The Crosswalk Experience Podcast

Crosswalk Chattanooga
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The Crosswalk Experience Podcast takes you inside the life of Crosswalk Chattanooga—exploring the stories, leadership, creativity, and faith shaping the church.

Episodes

  1. Aug 8

    How Crosswalk Built Its Identity Before Hiring a Pastor

    How do you become the pastor of a church that already knows who it is? In this episode, Pastor Dave Ferguson shares the unlikely story of how he went from watching Crosswalk Chattanooga develop from the outside to eventually becoming its senior pastor. Long before joining the staff, Dave advocated for Crosswalk when its future was uncertain, mentored its lay-led leadership team, helped bridge conversations with denominational leaders, and walked alongside the church during the complicated process of securing its permanent home. Then came the part no one expected: Crosswalk needed a pastor—and Dave was willing to consider it. We talk about: Crosswalk’s unconventional beginnings Building trust with denominational leadership The decision to leave Collegedale Church Joining a church with an established mission and culture Pastoral leadership built around relationships Mentoring leaders instead of replacing them Today, Dave describes Crosswalk as deeply aligned with the passions that have shaped his ministry for decades—and says the opportunity to invest deeply in people and teams has become one of the most rewarding seasons of his career. A conversation about calling, leadership, trust, and what can happen when the expected next step isn’t necessarily the right one.A Lovewell Creative Podcast. Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thecrosswalkexperience/

  2. Jun 19

    How Crosswalk Built an Outreach Ministry From Scratch

    How do you create a culture where serving becomes part of a church’s DNA? In this episode, Christalee Crary shares the story of launching Crosswalk Chattanooga’s outreach ministry and the lessons learned from years of serving alongside volunteers, nonprofits, and community organizations. From Ronald McDonald House and the Chattanooga Food Bank to local service projects and volunteer mobilization, Christalee explains why outreach isn’t just about helping others—it’s about transforming the people who serve. Key themes: Outreach as a core expression of faith Building volunteer culture Partnering instead of reinventing Creating meaningful community through service Leading with purpose and sustainability This conversation is filled with practical insights for anyone looking to make an impact in their community and build something that lasts. Watch the YouTube video episode: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwImvRUCAa0m7TKZxjVQtrA

  3. May 29

    What Actually Makes People Feel Like They Belong at Church

    Before Crosswalk Chattanooga became an established church, it was a growing group of people setting up chairs, opening homes, and trying to create a place where people genuinely belonged. In Episode 7, Bryant Rodriguez shares his journey from theology student and marketing professional to becoming one of the key connectors in Crosswalk’s earliest days. From leading small groups and first impressions to rallying volunteers for weekly setups, Bryant reflects on how community, hospitality, and intentionality shaped the DNA of Crosswalk long before the church had a permanent home. This episode covers: The origins of Bryant’s “home church” gatherings Why small groups became foundational to Crosswalk How serving helps people feel connected and invested The challenge of building community in modern life Why hospitality and conversation matter so deeply in ministry Bryant’s story is a powerful reminder that meaningful church culture is built through consistency, relationships, and ordinary people willing to serve.

  4. May 29

    Why Most Kids Don’t Love Church (And What We Did About It)

    What if the way kids experience church shapes everything? In Episode 6, we sit down with Jaclyn Pruehs, Crosswalk’s founding Kids Director, to talk about how Crosswalk Kids was built from the ground up—without a playbook, a team, or a clear system. From navigating chaotic early classrooms to intentionally designing environments where kids can move, play, and engage with faith, Jaclyn shares the heart behind a ministry that prioritizes both fun and meaning. This episode covers: Why kids ministry matters more than most people realize Building something from nothing Creating structure without losing energy and engagement How to recruit and retain volunteers without burnout Teaching faith in a way that connects to real life Jaclyn’s story is a powerful reminder that the smallest environments often have the greatest impact.

  5. Apr 10

    Trusting God When the Plan Doesn’t Make Sense

    What do you do when everything is working… and God asks you to walk away? In Episode 5, Wesley León shares his journey from building a successful production company in Costa Rica to stepping into an entirely new life in the United States—and ultimately becoming part of the foundation of Crosswalk Chattanooga. From starting a growing faith community in his own living room to leaving it all behind, this conversation explores the tension between momentum and obedience. This episode covers: Building something meaningful from nothing Wrestling with calling vs. comfort Trusting God in seasons of uncertainty How past experiences shape present purpose The role of production and excellence in ministry Wesley’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the hardest decisions lead to the most meaningful outcomes.

