LEAD Pods are the official USMB podcast devoted to leadership development and spiritual growth for Mennonite Brethren churches. This is MBs sharing ideas with other MBs, and hopefully beyond. ‘It’s the best of us to the rest of us.’

Listen on Apple or Spotify or click the blue icon to the left of each episode.

Video versions of some podcasts are available on our YouTube channel.

EP. 120 – Leadership Development That Works: Lessons from Mountain View (Dave Thiessen)

February 6, 2025

How do we develop strong leaders for the future of the church? At Mountain View Church, leadership development isn’t just a program—it’s part of the culture. This week, we’re joined by Dave Thiessen, executive pastor at Mountain View, to talk about their approach to mentoring, training, and sending out the next generation of church leaders.

From summer apprenticeships to international internships and the Elijah program, Mountain View has created multiple pathways for young leaders to gain hands-on ministry experience. Dave shares practical insights on why leadership development matters, how to give responsibility to emerging leaders (even before they feel ready), and how churches of any size can start investing in future pastors and ministry workers. Whether you’re a leader looking to develop others or someone exploring a call to ministry, this episode is packed with wisdom and encouragement.

Mountain View website: https://www.mountainview.org/.

Leadership Pipeline: https://leaderpipeline.net/.

Listen on Apple or Spotify

EP. 119 – Radical Roots: Exploring 500 Years of Anabaptism (Valerie Rempel)

January 22, 2025

What makes Anabaptist history radical, and how does it shape who we are today? In this episode, we’re joined by Valerie Rempel, former dean of Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary and a trusted historian in MB circles, to explore the significance of Anabaptism’s 500th anniversary.

Valerie walks us through the bold decisions of early Anabaptists, the importance of believer’s baptism, and the challenges of allegiance to Christ above all else. We also reflect on how these radical beginnings continue to influence our faith, from a commitment to discipleship to navigating today’s cultural and political complexities. Whether you’re familiar with Anabaptist history or hearing these stories for the first time, this episode will inspire you to think deeply about what it means to live as a follower of Jesus.

Listen on Apple or Spotify

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