The Shepherd-hearted Leader Podcast

Jodi Ruch has a conversation with Brad Dennis and Michael Bartel about searching for God’s missing kids. Brad is former military search and rescue specialist, pastor, and founder of Called 2 Rescue Ministries. Michael Bartel is a missionary and founder of F.R.E.E. International, an organization designed to search for missing and trafficked kids in the United States. In this episode, they share their faith background, how they started searching for missing kids, ministering with their families, the Big Search, the scope of the missing kids’ crisis in the US, and a pathway for church involvement. How do they find missing kids? They go out looking for them! This conversation will ignite your compassion for shepherding the most vulnerable in your community.

https://www.freeinternational.org/

https://www.c2rministries.org/

Dwight Denyes was the second lead pastor of Emmanuel. He considered himself a leader between leaders. He played a crucial role in the story of Emmanuel. Dwight is the oldest son of the founding Pastors of Emmanuel, Mark and Shirley Denyes. Before succeeding his father as lead pastor, Dwight was a successful real estate business owner and Bible teacher. In this episode, Dwight shares his personal faith story and how it impacted the way he led. He has a unique perspective on succession as he received the succession baton and later passed the leadership baton to Pastor Nate. This conversation is full of great insight, practical wisdom, and Emmanuel history!

Pastor Manny Melendez is a Kids Ministry veteran with over two decades of experience leading Kids Ministry. In this episode, you will get to know Manny as he shares his story of coming to Christ and his call to ministry. Jodi and Manny talk about the difference between ministry and childcare, discipling kids, and creating a kids culture. The conversation includes the importance and challenges of kids ministry as well as the opportunity to make an impact. Kids are sponges who absorb their environment, as Shepherd-hearted leaders, we can saturate them with Jesus! Manny served in Michigan and Colorado before moving to Minnesota. This summer he joined the Pastoral Team of Emmanuel as the Lead Kids Pastor overseeing EKids at all four locations.

Resources:

The Anxious Generation

https://www.christianparenting.org/

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/

Darin Poli is a strategic leader who is passionate about stewardship and generosity. As an ordained minister, with a wealth of ministry experience, he has been on staff at Emmanuel since 2019 and consults churches locally and nationally. On this episode, Jodi has a conversation with Darin about his ministry background, all-things Kingdom Builders, and stewardship. You will even hear about his favorite travel hack. Darin relays solid insights on growing generosity as well as advice on utilizing dashboards. This conversation is sure to inspire every Shepherd-hearted leader!

Resources:

https://kingdombuilders.emmanuelcc.org/

https://www.emmanuelfamilyofchurches.com/

Pastors Nate and Jodi have a conversation about equipping potential leaders. In this episode, they share scriptures, personal stories, examples from church, and work through many of the concepts for equipping potential leaders presented in Chapter Five of John Maxwell’s book “Developing the Leaders Around You.” It’s time to take off the training wheels, let go of the bike, and let potential leaders take the lead. Equipping energizes and multiplies the reach of the shepherd-hearted leader!

Resources:

https://store.maxwellleadership.com/Developing-the-Leaders-Around-You-Paperback_p_909.html

Pastor JonCarlos is an anointed worship leader, recognized both locally and nationally, song writer, credentialed minister, husband, father, and bike enthusiast. He has been the Lead Worship Pastor at Emmanuel since 2013. In this episode, Pastor Nate and Pastor Jon Carlos have a conversation about the dynamic relationship between the Lead Pastor and the Worship Pastor. The conversation starts with JonCarlos sharing his backstory and how he developed as a worship pastor. They talk about being under authority, the difference between being a song leader and a worship pastor, the dynamics of ministering together, overcoming conflict with trust, and the Levitical calling. The conversation wraps up with thoughts about being a house of prayer for all nations. Such an important and uplifting conversation for every shepherd-hearted leader.

Resources:

https://www.joncarlosandgabriella.com/

http://www.emmanuellive.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@EmmanuelLIVEofficial

Pastors Nate and Jodi Ruch talk about the uncharted territory that churches face in current culture. Nate compares ministry to the 1800’s western expansion of civilization. As people moved westward, there were many challenges and shortages. Likewise, ministers are facing challenges: 1) People are influenced by other voices, 2) New generations don’t seek advice from parents/elders, and 3) Pastors are tired and realize people have multiple shepherds. There is hope! In the middle of the chaos, God has placed outposts to reach a broken world. In this episode, you will hear a portion of Nate’s message, “Pastoring in the Wild, Wild West” shared with the ministers of the Indiana District A/G. This is powerful message for every leader.

Resources:

Coddling of the American Mind

The Cancelling of the American Mind

Emmanuel Family of Churches

Full message Video link:

https://www.youtube.com/live/5IqG_lugbWk?si=Cvjk7_36-GPulyDa&t=3604

Pastor Phil Johnson is a credentialed minister with over 14 years of youth ministry experience. He served at Emmanuel for 11 years as Youth Pastor, Next Gen Director, and on the Executive team. Phil is recognized locally and nationally for his youth expertise. In this episode, Jodi and Phil have a conversation about shepherding the next generation. They talk about the challenges facing leaders, questions parents and youth are asking, and generational differences of ministry. The conversation wraps up with advice for parents and encouragement for shepherd hearted leaders.

Parent Cue: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/parent-cue/id433066482

‎https://feed.bible/

https://alpha.org/preview/alpha-youth-series/

In this episode, Pastor Jodi Ruch has a conversation with Rev. Joe Anderson. They discuss Joe's connection to Emmanuel, provide an overview of his ministry assignments, and talk about his journey to faith and how he met his wife. Joe candidly responds to questions about his book “The Tension of Redemption” and dives deeper into his story of overcoming addiction. There are powerful insights about perseverance and total surrender for every Shepherd-hearted leader. You will gain greater insight into Joe’s story and be encouraged to persevere in your own journey.

Pastors Nate and Jodi share the heart behind the recent sermon series, “So You Believe, Now What?” In this episode, they dive deeper into the key concepts covered in the series: following Jesus, principles for life, being synced up with Jesus, freedom, and the supernatural. They tackle tough questions, share personal experiences, and give powerful insights on discipleship. As Shepherd-hearted leaders, we must help others grow spiritually. You don’t want to miss this conversation!