Jay Pathak on Calling, Cost, and Multiplying Churches

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg Nettle sits down with Jay Pathak, National Director of Vineyard USA and co-author of The Art of Neighboring. Jay shares his unexpected journey into church planting, from studying philosophy at Ohio State to planting Mile High Vineyard in Denver after 9/11.

Key themes include:

• The power of a clear calling—and why clarity often means higher cost.

• The challenges of starting with little money, odd jobs, and slow growth.

• Why multiplying leaders is the foundation for multiplying churches.

• Lessons from The E-Myth on building for replication.

• Evangelism as the heartbeat of church planting, no matter the model or denomination.

Jay encourages listeners to pray for God's heart for the marginalized and to stay focused on the essentials: leading people to Christ, making disciples, and training leaders.

Podcast Contents

• 00:00–02:00 | Intro: Greg welcomes Jay Pathak, National Director of Vineyard USA

• 02:00–05:30 | Jay's Ohio State background & early call to ministry

• 05:30–09:00 | Planting Mile High Vineyard after 9/11: obstacles & slow growth

• 09:00–12:00 | The importance of a clear call—and its high cost

• 12:00–15:30 | Lessons from Carol Wimber: "Because it's going to be hard"

• 15:30–18:30 | Multiplication begins with multiplying leaders

• 18:30–21:30 | Insights from The E-Myth for church planting systems

• 21:30–23:30 | Evangelism as the heart of church planting

• 23:30–25:30 | Why unity across denominations matters for mission

• 25:30–26:30 | Final encouragement: focus on people, discipleship, and reproducing leaders