In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Ronnie Martin sits with a dear friend and one of the founders of Harbor Network, Mike Cosper. Mike is a Kentucky-based writer and podcaster, primarily focused on exploring issues of worship, culture, and spiritual formation. He currently serves as the Senior Director of Podcasts at Christianity Today. As you probably guessed, they get into the aftermath of Mike’s latest podcast project, The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill, which proved to be the hottest podcast of the year for many. It was discussed around the world in community groups and churches, barbershops, coffee bars, and front porches. In this chat, Mike makes it personal, talks about the toll the pod had on his life, what he believes the church has to learn from stories like Mars Hill, and how evangelicals can find their way back. This one is so good you're going to want to listen to it twice. Saddle up and dig in, folks.

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Ronnie Martin chats with our good friends Matt and Lauren Gray, church planters of Antioch First Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. They talk about their journey to church planting, lessons they have learned through disappointment and waiting, the role emotional support plays in partnering together in ministry, what they enjoy most about being part of Harbor, and some encouragement for the open waters of ministry. It's a great conversation, so stay with us!

In this special bonus episode of This is Harbor Network, we’re sharing a live conversation between Jamaal Williams and Jarvis Williams. Jamaal is the lead pastor of Sojourn Church Midtown in Louisville, KY and the President of Harbor Network. Jarvis is an associate professor of New Testament interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a preaching pastor at Sojourn Church Midtown. In this episode, they discuss several topics from Jarvis' call to ministry, to how he became an avid reader, and his new book, Redemptive Kingdom Diversity: A Biblical Theology of the People of God. It’s a great conversation, you're going to love it!

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Kurt Hannah and Ronnie Martin talk about the network's values of Wholehearted Leadership and Friendship. Kurt Hannah is the lead pastor of Missio Dei Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, and his story is unique because Missio Dei has “joined” the Harbor Network family of churches on three separate occasions! In many ways, Kurt’s story parallels the story of Harbor Network, formerly known as Sojourn Network, and is one you definitely won't want to miss. If you appreciate honesty, integrity, humility, vulnerability, or anything that resembles those things, smash that play button and enjoy!

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Hannah Anderson and Winn Collier talk about the network's value of Conviction and Imagination. Hannah has become a good friend and trusted voice for Harbor Network as a speaker, writer, and faithful member of the network’s theological advisory council. She is the author of several books including Made for More, Humble Roots, All That’s Good, and Turning of Days. And Winn Collier, a pastor for 26 years, was the founding pastor of All Souls in Charlottesville, Virginia. He now serves as Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology & Christian Imagination and director of the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Winn has a PhD in religion and fiction from the University of Virginia and is the author of multiple books, including Love Big, Be Well: Letters to a Smalltown Church and A Burning in My Bones, the biography of Eugene Peterson. Together they explore the meaning and beauty of this value, how they have experienced it personally, viewing ministry as a creative endeavor, and how we can begin cultivating this value in our churches and homes. It is a great conversation.

In this episode of This is Harbor Network we're showcasing the story of a pastor outside our network. He's a long-time friend of ours and a man worth listening to. We want to be a network of humble leaders who know how to listen well, which is why we're eager to share this conversation Ronnie Martin had with Scotty Smith, one of the keynote speakers for this year's Leaders’ Summit. It's a fun chat that covers a number of topics including friendship, themes from the Christianity Today Podcast “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill”, the Spirit's role in Renewal, and much more. Dig in!

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Ronnie Martin sits with John Onwucheckwa, lead pastor of Cornerstone Church in Atlanta’s West End, a vibrant community known for its diversity that represents many different economic, cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. Born into a Nigerian home in which the gospel was deeply cherished and fully embodied, John has continued this tradition as a pastor, author, speaker, and entrepreneur seeking to look for opportunities to push back against the brokenness in his community through gospel restoration and renewal. It’s a great conversation, so stay with us!

