Leading Conversations

Alex Sweng is the pastor of Missio Dei Oakland, an Urban House Church Network in Oakland, CA. If you have been watching the news lately, Oakland is having quite a season. If you were to ask Alex if the news is all true, he would say that it is worse than you think and better than you think. Despite the city's challenges, God is working in the lives of those in need. Alex, a son of Korean immigrants who worked seven days a week for 30 years straight, wasn’t raised in church. He felt interested in reading the Bible in high school and read it through three times before graduating. He became a Christian in college and began working with The Navigators ministry. Ultimately, this work led him into full-time vocation ministry. Be sure to listen to his journey. You will be encouraged.

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Jeff Snodgrass is the Lead Pastor at Unite Church located in Pasadena, CA. He grew up in Southern California, where, at 16, he made a life change and began to follow Jesus. After hitting rock bottom in his junior year, he prayed, “Lord, the life I live is now yours. Do with it as you will.” This is the same prayer that led him into ministry and is the same prayer he continues to pray daily. He has been in full-time ministry since 2006 and has an intense passion for making disciples, maximizing the ability of all around him, and mending racial divides. Listen to his story today, and you will be encouraged.

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Josh was born and raised in Sacramento, California. He worked as a youth pastor in Atwater and Santa Rosa. In 2005, he moved back to Sacramento to pastor Northside Church, a church re-planted from Arcade Church. Like most church plants, bringing it back to a healthy place took work. Through all of that, he developed a partnership with Venture Church Network. He is now on their staff as a Regional Director. Working to develop church leaders and working with church planters. You will be encouraged by his journey and see how God has been faithful to his commitment to serve in ministry.

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Today's conversation is with Al Soto from Shingle Springs, California. You can't say much more about his journey to become a Christian and his call to ministry; it could be a movie script. His life and journey took turns that one might find hard to believe. This is a conversation you won't want to miss and won't want to end. Make sure that you listen to this one, and you will be amazed at how God can work even today.

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It’s just easier to call him Pastor Vlad. Today’s JD has a conversation with Vladimir Kotyakov. He came to the United States at the age of 11. Vladimir has a rich Christian heritage. A grandfather died for his faith in a Russian gulag, and his father and other family members were also pastors in Russia. He is currently serving as pastor at the House of Bread church near Sacramento, California. His journey will inspire you, and you won’t want to miss this conversation.

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Brett and Karla Burner, from Spring Valley, California near San Diego, are from two different backgrounds and countries. They met at a summer camp and have been together ever since. Brett jumped into ministry. Bible studies led to teaching, which led to pastoring. Their journey will encourage you. And if you ever see Swell soda on the menu or in a store, you can thank Brett.

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Jim began his walk with Jesus as a seventh grader in Cookeville, Tennessee, when he walked the aisle during a revival meeting and received Christ as his Savior and Lord. He later answered God’s call to the pastorate between his Junior and Senior years in college. His journey with Jesus has spanned five decades and has taken him across the country three times, serving as a lead pastor in four churches. Looking back on his journey with Jesus, Jim joyfully testifies to God’s amazing grace and faithfulness. You will be encouraged by his story.

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A coach at heart, Steve Clifford lived the “Friday Night Lights” life as a high school football coach in Texas. But it was an invitation to a summer camp that changed his life in high school. There, he committed his life to Christ and didn’t look back. Early work in Young Life eventually led to a two-year volunteer commitment to help a church. That two-year commitment turned into a lifetime spent in ministry. Steve’s journey proves that God will provide what you need to succeed. The churches where he served were healthy, caring, and supportive. Not something that is always the case. That support was needed when he and his wife lost their son at the age of 25. Don’t miss Steve’s story. You will be encouraged.

Sponsorship of this podcast is in part by our ministry partner, Christian Community Credit Union. Find out more at: https://mycccu.com/excel

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If the state of Arizona were a dartboard, the city of Payson would be in the bullseye. It is located near the geographic center of the state. Dr. Aaron Walp, who goes by “Walp” because of serving in law enforcement earlier in life, is J.D.’s guest today. Walp currently serves as the head administrator for a Christian school. Like so many kids, he experienced divorce in his parents’ marriage, and that brought him to a very dark place in his life. He had thoughts of suicide and developed a visceral hate for God. He eventually served as a police officer and detective. His sergeant gave him a tape series to listen to. Because he respected her, he listened to them, and his life was changed. You can call it a call or a stirring, but he started hearing people around him tell him he needed to go into ministry. This led to serving in churches, planting a church, and jumping into Christian education. Walp’s journey is unique; listen today, and you will be encouraged.

Walp’s Website:  http://www.agwalp.com

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If you were thinking about planting a church, the last place you might consider is Flint, Michigan. It just so happens that Steven and Katrina Bentley followed God’s lead and did just that. From their first date at Taco Bell to enjoying grandchildren today, the Bentleys have always sought after what God wanted them to be doing. Even when people around them said they weren't making “smart” choices, they stepped out in faith and were rewarded for obeying God’s purpose for their lives. When you listen to their story, you will be encouraged.

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