In this special episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, Andrew and Dusty sit down with their long-time pastor and mentor, Rusty Gunn, for an honest conversation about leadership, calling, and transition.

For the past 16 years, Rusty has faithfully led Church That Matters, shaping its culture, guiding its mission, and investing deeply in the lives of those around him. Now, as he prepares to step into a new role as SEND Network’s Church Planting Director for Oklahoma, Rusty reflects on the journey that brought him here and the next season ahead.

Together, we explore what it means to hand off leadership well, the importance of a strong local church presence, and how that ties into a broader vision for church planting and apostolic mission work. Rusty shares candid thoughts on balancing ministry and family, the emotional weight of transition, and the lasting impact of a church that stays rooted while reaching outward.

We close with reflections on church culture, leadership dynamics, and the future of Church That Matters as it continues to grow and evolve.

This conversation is a meaningful look at legacy, leadership, and the ongoing mission of the church.

What happens when the “youth guy” suddenly finds himself stepping into the lead pastor role? On this episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, we sit down with Kyle Henderson from Church That Matters.

Kyle shares the unexpected journey that’s leading him from youth ministry (and whatever else needed doing) to becoming the Lead Pastor this September. We dig into what that shift looks like, the excitement and challenges ahead, and how God sometimes calls you into roles you didn’t even apply for.

This episode is packed with leadership insights, fun stories, and a sneak peek at what’s coming for Church That Matters. Whether you’re in ministry, thinking about leadership transitions, or just here for the Bros banter, this convo with Kyle is one you don’t want to miss.

Some people feel called to be a Lead Pastor. Others get called into the office and find out they already are one.

That was basically Kyle Henderson’s story on this episode of the Bible Belt Bros Christian Comedy Podcast. A longtime youth pastor, volunteer wrangler, and guy-who-fixes-everything, Kyle didn’t so much apply to be the new Lead Pastor at Church That Matters — he kind of tripped into it.

It started like most things in church leadership: casually. A conversation at a staff retreat. Someone asked, “Who do you think would be a good Lead Pastor if something ever happened?”

Kyle threw out a name or two.

Then the Lead Pastor looked him in the eye and said, “What if it’s you?”

Cue awkward laughter. Cue silence. Cue every youth pastor's worst nightmare: responsibility.

Kyle wasn’t gunning for it. He wasn’t dropping hints. But apparently everyone else around him had already seen it. The only person not in the loop… was Kyle.

There’s something beautifully ironic about youth pastors. They’re often treated like they’re in the minors, like their job is some kind of ministry spring training.

But they’re also the ones cleaning up messes, managing chaos, mentoring students, fixing tech, and running services when the real adults are out of town.

Kyle was that guy. He did all the things. The late nights. The camps. The sermons. The leadership development. The emergency plumbing issues.

He wasn’t climbing a ladder. He was just doing what needed to be done.

And then suddenly, someone handed him the ladder and said, "You’re at the top now."

There’s something kind of biblical about this. Moses didn’t want the job. Neither did Jonah. Or Paul. Or honestly, most people God used.

The ones who aren’t chasing the spotlight are usually the ones most ready for it. Not because they have the best ideas, but because they’ve learned how to serve without needing credit.

Kyle didn’t say yes right away. He wrestled with it. Felt the weight of it. Wondered if he could do it.

That’s how you know someone’s probably ready: they’re scared.

Kyle’s years in youth ministry were preparation. Not on purpose. More like spiritual bootcamp with dodgeballs.

He learned to improvise. To build teams. To pray through crises. To disciple students. To host events with zero budget and leftover pizza.

That kind of ministry doesn’t give you a stage. It gives you scars.

But it also gives you a deep sense of how people actually grow — not in the hype, but in the hard stuff.

And when the Lead Pastor seat opened up, Kyle wasn’t the obvious choice because of charisma. He was the right choice because of consistency.

What makes Kyle different is he’s not trying to be a CEO pastor.

He’s not coming in with a 42-page vision plan or rebranding the church overnight. He’s not here to be famous. He’s here to be faithful.

