Exponential NEXT Podcast

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 130

Series: Church on the Frontier

Description:

The next expression of church may begin around a barber chair, inside a local business, beside a pool table, or anywhere people naturally build trust and share life. Dino Rosato of the Zebulun Initiative and Michael Hewitt of PoolChurch discuss church planting in marketplaces, third spaces, and everyday gathering places. Their stories explore evangelism through presence, proximity, and authentic relationships rather than programs or invitations alone. This conversation challenges church leaders to recognize the missionary potential of places their neighbors already inhabit and to consider how ordinary community can gradually become a meaningful expression of church.

Host:

Tom Planck, Innovation NEXT, Director

Guests:

Dino Rosato – Zebulun Initiative, Founder and CEO

Michael Hewitt – PoolChurch, Founder

Category: Innovation NEXT

Links shared in episode:

Zebulun Initiative

PoolChurch

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 129

Series: Church on the Frontier

Description:

What if new expressions of church could make room for people and communities traditional models have struggled to reach? Rick Bolle of Front Porch Church and Rodrigo Cano of MicroChurch Residency discuss church communities shaped around belonging, participation, accessibility, and decentralized mission. Their work challenges familiar assumptions about where church happens, who gets to contribute, and what qualifies as an expression of church. This conversation explores how leaders can develop new forms without sacrificing theological depth, pastoral care, or relational integrity – and how the Church can become more accessible and reproducible without becoming less faithful.

Host:

Tom Planck, Innovation NEXT, Director

Guests:

Rick Bolle – Front Porch Church, Founding Pastor

Rodrigo Cano – MicroChurch Residency, Director

Category: Innovation NEXT

Links shared in episode:

Front Porch Church

MicroChurch Residency

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 128

Series: Church on the Frontier

Description:

Discipleship was never meant to remain a class, curriculum, or concept. Peyton Jones of Discipology and Patrick Linnell of Grace Bomb are helping ordinary followers of Jesus turn Scripture, kindness, and faithful intention into everyday action. Their work shows what becomes possible when people realize that participating in God’s mission does not require a platform, professional title, or complicated program. This conversation explores simplicity, obedience, relational mission, and the challenge of building a church culture in which discipleship extends far beyond Sunday. The future of disciple-making may depend on ordinary people believing, “I can actually do this.”

Host:

Tom Planck, Innovation NEXT, Director

Guests:

Peyton Jones – Discipology, Founder

Pat Linnell – Grace Bomb, Founder

Category: Innovation NEXT

Links shared in episode:

Discipology

Grace Bomb

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 127

Series: Church on the Frontier

Description:

Technology is not the mission, but it can help remove barriers the Church has tolerated for too long. Aiden Britnell of Kaleo AI and James Donley of OneChurch.io share how digital tools can increase accessibility, strengthen collaboration, and serve Gospel movement. From real-time translation that helps people participate across language barriers to city-wide platforms that connect churches around prayer and mission, these ministries demonstrate how technology can support deeply human and relational ministry. This conversation invites church leaders to view technology not as a replacement for embodied community, but as infrastructure that can help the body of Christ work together more faithfully.

Host:

Tom Planck, Innovation NEXT, Director

Guests:

Aidan Britnell – Kaleo AI, Founder

James Donley – OneChurch.io, Founder

Category: Innovation NEXT

Links shared in episode:

Kaleo AI

OneChurch.io

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 126

Series: Church on the Frontier

Description:

What happens when the Church stops asking the next generation to come to us and begins recognizing where God is already at work among them? Michael Swalley of Break Free Ministries and Austin Rockwell of Kamp Love share how they are cultivating Jesus-centered communities within hip-hop culture and on college campuses. Their stories reveal the power of trusted relationships, culturally rooted leadership, and meeting young people where they already are. This conversation challenges churches to move beyond attracting the next generation and begin equipping young leaders to create missional movements from within their own communities.

Host:

Tom Planck, Innovation NEXT, Director

Guests:

Michael Swalley – Break Free Ministries, Founder and Executive Director

Austin Rockwell – Kamp Love, CEO

Category: Innovation NEXT

Links shared in episode:

Break Free Ministries

Kamp Love

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 125

Series: Church on the Frontier

Description:

Some of the Church’s most important innovation is happening in neighborhoods and congregations that rarely receive the spotlight. Dhati Lewis of MyBLVD and Doug Beutler of Seeds of Change Network discuss contextual discipleship, urban mission, and the untapped potential of smaller churches. Together, they challenge the assumption that multiplication requires a large platform or extensive resources. This conversation explores how churches can move from survival to mission, develop leaders from within their communities, and rediscover a disciple-making identity rooted in the places God has already called them to serve.

Host:

Tom Planck, Innovation NEXT, Director

Guests:

Dhati Lewis – MyBLVD, Founder and President

Doug Beutler – Seeds of Change Network, Founder and CEO

Category: Innovation NEXT

Links shared in episode:

MyBLVD

Seeds of Change Network

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 124

Series: Urban Missions 101: Why America’s Cities Need Missionaries Too

Description:

In this closing episode, Dhati Lewis and Missie Branch reflect on the biggest themes from the series and explore why urban missionaries need intentional investment, coaching, community, and care to thrive for the long haul.

This conversation is part of a collaboration between Exponential NEXT and MyBLVD, working together to equip and encourage leaders serving on mission in cities across the country.

Host:

Dhati Lewis – Urban Missions NEXT, Director

Guest:

Missie Branch – MyBLVD, CEO

Category: Urban Missions NEXT

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 123

Series: Urban Missions 101: Why America’s Cities Need Missionaries Too

Description:

What does contextualization actually mean, and why does it matter in urban missions? Daniel Yang brings theological and cultural insight to the conversation, helping listeners understand how cities shape Gospel ministry today.

This conversation is part of a collaboration between Exponential NEXT and MyBLVD, working together to equip and encourage leaders serving on mission in cities across the country.

Host:

Dhati Lewis – Urban Missions NEXT, Director

Guest:

Daniel Yang – World Relief, National Director of Churches of Welcome

Category: Urban Missions NEXT

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 122

Series: Urban Missions 101: Why America’s Cities Need Missionaries Too

Description:

What does it take to sustain ministry in today’s cities? In this two-part conversation, Dhati Lewis is joined by James Hobson and Pete Contreras to explore the realities of urban mission beyond traditional ministry models. From entrepreneurship, nonprofits, and creative funding strategies to serving across multiple ministry contexts at once, they discuss why many urban leaders are embracing a both/and approach to ministry. These episodes offer a candid look at the challenges, opportunities, and mindset shifts required to build lasting Gospel impact in the city.

This conversation is part of a collaboration between Exponential NEXT and MyBLVD, working together to equip and encourage leaders serving on mission in cities across the country.

Host:

Dhati Lewis – Urban Missions NEXT, Director

Guests:

James Hobson – Hill City Community Church (Lynchburg), Pastor

Pete Contreras – New Vision Church (San Diego), Pastor

Category: Urban Missions NEXT

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 121

Series: Urban Missions 101: Why America’s Cities Need Missionaries Too

Description:

Dhati Lewis and Dale Huntington explore what it means to lead where you live, work, and worship. From neighborhood discipleship to navigating violence, addiction, and broken systems, this episode highlights the depth and complexity of hyperlocal ministry.

This conversation is part of a collaboration between Exponential NEXT and MyBLVD, working together to equip and encourage leaders serving on mission in cities across the country.

Host:

Dhati Lewis – Urban Missions NEXT, Director

Guest:

Dale Huntington – City Life Church (San Diego), Pastor

Category: Urban Missions NEXT