Want to grow your church with Facebook and Instagram ads? Schedule a discovery call with the ChurchCandy team here:

https://go.churchcandy.com/new-guests

In this episode of the ChurchCandy Podcast, Brady sits down with Michael Whittle, founder of Pulpit AI, to discuss the transformative impact of AI on the church. Michael shares his journey from ministry in a Pentecostal church to entrepreneurship and details how Pulpit AI helps pastors repurpose sermons and create engaging content. 

They also delve into the ethical considerations of AI in pastoral work, the importance of personal connection in ministry, and the future of technological integration in church settings. 

📖 CHAPTERS 

00:00 Welcome to the Church Candy Podcast

01:38 Michael Whittle's Journey to Faith and Ministry

02:57 From Ministry to Entrepreneurship

04:47 The Birth of Pulpit AI

08:33 AI's Role in the Church

13:57 Ethical Considerations and Practical Uses of AI

17:56 AI in Sermon Preparation and Content Creation

27:07 AI in Church Marketing and Follow-Up

28:48 The Role of Christian Entrepreneurs

29:26 Human Connection in Church Engagement

30:27 Personal Touch in Church Outreach

32:17 Leveraging AI for Ministry

36:24 Innovative Church Campaigns

38:40 AI Tools for Ministry

47:05 Pulpit AI and Its Features

51:05 Integration with Subsplash

52:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

👋 Connect with Michael Whittle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelwhittle/

Pulpit AI: https://www.instagram.com/pulpit.ai/

📍 Learn More About ChurchCandy:

Website: https://churchcandy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchcandymarketing?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Get Brady’s book for church planters, Launch Big:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DH1XB7F7/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_XWCVF6K6TNSFRF8HB82D?linkCode=ml1&tag=bradysticker-20

💬 Let us know your thoughts in the comments and share this with fellow church leaders looking to make an impact!

#ChurchGrowth #Leadership #ChurchCandy #PastorLeadership #ChurchMarketing #ChurchPlanting #VisionaryLeadership

Want to grow your church with Facebook and Instagram ads? Schedule a discovery call with the ChurchCandy team here:
https://go.churchcandy.com/new-guests

In this episode of the Church Candy Podcast, host Brady welcomes Pastor Sherman Dumas of Kingdom Culture based in Cedar Hill, Texas, and San Bernardino, California. Pastor Sherman shares his journey of planting and growing Kingdom Culture, the importance of innovation in church ministry, and the impact of digital outreach through Church Candy ads. He discusses the challenges and rewards of running multi-campus churches and emphasizes the key role of personalized follow-up in building lasting connections with new visitors. They also share success stories of transformed lives and the significant impact of digital advertising in reaching and engaging the community.

📖 CHAPTERS
00:00 The Decline of Churches in America
00:44 Introducing Pastor Sherman Dumas
01:10 The Birth of Kingdom Culture
02:11 Expanding to Texas
03:04 Balancing Two Campuses
05:49 The Role of Church Candy
09:32 Success Stories and Impact
21:26 Advice for Church Planters
22:45 Conclusion and Contact Information

👋 Connect with Sherman Dumas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shermandumastv/

📍 Learn More About ChurchCandy:
Website: https://churchcandy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchcandymarketing?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Get Brady’s book for church planters, Launch Big:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DH1XB7F7/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_XWCVF6K6TNSFRF8HB82D?linkCode=ml1&tag=bradysticker-20

💬 Let us know your thoughts in the comments and share this with fellow church leaders looking to make an impact!

#ChurchGrowth #Leadership #ChurchCandy #FreedomChurch #PastorLeadership #ChurchMarketing #ChurchPlanting #VisionaryLeadership

Want to grow your church with Facebook and Instagram ads? Schedule a discovery call with the ChurchCandy team here:

https://go.churchcandy.com/new-guests

In this episode of the ChurchCandy Podcast, Brady sits down with Copper Nelms, co-founder of Four Church Agency and a former church leader who helped rebuild a culture of generosity from the ground up—without a capital campaign. If you're a church planter, pastor, or ministry leader trying to increase giving in a healthy, sustainable way, this episode is for you.

From viral sermons and cultural trends to post-COVID rebuilding, Copper shares practical systems and a deeply spiritual philosophy behind how his church increased giving by over 60% in one year—and 45% per household the next—without ever asking people to "give more."

