Welcome to the first episode of our Portraits series on the Taproot Sessions! Today, Corrina and Dave sit down with Matt Mouzakis—worship leader, songwriter, author, and self-proclaimed theology nerd. 

Matt shares his incredible journey from barely graduating high school and working at Walgreens to earning a Doctorate in Theology and pastoring a local church. We dive deep into the messy, beautiful process of "unraveling" your faith, why the church needs to focus on what we are saved for instead of just what we are saved from, and how the "Eden to Eden" narrative changes everything about how we lead worship. 

Whether you are a worship leader, a songwriter, or simply someone trying to build a theology worthy of Jesus, this conversation will challenge and encourage you. Thank you for supporting us and making these conversations possible!

⏱️ Chapters 

00:00:00 - Intro: Welcome to Taproot Portraits

00:06:20 - Matt’s origin story, meeting Audrey, & early ministry

00:10:49 - The Walgreens Years: Waiting on God's calling

00:16:39 - Taking the leap into full-time church leadership

00:31:33 - The pursuit of a Theology Doctorate

00:42:14 - "Unraveling" vs. Deconstruction: Examining the character of God

00:43:44 - The Mansion Analogy: Rebuilding a faith worthy of Jesus

00:59:49 - The Unvarnished Painting: Embracing the mystery of Christ

01:12:06 - Saved FROM vs. Saved FOR (The Eden to Eden narrative)

01:19:16 - Redefining Worship: Equipping the saints for the work of the people

01:31:53 - The Pearl of Great Price: A profound communion liturgy

📖 Mentioned in this Session

• Principalities, Powers, and Allegiances by Matt Mouzakis: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPXY3VMV

• Expedition 44 Podcast: https://expedition44.com/

🔗 Links & Resources

• Official Website: https://rooted-worship.com 

• Get the Rooted Worship Framework: https://patreon.com/rootedworship

• Scripture Reference: [Psalm 71:17-18] – "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation." 

📱 Connect with Us

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootedworshipcom

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rooted_worship_com/ 

• X (Twitter): https://x.com/rooted_worship

🎧 Other Ways to Watch & Listen

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rooted-worship-com

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taproot-sessions/id1895782275 

• Spotify:

Welcome to the first episode of our Portraits series on the Taproot Sessions! Today, Corrina and Dave sit down with Matt Mouzakis—worship leader, songwriter, author, and self-proclaimed theology nerd. 

Matt shares his incredible journey from barely graduating high school and working at Walgreens to earning a Doctorate in Theology and pastoring a local church. We dive deep into the messy, beautiful process of "unraveling" your faith, why the church needs to focus on what we are saved for instead of just what we are saved from, and how the "Eden to Eden" narrative changes everything about how we lead worship. 

Whether you are a worship leader, a songwriter, or simply someone trying to build a theology worthy of Jesus, this conversation will challenge and encourage you. Thank you for supporting us and making these conversations possible!

⏱️ Chapters 

00:00:00 - Intro: Welcome to Taproot Portraits

00:06:20 - Matt’s origin story, meeting Audrey, & early ministry

00:10:49 - The Walgreens Years: Waiting on God's calling

00:16:39 - Taking the leap into full-time church leadership

00:31:33 - The pursuit of a Theology Doctorate

00:42:14 - "Unraveling" vs. Deconstruction: Examining the character of God

00:43:44 - The Mansion Analogy: Rebuilding a faith worthy of Jesus

00:59:49 - The Unvarnished Painting: Embracing the mystery of Christ

01:12:06 - Saved FROM vs. Saved FOR (The Eden to Eden narrative)

01:19:16 - Redefining Worship: Equipping the saints for the work of the people

01:31:53 - The Pearl of Great Price: A profound communion liturgy

📖 Mentioned in this Session

• Principalities, Powers, and Allegiances by Matt Mouzakis: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPXY3VMV

• Expedition 44 Podcast: https://expedition44.com/

🔗 Links & Resources

• Official Website: https://rooted-worship.com 

• Get the Rooted Worship Framework: https://patreon.com/rootedworship

• Scripture Reference: [Psalm 71:17-18] – "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation." 