  6. Mar 20

    What Happens Before Church Starts Matters More Than You Think

    In this episode of the Crosswalk Experience Podcast, we turn the mic around and sit down with our own Experience Director, Shastin Rains. From growing up as a pastor’s kid to helping launch ministries across the country, Shastin shares her journey into leadership—and how God led her into one of the most unique and impactful roles at Crosswalk. We talk about: What “guest experience” really means (and why it starts in the parking lot) Building a healthy, sustainable volunteer culture Creating environments where people feel like they belong before they believe Lessons learned from leading through uncertainty, growth, and post-COVID rebuilding If you’ve ever wondered why Crosswalk puts so much intention into what happens outside the auditorium, this conversation gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the heart, strategy, and people who make it happen. Referenced in this episode: Shastin shares part of her personal testimony and journey to Crosswalk. You can listen to the full message here: 👉 Campus Day - Shastin Rains 🎧 Listen now and discover how small details can lead to life-changing moments. A Lovewell Creative Podcast. 📍 Want to learn more about Crosswalk or get connected?Visit: crosswalkchattanooga.com

  7. Mar 7

    Why Church Identity Matters More Than Strategy

    Most churches grow by habit. Some grow by personality.Crosswalk chose to grow by identity.In this episode, founding member and brand strategist Alysa Darmody shares how Crosswalk defined who it was before scaling, and why belonging, momentum, and experience became the guardrails that shaped every decision that followed.This is a conversation about intentional culture, clarity over chaos, and why naming who you are matters more than chasing growth.Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/crosswalkexperience

  8. Mar 7

    We Built a Church Around Belonging — And It Changed Everything

    We built a church around belonging before we had a building, a budget, or a roadmap.This conversation traces Crosswalk’s origin…from living rooms to pop-ups…and why choosing people first changed everything that came next.A Lovewell Creative Podcast. Chapters00:00 Intro01:30 The moment something felt different05:10 Visiting Crosswalk Redlands10:45 Why starting with small groups mattered18:40 Moving forward without clarity27:15 Pop-ups, momentum, and early resistance36:20 When it became “real”44:10 Lessons from the early days52:30 What building community actually takesFollow us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/thecrosswalkexperienceBig thanks to our sponsor: White Oak Dental in Chattanooga, TN. Learn more here: https://www.whiteoakdds.com/#crosswalkchurch #crosswalkchattanooga

  9. Jan 30

    Why Churches Lose People (It’s Not Doctrine)

    Pastor Tim Gillespie didn’t “grow” Crosswalk by accident, he rebuilt it on purpose. In 2014, Crosswalk was down to ~85 people and debating whether to shut its doors. Tim walked into his first board meeting and said: we’re not closing, we’re building. What followed was a decade-long rebuild anchored in three non-negotiables: excellence (no “good enough”), belonging (people first), and relevance (faith that speaks the language of real life). In this first episode, Tim takes us behind the decisions that upset people, scaled culture, and eventually multiplied into Crosswalk Chattanooga, plus the unexpected moment that told him it was time to leave. What you’ll hear: The 5-page vision that became reality by year two “You can’t suck on Saturday” (and the backlash)Branding, merch, and the hidden power of consistencyCoffee as ministry—why a cup can feel like coming homeChattanooga: pop-ups → community → churchThe 3:30am “well done” moment that ended a 10-year run Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecrosswalkexperiencepod Watch this podcast on video: https://www.youtube.com/@thecrosswalkexperience

  10. Jan 29

    Introducing: The Crosswalk Experience Podcast

    The Crosswalk Experience Podcast takes you inside the life of Crosswalk Chattanooga. Hosted by Shastin Rains and Justin Wampler, we explore the stories, leadership decisions, creativity, and faith that shape the church—from its founding to the people carrying it forward. This is Episode 1, featuring Crosswalk Founder and Pastor Tim Gillespie.

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The Crosswalk Experience Podcast takes you inside the life of Crosswalk Chattanooga—exploring the stories, leadership, creativity, and faith shaping the church.

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