🎙️ Episode 3: Legacy, Racism, and Politics – with Dr. Tecoy Porter Sr.What happens when a tragedy unfolds one block from your church? Dr. Tecoy Porter Sr., pastor of Genesis Church in Sacramento and a national voice for justice, shares how ministry, legacy, and public leadership collided during some of the most difficult seasons in recent history.In this episode, we talk about pastoring through pain, organizing in times of crisis, and how to navigate the tension between faith, race, and politics without losing your identity—or your call.🔊 Note: Due to a technical issue, a portion of this video includes a still image with captions. However, the full conversation and audio are available in their entirety.🗣️ What You’ll Hear:- Growing up as a third-generation pastor- The legacy of Genesis Church- Founding the MLK Celebration Choir & serving Sacramento- Responding to Stephon Clark’s death in his own neighborhood- Helping plan George Floyd’s memorial- Working with Rev. Al Sharpton and launching the Sacramento NAN chapter- Running for State Assembly- How racism, faith, and politics collide—and how to stay grounded through it all.🔗 Learn more about Dr. Porter: drtecoyporter.com📌 About the Host: Dave NovakDave Novak is a former lead pastor, author, and itinerant speaker.📲 Connect with Dave Novak: @thedavenovak 🌎 DaveNovakMinistries.com🎬 Produced by: Distinguished Creative Co. - Distinguishedcreative.co🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations with pastors!💬 What part of this conversation stood out to you? Drop a comment below!⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast02:00 – Vision and Purpose02:41 – Personal Stories and Experiences04:18 – Community and Relationships19:32 – Challenges in Ministry25:03 – Social Justice and Community Response39:42 – Navigating Politics and Faith57:14 – Final Thoughts and Encouragement—📍 Subscribe for more real conversations with pastors who’ve walked through it.#PastorsGettingPersonal #DrTecoyPorter #ChurchAndJustice #FaithAndPolitics #SacramentoPastors #MinistryBehindTheScenes

In this powerful episode of Pastors Getting Personal, Dave Novak sits down with Pastor Hector Gutierrez, Lead Pastor of Thrive Church in Elk Grove, CA. Together, they explore the realities of church multiplication, the personal pain of going through divorce while leading, and the perseverance required to stay faithful in ministry.

🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Church Multiplication & Growth – How Thrive Church expanded to multiple campuses and what it takes to develop leaders for church expansion.
✅ Going Through Divorce While Leading – Pastor Hector opens up about navigating personal crisis while remaining in ministry.
✅ Perseverance in Ministry – The challenges of leadership, faith, and staying committed through hardship.
✅ The Power of Counseling & Healing – Why pastors need counseling and how to process pain in a healthy way.
✅ A New Season of Ministry & Family – Pastor Hector shares about remarriage, blended family life, and stepping into a renewed vision for the future.

💡 Whether you’re a pastor facing personal struggles, a church leader looking for encouragement, or someone who wants an inside look at real pastoral life, this episode will inspire and encourage you.

Pastor Hector Gutierrez is the Lead Pastor of Thrive Church in Elk Grove, CA, a multi-campus church with locations in Elk Grove and Stockton. With 35+ years of ministry experience, he is passionate about church planting, leadership development, and persevering through personal and ministry challenges.

📲 Connect with Pastor Hector:
📸 Instagram
📘 Facebook
🏠 Thrive Church

Dave Novak is a former lead pastor, author, and itinerant speaker passionate about mentoring pastors and sharing the real struggles of ministry.

📲 Connect with Dave Novak:
🌎 Website

🎬 Produced by:
Distinguished Creative Co.

🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review – If this episode encouraged you, let us know! Your support helps more pastors and leaders discover Pastors Getting Personal.

📌 New episodes release monthly! Follow Pastors Getting Personal for raw, honest conversations about faith, leadership, and ministry.

📌 About Our Guest: Pastor Hector Gutierrez📌 About the Host: Dave Novak

Church Growth & Leadership Struggles: Pastor Jared Ellis Opens Up | Pastors Getting Personal 🎙️

In this first-ever episode of Pastors Getting Personal, host Dave Novak sits down with Pastor Jared Ellis, Lead Pastor of E2 Church in Elk Grove, CA. Together, they have an honest and raw conversation about the challenges of pastoring, leading through struggles, and building a thriving church in today’s culture.

🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ The Weight of Leadership – Why pastoring is harder than it looks and how to stay the course.
✅ Growing a Next-Gen Church – How E2 Church has successfully reached young believers while maintaining biblical truth.
✅ Balancing Ministry & Personal Life – Jared opens up about marriage, infertility, and trusting God through personal struggles.
✅ Leading Through Hardship – The realities of church growth, transition, and navigating ministry struggles.
✅ Authenticity vs. Performance in Ministry – Why pastors feel pressured to "perform" and how to break free from it.

💬 If you’re a pastor, leader, or someone who wants to better understand what pastors go through behind the scenes, this episode is for you.

Jared Ellis is the Lead Pastor of E2 Church in Elk Grove, CA, a thriving next-gen church known for its diverse, passionate, and growing community. With over 19 years of ministry experience, Jared has traveled as an itinerant speaker, served in some of the largest church movements, and now leads a rapidly growing church.

📲 Connect with Jared Ellis:
🌎 Website
📖 Books: Yes, Faith Journey Exponential, How to Become a Prayer Warrior
📸 Instagram | 🎥 YouTube | 🏠 E2 Church

Dave Novak is a former lead pastor, author, and itinerant speaker passionate about mentoring pastors and sharing the real struggles of ministry.

📲 Connect with Dave Novak:
🌎 Website

Distinguished Creative Co.

🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review – If this episode encouraged you, let us know! Your reviews help more pastors and leaders find this podcast.

📌 New episodes release monthly! Follow Pastors Getting Personal for real, raw conversations about faith, leadership, and ministry.

📌 About Our Guest: Pastor Jared Ellis📌 About the Host: Dave Novak🎬 Produced by: