What if the church of tomorrow looked less like an institution and more like a grassroots movement? Tune in to today’s episode of the Faithly Stories podcast as host Alicia Lee sits down with Eugene Kim, founder of New Wine Collective and Executive Director of the Wild Fig Network, to explore a bold, necessary reimagining of Christian community in today’s spiritual landscape.

Drawing from over 25 years in ministry, Eugene shares how his own journey led him to re-evaluate traditional denominational structures and develop new models of church grounded in interdependence, mutual accountability, and justice-oriented community. Through powerful initiatives like New Wine and Wild Fig, he’s helping to create spaces where innovation and authentic listening guide spiritual formation.

Together, we examine the rise of alternative gatherings and decentralized leadership structures—and how these shifts are resonating with a generation disillusioned by traditional models but still deeply hungry for meaning and connection.

Website: https://www.wildfig.org/

(00:01) Reimagining Church Leadership in Post-Denominational Era
(15:45) Launching a New Ministry
(22:43) Creating Innovative Spiritual Communities
(41:58) Empowering Church Leaders With Faithly

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Today, on the Faithly Stories podcast, host Alicia Lee welcomes guest Brian Boyd who was living just blocks from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. As the Twin Towers fell, he and his wife Fran found themselves in the heart of Ground Zero, running for safety with ash and uncertainty clouding the sky. In this gripping episode, Brian shares his firsthand account of that day, the miraculous "God wink" that protected his family, and how tragedy became a turning point in their lives for both faith and purpose.

Out of crisis came a calling. Displaced and living out of a hotel, Brian and Fran began building what would eventually become CCB Marketing, a digital agency that blends innovation with empathy. Today, their work supports clients across industries—including churches and ministries—helping others share messages of hope and healing through digital tools. We dive into how Brian’s past shaped his present, from Wall Street to entrepreneurship, and how his faith, family, and perseverance helped him transform devastation into purpose.

We’ll also dive into how platforms like Faithly are using technology to connect leaders and share their stories, building stronger communities through connection and modern tools.

Website: https://ccbmarketing.net/

(00:01) Podcast Interview With Brian Boyd
(04:25) Escape From the World Trade Center
(08:52) World Trade Center Escape
(17:25) Marketing Strategies for Churches and Ministries
(33:49) Marketing Strategies for Church Growth

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What happens when a web developer says “yes” to a global calling? In this episode of the Faithly Stories podcast, meet Josh Read as he shares with host Alicia Lee how he and his family followed God's lead from the comfort of their home in the U.S. to the mission field of South Africa, via Sweden and Spain. Their decision to become self-funded missionaries transformed every part of their lives, from raising four children overseas to navigating cultural skepticism and the intense challenges of ministry during a global pandemic.

Throughout their conversation, Josh reflects on the trials they faced during COVID-19—including lockdowns, threats of containment camps, and civil unrest—and the surprising moment of clarity that came from contemplating Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot. Returning to the States after a decade abroad, Josh opens up about reentry struggles and how that experience continues to shape his work and worldview. Now back in the digital space, Josh is helping to lead the next wave of innovation for pastors and ministry leaders. We explore how platforms like Sermon Central and Faithly are providing essential tools and connections for those in ministry—offering everything from sermon prep support to spaces for relational collaboration.

Website: https://sermoncentral.com

(00:01) Moving to South Africa Faith Journey
(14:54) Challenges and Revelation in South Africa
(30:57) Sermon Central Innovations for Pastors
(48:22) Empowering Church Leaders With Faithly

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In this episode of the Faithly Stories podcast, join host Alicia Lee as she welcomes Tracy Mathews, founder of Attune, for a thoughtful conversation on spiritual leadership, discernment, and learning to slow down in a world that constantly pushes us to hurry.

Tracy shares her journey from the fast-paced world of biotech and business strategy to a ministry rooted in helping leaders listen for God's voice. After a life-changing encounter with the Holy Spirit in 2007, she began pursuing what she calls “scandalously patient leadership,” waiting on God’s timing with courage and intentionality. Through Attune, Tracy equips leaders and teams with tools to listen deeply to the Holy Spirit in their decision-making and relationships. In this episode, she guides listeners through a powerful spiritual exercise called Search Me and Know Me, designed to help you process both emotional and physical responses and experience God's nearness in real time.

