Today, David Hibiske sits down with Jeff Bennett, Executive Director of Multiply Project and Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohort coach, to unpack lessons learned from years of church planting and leader development. Jeff shares his personal journey from planting LifeBridge Church to transitioning into coaching and equipping planters nationwide. He offers wisdom on focusing less on “the what” and more on “the who,” developing leaders from within, and shifting from readiness to potential when identifying future church planters. This is a rich conversation on self-awareness, humility, and creating multiplying churches through intentional leader development.

Welcome to Episode 044 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

Multiply Project

Email Jeff Bennett

Jeff Bennett on Instagram

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS JEFF BENNETT?

Jeff Bennett is the Executive Director of Multiply Project, helping church leaders identify, develop and send church planters from within their own church. Jeff also oversees the Flatirons Church Planting Network for Flatirons Church in Colorado. With more than 20 years of church planting experience, Jeff has served as Lead Planter, Executive Pastor and most recently served a decade as Vice President of Church Multiplication for Stadia Church Planting. He has a passion for bringing people together to accomplish big goals and has demonstrated a remarkable ability to build strong relationships with key leaders, foster collaboration, and drive results. Jeff lives outside Atlanta with his wife Lisa. They have two adult daughters, Madison and Macy. If he’s not talking with someone about how to plant more churches, he’s probably watching the Mets and rooting for them to win at least one more World Series in his lifetime.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, host David Hibiske sits down with Pastor Matt Brown, founder of Sandals Church, to reflect on nearly 30 years of church planting. Matt shares his journey from humble beginnings with no funding or network to leading a multi-campus church with over 14 locations. With candor and humility, he unpacks lessons in resiliency, staffing, leadership clarity, and trusting God through setbacks and breakthroughs. His story highlights both the painful missteps and the pivotal decisions that shaped Sandals Church into what it is today, offering wisdom and encouragement for pastors and church planters navigating their own challenges.

Welcome to Episode 043 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

Sandals Church

Every Day A Miracle, by Matthew Stephen Brown

The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS MATT BROWN?

Matthew Stephen Brown is the founding and Senior Pastor at Sandals Church in Riverside, CA. From a small 8-person church plant in 1997, Sandals Church now has 15 physical campuses throughout California, a growing online campus with more than 50 countries tuning in, and a digital presence reaching 110,000 people weekly. In 2021, Matt released his first book, A Book Called YOU: Understanding the Enneagram from a Biblical Perspective. A Book Called YOU helps the reader learn about the person they were made to be and how a biblical view of self-discovery can improve every part of their life. With his second book, Everyday a Miracle: Trusting the God Who Heals Us Inside and Out, Matt asks the question: Where do you go when you need a miracle? He shows the reader that every day, there is an opportunity for a miracle and invites them onto the journey to discover Jesus not only as Savior but as Healer. As Sandals Church continues to grow, the focus is on the gospel being spread throughout the nations as more people embrace the vision of authenticity—being real with ourselves, God, and others.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, host David Hibiske sits down with Brian Beauford, Executive Pastor of Grace Church in Boston, to explore the unique dynamics of second-chair leadership in church planting. Brian shares his journey from stepping into church planting as a college student to helping launch and grow Grace Church into a thriving multi-campus ministry. He unpacks lessons on finding the right second-chair leader, building trust with your senior pastor, and why understanding personality wiring through tools like Predictive Index can be a game-changer for leadership teams. Whether you’re a planter or a second-chair leader, Brian’s story offers encouragement and practical insights for building healthy, mission-driven teams.

Welcome to Episode 042 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

@bbeauford

Predictive Index Assessment

[email protected]

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS BRIAN BEAUFORD?

After graduating from college, I married my college sweetheart, who initially saw me as just a friend during our school years. Now we have 3 awesome kids and a crazy dog, I think I broke her with a laser pointer. 

During my time at college in Boston, I developed a passion for church planting. This led me to help start a church my junior year.

Now, 18 years later, I serve as the executive pastor of that same church. It has grown to encompass 4 locations, and we’ve been instrumental in planting 7 other local churches.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this episode of the Unfair Advantage podcast, David Hibiske sits down with church planter and cohort coach Chris Delfs. Chris reflects on over 20 years of ministry, from launching LifePointe Church in Elk Grove, California, to navigating the highs, lows, and pivotal leadership decisions that shaped his journey. He shares hard-earned wisdom on building healthy teams, raising funds strategically, making courageous staffing decisions, and staying authentic as a leader. This episode is packed with practical encouragement and insight for planters and leaders ready to go further, faster.

