Introduction:

In this episode of the Church Circle Podcast, hosts Brian Caddell and Reuben Rohard sit down in person at Bayside Church to reflect on their journey building Church Circle. From the early days of vision and Zoom calls to real-life meetups and studio recordings, they share raw insights on leadership, creativity, and the friendships that make it all sustainable.

Takeaways:

• Building anything great takes time, trust, and people who believe in the vision.

• Shared experiences—online and in person—create deep, lasting leadership chemistry.

• Vulnerability and laughter are just as essential as strategy when building community.

• Every meaningful ministry starts with a “why,” but it grows through “who.”

• Don’t overlook the power of hospitality in making leaders feel seen and supported.

Key Moments:

03:22 - Brian and Reuben talk about what it meant to finally meet in person after months of collaboration online.
10:10 - they unpack the “backstage” moments that built their trust—Airbnb mishaps, deep dinners, and unexpected bonding.
18:45 - the conversation turns to how Church Circle evolved from a dream into a functioning community with real people and purpose.
25:33 - they highlight the importance of having safe spaces to lead creatively without the pressure to perform.
36:50 - Brian shares a vulnerable moment about leading with intentionality even in difficult seasons.
45:03 - they close with an invitation to Church Circle and ways listeners can get involved.

Practical Tips:

• Lean into your ministry relationships beyond the screen—meet up in person when possible.

• Create environments where leaders can show up as themselves, not just their roles.

• When launching something new, focus more on the community than the content.

• Look for creative ways to “do life together,” even as digital teams.

• Take the risk of building slow and honest, not fast and flashy.

Brief Introduction:

In this episode of the Church Circle Podcast, Reuben Rohard sits down with Corbin Phillips, worship leader at Bayside Church and a core voice behind Thrive Worship. Corbin shares wisdom on spiritual formation, songwriting for the Church, and how worship leaders can stay rooted through seasons of growth, family life, and ministry demands.

Takeaways:

Songwriting is about serving the local church, not chasing streams.

Your health as a worship leader matters more than your stage presence.

Spiritual formation fuels long-term creativity and leadership.

Team leadership happens through intentional discipleship and consistency.

Balancing family and ministry requires ruthless prioritization and rhythm.

Key Moments:

2:10 - Corbin shares his early days leading worship and how Thrive Worship organically formed from the heart of the local church.

7:55 - He unpacks how songwriting is more than creativity—it’s discipleship and theology.

12:48 - Corbin discusses how life stage and family life shift how you approach ministry and leadership.

18:25 - He talks about how rhythms and routines help him remain spiritually anchored.

25:10 - He explains how Thrive writes songs that reflect real life in the church, not just radio hits.

33:40 - Corbin offers encouragement to leaders who feel unseen or overwhelmed—reminding them that the quiet seasons are where depth is built.

Practical Tips:

Write songs that your local congregation can sing—not just what sounds trendy.

Set personal spiritual rhythms that keep your heart soft and your spirit full.

Build team culture through one-on-one moments, not just Sunday rehearsals.

Prioritize family health—it’s your first ministry.

Embrace margin in your schedule; space is sacred for creativity and growth.

Guest Information:

Thrive Worship on Spotify

Instagram: @corbinphillips

Brief Introduction:

In this episode of the Church Circle Podcast, Reuben Rohard sits down with Angel and Kari Acevedo—co-founders of the brand God Is a Designer. As a married creative duo, they share how they build a purpose-driven business, balance marriage and design leadership, and honor God through excellence and authenticity in everything they create.

Takeaways:

God Is a Designer began with a single post and grew into a global brand fueled by faith and vision.Healthy creative partnership in marriage starts with clear roles, boundaries, and mutual respect.Excellence in design can glorify God just as much as church ministry does.Rhythms like “Make Day” protect creative momentum and reduce burnout.Starting is more important than being perfect—obedience unlocks opportunities.

Key Moments:

1:35 – Angel & Kari share how they met and discovered their shared love for creativity.

6:40 – The backstory of God Is a Designer and how it unexpectedly gained momentum.

12:55 – Navigating business and marriage together: communication, clarity, and conflict resolution.