📖 CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:20 - Discussing Controversial Church Practices

02:54 - Cultural Influence on Preferences

05:13 - Impact of Worship Music

06:35 - Personal Reflection on Preferences

10:27 - Challenges During COVID-19

14:34 - Building Generosity in Churches

30:58 - Understanding the Heart of Giving

31:36 - Addressing Accusations and Building Trust

32:35 - Celebrating Joyful Giving

34:11 - Replanting and Growth Outcomes

45:35 - Practical Steps to Encourage Generosity

54:15 - Consulting and Building a Generous Culture

57:25 - Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

👋 Connect with Copper Nelms & Four Church Agency:

Website: https://forchurch.agency

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coppernelms/

📍 Learn More About ChurchCandy:

Website: https://churchcandy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchcandymarketing?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Get Brady’s book for church planters, Launch Big:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DH1XB7F7/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_XWCVF6K6TNSFRF8HB82D?linkCode=ml1&tag=bradysticker-20

💬 Let us know your thoughts in the comments and share this with fellow church leaders looking to make an impact!

#ChurchGrowth #Leadership #ChurchCandy #FreedomChurch #PastorLeadership #ChurchMarketing #ChurchPlanting #VisionaryLeadership

Want to grow your church with Facebook and Instagram ads? Schedule a discovery call with the ChurchCandy team here:
go.churchcandy.com/new-guests

What happens when God calls you to sell the building and start fresh? In this powerful episode of the ChurchCandy Podcast, Pastor Andy Bernard of Thrive Church (Vacaville, CA) shares how he and his wife launched a church in their 40s, joined a church planting network, and partnered with ChurchCandy to grow 70% in just one year. If you’re a church planter or pastor trying to reach your city, this is a must-watch.

Andy also tells the story of a young single mom who kept seeing their church’s ads and eventually found community, healing, and hope. This episode is full of heart, practical tips, and real results.

👇 CHAPTERS:
00:00 – A guest’s life-changing moment from a Facebook ad
00:40 – Welcoming Andy to the podcast
01:00 – The unexpected start of Thrive Church
02:00 – A bold decision: selling their church building
03:20 – Renting to another church… then handing over the keys
04:20 – Discovering the Thrive Network
05:20 – From 30 people to 270 at launch
06:30 – Defining Thrive: Simple, Fun, Real
07:20 – Church planting in unchurched California
09:00 – Why they chose ChurchCandy
10:20 – Breaking down the ChurchCandy strategy
11:30 – What it’s like working with the team
12:20 – The numbers don’t lie: 70% growth
13:30 – Awareness is everything
14:30 – How the ads are changing lives
16:00 – A powerful testimony from “M”
17:20 – What didn’t work: direct mail & DIY social media
18:30 – Turning visitors into returning guests
20:00 – Follow-up systems that work
22:30 – Groups that build real community
24:10 – Planting in your 40s: what it’s really like
27:00 – Do you only attract people like you?
29:10 – Advice Andy wishes he had 10 years ago
31:00 – Shift your mindset: pray for impact, not just growth
32:30 – The danger of moving too fast
34:20 – Thrive’s approach to culture and outreach
35:00 – How Thrive is serving their local schools
37:00 – Is ChurchCandy worth it?
38:30 – Real numbers: 160 to 300+ in one year
40:00 – Why the church needs to be on social media

📍 Learn More About ChurchCandy:
Website: https://churchcandy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchcandymarketing?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Get Brady’s book for church planters, Launch Big:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DH1XB7F7/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_XWCVF6K6TNSFRF8HB82D?linkCode=ml1&tag=bradysticker-20

🔗 Connect with Brady:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradysticker/

🔗 Connect with Pastor Andy Bernard:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andy.bernard.79/
Website: https://thrivechurchca.com

👍 Like this video if it helped you
📲 Share with a pastor or church planter
🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations with pastors crushing it in ministry

#ChurchCandy #ChurchGrowth #ChurchPlanting #ThriveChurch #Vacaville #DigitalMinistry #PlanYourVisit #ChurchMarketing #FacebookAds #ChurchPodcast #PastorInterview

Want to grow your church with Facebook and Instagram ads? Schedule a discovery call with the ChurchCandy team here:

https://go.churchcandy.com/new-guests

Discover how Freedom Church experienced explosive growth, multiplying 10x in just two years! In this powerful conversation, Pastor [Name] shares the strategies that fueled their growth, the importance of building a strong leadership team, and how partnering with ChurchCandy helped them reach more people than ever before. 🚀 

Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or simply passionate about church growth, you'll gain valuable insights on leadership, the role of visionaries, and the importance of using digital marketing to connect with your community. 🙏

