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The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill proved to be the hottest podcast of the year for many. It was discussed around the world in churches, barber shops, coffee bars, and front porches. In this episode, 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 these, 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.   CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsIt is produced by me and Mark Owens.It is hosted by me and Ronnie Martin. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens. Music by Marc Wallach, Ayden Blackbird, and Joel Negus.

Matt and Lauren Gray have been serving together in some ministry capacity for almost 20 years, from leading worship, serving in kids ministry, to now the lead pastor and pastor’s wife role.  Even though both are Tennessee natives, their path to ministry was not what they had planned. From launching a church plant core group in the middle of a pandemic to merging with a 210-year-old existing church, they are experiencing the Lord's faithfulness all along the way. And this episode is that story. Lean in and enjoy!   CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsIt is produced by me and Mark Owens.It is hosted by me and Ronnie Martin. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens. Music by Marc Wallach, Ayden Blackbird, and Joel Negus.

Jamaal is the lead pastor of Sojourn Church Midtown in Louisville, KY and the President of Harbor Network. Before receiving the call to Sojourn, he pastored Forest Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky from 2008–2015. Jamaal received his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, his master’s from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his doctorate, also from Southern, in Black Church Leadership. Jamaal is happily married to Amber, and they are the parents of five beautiful children. Jarvis Williams is an associate professor of New Testament interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a preaching pastor at Sojourn Church Midtown in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of several books including: One New Man: The Cross and Racial Reconciliation in Pauline Theology, as well as a commentary on Galatians which is part of the New Covenant Commentary Series. His work has also been featured in Christianity Today and The Gospel Coalition. He is married to Ana and is father to Jaden. This is a frank conversation between old friends who also happen to be pastor-scholars. Dig in while they chop it up! CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsIt is produced by me and Mark Owens.It is hosted by me and Ronnie Martin. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens. Music by Marc Wallach, Ayden Blackbird, and Joel Negus.

Kurt is the founding pastor of Missio Dei Church. He has been married to his wife Shannon since 2000 and they live in Central Cincinnati with their four kids (3 teens and a grade-schooler). He loves Reds baseball, outdoor sports, and all forms of competition. His perfect day would involve all those activities with good friends and end with a stiff drink and a smooth cigar. CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsIt is produced by me and Mark Owens.It is hosted by me and Ronnie Martin. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens. Music by Marc Wallach, Ayden Blackbird, and Joel Negus.

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. CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsIt is produced by me and Mark Owens.It is hosted by me and Ronnie Martin. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens. Music by Marc Wallach, Ayden Blackbird, and Joel Negus.

Scotty is the founding pastor and pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church, in Franklin, TN, which he pastored for 26 years. He presently serves as Teacher in Residence of West End Community Church, a daughter church of Christ Community Church.  CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsIt is produced by me and Mark Owens.It is hosted by me and Ronnie Martin. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens. Music by Marc Wallach, Ayden Blackbird, and Joel Negus.

We want to be a network of humble leaders who know how to listen well, which is why we are so excited to share a conversation Ronnie Martin had with John Onwuchekwa, lead pastor of Cornerstone Church in Atlanta’s West End and one of the keynote speakers for this year's Leaders’ Summit. To find out more about John, you can follow him on Twitter. To find out more about Portrait Coffee and Crete Collective visit them online at portrait.coffee and thecretecollective.org.  CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsIt is produced by me and Mark Owens.It is hosted by me and Ronnie Martin. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens. Music by Marc Wallach, Ayden Blackbird, and Joel Negus.

Ronnie Martin chats with Paul Gilbert, lead pastor of Four Oaks Community Church - Killearn in Tallahassee, Florida. Paul has served at Four Oaks for the past 25 years, nine of which have been as the lead pastor. He is married to his best friend and the love of his life, Susan, for 29 years, and they have four children together, ages 15 to 22. Paul and Susan met at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and then married and were off to Reformed Theological Seminary where Paul completed his ministerial studies. In their spare time, (*insert laugh track*), the Gilberts love going to Disney World, relaxing at the beach, and cheering on their hapless Tennessee Volunteers football team. They also discourage camping in all of its forms. Paul completed his PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy at Florida State University, where he studied the relationship between family systems theory and forgiveness. He has authored two books, both of which you should buy and enjoy. Listen in, folks! CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsProduced by Casey Smith and Mark OwensEdited and Mixed by Mark OwensMusic by Marc Wallach, Ayden Blackbird, and Flash Fluharty

Casey Smith chats with Jeff and Kari Patterson, church planters of Renew Church, in Oregon City, Oregon.  Jeff serves the church with vision, theology, preaching, and leadership; and Kari serves in a variety of capacities as a writer/speaker and homeschool mama. The conversation begins with a funny story about how their friendship began, travel through some of Marva Dawn's work on Christian ministry and community, and find their way through the trials and joys of church planting as a ministry couple. It's a really encouraging conversation, and it is evident that God has brought Jeff and Kari together in life and ministry as true helpmates, working for one another and Renew Church using their unique personalities and giftings. Dig in and enjoy! CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsProduced by Casey Smith and Mark OwensEdited and Mixed by Mark OwensMusic by Marc Wallach, Ayden Blackbird, and Flash Fluharty

Casey Smith talks with Josh Jean, the lead pastor of Sojourn Beaumont. Josh begins by sharing what it was like growing up in a conservative homeschool setting in a "small" Texas town where his dad was a pastor. The desire to leave the small places where you're from is a common one, so Josh and Esther got out of Beaumont thinking they'd never return. But the Lord had other plans. Through a long and winding road they found themselves back in Beaumont planting a church. It's a typical church planting story in many ways, but don't be fooled by the stillness on the surface. There are some real nuggets of wisdom in this one if you're curious enough to explore them. If you do, you may just end up a better lover—lover of God and lover of others.  CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsProduced by Casey Smith and Mark OwensEdited and Mixed by Mark OwensMusic by Marc Wallach, Ayden Blackbird, and Flash Fluharty

Casey Smith sits down with Juan Maclean for a conversation about the time they met and Juan's zeal for Boston, the church planter's marriage and discerning "the call," and how God bids a man to come and die when he calls him to plant. Juan is the lead pastor of Redemption City Church in Boston, MA.  He and his wife Debbie live with their three children and their German Shepherd dog.  He loves music, grilling, and the Miami Dolphins.     CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsProduced by Casey Smith and Mark OwensEdited and Mixed by Mark OwensMusic by Marc Wallach and Ayden Blackbird

Ronnie Martin sits down with Matt and Devon Guertin for a conversation about ministry callings, true friendship, unexpected blessings, and the willingness to show up in ministry as both needed and needy. At the beginning of 2019, Matt and Devon Guertin had little details about where God was calling them to serve. They were in a season of transition and knew they weren’t to walk it alone.  Out of that season, Local Church in Bay Village, OH was birthed.   CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsProduced by Casey Smith and Mark OwensEdited and Mixed by Mark OwensMusic by Marc Wallach and Ayden Blackbird

Ronnie Martin sits down with Nick Bogardus for a conversation about wholeheartedness, resiliency, ministry transitions, discerning calling, and a whole host of other things related to church planting and pastoral ministry. Nick is the VP of Marketing for Subsplash and the Chief Strategist at Relational Advisory Group, a consulting and coaching firm that helps Christian marketplace and ministry leaders have a greater impact by integrating their emotional intelligence, communication, and development. Nick brings 20 years of proven, effective leadership in contexts as diverse as entertainment, higher education, ministry, and planting two churches. After spending four years in Mongolia and Seattle, he returned to his native Orange County, CA where he lives with his wife Kim, their three children, and a three-legged dog. He loves trail running, surfing, tacos, and college football. CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsProduced by Casey Smith and Mark OwensEdited and Mixed by Mark OwensMusic by Marc Wallach, Ayden Blackbird, and Flash Fluharty

