Be The Church with Joel Wayne

Be The Church
  • 5.0 (11)
  • CHRISTIANITY

The Be The Church Podcast is for spiritual leaders who want to be challenged to lead like Jesus in everyday places—at home, in your church, at school, and in the workplace. Hosted by Be The Church founder Joel Wayne and Chapel Pointe pastor Luke Bilberry, each episode features bold, authentic conversations with business and ministry leaders that are rooted in Scripture. You'll learn how to expand your spiritual influence and leverage your leadership to advance the Kingdom of God. Let's be the church together! For more information, visit bethechurch.org/podcast.

  1. 4D AGO

    Finding Hope in the Hard: Eric Palmer on Identity in Christ and Reaching the Next Generation

    In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Pastor Luke and Pastor Joel sit down with Eric Palmer for a powerful conversation on identity, resilience, and what it means to lead from a place of being fully known and loved by God. Eric shares his deeply personal story of loss, redemption, and the defining truth that now anchors his life: “hope in spite of.” From losing both parents at a young age to wrestling with identity, purpose, and calling, his journey reveals how the goodness of God is not found in the absence of hardship—but in His faithful presence through it. They also explore the heart of the next generation—why young adults are desperate for authenticity, hungry for truth, and longing for spiritual leaders who are both honest and anchored in Scripture. This episode is both a story of God’s redeeming work and a call to lead others from a place of a deep, abiding relationship with Him. What you’ll learn: Why your identity must be rooted in being loved by God—not your past, performance, or painHow to reframe your story through the lens of “hope in spite of” and see God’s goodness in every seasonThe danger of building your identity around ministry instead of intimacy with ChristWhy abiding in Jesus (John 15) is essential for lasting fruit and spiritual leadershipWhat today’s young adults are looking for: authenticity, truth, and spiritual familyHow to lead others through hardship with both compassion and a clear vision of future hopePractical ways to cultivate resilience and a deeper relationship with God in your everyday lifeGet each episode to your inbox -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    55 min

  2. APR 21

    Loving and Leading Like Jesus in Your Everyday Life (with Michael Rubino)

    In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Pastor Luke Bilberry sits down with Pastor Joel Wayne and Pastor Michael Rubino for a deeply practical and Scripture-rooted conversation on what it really means to follow Jesus in everyday life. Together, they wrestle with a powerful tension: following Jesus is simple—but it’s not easy. From family rhythms and leadership convictions to kingdom-minded living and surrender, this conversation exposes how easily we drift into compartmentalized, performance-driven faith—and calls us back to a life of wholehearted devotion. They unpack why spiritual leadership isn’t about adding more to your plate, but about becoming the same person in every environment, why relationships—not efficiency—are the true engine of discipleship, and how entitlement quietly erodes our joy while expectancy restores awe and wonder in our walk with God. From “kingdom vs. castle” thinking to the daily decision to serve rather than be served, this episode will challenge you to stop managing your faith and start surrendering your heart—at home, at work, and in every relationship. Whether you’re leading a church, raising a family, working a job, or simply trying to follow Jesus faithfully, this conversation will help you rediscover the beauty of a life fully yielded to Him. What you’ll learn: Why following Jesus is simple in truth—but difficult in surrenderHow compartmentalized faith leads to burnout and inconsistencyThe difference between entitlement and expectancy—and why it mattersWhy relationships (not programs) are central to discipleship and leadershipHow “kingdom vs. castle” thinking reshapes the way you lead and liveThe power of small, everyday acts of service in forming a Christlike lifeWhy spiritual leadership flows from who you are—not just what you doHow surrendering your heart (not just modifying behavior) changes everythingGet each episode to your inbox -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    36 min

  3. APR 14

    Why Relationships Are Essential to Kingdom Expansion (with Steve Harrington)

