In this episode of the GrowLeader Podcast, Matt Minor sits down with Pastor Dino Rizzo to explore the heart behind outreach and how simple acts of kindness can lead to lasting spiritual impact. Pastor Dino shares his personal story of coming to faith through a single act of generosity and unpacks how that moment shaped his life and ministry. They dive into the global impact of Serve Day, the importance of creating a culture of serving—not just events—and how to start making a difference with the resources you already have.

Whether you're a church leader, small group member, or someone passionate about community transformation, this conversation will equip and inspire you to see your city with fresh eyes and serve it with intentional love.

All Things GrowLeader:

• Serve Towel: https://c7x14.share.hsforms.com/22VOb_9YLQ1OhL96Uq9M--Q

• Serve Day Website: https://www.serveday.com/

• Servolution Website: https://www.servolution.org/

• Learn More About GrowLeader Partners like Convoy of Hope: https://www.growleader.com/partners

• Join Monthly Mentoring with Pastor Chris: https://www.growleader.com/monthlymentoring

• Access FREE church resources: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

• Develop a Kingdom Builders or Legacy Team: https://www.growleader.com/kbvirtualintensive

• Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyCNQpi3YxaOeQAIdSpbeVw

Follow along on Socials: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growleader/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growleader

In this episode of the GrowLeader Podcast, Pastor Chris Hodges shares insights on his upcoming book Legacy Letters, a collection of life principles framed as heartfelt letters to future generations. The podcast delves into leadership development, the power of corporate prayer, and what growing churches are doing differently in 2025—from prioritizing spiritual transformation over attraction to building authentic community and cultivating culture through purpose-driven systems.

All Things GrowLeader:

• Bulk order Pray First for Young Readers: https://churchsource.com/products/pray-first-for-young-readers-simple-steps-for-talking-and-listening-to-god?variant=41953943748705

• Join Monthly Mentoring with Pastor Chris: https://www.growleader.com/monthlymentoring

• Access FREE church resources: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

• Develop a Kingdom Builders or Legacy Team: https://www.growleader.com/kbvirtualintensive

• Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyCNQpi3YxaOeQAIdSpbeVw

Pastor Chris’s Do More of This and Less of This:

• Assume people are hungry > Assume people are skeptical 

• Feed them – engage their spiritual questions > entertaining them

• Make space for worship, prayer, and spiritual response > Keep services safe and short

• Designed for discipleship and life change > Designed for casual attenders

• Give people what they need > Give people what they want

• Encounter with God > Entertain the crowd

• Have room for the unplanned > Package everything perfectly

• Rely on anointing > Rely on talent

• Focus on spiritual value > Focus on production value

• Cultivate authenticity > Cultivate stage performance

• Prioritize presence, truth and transformation > Prioritize fun and novelty

• Preach and teach the Bible with conviction > Teach principles only

• Being bold (without being weird) > avoiding intensity

• Call people to surrender and commitment > Send them on their way full

• Make it all about Jesus > Make it all about us

Pastor Chris’s 12 Metrics of Discipleship:

• Know God

• Committed your life to Christ and water baptized

• Know how to read the Bible and enjoy it

• Know how to pray and worship and enjoy it

• Find Freedom

• Healthy relationships and in a small group

• Honest about your struggles

• Allowing the work of the Holy Spirit in your life

• Discover Purpose

• Committed to a local church and connecting with the Body of Christ

• Discovered spiritual gifts

• A personal growth plan and growing daily.

• Make a Difference

• Regularly serving God by serving others on the Dream Team

• Sharing your faith

• Faithful in the tithe and generous beyond that

Follow along on Socials: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growleader/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growleader

In this episode of the Grow Leader Podcast, Pastor Chris welcomes health innovator Clint Phillips to discuss the vital link between leadership and personal wellness. Clint shares his journey from a tough upbringing in South Africa to founding healthcare platforms like SecondMD and Medici. Inspired by his daughter’s stroke, Clint built solutions that connect people to top medical experts virtually, emphasizing the importance of early prevention and access to quality care—especially for pastors who often overlook their own health.

Clint offers actionable health advice, including exercise, better sleep, and nutrition, while introducing the Dr. Gabi app, which uses AI to assess health risks through facial scans. He stresses that leaders must care for their bodies as part of their calling, urging listeners to make small, consistent changes now for long-term vitality and impact.

Episode Resources: 

• Medici Website: https://medi.ci/

• Medici Life Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mediciislife/?igsh=eGZwcDhjcjF2enI5

• Dr. Gabi App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dr-gabi/id6483934652

• Dr Gabi 25% off Promo Code: GrowLeader25

• Clint Phillips Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clintongphillips/?igsh=MTBvenM4M2l5bTg4dQ%3D%3D

All Things GrowLeader:

• Learn More and Join the Waitlist for GrowLeader Conference 2025: https://www.growleader.com/conference

• Join Monthly Mentoring with Pastor Chris: https://www.growleader.com/monthlymentoring

• Access FREE church resources: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

• Develop a Kingdom Builders or Legacy Team: https://www.growleader.com/kbvirtualintensive

• Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyCNQpi3YxaOeQAIdSpbeVw

Follow along on Socials: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growleader/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growleader

In this episode of the GrowLeader Podcast, Pastor Chris addresses the challenges of leadership development and discipleship that can happen in churches.

