GrowLeader Podcast with Chris Hodges

In Episode 92 of the Grow Leader Podcast, Pastor Chris Hodges is joined by Pastor Mark Pettus for a timely and insightful conversation on leadership, transition, and long-term impact. Recorded during the 25th anniversary season of Church of the Highlands, this episode reflects on a year of role transition, the importance of celebrating wins, and what it takes to lead with clarity and grace over time.
Together, they unpack powerful leadership principles around vision, execution, personal development, and innovation, offering practical wisdom for pastors and leaders navigating growth, change, and increasing responsibility. From building healthy culture to managing focus in a distracted world, this conversation is filled with real-life lessons forged through decades of faithful leadership.
If you're leading a church, organization, or team and want to grow in clarity, consistency, and impact, this episode is packed with leadership gold.
 
All Things GrowLeader:
Register for GrowLeader Conference 2026: https://www.growleader.com/conference

Join Monthly Mentoring with Pastor Chris: https://www.growleader.com/monthlymentoring

Access FREE church resources: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

Develop a Kingdom Builders or Legacy Team: https://www.growleader.com/kbvirtualintensive

Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyCNQpi3YxaOeQAIdSpbeVw

 
Follow along on Socials: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growleader/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growleader

In this episode of the GrowLeader Podcast, Pastor Chris Hodges brings biblical clarity to prayer and fasting, explaining why fasting is not a burden but an invitation into deeper spiritual authority and alignment. He unpacks the purpose of fasting, different types of fasts, and five biblical fasts that lead to freedom, restoration, wisdom, spiritual victory, and revival.
Pastor Chris explains why Jesus assumed fasting would be a normal part of the Christian life—and how fasting is not about punishment or earning God's favor, but about reordering our lives so the Spirit leads instead of the flesh.
This episode will equip pastors and leaders to teach fasting biblically, practice it healthily, and guide others into deeper spiritual rhythms that bring lasting fruit.
 
Episode Resources:
21 Days of Prayer: https://21days.churchofthehighlands.com/

 
All Things GrowLeader:
Register for GrowLeader Conference 2026: https://www.growleader.com/conference

Join Monthly Mentoring with Pastor Chris: https://www.growleader.com/monthlymentoring

Access FREE church resources: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

Develop a Kingdom Builders or Legacy Team: https://www.growleader.com/kbvirtualintensive

Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyCNQpi3YxaOeQAIdSpbeVw

 
Follow along on Socials: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growleader/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growleader

A new year brings a fresh calendar, but for many leaders, it also brings pressure, fatigue, and the fear that this year might just look like the last one. In this episode of the GrowLeader Podcast, Pastor Chris Hodges helps leaders reset their lives and leadership so 2026 doesn't become a rerun of 2025.
This conversation goes far beyond goal setting. Pastor Chris walks through a powerful, practical framework built on reflection and planning, showing leaders how to work on their lives, not just in them. Drawing from decades of ministry leadership, personal rhythms, and spiritual disciplines, he explains why clarity comes from review and traction comes from intentional planning.
If you're a pastor, church leader, or organizational leader who wants to grow personally, lead intentionally, and start the year with clarity and purpose, this episode will give you a roadmap to lead yourself well, and lead others better.
 
Episode Resources:
Pastor Chris's Podcast Notes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R7zq4gKJgtBk3XY9wHpVumubXNexQO1g/view?usp=sharing
21 Days of Prayer: https://21days.churchofthehighlands.com/

21 Days of Prayer Resources: https://21days.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

https://youtu.be/RPTUuKGTy3s?si=gJdV1V8zYJbl36Hn

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https://youtu.be/8jqXLeB-T38?si=VaeGLszNJvCa54MW

https://youtu.be/-utE_JsuMnY?si=OapCI4YDDjcjpNo9

 
All Things GrowLeader:
Register for GrowLeader Conference 2026: https://www.growleader.com/conference

Join Monthly Mentoring with Pastor Chris: https://www.growleader.com/monthlymentoring

Access FREE church resources: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

Develop a Kingdom Builders or Legacy Team: https://www.growleader.com/kbvirtualintensive

Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyCNQpi3YxaOeQAIdSpbeVw

 
Follow along on Socials: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growleader/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growleader

In this episode of the Grow Leader Podcast, Pastor Chris interviews bestselling author and leadership expert Patrick Lencioni about one of his most powerful tools: The Six Working Geniuses. 
Pat explains the six types, how they reveal your God-given wiring, and how understanding them can transform teamwork, communication, and church culture.
PC shares his own assessment results, and Pat unpacks how to lean into strengths, reduce frustration, and build a more effective team. A practical, energizing conversation for every leader.
 
Episode Resources:
6 Types Of Working Genius: Discover Your Gifts and Transform Your Work: https://www.workinggenius.com/

 
All Things GrowLeader:
Register for GrowLeader Conference 2026: https://www.growleader.com/conference

Join Monthly Mentoring with Pastor Chris: https://www.growleader.com/monthlymentoring

Access FREE church resources: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

Develop a Kingdom Builders or Legacy Team: https://www.growleader.com/kbvirtualintensive

Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyCNQpi3YxaOeQAIdSpbeVw

 
Follow along on Socials: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growleader/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growleader

In this episode, Pastor Chris Hodges is joined by worship leader and songwriter Chris Tomlin to talk about his new album The King Is Still the King, recorded in part live at Highlands College. Chris shares the heart behind the project, songwriting stories rooted in Scripture, and why worship matters so deeply in the middle of cultural chaos.
You'll hear the inspiration behind songs like "Still the King," "How Good It Is," "He Has Done Great Things," and "Help My Unbelief," plus a special story about partnering with the Birmingham Youth Fellowship Choir on "Jesus Saves."
Whether you're a pastor, worship leader, or believer who loves worship music, this episode will encourage you and build your faith. The King is still the King and this conversation will remind you why.
 
Episode Resources:
The King Is Still The King (Apple Music): https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-king-is-still-the-king/1822580562

The King Is Still The King (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/album/2ieE6Mqwu3aMWflIdIbNkS?si=ZH_W0w2wRHCZCiy05FVruw

Chris Tomlin's Website: https://christomlin.com/

 
All Things GrowLeader:
Register for GrowLeader Conference 2026: https://www.growleader.com/conference

Join Monthly Mentoring with Pastor Chris: https://www.growleader.com/monthlymentoring

Access FREE church resources: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/resources

Develop a Kingdom Builders or Legacy Team: https://www.growleader.com/kbvirtualintensive

Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyCNQpi3YxaOeQAIdSpbeVw

 
Follow along on Socials: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growleader/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growleader