Exponential NEXT Podcast

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 89

Series: Multiplying Healthy Multiethnic Churches

Title: Sociological Insights: Evaluating the Movement Past, Present, and Future

Join sociologists Michael Emerson and Geoge Yancey to consider the history and trajectory of the Multiethnic Church Movement from the late 1990s to the present day. The conversation explores pains and gains over the past twenty-five years and what is needed to press on to maturity over the next quarter of this 100-year movement, which describes what is today the 2nd largest category of churches in the U.S.

Host:

Mark DeYmaz – Multiethnic Church NEXT, Director

Guests:

Michael Emerson – Rice University, Harry and Hazel Chavanne Fellow in Religion and Public Policy

George Yancey – Baylor University, Professor of Institute for Studies of Religion and Sociology

Category: Multiethnic Church NEXT

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

Divided by Faith, 1st edition

Divided by Faith, 2nd edition

United by Faith

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 88

Series: Multiplying Healthy Multiethnic Churches

Title: Developing Your CQ®

This episode dives deep into the why, how, and what of developing Cultural Intelligence (CQ®). The conversation explores the four components of CQ—Drive, Knowledge, Strategy, and Action—and explains how pastors, staff teams, and entire churches can strengthen their CQ. With actionable insight and discussion of the CQ assessment tool, this robust interaction offers practical guidance for all who seek to understand diverse others and lead them to walk, work, and worship God together as one in the local church for the sake of the Gospel.

Host:

Mark DeYmaz – Multiethnic Church NEXT, Director

Guests:

Harry Li – Mosaix Global Network, Senior Consultant

Graham McKeague – Mosaix Global Network, Certified CQ® Facilitator

Jaye Goosby Smith – Pepperdine University, Vice President for Community Belonging and Chief Diversity Officer

Markus Lloyd – Threaded, Founder/CEO

Category: Multiethnic Church NEXT

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

Mosaix

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 87

Series: Ministry Reimagined

What does it look like to disciple deeply and see that impact multiply widely across communities?

In this challenging and hope-filled episode, host Tom Planck, Director of NEXT Ventures, is joined by Walter Harvey of the Wi+H Movement and Paul Watson of the Freedom Initiative. Together, they share innovative, context-specific approaches to discipleship that are helping people grow in faith and become disciple-makers in their own communities.

Walter shares how Wi+H Movement partners with churches and emerging pastors to develop culturally relevant and transformative discipleship strategies. Rooted in relationship and local context, their work equips leaders to disciple effectively in the communities they serve.

Paul brings insight into the powerful work of Freedom Initiative, which is focused on launching disciple-making movements among those impacted by incarceration in the U.S. By equipping believers, prison ministries, and churches, they’re seeing lives transformed, recidivism reduced, and the Kingdom expanded through the power of deep, replicable discipleship.

Whether you’re serving in a traditional church, navigating complex social issues, or longing to see real transformation in your community, this episode offers both inspiration and practical models for making disciples who make disciples.

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Host:

Tom Planck, Director, NEXT Ventures

Guest:

Walter Harvey, President, Wi+H Movement

Paul Watson, Founder, Freedom Initiative

Category: Innovation NEXT

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

with.city

[email protected]

@Bishop_WalterHarvey

Bishop Walter Harvey

contagiousdisciplemaking.com

@pauldwatson

Paul D Watson

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 86

Series: Ministry Reimagined

What will it take to raise up the next generation of Kingdom leaders—and how can the Church equip them to thrive?

In this visionary and practical episode, Tom Planck is joined by three catalytic leaders who are deeply invested in multiplying healthy, mission-driven leadership: Jon Wiest of Mobilize the Church, Steve Pike of Urban Islands Project, and Dave Miller of Leadership Pathway. Together, they engage in a powerful conversation about how to find, develop, and unleash change makers for the future of the Church.

Jon shares how Mobilize the Church partners with pastors and local leaders to train and resource the body of Christ for movement and mission. Steve discusses how Urban Islands Project is working across multiple cities to launch coaching clusters that support church starters planting in urban contexts simultaneously. And Dave outlines how Leadership Pathway is helping churches build strong leadership pipelines through intentional, in-house residency programs that consistently raise up high-impact leaders.

If you’re a church leader, coach, planter, or simply someone passionate about leadership development, this episode offers real tools, tested strategies, and fresh inspiration for building the kind of leaders the Church desperately needs.

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Host:

Tom Planck, Director, NEXT Ventures

Guest:

Jon Wiest, Co-Founder, Mobilize the Church

Steve Pike, President and Founder, Urban Islands Project

Dave Miller, Co-Founder, Leadership Pathway

Category: Innovation NEXT

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

mobilizethechurch.com

nextwave.community

leadershippathway.org

Exponential NEXT Podcast Episode 85

Series: Ministry Reimagined

What does meaningful ministry look like for the next generation?

In this energizing and insightful episode, Tom Planck is joined by Olivia Williamson of Claim Your Campus and Emma Tautolo of AZ Reach, two leaders who are deeply invested in raising up Gen Z through prayer, leadership, and holistic community engagement.

Olivia shares how Claim Your Campus is mobilizing middle and high school students to pray for their schools and communities, creating a grassroots movement of young people who are spiritually grounded and bold in their faith. Emma brings a powerful perspective from her work with AZ Reach, which empowers Arizona youth through mentorship, skill-building programs, entrepreneurship training, mental health support, and more.

Together, they dive into what it means to reach, equip, and walk alongside a generation navigating immense cultural, emotional, and spiritual challenges. Whether you’re a church leader, youth pastor, parent, or someone passionate about the future of the Church, this conversation offers real stories, practical insights, and fresh vision for engaging Gen Z and beyond.

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Host:

Tom Planck, Director, NEXT Ventures

Guest:

Olivia Williamson – Director, Claim Your Campus

Emma Tautolo – Executive Director, AZ Reach

Category: Innovation NEXT

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

azreach.com

@azreach

claimyourcampus.com

Claim Your Campus App

@claimyourcampus