relational evangelism, from practical preaching series to encouraging personal connections in everyday life.This episode is full of insights for church leaders looking to mobilize their people, as well as for anyone hoping to make their faith more outward-focused. Listen in to hear Sheryl’s inspiring story and learn how you, too, can be more intentional in reaching the ones close to you but far from God.Don’t forget to reserve your spot for the Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches  CHAPTERS:00:00 Welcome and Introduction01:29 Sheryl’s Background and Journey to Momentum04:46 Sheryl’s Musical Career and Time in Divine08:31 Career at Coca-Cola and Ministry Priorities15:26 Activator Training and a Shift in Mindset21:46 The Role of Scripture in Mobilizing Believers32:47 Living with Intentionality for the Ones37:20 How Momentum is Raising Awareness for the Great Commission41:30 Final Thoughts and Closing

How can churches move beyond an internal focus to reach their cities with the Gospel? Mark Ashton—lead minister at Christ Community Church in Omaha, NE—joins Erin and Doug on this week’s episode of The Intentional Churches podcast, sharing how his church—and a network of 60 churches in Omaha—is making relational evangelism a top priority.During their conversation, Mark introduces the concept of the "fat fringe"—individuals who self-identify as Christians but lack a genuine faith in Jesus. He explains how to train leaders to engage these individuals in relational evangelism. Mark also walks us through how the Within Reach network was formed, bringing churches together to share best practices, plant churches, and support citywide Gospel efforts.Throughout the episode, Mark offers practical strategies for church leaders, including how to instill a culture of evangelism within staff and congregations, ways to leverage local networks for greater Gospel impact, and how to overcome competition between churches.With powerful stories of the church working together and innovative outreach methods—like counseling centers that integrate faith and psychology—this conversation will challenge and inspire pastors and church leaders to rethink the way they see evangelism! Learn more about Mark and Christ Community Church on their website: https://www.cccomaha.org/. Don’t forget to reserve your spot for The Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches  CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction & Conference Announcement01:10 Meet Mark Ashton: His Ministry & Evangelism Journey04:25 The "Fat Fringe" & Evangelism in Omaha09:01 The Within Reach Network: A Collaboration for the Gospel16:15 Success Stories from Church Collaboration20:37 Mark’s Personal Conviction for Evangelism25:59 Creating a Culture of Evangelism in Church Staff31:33 How Within Reach Stirs Evangelism Across Churches34:50 Practical Evangelism Tactics for Church Leaders40:08 Lessons from Willow Creek’s Evangelism Model43:30 The Future of Evangelism & Final Takeaways

We’re back this week with another powerful conversation, this time with pastor and church planter Lou Pizzichillo of Long Island, NY! Lou and his wife planted Community Church in Long Island back in January of 2020 (ideal timing, as any church leader would know!), and he’s sharing with us the many lessons he’s learned in the five years since. Together Erin and Doug invite Lou to share his unique story of growing up Catholic in Long Island and how he eventually came to plant an evangelical church in his hometown. Along the way Lou learned the power sharing authentic stories can hold, how to navigate being a church for those who don’t go to church, and the challenges (and opportunities!) of having a lot of 1’s without as many 99’s. Towards the end of their conversation, Lou shares his best advice for continuing to disciple those 1’s in a fast-growing church environment, without expecting them to be “perfect” Christians right out of the gate. Especially if you find yourself in a similar context to Lou where going to church is the norm, but not everyone knows what an authentic relationship with Jesus truly looks like, you’re not going to want to miss this episode! Don’t forget to reserve your spot for The Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches  CHAPTERS00:00 Navigating Church Planting Challenges03:01 Cultural Context of Long Island Ministry06:09 The Birth of Community Church09:04 Relational Evangelism and Church Growth11:57 Building a Culture of Authenticity14:55 Harnessing Technology for Community Engagement18:11 The Power of Storytelling in Ministry21:05 Discipleship Challenges in a Growing Church23:58 Strategies for Effective Discipleship26:45 Navigating Growth and Cultural Dynamics30:07 Embracing the Journey of Faith33:05 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Welcome to a new year and a brand new season of The Intentional Churches podcast! We’re switching things up in 2025—shifting from a weekly release schedule to releasing longer, more in-depth conversations with leaders from around the country every other week. We’re so glad to have you along for the ride in Season 7! To kick things off, Erin and Doug are joined by Jim Sheldon, the Executive Pastor of Mission Church in Ventura, CA. Jim helped plant Mission in 2011 along with a team of other ministry leaders, and in that time he’s learned what’s worked (and what hasn’t) in Ventura’s unique community. Together Erin and Doug invite Jim to share his ministry story, plus dive in to what he means by doing more than “ordinary” church, aka activating your people to lead and disciple rather than just preaching more head knowledge from stage. The three also hit on how Jim personally  pursues the ones in his life, his advice for putting together teams that can be the hands and feet of Jesus as soon as there’s a need, and what it looks like to lead through the unexpected. We’re excited to kick off this new season, and new format, of Intentional Churches with you! Thanks for tuning in this week! Don’t forget to reserve your spot for The Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches  CHAPTERS00:00 Understanding the Desire for Depth in Faith10:30 Creating a Culture of Activation20:09 Relational Evangelism: The Power of Personal Connection29:53 Navigating Crisis with Authentic Vulnerability