Casey Smith and Ronnie Martin sit down with Scott Sauls for a conversation about wholehearted leadership, ministry friendships, and why church planting is good for the ego. Scott is married to Patti, and dad to Abby and Ellie. He also serves as senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He was previously a lead and preaching pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City after planting two churches in Kansas City and St. Louis. He’s a pastor, church planter, husband, father, author, and lover of all things barbecue. Judging by some of the quotes below, you're going to love this conversation. "I pass the test of adversity a lot better than I pass the test of prosperity. Be careful what you wish for." "I think the reason why it's so hard for pastors to have close friends in the church is that most of the time, you as the pastor are more committed to your people than your people are to you." "The beginning of your maturing process is when you decide to stay in a community when things get hard. American Christians are too soft, too fragile, and we peace out too quickly. We peace out before the maturing process begins." “Pastors, take heart. Your weakness is something God delights to use in order to bring hope into the lives of others.”   CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens Productions Produced by Casey Smith and Mark Owens Edited and Mixed by Mark Owens Music by Marc Wallach, Ayden Blackbird, and Flash Fluharty

Ronnie Martins talks with Sean Nolan, the lead pastor of Engage Albany. Sean begins by sharing how his parents' separation led him to become cynical and angry as a teenager, which led him to solidarity and a home within the punk rock community. Later on, he meets his now wife, Hannah, who introduces him to Jesus and together, they get connected to Terra Nova Church. Through these means, the Lord begins to peel back the layers of anger, frustration, and cynicism he experienced in his childhood. He finds a new community in the church, begins growing as a follower of Jesus, and as a result finds a new calling in being a pastor and ultimately, church planting. He goes on to describe how God's providence required and necessitated the need for him to wait on his desire to church plant by going through a difficult experience as a youth pastor and depression. Sean concludes by acknowledging that what he was longing for all along in his story was a friend. At the heart of the conversation is Sean’s love for Jesus, and that we are known and loved by a good and gracious Father. CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsProduced by Casey Smith and Mark OwensEdited and Mixed by Mark OwensMusic by Marc Wallach, Ayden Blackbird, and Flash Fluharty

Ronnie Martin talks with Ed Marcelle, the Director of Church Planting and Multiplication at Harbor Network. Ed shares about his Catholic upbringing, his journey from atheism to Christianity, and how God used the faithfulness and perseverance of his wife and local pastor to lead him to Jesus. He goes on to describe how as his faith began to grow and mature, his desire to pastor among the people in Albany, NY began to grow as well. He concludes with why church planting is for the longevity and sustainability of the 21st-century church and why joining Harbor Network is primarily about stewardship rather than legacy and prestige. At the heart of the conversation is Ed’s love for Jesus, the gospel, and his neighbors to follow Jesus as King. CREDITS This episode of This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsProduced by Casey Smith and Mark OwensEdited and Mixed by Mark OwensMusic by Marc Wallach, Ayden Blackbird, and Flash Fluharty For more on Harbor Network, visit www.harbornetwork.com.

On the podcast, hosts Ronnie Martin and Casey Smith will seek to encourage and inspire by gathering stories from all across our network. Season 3 will also feature outside voices speaking into key aspects of our network's culture, values, and mission. Go ahead and subscribe today, you won't want to miss a single episode. CREDITS This is Harbor Network is a production of Owens ProductionsProduced by Casey Smith and Mark OwensEdited and mixed by Mark OwensMusic by Marc Walloch For more on Harbor Network, visit www.harbornetwork.com For more resources like this, visit www.harbormedia.com

Nick and Kim Bogardus sit down with Ryan and Kate Welsh from Redeemer Church in Seattle, Washington. Ryan shares that he initially had no desire to work in ministry until the word of God became alive and real to him while attending a Christian college in his twenties. After some prompting by an admissions counselor, Ryan sought out a few youth pastor positions and was hired on at a church in Newberg, Oregon where he grew to care deeply for the students and people of the church. Ryan’s wife Kate speaks about her role in supporting her husband through this growth as well as acknowledging the way God has grown her to be used for his glory.  Credits: This episode of This is Harbor Network (formerly Sojourn Network) is a production of The Narrativo Group Produced by Mike Cosper Edited and Mixed by TJ Hester Music by Sojourn Music

On this episode of This is Harbor Network, Ronnie and Melissa Martin sit down with Joe and Renee Byler, from Veritas Church in Short North, Columbus. They talk about their journey into ministry, from growing up Mennonite to becoming a Baptist, from music ministry to serving as a lead pastor, and they talk about the value of Sojourn Network. They even talk about their shared affinity for hot tubs.    CreditsThis episode of This is Harbor Network (formerly Sojourn Network) is a production of The Narrativo Group Produced by Mike Cosper Music by Sojourn Music

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