Leading Conversations

Conversations between J.D. Pearring, Director of Excel Leadership Network, and church planting leaders, innovators, and coaches from around the country.

Leading Conversations is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Leading Conversations, a business show with 0 episodes published.

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  Episode #134

  Conversation with Max Critchfield

  Aug 17, 202638 min

  You can’t “growth hack” a church into existence, and you definitely can’t fake a calling to a place you don’t love. We talk with Bay Area church planter Max Critchfield about what happens when God takes a teenager who only wanted the service to end and turns him into a shepherd with deep roots in the East Bay. Max shares an honest conversion story that moves from cultural Catholic practice to a youth group invitation, a summer camp yes to Jesus, and then the brutal tension of trying to keep both faith and a double life. The breakthrough comes later in a quieter setting when he feels the weight lifting: nothing is hidden from God, and God has not stopped pursuing him. From there, we follow the thread into a clear call to ministry, seasons of formation at UC Davis through local church community, and early full-time ministry in the Bay Area. We close with a leadership tip that cuts through the noise: prayer isn’t what we do before the work, prayer is the work. Subscribe, share this with a leader who needs fresh faith, and leave a review. What would change in your life if you treated prayer as the main plan? Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL .

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  Episode #133

  Conversation with Brett and Karla Burner (Classic)

  Aug 10, 202645 min

  Brett and Karla Burner, from Spring Valley, California near San Diego, are from two different backgrounds and countries. They met at a summer camp and have been together ever since. Brett jumped into ministry. Bible studies led to teaching, which led to pastoring. Their journey will encourage you. And if you ever see Swell soda on the menu or in a store, you can thank Brett. Originally Posted February 15, 2024 Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL .

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  Episode #132

  Conversation with Chris and Suzy Parks

  Aug 3, 202638 min

  A church plant can look like a launch date and a Sunday service, but the real story usually starts years earlier in the hidden places. We talk with Chris and Susie Parks of Presence Church in San Jose, California about the long formation behind their “yes,” from childhood faith and early callings to decades of serving while working regular jobs, raising kids, and learning ministry the hard way. Then the conversation turns practical and hopeful: discovering Echo Church, learning mission at scale, receiving genuine support from sending leaders, and discerning a call to plant in the Bay Area, where many neighbors have no concept of church at all. Chris also explains how his book, The Unseen Work: What God Does In The Church Planter Before The Plant, poured out in a surprising burst after their launch, and both Chris and Susie share leadership takeaways on teachability, prayer, and trusting God’s provision in fundraising and team building. Subscribe, share this with a leader who needs encouragement, and leave a review so more church planters and ministry leaders can find these conversations. Amazon Link: The Unseen Work Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL .

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  Episode #131

  Conversation with Chan Kwak (Classic)

  Jul 27, 202648 min

  In this conversation, J.D. spends some time with Chan Kwak. If you know anything about the city of Compton, CA, you would never imagine a Korean child who was brought to the United States in the middle of the night by his parents would plant a church and reach that diverse community—his story of perseverance and dedication to sharing the gospel with whoever would listen will inspire you when you hear it. Originally Posted July 15, 2024 Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL .

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  Episode #130

  Conversation with Sami Moss

  Jul 13, 202635 min

  A lot of leaders can name their gifts, but still feel stuck when it comes to where those gifts belong. JD sits down with Sammy Moss to trace a ministry story that does not depend on a dramatic “before and after,” but on steady faithfulness, wise preparation, and a willingness to obey the next step even when the long-term plan is unclear. From growing up in South Florida to choosing Cedarville University in Ohio, Sammy shares how God used ordinary discipleship rhythms to build a foundation for church leadership and teaching. The conversation turns practical as Sammy shares her move into a women’s ministry lead role at All Church in Cincinnati, her speaking and coaching work through Sammy Moss Ministries, and her slow, consistent process for writing a Gospel of Mark Bible study curriculum using an inductive Bible study approach. JD and Sammy close with leadership takeaways you can apply immediately: delegate with trust, find a great assistant, keep learning your team’s gifting, and embrace leadership that grows deep roots over time instead of chasing fast results. Subscribe, share this with a leader in your life, and leave a review so more church planters and ministry teams can find the show. Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL .

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