Welcome to Episode 041 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS CHRIS DELFS?

Chris Delfs is the Founding Pastor of LifePointe Christian Church in Elk Grove, California, where he’s served since planting the church in 2003. With over 30 years of ministry experience—including the joys and stretch marks of starting a church from scratch—Chris brings a blend of strategic insight, biblical depth, and real-world leadership to everything he does. Under his guidance, LifePointe has grown into a thriving church known for authentic relationships, practical and Biblically grounded teaching, community impact and a passion for multiplication. Chris has a deep heart for equipping leaders and regularly invests in his staff, lay leaders, pastors and church planters through various leadership development environments. His approach is relational, down-to-earth, and built on the conviction that healthy leaders can build healthy churches. He and his wife Heather have been married since 1992 and have three amazing adult children (and two grandkids). Their two oldest boys serve on church staffs, and their daughter is actively involved in the church while pursuing her college degree. When he’s not leading or preaching, Chris enjoys waterskiing, working out, hiking and anything that involves time with his family.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this second episode of a two-part series, David Hibiske sits down again with Sean Morgan to dive deeper into the vital role of church boards. They explore what it looks like for boards to truly support and protect their lead pastor, care for their pastor’s family, navigate compensation wisely, and foster unity even in challenging conversations. Sean offers practical insights for lay leaders and church planters on building healthy governance structures that advance the mission rather than slow it down. Whether you're a new board member, a seasoned elder, or a pastor wanting to strengthen your board relationships, this episode is packed with wisdom on stewarding the sacred trust of church leadership.

Welcome to Episode 040 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

[email protected]

Sticky Teams by Larry Osborne

Leadership Pain by Sam Chand

Better Together by Jim Tomberlin & Warren Bird

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS SEAN MORGAN?

Sean started out in ministry serving in a San Francisco area church plant as their Executive Pastor.  He went on to help coach and consult with church leaders across the country and eventually founded The Ascent Leader, a first-of-its-kind organization focusing on relational leadership development for local church pastors. He also hosts the Leaders In Living Rooms podcast. Sean recently retired from a 26-year career as a KC-10 pilot in the US Air Force Reserve. His favorite titles are “Stacy’s husband” and “Kaylee and Ayden’s dad.”

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In Part 1 of this two-part series, host David Hibiske is joined by Sean Morgan to discuss one of the most critical—and often overlooked—foundations of church planting: board governance. With decades of experience in church leadership and transitions, Sean unpacks why getting your board structure right from the start matters deeply for your mission and longevity as a planter. They explore the legal, spiritual, and practical aspects of governance, how to identify the right board members, and what Scripture does—and doesn’t—say about board roles. Whether you're in pre-launch or year five, this episode offers key wisdom to help you build a healthy governance culture that supports your calling, avoids pitfalls, and cultivates unity.

Welcome to Episode 039 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS SEAN MORGAN?

Sean started out in ministry serving in a San Francisco area church plant as their Executive Pastor.  He went on to help coach and consult with church leaders across the country and eventually founded The Ascent Leader, a first-of-its-kind organization focusing on relational leadership development for local church pastors. He also hosts the Leaders In Living Rooms podcast. Sean recently retired from a 26-year career as a KC-10 pilot in the US Air Force Reserve. His favorite titles are “Stacy’s husband” and “Kaylee and Ayden’s dad.”

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, Chris Stephens shares his remarkable journey from a troubled past to leading one of the largest churches in Tennessee. Growing up in poverty, struggling with addiction, and facing abuse, Chris found hope and purpose in Christ at 22. His story is one of radical transformation, unwavering vision, and relentless faith. Chris discusses the early challenges of planting a church, the importance of vision in leadership, and the critical role of spiritual formation in sustaining ministry. He also shares insights on overcoming fear, building effective teams, and remaining focused on God's calling amid challenges. This conversation is packed with powerful lessons for church planters and leaders looking to make a lasting impact.

Welcome to Episode 038 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

https://www.faithpromise.org

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS CHRIS STEPHENS?

