The Shepherds Circle

6:14 Ministries
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Pastor Stan Givens — Executive Director of 6:14 Ministries — is joined weekly by Pastor Victor Herman and Pastor Caleb Howell to talk small church ministry, pastoral life, church revitalization, cultural issues, and much more. 

  1. 5d ago

    Not Many Mighty: Jeff Abell | S3 E12

    Not Many Mighty | Pastor Jeff Abell: God Still Calls Ordinary People What does it look like to follow God's call when the path makes no sense? In this week's Not Many Mighty episode of The Shepherd's Circle, Stan sits down with Pastor Jeff Abell of Enigma Congregational Christian Church in Enigma, Georgia, to hear the remarkable story of how God transformed his life—and faithfully directed every step of his journey into ministry. Jeff shares his testimony of coming to Christ after a difficult upbringing, being radically set free from addiction, and discovering that God's guidance often comes one faithful step at a time. From leaving Illinois for the South, to meeting his wife Judy, to an unforgettable series of confirmations that ultimately led him into pastoral ministry exactly 40 years to the day after his conversion, Jeff's story is a powerful reminder that God is never finished writing our story. Along the way, Jeff and Stan discuss: Why God's calling becomes an anchor during difficult seasons of ministry.The joy of watching lives transformed by the gospel.Lessons learned from serving faithfully before ever becoming a pastor.The value of mentorship for young ministry leaders.Why ordinary, willing servants are exactly the kind of people God delights to use.If you've ever questioned your calling, wondered whether God can use your past, or simply needed encouragement to remain faithful where He's planted you, this conversation is for you. "Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise..." — 1 Corinthians 1:26–27 Not Many Mighty is a special interview series from The Shepherd's Circle, the official podcast of 6:14 Ministries, highlighting faithful pastors who may never be widely known but whose quiet obedience is making an eternal difference in God's Kingdom.

    Not Many Mighty: Jeff Abell | S3 E12

  2. Jul 3

    Not Many Mighty: Lance Sudduth | S3 E11

    What does God's call to ministry really look like? In this episode of The Shepherd's Circle, Stan sits down with Lance Sudduth, senior pastor of Hurley Baptist Church in Mississippi, for an honest conversation about calling, perseverance, and the joy of investing in people. Lance shares how a teenager who barely grew up in church spent years running from God's call before finally surrendering—and how that journey shaped the pastor he is today. Along the way, he reflects on the realities of bivocational ministry, the emotional highs and lows every pastor faces, and why community with other ministry leaders is essential for finishing well. Whether you're a pastor, church leader, ministry volunteer, or someone discerning God's direction for your own life, this conversation offers encouragement, wisdom, and a refreshing reminder that God delights in using ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. In this episode: How Lance came to faith and recognized God's call on his lifeWhy he spent years running from ministry—and what finally changedThe unique blessings and challenges of bivocational ministryThe greatest joys (and biggest surprises) of pastoral leadershipThree pieces of advice for young men sensing a call to ministryWhy pastors need a "band of brothers" to endure the difficult seasonsAn inside look at the growing Pastor Training School and its mission to equip faithful shepherds across multiple states.  No celebrity pastors. No shortcuts. Just faithful servants pointing people to Christ and helping strengthen His Church—one leader at a time. One shepherd at a time.  "Consider your calling, brothers... Not many were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth..." — 1 Corinthians 1:26 Not Many Mighty is a special interview series from The Shepherds Circle, the official podcast of 6:14 Ministries, sharing the stories of faithful pastors who are quietly serving Christ and His Church every week.

