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This is a recording of a presentation on MTC by Rev. Jonathan Priest, Director of Mission Training Center, at Best Practices for Ministry 2023, hosted by Christ Church, Phoenix. Mission Training Center https://missiontrainingcenter.com/ is a lay-training platform under the oversight of the three West Coast Districts of the LCMS (PSD, CNH, and NOW) in partnership with Concordia University, Irvine (CUI).

Jonathan and Dust share fun stories, a brief history of MTC, and look at the influence of MTC going forward. (An interview with the new director for MTC https://missiontrainingcenter.com/, Rev. Jonathan Priest, on "growing a leadership culture," and how MTC supports leaders and ministries across the West Coast and beyond in "just in time training" for leaders of all kinds.)

Pastor Zabdi Lopez grew up in Mexico. His wife Elizabeth grew up in the Mid-West. Their story is a mind-blowing account of God's faithfulness to them and God's "Missio Dei" -- God's sending heart. This episode captures the story of how they got together plus the sorrows, challenges, and joys of being a multi-ethnic couple committed to Jesus and His ways. Extra bonus! Great details on how Zabdi and Elizabeth identify and equip the next generation of leaders.

Mike Von Behren (NOW Start Network Cultivator) interviews Amy Schweim, DCE, MSc., Director of Outreach and Connections of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Puyallup, Washington (and also a NOW Start Network Cultivator!). What happens when a DCE has a passion for "family resiliency" and decides to help families in her community? All kinds of stuff! Amy talks about her passion for "family resiliency" and launching new ministries that support families with education, children's day camps, coffee shops, and more to support a "one-stop community resource center for families."

Mike Von Behren (NOW Start Network Cultivator) interviews Gerod Bass, DCE, Worship Arts Director of Our Savior Lutheran Church (OSLC) in Tacoma, Washington. How do the arts and having and "open door policy" for a church building serve as a bridge into the community? Gerod tells the story of how OSLC launched a theater ministry after their sanctuary was destroyed in a fire, and digs into what discipleship looks like when you cross boundaries to share the love of Christ.

Mike Von Behren (NOW Start Network Cultivator) interviews Rev. Ruberto Ek Yah, of Trinity Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon. What happens when an Anglo congregation "gets out of their box" and practices hospitality with their Latino neighbors? How does a network of support (Lutheran Latino Ministries) influence young leaders? Rev. Ruberto Ek Yah is a bivocational Mayan-Latino LCMS Pastor whose story is an example of the grace of God, the power of God answering consistent prayers for new leaders, and raising Latino workers for His harvest.

Note: critical update! President Linnemann shares a story of how Concordia University, Portland, was a blessing to him as a young man and invites memories (saved in audio format) from others to be sent into the District Office in preparation for an evening remembering the blessings of Concordia University, Portland.

Note: critical update! President Linnemann highlights the NOW L.I. and invites every ministry to bring at least one name of a brand new leader or a leader "who is doing a new thing" to the district convention. The dream is to have over 230 names of new leaders across the NOW District.

Note: critical update! President Linnemann digs into the purpose of gathering in convention, and an appropriate mindset for followers of Jesus to have in tough conversations. Then, he provides an update on the "Speaking the Truth in Love about Racism" Task Force, and asks leaders and groups across the district to use the resources provided to prepare for helpful discussion at the convention.

Note: critical update! President Linnemann introduces the theme for District Convention from Hebrews 13:8 and highlights key topics for convention including the Speaking Truth in Love about Racism Task Force, The NOW District Leadership Initiative (L.I.), and an evening dedicated to celebrating the influence of Concordia University, Portland.

Get Inspired! The Rev. Dr. John Arthur Nunes (former CEO of Lutheran World Relief, former president of CU-New York, and author of Meant for More, and other books) joins Cultivators Todd Roeske and Mike Von Behren to give insights and encouragement for those eager to start holistic ministries. Holistic ministries care for the needs of people in “proximity to proclamation” -- the spoken conversation about Jesus. Dr. Nunes reminds us that it all starts with simple questions we learned to sing as kids: “Who are the people in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood?” and, “Please won’t you be my neighbor?”

Jeremy Lucke (NOW Start Network Cultivator) interviews Eric and Dennis of The Manna Project of Corvallis, Oregon. What happens when a pastor supports and encourages creative businessmen to launch a new way to care for the body and the soul through nutritious soup for people facing food scarcity? The story of The Manna Project is an example of trusting partnerships and the gritty details of taking a dream to reality. This conversation covers some steps along the entrepreneurial journey!

An interview with Rev. Kyle Blake of Longbeach, CA. Do we exist to serve the people who worship with us -- or those who live in the community? Engaging in ministry from a new mindset often necessitates starting new: a new ministry, a new outreach, a new worshipping community. This episode is full of ideas and encouragement on how to connect with our communities.

Get Looking! President Linnemann shares his own story of someone looking at him as a leader before he ever saw leadership in himself. A conversation about who to look for -- and how to look for -- new leaders.

Get Rolling! "Lift Your Eyes: Raising Up Leaders for God's Mission" is a new focus for the NOW District. God's focus is always outward giving His love away. President Linnemann sets the stage for implementing the toolkit with an important attitude focus towards leadership built around God as "The Sending God."

Get Started! President Paul Linnemann introduces a brand-new initiative for the NOW District: "Lift Your Eyes: Raising Up Leaders for God's Mission," a focus on identifying new leaders. Paul unpacks eye-opening results from a leadership survey conducted across the district and how those results connect with the NOW Leadership Initiative.

New starts aren't always formed out of nothing -- Sometimes they are the result of two existing ministries coming together to become something different. This is the subject of the latest NOWLeading Podcast, which features audio from the NOW Start Network's July Zoom call with Pastor Jon Mau in Bellevue, Washington.

What happens when your church helps launch an actual coffee-roasting business? This is something that Nick Larsen, pastor of Living Water Church in Clark Fork, Idaho, knows all about. A few years ago, Scotchman’s Coffee was launched as a partnership between the congregation, a couple of members, and the church community. Listen to the latest episode of the NOWLeading Podcast to hear more about this exciting adventure.

COVID-19 has challenged ministries and leaders to make adaptive changes across the board. Pastor Matt of Our Savior Lutheran in Tacoma, WA, shares thoughts on how the staff of OSLC pivoted to support people over programs, kept the target on relationships, built healthy spiritual habits into their leadership calendars, and as a team is working together to strengthen their faith community every day of the week.

Paul and Dust talk about the role of mentors, Paul remembers his father's lasting influence, and they discuss how to be mentored and find a mentor. This one's good to share with anyone you know looking to grow in a particular area and not sure how to find a mentor!