LEAD Pods
Episodes
152 episodes
Why We Gather: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Gathering 2026 (Kelsey Ensz, Drew Pankratz, & Alec Alvarado)
This week Matt sits down with three members of the Gathering planning team, Kelsey Ensz, Drew Pankratz, and Alec Alvarado, for a behind-the-scenes look at what to expect for the USMB national convention this July in Salt Lake City. ...
Why Leadership Development Is So Hard—And What to Do About It (Andy Owen and Kyle Goings)
Andy Owen and Kyle Goings return to LEAD Pods for a timely and energizing conversation about one of the church's most urgent challenges: developing the next generation of leaders before a looming leadership crisis arrives.Andy serves as ...
Loving the Orphan: The Church's Role in the Foster Care Crisis (Amy Jackson-Kincaid)
Amy Jackson-Kincaid joins LEAD Pods for an eye-opening and faith-filled conversation about foster care, the guardian ad litem program, and the vital role churches can play in one of America's most pressing needs.Amy serves as district ad...
Watering Well: Faithful Ministry and Long-Term Growth (Aaron Halvorsen)
Pastor Aaron Halvorsen joins LEAD Pods for a warm and wide-ranging conversation about preaching, pastoral identity, and the often unglamorous but essential work of long-term ministry.Aaron is the lead pastor of Community Bible Church in ...
Immigrant Church Leadership: Faith, Culture, and Generational Change (Endashaw Kelkele)
Pastor Endashaw Kelkele joins LEAD Pods for a wide-ranging conversation about immigrant church leadership, mission, and faith shaped by perseverance.Endashaw is the lead pastor of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church of Denv...
146 | Leading Through Change Without Losing Your People (Jon Annin)
Pastor Jon Annin joins LEAD Pods for a thoughtful conversation about leading change without losing people. Jon is one of the speakers for the USMB Gathering this summer, and this episode offers a window into his heart for ministry, re...
145 | Leveraging AI Without Losing Your Soul (Matt Ehresman)
In this special role-reversal episode of LEAD Pods, host Matt Ehresman steps into the guest seat as he is interviewed by Lacey Scully, the editor of the Christian Leader magazine. Together they explore the fast-moving world of artificial intell...
144 | Deconstruction, Denominations, & Algorithms (Convention Speaker A.J. Swoboda)
Pastor, theologian, and author A.J. Swoboda joins LEAD Pods for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership and formation. A.J. is one of our keynote speakers for the USMB Gathering coming up this July, so this episode gives a sneak peek into ...
143 | Agents of Reconciliation (Jesse Swiers)
This week pastor and denominational leader Jesse Swiers reflects on reconciliation as a foundational Christian practice—and why it is often far more complex and painful than we expect. Drawing from Scripture, Anabaptist theology, and his own li...
142 | Reaching the Spiritually Curious (Mark Matlock)
In this episode, author and Barna senior fellow Mark Matlock unpacks new research on the rapidly growing number of “spiritually curious” Americans. He explains why many assumptions about the unchurched no longer hold, what today’s seekers are a...
141 | Fighting Loneliness: How the Church Can Rebuild Community (Greg Brock)
This week Matt sits down with higher-ed leader Greg Brock for a thoughtful look at why so many Americans are facing significant loneliness. Greg unpacks his research on trust, generosity, and crisis leadership, and shares how simple human pract...
140 | Keeping the Light: Finding Peace this Christmas Season (Stuart Curry)
In this Christmas-themed episode, Matt welcomes Pastor Stuart Curry from Bridgewater, South Dakota, to talk about his new devotional The Keeper of the Light. Stuart shares the heart behind his book—a 25-day journey through Advent desig...
139 | Martin Luther, Anabaptists, & the Legacy of the Reformation (Ryan Loewen & Tony Petersen)
In this special Reformation Day episode, Matt sits down with Tony Petersen, pastor at Mountain View Church in Clovis, and Ryan Loewen, assistant professor of theology at Tabor College, for a deep dive into Martin Luther’s world-changing legacy....
138 | Discipleship Discussions (Jeremy Matlock)
In this episode, we sit down with Pastor Jeremy Matlock from Hillsboro MB Church to talk about something every church cares about but often struggles to define—discipleship. Drawing from years of experience as a missionary, teacher, and pa...
137 | Why We Gather: Looking Ahead to Gathering 2026 (Aaron Box)
Every two years, Mennonite Brethren from across the country come together for a unique family gathering: the USMB National Convention. In this episode, USMB National Director Aaron Box returns to LEAD Pods to share why this event matters and wh...
136 | Telling Stories & Helping People: Meet the New CL Editor (Lacey Scully)
This week Matt sits down with the brand-new editor of the Christian Leader magazine, Lacey Scully. Lacey shares her journey from growing up in a creative, faith-filled family in Kansas to serving overseas in missions and the Peace Corp...
135 | What Makes a Disciple? (Dr. Tim Geddert & Michele Fiester)
Discipleship is at the heart of following Jesus, but what does it actually look like in our everyday lives? In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Tim Geddert along with first-time guest Michele Fiester to explore what it means to both grow as di...
134 | Leading Across Cultures: Global Lessons from MCC (Arthur & Phyllis Mann)
This week we welcome Phyllis and Arthur Mann, longtime MCC leaders currently based in Thailand, who oversee MCC’s work across a wide stretch of Asia. With decades of service experience, the Manns share a unique perspective on global ministry, l...
133 | Our School, Our Leaders: Tabor's New GSM Initiative (Dr. Eric Foster-Whiddon)
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Eric Foster-Whiddon to LEAD Pods to introduce an exciting new initiative from Tabor College: Graduate Studies in Ministry. With a background in both pastoral ministry and academic scholarship, Dr. Foster-Whiddon ...
132 | Faith, Anxiety, and Pursuing Emotional Wellness (Erica Haude)
In this insightful conversation, counselor Erica Haude returns to LEAD Pods to talk about mental health, emotional wellness, and the unique challenges church leaders face. Drawing on her experience as a licensed clinical professional counselor,...
131 | Spiritual Formation for Church Leaders (Galen Wiest)
Spiritual formation is more than a buzzword—it’s the slow, intentional process of becoming more like Jesus. But for many pastors and church leaders, formation often gets pushed aside in the rush of ministry demands. In this episode, we explore ...
130 | One Global Family: Inside the Mennonite World Conference and Anabaptist 500
This year marks two significant milestones worth our attention and our celebration. While we've already spent time reflecting on the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement, 2025 also marks the 100th anniversary of the Mennonite World Conf...
129 | Business, Innovation, & Why the Church Needs Christian Entrepreneurs (President David Janzen)
What does entrepreneurship have to do with the Church? In this episode, we’re joined by President David Janzen of Tabor College to talk about the unique intersection of business, creativity, and calling.President Janzen shares why Christ...
128 | Equipping the Church Worldwide through MLT (Doug Heidebrecht)
How do you train church leaders across dozens of countries and cultures without losing sight of Scripture and mission? In this episode, we talk with Doug Heidebrecht about his work with Missional Leadership Training (MLT), a global program that...
127 | One Church, Four Congregations: Embracing Diversity at Butler Church (Scott Holman)
What does it look like when one church intentionally makes space for multiple languages, cultures, and styles of worship? In this episode, we’re joined by Scott Holman, lead pastor of Butler Church in Fresno, California—a truly multi-congregati...