Revival Starts With Repentance | Preparing for the Worldwide Fast for Revival 📄 Revival Starts With Repentance | Preparing for the Worldwide Fast for Revival What if revival is closer than you think? In this powerful episode, Rob Skinner begins the countdown to the Worldwide Fast for Revival and shares why true revival never starts with excitement, emotion, or hype — it starts with repentance. After attending the Healthy Church Growth Conference in Boston, Rob returned home deeply convicted that God was calling him personally to deeper repentance, prayer, and spiritual renewal. In this episode, he opens up about: Why revival must begin in our own hearts The lesson that changed him at the conference His recent seven-day fast Seeing his son David baptized at age 33 Why communal prayer and fasting matter The danger of spiritual numbness and mediocrity The connection between repentance and revival The upcoming Worldwide Fast for Revival (June 28–July 1, 2026) This episode is both deeply personal and powerfully challenging. If you've been spiritually tired, distracted, or longing for renewed passion for God, this conversation will encourage you to seek God intentionally again. 🔥 Key Scriptures Mentioned 2 Chronicles 7:14 Psalm 51 Psalm 66:18 Acts 1:14 💬 Memorable Quotes "Revival never begins with excitement. It begins with repentance." "I don't just want churches revived. I need revival." "We want revival without repentance." "You can't cling to sin while expecting spiritual renewal." "The fasting is powerful — but the preparation starts now." "Revival doesn't begin when we point at everyone else's sin."

📄 How the Tampa Church Grew for 10 Straight Years | Darren Overstreet on Leadership & Revival What causes a church to grow steadily for an entire decade? In this powerful interview from the Healthy Church Growth Conference in Boston, Rob Skinner sits down with Darren Overstreet, who leads the church in Tampa, Florida — a congregation that has experienced 10 straight years of healthy growth. Darren shares practical insights on leadership, discipleship, generational ministry, and why clarity and biblical conviction matter more than ever in today's culture. In this episode: The leadership culture helping Tampa flourish Why collaborative team leadership matters The church's "Growing Strong and Growing Young" vision Reigniting veteran Christians with fresh purpose Investing deeply in the next generation How Tampa's campus ministry grew from 6 students to nearly 50 Why young Christians are craving biblical clarity Darren's thoughts behind his book Wildfire How churches can engage modern cultural issues biblically This conversation is encouraging, practical, and filled with wisdom for church leaders, disciples, parents, campus ministers, and anyone passionate about revival and healthy church growth. 🔑 Key Takeaways Healthy churches empower leaders Older Christians still have an essential mission Young disciples want biblical clarity Team leadership creates long-term strength Churches grow when every generation is engaged Clarity is compassionate 💬 Memorable Quotes "Growing strong and growing young." "Clarity helps people be strong." "The younger people are craving biblical guidance." "People are empowered. People are trusted." "Our older leaders are mentoring our younger people."

📄 Can AI Help Advance the Gospel? | Nick Galang on Ministry, Technology & Church Growth Can AI actually help advance the gospel? In this thought-provoking interview from the Healthy Church Growth Conference in Boston, Rob Skinner sits down with entrepreneur and ministry leader Nick Galang to discuss the future of AI, technology, church growth, and bivocational ministry. Nick shares why he believes Christians should not fear AI, but instead thoughtfully explore how it can be used to strengthen churches, support ministers, teach sound doctrine, and reach more people with the gospel. This conversation dives into: How AI can support ministry and church planting Why social media is already impacting church growth The importance of leveraging modern tools wisely How AI can assist creativity and innovation Building resources that teach sound doctrine The future of bivocational ministry Why experimentation and faith-driven innovation matter Nick also discusses how emerging technology is lowering barriers for creativity and entrepreneurship, making it possible for ordinary disciples to build tools, resources, and businesses that can support ministry and expand God's Kingdom. This episode is ideal for: Church leaders Entrepreneurs Creatives Ministry staff Church planters Christians curious about AI and technology 🔑 Key Takeaways AI is a tool — the issue is how we use it Churches should thoughtfully engage emerging technology Social media is already helping churches grow AI can support creativity, learning, and ministry Bivocational ministry will likely continue growing Christians have opportunities to shape technology for good 💬 Memorable Quotes "AI is neither evil nor good. It's how we choose to wield it." "The ideas and the options are literally unlimited." "The important thing is to experiment and explore — not be scared." "Why can't we leverage what God has allowed to happen for His glory?"

