
Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 112
Series: Exploring Distinct Expressions Within the Landscape of Church Planting
Description:
What if church planting wasn’t tied to a place—but to a people? In this episode, we will explore anew the conversation surrounding the innovative world of affinity church planting—a model focused on reaching specific communities rather than geographic regions. Join us as we hear from Steven Barr, founder of Cast Member Church, which ministers to Walt Disney Company employees around the world, and Victor Glover, leader of Fathers on the Move, a movement planting churches within federal and state prisons. Through powerful stories and practical insight, they share how relational discipleship, hospitality, and trust-building can lead to deep spiritual transformation—often in places the traditional church may not reach. This conversation challenges conventional models and invites you to imagine how God might be calling you to minister to the people you’re uniquely positioned to reach. This expression is highlighted in a free resource called ‘The Atlas’ which can be found on our website at exponential.org/atlas.
Hosts:
Carrie Williams, Executive Director, Exponential NEXT
Bill Couchenour, Deployment Director, Exponential
Guests:
Steven Barr, Co-Founder & Visionary Leader, Cast Member Church
Victor Glover, CEO/Executive Director, Fathers on the Move
Links Shared in Episode:
Fathers on the Move
Last Days World Outreach Ministries
Cast Member Church
Category: Church Expressions NEXT
Jul 1

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 111
Series: Exploring Distinct Expressions Within the Landscape of Church Planting
Description:
Can a church actually grow by getting smaller? Join Bill Couchenour as we revisit his discussion with Jason Shepperd, founder of Church Project in The Woodlands, Texas, to uncover the secrets to Network Church Planting. Explore the power of relational communities, discover how to cultivate leaders from within, and learn how to use your church building as a shared resource for the community. For pastors curious about transitioning from traditional church models, Jason offers thoughtful advice: start small, lead with biblical conviction, and let the vision take root gradually. This episode invites you to rethink what it means to plant—and multiply—churches in ways that are relational, reproducible, and rooted in everyday life. This expression is highlighted in a free resource called ‘The Atlas’ which can be found on our website at exponential.org/atlas.
Host:
Bill Couchenour, Deployment Director, Exponential
Guest:
Jason Shepperd, Founder and Lead Pastor, Church Project
Links Shared in Episode:
A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology
churchproject.org
rethinkandreturnpodcast.com
goodgodgospel.com
Category: Church Expressions NEXT
Jun 24

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 110
Series: Exploring Distinct Expressions Within the Landscape of Church Planting
Description:
Forget the building, forget the budget – what if all you needed was your neighbors? Come along as we explore this conversation again with Brian Johnson and Rob Wegner, leaders of the Kansas City Underground, as they share their powerful journey into microchurch planting. The Kansas City Underground equips people to live as missionaries in their own networks through rhythms of prayer, listening, eating, serving, and storytelling. Microchurches—defined as extended spiritual families—emerge from these relational networks, led by unpaid leaders who embrace the mission of Jesus in everyday life. Discover how to empower everyday believers to lead, foster authentic community, and live out the mission of Jesus in their own circles. This episode will challenge your assumptions and inspire you to see ministry opportunities all around you. This expression is highlighted in a free resource called ‘The Atlas’ which can be found on our website at exponential.org/atlas.
Hosts:
Carrie Williams, Executive Director, Exponential NEXT
Bill Couchenour, Deployment Director, Exponential
Guests:
Rob Wegner, Co-Founder and Director, KC Underground
Brian Johnson, Co-Founder and Director, KC Underground
Links Shared in Episode:
KC Underground
KC Underground YouTube Channel
StarfishyoU Substack
eBooks through EX:
Extraordinary Prayer
Deeply Rooted
Category: Church Expressions NEXT
Jun 17
52 min

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 109
Series: Exploring Distinct Expressions Within the Landscape of Church Planting
Description:
What happens when church planting takes an unexpected turn—and it’s exactly what God intended? In this episode, join us as we take another look at the conversation between our hosts Carrie Williams and Bill Couchenour and Justin and Janae Klatt, founders of Imagine Church Global, a fully digital faith community born from obedience and innovation. What began as a traditional church plant in Phoenix shifted online when the Klatts realized people across the country wanted to join—but couldn’t move. Through Spirit-led moments and creative risk-taking, Imagine Church Global emerged as a week-long, app-based experience where “community builders” lead flexible, discussion-driven gatherings. This model reaches those often excluded from physical churches—like flight attendants, RVers, or the homebound around the country and around the world. This episode is a powerful reminder that God moves in unexpected ways—and that new expressions of the Church can meet people right where they are. This expression is highlighted in a free resource called ‘The Atlas’ which can be found on our website at exponential.org/atlas.
Hosts:
Carrie Williams, Executive Director, Exponential NEXT
Bill Couchenour, Deployment Director, Exponential
Guests:
Justin Klatt – Co-Founder and Co-Pastor, Imagine Church Global
Janae Klatt – Co-Founder and Co-Pastor, Imagine Church Global
Links Shared in Episode:
Imagine.church
IG: @imaginechurchglobal
Category: Church Expressions NEXT
Jun 10
34 min

