Just before Christmas in 2022, Myron Pierce shocked his family, friends and congregation when he appeared in a string of erratic Instagram posts.

He had lost touch with reality, acting out behaviors no one would ever expect from the veteran of over a decade of outstanding ministry and church multiplication.

Everything got pushed aside in favor of a life that no one could be proud of.

Because of his insane behavior and outlandish activities, those of us who were friends with him sometimes wondered who we saw on our screens. It couldn't have been the same person we knew.

He finally called almost three months into his downward slide to say that he had been diagnosed with type one bipolar disorder and that he was checking into a clinic.

Just one year after getting help, we decided to do this interview. The goal is to update those who worried and prayed for him. This is NOT an attempt to re-insert him into pastoral ministry.

Myron is working hard to care for his family and run his businesses as healing

continues. If God wants him to return to pastoral ministry, that would be a long way off.

A standout in the discussion is Josh Dotzler. In their formative days, Josh and Myron partnered in ministry. Josh’s dad, Ron, initially pulled Myron into pastoral ministry. The important thing is that Josh was there for Myron and his family, albeit in different ways, both during and after the mess. He continues to play a crucial role in healing the family.

Aside from church work, Myron is a serial entrepreneur. He continues to help others build businesses in difficult, even blighted places. One of his training centers for startup businesses is in Gary, Indiana.

Despite his departure from traditional pastoral ministry, he keeps sharing his faith in Jesus and works to bring the gospel into everything he does. No longer a pastor, he continues to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Connect via ownthepondnetwork.com

or email him at [email protected]

Just before Christmas in 2022, Myron Pierce alarmed his family, friends and the church he had pastored.

He shocked us all while appearing in a string of erratic Instagram posts.

He had lost touch with reality, acting out behaviors no one would ever expect from the veteran of over a decade of outstanding ministry and church multiplication.

Everything got pushed aside in favor of a life that no one could be proud of.

Because of his insane behavior and outlandish activities, those of us who were friends with him sometimes wondered who we saw on our screens. It couldn't have been the same person we knew.

He finally called almost three months into his downward slide to say that he had been diagnosed with type one bipolar disorder and that he was checking into a clinic.

Just one year after getting help, we decided to do this interview. The goal is to update those who worried and prayed for him. This is NOT an attempt to re-insert him into pastoral ministry.

Myron is working hard to care for his family and run his businesses as healing continues. If God wants him to return to pastoral ministry, that would be a long way off.

A standout in the discussion is Josh Dotzler. In their formative days, Josh and Myron partnered in ministry. Josh’s dad, Ron, initially pulled Myron into pastoral ministry. The important thing is that Josh was there for Myron and his family, albeit in different ways, both during and after the mess. He continues to play a crucial role in healing the family.

Aside from church work, Myron is a serial entrepreneur. He continues to help others build businesses in difficult, even blighted places. One of his training centers for startup businesses is in Gary, Indiana.

Despite his departure from traditional pastoral ministry, he keeps sharing his faith in Jesus and works to bring the gospel into everything he does.

No longer a pastor, he continues to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Connect via ownthepondnetwork.com

or email him at [email protected]

Ron Nishihara, a Honolulu architect, discusses how he established an online microchurch to support people struggling with cancer.

Confronted with his own cancer, Ron’s mentor, Tom Nakamine, helped him overcome anxiety and regain composure. Their relationship led to an awareness of others facing the “big C.” Gathering a few friends, they birthed an online microchurch for cancer patients and survivors.

Tom moved to heaven early in the saga, but the group lives on.

Having begun with immediate friends, they now share with formerly unchurched people.

Bivocational leadership allows the group to focus on their love and hope quotients rather than measuring success by numbers or financial goals.

The upshot of Ron’s story is the power of population-targeted microchurches. Still a member of his home church, Ron sets an example of how a church member with access to another people group can extend the kingdom.

Ron emphasizes the value of having faith in Jesus’ plan for the world via disciplemaking and outward thinking.

According to Ron, the most critical factors that determine the success of their little church are the quality of their relationships with one another and their determination to share the gospel.

This episode will provoke thoughts of the possibility that there is a group of people in your church who possess unique access to a people group you are not yet reaching.

Ron Nishihara, a Honolulu architect, discusses how he established an online microchurch to support people struggling with cancer.