Pastor Chris reveals three key disconnects and shares practical advice for developing leaders through intentional conversations about spiritual life, relationships, and calling. He closes by encouraging pastors to begin by creating small group opportunities where authentic development can flourish.

All Things GrowLeader:

• Learn More and Join the Waitlist for GrowLeader Conference 2025: https://www.growleader.com/conference

• Join Monthly Mentoring with Pastor Chris: https://www.growleader.com/monthlymentoring

• Access FREE church resources: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

• Develop a Kingdom Builders or Legacy Team: https://www.growleader.com/kbvirtualintensive

• Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyCNQpi3YxaOeQAIdSpbeVw

Follow along on Socials:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growleader/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growleader

In this episode of the GrowLeader Podcast, Pastor Chris shares a powerful message from this year’s ARC Conference on the key to security in leadership.

Drawing from 41 years of ministry experience, he unpacks five areas every leader must "die to" and offers practical solutions rooted in his personal journey. Pastor Chris closes with a challenge to "re-up" your commitment—not to just survive, but to surrender. 

. . . .

Episode Resources:

- ARC Website: https://www.arcchurches.com

. . . .

All Things GrowLeader:

- Learn More and Register for GrowLeader Conference 2025: https://www.growleader.com/conference

- Join Monthly Mentoring with Pastor Chris: https://www.growleader.com/monthlymentoring

- Access FREE church resources: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

- Develop a Kingdom Builders or Legacy Team: https://www.growleader.com/kbvirtualintensive

- Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyCNQpi3YxaOeQAIdSpbeVw

. . . .

Follow along on Socials:

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growleader/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growleader

What do you do when life feels like it’s spiraling—and how can that moment become the start of something more significant?

In this episode of the GrowLeader Podcast, Pastor Levi Lusko joins Pastors Chris Hodges and Matt Minor for an honest conversation about leadership, creativity, and the hidden opportunities inside seasons of struggle. They unpack what it looks like to lead through midlife, steward influence well, and embrace the shift from stage to sage.

Levi shares the story behind his new book Blessed Are the Spiraling, including how a panic attack, personal loss, and burnout became a catalyst for deeper clarity and calling. He also talks about writing rhythms, sermon preparation, and the power of intentional systems for capturing and storing content.

Whether you’re recalibrating your pace, mentoring the next generation, or looking for fresh ways to connect with your spouse and team, this episode will help you rediscover purpose in the middle of pressure—and find joy in the journey ahead.

. . . .

Episode Resources:

- Learn More | Levi Lusko: https://levilusko.com/

- Levi’s HC Chapel Message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIba_dMVyRA

- Blessed Are The Spiraling Book: https://www.blessedarethespiraling.com/

- The Marriage Devotional: https://levilusko.com/the-marriage-devotional

. . . .

All things GrowLeader:

- GrowLeader One Days: https://www.growleader.com/onedays

- Join Monthly Mentoring with Pastor Chris: https://www.growleader.com/monthlymentoring

- Access FREE church resources: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

- GrowLeader Roundtables: https://www.growleader.com/roundtables

- Develop a Kingdom Builders or Legacy Team: https://www.growleader.com/kbvirtualintensive

- Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@GrowLeaderTeam

. . . .

Follow along on Socials:

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growleader

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growleader

. . . .

Thank you to our partners!

- Wesleyan Investment Foundation: https://www.wifonline.com/growleader

- OneHope: https://onehope.net/growleader

- StudioC: https://www.thestudioc.org/growleader

What trends are shaping the future of the Church—and how should leaders respond with wisdom and courage?

In this episode of the GrowLeader Podcast, we sit down with Carey Nieuwhof, leadership expert and longtime voice in the church world, to explore some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing pastors today. From a fresh wave of Gen Z revival to the sharp decline in evangelism, Carey shares real-time insights backed by research and frontline conversations with church leaders around the world.

They discuss what it means to lead in a post-Christian culture, how to build momentum with new believers, and why confession might be the unexpected key to engaging the next generation. Carey also reflects on lessons from his own leadership transition and offers practical advice for leaders navigating change.

Whether you’re preparing for Easter, building your team, or rethinking how to reach people in 2025, this episode will help you lead with clarity, humility, and a renewed sense of purpose.

. . . .

Episode Resources:

- 5 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PKOHKEqhf4

- Learn more from Carey Nieuwhof: https://careynieuwhof.com/

- Carey's Leadership Podcast: https://careynieuwhof.com/mypodcast/

. . . .

All things GrowLeader:

- GrowLeader One Days: https://www.growleader.com/onedays

- Join Monthly Mentoring with Pastor Chris: https://www.growleader.com/monthlymentoring

- Access FREE church resources: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

- GrowLeader Roundtables: https://www.growleader.com/roundtables

- Develop a Kingdom Builders or Legacy Team: https://www.growleader.com/kbvirtualintensive

- Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@GrowLeaderTeam

. . . .

