In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, host Greg Nettle, President of Stadia Church Planting, welcomes long-time friend Andy Sikora, planter and lead pastor of Renew Communities in Cleveland. Fresh off a two-week Patagonia trek, Andy reflects on 15 years of church planting and the lessons learned along the way.

Andy shares how he and his wife moved to Cleveland after serving in young adult ministry, eventually launching Renew in 2011. He discusses the critical role of perseverance, the importance of planting with people rather than alone, and the conviction that God must truly call you to the work. He illustrates these principles with stories of sending out new planters—like CrossFields Church and Burning River Church—and highlights the collaborative work of the Kingdom Collective, a Cleveland-based partnership that funds and supports multiplication.

Greg and Andy also explore sustaining a healthy marriage while leading a church, the power of curiosity for ongoing growth, and why planters should focus less on "sexy" locations and more on God's call to specific people, not just places.

Podcast Contents:

• 00:00 – 02:00 Introduction to Andy Sikora, his role in Cleveland, and Greg & Andy's recent Patagonia trip.
• 02:00 – 06:00 How Andy moved to Cleveland, planted Renew Communities, and what early ministry looked like.
• 06:00 – 10:00 The biggest lessons from 15 years of church planting: perseverance, calling, and doing ministry with others.
• 10:00 – 14:00 Creating a multiplying culture: residents, church planting pipelines, and the Kingdom Collective partnership.
• 14:00 – 18:00 How small churches can still send planters: collaborative funding, shared residencies, and unexpected outreach approaches.
• 18:00 – 23:00 Marriage and ministry: supporting your spouse's identity, staying healthy, and loving the unique calling God gives your family.
• 23:00 – 27:00 Calling to a people rather than a place, and why Cleveland has become home for the Sikora family. Closing thoughts.