Why This Church Keeps Growing Year After Year | Kai Foster Why do some churches steadily grow while others plateau? In this insightful interview from the Healthy Church Growth Conference in Boston, Rob Skinner sits down with Kai Foster, who leads the growing church in Reno, Nevada alongside his wife BJ. Over the past decade, the Reno church has experienced consistent growth — nearly doubling in size. In this conversation, Kai shares several practical and spiritual principles that have helped create a culture of connection, unity, and spiritual depth within the church. One of the biggest keys? Intentional fellowship. Kai explains how creating structured time for meaningful conversations during worship services and midweek meetings has helped disciples build authentic relationships that go beyond surface-level interactions. He also shares why his church still uses printed sermon outlines and devotionals every week — and why "ink and paper still have power" in a world dominated by screens. This episode is filled with practical ideas for: Building stronger church community Increasing unity and connection Creating spiritually engaging church environments Helping people feel known and connected Encouraging deeper conversations Supporting long-term church growth Whether you lead a church, small group, ministry, or simply want stronger Christian community, this conversation is packed with wisdom and encouragement. Key Takeaways Church growth often begins with deeper connection Intentional fellowship creates stronger disciples Structured conversations build unity Printed spiritual content increases retention and engagement Healthy churches create environments where people feel known Fellowship must go beyond surface-level interactions Memorable Quotes "Connectivity is the greatest challenge for suburban Christians." "Ink and paper still have power." "You can't obey the second greatest command if you're not connected." "People are accustomed to deeper conversations." Topics Covered Church growth Christian fellowship Leadership development Healthy church culture Midweek ministry Discipleship Spiritual community Church connection Faith and retention Reno church growth

How God Is Opening Doors for Revival in India | Shaijus Philip What happens when ordinary disciples pray for God to open doors? In this inspiring interview from the Healthy Church Growth Conference in Boston, Rob Skinner sits down with Shaijus Philip from India to talk about church planting, raising up new leaders, and how God is moving powerfully through faith, prayer, and sacrifice. Shaijus shares how the School of Mission has trained dozens of new ministry leaders, the exciting "30 Districts by 2030" evangelistic initiative in India, and the miraculous story of how a wealthy landowner opened his property for a new church planting effort. This episode is packed with: Inspiring stories of faith and perseverance Church planting vision across India Leadership development through the School of Mission Stories of miraculous open doors Lessons about following the Spirit instead of human strategy The power of unity, sacrifice, and evangelism Rob also reflects on the persecution Shaijus endured decades earlier while helping plant churches in India — and the incredible fruit that has come from decades of faithful service. If you need renewed faith for ministry, missions, or evangelism, this conversation will encourage you deeply. Key Takeaways God often opens doors in unexpected ways Prayer and fasting still move mountains Young leaders can be inspired into ministry Church planting requires faith and patience Unity across social and economic lines is powerful The Holy Spirit often leads better than human strategy Memorable Quotes "When the Spirit opens the door, amazing things happen." "People from every caste and background were treated equally." "We prayed for the Spirit to open doors." "Whoever has more will be given." Topics Covered Church planting in India School of Mission training Evangelism initiatives Leadership development Ministry in Kerala Missions and discipleship Persecution and perseverance Healthy church growth Faith and revival

