Cultivate - Calvary Chapel Church Planting

Hey everyone, Pastor Brian here, and welcome back to the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast. In today’s episode, I sit down with my good friend Aaron Smith, a church planter with one of the most unique sending stories I’ve ever heard. Aaron was originally sent as a missionary to Mexico—but it was actually a church in Mexico that ended up sending him back to the U.S. to plant a church in Florida. We talk about how the Lord led him and his wife step by step—from the Pacific Northwest to Mexico, and then supernaturally to Port Charlotte, Florida. You’ll hear how God used a pastor’s face, a shoulder injury, a random bookstore conversation, and even a Facebook comment to confirm his calling. This one’s packed with encouragement and practical wisdom for anyone thinking about planting a church or raising up leaders. Let’s dive in.

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In this episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, Brian Kelly talks with Alan Stoddard about his journey from pastoring to planting Imagine Church in Cresson, Texas. They discuss the importance of cross-cultural ministry, church planting partnerships, and how technology, like daily online devotionals, can support discipleship. Alan shares his vision for launching on Easter 2025 and becoming a sending church for future planters.

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Welcome to the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast with Brian Kelly! In this episode, I sit down with two incredible leaders, Daniel Williams and Marlon Brown, to dive into a crucial yet often overlooked topic for church planters: personal devotions and caring for the soul. We discuss the importance of cultivating a daily quiet time with God, how it strengthens your relationship with Him, and why it’s essential for sustaining the demands of ministry. Whether you're planting a church, leading a congregation, or simply seeking to grow spiritually, this conversation will inspire and equip you to prioritize your time with the Lord. Let’s get started!

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In this episode, Brian Kelly sits down with two incredible guests, Ted Leavenworth and Tommy Cota, to dive into the power of fellowship and its transformative role in ministry. Together, they unpack the value of creating cohorts intentional small groups of pastors and church leaders designed to provide encouragement, accountability, and shared wisdom. 

Whether you’re planting a new church, leading an established congregation, or simply looking for ways to build stronger connections in ministry, this conversation will inspire and equip you. Ted and Tommy share practical insights and personal stories that highlight why fellowship isn’t just important—it’s essential for sustaining and growing healthy churches. 

Tune in and be encouraged as we explore how collaboration and community can strengthen leaders and advance the mission of the church. Let’s get started!

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Welcome to the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast I’m Brian Kelly, joined by my co-host Nick Cady. Today, we’re tackling a topic that every church planter will face, but many find challenging: managing money and finances in a church plant. This is one of those areas where wisdom, planning, and stewardship can make or break a ministry's impact. 

We’re thrilled to have Seth Allingham with us for this episode. Seth has extensive experience in church finances and administration, and he’s here to help us navigate the practical and biblical aspects of managing resources in ministry. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re already in the trenches, this episode is packed with insights that will help you steward what God has entrusted to your church. Let’s dive in!

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In this episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, I sat down with my friend and assistant pastor, Josiah Hart, here at West Church in Florida. Josiah and I explored the vital role of an assistant pastor—not just as a support but as an essential partner in ministry. We unpacked how an assistant pastor brings balance, depth, and a unique skill set that lifts both the lead pastor and the congregation. Whether you're starting a church plant or strengthening an established one, you’ll hear insights on teamwork, service, and the countless ways an assistant pastor helps a church flourish.

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Welcome to the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, where we explore practical strategies for growing and launching new churches. Today, host Brian Kelly sits down with Billy Almaguer to dive into the unique process of planting a church in a school building. From navigating logistics to building community partnerships, they'll share key insights and lessons learned from their own experiences. Whether you're just starting out or looking for fresh ideas, this episode will equip you with the tools and inspiration to plant a thriving church in an unconventional space.

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Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast. Today, host Brian Kelly sits down with seasoned pastor Wayne Taylor for a conversation titled, "It's Never Too Late to Plant a Church." Wayne, a key figure in the Jesus Movement, has served faithfully for decades and now embarks on the exciting journey of church planting. Tune in as Pastor Wayne shares his wisdom, experiences, and what’s driving him to step into this new chapter of ministry. Whether you're thinking about planting a church or just curious, this episode is filled with encouragement and insight!

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In this episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, host Brian Kelly sits down with guests Daniel Williams and Billy Almaguer to discuss the crucial role of staying connected with other pastors and churches during the church planting journey. They dive into the benefits of building strong networks, sharing resources, and learning from one another’s experiences to foster growth and resilience. Whether you’re just starting out or years into your church plant, this conversation offers valuable insights to keep you grounded and connected.

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Welcome to the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast with your host, Brian Kelly, and co-host, Jeff Gipe! In this episode, we're thrilled to have Stephan Calhoun, originally from the United States and now working with Hellenic Ministries in Greece, and Dan Vorm from Fellowship Bible Church. They'll be sharing their inspiring journey of church planting in Greece, highlighting some very exciting opportunities. Stephan and Dan have been part of Operation Joshua and have distributed over 1.5 million Bibles to homes across Greece. Join us as we delve into their experiences, challenges, and the incredible potential for growth in this vibrant region. Let's dive in!

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Welcome to the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, where we explore the frontiers of faith and the future of the church. I’m your host, Brian Kelly, joined by my insightful co-host, Daniel Williams. Today, we’re thrilled to have a very special guest, Pastor Zeddie Muzungu from Uganda.

In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of church planting in Uganda. Pastor Zeddie will share his unique experiences, the challenges he’s faced, and the incredible stories of community transformation through the power of the Gospel. So, sit back, relax, and let’s get ready to be inspired by the remarkable journey of faith in Uganda. Welcome, Pastor Zeddie!

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In this episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, host Brian Kelly sits down with Clay Worrell and Rafael Manzanares. They share heartfelt stories about their journeys in church planting and their unique experiences with having unbelievers in their congregations. The discussion dives into the challenges and opportunities that arise when unbelievers come to church, offering insights and practical advice for church planters. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on bridging the gap between faith and skepticism.

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The cultivate church planting podcast is part of CGN Media, a podcast network that points to Christ. Check out cgnmedia.org for more great shows, ways to support the ministry.

Welcome to another episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, hosted by Brian Kelly. Today, we're joined by Daniel Williams and Josh Black, who will share their insights on how to effectively support church planters. From prayer and financial backing to hands-on discipleship and community outreach, this episode covers essential strategies to nurture and grow new congregations.

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The cultivate church planting podcast is part of CGN Media, a podcast network that points to Christ. Check out cgnmedia.org for more great shows, ways to support the ministry.

In this episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, hosts Brian Kelly and Nick Cady interview Tommy Cota about his experience in planting Hope Alive Church. They explore the challenges and rewards of church planting, offering valuable advice for aspiring planters. Tommy shares personal testimonies and highlights God's work in Santa Ana.

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The cultivate church planting podcast is part of CGN Media, a podcast network that points to Christ. Check out cgnmedia.org for more great shows, ways to support the ministry.

Join host Brian Kelly as he sits down with Mike Nolan, a member of the congregation at their recently established church. In this episode, they explore the importance of new churches and discuss what draws people to be part of them. Mike provides valuable insights into what individuals seek in a church congregation. This conversation is particularly enlightening because Mike not only discovered the church plant but also remained committed, experiencing transformative changes in his life through faith.

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Neil Spencer is the pastor of Coastline Calvary Chapel in Gulf Breeze Florida. Neil transitioned into the Lead pastor role taking over for his father John Spencer. Brian Kelly and Nick Cady chat with Neil about what it means to be a good pastor, and how we can identify the right pastor for the job. We also talk about pastoral transition, and Neil shares nuggets of wisdom for church planters and pastors in the ministry.

In this episode of the Cultivate Church Planting podcast, guest pastors Terry Michaels and Kyle Curry talk about the churches they have planted, and give great advice on how to disciple new church planters. Terry has been pastoring for many years, and Kyle is currently pastoring at a new church plant. They talk about things like children’s ministry, going to two services, and more.

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Welcome, Cultivate community! I'm your host, Brian Kelly, and today's episode is a deep dive into the crucial realms of pastoral care and coaching. Joining us are two incredible guests, Ted Leavenworth and Jeff Gipe, bringing their wealth of experience and insights. Together, we explore the transformative power of intentional care in church planting, and the importance of pastoral care and coaching. Get ready for a rich conversation that will inspire and equip you on your journey. Let's dive in, learn, and grow together!

The cultivate church planting podcast is part of CGN Media, a podcast network that points to Christ. Check out cgnmedia.org for more great shows, ways to support the ministry.

