The CGN Podcast

What does it look like to be the Church in the world today?

In this episode of the CGN Podcast, Daniel Williams sits down with Brad Hall, pastor of One Love Church in Sydney, Australia, and a main session speaker for the 2026 CGN International Ministry Conference. Brad shares his journey from planting churches in Hawaii and Australia to teaching Christian Studies in a local high school, where he engages daily with students wrestling with questions about faith, science, truth, and meaning.

As Brad reflects on this year’s conference theme, For Such a Time as This: The Church in the World, he emphasizes the importance of authenticity. In a culture flooded with competing voices, misinformation, and skepticism, Brad believes the Church has an opportunity to stand out by simply being genuine in its faith, relationships, and witness.

The conversation explores the unique spiritual landscape of Australia, the hunger young people have for answers, and how ordinary conversations can become powerful opportunities for ministry. Brad also offers encouragement for pastors and church leaders who may be feeling weary, reminding them that God remains faithful and that perseverance in ministry is never wasted.

About Brad Hall

Brad Hall began serving in pastoral ministry in 1995 and planted a church in Maui, Hawaii, in 1998, where he served for 12 years. In 2010, Brad and his wife, Christy, moved to Sydney, Australia. After several years serving in local churches, they planted One Love Church in 2017, where Brad continues to serve as lead pastor. Alongside pastoral ministry, he teaches Christian Studies at a local high school, helping students thoughtfully engage questions about faith and life.

Resources & Links

Register for the CGN International Ministry Conference:
conference.calvarychapel.com

In this episode of the CGN Podcast, hosts Daniel Williams and Brian Brodersen sit down with Old Testament scholar Dr. Carmen Joy Imes, who will be speaking at the upcoming CGN International Conference. Carmen shares her journey from aspiring missionary to professor at Biola University, her deep passion for the Old Testament, and why understanding Scripture in its cultural and historical context matters for today’s church. The conversation explores the relevance of Exodus, the mission of the church in today’s world, how leaders can respond to difficult Bible questions, and why the church’s calling is not to seize power but to faithfully embody the character of Jesus in a broken world. 

Register today for the CGN International Ministry Conference at https://conference.calvarychapel.com.

In this episode of the CGN Podcast, hosts Daniel Williams and Brian Brodersen sit down with pastor, author, and conference speaker Heath Hardesty to discuss ministry, church leadership, discipleship, and what it means to faithfully follow Jesus in a fractured world.

Heath shares the story of planting a next-generation ministry in the heart of Silicon Valley, navigating the challenges of merging church communities, and learning patience, humility, and trust through seasons of leadership. He reflects on how God has renewed his love for the ordinary work of pastoring and the joy of shepherding people faithfully.

The conversation explores the growing fragmentation of modern culture and Heath’s vision for the Church to become a compelling witness of integration, beauty, truth, and goodness in a divided world. Drawing from themes in his book All Things Together, Heath encourages believers to embrace apprenticeship to Jesus—not as an optional spiritual extra, but as the very essence of Christian life.

They also discuss the importance of ministry friendships, learning communities, and conferences as places of encouragement and growth, along with Heath’s unique outreach through Inkling’s Coffee & Tea, a church-founded coffee shop designed to cultivate beauty, meaningful conversations, and Gospel presence in the community.

Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or simply seeking encouragement in your walk with Jesus, this conversation offers practical wisdom for staying faithful, slowing down, cultivating wonder, and continuing to trust God in difficult seasons.

In this episode of the CGN Podcast, Daniel Williams and Brian Brodersen sit down with worship leaders Joel and Tiffany Hosler ahead of the 2026 CGN International Conference. Joel and Tiffany share their ministry journey—from music industry beginnings to leading worship together at Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg—and open up about walking through profound seasons of grief, loss, and hardship while holding tightly to Jesus.

Together, they discuss the difference between performance and worship, how suffering deepened their faith, and the ways God uses everyday opportunities in business, ministry, and community to point people toward Him. Brian also shares honestly about navigating the recent loss of his son-in-law and the hope found in Christ amid grief.

This conversation is a reminder that worship is more than music—it is learning to trust Jesus in every season and remembering His faithfulness, even in suffering.

Resources & Links

• Register for the 2026 CGN International Conference: conference.calvarychapel.com
• Learn more about Calvary Chapel Global Network: cgn.org

Connect With Us

Subscribe to the CGN Podcast for conversations on discipleship, ministry, theology, evangelism, and the work God is doing through the global church.

In this episode of the CGN Podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with Dr. Andrew Ollerton to explore what it means for the church to faithfully engage the world in this cultural moment.

Andrew shares his heart for helping people understand the Bible and why clarity in Scripture leads to clarity in life. From his work with Bible Society to collaborating with Bear Grylls, Andrew brings a unique perspective as a “bridge” between academic theology and everyday discipleship.

Together, they discuss the growing global interest in the Bible, the challenges people face when reading it, and why now is a critical moment for the church to step forward with truth, clarity, and confidence.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

• Why “when we make sense of the Bible, the Bible makes sense of us” 
• The story of King Josiah and how rediscovering Scripture leads to real transformation 
• The rise in Bible engagement and spiritual searching, especially among young people
• What a “digital revival” looks like and where people are actually seeking truth today 
• Why the church must stop avoiding hard questions and start addressing them head-on
• The inspiration behind Andrew’s new book tackling the Bible’s toughest topics
• How to engage conversations around science, suffering, miracles, and morality
• Why faith, not expertise, is the most important thing leaders bring to ministry

Resources & Links

• Learn more about the CGN International Ministry Conference
• Register now: conference.calvarychapel.com
• Explore Andrew Ollerton’s latest book God’s Book

Join Us

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Andrew Ollerton in person at the CGN International Ministry Conference, happening June 28–July 1 at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa.

In this episode, hosts Daniel Williams and Brian Brodersen sit down with Gerry Breshears, longtime theology professor at Western Seminary and a pastor to pastors around the world. Gerry shares his heart for equipping leaders, the global work God is doing through the church, and why the message of the Gospel is more needed than ever “for such a time as this.”

From training leaders in some of the most difficult places in the world to encouraging the church to stay focused on its true mission, this conversation is both grounding and inspiring.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Gerry’s lifelong calling to equip pastors and leaders
• How the Gospel transforms identity, heart, power, and mission
• Why distraction is one of the greatest challenges facing the church today
• Encouraging stories of God at work around the world, from Congo to the United States
• The importance of staying faithful and on mission in today’s culture

Key Takeaway:
The church’s mission hasn’t changed. In a world full of distraction and confusion, we are called to stay rooted in the Gospel, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and faithful to the work Jesus has given us.

About Gerry Breshears:
Gerry Breshears is a theology professor at Western Seminary and has been in full-time ministry for over 50 years. Known for his passion to equip leaders, Gerry serves as a pastor to pastors and works globally to train and encourage those on the front lines of ministry.

Join Us at the Conference:
Gerry Breshears will be joining us as a workshop speaker at the CGN International Ministry Conference, happening June 28 – July 1 at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa.

Come be encouraged, connect with others, and hear what God is doing in the church today.

Register now: conference.calvarychapel.com

Subscribe to the podcast to hear more conversations with our conference speakers, and share this episode with someone who would be encouraged by it.

This final episode of Season 6 is the culminating message from this year's CGN International Conference.

This year’s conference was held at Reliance Church in Temecula, CA - and the theme was: “The Way Forward: Ministry According to Jesus” - in which we studied through the’ “Upper-Room Discourse” in John 13-17.

The closing message of the conference was taught by Dr. Ed Stetzer, Dean of Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, Regional Director for Lausanne North America, and Editor in Chief of Outreach Magazine.

Dr. Stetzer has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches - and he has authored several books on the topic of God’s mission and the church today.

The text of Ed’s message is John 17:18 and 20:21 - and the title is: “The Prayer of Jesus: So I Send You”

For the remainder of this season, we are releasing the Main Session messages from this year’s CGN International Conference.

This year’s conference was held at Reliance Church in Temecula, CA - and the theme was: “The Way Forward: Ministry According to Jesus” - in which we studied through the’ “Upper-Room Discourse” in John 13-17.

The eighth message of the conference was taught by Pastor Doug Sauder, Lead Pastor of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale.

Before stepping into his current role, Doug served as an educator and foster parent, and he currently serves as a leading voice in Church United, a movement of churches in South Florida uniting for the sake of God’s mission in that region.

The text of Doug’s message is John 17 - and the title is: “The Prayer of Jesus: That They May Be One”

For the remainder of this season, we are releasing the Main Session messages from this year’s CGN International Conference.

This year’s conference was held at Reliance Church in Temecula, CA - and the theme was: “The Way Forward: Ministry According to Jesus” - in which we studied through the’ “Upper-Room Discourse” in John 13-17.

The seventh message of the conference was taught by Pastor Greg Opean. Greg serves at the Packing House Church in Redlands, CA. In the 1990’s and 2000’s, Greg played a pivotal role in pioneering Calvary Chapel church planting and missions in Central and Eastern Europe.

Greg was also featured in an episode of the CGN Podcast earlier this season. 

The text of this message is John 14:16 & 26, and it is titled: “Another Helper”.

For the rest of this season, we are releasing the Main Session messages from this year’s CGN International Conference.

This year’s conference was held at Reliance Church in Temecula, CA - and the Theme was: “The Way Forward: Ministry According to Jesus” - in which we studied through the’ “Upper-Room Discourse” in John 13-17.

The sixth message of the conference was taught by Pastor Bruce Zachary. Bruce was raised in a Jewish home, and he worked as an attorney for 25 years prior to planting Calvary Nexus in Camarillo, California. Bruce is the author of several books, including the Calvary Chapel Church Planting Manual — and he serves on the Executive Team of Calvary Global Network.

The text of this message is John 15:18-16:3 - and is titled: “If the World Hates You”