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

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 120

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

Description:

In one of the most personal episodes of the series, Dhati and Angie Lewis open up about the emotional, relational, and spiritual costs of urban ministry and the unexpected gifts that come with it. Together, they reflect on what ministry in the city has cost them, what it has given them, and why healthy support systems are essential for long-term faithfulness. This honest conversation explores calling, sacrifice, enduring, and the deep joys that make the mission worth it.

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:

Angie Lewis – MyBLVD, Missionary Care Director

Category: Urban Missions NEXT

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 119

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

Description:

Why do we often think of missions as something that only happens overseas? In this episode, Dhati Lewis is joined by Missie Branch and Isaac Badaraco to help us rethink America’s cities as strategic mission fields and see urban missionaries through a new lens. Together, they explore the realities of staying rooted in difficult contexts, the calling and sacrifice required for long-term ministry, and the support urban missionaries need to faithfully serve where God has placed them.

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:

Missie Branch – MyBLVD, CEO

Isaac Badaraco – One Life Christian Church (Long Island), Pastor

Category: Urban Missions NEXT

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 118

Series: Candid Conversations About Women and the Church

Description:

In this episode of Candid Conversations About Women and the Church, Andrea Chung shares her inspiring journey into ministry. She reflects on how a gentle prompting from God during a college summer break opened the door to a life of serving others, and how the faithful legacy of her father’s ministry helped shape her calling. Andrea also shares about planting and leading a church in Orange County, California alongside her husband, Will, offering encouragement to those seeking to faithfully follow God’s leading wherever He calls.

Hosts:

Sue Ferguson – Women NEXT, Co-Director

Noemi Chavez – Women NEXT, Co-Director

Guest:

Andrea Chung – Beloved Church, Co-Lead Pastor

Category: Women NEXT

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 117

Series: Candid Conversations About Women and the Church

Description:

In this episode of Candid Conversations About Women and the Church, Missie Branch shares her journey of faithfully walking with Jesus through various seasons of life, ministry, and leadership. From serving in a church plant to running a baking business to leading MyBLVD, Missie reflects on the importance of helping Christ-followers discover and live out their God-given calling. Her story offers wisdom, encouragement, and a compelling vision for serving God’s mission both within the local church and throughout the marketplace.

Hosts:

Sue Ferguson – Women NEXT, Co-Director

Noemi Chavez – Women NEXT, Co-Director

Guest:

Missie Branch – MyBLVD, CEO

Links Shared in Episode:

MyBLVD website

Category: Women NEXT

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 116

Series: Candid Conversations About Women and the Church

Description:

In this episode of Candid Conversations About Women and the Church, Simi John shares her passion for preaching and teaching the Gospel both within the local church and through her professional vocation as a physical therapist. Simi reflects on her journey of immigrating from India, the ways God has shaped her faith and calling, and her deep commitment to faithfully teaching Scripture. She also speaks about her heart to encourage and equip women to embrace their God-given calling, helping elevate the voices and leadership of God’s daughters for the flourishing of the Church and the advancement of the Kingdom.

Hosts:

Sue Ferguson – Women NEXT, Co-Director

Noemi Chavez – Women NEXT, Co-Director

Guest:

Simi John – Speaker/Author

Links Mentioned:

Simi John – Speaker/Author

Category: Women NEXT

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 115

Series: Candid Conversations About Women and the Church

Description:

In this episode of Candid Conversations About Women and the Church, Ashley Weece shares her journey of planting a church alongside her husband while raising a young family. With honesty and grace, she reflects on the joys and challenges of ministry, her passion for serving the Church, and the realities of navigating both affirmation and opposition in her calling. Her story is a powerful testimony of faith, resilience, and faithful obedience to God.

Hosts:

Sue Ferguson – Women NEXT, Co-Director

Noemi Chavez – Women NEXT, Co-Director

Guest:

Ashley Weece – Iron Coast Church, Associate Pastor

Category: Women NEXT

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 114

Series: Candid Conversations About Women and the Church

Description:

In this episode of Candid Conversations About Women and the Church, we are joined by Vanessa Cruz as shares thoughtful insights on the discipleship needs of the next generation. Drawing from her work with Urban Youth Workers Institute, she offers a compelling vision for whole-life discipleship and its transformative impact on young people today. Vanessa highlights the importance of shaping not only the future of the Church, but also investing deeply in the spiritual formation, leadership, and flourishing of the next generation in the present.

Hosts:

Sue Ferguson – Women NEXT, Co-Director

Noemi Chavez – Women NEXT, Co-Director

Guest:

Vanessa Cruz – Urban Youth Workers Institute, Director of Church Leadership

Links Shared in Episode:

Urban Youth Workers Institute

Category: Women NEXT

Exponential NEXT Podcast Bonus Episode

Description:

What if the biggest shifts shaping the future of the Church are already happening…and most leaders are just starting to notice?

In this one-hour conversation, Dave Ferguson, Carey Nieuwhof, and Carrie Williams unpack the 7 Disruptive Church Trends Defining 2026…from the surprising rise of Gen Z faith to the quiet crisis of leadership pipelines, from algorithm-driven discipleship to the looming impact of AI.

This isn’t just a trends conversation, it’s a wake-up call and a window of opportunity.

You’ll explore:

This special bonus podcast episode is both hopeful and sobering…a conversation about renewal, disruption, and what it will take to faithfully lead in a rapidly changing world.

If you care about the future of the Church, this is a conversation you can’t afford to miss.

Hosts:

Dave Ferguson – Exponential CEO, President, and Co-Founder

Carrie Williams – Executive Director of Exponential NEXT

Guest:

Carey Nieuwhof – Best-Selling Author, Speaker, Pastor, and Podcaster

Links Shared in Episode:

2026 Church Trends Report

Exponential National Conferences

West

Central

Women in the Church Survey Report 2025

Category: Exponential NEXT