    Not Many Mighty: Lance Sudduth | S3 E11

  3. Jun 26

    Not Many Mighty: Jimmy Proulx | S3 E10

    Not Many Mighty | Pastor Jimmy Proulx: Holding On to the Call What keeps a pastor going when ministry gets hard? In this episode of Not Many Mighty, Stan sits down with Pastor Jimmy Proulx of Pleasant Hill Congregational Christian Church in Roberta, Georgia, to talk about the calling that has carried him through every season of ministry. Jimmy shares his testimony of coming to faith as a teenager, the unexpected path that led him into pastoral ministry, planting a church in his living room, navigating the heartbreak of seeing that church eventually close, and the joy of faithfully serving where God has called him today. Along the way, Stan and Jimmy have an honest conversation about the realities of pastoral life: Why a clear calling is essential for enduring difficult seasons.The privilege and weight of preaching God's Word faithfully.The importance of making disciples—not just filling church seats.What Bible colleges often don't teach future pastors.Encouragement for the next generation of ministry leaders.Whether you're a pastor, ministry leader, or simply someone who wants to better understand the heart behind faithful shepherding, this conversation offers wisdom, encouragement, and a refreshing reminder that God delights in using ordinary people for extraordinary Kingdom work. "Consider your calling, brothers... Not many were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth..." — 1 Corinthians 1:26 Not Many Mighty is a special interview series from The Shepherds Circle, the official podcast of 6:14 Ministries, sharing the stories of faithful pastors who are quietly serving Christ and His Church every week.

    Not Many Mighty: Jimmy Proulx | S3 E10

  4. Jun 19

    Guarding Our Purity | S3 E9

    How do pastors and church leaders guard the spiritual health and purity of the church in an increasingly challenging culture? On this episode of The Shepherds Circle, Stan is joined by Vic and Caleb for an honest conversation sparked by insights from Stan's current preaching series. Together, they explore the biblical responsibility of overseers to protect the flock, maintain the integrity of the church, and lovingly guide families toward faithful discipleship. The discussion touches on practical challenges facing churches today, the role of spiritual leadership in safeguarding sound doctrine, and ways pastors can help cultivate healthy, Christ-centered congregations. This is a thoughtful and timely conversation for pastors, elders, ministry leaders, and anyone who cares about the future of the local church. We hope you'll find it encouraging and helpful—and this is likely just the beginning of a much larger conversation we'll continue in future episodes.

  5. Jun 12

    Kids Matter (with Amber Pike) | S3 E8

    What should the primary goal of children’s ministry be? In this episode of The Shepherd’s Circle, Stan sits down with children’s ministry leader, author, and speaker Amber Pike of RenewANation to discuss why discipleship—not entertainment—must remain at the center of every kids ministry. Amber shares her journey from serving in children’s ministry at age 15 to now training church leaders and parents across the country. Together, she and Stan explore practical ways churches can create intentional discipleship environments for children, equip parents as primary disciple-makers, build meaningful intergenerational relationships, and ensure kids are learning the truths of Scripture rather than simply being entertained. They also discuss: Why curriculum matters more than most churches realizeHow to partner effectively with parentsCreative family ministry ideas that reinforce discipleship at homeThe role pastors play in championing children’s ministryBuilding a culture of safety and security for kidsWhy children are not just the future of the church—they are part of the church todayWhether you're a pastor, children's ministry leader, volunteer, parent, or church leadership team member, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and encouragement for helping the next generation know, love, and follow Jesus. Resources Mentioned: Amber Pike: https://amberpike.orgRenewANation: https://www.renewanation.org/RenewANation Family Ministry: https://familyministry.orgThe KidMin Huddle PodcastIntentional Children's Ministry by Amber PikeTop 50 Bible Lessons About Ordinary People in God's Extraordinary Plan by Amber Pike

