EP 121: Hyperlocal Mission

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 131 Series: Equipping and Empowering the Next Generation of Multipliers Description: Join us as Carrie Williams, Executive Director of Exponential NEXT, sits down with two of our Sages, Mindy Caliguire (Founder of Soul Care) and Daniel Yang (World Relief, Senior Director of Global Missions and Church Movements), to reflect on their experiences and insights from the Young Multipliers Gathering. Together, we’ll explore the conversations, moments, and unexpected takeaways that stood out to them and what they revealed about the next generation of Kingdom leaders. More than simply looking back, this conversation invites us to look forward. How can we turn moments like the Gathering into launching points for deeper discipleship, intentional investment, and the empowering and releasing of young leaders into their God-given calling? We’ll talk about the responsibility and privilege of walking alongside the next generation and what it looks like for generations to lead, learn, and build the Kingdom together. Host: Carrie Williams, Exponential NEXT, Executive Director Guests: Mindy Caliguire – Soul Care, Founder Daniel Yang – World Relief, Senior Director of Global Missions and Church Movements Category: Generation NEXT

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 130 Series: Church on the Frontier Description: The next expression of church may begin around a barber chair, inside a local business, beside a pool table, or anywhere people naturally build trust and share life. Dino Rosato of the Zebulun Initiative and Michael Hewitt of PoolChurch discuss church planting in marketplaces, third spaces, and everyday gathering places. Their stories explore evangelism through presence, proximity, and authentic relationships rather than programs or invitations alone. This conversation challenges church leaders to recognize the missionary potential of places their neighbors already inhabit and to consider how ordinary community can gradually become a meaningful expression of church. Host: Tom Planck, Innovation NEXT, Director Guests: Dino Rosato – Zebulun Initiative, Founder and CEO Michael Hewitt – PoolChurch, Founder Category: Innovation NEXT Links shared in episode: Zebulun Initiative PoolChurch

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 129 Series: Church on the Frontier Description: What if new expressions of church could make room for people and communities traditional models have struggled to reach? Rick Bolle of Front Porch Church and Rodrigo Cano of MicroChurch Residency discuss church communities shaped around belonging, participation, accessibility, and decentralized mission. Their work challenges familiar assumptions about where church happens, who gets to contribute, and what qualifies as an expression of church. This conversation explores how leaders can develop new forms without sacrificing theological depth, pastoral care, or relational integrity – and how the Church can become more accessible and reproducible without becoming less faithful. Host: Tom Planck, Innovation NEXT, Director Guests: Rick Bolle – Front Porch Church, Founding Pastor Rodrigo Cano – MicroChurch Residency, Director Category: Innovation NEXT Links shared in episode: Front Porch Church MicroChurch Residency

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 128 Series: Church on the Frontier Description: Discipleship was never meant to remain a class, curriculum, or concept. Peyton Jones of Discipology and Patrick Linnell of Grace Bomb are helping ordinary followers of Jesus turn Scripture, kindness, and faithful intention into everyday action. Their work shows what becomes possible when people realize that participating in God’s mission does not require a platform, professional title, or complicated program. This conversation explores simplicity, obedience, relational mission, and the challenge of building a church culture in which discipleship extends far beyond Sunday. The future of disciple-making may depend on ordinary people believing, “I can actually do this.” Host: Tom Planck, Innovation NEXT, Director Guests: Peyton Jones – Discipology, Founder Pat Linnell – Grace Bomb, Founder Category: Innovation NEXT Links shared in episode: Discipology Grace Bomb

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 127 Series: Church on the Frontier Description: Technology is not the mission, but it can help remove barriers the Church has tolerated for too long. Aiden Britnell of Kaleo AI and James Donley of OneChurch.io share how digital tools can increase accessibility, strengthen collaboration, and serve Gospel movement. From real-time translation that helps people participate across language barriers to city-wide platforms that connect churches around prayer and mission, these ministries demonstrate how technology can support deeply human and relational ministry. This conversation invites church leaders to view technology not as a replacement for embodied community, but as infrastructure that can help the body of Christ work together more faithfully. Host: Tom Planck, Innovation NEXT, Director Guests: Aidan Britnell – Kaleo AI, Founder James Donley – OneChurch.io, Founder Category: Innovation NEXT Links shared in episode: Kaleo AI OneChurch.io