Confronted with his own cancer, Ron’s mentor, Tom Nakamine, helped him overcome anxiety and regain composure. Their relationship led to an awareness of others facing the “big C.” Gathering a few friends, they birthed an online microchurch for cancer patients and survivors.

Tom moved to heaven early in the saga, but the group lives on. Having begun with immediate friends, they now share with formerly unchurched people.

Bivocational leadership allows the group to focus on their love and hope quotients rather than measuring success by numbers or financial goals.

The upshot of Ron’s story is the power of population-targeted microchurches. Still a member of his home church, Ron sets an example of how a church member with access to another people group can extend the kingdom.

Ron emphasizes the value of having faith in Jesus’ plan for the world via disciplemaking and outward thinking.

According to Ron, the most critical factors that determine the success of their little church are the quality of their relationships with one another and their determination to share the gospel.

This episode will provoke thoughts of the possibility that there is a group of people in your church who possess unique access to a people group you are not reaching.

Somewhat like Abram, Dustin and his wife felt called to another place without knowing quite where.

Feeling moved by God, they left their newly renovated home and teaching jobs in Florida to “move to California to start a church.”

There was no direction toward a specific town, so they moved to Oceanside because that was the first school system to offer his wife a job.

Having landed, their prayers for further direction led them to Ryan Delameter and OCNWTR churches.

Ryan offered the right kind of direction because that movement is built around very young people, mostly planting churches in coffee shops after closing time on weeknights.

Upon meeting Ryan, they decided the beach might be a better place, so they and two friends lit a bonfire one Friday night, offering s’mores to anyone who might stop to listen to the guitar and worship songs.

As you might imagine, they touch a broad mix of people.

Disenchanted former church members mix with people bound by drugs alongside homeless people looking for free food. They’ve even had a couple of crazies try to physically attack Dustin.

But following the Spirit has its rewards. There are now four churches spread along that stretch of beach. One meets in Malibu, though they’ve moved indoors. There are more, but we’ll let Dustin tell you about them in the interview.

The churches are called Jesus parties.

One important lesson is that you can start churches with almost no funds if you think bivocationally and are willing to meet in unorthodox places. The more significant lesson is that the Spirit is moving, and excitement lies in our path if we’re eager to follow.

Old men have a fondness for their younger days—for me, what I encounter when I’m with Dustin and his friends takes me back to the Jesus Revolution. There is a hint of something delicious in the air that I tasted very long ago…

You can follow these guys on Instagram at “jesuspartyca” or email Dustin at [email protected].

Somewhat like Abram, Dustin and his wife felt called to another place without knowing quite where.

Feeling moved by God, they left their newly renovated home and teaching jobs in Florida to “move to California to start a church.”

There was no direction toward a specific town, so they moved to Oceanside because that was the first school system to offer his wife a job.

Having landed, their prayers for further direction led them to Ryan Delameter and OCNWTR churches.

Ryan offered the right kind of direction because that movement is built around very young people, mostly planting churches in coffee shops after closing time on weeknights.

Upon meeting Ryan, they decided the beach might be a better place, so they and two friends lit a bonfire one Friday night, offering s’mores to anyone who might stop to listen to the guitar and worship songs.

As you might imagine, they touch a broad mix of people.

Disenchanted former church members mix with people bound by drugs alongside homeless people looking for free food. They’ve even had a couple of crazies try to physically attack Dustin.

But following the Spirit has its rewards. There are now four churches spread along that stretch of beach. One meets in Malibu, though they’ve moved indoors. There are more, but we’ll let Dustin tell you about them in the interview.

The churches are called Jesus parties.

One important lesson is that you can start churches with almost no funds if you think bivocationally and are willing to meet in unorthodox places. The more significant lesson is that the Spirit is moving, and excitement lies in our path if we’re eager to follow.

Old men have a fondness for their younger days—for me, what I encounter when I’m with Dustin and his friends takes me back to the Jesus Revolution. There is a hint of something delicious in the air that I tasted very long ago…

You can follow these guys on Instagram at “jesuspartyca” or email Dustin at [email protected].

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Somewhat like Abram, Dustin and his wife felt called to another place without knowing quite where.

Feeling moved by God, they left their newly renovated home and teaching jobs in Florida to “move to California to start a church.”

There was no direction toward a specific town, so they moved to Oceanside because that was the first school system to offer his wife a job.

Having landed, their prayers for further direction led them to Ryan Delameter and OCNWTR churches.

Ryan offered the right kind of direction because that movement is built around very young people, mostly planting churches in coffee shops after closing time on weeknights.