How a Church of 20 Grew Into a Thriving Ministry in Savannah | Bob Shanks What does it take to help a small church grow again? In this inspiring interview from the Healthy Church Growth Conference in Boston, Rob Skinner sits down with Bob Shanks, leader of the Savannah Church, to talk about faith, sacrifice, vision, and building vibrant churches in smaller cities. Bob shares the incredible story of how the Savannah church grew from around 20 members to more than 50, how a thriving campus ministry is developing, and why he believes small churches can still make a massive impact. The conversation also dives into: The challenge of leading and funding small churches Working part-time at Costco to support the ministry Building ministry alongside family Planting future churches in Hilton Head Raising up leaders instead of limiting people's dreams Why mission must stay at the center of church life This episode is full of practical wisdom, faith-building stories, and vision for the future of church growth. Key Takeaways Small churches can still thrive and grow Campus ministries remain critical for church growth Sacrifice and faith often go hand-in-hand in ministry Mission creates unity and spiritual momentum Every disciple should be developed with leadership vision Church planting starts with strengthening disciples where they already live Memorable Quotes "If we have money, how can we invest it into building the church?" "Mission creates ministry." "I see everybody as a potential leader." "We need a church in every neighborhood." Topics Covered Small church leadership Church planting strategy Campus ministry growth Savannah Church update Hilton Head church vision Faith and sacrifice in ministry Leadership development Multiplying disciples and churches

📝 How a Plateaued Church Started Growing Again After COVID (Boston Interview #5) In this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast, Rob sits down with James Rosenquist, who leads a church in Pittsburgh that has recently begun growing again after years of plateau and decline. James shares an honest and vulnerable look at what it was like taking over church leadership during COVID, watching attendance shrink, experimenting with new ideas, and wrestling with discouragement. But instead of quitting, something shifted. This conversation is a powerful reminder that growth often begins not with better programs—but with deeper maturity, stronger leadership, perseverance, and renewed dependence on God. 🔥 What You'll Learn in This Episode What it feels like to lead during a season of decline Why "humanistic leadership" eventually runs out of steam The spiritual lesson James learned during sabbatical Why maturity and equipping leaders became the new focus The surprising power of consistency over flashy strategies How alumni and outside support helped reignite momentum Why church growth often starts with changing the leader first 💡 Key Takeaway Sometimes breakthrough doesn't come from a brand-new strategy. 👉 It comes from becoming a different person in the same situation. James shares how learning that "God is the reward" changed the way he viewed ministry, success, and leadership. 🌱 A Story of Hope for Church Leaders Many churches experienced setbacks after COVID. This episode offers encouragement for leaders who: Feel discouraged Feel stuck Are trying hard but not seeing immediate results Growth may take longer than expected. But perseverance, prayer, and equipping others still matter. 🔥 Encouraging Signs of Renewal After years of struggle: The church is growing again New baptisms are happening Former campus students have moved back to help strengthen the church New Bible studies are beginning through evangelism efforts And perhaps most importantly: 👉 Hope has returned. 🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for more leadership interviews from around the world Share this episode with a church leader who needs encouragement Join Rob's weekly newsletter at RobSkinner.com 📌 Series Note This episode is part of a special series of short interviews from the Boston Church Builders Conference, featuring leaders focused on healthy church growth and revival.

📝 Why Most Small Churches Get Stuck (And How to Bring Them Back to Life) Boston Interviews #4 In this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast, Rob sits down with Joel Nagel, a leader with a deep passion for helping small churches grow, thrive, and become vibrant again. Joel shares insights from his work with the Small Church Initiative, an experimental cohort designed to strengthen churches with fewer resources and limited training opportunities. With most churches being under 100 members, this conversation addresses a critical question: 👉 Why do so many small churches get stuck—and how can they grow again? 🔥 What You'll Learn in This Episode Why small churches often experience an "existential crisis" when growth stalls The importance of community and connection for isolated leaders How weekly cohorts and training are transforming struggling churches Why church culture ("the soil") matters more than quick results The difference between a church that's growing—and one that just looks active How to build a vibrant, alive church environment that leads to growth 💡 Key Insight Growth doesn't start with numbers. 👉 It starts with culture. When a church becomes spiritually alive—when people are engaged, connected, and excited—growth follows naturally. 🌱 Why This Matters Many small churches don't fail because of a lack of faith. They struggle because of: Isolation Lack of training Limited support systems The solution? 👉 Connection, coaching, and culture. 📣 Get Involved If you're a small church leader and want to be part of a future cohort, Joel shares how to get connected and take the next step toward building a thriving church. 🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for more leadership insights from around the world Share this episode with a church leader who needs encouragement Sign up for Rob's weekly newsletter at RobSkinner.com 🔁 Series Note  This episode is part of a special series of short interviews from the Boston Church Builders Conference, featuring leaders focused on growing healthy, thriving churches around the world.

