ACCWA Pastors and Leaders Podcast

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The ACCWA Podcast is a space for pastors and leaders to be equipped, inspired, and empowered through engaging conversations on ministry and leadership. With episodes hosted by our WA State President, Ps Christie Blaikie and members of the WA State Executive team, each episode offers practical insights and encouragement from a range of guests that include pastors, leaders and industry professionals. Aligned with our vision to increase leadership capability, this podcast is here to support you as you lead with wisdom, faith, and purpose. Subscribe now and join us on the journey.

  1. FEB 12

    Building Healthy Youth Ministries with Ps Dan Sheikh

    In this episode, Ps Gareth Forsdike sits down with Ps Dan Sheikh - Senior Pastor of Heart for the City Church and Director of Youth Alive WA - to unpack the heart and hustle behind building thriving youth and young adult ministries. From starting groups with just a handful of teenagers to now leading one of the largest youth and young adult demographics in Perth, Dan shares hard-won lessons on pioneering from scratch, creating synergy between youth and young adults, and why hustle, grace, and longevity matter when discipling Gen Z. Whether you’re leading a church plant, a mid-sized ministry or a large youth group, this conversation is packed with practical strategies, encouragement, and vision for raising up the next generation in your church.

    28 min

  2. JAN 29

    Four Pillars of Discipleship with Ps James Murray

    In this rich and practical conversation, Ps Gareth Forsdike sits down with Ps. James Murray of Abide Church to talk about discipleship, church culture, and what it means to truly lead people into the way of Jesus. James shares his personal journey from being Sunday-centric to discovering a deeper call to disciple-making, the four key pillars that shape their approach and why prayer and abiding in Christ are non-negotiable. With honest reflections, stories from ministry, and insights on social media, leadership and metrics that really matter, this episode will encourage and equip pastors and leaders to lead with clarity, authenticity and love.

    46 min

  3. JAN 15

    Leading Through Crisis & Transition with Ps Fred Porter

    What does it really take to lead through crisis, navigate leadership transitions, and grow a church with intentionality? In this candid conversation, Pastor Fred Porter—Senior Pastor of Kingdom Culture Church in Brisbane—shares his remarkable journey from youth pastor to senior leader, including navigating moral failure in the early days of the church plant, stepping into leadership after his father, and seeing the church grow from 250 to 750+ in just a few years. Fred opens up about the spiritual weight of leadership, the importance of honoring the past while boldly leading into the future, and why clarity, systems, and the right team are vital for healthy growth. With practical insights on staffing, structures, discipleship, and spiritual resilience, this episode is packed with encouragement and challenge for pastors and leaders at every stage.

    45 min

  4. JAN 1

    Supervision in Ministry: Why Every Pastor Needs It with Ps Paul Sanders

    What exactly is professional supervision - and why does it matter for pastors and leaders today? In this episode, Ps Nate Phor sits down with Ps Paul Sanders, former pastor of 30 years and now staff chaplain with Mission Australia, to unpack the role of supervision in ministry life. Paul shares candidly about his own journey from senior pastor to chaplain, why supervision is more than just “mentoring,” and how reflective practice helps leaders avoid burnout, grow in self-awareness and serve with integrity. They also explore the difference between pastoral work and chaplaincy, how supervision connects soul, role and context, and why a secure identity in Christ is vital for navigating seasons of transition in ministry. Whether you’re curious about professional supervision, considering it for your own leadership or simply wanting to lead with greater longevity and health, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and encouragement.

    43 min

  5. 12/18/2025

    Why Pastors Health Matters with Ps Ruth Limkin

    Ministry is one of the greatest callings - but it can also take a toll on our health if we’re not careful. In this conversation, Ps Christie Blaikie sits down with Ruth Limkin, CEO of The Banyans and an ACCWA credentialed pastor, to talk about leadership wellbeing, burnout warning signs and the rhythms that keep us healthy for the long haul. From the importance of sleep and active rest, to reframing hustle culture, Ruth offers both practical wisdom and spiritual insight to help pastors and leaders steward their call without sacrificing their health, families or faith. Whether you’re feeling weary, on the edge of burnout or just wanting to lead from a healthier place, this episode is full of life-giving encouragement and strategies for sustainable leadership.

    44 min

  6. 12/04/2025

    Sharpening your Calling: Education, Faith & Leadership with Ps Donna Kipps

    In this inspiring episode, Ps Nate sits down with Ps. Donna Kipps - ACCWA State Manager and WA Director for Alphacrucis University College - for a conversation about lifelong learning, faith, and leadership. Donna shares her personal journey from leaving school early to earning her master’s in leadership and undertaking governance studies, all while serving in ministry. Together, they unpack why study and professional growth matter for pastors and leaders, how formal education and spiritual formation work hand-in-hand, and why today’s generation is hungry for deeper, thoughtful conversations about faith. From juggling study with family life to discipling young people in an age of endless Google searches, this episode is filled with wisdom, encouragement, and practical insights for anyone seeking to grow - both personally and professionally - in their calling.

    50 min

  7. 11/20/2025

    Planting in the fire with Ps Vika McFarlane

    In this episode of the ACC WA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Ps Pete Hammer talks with Ps Vika McFarlane, who, along with her husband Slade, planted Triumph Church in Blacktown, Western Sydney. From a background in the Navy to pioneering in one of Australia’s most challenging communities, Vika shares her remarkable story of resilience, faith, and obedience. She opens up about planting a church while pregnant, running businesses, and caring for her terminally ill mother - all in the same season. Through it all, she discovered God’s faithfulness in the fire and saw incredible fruit, with 80% of Triumph Church made up of first-time believers. Vika also reflects on how her military background shaped her leadership, why she began by building a youth ministry, and her vision to see Triumph become a church-planting movement that raises up and releases leaders into new communities. This raw and inspiring conversation will encourage every leader to keep saying yes to God, even in the toughest seasons.

    30 min

  8. 11/06/2025

    Obedience Over Strategy with Ps Cody Byrne

    In this episode of the ACCWA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Ps Julian Kirtisingham chats with Ps Cody Byrne, Lead Pastor of Tribes Church in Perth. Originally from the U.S., Cody shares his journey of being called to Australia, planting a church from the ground up, and navigating the joys and challenges of pioneering ministry. Cody opens up about trusting God’s timing, the realities of leading a young church community and the importance of resilience, authenticity and dependence on the Holy Spirit. His story is a powerful reminder that God equips those He calls, and that building church is less about strategy and more about obedience and faith. This inspiring conversation will encourage church planters, pioneers and leaders who are stepping into new territory or believing for fresh moves of God in their communities.

    52 min
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About

The ACCWA Podcast is a space for pastors and leaders to be equipped, inspired, and empowered through engaging conversations on ministry and leadership. With episodes hosted by our WA State President, Ps Christie Blaikie and members of the WA State Executive team, each episode offers practical insights and encouragement from a range of guests that include pastors, leaders and industry professionals. Aligned with our vision to increase leadership capability, this podcast is here to support you as you lead with wisdom, faith, and purpose. Subscribe now and join us on the journey.

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