Follow along on Socials:

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growleader

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growleader

. . . .

Thank you to our partners!

- Wesleyan Investment Foundation: https://www.wifonline.com/growleader

- OneHope: https://onehope.net/growleader

- StudioC: https://www.thestudioc.org/growleader

What does it look like to lead with clarity, humility, and confidence through a leadership transition?

In this episode of the GrowLeader Podcast, Pastors Chris Hodges and Matt Minor sit down with Pastor Mark Pettus to talk about the heart behind the recent leadership transition at Church of the Highlands. Pastor Mark shares how calling, confirmation, and clarity guided his journey—alongside a deep honor for what came before.

This conversation is packed with practical insights for leaders at every level—whether you’re in a season of transition, preparing for one, or helping others grow into new roles. They unpack how to steward vision, build momentum for what’s next, and navigate leadership change as a team.

Whether you’re leading a church, a business, or a ministry, this episode will help you discern your next step, carry legacy with purpose, and lead with wisdom through seasons of change.

. . . .

Episode Resources:

- Anniversary Sunday Message: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/02-02-2025

. . . .

All things GrowLeader:

- NEW GrowLeader One Days: https://www.growleader.com/onedays

- Join Monthly Mentoring with Pastor Chris: https://www.growleader.com/monthlymentoring

- Access FREE church resources: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

- GrowLeader Roundtables: https://www.growleader.com/roundtables

- Develop a Kingdom Builders or Legacy Team: https://www.growleader.com/kbvirtualintensive

- Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@GrowLeaderTeam

. . . .

Follow along on Socials:

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growleader

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growleader

. . . .

Thank you to our partners!

- Wesleyan Investment Foundation: https://www.wifonline.com/growleader

- OneHope: https://onehope.net/growleader

- StudioC: https://www.thestudioc.org/growleader

What does a healthy church transition look like?

In this episode, Pastor Chris shares the journey of transitioning from Lead Pastor to Founding Pastor at Church of the Highlands. For over two years, Pastors Chris and Mark Pettus, carefully prepared for this moment—ensuring healthy leadership succession, organizational stability, and a clear vision for the future.

This conversation is packed with wisdom, practical takeaways, and behind-the-scenes insights for leaders preparing for their own transitions.

. . . .

Episode Resources:

- Anniversary Sunday Message: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/02-02-2025

. . . .

All things GrowLeader:

- GrowLeader Regional | Miami, FL: https://www.growleader.com/regionals

- NEW GrowLeader One Days: https://www.growleader.com/onedays

- Join Monthly Mentoring with Pastor Chris: https://www.growleader.com/monthlymentoring

- Access FREE church resources: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

- GrowLeader Roundtables: https://www.growleader.com/roundtables

- Develop a Kingdom Builders or Legacy Team: https://www.growleader.com/kbvirtualintensive

- Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@GrowLeaderTeam

. . . .

Follow along on Socials:

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growleader

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growleader

. . . .

Thank you to our partners!

- Wesleyan Investment Foundation: https://www.wifonline.com/growleader

- OneHope: https://onehope.net/growleader

- StudioC: https://www.thestudioc.org/growleader

How can you turn your ideas into a book?

In this episode of the GrowLeader Podcast, Pastors Chris Hodges and Matt Minor sit down with Dudley Delffs, a bestselling author, editor, and publishing expert, to discuss the process of writing, publishing, and using books as tools for leadership and ministry. Many leaders feel called to write but don’t know where to start—this conversation breaks down the step-by-step journey from idea to published book.

From structuring your message and finding your writing rhythm to deciding between traditional publishing and self-publishing, we cover the key elements every aspiring author needs to know. We also explore how to refine your ideas, work with editors, and use books to disciple and equip others beyond your immediate reach.

Whether you’re a pastor, business leader, or creative, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world advice to help you write with clarity and purpose. 

. . . .

Episode Resources:

- Learn More | Dudley Delffs: https://www.dudleydelffs.com/

- PC's Books: https://www.growleader.com/resources

- NEW GrowLeader One Days: https://www.growleader.com/onedays All things GrowLeader:

- GrowLeader Regional | Miami, FL: https://www.growleader.com/regionals

- NEW GrowLeader One Days: https://www.growleader.com/onedays

- Join Monthly Mentoring with Pastor Chris: https://www.growleader.com/monthlymentoring

- Access FREE church resources: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

- GrowLeader Roundtables: https://www.growleader.com/roundtables

- Develop a Kingdom Builders or Legacy Team: https://www.growleader.com/kbvirtualintensive

- Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@GrowLeaderTeam

. . . .

Follow along on Socials:

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growleader

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growleader

. . . .

Thank you to our partners!

- Wesleyan Investment Foundation: https://www.wifonline.com/growleader

- OneHope: https://onehope.net/growleader

- StudioC: https://www.thestudioc.org/growleader