📖 CHAPTERS – ChurchCandy Podcast with Pastor Robert White

0:00 – Launching with 213 People

0:30 – Introducing Pastor Robert White of Freedom Church

1:10 – The Vision Behind Freedom Church

2:00 – Starting in a Difficult Area

2:30 – “You Can Be Saved and Not Free”

3:10 – Church Planting with ARC

4:00 – Launch Struggles and Leadership Development

4:50 – Pivoting During the Pandemic

6:00 – The Prophetic Power of Not Shutting Down the Livestream

7:00 – Rebuilding from 40 Attendees

7:30 – Connecting with ChurchCandy

8:10 – Stretching for Growth with Steven Chandler

9:00 – Implementing the Plan Your Visit Strategy

10:00 – Working with ChurchCandy’s Team

11:00 – Behind-the-Scenes of Ads & Strategy

11:50 – Real Fruit: From 165 to 1300

12:40 – Instagram Ads, Grocery Store Encounters & Salvations

13:30 – From Visitor to Volunteer

14:20 – Creating a Culture of Invitation

15:10 – Systems for Connection & Retention

16:10 – Putting New Guests in the Right Seats

17:00 – Advice to Pastors: Know Who You Are

17:50 – Building the Right Team Around You

19:10 – The Pastor Isn’t the Bottleneck

20:10 – Visionaries, Integrators & Face of the Ministry

21:20 – Big Numbers = Big Impact

22:00 – Baptisms and Salvations as Real Growth

22:50 – Context: Fast-Growing DFW Area

23:30 – Transforming Tarrant County One by One

24:40 – Reflections: What Robert Would Tell His Younger Self

26:00 – Why ChurchCandy Is Worth the Investment

27:00 – BONUS: Ad Clip Segment for Freedom Church

28:10 – Why Visit Freedom Church?

29:00 – What’s Next for Freedom Church

📍 Learn More About ChurchCandy:

Website: https://churchcandy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchcandymarketing?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Get Brady’s book for church planters, Launch Big:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DH1XB7F7/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_XWCVF6K6TNSFRF8HB82D?linkCode=ml1&tag=bradysticker-20

💬 Let us know your thoughts in the comments and share this with fellow church leaders looking to make an impact!

#ChurchGrowth #Leadership #ChurchCandy #FreedomChurch #PastorLeadership #ChurchMarketing #ChurchPlanting #VisionaryLeadership

I'm looking for 30 churches that want to save $500 on their first month of ChurchCandy: https://go.churchcandy.com/march2025

⏳ Learn how to manage your time, energy, and focus as a church leader—straight from a marathon-running pastor and leadership expert, Dr. Landon Galloway.

👉 Book a Discovery Call: https://churchcandy.com
📘 Learn More About Destiny Leadership Institute: https://destinyleadership.com
🎧 Subscribe for more church growth strategies, interviews, and leadership insights!

🎯 In this episode of the ChurchCandy Podcast, Dr. Landon Galloway—campus pastor at Grace Church in Tomball, TX and director of Destiny Leadership Institute—shares a practical and spiritual approach to time management for ministry leaders. This episode was originally recorded as a private team training for ChurchCandy and was too valuable not to share publicly.

Whether you're overwhelmed by weekly sermon prep, juggling church responsibilities, or trying to be present with your family while leading well—this is for you. Learn how to recognize your peak energy zones, say "no" with confidence, and make time for what matters most.

📌 Topics Covered:

• Prioritizing what matters most in ministry
• Managing energy vs. just managing time
• Practical routines for pastors and leaders
• Delegation, margin, and burnout prevention
• Why good time management is spiritual stewardship

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Connect with Brady on Instagram: https://instagram.com/bradysticker

 🎯 Need help getting new families to visit your church? We run Facebook & Instagram invite ads for churches across the country. Let’s talk: https://go.churchcandy.com/new-guests

—

⏱️ Chapters:
 00:00 - Intro: Time Management Matters
 01:00 - Who is Dr. Landon Galloway?
 04:00 - The Crowd vs. the Mission
 10:00 - Spiritual Foundations of Stewarding Time
 20:00 - Energy Zones & Scheduling for Peak Performance
 30:00 - Saying “No” the Right Way
 40:00 - Work-Life Boundaries for Church Leaders
 50:00 - Final Q&A and Encouragement

#TimeManagement #ChurchLeadership #PastorTips #ChurchCandy #LandonGalloway #MinistryLeadership #WorkLifeBalance #FaithAndProductivity

Want to grow your church with Facebook and Instagram ads? Schedule a discovery call with the ChurchCandy team here:
https://go.churchcandy.com/new-guests

In this episode, we’re sitting down with Pastor Josh Koskinen from Story Hill Church to hear the incredible story behind their church plant. From the initial call to plant a church, to navigating the challenges of building a launch team, Pastor Josh shares it all. Plus, find out how their launch day brought 710 people together!

