In this episode, Ken Freire talks with Dustin Dozier, founder of The Connected Church and campus pastor at Upstate Church Five Forks, about building real belonging in churches and businesses alike. Dustin shares how his own story of finding community shaped his passion for helping churches move people from attendance to connection, and how that work grew into a business, a book, and a practical framework for healthier growth.

Resources Mentioned

• The Connected Church — https://www.theconnectedchurch.com/
• Upstate Church Five Forks — https://fbsimpsonville.org/locations/upstate-church-five-forks/
• Dustin Dozier Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/dustindozier/
• Dustin Dozier Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/dustin.dozier.96/

Timestamps

• 00:01–02:28 — Dustin’s roles in ministry and entrepreneurship
  Ken introduces Dustin Dozier, who explains his dual role as pastor at Upstate Church Five Forks and founder of The Connected Church.
• 02:28–06:48 — The problem The Connected Church solves
  Dustin breaks down church assimilation, why many pastors burn out, and why smaller, under-resourced churches struggle to help people move from attending to belonging.
• 06:48–10:18 — Dustin’s personal story and how he found his niche
  He shares how finding belonging in a youth group as a teenager shaped his calling and eventually led him into connection systems and church growth strategy.
• 10:18–13:33 — The Connected Church book and mission
  Dustin talks about his upcoming book, the disconnect of modern life, and how churches can respond by creating deeper relational pathways.
• 13:33–20:48 — Business lessons from church growth
  Ken and Dustin explore what churches and businesses can both learn about customer journeys, personal invitations, handwritten notes, and clear next steps.
• 20:48–26:26 — Growing the business, handling feedback, and staying encouraged
  Dustin shares how he is getting feedback from other leaders, navigating self-doubt, and learning when to pause and regain perspective.
• 26:26–29:37 — Trend report questions: experiments, weak spots, and industry shifts
  Dustin answers rapid-fire questions about online courses, backend follow-up systems, building a local pastor network, and why he believes people are craving deeper community.
• 29:37–32:20 — Legacy, family, and where to connect with Dustin
  Dustin reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave, emphasizing faithfulness to his family and genuine care for pastors and churches, then shares how listeners can reach out.