21:10 – Why they choose slow growth and value-aligned clients over quick wins.

29:45 – Stewarding their faith through design: what it looks like to infuse purpose into your work.

35:22 – How rest, sabbath, and family rhythms fuel long-term creative excellence.

41:40 – Final encouragement: God honors what you put your hands to—just take the first step.

Practical Tips:

Set boundaries between personal and professional roles when working with your spouse.

Establish a weekly rhythm like “Make Day” to focus deeply on creative projects.

Build in regular time for rest—burnout kills your ability to serve and create well.

Keep your message clear and your design aligned with your values.

Focus on impact over aesthetics—ask what your creativity is pointing people toward.

Guest Information:

Founders of God Is a Designer

www.godisadesigner.com

Instagram: @godisadesigner

Brief Introduction:

In this episode, Reuben sits down with long-time friend Sam Milchem, co-leader of Altitude Mission, a ministry reaching young adults and professionals in the French Alps through ski culture and hospitality. From youth ministry to mountain mission, Sam shares how God can use our most unexpected passions—like skiing—to reach those far from church walls. You’ll hear powerful stories, leadership insights, and practical encouragement for living out your faith beyond Sunday.

Takeaways:

Your God-given passions aren’t random—they may be the key to your calling.

Mission doesn’t just happen inside the church—it thrives where people are already living life.

Spiritual health in nomadic or mission-driven work depends on rhythm, rootedness, and relationships.

Creating something you love (even ministry) brings joy, energy, and sustainability.

You don’t have to be ready to lead—just obedient and faithful to take the first step.

Key Moments:

01:15: Sam’s journey from church staff to ski ministry

10:00: Why unique passions are powerful tools for mission

15:56: The birth of Altitude Mission

25:00: Daily rhythms of life and outreach in the mountains

35:10: Real-life rescue and gospel stories from the slopes

44:50: Staying spiritually grounded while outside the local church

47:08: Advice for anyone feeling called to non-traditional ministry

Practical Tips:

Don’t ignore what brings you joy—God may want to use it.

Establish spiritual habits before entering a new environment or season.

Build trust and community through intentional rhythms, even in mobile lifestyles.

If you feel a tug toward ministry in an unexpected space, start small and test it.

Keep your local church connection strong—even when serving elsewhere.

Guest Information:

Sam Milchem Co-leads Altitude Mission, a Christian outreach to young adults working and skiing in the French Alps.

Website: altitudemission.com

Brief Introduction:

In this episode, Reuben sits down with longtime friend and creative powerhouse Matthew Pahl, Executive Creative Director at Liberty University. From humble MySpace layout beginnings to leading a large multidisciplinary creative team, Matthew shares practical and personal insights on what it means to lead creatives well. If you’re building, leading, or part of a creative team, this conversation will equip and encourage you with real-world leadership wisdom, heart, and humor.

Takeaways:

Creative leadership is personal.

You’re stewarding people’s identity, not just their output.

Clarity builds confidence.

Creatives thrive not with total freedom but with clear direction and autonomy.

Trust is built in action, not just words.

Leaders must model consistency and emotional intelligence.

Excellence and grace must co-exist.

Great leaders push for quality while protecting people.

Feedback must be thoughtful.

Highlight what’s working, clarify what needs to shift, and do it with empathy.

Culture is owned by everyone.

From party planning to heat checks, Liberty’s team is built on shared responsibility.Y

our faith should be the center.

Not just something you carry—it drives every area of leadership.

Key Moments:

04:00 - Matthew’s creative journey: from MySpace layouts to Liberty University

09:30 - Why creative leadership requires emotional intelligence

11:20 - How subjective feedback can kill innovation

15:30 - Building trust through individualized leadership

20:10 - Excellence vs. grace: how to give feedback without crushing identity

26:00 - Avoiding burnout: systems that sustain healthy teams

32:00 - “Party Time” culture and the importance of celebration

36:00 - Books that shaped Matthew’s leadership: Herding Tigers & Developing the Leader Within You

41:00 - Why faith must be central—not just carried into your work

44:00 - What to do if you feel called to lead but don’t feel ready

Practical Tips:

Don’t micromanage. Give your creatives clarity, then trust them to execute.