His biggest fear? Not preaching. Not meetings. Not the pressure.

His fear is letting people down. Missing what God is saying. Getting caught up in noise and forgetting why he’s even up there.

Which — let’s be honest — is the most honest thing a pastor can say.

If you’re in ministry, or ever sat under a leader who didn’t want the job but still showed up — this episode hits different.

It’s a reminder that God still promotes people through faithfulness, not self-promotion.

That churches still grow when the guy up front isn’t trying to go viral.

That maybe, just maybe, the best kind of leader is the one who never wanted to be one in the first place.

If you’re out here stacking chairs, running youth lock-ins, and wondering if anyone notices — they do. More importantly, God does.

And when the time’s right, don’t be surprised if He hands you a mic you didn’t ask for.

Just ask Kyle.

Stay connected with Bible Belt Bros Christian Comedy Podcast on our website | https://biblebeltbros.com/

This week on the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, Dusty and Andrew welcome a special guest whose resume includes both pulpits and punchlines — comedian and former preacher Jeremy Alder. From awkward church giveaways to parallel thinking in comedy, this episode blends hilarious storytelling with deep reflections on faith, creativity, and cringe-worthy church culture.

The episode opens with a bang — quite literally — as Jeremy learns about Dusty and Andrew's church events that include shotgun giveaways and bacon-themed men’s ministries. If that sounds wild to you, buckle up. It only gets better (or weirder). The guys dive into their own church experiences, where sermons get recycled like old youth group T-shirts and pastors sometimes unintentionally moonlight as stand-up comics.

Jeremy brings a unique perspective as someone who once preached weekly and now headlines comedy shows. He discusses how difficult it is to write fresh content — whether it’s a sermon or a comedy set — and gives credit to pastors who have to deliver new material week after week. The trio explore the fine line between originality and influence, and how the internet has made it nearly impossible for comics and pastors alike to avoid being accused of plagiarism, even when it’s just parallel thinking.

Throughout the episode, they unpack:

Why sermon recycling is the church’s version of a "greatest hits" tour

How Jeremy’s journey from youth pastor to stand-up comic shaped his voice and storytelling style

Why pastors and comedians both get called out for plagiarism (but only one gets cancelled)

What it means to bring vulnerability and real-life baggage into faith communities — without the fake Sunday morning filter

The awkward overlap between gun culture and church culture, and why Jeremy thinks it doesn’t always align with the gospel (and why that probably won’t go over well in Oklahoma)

From hilarious stories about bombing at casinos to thoughtful discussions about faith, fallibility, and finding your voice, this episode proves that deep conversations don’t have to be boring — and funny people can still love Jesus.

Jeremy also shares details about his new comedy album “Almost a Grown Man”, currently streaming on Spotify, Apple, and everywhere else fine comedy is sold (or streamed for free). If you're tired of church podcasts that feel like lectures or stand-up that lacks soul, this episode hits the sweet spot.

Follow Jeremy and stay up to date on upcoming shows!

https://www.jeremyalder.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jeremy.alder/

https://twitter.com/JeremyAlder

https://www.facebook.com/jeremyaldercomedy/

In this episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, Dusty and Andrew dive into a topic that hits a little too close to home—volunteer burnout in the church. We’re not just talking about the “I need a nap” kind of burnout—we mean the “Why did I say yes to this...again?” kind. 😅

We’ve all seen it (or been it)—that faithful volunteer who’s running slides, leading worship, brewing the coffee, and fixing the WiFi router—all before the pastor finishes his first cup of coffee. But here’s the kicker: sometimes leaders are unintentionally the biggest culprits, calling on the same willing souls again and again—even on their so-called “day off”.

So in true Bible Belt Bros fashion, we tackle this serious subject with a healthy dose of pet peeves, real talk, and plenty of laughs. We challenge pastors and church leaders: Be better shepherds. Don’t just work your sheep to the bone—protect them from themselves and their inability to say no. (Yeah, we went there.)

