Next Step Leadership

In this week’s episode of Next Step Leadership, Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds interview Jon Shabaglian. Jon is a recording artist, singer, songwriter, and minister seeking to bring God’s hands and people’s hands together. God continues creating psalmists, Jon believes. He tells his story of international influence, family trauma, musical styles, historical genocide, loving enemies, and the deep calling to guide every nation toward worship. In our limited views of leadership, we need to learn from story tellers and leaders like Jon. He cares. He prays. He trains others. Whatever the role as pastor or leader, remember your history. Remember God’s story in the middle of your narrative. How can you learn from other tribes in worship, in intercession, in teamwork, and in forgiveness? How can you go deeper into a life of intercession? Jon’s honesty helps you answer those questions.

https://www.jonshabaglian.com/
https://www.psalmistmission.org/

Seana Scott continues her conversation with Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell in this episode of Next Step Leadership. She talks about those people who helped her come to know Jesus and also the need for people to mentor her in that spiritual journey. She is now seeking to be there for those needing the right type of spiritual mentors. Through her writing and teaching, Seana encourages her audience to connect with a local church. As audiences learn from her online, she emphasizes the need they each have for relational discipleship. In cultural Christianity, discipleship is missing. She seeks to change that. She hopes all of us can emphasize that better. The example is for those who make disciples to make disciples who will make disciples—the ongoing journey where followers grow and bring others with them. Hear her wisdom. Apply that to your life. Know what Jesus wants you to do. Finish the work. You can make a difference. One disciple at a time.

https://shereadstruth.com/author/seanascott

Tracy and Chris loved their conversation with Seana Scott. They believe you will also. Seana is a biblical teacher and writer. She brings a wonderful perspective on spiritual growth and development. As in most of the first episodes with their guests, Tracy and Chris ask Seana to tell her story. Though she did not grow up in a Christian home, she was always attracted to spiritual issues. Her journey has revealed her a reality beyond her reality, as her curiosity lured her toward God’s love. Now as a follower of Jesus, Seana seeks to refresh the souls of others. You can hear that in her voice and her stories. She values education and community, inviting all of today’s leaders to join her in this journey. Listen to her story. Think about your story and the stories of those you lead.

https://shereadstruth.com/author/seanascott

Tracy and Chris are honored to continue their dialogue with missionary, pastor, and leader Bill Schwartz. As Bill reminds us, there will be distractions in life. But he encourages us to have a life statement reminding us that we should “live to make a difference.” He and his family seek to do that. He invites us all to say yes to that invitation. So, how does Bill and his ministry reach that goal? He builds people and organizations to help people define who they are. If we don’t define ourselves, others will define us. Because of that, evaluate your giftings and your desires, consult with spiritual leaders, and remember that intimacy with God needs to be intentional. It helps to write those things down and focus on who you are. Bill senses the importance of these three things: making disciples, training leaders, and planting churches. Listen in and define success correctly. Allow your definition of success to be obedience to God.

Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds hope you take time to listen to each podcast. But they want to be sure you do not miss their conversations with missionary, pastor, and leader Bill Schwartz. In this episode you will learn from Bill’s life story. His narrative reminds the audience that there can be deep pain in our stories and clouds over our lives. Jesus, however, brings hope in the middle of difficulty. Bill and his family have received God’s hope and they now serve globally to share that hope with multitudes of people. Like Bill, you have a reason to be here. And like Bill, you can make a great difference as you lead through mentoring, consulting wise counsel, and refusing to do life alone. He believes isolation is a dangerous place, but God and others can help us through grief, uncertainty, and living in obedience to our callings. Enjoy his story. Receive God’s invitation for this next chapter of your own story.

In this episode of Next Step Leadership, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell continue their inspiring chat with Sergio Castro. Sergio, his wife and children now live in North Carolina, after years in the nation of Columbia. Sergio displays authentic, humble, caring leadership. Serving now at Living Hope Church, Sergio still helps lead a network of churches he pastors in Columbia. Listen to the influence others have had in his life. Hear his heart for God and people. Welcome the same invitation in your own life Sergio has received in his life. God is taking you right where He wants you to serve. Are you willing to say yes? Are you welcoming His invitation? People are waiting for you. Let Sergio Castro’s story and his wisdom challenge you to notice God’s stepping stones. Do not miss the opportunities. Your gifts are important. They are needed. Do not get so enslaved by the processes that you miss the importance of caring for people.

https://livinghopelenoir.com/media/wc5qkgw/good-soil-abundant-harvest

Chris and Tracy loved their conversation with Sergio Castro. They spent time with Sergio as he moved from the nation of Columbia as a preacher’s kid and attended college at Emmanuel University. Sergio and his wife have served in ministry in Columbia since graduating from Emmanuel, and they now live in North Carolina where Sergio is on staff at Living Hope Church. This episode offers a wonderful example of how dedication, commitment, and faith allow God to help His children become people they never expected to go. “How did I get here?” is a question Sergio often asks. He has learned that it is only through God’s grace. He worked through initial reluctance to pursue ministry, and his obedience and faith have opened many doors. He received God’s challenge to study deeply. As you listen, think of those areas God has gifted you and is calling you. Work through your reluctance. Welcome the right people to walk with you. Study deeply. Learn well. Love people. And believe God will do the impossible.

https://livinghopelenoir.com/media/wc5qkgw/good-soil-abundant-harvest

Chris and Tracy continue their conversation with Pastor David Cooper. As you listen to Pastor Cooper’s decades of wisdom and insight, take notes. His ideas are thoughts needed for today’s leaders. Pastor Cooper loves and lives the values of preaching God’s word, having a deep walk with Jesus, working to reach people for the Kingdom, and guiding the church toward the cross. David has written worship songs and reminds us all that God is a musician. Writing worship songs was therapy to Pastor Cooper during a difficult season. His songs and stories can become therapy to each of us. He hopes to continue drawing nearer to Jesus—and inviting others to go with him. He would rather have Jesus than anything else or anyone else. Lead by letting Jesus be your deep desire.

https://www.pastordavidcooper.com/

In their second conversation with pastor and author Terry A. Smith, Tracy and Chris continue a fascinating dialogue. Pastor Smith offers deep insight from his years of leadership and his creative mind. Smith’s book, The Hospitable Leader, provides practical ways for today’s leaders to set biblical examples in this modern culture. Yes, every pastor and teacher and follower of Jesus needs to read that book. His latest book, The Lord Bless You: A 28-Day Journey to Experience God’s Extravagant Blessings, is another wonderful fit for every believer. We often lead controlled by worry. We often rush ahead to achieve goals while overwhelmed by negatives. As Terry reminds us, God has sent His blessings our way. Let us not forget them. Let us receive them. Listen to the podcast, read Pastor Smith’s books, share his message, be a hospitable leader, and live in the blessings of God.

https://www.terryasmith.com/
Terry's books:
The Lord Bless You - https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Bless-You-Experience-Extravagant/dp/0800762827/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
The Hospitable Leader - https://www.amazon.com/Hospitable-Leader-Create-Environments-Flourish/dp/B07KPPRH8R/ref=sr_1_3?crid=78A3SED3ZM3K&keywords=Terry+A+SMith&qid=1701951609&s=books&sprefix=terry+a+smit%2Cstripbooks%2C250&sr=1-3
Live Ten - https://www.amazon.com/Live-Ten-Jump-Start-Best-Version-ebook/dp/B00C5QA5TI/ref=sr_1_5?crid=78A3SED3ZM3K&keywords=Terry+A+SMith&qid=1701951609&s=books&sprefix=terry+a+smit%2Cstripbooks%2C250&sr=1-5