Leading Conversations

J.D. Pearring
  • 5.0 (7)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Conversations between J.D. Pearring, Director of Excel Leadership Network, and church planting leaders, innovators, and coaches from around the country.

  1. 2D AGO

    Conversation with Tom Mercer (Classic)

    J.D.'s guet on this episode is Tom Mercer. Odds are, if you have worked in ministry, you have probably read at least one of Tom's many books. He gew up in a Christain homa and his father was a pastor. Tom had always thought he would go into the “family” business of ministry. However, he witnessed the mistreatment of his father by the church he was serving in, and decided he wasn’t going to be a part of that. He left seminary and joined a friends marketing firm. It was a conversation with that Christian friend that finally made him realize he needed to get back to ministry. However, his time in marketing was not wasted. God has a way to make all things work together. Tom ultimately realized that the gospel needed to be represented (marketed) well “…conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ" (Phil 1:27). The rest is history. Tom has made his life’s work encouraging Christ followers to represent the Gospel in a manner that will honor Jesus Christ and demonstrate the care and compassion God has for this world. Listen and be encouraged. This episode was originally released November 1, 2023 Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL.

    37 min

  2. APR 6

    Conversation with Harry Kelm

    A conference leader who still loves being a Sunday greeter sounds simple until you hear what he’s carried. Harry Kelm joins us from Edmonton, Alberta to tell the story behind 37 years of pastoral ministry and his current role as executive director of the North American Baptist Conference (NAB). We start with the roots: a German-speaking immigrant church in Milwaukee, a childhood faith shaped by belonging, and the moment that “ought to” religion became a love relationship with God that still fuels his leadership today.  From there, Harry walks us through the real path of vocational calling: Bible school that kept extending, seminary formation, and a series of ministry moves across the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and Canada. He shares what he learned when confidence outpaced wisdom, why some seasons taught him “maybe you shouldn’t have done that,” and how a hurting pastor and a hurting church can heal together. If you care about pastoral resilience, church revitalization, and long-term discipleship, these stories land with honesty and hope.  If this conversation helps you lead with more clarity and kindness, subscribe, share it with a pastor or church planter, and leave a review so more leaders can find it. What part of Harry’s story hit closest to home for you? North American Baptist Conference https://nabconference.org/ Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL.

    38 min

  3. MAR 30

    Conversation with Luke Allen (Classic)

    In this episode, you will hear from Luke Allen. Not only a church planter that has planted other churches out of his own, but the COO of Excel Leadership Network. You will be encouraged by his journey, and after listening, you may feel the need to head to a Cracker Barrell restaurant for a challenging conversation.  This episode originally aired on March 21, 2022 Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL.

    26 min

  4. MAR 23

    Conversation with Patrick Davis

    A teenager running drugs in Cleveland. A loaded gun in his pocket at church. A home invasion charge that could have meant decades behind bars. Patrick Davis’s story doesn’t soften the details, and that’s exactly why it lands so hard. We talk with Patrick about growing up without faith, without a father figure, and with the constant shame of poverty and public humiliation. He walks us through how that pain turned into anger, arrests, and a life that looked headed for one ending.  Subscribe for more conversations with church planting leaders, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show. Patrick's Website: www.patrickldavis.com  Patrick's Book: https://a.co/d/0iGAYNAU Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL.

    41 min

  5. MAR 9

    Conversation with Larry Osborne (Classic)

    Larry Osborne is a pastor, author, mentor, and leadership consultant. He pioneered several concepts that shape our modern church today, teaching teams, multisite churches, and sermon-based small groups. Larry shares his own journey and how his family and their support shaped his faith. You will be encouraged by his story. This episode originally aired August 15, 2022 Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL.

    37 min

  6. MAR 2

    Conversation with Chris and Shelly Allen

    Faith gets real when the plan stops working. We sit down with Chris and Shelly from Dayton to trace a path that starts in youth ministry, runs through bold church-plant dreams, and lands in the tough middle: excellent services, strong systems, packed community events, and a stubborn attendance ceiling near seventy. What keeps them going isn’t hype. It’s a record of specific prayers answered with uncanny precision—like a flat tire that led to a dark green Durango with black leather, arriving exactly when they asked. Their stories aren’t props; they’re a blueprint for how leaders can ask clearly, wait honestly, and move only when God says move. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a leader who needs courage, and leave a review with one specific prayer you’re committing to this week. Your story might be the next one that builds someone’s faith. Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL.

    49 min

  7. FEB 23

    Conversation with Ralph Moore (Classic)

    Ralph Moore has been tied to more church plants than anyone in North America.  He planted churches in Southern California and Hawaii and has a family tree that includes over 2300 churches!  Ralph lives in San Diego with his wife, Ruby.  He coaches and advises church planters and serves as a church planting catalyst for Exponential. This podcast was originally posted February 27, 2021  Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL.

    33 min

  8. FEB 2

    Conversation with Jeff Crandall

    A teenage promise forged in a camp chapel changed the course of Jeff Crandall’s life. From growing up with MLB legend Del Crandall as dad to drumming in one of the first Christian punk bands, Jeff’s story bends through unexpected turns toward a clear calling: serve people, build teams, and give small churches the tools they rarely receive. If you care about worship that includes the whole room, about healthy teams in small churches, and about reaching people who feel forgotten, this conversation delivers both hope and handles you can use this Sunday. Subscribe, share with a leader who needs encouragement, and leave a review with one practical change you’re trying this week. Arizona School of Worship https://arizonaschoolofworship.com/ Send us Fan Mail We want to help you find your next steps in ministry. Connect here with EXCEL.

    38 min
See All (119)

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Conversations between J.D. Pearring, Director of Excel Leadership Network, and church planting leaders, innovators, and coaches from around the country.

Information

  • Creator
    J.D. Pearring
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    119
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Excel Leadership Network
  • Show Website
    Leading Conversations

You Might Also Like