    In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Luke Bilberry is joined by Joel Wayne and Pastor Steve Harrington for a profound look at what God is doing on the international stage. Moving beyond mere logistics and "success metrics," the team explores how Be The Church is engaging the global mission field by prioritizing the one thing Jesus modeled most: intentional relationship. Together, they discuss Steve's story as a missionary in the UK, the "reverse culture shock" of returning to the United States, and how the global church’s theology of suffering challenges our Western pursuit of comfort. From the mission fields of Europe and Africa to West Michigan, this conversation reveals that the most powerful tool for advancing the kingdom isn't a strategy—it’s a life willing to be known by others and shaped by God. Whether you feel called to the other side of the world or just the other side of the street, this episode will challenge you to stop seeing people as projects and start seeing relationship as the primary vehicle for God’s transformative work. What you’ll learn: The International Lens: How living in a different cultural context changes your internal "grid" and deepens your dependence on God.The Global Contrast: Why the American church struggles with individualism while the global church finds strength in shared suffering.Relational Mobilization: Why Be The Church focuses on "abiding" and relationship as their foundation.The Myth of Usefulness: Understanding that God doesn't send us overseas because He needs our help, but because He wants us to know His heart.Shortcuts vs. Sanctification: Why the "Prosperity Gospel" fails on the mission field and why we must embrace the "long game" of spiritual preparation.Picking Up the Accent: How proximity to God and His people changes the way we speak, lead, and love.Get each episode to your inbox -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    1h 3m

  4. APR 7

    Jim Jeffery: Leadership Lessons from 50+ Years in Ministry (Part 2)

    In this second part of their conversation, Joel continues his deep dive with Pastor Jim Jeffrey to explore the intersection of leadership, discipleship, and the power of walking in humility. From serving as a lead pastor for decades to becoming a university president, Jim shares practical leadership lessons he has learned over 50 years in ministry. This episode pulls back the curtain on what it looks like to truly die to self for the sake of the kingdom. Together, they examine the mechanics of healthy leadership through the lens of Nehemiah, the mathematical power of biblical collaboration, and the common pitfalls that cause gifted leaders to crash and burn. Whether you are leading a large organization or discipling a handful of people in your living room, this conversation challenges every leader to remember that the greatest movement of God happens when no one cares who gets the credit. What you’ll learn:- Why Jim chose impact over title and how to navigate "stepping down."- How to identify your leadership horsepower and match your capacity to your role.- The timeless roadmap for moving a vision from chaos to implementation.- Understanding the Deuteronomy 32:30 principle of how two leaders together produce exponential results.- Why the church is "spinning its wheels" by choosing curriculum over a life-on-life process.- Why convictions, character, and core commitments are the "taproot" of longevity.- Why high-capacity leaders are at the greatest risk of the "Pride Trap."- How to pour into "lay people" and treat them with the same intentionality as a professional staff. Get each episode to your inbox -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    36 min

  5. MAR 31

    Holy Week: An Invitation to Abide With Jesus

    What if we’ve been rushing past the most important part of the story? In this special Holy Week episode, Pastor Luke sits down with Pastor Joel to reflect on the final days of Jesus’ life—and why we can’t skip the journey to the cross to fully understand the power of the resurrection. From the Garden of Gethsemane to the empty tomb, this conversation is a call to slow down, remember, and step into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Why did the disciples fall asleep when Jesus asked them to pray? And where might we be doing the same in our own lives? This episode challenges us to move beyond surface-level belief and into true abiding—walking closely with Jesus in both suffering and victory. Because spiritual leadership doesn’t start with what we do for God, but how we dwell with Him. In this episode, you’ll discover:  Why Holy Week matters more than we often realize  The danger of spiritual disengagement—and how to stay awake  What it means to truly abide with Jesus  How humility leads to deeper worship  Why the resurrection changes how we live right nowGet each episode to your inbox -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    13 min

  6. MAR 24

    Formed by the Word: Pastor Jim Jeffery’s Leadership Journey (Part 1)

    In this episode, Joel Wayne sits down with Pastor Jim Jeffery to walk through the story behind his life and leadership—how a young boy from a broken home came to know Christ and began a journey that would shape decades of ministry. In this deeply personal and honest conversation, Pastor Jim shares how his calling to ministry began at just 12 years old, only to be tested and refined in the years that followed. From a life-changing moment at summer camp to navigating family brokenness, early ministry, and unexpected leadership opportunities, his story reveals that spiritual leadership is not built on talent or ambition but on surrender, hardship, and faithfulness over time. As Jim reflects on seasons of rapid ministry growth followed by one of the hardest leadership transitions of his life, he unpacks the humbling reality that God often does His deepest work in the desert. Together, Joel and Jim explore the difference between pastoring and leading, the dangers of chasing “more,” and why many leaders don’t truly understand leadership until they’re stretched beyond their capacity. Whether you’re stepping into leadership for the first time or navigating a difficult season, this episode will challenge you to rethink what it means to be called, formed, and sustained by God. What you’ll learn:  How Pastor Jim Jeffery came to faith and sensed his call to ministry at a young age  Why spiritual leadership is formed through hardship, not just success  The key lesson many leaders learn too late about transitioning between ministries  The difference between pastoring and leading—and why both matter  Why chasing “more” can lead you away from what God is actually doing  How God uses difficult seasons to humble, shape, and prepare leaders  The importance of learning leadership from both Scripture and godly mentors  Why caring for your soul is essential if you want to lead for the long haul Get each episode to your inbox -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    42 min

  7. MAR 17

    ABWE President on The Future of Missions, Persecution, Tech, and Our Response (with Paul Davis)

    In this episode, Joel Wayne sits down with Paul Davis, President of ABWE, to explore the future of global missions—and why the local church is still God’s primary strategy for reaching the world. In this deeply practical and forward-looking conversation, Paul shares how his leadership journey was shaped not by ambition but by faithfully stewarding what God placed in front of him. Together, they unpack the critical role of the local church in sending missionaries, the power of kingdom-minded partnerships, and why relational investment—not platform—drives lasting gospel impact. But this conversation doesn’t stop at what missions is today. It looks ahead. As the global landscape rapidly shifts, Joel and Paul address the growing realities of persecution, the rise of the global middle class, and the urgent need for resilient, deeply formed disciples who can endure what’s coming. This is a call for pastors and leaders to lift their eyes beyond their immediate context and re-engage the Great Commission with clarity, conviction, and courage. What you’ll learn: Why the local church—not individuals—is God’s primary sending strategy for missionsHow “outsized impact” is built through relationships, not platformsThe real reason many missionaries struggle—and what churches must do differentlyWhy global missions today is “uneven” and how partnership and creativity help close the gapThe surprising rise of the global middle class—and what it means for reaching the nationsWhy persecution will define the future of missions—and how leaders must prepare nowHow to lead with a long-term mindset when gospel work requires endurance, not speedA biblical challenge to lift your eyes beyond your context and engage the nationsAbout Paul DavisPaul and his wife, Martha, have served in pastoral ministry since 1989. In their lifetime of ministry, they have led church plants, Christian schools and dynamic ministry teams. Additionally, they have given oversight to children’s, youth and college/career ministries. They enjoy pace-setting leadership as well as serving as educators, conference speakers and ministry trip facilitators. In 2017, Paul became the seventh president of ABWE. Today, Paul and Martha are working hard to meet, support, and encourage the ABWE global team, striving to embolden gospel-centered churches to become sending and supporting churches, connecting God-enabled donors to the visionary projects of our fields, and humbly working to build, heal and reignite relationships with ABWE partners past, present and future. The Davises have four adult children who are believers in Jesus Christ. About ABWE ABWE (Association of Baptists for World Evangelism) is a global family of ministries that exists to fulfill the Great Commission by multiplying leaders, churches, and missions movements among every people. Get each episode to your inbox -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    47 min

  8. MAR 10

    The Power of a Biblical Worldview: Thinking God’s Thoughts in a Self-Centered World

    Is your worldview shaped by Scripture or by your own preferences? In this episode, Joel Wayne and Luke Bilberry explore why a biblical worldview isn't just one option among many—it’s a challenge to everything else. In this deeply personal conversation, Joel and Luke move beyond definitions to discuss the conundrum of the modern believer: the tendency to marry the Word of God with our own broken preferences. Drawing from the wisdom of Leslie Newbigin and AW Tozer, Joel and Luke unpack how our first thoughts about God dictate every decision we make—from how we parent to how we lead through uncertainty. This episode is a call to stop being held captive by hollow philosophies and to start thinking God’s thoughts about every issue of life. What you’ll learn:- Why Christianity doesn’t "fit" into other worldviews; it is exclusive.- How to move from a man-centered framework to a God-centered one.- Why your preferences and God’s Word are often at war, and why "blending" them is a trap.- Why only 9% of born-again believers actually hold a biblical worldview.- Finding peace when you can’t see the destination, but you know the King.- How to identify the "hollow and deceptive" practices that are currently holding you captive. Get each episode to your inbox -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    32 min
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About

The Be The Church Podcast is for spiritual leaders who want to be challenged to lead like Jesus in everyday places—at home, in your church, at school, and in the workplace. Hosted by Be The Church founder Joel Wayne and Chapel Pointe pastor Luke Bilberry, each episode features bold, authentic conversations with business and ministry leaders that are rooted in Scripture. You'll learn how to expand your spiritual influence and leverage your leadership to advance the Kingdom of God. Let's be the church together! For more information, visit bethechurch.org/podcast.

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