📱 Connect with Us

• Email: [email protected]

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootedworshipcom

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rooted_worship_com/ 

• X (Twitter): https://x.com/rooted_worship

🎧 Other Ways to Watch & Listen

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rooted-worship-com

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taproot-sessions/id1895782275 

• Spotify:

Welcome to Taproot Session 9! In this session, hosts Dave Hook and Corrina Jennings sit down with Dave Miller, co-founder of Leadership Pathway.

Together, they dive deep into the systemic challenges facing local church leadership pipelines, the critical shift from transactional internships to transformational residencies, and why soft-skill development matters more than ever. They also address how to mentor Gen Z authentically without falling into the trap of "leadership cloning."

Learn more about Leadership Pathway:
https://leadershippathway.org

Dave Miller's Book, "Who's the Next You?"
https://a.co/d/02VnZMGi

CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction & Next-Gen Leadership Crisis

03:43 - Dave Miller's Vocation Story & The Origin of Leadership Pathway

10:22 - Current Staffing Realities Across the Local Church

14:16 - Why Standard Leadership Pathways Often Fail

19:15 - The 3 Core Ingredients: Education, Spiritual Formation, & Soft Skills

23:04 - Jesus' Relational Approach vs. Modern Programs

24:36 - Internship vs. Residency: What’s the Real Difference?

28:24 - Navigating Generational Gaps & Middle Management Burnout

31:21 - Placing Ownership Back on the Developer

34:26 - "Who's the Next You?" — Planning for Succession

37:29 - Mentorship is Leaving Fingerprints

41:01 - How Leadership Pathway Partners with Local Churches

48:45 - Reaching & Mentoring Gen Z Leaders Authentically

53:16 - Defining and Testing for Coachability

57:30 - Investing in Unique Giftings vs. Leadership Cloning

01:06:05 - Practical Advice for Rising Ministry Leaders

• Who or what has contributed to your personal growth in a life-changing way? In this episode of Taproot Sessions, Dave Hook and Corrina Jennings dive into the "lightning rods" in their lives—the impactful teachers, mentors, and leaders who saw their potential, pushed them past their comfort zones, and sparked their passion for music and ministry. From sixth-grade choir discoveries to life-changing mentors and online community builders, we reflect on how these key figures shaped who we are today. We then turn the lens back toward our churches to ask a vital question: Who is forming the worship leaders we listen to today? Join the conversation as we pull back the lens on what it takes to form, nurture, and lead as a worship leader.
  
  Show Notes

• 00:00 Intro & Setting the Table

• 00:43 The Power of Being Seen: Personal Lightning Rods

• 06:15 Early Mentors & Camps: Discipling Through Relationship

• 12:15 The Main Question: How Are Worship Leaders Formed?

• 13:54 Pouring Into Leaders Organic Mentorship in the Local Church

• 20:12 Worship in Spirit and Truth: Biblical Foundations

• 27:39 Modern Pathways: The Yoda & Luke Mentorship Model

• 33:41 The Cohort Approach: Walking Together in Community

• 38:19 The Trade School Approach: Specialized Training

• 40:33 Mega-Church Colleges vs. The Danger of Inbreeding

• 45:51 University & Music Theory: Becoming a Multilinguist

• 52:29 Building the Kingdom vs. Building Your Castle

• 54:15 Identifying, Affirming, and Pointing: What's Your Next Yes?

--- Links & Resources
- Official Website: https://rooted-worship.com
- Connect with Us: Email / [email protected]
FB / https://www.facebook.com/rootedworshipcom
Insta / https://www.instagram.com/rooted_worship_com/
X / https://x.com/rooted_worship

- Get the Rooted Worship Framework: https://patreon.com/rootedworship
- Scripture Reference: [Psalm 71:17-18] – "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation."

--- Hashtags
#TaprootSessions #RootedWorship #WorshipLeadership #ChurchMinistry #SpiritualFormation #WorshipPastor #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalWorship #Mentorship #NextGenWorship #WorshipPhilosophy

What if the way we plan worship services is forming people—just not the way we think?

In this episode of Taproot Sessions, co-hosts Dave Hook (founder of Rooted Worship Ministries) and Corrina Jennings sit down with Rory Noland—pastor, songwriter, and author of Transforming Worship: Planning and Leading Sunday Services as if Spiritual Formation Mattered. With over 40 years of ministry experience (including his time as Music Director at Willow Creek Community Church) and a doctorate from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, Rory brings deep theological insight and practical pastoral wisdom to our conversation.

Chapter Markers
00:00 – Introduction & Guest Welcome: Rory Noland
02:16 – Willow Creek Nostalgia & Character vs. Talent in Artists
05:49 – The Genesis of Transforming Worship & Defining Spiritual Formation
10:29 – Moving Beyond Formulaic Discipleship
13:50 – Private Disciplines vs. Corporate Worship Formation
18:34 – The Early Church, Lectionaries, & The Narrative of Scripture
23:20 – Is Worship Just a "Warm-Up Act" for the Sermon?
26:12 – Embodied Worship & Shaping Desires (James K.A. Smith)
32:31 – Exclusivity vs. Inclusivity in Corporate Gathering History
37:39 – Re-examining Seeker-Sensitive Worship (1 Corinthians 14)
44:09 – What Young Generations Are Truly Searching For
45:15 – Practical Steps: Rethinking Engagement & Prioritizing Corporate Prayer
51:51 – Rory's Book: Fighting on Our Knees (Praying the Psalms)
54:15 – Closing Thoughts & Wrap-Up

Rory's Books:
The Heart of the Artist: https://a.co/d/05K6Cgfx
Transforming Worship: https://a.co/d/09kYDJKt
Fighting on Our Knees: https://a.co/d/08xc3JpG

Welcome back to Taproot Sessions!

In Session 6, hosts Corrina Jennings and Dave Hook continue their deep-dive conversation with Mitch Harrison, founder of Refill Coaching and author of Running On Full. When ministry stress hits a wall, standard prescriptive advice ("just read more scripture" or "say no more often") usually isn't enough. Mitch introduces a life-changing framework designed to move leaders from a state of internal fatigue and erased filters back into their "True North." Discover the 5 critical rhythms—Rest, Release, Receive, Recreation, and Relationships—and learn how to match the inevitable drains of life with intentional, life-giving replenishment.

Connect with Mitch Harrison
Website: Refill Coaching
Book: Running On Full: Replenishing the Inner Life Through Intentional Rhythms

Show Notes
00:00 – Introduction: Reintroducing Mitch Harrison and Refill Coaching
01:31 – Childhood Memories: Swimming, Weightlifting, and Barry Manilow
04:06 – Moving Beyond Prescriptive Burnout Advice: The "I Just Can't" Moment
05:50 – Embracing Our God-Designed Limitations & The Necessity of Sleep
07:02 – Identifying Your "True North" and Early Warning Signs
11:16 – Internal Fatigue: How Depletion Erases Our Emotional Filters
13:50 – Deciphering Body Signals: Encroachment, Anger, and Capacity
14:49 – The Enemy’s Tactic: Inducing Fatigue and Stalking Church Leaders
16:37 – Organizational Capacity vs. Redemptive Capacity in the Church
17:17 – The Toxic Cycle of Event-to-Event Programming
19:04 – Redefining Work-Life Balance: Balancing Stress vs. Replenishment
20:19 – The Gatorade Bottle Metaphor: Managing the Unplugged Drain
22:40 – Good Stress vs. Bad Stress: The Need for Meaningful Work
24:20 – Visualizing Your Stress: From Heavy Backpacks to Air Traffic Control
26:04 – The Freight Train Analogy: Why Rest Can Feel Uncomfortable
28:55 – Introduction to the 5 Rhythms for Holistic Replenishment
30:11 – Rhythm 1: Rest – Setting Boundaries and Honoring the Sabbath Principle
34:50 – Rhythm 2: Release – Unpacking Heavy Emotional Weight and Burdens
36:35 – Exposing the Yoke We Put on Ourselves vs. The Light Burden of Jesus
41:10 – Rhythm 3: Receive – Continually Reaffirming Your Divine Calling
49:43 – Rhythms 4 & 5: Recreation & Relationships – Finding Fun and People That Are Good 52:41 – Meeting Jesus Beyond the Bible: Cultivating Character Over Talent
57:49 – Outro and Where to Find Rooted Worship

Links & Resources
- Official Website: https://rooted-worship.com
- Connect with Us:
Email / [email protected]
FB / https://www.facebook.com/rootedworshipcom
Insta / https://www.instagram.com/rooted_worship_com/
X / https://x.com/rooted_worship

- Ways to watch Taproots Sessions
Patreon / https://www.patreon.com/collection/2134773
YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/@rooted-worship-com
Apple Podcasts / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taproot-sessions/id1895782275
Spotify / https://open.spotify.com/episode/2xrPGNob5pbjzMmPC3IaGJ?si=VV5q_xUeQKKuo0zTOZNQlQ

- Get the Rooted Worship Framework: https://patreon.com/rootedworship
- Scripture Reference: [Psalm 71:17-18] – "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation."

--- Hashtags #TaprootSessions #RootedWorship #WorshipLeadership #ChurchMinistry #SpiritualFormation #WorshipPastor #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalWorship #Mentorship #NextGenWorship #WorshipPhilosophy

Welcome back to the community space, everyone. In this exclusive session of Taproot Sessions, we are diving deep into a topic that hits incredibly close to home for anyone pouring themselves out for others week after week: the hidden reality of burnout.

We are joined by our lifelong friend, author, and leadership coach Mitch Harrison (Running on Full). Mitch brings over 30 years of high-level executive church leadership to the table to unpack what happens when your inner life runs entirely dry.

This isn't your standard "take a vacation" self-care talk. Mitch, Dave, and Corrina open up a highly vulnerable and raw dialogue about the internal mindsets that push leaders past their boundaries. Mitch shares the painful personal catalyst behind his own hyper-responsibility—including a terrifying moment involving his young son—and exposes how our greatest leadership strengths can easily become our double weaknesses when driven by fear or perfectionism.

What we cover in this exclusive session:

• The Slippery Slope Equation: Why your old youthful strategies fail when responsibilities rise and natural energy dips.

• The Platform Paradox: Why deep emotional lows so often follow your biggest spiritual or professional victories.

• Technical vs. Adaptive Challenges: Why quick fixes, apps, or logistics can never heal a soul that requires slow, organic cultivation.

• The 6 Traps of Over-Serving: Identifying toxic responsibility, chronic improvement, compulsive achievement, hyper-urgency, selective discipline, and under-deserving in your own life.

Resources Mentioned:

• Mitch’s Book: Running on Full (https://a.co/d/0jcUfx5m)

• Connect with the community and discover more resources at root-worship.com

Thank you for partnering with us and supporting the heartbeat of honest, transformative leadership conversations!

00:00 - Introduction: The Empty Space of Leadership
02:10 - Junior High Memories & Unmuting the Past
05:08 - Running into the Wall: Mitch's Personal Entry into Burnout
06:51 - When Rest Stops Working: The Definition of Full Burnout
08:41 - The Six-Month Cycle of Hitting the Wall
12:28 - The Grasping Phase: Escapism and Bad Habits
14:14 - The Dual Reversal: Balancing Responsibility and Energy
16:02 - The Cost of a High Point: Post-Victory Exhaustion
20:25 - The Busyness Lie: Is Burnout a Badge of Honor?
23:24 - Living as the "Panama Canal" for Everyone Else’s Problems
27:59 - Why Healing Cannot Be Rushed or Manufactured
38:39 - Unpacking the Adaptive Challenges: Over-Serving & Perfectionism
44:19 - Poured in Fear: How Strengths Turn Toxic
48:21 - Preparing the Soil for Real Internal Rhythms

Links & Resources - Official Website: https://rooted-worship.com - Connect with Us: Email / [email protected] FB / https://www.facebook.com/rootedworshipcom Insta / https://www.instagram.com/rooted_worship_com/ X / https://x.com/rooted_worship - Ways to watch Taproots Sessions Patreon / https://www.patreon.com/collection/2134773 YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/@rooted-worship-com Apple Podcasts / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taproot-sessions/id1895782275 Spotify / https://open.spotify.com/episode/2xrPGNob5pbjzMmPC3IaGJ?si=VV5q_xUeQKKuo0zTOZNQlQ - Get the Rooted Worship Framework: https://patreon.com/rootedworship - Scripture Reference: [Psalm 71:17-18] – "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation." --- Hashtags #TaprootSessions #RootedWorship #WorshipLeadership #ChurchMinistry #SpiritualFormation #WorshipPastor #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalWorship #Mentorship #NextGenWorship #WorshipPhilosophy

In Session 4, Dave and Corrina are getting real about the "dirty work" of ministry. We all love the idea of Christian community until the reality of people gets messy.

In this episode, we tackle what happens when church community fractures, how leaders get caught in the crossfire of "worship wars," and how to navigate serving in a ministry that doesn't align with your personal philosophy of worship. Dave shares some raw, personal reflections on times he let his own preferences cloud his judgment, and provides a powerful, three-step blueprint for moving toward reconciliation when a team is divided. It all boils down to a hard, Stanley-inspired truth: for reconciliation to take place, someone has to die to their ego. Pull up a chair for a deep, authentic conversation on stepping into the role of a servant, practicing preference for others, and reflecting the beautiful, unified dance (perichoresis) of the Trinity.

🚀 Exclusive Bonus: Don't forget to grab your Philosophy of Worship Worksheet at rooted-worship.com/equip to help guide your personal reflection before digging into your team's dynamics! If you need a sounding board for your specific ministry situation, shoot us an email—we respond to every single one personally.

• 00:00 - Scriptural Foundations: Shifting Focus from Self to Community

• 03:42 - The Symbiotic Energy of Gathering in the Same Room

• 07:18 - Hebrews 10 and the Greek Roots of "Spurring Each Other On"

• 09:31 - Vulnerable Talk: What to Do When You Lose Your Community

• 12:12 - The Anguish of Ministry Leadership & Relational "Divorce" in the Church

• 15:51 - Moving Past Styles: Why True Worship is Deeper Than Music

• 18:51 - Why Every Local Body Must Articulate Their Own Philosophy

• 20:41 - Understanding Perichoresis (The Divine Choreography)

• 22:58 - How to Navigate Disillusionment on a Worship Team

• 25:52 - The Chain of Authority: Seeking to Understand Before Being Understood

• 29:29 - Convictions vs. Preferences: Dave’s Personal Regrets on Moving Too Fast

• 33:45 - To Heal a Broken Team, Someone Has to Die to Themselves

• 35:46 - The Practical "How": The Basin, the Towel, and the Journal

• 39:11 - Unclogging the Spiritual Plumbing: The Heart of Rooted Worship

• 40:55 - Connect with Us One-on-One + Upcoming Guest Teasers
  (Mitch Harrison & Rory Noland)

Welcome to Episode 3 of the Taproot Sessions. We are so incredibly grateful for your continued support in helping us build bridges and cultivate deep roots in worship ministry.

In this session, Corrina and Pastor Dave Hook tackle a massive topic: Building a Worship Philosophy. While we often talk about our theology of worship, a philosophy is how that theology actually hits the pavement in everyday church life.