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 108
Series: Exploring Distinct Expressions Within the Landscape of Church Planting
Description:
What if your church could fight hunger AND fuel your soul? Let’s revisit the forward-thinking approach of entrepreneurial church planting with our guests, Carl Johnson and Scott Woller. These innovative leaders are embedding their churches in the heart of their communities, using coffee shops, grocery stores, and workforce development programs as powerful expressions of their mission. Whether you’re a church planter, pastor, or just curious about new models of ministry, this episode will challenge and inspire you to think beyond the building—and plant churches that meet people where they are. This expression is highlighted in a free resource called ‘The Atlas’ which can be found on our website at exponential.org/atlas.
Hosts:
Carrie Williams, Executive Director, Exponential NEXT
Bill Couchenour, Deployment Director, Exponential
Guests:
Carl Johnson, Lead Pastor, Faith City Church Network
Scott Woller, Pastor/Planting Pastor, Corner Church
Links Shared in Episode:
[email protected]
www.corner.coffee
www.corner.church
Category: Church Expressions NEXT
Jun 3
47 min

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 107
Series: Exploring Distinct Expressions Within the Landscape of Church Planting
Description:
Is your church ready to reach more people in more places? Join us as we revisit this conversation and dive into the world of multisite church with Christy Gibas, Lead Pastor of The Table Church. Drawing from her own leadership journey, Christy offers a behind-the-scenes look at how her church has reproduced its ministry into multiple locations. She unpacks the vision, strategy, and lessons learned along the way—offering practical insights for any church exploring the multisite church planting model. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about growth, leadership, and multiplying ministry impact. This expression is highlighted in a free resource called ‘The Atlas’ which can be found on our website at exponential.org/atlas.
Hosts:
Carrie Williams, Executive Director, Exponential NEXT
Bill Couchenour, Deployment Director, Exponential
Guest:
Christy Gibas, Lead Pastor, The Table Church
Links Shared in Episode:
Table Resources
Table Crash Course
Category: Church Expressions NEXT
May 27

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 106
Series: From Soil to Forest: The Practice of Networked Ministry
Description:
In this episode, Patrick O’Connell and guest Andrew Hoffman discuss the evolution of church planting networks and the shift from isolated ministry to collaborative missional work.
Host:
Patrick O’Connell, Networks NEXT, Director
Guest:
Andrew Hoffman, Bay Area Church Planting Network, Director
Links Shared in Episode:
Bay Area Church Planting Network
Category: Networks NEXT
May 20
56 min

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 105
Series: From Soil to Forest: The Practice of Networked Ministry
Description:
In this episode, Patrick O’Connell is joined by guest Corey Garris to explore the foundational role of networks in church multiplication. Garris, a leader with the Front Range Multiplication Network (FRMN) in Denver, shares insights on shifting from isolated ministry to collaborative action.
Host:
Patrick O’Connell, Networks NEXT, Director
Guest:
Corey Garris – Front Range Multiplication Network, Catalyst
Links Shared in Episode:
Reproducing Network Accelerator
Category: Networks NEXT
May 13
47 min

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 104
Series: From Soil to Forest: The Practice of Networked Ministry
Description:
In this episode, Patrick O’Connell speaks with Eric Metcalf, a leader with Exponential and the Chicagoland Collective, about the vital role and challenges of network leadership in church multiplication.
Host:
Patrick O’Connell, Networks NEXT, Director
Guest:
Eric Metcalf, Partnerships Director, Exponential and Chicagoland Collective, Catalyst
Links Shared in Episode:
Chicagoland Collective Website
Category: Networks NEXT
May 6
45 min

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 103
Series: From Soil to Forest: The Practice of Networked Ministry
Description:
In this episode, Patrick O’Connell and Rodrigo Cano explore the transition from isolated to collaborative ministry through the power of networks. Rodrigo shares his extensive experience managing microchurches and leading the Chicagoland Collective, highlighting how shared Kingdom vision can address spiritual needs on a massive scale.
Host:
Patrick O’Connell, Networks NEXT, Director
Guest:
Rodrigo Cano – Chicagoland Collective, Director
Links Shared in Episode:
Chicagoland Collective Website
Category: Networks NEXT
Apr 29
47 min
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