Welcome to the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast with your host, Brian Kelly. In today's episode, we're diving into a crucial aspect often overlooked in ministry—friendship. Joining us are two of my friends, Mike Neglia and Clay Worrell. Mike and Clay bring unique perspectives on the transformative power of authentic connections in church leadership and church planting. We believe friendships aren't just important; they're foundational to thriving ministry.

The cultivate church planting podcast is part of CGN Media, a podcast network that points to Christ. Check out cgnmedia.org for more great shows, ways to support the ministry.

Happy new year everyone! Welcome to a new episode and a new season of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast. I’m your host Brian Kelly, and today I am joined by two creatives, Adam Dobbs and Shay Carlucci. Adam and Shay have just launched CGN Music. CGN Music is a collaborative ministry that brings together musicians and worshippers from around the world, dedicated to creating Gospel-centered music that points to Jesus and proclaims him as King.

When planting a church, there are key positions that need to be filled. One of the big ones is the worship leader. On this episode we discuss the importance of creatives in a church plant, and some of the very practical aspects of worship ministry in your church. We had a good time on this one, and I hope you enjoy it!

The cultivate church planting podcast is part of CGN Media, a podcast network that points to Christ. Check out cgnmedia.org for more great shows, ways to support the ministry.

Welcome to another episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast. Today I’m joined by my good friends and ministry partners Jessie and Shannon Quintana. Jessie and Shannon made a one-year commitment to move out to Florida and help us with our church plant. It was incredibly helpful. Shannon was our worship leader, and Jessie helped set up our media systems.

It was great having that help during such a pivotal time in the church plant. In this episode you will hear their story and find out how valuable temporary seasonal help can be when planting a church. Who knows, maybe God wants you to go and help for a season? Let’s jump in.

Sonya Peacocke – Prioritizing People in Pain

Today on the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast I’m joined by my friend Sonya Peacocke. Sonya is a widow with an amazing and heartbreaking story of grief, loss, and God’s redemptive power. Sonya shares about the need to plant churches with a priority of ministering to those who are experiencing grief and loss. I have to say that this is one of the more convicting and powerful episodes that I have recorded, and I know you will be blessed as we discuss the importance of prioritizing people in pain.

The cultivate church planting podcast is part of CGN Media, a podcast network that points to Christ. Check out cgnmedia.org for more great shows, ways to support the ministry.

Carl Dixon – Preparing the Pastor

On this episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast I sit down with Pastor Carl Dixon from Calvary Chapel Sarasota Florida. He is going to share with us some of his secrets to success, and the importance of preparing the pastor for the work of church planting. There is a lot of wisdom here, so if you can get your notebook out, you are going to want to jot some of these things down for sure.

The cultivate church planting podcast is part of CGN Media, a podcast network that points to Christ. Check out cgnmedia.org for more great shows, ways to support the ministry.

Welcome to the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast. I'm your host, Brian Kelly. Today, we're taking a deep dive into what the Cultivate Church Planting program is all about and how it works. Joining me are the other members of the Cultivate leadership team: Ed, Bruce, and Nick. Together, we'll unpack the mission, methods, and impact of the CGN network’s church planting initiative. Stay tuned for an informative discussion.

The cultivate podcast is part of CGNMedia, a podcast network that points to christ. Check out cgnmedia.org for more great shows, ways to support the ministry.

Welcome to the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast. I'm your host, Brian Kelly. Today, we journey to East Africa to explore the growth of church planting in this vibrant region. Joining us are two of my dear friends, Zeddie Muzungu and Dr. Juvintine Emuku, who will share their experiences, challenges, and the inspiring stories of faith taking root in East Africa. We lived in Uganda for ten years so Africa is near and dear to my heart. I’m excited to share this episode with you, so stay tuned for a great conversation.

The cultivate podcast is part of CGNMedia, a podcast network that points to christ. Check out cgnmedia.org for more great shows, ways to support the ministry.

On this episode of the Cultivate church planting podcast, we're talking with Nathan Knight, author of the book Planting by Pastoring. Nathan has planted several churches over the years, and he shares his insights on what it takes to plant a successful church.

We'll discuss the importance of character over charisma, the need for a team, and how to avoid carnal motivation. We'll also talk about the difference between planting a church and starting a business, and how church planters don’t necessarily have to be entrepreneurs. I’m joined by Co host Nick Cady, and today’s episode is a thought provoking one for up-and-coming church planters.

The cultivate podcast is part of CGNMedia, a podcast network that points to christ. Check out cgnmedia.org for more great shows, ways to support the ministry.

Welcome to the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast. Today, I’m talking with Brenda Leavenworth and Krista Fox about women in church planting. Brenda is founder and president of the “When She Leads” ministry and is married to pastor Ted Leavenworth of Reliance Church in Temecula, California. Krista and her family were missionaries in the Amazonian region of Brazil. She and her husband Kyle planted a church there, and Krista leads a ministry dedicated to helping individuals involved in human trafficking.

Today We'll be discussing the contributions that women make to church planting, the challenges that women face in leadership, and how we can better equip women for ministry. We'll also talk about the future of women in the CGN network as we look to plant 1,000 churches.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone who is interested in learning more about the role of women in church planting.

Some of the topics we discuss on today’s episode:

• How Brenda and Krista got started in church planting

• The challenges they've faced as women in church leadership.

• The importance of getting women involved in leadership and ministry.

• How to counsel a woman who is in a church or church planting team where her gifts and talents aren't utilized.

• The vision for women in the CGN network.

• How to avoid the dangers of an overemphasis on women in ministry.

So, whether you're a woman who is interested in church planting, a pastor who wants to get more women involved in leadership, or just someone who is interested in learning more about women in ministry, this episode is for you.

Thanks for listening!

There is a lot of ministry opportunities online, and the world of virtual reality is a virtual treasure trove of potential for preaching the gospel and reaching people for Christ.

Hello and welcome to the Cultivate church planting podcast! I’m your host Brian Kelly and in this episode, I have with me two great guests, who will share their story and experience with virtual reality ministry.

This episode is an interesting one, and I have to be honest with you, when I first heard about VR ministry, I was skeptical. Is there really a need for pastors and missionaries to don their Oculus headsets and venture into these online realms? Are there really people spending time in virtual worlds? Is it worth it for churches to invest time and resources to evangelize, and even church plant, in virtual reality?… what about regular reality?!

Well, what I discovered is that not only are there people online in these VR spaces, but there are dozens of Christian ministries who are seeing people come to Christ and discipled through online interaction. I was blown away to discover that there are over 171 million virtual reality users worldwide, and that virtual reality is a huge mission field for those brave enough to cross this threshold. This kind of ministry may not be for everybody, but I came away from our conversation with a renewed appreciation for evangelical pioneers in this new mission field.

I have two guests here with me for today’s episode. The first is Stuart McPherson who is the VR campus pastor at Lakeland community church in Lake Geneva Wisconsin. Stewart is also the host of the metaverse church podcast - I’ll put a link to his insightful content and conversations in the show notes. My second guest is a great brother in Christ who is attending our church here in Florida. Because of the nature of his work in VR and software security, he asked to remain unnamed, so we just call him “our friend” or “VR Chap” in the episode. This is a good one, and I hope you enjoy!

For those who are considering church planting and wonder what it is like to plant your first church, today’s episode is for you. Or, if you are curious about how to get started planting a church or helping others to plant churches, there are some great tips in this episode. Hello, and welcome to episode 11 of the cultivate church planting podcast. I’m your host Brian Kelly and today Jeff Gipe and I are talking with Kyle Curry about what it’s like being a first-time church planter. Kyle was part of the Cultivate beta program and has very recently planted The Table Fellowship in Murfreesboro TN. He’s right in the thick of it, and has a unique first person perspective about the ups and downs of a new church plant. As a new church planter, Kyle talks candidly with us about things like finding a place to meet for church, what kind of team they have, and how they are able to pay the bills.

Welcome to the Cultivate Church planting podcast. I’m your host Brian Kelly and today we will be talking about Church planting in Mexico. I’m joined today by Mike Vincent who is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Rosarito, a church that he planted over twenty years ago. Also joining us today is Bruce Zachary who is part of the Cultivate leadership team and pastor of Calvary Nexus in Camarillo California.

I’ve known Mike for over twenty years and I’m really excited to share this episode with you. Mike and I were sent out of the same Calvary Chapel ministry twenty one years ago as church planters and missionaries. He went to Mexico and I went to Uganda. Well, I’ve done quite a few different church plants and ministries since then, but Mike has stayed in Mexico and has developed an amazing church planting training course, as well as planted over thirty churches around the country. If you have a heart for planting churches in Mexico, or planting in another country, this is a great episode for you.