Everyone has an internal worship philosophy—whether they can articulate it or not. Dave and Corrina introduce our H-O-W (Health, Obstacles, Work) framework to help you evaluate your own heart, unpack the necessity of leadership health, and explore the "three-strand rope" of calling (I was made to, I want to, I must).

Whether you are a paid staff member, a faithful volunteer, or a lay worshiper looking to grow, this episode is a call to examine your soul and get rooted in your true identity.

As part of our community, here are the quick links to your resources and the books mentioned in today's episode:

• Download the Worksheet: rooted-worship.com/wpw

• Dave's Recommended Reading List from the Episode:

• Don't Waste Your Life – John Piper / https://a.co/d/0h8Lwn4A

• Lifemapping – John Trent / https://a.co/d/03o7ThzC

• The Call – Os Guinness / https://a.co/d/05qTWkpe

• Just Do Something – Kevin DeYoung / https://a.co/d/0bfEKOFh

• Experiencing God – Henry Blackaby / https://a.co/d/0bK0I1ES

• Decision Making and the Will of God – Garry Friesen / https://a.co/d/0gniTcHJ

Use these timestamps to jump to specific parts of the conversation:

• 00:00 - Introduction & Welcome to Episode 3

• 00:44 - Dave’s Grand Canyon Story: Vertigo, Wives, & Going Against the Grain

• 02:08 - John Piper, Self-Forgetfulness, & The True Definition of Worship

• 03:17 - The Beautiful Dichotomy: Self-Awareness vs. Self-Denial

• 04:35 - Reclaiming the "Enchantment" and Childlike Wonder of the Gospel

• 05:34 - Defining the Key Word: Philosophy vs. Theology

• 07:37 - Why Everyone Already Has an Unspoken Worship Philosophy

• 08:59 - Bridging the Gap: How Philosophy Shapes Church Ethos and Culture

• 10:35 - The Priority Pitfall: Inverting the Who, What, Why, and How of Worship

• 11:56 - When Values Misalign: The Marriage Metaphor for Church Tension

• 13:22 - Temperament, Covenant Relationships, and Filling the Gaps

• 16:08 - Shepherding Your Own Soul: Transitioning to Personal Philosophy

• 18:50 - The H-O-W Framework: Health, Obstacles, and Work

• 19:56 - H (Health): Leadership Wellness vs. Cistern Living (Jeremiah 2)

• 23:59 - To the Volunteers & Unpaid Leaders: This is for You

• 25:51 - O & W (Obstacles & Work): Traversing Mountains & Spiritual Practices

• 28:46 - Personal Worship vs. Corporate Worship: The Ancient Hebrew Ethos

• 30:41 - The Hot Wheels Illustration: Church as a Spiritual Power Station

• 32:19 - Value Hierarchy: Why People Become Anti-Establishment

• 33:45 - Mapping Your Story & Identifying Core Beliefs

• 36:20 - The Anchor of Calling (Ephesians & 1 Peter 4:10)

• 37:02 - Homework: The Three-Strand Rope of Calling

• 37:40 - Strand 1: I Was Made To (Grace Gifts, Encoding, & Body Affirmation)

• 40:48 - Strand 2: I Want To (Childlike Desires & Delight in the Lord)

• 42:48 - Strand 3: I Must (Statutes, Commandments, & Moses Moments)

• 45:27 - Exploring the 4 Books That Shape This Curriculum

• 48:20 - Why Calling is the One Thing That Keeps Leaders from Quitting

• 51:47 - Wrap-Up, Free Worksheet Download, & Next Steps

💬 Join the Discussion Below! We want to hear from you. Have you ever tried writing down your own personal worship philosophy? Which strand of the calling rope (Made to, Want to, Must) resonates most with where you are at today? Let's chat in the comments!