We also share personal stories, a few confessions, and throw down the gauntlet for churches to take ownership of burnout. Don’t just blame the volunteer for “overcommitting.” Maybe… just maybe… we all need to rethink the system.

🔥 What You’ll Get:

Tips on how leaders can spot burnout before it starts

Why “no” is a holy word

A few pet peeves (because we couldn't resist)

Encouragement for both volunteers and leaders to do ministry in a healthier way

Whether you’re a pastor, a serial volunteer, or someone who’s just here for the funny rants, this one’s for you.

Press play, have a laugh, and let’s make church life better—one “no” at a time.

In this episode of Bible Belt Bros, Andrew and Dusty dive into a conversation that might make you think twice next time you're singing along to your favorite worship song. We’ve all heard people talk about how secular music can be used by the enemy — glorifying sin, stirring up pride, or pulling our focus away from God. But what about Christian music?

Yeah... buckle up.

This week, we talk about how Satan doesn’t just use what’s playing on the radio — sometimes he twists what’s playing at church. After all, he used to be Heaven’s worship leader. If anyone knows how to influence people through music, it’s him.

We break down some of the sneaky ways even well-meaning worship songs can hit wrong — like singing about God's promises when you're fresh off a loss, or trying to “feel” something during worship and wondering if God’s even there when you don’t. Sometimes the timing of a song can bring comfort, and other times... it just stings.

We also hit on:

How vague lyrics can slowly mess with your theology

The pressure to look or feel “spiritual enough” during worship

Why emotions aren’t always the best spiritual compass

And how even good songs can trigger comparison, doubt, or frustration if we’re not careful

This episode isn’t anti-Christian music (we love a good worship jam), but it is a reminder to keep our eyes on the One we're singing to — not just how the music makes us feel.

In this episode of the Bible Belt Bros podcast, Dusty and Andrew discussed the competitive nature of church life and Christian service commitments. They shared personal experiences about their Bible study habits, with Andrew mentioning 388 consecutive weeks on the YouVersion app (2,716 days). The conversation shifted to a recent situation in their church's youth ministry group chat regarding an Elevation Worship concert on a Wednesday night. Dusty described how the discussion evolved into a debate about who was the 'better Christian' based on attendance at church versus the concert. They explored themes of church commitments, financial considerations and the challenges of balancing personal convictions with community expectations. The hosts also discussed how different interpretations of faith and practice can lead to division within church communities, emphasizing the importance of understanding different perspectives while maintaining unity in the Spirit.

On this episode of Bible Belt Bros, Dusty steps in solo as Andrew recovers from illness. He's joined by his workplace colleague Dave for an insightful discussion about navigating the intersection of Christian faith and business success. The two share their perspectives on maintaining spiritual values while building profitable businesses, dive into the complexities of determining self-worth and product value in today's market, and lighten things up with entertaining stories from their marketing adventures at the office. Whether you're an entrepreneur, person of faith, or just enjoy authentic conversation, this episode offers practical wisdom wrapped in genuine workplace camaraderie.

Check out Dave's nice side hustle | Small Town Travel Guide

Dusty and Andrew examine how Sunday School has changed in modern churches, weighing the pros and cons of different approaches they've experienced. This episode covers the transition from traditional Sunday School to contemporary formats, featuring their firsthand stories and observations of what's working and what isn't in church education.

Today, we're diving headfirst into a topic that's bound to stir up some feelings: what happens when a pastor leaves the church?

We're talking all things messy – the emotional fallout, the unexpected drama, and how these situations can tear a congregation apart. Dusty and Andrew share their own experiences, both the good and the bad, and we'll be getting real about how people react when their spiritual leader steps down.

It's easy to think that "I'm the only one dealing with this battle," but honestly, you're not alone. It may not be the exact same issue, but the root is the same. We ALL are fallen. We ALL are in need of a savior. We ALL have a battle. 

So it's time to TESTIFY! In this episode, Brett Mortaruolo shares his story in hopes that you will realize that, no matter the battle, you're not alone.