Use tools like personality tests and “heat checks” to understand and serve individuals uniquely.

Celebrate what’s working first before offering critique.

Distinguish between objective misses (brand/brief) and subjective preferences.

Watch for burnout signals like disengagement or isolation—and act early.

Build culture systems: check-ins, feedback surveys, party planning committees.

Read Herding Tigers and Developing the Leader Within You to grow your creative leadership lens.

Root your leadership in your spiritual growth—don’t confuse being around spiritual things with being spiritually fed.

Guest Information:

Instagram: @matthewcrtv

Liberty OSD: @libertyosd

Brief Introduction

In this episode, Reuben sits down with Andrew Lennon—aka Saint Lennon—to unpack his inspiring journey from freelance designer to full-time church planter and pastor. What started as a bedroom art hobby turned into an international design brand and eventually a thriving Spirit-led church in Lynchburg, VA. They dive deep into calling, capacity, creative identity, and what it means to take ownership of your God-given assignment—especially when the path doesn’t look like you expected.

Takeaways

Calling requires ownership, not just obedience.Creativity never leaves, it simply finds new forms of expression.Your capacity is limited—learn which “cup” to pour into each season.Balance in ministry means honoring spirit, soul, and body.Sustainable impact is better than constant output.The Holy Spirit plays a central role in discernment, design, and direction.

Key Moments

03:00 – How a tattoo design hobby became the Saint Lennon brand

07:20 – Accidentally planting a church & building Breakthrough

13:45 – When God called him to plant in the most churched city

21:10 – Why design and pastoring aren’t competing callings

29:50 – The burnout wake-up call: why balance matters

36:00 – Establishing Sabbath & boundaries as a family

42:15 – The role of the Holy Spirit in creative leadership

47:40 – How to discern when it’s time to release something

53:00 – The misunderstood truth about calling

1:00:00 – Staying open-handed when you don’t know what’s next

Practical Tips

Track your capacity with the “cups” analogy—what are you pouring into?

Build rhythms (like weekly Sabbaths) to protect family and longevity.

Ask: “Will this call bring me closer to Jesus?” Let that guide your yes or no.

If you’re multi-passionate, accept that you can’t give 100% to everything.

Choose wisely.Don’t glorify grind—prioritize doing things well over doing things fast.

Guest Information

Instagram: @saintlennon

Church: Breakthrough Church – Lynchburg, VA

Brief Introduction:

In this episode of the Church Circle Podcast, host Reuben Rohard sits down with Emily Ament, Web Director at Church Media Squad, to talk about one of the most essential tools your church has—your website. Emily breaks down what makes a church site effective, how to build trust before a visitor ever walks through your doors, and the practical steps every church can take (no matter your budget or team size) to improve their digital presence.

Takeaways:

• Your website is your digital front door—it shapes first impressions and builds trust.

• A simple, functioning website is more effective than a flashy one that’s outdated.

• Use tools like Google Business to increase local discoverability.

• Start with three core pages: Home, Plan a Visit, and Beliefs.

• Don’t design for yourself—design for the new visitor.

• Consistency and clarity matter more than fancy design.

Key Moments:

03:14 Emily shares how her design background across agency, church, and freelance work shaped her vision for accessible church websites.
08:01 She explains the concept of “relational equity” and how websites build trust with first-time guests.
17:55 Reuben and Emily break down the three must-have web pages every church needs, no matter the size.
38:40 Emily simplifies terms like SEO, mobile optimization, and accessibility for everyday church teams.
47:26 She shares her hot take on church websites: don't design based on your personal taste—it's not for you.
54:19 They explore future trends in web design including AI-driven content, dynamic branding, and micro-animations.

Practical Tips:

• Remove outdated events or broken links—start with a spring clean.

• Upload photos that actually reflect a Sunday experience, not an empty room.

• Don’t update core info (like service times) for temporary events—use banners or pop-ups instead.

• Use SEO-friendly keywords like “church near me” throughout your site.

