Leading Conversations

Hosted by J.D. Pearring

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Episodes

137

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Conversations between J.D. Pearring, Director of Excel Leadership Network, and church planting leaders, innovators, and coaches from around the country.

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60 recent

September 28, 2026Episode 13926 min

Conversation with Jeremy Cleveland

Northern Colorado is booming, but growth doesn’t automatically mean spiritual connection. We talk with Jeremy Cleveland, lead pastor of Zeal City Church, about what it looks like to plant a life-giving, gospel-centered church in the NoCo corridor near Fort Collins and Windsor, where hundreds of thousands have little or no relationship with Christ. Along the way, we laugh about the quirks of a fast-growing region, then quickly get honest about the real reason we plant churches: people need Jesus. Jeremy shares the deeply personal story behind his leadership, including his family’s early ministry roots, his dad’s turnaround through the grace of the gospel, and how a devastating car accident shaped his path toward vocational ministry. We trace the practical steps too: training, early pastoral years in Houston, and the worship-night moment when Jeremy and Brittany sensed a clear call to church planting. Subscribe for more church planting and leadership conversations, share this with a pastor or leader who needs encouragement, and leave a review to help others find the show. Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL .

September 21, 202626 min

Conversation with Stephen Fussle (Classic)

As a church planter or leader, this thought has probably crossed your mind; my work would be much easier if my church were located on a beautiful island paradise in the Pacific. It turns out the opposite is true. Stefen and Amber Fussle launched Awakening church on the island of Maui. Beyond all the typical challenges faced when planting a church, they needed to find a way to navigate a resilient island culture. They established a healthy church community through their dedication to God's mission, involvement in their community, and overcoming personal setbacks. Listen and be encouraged. Originally posted January 31, 2022 Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL .

September 14, 2026Episode 13831 min

A Conversation with Joemel Delossantos

A church planting assessment tells a couple they have no business planting, and the punchline is they’re already doing it. That’s where JD sits down with Joemel Delossantos, a San Diego local raised in a small Filipino church, to trace the real path of ministry calling, early mistakes, and the kind of support that actually keeps leaders healthy. The conversation turns toward church planting in National City: launching with a tiny team, almost no funding, and a rented space that felt like a miracle until reality set in. Jomel unpacks the disappointment of a Zoom-based church planter assessment, the role of mentors and networks like Excel Leadership Network, and the turning point that came through a church planter residency offer from Shelton Markham. The biggest takeaway is simple and costly: love people, people over programs, souls over systems, because pastors are shepherds first. If you’re leading a church, planting one, or trying to rebuild after a setback, you’ll find language for what you’re carrying and practical clarity for what to do next. Subscribe, share this with a leader who needs encouragement, and leave a review with your biggest church planting lesson so far. Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL .

September 7, 2026Episode 13729 min

Conversation with Chris Hall (Classic)

Chris Hall is the Lead Pastor at Catalyst Church Ventura. His passion for church planting and church planting pastors is only matched by his skills as a professional inline skater. Chris' experience has developed him into a valuable resource as a mentor and a coach for new church planters. You will be encouraged by his story. Originally Posted September 30, 2021 Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL .

August 31, 2026Episode 13635 min

Conversation with Chad and Magan Swaringen

A church plant rarely starts with certainty, and that’s what makes Chad and Magan Swearing’s story so useful. We sit down with the Bold City Church leaders from Burleson, Texas to talk about what calling really looks like when you’re not chasing a platform, you’re trying to be obedient. Chad shares how faith began for him through a bus ministry and grew through the hard clarity of Marine Corps life after Iraq. Megan shares what it means to grow up in church, then choose Jesus for yourself when no one is making you show up anymore. Then comes the story neither of them will forget: giving $10,000 to help another church plant while their own budget felt tight, wrestling through the emotions the next day, and watching God provide in a way they didn’t orchestrate. We end with leadership takeaways on honour, generosity, anchoring decisions in Scripture, and building teams early so the mission never depends on one exhausted couple. Subscribe, share this with a church planter or leader you respect, and leave a review so more people can find these stories of faith, courage, and practical leadership. Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL .

August 24, 2026Episode 13529 min

Conversation with Jack Hamilton (Classic)

Some people have been in ministry for a long time and have been a part of some great movements, and then there is Jack Hamilton. He has done both and more. In today's conversation, you will hear Jack's story from the beginning and how God carried him through ministry and service to others ministering. You won't want to miss Jack's story. Listen, and you will truly be inspired. Originally Posted June 15, 1993 Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL .

August 17, 2026Episode 13437 min

Conversation with Max Critchfield

You can’t “growth hack” a church into existence, and you definitely can’t fake a calling to a place you don’t love. We talk with Bay Area church planter Max Critchfield about what happens when God takes a teenager who only wanted the service to end and turns him into a shepherd with deep roots in the East Bay. Max shares an honest conversion story that moves from cultural Catholic practice to a youth group invitation, a summer camp yes to Jesus, and then the brutal tension of trying to keep both faith and a double life. The breakthrough comes later in a quieter setting when he feels the weight lifting: nothing is hidden from God, and God has not stopped pursuing him. From there, we follow the thread into a clear call to ministry, seasons of formation at UC Davis through local church community, and early full-time ministry in the Bay Area. We close with a leadership tip that cuts through the noise: prayer isn’t what we do before the work, prayer is the work. Subscribe, share this with a leader who needs fresh faith, and leave a review. What would change in your life if you treated prayer as the main plan? Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL .

August 10, 2026Episode 13344 min

Conversation with Brett and Karla Burner (Classic)

Brett and Karla Burner, from Spring Valley, California near San Diego, are from two different backgrounds and countries. They met at a summer camp and have been together ever since. Brett jumped into ministry. Bible studies led to teaching, which led to pastoring. Their journey will encourage you. And if you ever see Swell soda on the menu or in a store, you can thank Brett. Originally Posted February 15, 2024 Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL .

August 3, 2026Episode 13237 min

Conversation with Chris and Suzy Parks

A church plant can look like a launch date and a Sunday service, but the real story usually starts years earlier in the hidden places. We talk with Chris and Susie Parks of Presence Church in San Jose, California about the long formation behind their “yes,” from childhood faith and early callings to decades of serving while working regular jobs, raising kids, and learning ministry the hard way. Then the conversation turns practical and hopeful: discovering Echo Church, learning mission at scale, receiving genuine support from sending leaders, and discerning a call to plant in the Bay Area, where many neighbors have no concept of church at all. Chris also explains how his book, The Unseen Work: What God Does In The Church Planter Before The Plant, poured out in a surprising burst after their launch, and both Chris and Susie share leadership takeaways on teachability, prayer, and trusting God’s provision in fundraising and team building. Subscribe, share this with a leader who needs encouragement, and leave a review so more church planters and ministry leaders can find these conversations. Amazon Link: The Unseen Work Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL .

July 27, 2026Episode 13148 min

Conversation with Chan Kwak (Classic)

In this conversation, J.D. spends some time with Chan Kwak. If you know anything about the city of Compton, CA, you would never imagine a Korean child who was brought to the United States in the middle of the night by his parents would plant a church and reach that diverse community—his story of perseverance and dedication to sharing the gospel with whoever would listen will inspire you when you hear it. Originally Posted July 15, 2024 Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL .