In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle talks with church planter, network leader, and author Josh Benadum about the future of church planting, the rise of house churches, and what it takes to cultivate a life of lasting spiritual influence.

Josh and his wife, Mary, lead a growing network of house churches in Orlando through Acacia House Churches, while also collaborating with organizations like Brave Future and Youth for Christ. Josh also shares insights from his new book, A Life That Leads: Pursuing Christ and Impacting Others.

The conversation begins with Josh unpacking why he believes house churches and microchurch movements are becoming an increasingly important strategy for reaching people in today's culture. Drawing from both the New Testament model and modern movements, he explains how smaller, decentralized communities can empower everyday leaders, create deeper discipleship, and reach people traditional models may miss.

Josh also describes how their Orlando network functions—balancing local autonomy with shared leadership, coaching, and larger gatherings that unite the churches for worship and encouragement.

The second half of the conversation focuses on Josh's new book and the question that has shaped much of his ministry: How can ordinary believers develop lives of deep, lasting spiritual impact? Drawing from his experiences growing up on the mission field in Cambodia and years of pastoral ministry, Josh reflects on the qualities and disciplines that sustain Christian leaders over the long haul.

Greg and Josh discuss practical leadership traits like hospitality, gentleness, zeal, gratitude, and friendship, while also addressing the hidden dangers of bitterness, materialism, and spiritual drift. The episode closes with a powerful reminder that leadership is not reserved for pastors or platform personalities—it's a calling for every follower of Jesus.

Table of Contents

00:00 – 02:30
Introduction to Josh Benadum and the vision behind planting in Orlando.

02:30 – 06:00
House churches, microchurches, and why these models matter today.

06:00 – 09:30
How Josh's network of house churches functions and grows.

09:30 – 13:30
The story behind Josh's book A Life That Leads.

13:30 – 16:30
Leadership is for everyone—not just pastors or platform leaders.

16:30 – 20:00
Developing qualities like hospitality, gentleness, and zeal.

20:00 – 23:00
How leaders sustain growth and avoid burnout or drift.

23:00 – 25:30
The importance of friendship, gratitude, and spiritual discipline.

25:30 – 26:20
Final encouragement for church planters and leaders.

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with Dhati and Angie Lewis—church planters, leaders at Blueprint Church in Atlanta, and founders of MyBLVD—to talk about one of the most important and often overlooked topics in ministry: how to build a thriving marriage and family while leading at a high level.

With over 25 years of marriage, six children, and decades of ministry experience, Dhati and Angie share the intentional rhythms and decisions that have sustained their relationship and family through the challenges of church planting and leadership.

They discuss the importance of intentionality, from setting a firm foundation early in marriage (including making divorce a non-option) to consistently learning from others, reading, and seeking wisdom for each new season of life. They also unpack how marriage evolves through different seasons—raising young kids, leading a growing church, and transitioning into empty nesting—and how leaders must regularly reset expectations and communication.

The conversation also addresses parenting in ministry, including how to give children both structure and freedom as they grow, and how to navigate difficult moments when kids begin forming their own beliefs and decisions.

Dhati and Angie also share powerful insights into multi-ethnic ministry, the challenges and blessings of raising a family in a diverse church context, and the importance of surrounding your family with a strong, supportive community.

Finally, they offer practical tools for communication and emotional health in marriage, emphasizing the importance of being present, creating shared language, and consistently engaging one another with honesty and grace.

This episode is a must-listen for church planters and leaders who want to build not just a successful ministry—but a healthy, lasting marriage and family alongside it.

Table of Contents

00:00 – 02:30
Introduction to Dhati & Angie Lewis and their family.

02:30 – 06:00
Building a strong marriage foundation and intentionality early on.

06:00 – 09:00
Why making divorce "not an option" shaped their relationship.

09:00 – 12:00
Navigating different seasons of marriage and resetting expectations.

12:00 – 15:00
Parenting while planting a church: structure, freedom, and grace.

15:00 – 18:00
Raising kids in ministry and handling real-life challenges.

18:00 – 20:30
Multi-ethnic ministry: challenges and blessings for families.

20:30 – 24:00
Parenting advice: community, honesty, and shared learning.

24:00 – 27:00
Marriage tools: communication, emotional health, and being present.

27:00 – 27:50
Final encouragement for leaders balancing family and ministry.

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with Marc Estes, pastor, author, and CEO of Visitor Reach—an AI-driven platform helping churches connect with people in today's digital-first culture.

Marc shares insights from over 40 years in ministry, including his time as senior pastor of Manor House in Portland and his leadership in global church movements that have helped plant churches around the world. Today, his focus is helping churches adapt to a rapidly changing culture—especially in how they engage people spiritually.

At the heart of the conversation is a critical shift: the church must move from a "come and see" model to a "go and be" model. Marc explains that while past generations responded well to invitations, today's culture requires churches to proactively engage people where they already are—relationally, emotionally, and especially digitally, where people spend hours each day searching for meaning, connection, and truth.

Marc also unpacks key ideas from his book, The Road We Must Travel, using the parable of the Good Samaritan to challenge leaders toward a more relational, incarnational approach to ministry. He outlines six key attributes of effective ministry today, including going to people, engaging in healing and discipleship, investing in outreach, multiplying leaders, and building a legacy that extends beyond one generation.

The conversation closes with a hopeful yet urgent challenge: while cultural pressures are rising, so is spiritual openness—with a significant percentage of people searching for answers. Marc believes we may be on the edge of a new spiritual awakening—but only if the church is willing to change how it engages the world.

Resources mentioned:
Visitor Reach: a tool to help you connect with guests and follow up thoughtfully
Use code: STADIA if you decide to try it
Note: This is an affiliate link, and we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Timestamps:

00:00 – 02:00
Introduction to Marc Estes and his ministry background.

02:00 – 05:00
From senior pastor to CEO: launching Visitor Reach.

05:00 – 08:00
Why churches must engage people in digital spaces.

08:00 – 12:00
Cultural shifts: from "come to church" to "go to people."

12:00 – 18:00
The Good Samaritan framework and the "gospel of go."

18:00 – 23:00
Discipleship, healing ministry, and relational investment.

23:00 – 27:00
Funding outreach and prioritizing mission over maintenance.

27:00 – 31:00
Multiplication: measuring success by sending, not seating.

31:00 – 35:00
Are we on the edge of a spiritual awakening? Final thoughts.