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Ronnie Martin chats with Paul Gilbert, lead pastor of Four Oaks Community Church - Killearn in Tallahassee, Florida about parenting in the pastorate, dealing with anxiety, and how to remain wholehearted in the midst of life’s transitions. This episode will challenge you, encourage you, and may even bring you to tears. By the end, you'll want to be a good friend even if you're not a great person. Listen in, folks!

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Casey sits down with Jeff and Kari Patterson, church planters of Renew Church, in Oregon City, Oregon. Jeff and Kari talk about their journey to church planting, how they complement one another in ministry, their passion for Renew Church and doing life together as a community, and what led them to Harbor after years of waiting and watching. It's a great conversation, so stay with us!

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Casey sits down with Josh Jean, the lead and founding pastor of Sojourn Beaumont, in Beaumont, Texas. They talk about his upbringing and love of sports, his unique journey of leaving Beaumont with a desire to never return, only to be brought back in God’s providence to plant a church. They also get into some of the lessons he's learned along the way in how to apply the deep convictions of the historic Christian faith in creative and imaginative ways. Dig in, folks, you're going to love it.

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Casey Smith goes way back with his old friend, Juan Maclean, church planter and pastor of Redemption City Church in Boston, MA. They talk about zeal in church planting, the importance of the church planter's wife, what the church needs most from its pastor, and what spiritual growth in ministry looks like over the years. It's a fun conversation and one you won't want to miss.

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Ronnie Martin chats with Matt and Devon Guertin, church planters of Local Church in Bay Village, OH. They talk about their journey to church planting, the gift of friendship, their deep love and affection for the people God has called them to shepherd, and why we need each other in ministry. It's a great conversation with unexpected twists you won't want to miss.

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Ronnie Martin sits in with Nick Bogardus, former lead pastor of Cross of Christ Church in Costa Mesa, CA. They talk about ministry transitions, resiliency, wholehearted leadership, and that one time they locked eyes on the beach. It's a moving conversation, one you won't want to miss.

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Casey Smith and Ronnie Martin dig in with Scott Sauls, senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee. They talk about church planting and leading a congregation, the selfish ambition and insecurities that can creep in while doing so, and how to not wreck your life and ministry by becoming your own worst enemy. It's a fun conversation that ranges from Ted Lasso to Tim Keller to the mystery that is friendships within a church as a pastor. Oh, and we cover our love for BBQ. Don't miss it.

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Ronnie Martin sits down with Sean Nolan, the lead and founding pastor of Engage Albany, in Albany, New York. They talk about Sean’s journey to faith in Jesus, his search for significance and meaning in the music industry, what led him to church planting, and some lessons learned about belonging, vulnerability, and friendship.

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Ronnie Martin sits down with Ed Marcelle, former lead pastor of Terra Nova Church in Albany, NY, and now the Director of Church Planting and Multiplication at Harbor Network. Ed talks about his journey to faith in Jesus, his passion and conviction for church planting, his love for Albany, NY, and what ultimately led him to Harbor Network.

Everyone has a family. And every family has a story. This is Harbor Network chronicles the journey of a family of pastors and churches through the years and across the country. These conversations are grounded in real relationships and demonstrate how the collaboration we share with each other in the gospel can transcend culture, distance, and even death. This is our family. We invite you in. It’s little, and broken, and beautiful. This is Harbor Network.

In this episode of This is Harbor Network, Nick and Kim Bogardus talk to Ryan and Kate Welsh from Redeemer Church in Seattle, Washington. Ryan and Kate talk about their journey into ministry and about how their membership in the network has helped them to connect with other pastors.

Bonus Episode! Next week is our annual Leader’s Summit, so Mike Cosper and Dave Owens sat down to preview what’s to come. Hear about what’s new this year, like short talks and new partnerships, and hear about the opportunities that remain for attending our pre-conferences. They’ve also got some encouragements for how to pray and prepare for the Summit, so tune in and enjoy. Produced by Narrativo