What does it take to lead the first truly digital generation? In this episode, Chestly Lunday sits down with leadership expert and author Tim Elmore to talk about his latest book, The Future Begins with Z: 9 Strategies to Lead Generation Z as They Disrupt the Workplace. Together they unpack what makes Gen Z unique, the myths leaders often believe about them, and why this generation might actually be the solution—not the problem—for the future of the church and the workplace.

From stories of innovation and frustration in corporate America, to fresh insights on belonging, authority, and discipleship, Tim and Chestly explore how pastors, church planters, and leaders of all kinds can build teams where Gen Z thrives. Whether you’re planting a church or leading in another sphere, this conversation will help you move from gatekeeping to guiding, and discover why the future really does begin with Z

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Future Begins with Z
• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.

In this episode, Pete and Peyton dive into the often-overlooked practice of mentorship and its vital connection to discipleship. Reflecting on stories from Charlie Kirk, early church history, and their own church planting journeys, they explore why asking for a mentor is essential, what healthy mentoring relationships look like, and how they differ from coaching and training.

From stories of Peyton’s mentors to Pete’s business insights, the conversation unpacks both the joys and pitfalls of seeking guidance, the responsibility of mentees to act on what they learn, and how disciple-making naturally flows out of intentional mentoring. Whether you’re planting a church, leading a ministry, or just hungry to grow, this episode will challenge you to pursue mentors and become one for others.

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.

Peyton has finally caught up on his Star Wars, which means it's time for a special edition of the Church Planter Podcast where Peyton and Pete don't talk about church planting. Get ready for Peyton's thoughts on a galaxy far, far away, along with a healthy dose of Alien and Jeeps.

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.

In this special episode of the Church Planter Podcast, Pete and Peyton respond to the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk. With the nation divided and emotions raw, they reflect on Kirk’s public witness, his unapologetic faith, and the way he embodied respectful dialogue in a culture that often rewards division. Together, they wrestle with how pastors and church leaders should shepherd their people through such a moment—balancing grief, political tension, and the call to point back to Christ. This is a sober, heartfelt conversation about faith under fire, the dangers of conflating politics and the gospel, and the role of spiritual leaders when tragedy shakes a nation.

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.

What if the way we think about poverty is all wrong? In this episode, Chestly Lunday sits down with Brian Fikkert, co-author of When Helping Hurts and founder of the Chalmers Center, to unpack why many well-meaning church strategies can actually do more harm than good.

Brian shares his journey from economics professor to equipping churches around the world to serve the poor in ways that honor their dignity and relationships. Together, Chestly and Brian dig into questions like:

• Why is poverty more than just a lack of material resources?
• How can churches avoid treating symptoms and instead address the deeper, relational causes of poverty?
• What does it look like to shift from building orphanages to strengthening families?
• How can marketplace ministry and meaningful work become central to mission strategy?

Whether you’re a church planter, pastor, or just someone wrestling with how to serve the vulnerable in your community, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to rethink what it truly means to help without hurting.

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Chalmers
• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.

In this episode, Peyton Jones and Pete Mitchell tackle the challenge of sharing the gospel in a world overloaded with noise and distraction. From the rise of short-form content to the temptation of controversy-driven clicks, they explore what it means to “do the work of an evangelist” today. Peyton unpacks the biblical distinction between being a witness and proclaiming the good news, while Pete draws parallels between evangelism and marketing—showing how principles of attention-grabbing can be leveraged without compromising the message.

Together, they discuss how church planters can avoid the trap of Pharisaical call-outs, enter the conversations people are already having, and use digital tools wisely to connect real people with the hope of Jesus. If you’ve ever wondered how to cut through the noise with the gospel in today’s distracted age, this conversation will give you clarity, conviction, and some practical next steps.

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.

In this month’s Fully-Funded Church Planter episode, brought to you in partnership with Reliant, Chestly Lunday and Jon Crawford put church planter Logan Mabe in the fundraising “hot seat.” Logan shares the vision behind his new church in Chula Vista, San Diego, and the real challenges of balancing co-vocational ministry, family life, and raising the funds needed to launch strong.

Together, Jon and Chestly coach him through practical next steps—clarifying vision, maximizing return on investment for his time, building healthy donor relationships, and even stretching faith to make bold asks. Along the way, they highlight how funding isn’t neutral: it shapes mission, ministry, and the speed of the church’s momentum.

If you’ve ever wrestled with the tension of fundraising while planting, this episode will give you both encouragement and tangible strategies to help you take your next step toward becoming a fully-funded church planter.

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Connect with Reliant at partner@reliant.org
• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.

In this episode, Chestly Lunday sits down with Jacob Lierz, Missions Pastor at LifeMission Church in Kansas City, to challenge conventional thinking on global missions. Jacob shares his powerful journey—from becoming a Christian at his home church to planting a church in a refugee camp in Djibouti, and now leading a reimagined missions strategy that prioritizes family-based care over institutional orphanages.

They unpack the uncomfortable truths behind short-term trips, the harmful unintended consequences of orphanage-based missions, and why local churches need a new framework for global outreach. Jacob offers a compelling call to action for church planters: don’t delay global engagement. Prayer, generosity, and sending are part of your church’s DNA from day one.

They also talk about reverse culture shock, raising globally-minded kids, and how poverty in the developing world compares to American need. Whether you’re planting in the inner city or training teams for Nepal, this episode will stretch your perspective—and maybe your travel budget.Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• To connect with Jacob or learn more, email him at jacob.lierz@lifemission.church
• When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert
• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.