  6. Jun 5

    The Lost Test: What Does Your Church Really Think About Lost People? | S3 E7

    After a brief break for our Not Many Mighty series, Stan, Caleb, and Vic are back around the table for a candid conversation about one of the most revealing indicators of church health. How does your church feel about lost people? It's a simple question, but the answer may reveal more about a congregation than attendance numbers, budgets, buildings, or programs ever could. In this episode, the guys discuss five common ways churches respond to people who are far from God—ignoring them, fearing them, becoming disgusted by them, growing angry toward them, or genuinely loving them as Christ does. Along the way, they share real ministry stories, practical insights, personal challenges, and biblical examples that force every pastor and church leader to examine the culture they're creating. You'll hear: Why evangelism is often the easiest ministry to neglectHow fear can quietly reshape a church's prioritiesWhy celebrating salvation and baptism mattersThe critical role leadership plays in cultivating a heart for the lostPractical ways churches can move from comfort and self-preservation to kingdom-minded missionFrom washing curtains to ice cream celebrations, from bus ministry challenges to life-changing gospel conversations, this episode offers both encouragement and conviction for anyone who wants to see their church more closely reflect the heart of Jesus. As Charles Spurgeon famously said, "Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor." Take "The Lost Test" with us and ask the question every church needs to answer: Do we truly love the lost?

  7. May 29

    Not Many Mighty: Dr. Bill Korver | S3 E6

    In this installment of Not Many Mighty, Stan sits down with longtime pastor, church planter, and Bible college president Dr. Bill Korver for a rich conversation about calling, perseverance, humble faithfulness, and the quiet fruit of a life spent serving Christ. From growing up in a blue-collar Christian home in Tulsa… to planting a church while working bi-vocational jobs… to eventually leading Carolina College of Biblical Studies, Bill shares honest stories about ministry fears, God’s surprising direction, the realities of pastoral life, and the importance of character over charisma. This episode is filled with encouragement for pastors, church leaders, and faithful servants who sometimes wonder if the work is making a difference. Through stories of God’s provision, lessons learned through hardship, and reflections on decades of ministry, Dr. Korver reminds us why steadfast faithfulness still matters. Topics include: Bi-vocational ministry and church plantingPersevering through discouragement and “friendly fire”Mentorship and spiritual formationWhy character matters more than giftednessLearning to trust God’s provisionThe long-term fruit of faithful ministry“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing your labor is not in vain.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58 Presented by The Shepherd’s Circle & 6:14 Ministries.

    Not Many Mighty: Dr. Bill Korver | S3 E6

  8. May 22

    Not Many Mighty: Sam Burchard | S3 E5

    In this episode of The Shepherd’s Circle, part of the Not Many Mighty series, Stan sits down with longtime Louisiana pastor Sam Burchard for a candid conversation about calling, ministry formation, and decades of faithful pastoral work. Rooted in 1 Corinthians 1, Not Many Mighty highlights the truth that God often calls the unlikely, the ordinary, and the overlooked to do His work—so that all glory belongs to Him alone. Pastor Sam’s story captures that reality with honesty and humility, tracing his journey from a Christian home and Christian schooling to a growing awareness that personal faith in Christ must be his own, not inherited. In this conversation, Sam shares how his path toward ministry unfolded gradually rather than dramatically—shaped by mentors, unexpected opportunities, and faithful obedience in each season. What began as a desire to teach eventually became a lifetime of pastoral leadership, including over 25 years serving Dry Creek Bible Church. Together, Stan and Sam explore: Coming to faith when “you realize you don’t have a testimony”The role of Christian education and influential mentors in shaping a callingHow ministry often develops through faithful steps rather than clear signsThe transition from youth ministry to pastoral leadershipThe importance of community, consistency, and showing up week after weekThe realities of long-term ministry in a rural church settingPersevering when every Sunday keeps coming faster than expectedWith humor, clarity, and hard-earned wisdom, Pastor Sam offers encouragement to young leaders: be faithful where you are, stay teachable, and don’t underestimate how God leads through ordinary obedience over time. Whether you’re in ministry, considering ministry, or simply learning to trust God with your calling, this conversation will ground you, encourage you, and remind you that God is faithful to use what the world overlooks. Presented by 6:14 Ministries.

    Not Many Mighty: Sam Burchard | S3 E5
See All (60)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Pastor Stan Givens — Executive Director of 6:14 Ministries — is joined weekly by Pastor Victor Herman and Pastor Caleb Howell to talk small church ministry, pastoral life, church revitalization, cultural issues, and much more. 

Information

  • Creator
    6:14 Ministries
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 6:14 Ministries
  • Show Website
    The Shepherds Circle