For many people in rural America, finding an Apostolic church can mean driving hours to find truth. In this special Next Town Podcast episode, Mark Brown shares his burden to reduce the distance it takes for people to encounter the gospel.

Called to South Dakota as a Bible college graduate, Mark recounts the challenges of isolation, bi-vocational ministry, slow growth, and seven years of labor before seeing his first breakthrough. Through perseverance, prayer, and unwavering faith, that first church plant has grown into a thriving network of churches. Along the way, God opened doors for miraculous, debt-free church buildings and continued church planting across the region. New leaders are being developed, equipped, and launched into ministry.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that God often does His greatest work in overlooked places through leaders who are willing to simply say "yes."

In this episode, host Joumeel McLaurine sits down with experienced church planters Nathaniel Burmeister, Travis Worthington, and Devin Akers for an honest conversation about church planting and technology.

From AI and social media to systems, communication, and digital outreach, this discussion explores how modern tools can support the mission of reaching people and planting healthy Apostolic churches.

The conversation is practical, thoughtful, and grounded in real ministry experience. The goal is to steward technology wisely while staying focused on people, purpose, and Pentecostal identity.

Whether you are planting a church, leading a ministry team, or simply trying to navigate the rapidly changing digital world, this episode offers insight, perspective, and a few laughs along the way.

What actually helps a church grow; and what quietly slows it down?

In this episode, Anthony Harper and Jay Jones get real about the systems, structure, and culture behind healthy growth. Not hype. Not guesswork. The kind of things that actually help a church move forward without burning people out or losing its mission.

They talk through:

• The difference between fast growth and healthy growth
• The hidden things that quietly stall momentum
• How the right systems make ministry smoother, not heavier
• Why culture matters more than most leaders think

If you’ve ever felt like things are growing but also getting harder, this conversation will hit home.

Rev. Art Wilson is the founding pastor of The International Church of Metro Detroit and a leader with a truly global ministry. In this episode, Pastor Wilson shares his journey of church planting, building a multicultural congregation, and how God opened unexpected doors, leading to ministry at the United Nations.

This conversation explores the burden to reach people from every nation and culture, the power of vision, and what becomes possible when the church steps beyond its walls. 

This episode, hosted by Scott Armstrong, Joumeel Mclaurine, and Devin Akers, will challenge you to think bigger and reach farther.

Drawing from the Book of Acts and real-life stories from Detroit to Washington, D.C., this episode reframes church planting as the work of the whole church, not just individuals. The panel explores biblical precedent, partnership models, and the dangers of isolation, while addressing common fears around control, recruitment, and trust.

Hosts Darron Sistrunk and Joumeel McLaurine sit down with Jerry West (Pastor of Freedom Church and Metro Missionary to Washington, D.C.), Tim Richmond (Metro Detroit District Superintendent and Metro Missionary), and Scott Sistrunk (Director of North American Missions) to discuss church planting partnerships. 

Join the conversation as Scott Sistrunk and Jerry West unpack the mission, vision, and impact of the Metro Missions program, clearing up misconceptions and sharing firsthand stories of transformation. From the earlier days of Metro missionaries in Detroit, to a more recent church plant in Washington, D.C.; this conversation highlights how missionaries can be sent and supported to metro areas by the whole church.

Scott Armstrong and Darron Sistrunk host this inspiring discussion on the needs, opportunities, and the future of ministry in North America’s metro cities.

Join hosts Kenneth Stewart and Devin Akers as they explore the realities of bi-vocational ministry with guests Nathaniel Burmeister and Travis Worthington. Hear inspiring stories of church planting, practical tips for balancing ministry, work, and family, and strategies to avoid burnout. Discover how boundaries, energy management, and passion can help pastors thrive while serving in multiple roles.

How do you turn interest into identity? Momentum into maturity? Crowds into a church? 

In this episode, Scott Armstrong and Kenneth Stewart sit down with Tim Richmond, Devin Akers, and Joumeel McLaurine for a powerful conversation on the process of transforming a gathering of guests into a thriving, discipled church. If you’re a church planter, pastor, or leader who wants to move beyond attendance spikes and build a solid church family, this episode will give you the language, strategy, and confidence to guide people from showing up to belonging.

Joe and Jessica Giunta share their journey into inner city ministry; from pastoring a great church in Florida, to a thrift store moment, to the heart of Detroit. They unpack the misconceptions of inner city ministry, the power of prayer, and simply loving people. From burn barrels with the homeless to raising kids in the city, this episode is a compelling look at what happens when the church shows up, stays, and partners for real change.

Join us as we talk Redemption, Coaching, Church Planting, Healthy Rhythms, Functional Discipleship and more.