• Let your website reflect your brand—visually and through language.

Guest Information:

Emily Ament
Web Director at Church Media Squad
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @churchmediasquad

Brief Introduction:

We kick off Season 3 of the Church Circle Podcast with Derek Ortiz—a designer, creative encourager, and the face behind “I Am Derek Ortiz” on Instagram. This season explores what drives creatives to launch passion projects and impact the world beyond Sunday. Derek shares his journey from church staff designer to full-time content creator, helping thousands of creatives find their voice and take the leap.

Takeaways:

• Passion projects start by solving a personal need—create what you wish you had years ago.

• Growth happens when you focus on consistency and authenticity, not metrics.

• Encourage others by giving away what you’ve learned—don’t gatekeep your skills.

• Building a brand doesn't require perfection—just progress and repetition.

• Being Christlike and being yourself online is a form of ministry.

• Don’t let the fear of criticism keep you from creating—impact one person at a time. 

Key Moments:

03:00 - Derek reflects on his early journey from music to design, starting with Microsoft Paint and a cheap camera.

14:20 - Derek explains the shift from his font-sharing page to becoming a voice of encouragement for creatives.

25:10 - Derek dives into the mindset shift of focusing on output, not outcome—and how that led to explosive growth.

41:45 - Derek and the host discuss how being a light and being authentic removes pressure from content creation.

53:00 - Derek eshares practical strategies for pastors, designers, and volunteers to start sharing their voice online.

1:10:30 - Derek’s hot take: stop overthinking and start creating for yourself—it’s where freedom begins.

Practical Tips:

• Don’t aim for perfection. Just post consistently and adjust as you go.

• Speak to the version of yourself from 2–3 years ago—what did you need to hear then?

• Try low-friction tools like Opus Pro to repurpose podcast recordings into content.

• Use carousel posts with simple, thought-provoking text to share encouragement.

• Define your goal first: client work, community building, or ministry impact?

Guest Information: 

Instagram: @iamderekortiz 

DM him and mention Church Circle to connect or ask questions directly.

Brief Introduction:

In this episode, Reuben Rohard is joined by Brian Caddell, a worship leader and VP of Church Circle, to explore the nuances of worship ministry. Brian shares his personal journey, insights on building healthy worship teams, and practical strategies for balancing leadership and worship.

Takeaways:

Building a strong worship ministry begins with leadership and a healthy team culture.

Prioritizing character over talent creates a sustainable and impactful team.

Systems and spiritual growth must coexist to create space for the Holy Spirit to move.

Developing relationships with team members fosters trust and unity.

Effective delegation and team building are key to balancing multiple responsibilities in ministry.

Key Moments:

00:00: Reuben introduces the focus of the episode on worship ministry and Brian's extensive experience in worship leadership.

03:13: Brian shares his transformative encounter with Jesus at a worship conference and his early ministry journey.

07:04: Discussion on establishing healthy foundations for worship teams, emphasizing leadership and team culture.

12:39: Brian explains the importance of character over talent when recruiting for worship teams.

23:26: Reuben and Brian discuss the balance between systems and creating space for the Holy Spirit in worship.

36:13: Brian recounts a pivotal coaching moment that shaped his approach to building effective teams.

Practical Tips:

Develop systems that balance structure and flexibility to allow for spiritual growth.

Invest in building relationships with team members to foster unity and trust.

Train team members through mentorship, pairing experienced leaders with developing musicians.

Encourage vocalists and musicians to focus on connecting with the worship lyrics, not just technical perfection.

Delegate responsibilities by identifying individuals with strengths in areas like administration or systems.

Connect with Brian

Instagram: @BrianCaddell

Church Circle Profile: Connect with Brian directly on the Church Circle platform.

Brief Introduction:

In this episode of the Church Circle Podcast, Zach Windahl, a passionate content creator and faith-driven entrepreneur, shares insights into crafting authentic and impactful church outreach strategies. With his unique blend of creativity and ministry, Zach delves into the transformative power of social media in spreading the Gospel and building meaningful church communities.

Takeaways:

Key Moments:

Practical Tips:

Connect with Zach: