Faithly Podcast

Faithly.co

The Faithly Podcast invites you into conversations with faith-driven leaders about life, leadership, and the changing landscape of ministry. Each episode offers a look at the challenges and lessons learned in spiritual leadership—from personal growth and family rhythms to innovative practices and new resources shaping the Church today. Whether you're a pastor, volunteer, or simply someone called to serve, you'll find stories, insights, and practical takeaways to help you lead with clarity and conviction. Join us each week for thoughtful conversations that encourage, equip, and remind you that you’re not in this alone. Learn more at Faithly.co.

  1. Oct 20 ·  Video

    What Nobody Tells You About Ministry - Terry Mertink | Faithly Podcast

    Today on the Faithly Podcast, Alicia Lee is joined by Terry Mertink, Senior Assistant to the President at Focus on the Family, to discuss the many aspects of leaving a successful corporate career to pursue a calling in Christian ministry. After 20 years in the technology industry with companies including Applied Materials and Dell, Terry began sensing that God might be leading him toward work with greater Kingdom impact. He shares the process that eventually brought him to Focus on the Family, including the financial realities of changing careers, the importance of having his wife’s support, and why frustration with your current job is not enough reason to make a major transition. Terry also offers honest insight into the realities of ministry life, from the emotional weight of serving people to the importance of humility, prayer, and discernment. For anyone wondering whether God may be calling them out of the corporate world and into ministry, Terry encourages them to slow down and seek wise counsel, and to trust God to open—or close—the right doors. Website: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/ 00:00 Introduction: When God Calls You From Corporate to Ministry 01:47 Two Decades in High Tech: From Clean Rooms to Data Centers 04:24 The Growing Sense of Calling: Success Versus Significance 07:39 The God Incident: When a Job Posting Stayed Open for Six Months 10:53 What is Focus on the Family? Five Pillars of Ministry 14:34 Relationship Management: Connecting Donors and Making Kingdom Impact 15:54 The Biggest Fear: Leaving Behind Bonuses, Stock, and Salary 17:40 When Friends Don't Understand: The Cost of Following God's Call 20:14 What No One Told Me: Ministry Work is Harder Than Corporate 23:37 The Myth of Ministry: It's Not All Kumbaya 25:10 The Most Rewarding Part: God Shows Up Every Single Time 29:21 A Prayer That Changed Everything: Lord, Close the Doors 31:34 Do Your Homework: What You See Outside Should Match What's Inside 33:11 What I Miss: The Art of the Deal and Corporate Bonuses 35:04 Leadership Lessons: Business Principles in Ministry 38:08 What I've Learned: Relying on God More and Letting Him Lead 39:19 The Spouse Question: Never Make a Decision Without Alignment 41:01 Who Should Think Twice: Unhealthy Reasons to Pursue Ministry 43:48 Humble, Hungry, and Smart: The Focus on the Family Hiring Philosophy 45:17 Advice for Those Feeling Stuck: Pray, Listen, and Close the Doors 47:19 Final Thoughts: Be Prepared for the Enemy and Trust God's Plan Follow us on social media: Website: https://faithly.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/ X: https://x.com/faithlyco

  2. Oct 13 ·  Video

    You Have Nothing to Prove - Bishop Claude Alexander | Faithly Podcast

    In this week’s episode of the Faithly Podcast, Alicia Lee and special co-host Rev. Elliott Johnson welcome Bishop Claude Richard Alexander, Jr., Senior Pastor of The Park Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a rich conversation about longevity, leadership, and what more than three decades of pastoral ministry have taught him about serving faithfully. Bishop Alexander reflects on becoming a senior pastor at just 26 years old and the pressure he initially felt to prove himself. Over time, he learned that ministry was less about proving and more about pursuing the will of God, trusting His timing as he cared for the people entrusted to him. He shares the practices that have sustained him through seasons of growth, disappointment, loss, and change, including Sabbath, strong relationships, spiritual rhythms, and learning to distinguish between an unchanging message and adaptable methods. Together, Alicia, Rev. EJ, and Bishop Alexander go on to explore the pressures facing today’s ministry leaders, from the expectation to always be “on” to the temptation to measure influence through followers and visibility. Bishop Alexander encourages pastors to protect their health and closest relationships while remaining rooted in the Gospel, giving themselves both grace and space as they pursue a life of faithful, lasting ministry. Website: https://theparkministries.org/ 00:00 Introduction: Life Was Not Designed for Us to Be Always On 01:34 The Unlikely Call: A 26-Year-Old Pastor for a Wounded Church 04:19 Learning to Lead: Caring for People Above All Else 07:40 You Have Nothing to Prove: The Lesson That Changed Everything 10:31 The Pursuit That Leads to Longevity: Trusting God With the Outcome 13:39 Sabbath, Disney World, and Devotion: Practices That Sustain 15:20 Godly Surprises: When God Orchestrates the Unplanned 18:53 Standing Firm and Staying Flexible: Doctrine Versus Modality 22:33 What Separates Leaders Who Finish Well: Curiosity, Identity, and Playing Well With Others 26:07 The Moses Model: When Ministry Feels More Like 40 Years Than 3 31:57 Opening Your Hands: Raising Up Leaders and Sharing Authority 34:51 Where Pastors Are Vulnerable Today: The Pressure to Always Be On 39:55 Emerging Leaders Who Inspire: Marcus Cosby, Nicole Martin, and Walter Thomas Jr. 43:16 The Church's Responsibility to the City: Salt, Light, and Redemptive Service 47:56 The Joyous Burden of 2033: A Unique Window for Unity 52:58 Pay Attention to Yourself, Your Spouse, Your Children: Final Wisdom for Faithful Longevity Follow us on social media: Website: https://faithly.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/ X: https://x.com/faithlyco

  3. Oct 6 ·  Video

    Spiritual Growth Isn't Leadership Growth - Jef Fite | Faithly Podcast

    Join Alicia Lee in this episode of the Faithly Podcast as she sits down with Jef Fite, Founder of CoreC Leadership, to discuss healthy leadership and why spiritual formation alone does not automatically prepare someone to lead an organization well. Drawing from nearly four decades of leadership experience across various companies, Jef explains why leadership should be treated as a craft that requires intentional formation and practice. He introduces the CoreC Leadership Framework, beginning with calling and moving through caring, character, competence, clarity, culture, and coalescence. Together, Alicia and Jef explore common warning signs of leadership problems in churches, from exhausted pastors and unclear responsibilities to slow decision-making and recurring conflict. Jef encourages pastors not to view leadership gaps as failures, but as invitations to keep growing, reminding them that faithfully stewarding their calling also means developing the skills needed to lead people well. Website: https://corecleadership.com 00:00 Introduction: When Leadership Challenges Disguise Themselves as Something Else 01:15 Jef's Faith Story: From Two Weeks Old in the Nursery to Family Legacy 03:50 Four Decades in Corporate Leadership: From Steamroller to Servant 07:55 The Heart Behind Core C Leadership: Why Pastors Need Leadership Formation 10:04 From Retirement to Calling: How Core C Leadership Was Born 14:52 Spiritual Growth Isn't Leadership Growth: Why Formation Matters 17:49 Identity Before Activity: Why Leadership Must Start With Who You Are 21:48 The Seven Core Cs: A Framework for Healthy Church Leadership 26:08 Warning Signs: How Pastors Can Recognize Leadership Challenges 29:41 Growth Pains: When Success Exposes Leadership Weaknesses 31:58 Good People, Bad Systems: Solving Clarity and Alignment Problems 34:53 The Invitation: Why Senior Pastors Don't Have to Know It All Follow us on social media: Website: https://faithly.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/ X: https://x.com/faithlyco

  4. Sep 29 ·  Video

    Creation Care is Discipleship - Brendan McClenahan | Faithly Podcast

    This week on the Faithly Podcast, Alicia Lee welcomes Brendan McClenahan, Church Engagement Manager at Plant With Purpose and one of the creators of TEND, for a thoughtful conversation about discipleship and creation care, diving into what it looks like for churches to build deeper relationships with God and the world around them. Brendan shares how TEND grew out of lessons Plant With Purpose has learned through its global work and explains why creation care is not simply a political issue, but a deeply biblical one. He challenges Christians to see their neighbors as image bearers and potential partners, sharing how simple practices like composting, community gardening, shared meals and prayer can create genuine opportunities for connection and spiritual growth. Together, Alicia and Brendan explore how churches can move beyond separating discipleship from outreach and instead learn to live the Gospel alongside their neighbors in everyday life. Through stories from TEND communities, Brendan offers a practical vision for ministry that is relational, decentralized, and rooted in a shared mission: helping people grow in faith while participating in the restorative work God is already doing around them. Website: https://tendlife.org/ 00:00 Introduction: Creation Care Across the Political Spectrum 01:24 Brendan's Journey: From Music to Ministry to Plant With Purpose 04:41 What is Plant With Purpose? Transforming Lives Through Regenerative Agriculture 06:38 The Birth of TEND: Bringing Plant With Purpose's Model to the U.S. 07:33 Three Broken Relationships: God, Neighbors, and Earth 09:45 How TEND Works: A 10-Week Journey of Discipleship and Outreach 12:31 Partners, Not Projects: Seeing Neighbors as Image Bearers 17:28 Is Creation Care Political? A Biblical Perspective 24:46 The Compost Story: When Neighbors Say Yes 30:51 From Compost to Christ: A Family's Journey to Faith 33:23 Reuniting Discipleship and Mission: The Tiny Gospel Problem 38:32 A Vision for Pastors: Getting Back to Coffee and Prayer 43:14 Next Steps: How to Get Started With TEND Follow us on social media: Website: https://faithly.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/ X: https://x.com/faithlyco

  5. Sep 22 ·  Video

    Playing the Long Game - Pastor Justin Buzzard | Faithly Podcast

    In this episode of the Faithly Podcast, Alicia Lee is joined by Pastor Justin Buzzard, Lead Pastor of Garden City Church in Silicon Valley and author of Date Your Wife and The Big Story, for an energizing discussion about what it means to stop playing small with your life. Justin reflects on planting Garden City Church with just a few people and limited resources, noting the importance of staying faithful through both growth and difficult seasons, and why pastors and men especially need strong, genuine friendships. He also shares the unexpected story behind him making a college football team at age 47, decades after an injury ended his first opportunity to play, and how the experience is teaching him about discipline and perseverance, as well as trusting God through adversity. Throughout their conversation, Alicia and Justin explore biblical masculinity and the belief that many men hold back from fully using the gifts and influence God has entrusted to them. Rather than allowing fear or past disappointment to define the future, Justin encourages listeners to pay attention to God-given desires and take meaningful risks, while trusting that God is bigger than the challenges standing in their way. Website: https://www.justinbuzzard.net/ 00:00 Introduction: Chasing Good Desires with All Your Heart 00:52 From Instagram Reel to College Football: The Unexpected Call 01:08 The Power of Long-Game Friendship: 15 Years of Emails 05:12 A Mom Who Pulled Over: The Star Wars Salvation Story 06:56 Falling in Love with the Local Church in College 08:11 Silicon Valley: Seventh Generation California and the Call to Influence 12:00 Three People, Three Thousand Dollars: The Garden City Church Plant 14:07 Fifteen Years of Ups and Downs: COVID, Church Sends, and a Seven Million Dollar Gift 16:33 Playing the Long Game: Why Pastors Need to Stay 18:18 Bruised, Sore, and All In: The Reality of Football at 47 23:47 Be a Man: The 21 Marks of Biblical Masculinity 27:00 Raising Three Sons in Silicon Valley: Desire, Discipleship, and Public School 28:54 Stop Playing Small: What It Means to Be a Godly Man Today 31:05 Area of Influence: Know It and Grow It Follow us on social media: Website: https://faithly.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/ X: https://x.com/faithlyco