DR. CHRIS STEPHENS (Faith Promise Church, TN) Chris was the Senior Pastor of Faith Promise Church in Knoxville, Tennessee for over twenty-seven years and in 2023 completed a successful succession of the Senior Pastor role to his son. Now, he spends his time working to secure the future of the church by raising money to accomplish the vision of reaching 1% of Tennessee while training church leaders, speaking and traveling on behalf of the church. Chris holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in Evangelistic Church Growth. Under his leadership the church grew from 250 to over 8,000 in attendance and a staff that has grown from 5 to 75 with ten locations across East Tennessee, an international campus in Costa Rica, and a global Online Campus. Chris has published ten books: The Climb of Your Life: Reaching the Peak of Your Potential, The Plan of Your Life: Managing What Matters Most, Without: 31 Days to Increase Your Faith, Called Out: What God Calls You Calls You Out, New Rivers, New Roads, All In, Finding Favor, Transformation, Passing the Baton, and So Help Me God. Chris is married to Michele and they have three married children, three granddaughters and four grandsons. They thoroughly enjoy their time spent as Mimi and Pop Pop. They also enjoy traveling together. Pastor Chris can also often be found in his converted barn…the ultimate man cave.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, Brandon Bowers, Lead Pastor and planter of Awaken Church in Charleston, South Carolina, joins David Hibiske to share his 12-year journey of church planting—from parachuting in with a team of nine to launching two campuses and navigating growing pains. Brandon unpacks the highs, lows, and leadership lessons he's learned along the way, including the importance of missional clarity, team alignment, and staying rooted in conviction. Whether you're just starting out or years into your plant, Brandon’s insights will both challenge and encourage you to lead with purpose and perseverance.

Welcome to Episode 037 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

http://www.awakenchurch.cc

@_brandonbowers

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS BRANDON BOWERS?

Brandon Bowers is the founding and Lead Pastor of Awaken Church in Charleston, SC and is passionate about seeing people far from God awakened to life in Christ. Awaken was planted in 2013 with a team of nine people and is now a multisite church of 2000 people that has celebrated 800+ baptisms. With a heavy focus on small group relational discipleship, almost 50% of weekend attendees are engaged in small groups meeting throughout the region. Brandon received a MA in Missiology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, serves as a Leadership Catalyst with SC Baptist Convention, and is the author of Rise Above the Lies, which details his planting journey with Awaken and leadership insights discovered along the way. He has been married to his college sweetheart Ashley since 2003 and they have four kids and live in the suburbs of Charleston.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this episode of the Unfair Advantage, we’re hearing from Heiden Ratner—former Division I basketball player turned church planter in Las Vegas, Nevada. Heiden shares his powerful journey from chasing purpose on the basketball court to finding deeper fulfillment through faith in Jesus. With honesty and wisdom, he unpacks what it means to lead a church you actually like, the importance of team alignment over talent, and how clarity in leadership creates healthy culture. Whether you’re planting a church or leading a ministry team, this conversation is packed with encouragement, practical tools, and reminders that God is able to do more than we could ask or imagine.

Welcome to Episode 036 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

https://www.heidenratner.com/

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS HEIDEN RATNER?

Heiden is the husband to Neena Ratner and the father of their four boys, Epaph (9), Asa (6), Heiden Jr. (4), and Lion (2). He serves as the Sr. Pastor of WALK Church in Las Vegas, NV where he preaches regularly. Along with pastoring, Heiden serves as the Las Vegas City Missionary for the church planting network Send Network. Heiden has a passion and calling for sports ministry and he has the honor of serving the NFL Las Vegas Raiders and the WNBA Las Vegas Aces as their Team Chaplain.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, host David Hibiske sits down with church planter Raymond Hudson to discuss his journey of planting a church in Berkeley, California—one of the most challenging places to reach with the gospel. Raymond shares how his early experiences in church planting shaped his calling, the challenges of launching during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of loving and serving a city rather than trying to "fix" it. He also offers key insights on leadership development, team building, and financial sustainability for church planters. His story is a powerful testament to faith, adaptability, and the impact of a deeply embedded, service-oriented church.

Welcome to Episode 035 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

EPISODE LINKS

https://www.ourcitycenter.com/

Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ 

WHO IS RAYMOND HUDSON?

Raymond Hudson is a dedicated leader with over 15 years of experience in ministry, education, and community development. He has passionately served in various pastoral roles, focusing on creating welcoming spaces where people of all backgrounds can grow in their faith, discover their purpose, and impact their communities. In addition to his ministry work, Raymond has led numerous initiatives in education, partnering with schools to support underserved families, championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, and mentoring educators to foster culturally responsive classrooms. His heart for empowering others is evident in his work, where he consistently prioritizes equity, collaboration, and innovation to help individuals and organizations thrive. Raymond has been married to his wife Rachel for 17 years, and together, they are the proud parents of four amazing children. As a family, they are deeply committed to faith, service, and creating meaningful connections with those around them. Raymond’s leadership is guided by his passion for helping people maximize their potential, both spiritually and practically, to make a lasting impact in their communities.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.

A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!