Upon meeting Ryan, they decided the beach might be a better place, so they and two friends lit a bonfire one Friday night, offering s’mores to anyone who might stop to listen to the guitar and worship songs.

As you might imagine, they touch a broad mix of people.

Disenchanted former church members mix with people bound by drugs alongside homeless people looking for free food. They’ve even had a couple of crazies try to physically attack Dustin.

But following the Spirit has its rewards. There are now four churches spread along that stretch of beach. One meets in Malibu, though they’ve moved indoors. There are more, but we’ll let Dustin tell you about them in the interview.

The churches are called Jesus parties.

One important lesson is that you can start churches with almost no funds if you think bivocationally and are willing to meet in unorthodox places. The more significant lesson is that the Spirit is moving, and excitement lies in our path if we’re eager to follow.

Old men have a fondness for their younger days—for me, what I encounter when I’m with Dustin and his friends takes me back to the Jesus Revolution. There is a hint of something delicious in the air that I tasted very long ago…

You can follow these guys on Instagram at “jesuspartyca” or email Dustin at [email protected].

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex and I had a great time reviewing the Jesus Revolution and the part Hope Chapel played in it.

It was what historians call a spiritual awakening. I only realized that as it ended. Until then my peer group mostly thought we were smarter than those who had preceded us.

It couldn't be called just a revival as it wasn't about reviving a dying church but effected a transformation in the outside culture. One of the early earmarks of the movement was the presence of miracles. Mostly we saw people delivered from the grip of hard drugs without counseling or treatment. But there were healings, events involving protection from fires and extreme weather, and of course healings.

The Jesus Revolution movie is worth watching as it catches much of what the Spirit was doing. However, it would need to be a prolonged series to fully depict those exciting times.

After others view the film I get asked, "Did those things really happen?" The answer is that those things did happen but in a larger sense than could be depicted on film. The baptisms were bigger. The miracles were everyday events. Chuck Smith was a great Bible teacher going into it and Lonnie Frisbee was no rebel but had a supernatural anointing that caused some leaders discomfort.

I hope the talk Alex initiated will strengthen you in your own hunger for more from God.

For more from Alex check his website at dandelionresourcing.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex and I had a great time reviewing the Jesus Revolution and the part Hope Chapel played in it.

It was what historians call a spiritual awakening. I only realized that as it ended. Until then my peer group mostly thought we were smarter than those who had preceded us.

It couldn't be called just a revival as it wasn't about reviving a dying church but effected a transformation in the outside culture. One of the early earmarks of the movement was the presence of miracles. Mostly we saw people delivered from the grip of hard drugs without counseling or treatment. But there were healings, events involving protection from fires and extreme weather, and of course healings.

The Jesus Revolution movie is worth watching as it catches much of what the Spirit was doing. However, it would need to be a prolonged series to fully depict those exciting times.

After others view the film I get asked, "Did those things really happen?" The answer is that those things did happen but in a larger sense than could be depicted on film. The baptisms were bigger. The miracles were everyday events. Chuck Smith was a great Bible teacher going into it and Lonnie Frisbee was no rebel but had a supernatural anointing that caused some leaders discomfort.

I hope the talk Alex initiated will strengthen you in your own hunger for more from God.

For more from Alex check his website at Dandelion Resourcing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex and I had a great time reviewing the Jesus Revolution and the part Hope Chapel played in it.

It was what historians call a spiritual awakening. I only realized that as it ended. Until then my peer group mostly thought we were smarter than those who had preceded us.

It couldn't be called just a revival as it wasn't about reviving a dying church but effected a transformation in the outside culture. One of the early earmarks of the movement was the presence of miracles. Mostly we saw people delivered from the grip of hard drugs without counseling or treatment. But there were healings, events involving protection from fires and extreme weather, and of course healings.

The Jesus Revolution movie is worth watching as it catches much of what the Spirit was doing. However, it would need to be a prolonged series to fully depict those exciting times.

After others view the film I get asked, "Did those things really happen?" The answer is that those things did happen but in a larger sense than could be depicted on film. The baptisms were bigger. The miracles were everyday events. Chuck Smith was a great Bible teacher going into it and Lonnie Frisbee was no rebel but had a supernatural anointing that caused some leaders discomfort.

I hope the talk Alex initiated will strengthen you in your own hunger for more from God.

For more from Alex check his website at Dandelion Resourcing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.