We're excited to welcome Dr. Steve Pulis to the podcast. Steve grew up at Central and has served the church unbelievably well through both ministry and volunteer capacities that have spanned decades. We're honored to have Steve as our Mobilization Pastor at Central while he also serves a critical full-time role as Vice President of the Hope Education Network at Convoy of Hope. On this episode of the Central Group Leadership Podcast, Anthony, Liz, and Steve discuss the concept of mobilization, and how we as church communities can take actionable steps to live out our faith by serving and reaching people in the areas we work, live, and play. 

Anthony and Liz welcome Pastor Jim Bradford back into the CGLP hot seat to talk about a great season of church life together this fall at Central. Great things are happening with new staff team members, a thriving group life, and an overall feeling of God's presence through effective ministries right now at Central. Thank you to all of our group leaders for continuing to help draw people into deeper relationship in our church family, and a deeper relationship with God!

On today's episode Anthony and Sarah welcome Central's new Groups Director, Liz Wright, to the podcast. Liz may be the guest of honor today, but as we say farewell to Sarah, we say hello to Liz as the new co-host of the Central Group Leadership Podcast. This marks the end of Season 1, but there are great conversations and insightful guests ahead as Season 2 kicks off this fall. Our goal remains to bring you leading voices from across the nation to help enrich your efforts as a group leader here at Central or wherever you may be. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a rating on your favorite podcast platform, then watch for new episodes in the coming weeks!

In today's episode, Anthony and Sarah welcome Cecilia Corbin. Cecilia was born and raised in South Africa where her parents were missionaries for 23 years. She graduated from Evangel University with a BS in Psychology, and is now pursuing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Cecilia brings a practical and insightful angle on how leaders can encourage vulnerability in their small groups.

Pastor Anthony is packing his bags as he prepares to help lead a team from Central on a missions trip to Naples, Italy. Unfortunately, Pastor Sarah is also packing her bags, but for a more permanent departure as she begins her newly married life in Florida in the coming weeks. But before she leaves, she’ll stick around for a few more great conversations, including today’s episode with National Chi Alpha director, E. Scott Martin. Scott has served as the National Senior Director of Chi Alpha since April 2014. Chi Alpha is the largest Pentecostal university student ministry in the world, with presence on nearly 300 university campuses and over 20,000 students involved in the ministry.

On this episode, Anthony assures Sarah she’ll enjoy the first year of marriage. Sarah—ever the optimist—is feeling hopeful for all the rest, as well. 

Somehow they managed to grab 20 minutes of time from one of the busiest people you’ll ever meet, Crystal Martin. Crystal serves as the National Director of the Assemblies of God Network of Women Ministers. In addition to serving with the Network of Women Ministers, Crystal has served with Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, U.S.A. for over 20 years, and presently serves as the director of Chi Alpha Missions, coordinating Chi Alpha’s cross-cultural initiatives including global missions, international student ministry, diversity initiatives, and compassion ministry partnership. 

On this episode of The Central Group Leadership Podcast, love is in the air as Sarah Marsiglio becomes Sarah Holmes, and Anthony reflects on loving Cynthia enough to marry her twice in one week. Also, author of Leading Small Groups That Thrive, Jason Sniff, joins the conversation with 5 insightful shifts that will help you take your group to the next level.

On this episode we learn that Anthony is aging gracefully when he isn't playing softball, Sarah needs a friend, and Jordan Deese loves pickleball. Jordan graduated from Evangel University and worked with church planters across the country through Church Multiplication Network before moving with his wife to Tampa, Florida, to oversee guest experience at Radiant Church. Jordan brings a great perspective to creating natural community through shared passions and minimized barriers.

Spoiler alert from Alex and Angela: he is a "big bald brother man" and she's a "cute little white girl"! Alex and Angela Bryant's family went viral a few years ago with a video they filmed in response to racial tensions following the shooting of multiple Dallas police officers. Since then, the Bryants' ministry has garnered a widespread following for their efforts to bridge the gap between races and generations. Their heart for sharing the unrestrained, undeserved, never-discriminating love of Christ with others is apparent in everything they say, and their thoughts on becoming a "student of others" is so valuable for anyone looking to develop a group ministry. 

It seems Anthony is a little extra on Tuesdays… possibly due to an extremely imbalanced coffee-to-food intake ratio. After some updates on Holy Week—including the exciting return of Walk The Last Week With Jesus—Pastor Anthony and Pastor Sarah have a fantastic conversation with Dr. Donna Washburn. Dr. Washburn offers some extremely practical and expert insight on how to create an atmosphere of consistent comfort and safety within your group. 

Anthony and Sarah learn more about group dynamics and methods of communication from Central's middle school pastor, Casey Wray. Casey brings an extremely relational and practical background to ministry, specifically as it relates to students and communication with others. He is a licensed professional counselor with prior experience as a children's pastor, and is currently the President and CEO of the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch, a highly regarded nonprofit in southwest Missouri which provides support and care to the foster system and at-risk youth.

In this episode, Central pastors Sarah Marsiglio and Anthony Matrone enjoy a fascinating conversation with Alex and Cassie Ferren, planters of Midtown Church in Kansas City. The Ferrens took an interest in microchurches years ago, and have innovated in planting a hybrid church of sorts. Midtown Church meets Sundays, but has launched multiple microchurches that give people opportunities to encounter Christ through highly personal relationships.

Gallup StrengthsFinder asserts that we all have things that come more naturally to us, and when we get people operating in those individual strengths—and as part of a larger team effort—we really get things cooking. In this episode, pastors Anthony Matrone and Sarah Marsiglio sit down for an insightful conversation with the Director of the Center for Student Success at Evangel University, Dr. Jon Spence.  Jon brings a wealth of knowledge and a matching list of accolades, certifications, and extensive training on leadership and personal development, and was an important contributor to the creation of Central's innovative Serve Class.

While attending the University of Minnesota, Jim Bradford was called on to lead a small group of students in a weekly bible study. After initial difficulty and near failure, this small group began to grow. By the time Jim was set to defend his doctoral thesis, he felt increasingly drawn to full-time pastoral ministry. Armed with a bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, a master’s degree and Phd in Aerospace Engineering, Jim bypassed a career at NASA in favor of the opportunity to pursue God’s call on his life into vocational ministry. What started as a small bible study at the University of Minnesota had grown into a full-fledged congregation of young believers. Today, Pastor Jim shares lessons and insight learned from years of leading ministry and fostering community in the local church.

This is the Central Assembly Group Leadership Podcast with Connections Pastor Anthony Matrone and Connections Associate Pastor Sarah Marsiglio. Our mission at Central is to connect people with God, with others, and with their purpose in life. Whether you attend Central or any other church, if you're looking to grow a small group program within your church this podcast is for you. Central has established a small group ministry alongside a long history of more traditional Sunday School classes. We believe both can thrive and serve a critical role in the local church. /// Each episode will feature various experts in ministry, leadership, and discipleship, with hosts Anthony and Sarah digging into the questions you may have as you build opportunities for group ministry. We'd love to hear from you... what topics would you like us to cover? What challenges have you faced in establishing small group ministry? What helpful resources do you think we should know about? We'd love to hear from you at connections@centralassembly.org, and if you enjoy the podcast, leave us a rating and review to help us further the effort toward community and relationship in the local church.