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 126 Series: Church on the Frontier Description: What happens when the Church stops asking the next generation to come to us and begins recognizing where God is already at work among them? Michael Swalley of Break Free Ministries and Austin Rockwell of Kamp Love share how they are cultivating Jesus-centered communities within hip-hop culture and on college campuses. Their stories reveal the power of trusted relationships, culturally rooted leadership, and meeting young people where they already are. This conversation challenges churches to move beyond attracting the next generation and begin equipping young leaders to create missional movements from within their own communities. Host: Tom Planck, Innovation NEXT, Director Guests: Michael Swalley – Break Free Ministries, Founder and Executive Director Austin Rockwell – Kamp Love, CEO Category: Innovation NEXT Links shared in episode: Break Free Ministries Kamp Love

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 125 Series: Church on the Frontier Description: Some of the Church’s most important innovation is happening in neighborhoods and congregations that rarely receive the spotlight. Dhati Lewis of MyBLVD and Doug Beutler of Seeds of Change Network discuss contextual discipleship, urban mission, and the untapped potential of smaller churches. Together, they challenge the assumption that multiplication requires a large platform or extensive resources. This conversation explores how churches can move from survival to mission, develop leaders from within their communities, and rediscover a disciple-making identity rooted in the places God has already called them to serve. Host: Tom Planck, Innovation NEXT, Director Guests: Dhati Lewis – MyBLVD, Founder and President Doug Beutler – Seeds of Change Network, Founder and CEO Category: Innovation NEXT Links shared in episode: MyBLVD Seeds of Change Network

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 124 Series: Urban Missions 101: Why America’s Cities Need Missionaries Too Description: In this closing episode, Dhati Lewis and Missie Branch reflect on the biggest themes from the series and explore why urban missionaries need intentional investment, coaching, community, and care to thrive for the long haul. This conversation is part of a collaboration between Exponential NEXT and MyBLVD, working together to equip and encourage leaders serving on mission in cities across the country. Host: Dhati Lewis – Urban Missions NEXT, Director Guest: Missie Branch – MyBLVD, CEO Category: Urban Missions NEXT  

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 123 Series: Urban Missions 101: Why America’s Cities Need Missionaries Too Description: What does contextualization actually mean, and why does it matter in urban missions? Daniel Yang brings theological and cultural insight to the conversation, helping listeners understand how cities shape Gospel ministry today. This conversation is part of a collaboration between Exponential NEXT and MyBLVD, working together to equip and encourage leaders serving on mission in cities across the country. Host: Dhati Lewis – Urban Missions NEXT, Director Guest: Daniel Yang – World Relief, National Director of Churches of Welcome Category: Urban Missions NEXT  

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 122 Series: Urban Missions 101: Why America’s Cities Need Missionaries Too Description: What does it take to sustain ministry in today’s cities? In this two-part conversation, Dhati Lewis is joined by James Hobson and Pete Contreras to explore the realities of urban mission beyond traditional ministry models. From entrepreneurship, nonprofits, and creative funding strategies to serving across multiple ministry contexts at once, they discuss why many urban leaders are embracing a both/and approach to ministry. These episodes offer a candid look at the challenges, opportunities, and mindset shifts required to build lasting Gospel impact in the city. This conversation is part of a collaboration between Exponential NEXT and MyBLVD, working together to equip and encourage leaders serving on mission in cities across the country. Host: Dhati Lewis – Urban Missions NEXT, Director Guests: James Hobson – Hill City Community Church (Lynchburg), Pastor Pete Contreras – New Vision Church (San Diego), Pastor Category: Urban Missions NEXT