Website: https://attunetogrow.org

(00:01) Attune to Grow
(10:17) Search Me and Know Me Exercise
(24:48) Navigating Emotions Through Motherhood
(33:51) Scandalously Patient
(43:44) Empowering Church Leaders With Faithly

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Today on the Faithly Stories podcast, meet Samura Jones: author, minister, and Area Director for CarePortal NYC—for a powerful conversation with host Alicia Lee on healing, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership.

From surviving trauma in foster care to leaving a secure role at Apple to follow God’s call, Samura’s life is a testimony to radical faith and emotional restoration. Through the support of a loving community, as well as therapy and spiritual formation, she has transformed deep pain into a thriving ministry that empowers others to find wholeness.

Samura shares how her work in child advocacy and community development has become a mission rooted in compassion and connection. As she leads CarePortal’s efforts to bridge churches and social agencies, her vision is clear: healing happens in relationship, and the Church has a vital role to play.

Website: https://samurajones.com/

(00:01) Journey of Faith and Resilience
(14:33) Healing Through Faith and Community
(18:18) Childhood Resilience and Professional Growth
(23:32) Pathway to Community Care
(34:16) Community Care and Emotional Restoration
(41:55) Emotional Restoration and Leadership Insights

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This week, join host Alicia Lee on the Faithly Stories podcast as she welcomes Dr. Joseph Mattera, a global leader, theologian, and author known for calling the Church back to biblical foundations and cultural renewal.

Throughout their discussion, Dr. Mattera shares how an early passion for music gave way to a powerful calling to ministry, leading him from the streets of Brooklyn to international mission fields in Turkey and the former Soviet Union. His story is a testament to the power of obedience and the resilience of stepping into leadership without a roadmap.

Speaking to the challenges facing today’s pastors, Dr. Mattera offers wisdom on navigating burnout and guarding yourself against isolation, while prioritizing spiritual disciplines over performance-driven models. With deep conviction and pastoral care, he reminds us that cultivating a sustainable ministry begins with prayer and relies on both community and accountability to flourish.

Website: https://josephmattera.org

(00:01) Ministry Evolution Through Four Decades
(16:20) Challenges Facing the American Church
(25:50) Prayer Transformation and Community Accountability
(30:52) Pastoral Accountability and Protection
(35:42) Networks and Transitioning Leadership
(40:18) Navigating Ministry Transitions and Leadership Focus

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Today on the Faithly Stories podcast, host Alicia Lee welcomes Sam Hodges, President of Church Initiative - the international ministry behind GriefShare, DivorceCare, and other Christ-centered programs that bring hope to people facing life’s most difficult seasons.

Throughout their conversation, Sam shares how Church Initiative began with a personal story of healing and a small group in a living room, and how it’s grown into a global movement that equips churches to walk alongside people experiencing grief, divorce, and other life crises. With a background in both theology and media, Sam’s path uniquely prepared him to help lead the development of video-based resources that are now used in thousands of churches worldwide. From expanding into new languages to adapting during the pandemic, Sam reflects on how the ministry continues to evolve while staying rooted in a simple mission: comforting others with the comfort we’ve received.

Website: https://www.griefshare.org/

(00:01) Supporting Churches Through Grief and Divorce
(15:50) Global Impact of Church Initiative
(31:33) Starting and Sustaining Church Ministries
(37:28) Empowering Church Leaders Through Faithly

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In this episode of the Faithly Stories podcast, host Adam Durso is joined by guest Rev. Elliott Johnson—a dynamic leader, innovator, and workplace minister whose life exemplifies what it means to be a “Kingdompreneur.”

Raised on Chicago’s South Side and educated at Howard University, Rev. Johnson has spent decades bridging the worlds of business, public service, and faith. From advising U.S. presidents and Chicago mayors to serving as Chairman of the Board for the YMCA and United Way in the Midwest, his leadership has left a lasting impact on various communities and institutions alike.

Rev. Johnson shares how every season of his career—from executive roles at Miller and Coors to his decision to attend seminary at age 60—was preparation for God’s call to integrate faith into every sphere of influence. Drawing on Deuteronomy 8:18, he unpacks the vision of kingdom entrepreneurship: stewarding your gifts to serve others and honor God’s purposes in the marketplace.

Website: https://r400.org/leaders/elliot-johnson/

(00:01) Faithly Stories Podcast With Rev. Johnson
(10:06) Faith and Purpose in Various Spaces
(20:58) Leadership Reflection

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