Links & Resources - Official Website: https://rooted-worship.com - Connect with Us: Email / [email protected] FB / https://www.facebook.com/rootedworshipcom Insta / https://www.instagram.com/rooted_worship_com/ X / https://x.com/rooted_worship - Ways to watch Taproots Sessions Patreon / https://www.patreon.com/collection/2134773 YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/@rooted-worship-com Apple Podcasts / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taproot-sessions/id1895782275 Spotify / https://open.spotify.com/episode/2xrPGNob5pbjzMmPC3IaGJ?si=VV5q_xUeQKKuo0zTOZNQlQ - Get the Rooted Worship Framework: https://patreon.com/rootedworship - Scripture Reference: [Psalm 71:17-18] – "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation." --- Hashtags #TaprootSessions #RootedWorship #WorshipLeadership #ChurchMinistry #SpiritualFormation #WorshipPastor #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalWorship #Mentorship #NextGenWorship #WorshipPhilosophy

Welcome to a special edition of the Taproot Sessions podcast, sponsored by Rooted Worship Ministries! In this episode, host Dave Hook sits down with Pastor Augustin Codreanu from the House of Worship (Casa Închinării) in Bucharest to discuss the upcoming "Romania 2026" ministry trip. Augustin shares his powerful, interwoven story of salvation and ministry calling —from dropping out of school in a crime-ridden town to receiving a supernatural vision of his future pulpit ministry. He also gives an honest, eye-opening look into the current spiritual climate of Romania, the lingering effects of the communist mentality on the church, and the massive need for cultural and denominational unity.

Discover how a new generation is rising up through worship , how God miraculously provided a strategic facility for a future Worship and Bible school , and how you can partner with this vital Kingdom work!

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome to Romania 2026
01:28 - Augustin’s Childhood & Growing Up Eastern Orthodox
03:56 - Encountering the Evangelical Church at Age 5
05:35 - Moving Frequently & Dropping Out of School
07:33 - The Living Room Church & A Life Interrupted
12:12 - The Vision: Choosing Between Death and Christ
15:20 - Running Back to the Small Town Church
17:41 - Boldness to Preach & Steps Into Ministry
21:12 - Meet Alina & The Call to the Nations
22:13 - The Spiritual Climate of Romania: Overcoming Religion
24:54 - The Fight for Unity in the Evangelical Church
27:14 - A New Generation Free From Communist Mentality
29:16 - Casa Închinării: Breaking Cultural Barriers Through Worship
32:40 - The Miracle Building & Vision for a Worship School
36:16 - Financial Hurdles & Kingdom Economics
38:47 - 3 Ways You Can Support House of Worship Romania
41:14 - What's Next: Heading to Romania in June

How You Can Support House of Worship Romania:
1. PRAY: Lift up Pastor Augustin, his wife Alina, and their ministry.
2. COME: Experience what God is doing firsthand in Romania.
3. GIVE: Help support their building rent, utilities, and the vision to purchase the property.
Contact us or the ministry directly for PayPal and church bank account details. If you enjoyed this episode, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more conversations about what matters most when God’s people gather to worship Him.

Links & Resources
- Official Website: https://rooted-worship.com
- Connect with Us:
Email / [email protected]
FB / https://www.facebook.com/rootedworshipcom
Insta / https://www.instagram.com/rooted_worship_com/
X / https://x.com/rooted_worship -

Ways to watch Taproots Sessions Patreon / https://www.patreon.com/collection/2134773 YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/@rooted-worship-com Apple Podcasts / https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taproot-sessions/id1895782275 Spotify / https://open.spotify.com/episode/2xrPGNob5pbjzMmPC3IaGJ?si=VV5q_xUeQKKuo0zTOZNQlQ - Get the Rooted Worship Framework: https://patreon.com/rootedworship - Scripture Reference: [Psalm 71:17-18] – "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation." ---

Hashtags #TaprootSessions #RootedWorship #WorshipLeadership #ChurchMinistry #SpiritualFormation #WorshipPastor #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalWorship #Mentorship #NextGenWorship #WorshipPhilosophy