In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo Lebrija sits down with the Rev. Chantal McKinney, a dedicated Episcopal priest and church planter with over 20 years of experience in ministry. Recorded on the road in Kansas City, they explore the transformative journey of rediscovering a church's missional call. Chantal shares her insights from successfully planting a bilingual, multicultural church in a low-income neighborhood and how she now coaches congregations across the nation to engage deeply with their communities. Listeners will learn practical steps on how to shift church culture, grow in discipleship, and become truly present in their neighborhoods. This episode emphasizes the importance of being proactive in outreach and the joy that comes from building genuine relationships within the community.

The Rev. Chantal McKinney, D. Min., ACC is a missional coach and consultant, a faith-based entrepreneur, a speaker and a writer. She was the Founder and church planter at Christ’s Beloved Community / Comunidad Amada de Cristo, a bilingual, bi-denominational church in Winston-Salem, NC. Using Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) and community organizing, their new faith community grew a dynamic neighborhood presence that fostered a vibrant and growing church. She then founded Root Thrive Soar, a parachurch organization that works with denominations, dioceses, churches, seminaries, and ecumenical organizations around the country to nurture, train, and support mutual, circular mission and community engagement. She is passionate about envisioning and co-creating a future church that is centered on community, compassion, and Christ. She lives in Winston-Salem, NC with her family. Learn more at rootthrivesoar.com