  6. Sep 15 ·  Video

    When God's Word Becomes Personal - Melissa Paredes | Faithly Podcast

    Today on the Faithly Podcast, Alicia Lee welcomes Melissa Paredes, Senior Director of Content Marketing at Wycliffe Bible Translators USA, for a meaningful conversation about Bible translation, motherhood, and the life-changing power of Scripture. Melissa shares how growing up as a Wycliffe missionary kid in the Philippines eventually led her into work telling the stories of what God is doing through Bible translation around the world. She explains why translation is ultimately about helping people encounter Scripture in the language they think, dream, and pray in, and reflects on witnessing a full Bible dedication that took 66 years to complete. Their conversation becomes deeply personal as Melissa shares how God’s Word became her anchor while navigating her son Rory’s developmental challenges through seasons of uncertainty and grief. Through it all, Melissa shares how she learned to trust God more deeply and to see both motherhood and ministry as callings to steward rather than control. Website: https://www.wycliffe.org/ 00:00 Introduction: The Passion Behind Bible Translation Work 00:26 Bringing God's Word to Every Language: Wycliffe's Mission 01:17 More Than Marketing: Storytelling God's Global Work 02:15 Five Ways to Participate: From Prayer to Service 07:05 Why Bible Translation Matters: Understanding the Need 09:55 Bible Dedications: Celebrating 66 Years of Faithful Work 14:56 When Motherhood Didn't Go as Planned: Rory's Diagnosis 19:05 Every Word a Victory: Rory's Journey with Apraxia and Autism 21:42 Baptism at Seven: When a Child Overcomes Fear for Jesus 32:13 Clinging to the Rock: Scripture as an Anchor in the Storm 36:33 The Unexpected Gift: Loss, Transition, and Choosing Family 38:06 From Personal Pain to Global Passion: How Rory's Story Fuels the Mission 39:00 A Once-in-History Moment: Why Now Matters for Bible Translation 42:29 The Next Generation: Raising Kids Who Own Their Faith 45:56 Beyond Your Borders: Teaching Kids About the Global Church Follow us on social media: Website: https://faithly.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/ X: https://x.com/faithlyco

  7. Sep 8 ·  Video

    Why Teenagers Are Your Church's Greatest Evangelists - Greg Stier | Faithly Podcast

    In this week’s episode of the Faithly Podcast, Alicia Lee welcomes Greg Stier, Founder and Visionary of Dare 2 Share Ministries, for an inspiring conversation about evangelism and discipleship, uncovering why teenagers should be viewed not simply as the next generation of the Church, but as an essential part of the Church today. Greg shares how the Gospel radically transformed his violent inner-city family and ultimately shaped his own calling to preach and equip others to share their faith. After witnessing firsthand what could happen when teenagers were trained to reach their friends for Christ, Greg founded Dare 2 Share with a vision to see every teen, everywhere, hear the Gospel from a friend. He reflects on more than three decades of ministry, the impact of the Columbine tragedy on his sense of urgency, and why young people can become powerful disciple-makers when the Church equips and trusts them. Throughout their conversation, Alicia and Greg explore why inviting someone to church is valuable but cannot replace personally sharing the Gospel in everyday life. Greg offers practical tools for beginning spiritual conversations, including his “ask, admire, admit” approach, and challenges believers to make evangelism part of their normal rhythm rather than an occasional activity. Ultimately, he encourages church leaders to stop underestimating teenagers and empower them instead. Website: https://www.dare2share.org/ 00:00 Introduction: The Power of a Violent Family Transformed by the Gospel 01:20 Growing Up with the Crazy Brothers: A Childhood of Violence and Fear 03:10 Yankee the Hillbilly Preacher: When the Gospel Came Knocking 04:20 From Street Fighter to Street Preacher: Uncle Jack's Radical Transformation 08:51 An Eight-Year-Old's Faith: When the Gospel Finally Made Sense 10:16 Called to Preach at Fifteen: Giving the Gospel at Grandpa's Funeral 11:23 The Birth of Dare to Share: Learning from a Youth Ministry of 800 Teenagers 12:38 Jesus Was a Youth Leader: The Biblical Case for Empowering Teens 15:39 From Local to Global: 35 Years of Mobilizing Teenagers to Share the Gospel 17:42 Columbine and the Call to Full-Time Ministry: When All Hell Broke Loose 19:36 The Church's Biggest Evangelism Problem: Come and See vs. Go and Tell 24:16 The Four A's of Evangelism: Ask, Admire, Admit, and Awkward is Awesome 27:01 The Gospel Acrostic: A Simple Framework for Sharing Your Faith 27:59 What Teenagers Teach Us: Don't Overthink It, Just Share 31:28 Leadership Lessons: Prayer, Finding Your Integrator, and Staying Focused 36:13 Half Monk, Half Missionary: What Makes a Healthy Youth Pastor 38:44 Writing Through Trauma: The Painful Process of Unlikely Fighter 41:24 The Now Generation: Why Teenagers Aren't the Church of Tomorrow Follow us on social media: Website: https://faithly.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/ X: https://x.com/faithlyco

  8. Sep 1 ·  Video

    Is AI Really the Devil? - Pastor Keith Odom | Faithly Podcast

    Today on the podcast, Alicia Lee and special co-host Rev. Elliot Johnson welcome Pastor Keith Odom, Director of Technology for the Church of God in Christ, Lead Pastor of The Place of Grace Church, and Founder and CEO of Axtegrity Consulting, for a pertinent conversation about AI and the future of technology in the Church. Keith shares how his lifelong interests in both ministry and technology eventually converged through a career that included work at the renowned MIT Media Lab and now allows him to help churches navigate an increasingly digital world. Drawing from his experience as both a pastor and technology leader, he explains why churches should view technology as a tool that can support the delivery of the gospel rather than something to fear. From AI-powered language translation and accessibility tools to sermon content, discipleship resources, and digital outreach, Keith explores practical ways emerging technology can expand what churches of every size are able to accomplish. Together, Alicia, Rev. EJ, and Keith also address the very real risks surrounding AI, including deepfakes, misinformation, and the need for churches to become educated rather than simply reactive. Keith challenges Christian leaders to bring technology experts already sitting in their congregations to the table and to develop intentional technology ministries that support the broader mission of the church. Websites: https://www.keithlodom.io/ and https://www.churchandtechnology.com/ 00:00 Introduction: When MIT Media Labs Meets Ministry 01:31 Called to Build: From Childhood Churches to Construction Management 03:03 The Pastor-Technologist Perspective: Leading a Local Church 07:28 From Excel Expert to MIT Media Lab: The Technology Journey 11:04 The TGI Fridays Conversation: Becoming Director of Technology for COGIC 17:09 The Church's Biggest Technology Mistake: Demonizing What We Don't Understand 20:09 Is AI Really the Devil? A Biblical and Practical Perspective 21:21 AI Accelerating the Great Commission: 196 Languages in Real Time 23:34 The Pitfalls and Concerns: Deepfakes, Digital Deception, and Discipleship 26:59 Digital Transformation: Leveling the Playing Field for Small Churches 31:48 The Next Five Years: Keeping the Human Touch in an AI World 33:58 The Antichrist and the Last Days: Technology in End Times 37:01 Church and Technology Summit: An Immersive Experience 43:21 The Tech Town Hall: Building Systems Before Demand Requires It 45:34 A Word of Encouragement: Establish a Ministry of Technology Follow us on social media: Website: https://faithly.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/ X: https://x.com/faithlyco

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5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Faithly Podcast invites you into conversations with faith-driven leaders about life, leadership, and the changing landscape of ministry. Each episode offers a look at the challenges and lessons learned in spiritual leadership—from personal growth and family rhythms to innovative practices and new resources shaping the Church today. Whether you're a pastor, volunteer, or simply someone called to serve, you'll find stories, insights, and practical takeaways to help you lead with clarity and conviction. Join us each week for thoughtful conversations that encourage, equip, and remind you that you’re not in this alone. Learn more at Faithly.co.

Information

  • Creator
    Faithly.co
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    144
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Faithly Podcast

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