📝 From Electrician to Ministry: How This Young Couple Is Building a Thriving Teen Ministry (Boston Interviews #3) In this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast, Rob sits down with Tim and Susie Tang Creel, who lead a thriving youth and family ministry in Auckland. Their ministry is growing fast—with over 35 teens and climbing—and what's even more inspiring is that they've only been in full-time ministry for about a year. So what's working? Tim and Susie share the simple but powerful principles behind their impact—along with the personal sacrifices, faith decisions, and daily habits that are helping them build something meaningful for the next generation. 🔥 What You'll Learn in This Episode The #1 factor driving growth in their teen ministry Why strong parent + teen leader relationships are critical How to stay spiritually strong in a ministry that constantly gives The role of humility and learning ("be a sponge") in leadership How they protect their marriage and joy in a demanding ministry Why Tim walked away from a stable career as an electrician The difference between a job you enjoy and a calling you can't ignore 💡 Key Takeaway Sometimes the clearest sign of your calling is this: 👉 What fulfills you the most isn't what pays the most—it's what aligns with your purpose. For Tim and Susie, a few hours of ministry each day became more meaningful than long workdays in a successful trade. That clarity changed everything. ❤️ A Challenge for You Where do you feel most alive? What are you doing when: You lose track of time You feel closest to God You know you're making an impact 👉 That may be pointing you toward your calling. 🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for more leadership and faith-building interviews Share this episode with someone in ministry or leadership Sign up for Rob's weekly newsletter at RobSkinner.com This is part of a special series of short interviews from the Boston Church Builders Conference, featuring leaders from around the world. Subscribe to listen to more leaders from around the world.

📝 How AI Could Fund the Future of Ministry (Boston Interviews #2) What if ministry funding didn't have to be the biggest limitation for growing churches? In this second episode from the Boston conference interview series, Rob sits down with Nate Bigby, a church leader and innovator who is helping reshape how ministry can be funded in today's world. Nate and his wife lead a church in Corpus Christi, Texas—but beyond that, Nate has been developing practical solutions for bivocational ministers, helping them generate income through AI-based businesses. In this conversation, Nate shares how he built an AI agency with low startup cost, minimal hours, and scalable potential—and how this model could help churches: Support ministers financially Train interns in real-world skills Multiply leadership without financial strain If you've ever wondered how to fund ministry, support staff, or create sustainable growth in a church, this episode offers a fresh and forward-thinking perspective. 🔑 In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why small churches often struggle financially How AI is lowering the barrier to starting a business A real example of building income quickly with AI How bivocational ministry can become more sustainable Practical ways to train interns to support themselves Simple tools to get started with AI today 💡 Key Insight The future of ministry may not depend on more funding… 👉 It may depend on more creativity. 🚀 Practical Takeaways You don't need large capital to start an AI-based side business Ministers can work fewer hours outside ministry while earning income Churches can redirect funds toward growth and staffing Interns can be trained to become self-supporting leaders 🧠 Tools Mentioned Google Gemini (AI assistant for daily use) NotebookLM (learning + research tool) Website builders and app tools powered by AI 🌍 About This Series This episode is part of the Boston Conference Interview Series, where Rob captures real conversations with leaders and innovators from around the country. Each interview highlights ideas, challenges, and breakthroughs shaping the future of the church. 🙌 Reflection Questions How could creativity unlock new opportunities in my ministry? Am I thinking traditionally about funding—or innovatively? What's one step I could take to learn a new skill that supports my calling? 🔗 Next Steps 📩 Sign up for Rob's weekly newsletter: https://RobSkinner.com 📘 Get The 10X Christian: Available on Amazon or RobSkinner.com 🙏 Support the Podcast If this episode helped you: Share it with a ministry leader Leave a review Subscribe for more faith + leadership content 🙏 Contact Nate [email protected] Call or text Nate at 210-883-7506.  Email Nate for his agency: [email protected]