
Leading Conversations
J.D. Pearring
Conversations between J.D. Pearring, Director of Excel Leadership Network, and church planting leaders, innovators, and coaches from around the country.
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Top 10 Leading Conversations Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Leading Conversations episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Leading Conversations for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Leading Conversations episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Conversation with Chris Finchum
Leading Conversations
11/01/22 • 25 min
The call to church planting can lead someone to many places. In the case of Pastor Chris Finchum, he and his wife were led to Yuba City, CA, from Tampa, FL. After a few trips to visit his wife's family, they both saw the need for a church that could reach the people of the community that had walked away from the Jesus that wasn't the Jesus of the Bible. Of course, the fact that wild chickens roam the local In-n-Out Burger parking lot might have had something to do with it. Chris shares the importance of being willing to lean into the call God places on your heart. Listen to his story and be encouraged.
We want to help you find your next steps in ministry.
Connect here with EXCEL.
Ministry Partner: Christian Community Credit Union

Conversation with Jon Fegan and Christian Axe
Leading Conversations
09/15/22 • 30 min
Jon and Christian were two friends on different journeys in their faith. Both came to realize that God was more than they had initially imagined. After working in various ministry roles in different areas, Jon and Christian were led to plant Fireside Church in September of 2022 near Phoenix, AZ. They would be the first to tell you that you can't give up on God's call and being genuine to yourself and the gifts that God has given you is the key to success. Listen to their journey and be inspired.
We want to help you find your next steps in ministry.
Connect here with EXCEL.
Ministry Partner: Christian Community Credit Union

Conversation with Willie Nolte
Leading Conversations
05/30/21 • 22 min
Willie Nolte is the CEO/Mission Lead of Transformation Ministries. Transformation Ministries (TM) is a covenanting association of leaders and 200 churches in the United States, and Northern Mexico committed to seeing more healthy churches. Before joining TM, Willie pastored in local congregations for 32 years in Illinois and California. Willie enjoys reminding church leaders that “No church or leader was ever meant to do ministry alone - so don’t!”
We want to help you find your next steps in ministry.
Connect here with EXCEL.
Ministry Partner: Christian Community Credit Union

Conversation with Jason Squires
Leading Conversations
06/17/24 • 34 min
Today's conversation is with Jason Squires, a worship leader, songwriter, and speaker who travels around the country leading worship and teaching at conferences. His passion is leading people to Jesus through creativity and inspiring creatives to reach their full potential. Listen to his story and be encouraged.
Ministry Partner: https://mycccu.com/excel
Jason: https://jsmusic.net
We want to help you find your next steps in ministry.
Connect here with EXCEL.
Ministry Partner: Christian Community Credit Union

Conversation with Brian & Sarah Drinkwine (Part 2)
Leading Conversations
06/15/22 • 26 min
This is part two of our conversation with the Drinkwines. How would you handle your church plant launch when more than half of your launch team is in COVID quarantine and half of your RSVPs cancel for the same reason? Brain & Sarah found themselves in that situation when they launched their second church plant in the Spring of 2022. You will be encouraged by their journey, and you might even want to pack up everything you own and move to Nashville.
We want to help you find your next steps in ministry.
Connect here with EXCEL.
Ministry Partner: Christian Community Credit Union

Conversation with Nathan "Chivo" Hawkins
Leading Conversations
09/15/21 • 28 min
Nathan, "Chivo" to those who know him, has first-hand U.S. church planting experience, having led in a church plant re-launch in New Orleans post-Katrina. As an adoptee and adoptive father, Nathan is passionate about children who come from difficult backgrounds. Originally from inner-city Minneapolis, Nathan grew up in a Christian home in a culturally diverse environment. He served a church in Juarez, Mexico for a year and a half, which led him to seminary, where he caught the church planting bug. Nathan and his wife Joy have three young children: Benicio, Taegen, and Grace. The Hawkins are a family that welcomes foster children and loves connecting with the local church.
We want to help you find your next steps in ministry.
Connect here with EXCEL.
Ministry Partner: Christian Community Credit Union

Conversation with Chris Pinion
Leading Conversations
12/15/22 • 26 min
Today's conversation is with Chris Pinion. A pastor in Kansas City or "K.C.K.," a chaplain, and a volunteer fire chief. Chis makes being a part of his community a big part of his ministry. Coming out of a dysfunctional family, his mom was married eight times; Chris shares how God always has a plan, and that plan continues throughout life. You won't want to miss the ventriloquist gospel connection. Listen to the conversation, and you will be inspired.
We want to help you find your next steps in ministry.
Connect here with EXCEL.
Ministry Partner: Christian Community Credit Union

Conversation with TJ and Jess McCall
Leading Conversations
04/03/23 • 35 min
Today's conversation is with TJ and Jess McCall from Buckeye, AZ. Thier journey has led them through multiple leves of ministry from youth work, associate pastorship, and finally as a lead pastor. It also took them around the country, from Monterey, CA to Paducah, KY, and points in between. They are currently working on a new church plant in Palm Springs, CA. Traveling between Arizona and California to work on building their team and fundraising. If you feel the call to plant a church you won't want to miss their story. Listen and be encouraged.
We want to help you find your next steps in ministry.
Connect here with EXCEL.
Ministry Partner: Christian Community Credit Union

Conversation with Vladimir Kotyakov
Leading Conversations
03/01/24 • 36 min
It’s just easier to call him Pastor Vlad. Today’s JD has a conversation with Vladimir Kotyakov. He came to the United States at the age of 11. Vladimir has a rich Christian heritage. A grandfather died for his faith in a Russian gulag, and his father and other family members were also pastors in Russia. He is currently serving as pastor at the House of Bread church near Sacramento, California. His journey will inspire you, and you won’t want to miss this conversation.
Ministry Partner: https://mycccu.com/excel
We want to help you find your next steps in ministry.
Connect here with EXCEL.
Ministry Partner: Christian Community Credit Union

Conversation with Jim Smith
Leading Conversations
03/01/23 • 33 min
Today's converastion is with Jim Smith, President of the Pacific Church Network. He has been the President since March, 2006. Jim and his wife, Vicki, have 4 married children, and 11 grandchildren. He has been in active pastoral ministry since 1979, serving as a youth pastor and ultimately as a Senior Pastor. His ministry has taken him to many countries around the world on short-term mission endeavors. Since 2014, he has also been the pastor of San Antonio Heights Community Church in Upland, California. With his history, he has seen the good and bad of working in ministry. Listen and be encouraged by his journey.
We want to help you find your next steps in ministry.
Connect here with EXCEL.
Ministry Partner: Christian Community Credit Union
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FAQ
How many episodes does Leading Conversations have?
Leading Conversations currently has 94 episodes available.
What topics does Leading Conversations cover?
The podcast is about Non-Profit, Ministry, Christianity, Leadership, Religion & Spirituality, Podcasts, Church Planting and Business.
What is the most popular episode on Leading Conversations?
The episode title 'Conversation with Jason Squires' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Leading Conversations?
The average episode length on Leading Conversations is 31 minutes.
How often are episodes of Leading Conversations released?
Episodes of Leading Conversations are typically released every 15 days.
When was the first episode of Leading Conversations?
The first episode of Leading Conversations was released on Feb 28, 2021.
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