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- During Jesus’ ministry on earth, tables—and the meals shared around them—were an important part of his school of discipleship. Professor and author Robert Karris writes, “In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is either going to a meal, at a meal or coming from a meal.” New Testament scholar N. T. Wright says, “When Jesus himself wanted to explain to his disciples what his forthcoming death was all about, he didn’t give them a theory, he gave them a meal.” When Jesus invites his followers to the table, the meal is open to all—men and women, slave and free, Jew and Greek. Jesus’ […]
- Every human sees the world through their own unique and distinct cultural lens. But what does that mean? What is a cultural lens and how does that affect how we interact with our neighbors and our brothers and sisters in the faith? How do I know what my own cultural lens is and how it differs from others? How can we as a USMB family seek to understand each other better when our cultural lenses are very different? There is a significant cue in what John encounters in Revelation 7 and the implications that come out of it. After John […]
- With 30 churches and almost 10,000 members in three countries, Grace Tabernacle Ministries (GTM) has grown significantly since its humble beginning in Kenya with seven Congolese refugees in 2009. Founding pastor Emmanuel Musinga, who now pastors in Indianapolis, Indiana, borrowed $300 from a former primary school teacher to build a roof for the fledgling church. “The Bible says, ‘Don’t despise the small beginnings,’” Musinga says. “Just listen to the voice of God, and follow the passion that God has given to you.” Musinga’s passion is for church planting, leadership development and children’s education, and today, the church he founded has […]
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- Disciple-Making
- USMB is actively involved in helping provide our churches with dynamic ideas, resources and programs for encouraging people to become fully-devoted followers of Jesus. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples….” We strive to facilitate that profound command. READ MORE about Disciple-making.Read More
- Leadership Development
- USMB’s leadership development strategy stems from the real need to actively develop more leaders within the local church who are living on mission in the workplace and in their communities and to fulfill the demand for additional pastors, church planters and missionaries. READ MORE about Leadership Development opportunities.Read More
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Increasing Impact Together
T 800-257-0515
Email: offices@usmb.org
USMB
PO Box 20200 Wichita, KS 67208
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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, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Music or click the blue icon to the left of each episode.
EP. 147 - Immigrant Church Leadership: Faith, Culture, and Generational Change (Endashaw Kelkele)
March 5, 2026
Pastor Endashaw Kelkele joins LEAD Pods for a wide-ranging conversation about immigrant church leadership, mission, and faith shaped by perseverance.
Endashaw is the lead pastor of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church of Denver, where he has served for more than three decades. He shares his story of growing up in Ethiopia during a time of Christian persecution, fleeing to Kenya, and eventually immigrating to Colorado—where he never expected to become a pastor, but felt God’s clear call to shepherd a growing community.
The conversation explores what it’s like to lead a bilingual, multicultural church navigating generational change, shifting language, and cultural tension. Endashaw reflects on the challenges and opportunities of serving first- and second-generation immigrants, raising up young leaders, and helping the church remain centered on the mission of Christ rather than control or comfort.
Along the way, he offers wisdom for pastors and church leaders serving in diverse communities, insights into evangelism through everyday work, and encouragement for churches seeking to come alongside immigrant congregations with humility, trust, and partnership.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Music or click the blue icon to the left.
EP. 146 - Leading Through Change Without Losing Your People (Jon Annin)
February 19, 2026
Pastor Jon Annin joins LEAD Pods for a thoughtful conversation about leading change without losing people. Jon is one of the speakers for the USMB Gathering this summer, and this episode offers a window into his heart for ministry, renewal, and sustainable leadership.
Jon shares the story of returning to Stony Brook Church, a small church in Omaha that had experienced significant decline, and how patient, courageous change led to health, growth, and renewed mission. Along the way, he reflects on lessons learned from serving in both large and small churches, the importance of building teams that can say both yes and no, and why church health can’t be measured by size alone. The conversation also explores church planting, video campuses, and how pastors can lead change wisely in a season when both culture and ministry feel especially demanding.
EP. 145 - Leveraging AI Without Losing Your Soul (Matt Ehresman)
February 5, 2026
In this special role-reversal episode of LEAD Pods, host Matt Ehresman steps into the guest seat as he is interviewed by Lacey Scully, the editor of the Christian Leader magazine. Together they explore the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence and what it means for church leaders today. Matt shares how he personally uses AI tools in his work, from podcast production to daily church communication, and why he believes AI can be a gift to ministry leaders when it's used thoughtfully and wisely.
This conversation isn't about hype or fear; it's all about discernment. Matt and Lacey talk honestly about the ethical concerns surrounding AI, the risks of losing authenticity, and the importance of keeping the human (and spiritual) elements at the center of ministry. Along the way, Matt offers practical examples for pastors and church leaders who are curious about AI but unsure where to start. The goal isn't to replace people, but rather to leverage these tools without losing your soul.
EP. 144 - Deconstruction, Denominations, & Algorithms (Convention Speaker A.J. Swoboda)
January 22, 2026
Pastor, theologian, and author A.J. Swoboda joins LEAD Pods for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership and formation. A.J. is one of our keynote speakers for the USMB Gathering coming up this July, so this episode gives a sneak peek into his heart for ministry and insight into life as a pastor in today's unique culture.
We cover a lot of ground in this episode! A.J. shares thoughts about doubt and deconstruction (the main topic of his talk at Gathering), why it's so important for various denominations to learn from each other, and why he tells his students to always express gratitude to ChatGPT. This episode introduces A.J. as a thoughtful, grounded voice and invites pastors to reflect on how they are being formed as they lead in an increasingly complex world.
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