LEAD Pods

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. 125 – Planting Hope in the Neighborhood: The Story of City Church

April 17, 2025

Church planting isn’t one-size-fits-all—especially when it happens in the same streets where you once lived a very different life. That’s the story of City Church in Pueblo, Colorado, where Pastor Mario Trujillo leads a ministry shaped by personal transformation, community brokenness, and deep gospel hope.

In this episode, Mario shares how his past prepared him to reach his city in powerful ways, what it looks like to truly “move into the neighborhood” like Jesus did, and how God provided a new building in a truly miraculous way. Whether you're involved in church planting, urban ministry, or simply want to hear a testimony of God's faithfulness, this episode will encourage and inspire.

Listen on Apple or Spotify

EP. 124 – Restoring Hope: MDS Responds to the LA Wildfires

April 3, 2025

When disasters strike, how can churches respond in ways that tangibly share Christ’s love? This week, we talk with Jim Holm, co-chair of the California unit of Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), an organization dedicated to rebuilding homes after natural disasters.

Jim shares behind-the-scenes details about how MDS operates, including their “four pillars” that guide decisions on when and how to get involved. He also provides updates on the devastating Los Angeles wildfires from earlier this year, describing both the enormous challenges faced and the inspiring ways volunteers are bringing hope to impacted communities.

Whether you have practical construction skills or just a heart to serve, Jim explains how everyone can play a meaningful role. This episode is a reminder of the power of compassionate, practical service—and how, together, we can offer healing and hope in the wake of tragedy.

Listen on Apple or Spotify

EP. 123 – Trusted: Teaching Kids about Money, Stewardship, & Generosity

March 19, 2025

In a world driven by consumerism, how can we help our kids develop healthy, God-honoring financial habits? On this episode, we talk with author Matt Bell, who shares insights from his book, Trusted, about teaching kids the biblical perspective of money and stewardship. Matt explains practical ways to start early and engage our children on three levels—heart, head, and hands—to create lasting habits and foster genuine generosity.

Matt shares practical ideas, real-life examples, and encouragement for parents who might feel overwhelmed or unsure about teaching financial principles. Whether you’re just getting started or want to reset your family’s approach to money management, this episode offers helpful tips and reminds us that it’s never too late to teach our kids how to be wise stewards of God’s resources.

This episode is sponsored by MB Foundation. MB Foundation has partnered with Matt to provide many free resources for church leaders related to Trusted. Check out the free resources today at http://mbfoundation.com/trusted.

Listen on Apple or Spotify

EP. 122 – Trusting the Story: Lessons from Three Unique Church Plants

March 6, 2025

No two church plants look the same, but every successful one shares a common thread—God’s faithfulness. In this special narrative episode, we explore the journeys of three thriving MB church plants: SouthLife Church in Wichita, Lighthouse Church in Oaklawn, and Lakeview Church in Tooele County, Utah.

Each church faced unique challenges, from failed launches and financial struggles to reaching communities with little to no evangelical presence. Through it all, their leaders learned to “trust the story” and follow God’s lead. Whether you're passionate about church planting, curious about how new churches take root, or simply looking for encouragement in your own faith journey, this episode is filled with inspiring stories of perseverance, strategy, and God’s provision.

Read this story in the latest issue of Christian Leader:

https://christianleadermag.com/the-story-of-three-church-plants/

Listen on Apple or Spotify

EP. 121 – The Sacred Task: Advice for Crafting an Impactful Sermon (Brent Warkentin)

February 20, 2025

Preaching is more than just delivering a message—it’s a sacred responsibility. This week, we sit down with Brent Warkentin, lead pastor at Ridgepoint Church, to discuss what goes into preparing and delivering impactful sermons. Brent shares his personal approach to sermon prep, why he practices each message out loud multiple times, and how he stays fresh after decades in ministry.

We also explore the tension between topical and expository preaching, the importance of authenticity, and how humor can disarm tough conversations. Whether you’re a pastor, teacher, or just interested in how sermons come together, this episode offers valuable insights on preaching with both confidence and humility.

Listen on Apple or Spotify

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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