What you'll hear in this episode:
✨ The moment Pastor Josh and his wife felt called to plant a church
☕ The genius behind their "Coffee with the Pastor" strategy
🎉 How they pulled off successful startup parties
🏡 The incredible blessing of a donated church building
🙌 Lives changed — including the story of Colleen’s baptism

If you're curious about church planting, community building, or simply love hearing how God moves through His people, this episode is for you!

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring conversations!

Get Brady’s book for church planters, Launch Big:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DH1XB7F7/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_XWCVF6K6TNSFRF8HB82D?linkCode=ml1&tag=bradysticker-20

#ChurchPlanting #FaithJourney #StoryHillChurch #CommunityBuilding #ChurchStartup #Leadership #MinistryLife #PodcastInterview

Get More New Church Guests from Facebook and Instagram Ads - Schedule a Free Discovery Call: https://go.churchcandy.com/new-guests 

How does one of the fastest-growing churches in the world make new guests feel welcomed and seen? In this episode, I sit down with Larry Brey, associate pastor at Elevation Church, to uncover the guest experience and follow-up strategy that has helped them connect with thousands of new visitors.

We break down the exact steps Elevation takes to ensure first-time guests feel at home and how any church—big or small—can apply these principles to grow and retain their congregation.

📌 In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ The secret to making guests feel valued from the moment they step in
✅ The follow-up process that keeps visitors coming back
✅ How to create a culture of hospitality in your church
✅ Practical tips any church can implement today

If you want to improve guest retention and build a thriving church community, this episode is a must-listen!

Follow Brady on Instagram: https://instagram.com/bradysticker
Follow Larry on Instagram: https://instagram.com/lbrey

Want to grow your church with Facebook and Instagram ads? Schedule a discovery call with the ChurchCandy team here:
go.churchcandy.com/new-guests

Growing your church in 2025 requires a clear strategy. In this episode, Brady Sticker sits down with Alex Suber, ChurchCandy’s Director of Operations, to share what’s working right now to bring in new guests. Whether you’re a church planter or a seasoned pastor, this conversation will give you actionable insights to improve your outreach, digital marketing, and follow-up strategies.

In This Episode:

• The two biggest factors that determine a church’s growth
• Why some churches struggle with digital marketing—and how to fix it
• How to create a follow-up system that increases guest retention
• The biggest mistakes churches make with ads and how to avoid them
• How to use retargeting ads to stay in front of potential visitors

Resources Mentioned:

Want to grow your church with a proven plan? Get the Plan Your Visit Playbook at planyourvisitplaybook.com
Starting a new church? Get the Launch Big book at launchbigbook.com

Connect with Us:

Follow Brady on Instagram: instagram.com/bradysticker
Follow Alex on Instagram: instagram.com/alexsuber

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a pastor or church leader who needs to hear it.

Here's how you can get a free 'Building The Kingdom' hat...
Step 1: Order My New Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/7rW5LuR

Step 2: Fill Out the “Bonuses” form on https://launchbigbook.com, showing you ordered the book. 

Mark Rodriguez pastors LOVE+UNLTD church in Miami, FL. While Miami is in the south, it is far from a "southern church culture", city. In this podcast, Mark shares their unique strategy for planting their church. This podcast is great for any pastor, church leader, or anyone considering planting their own church someday. 
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Chapters:
0:00 It's rude to skip intros
1:55 When God called Mark to plant a church
3:31 Mark's first step in church planting
4:33 Mark's Launch experience
5:22 Homeless Outreach for Interest Parties
12:05 Launch Sunday Promotions
13:53 The truth about mailers
15:07 Church Plant Fundraising
19:09 Church Planting during the pandemic
22:00 How to find a venue for your church plant 
23:13 Every church planter needs to do this
23:58 What would Mark do different
26:48 Church planting with your family
27:50 How their church is getting new guests now
32:29 How to get new church guests to stay
34:40 Advice for new church planters
--

Follow Brady on Instagram: https://instagram.com/bradysticker 
Follow Mark on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markrodriguez