In this special crossover episode between Fresh Expressions North America and Fresh Expressions UK, hosts Mark and Heather dive into a rich conversation on discipleship. Mark shares his journey into the Fresh Expressions movement, while Heather highlights recent work in the Church of England around the Fruitfulness Framework—a research project exploring the spiritual impact of fresh expressions of church. Together, they reflect on how starting fresh expressions is not only forming new disciples ...
Aug 04, 2025•41 min•Season 6Ep. 11
In this episode, Heather and J.R. dive into the challenges and opportunities of discipleship in new forms of church. They explore why so many people get stuck in the “hanging out” phase and how churches can gently and intentionally invite them into deeper faith conversations. J.R. unpacks the importance of both mindset and heartset when approaching discipleship, offering insight into how posture shapes practice. Together, they introduce key ideas from the new course, "From Hanging Out to Explori...
Jul 21, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 10
Blair Pogue and Dwight Zscheile didn’t grow up in church—but the church changed their lives. Now, they’re passionate about helping others experience that same transformation. In this episode, they reflect on the crisis of discipleship facing many churches today and how a lack of connection to local neighborhoods is both a symptom and a cause. They share how cultivating a mixed ecology through Fresh Expressions has helped break through stuck systems, and how the simple practice of listening can l...
Jul 07, 2025•1 min•Season 6Ep. 9
Pastor Matt Lake shares his journey of building a discipleship pathway and uncovering unexpected gaps that led to deep self-assessment and growth. In this candid conversation, Matt unpacks how starting Fresh Expressions reshaped his church’s understanding of following Jesus. His story offers both challenge and encouragement to leaders ready to ask hard questions and embrace transformation.
Jun 23, 2025•47 min•Season 6Ep. 8
In this special bonus episode, we celebrate the release of Opening Space, the new book by Shannon Kiser, Director of Fresh Expressions. Shannon shares the inspiration behind the book, drawn from Luke 5, and what it means to "open space" for church in everyday places. You’ll hear real-life stories, reflections from leaders, and an invitation to take faithful next steps—whether you’re a pastor, pioneer, or just feeling a holy nudge. Plus, learn how to access a free Luke 5 study guide and join our ...
Jun 09, 2025•30 min
Who disciples us shapes how we disciple others. In this episode, Jessie Horney and Heather Jallad explore the powerful connection between being discipled and making disciples. Jessie shares the story of launching the Wonder School—a journey that not only transformed her personal approach to disciple-making but also shifted her church’s entire posture toward mission and church planting. Whether you're rethinking discipleship or dreaming about new forms of church, this conversation offers practica...
May 26, 2025•44 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Discipleship doesn’t start in a classroom—it starts in the wild. Jessie Cruickshank shares how our brains are wired for experiential learning and how the most powerful discipleship often happens through story, movement, and Holy Spirit-led moments on the go. In this episode, we explore why God invites us to learn through real-life experiences and how time in the wilderness might just be the most transformative classroom of all.
May 12, 2025•48 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Roz shares how the 12 Steps and the way of Jesus intersect in powerful ways—through confession, reconciliation, and the deep recognition that we can’t save ourselves. In this episode, you’ll hear how Roz’s personal journey with recovery has transformed his ministry, reshaped his church, and led to authentic connections with the recovery community. Discover how Fresh Expressions naturally makes space for healing, honesty, and hope—and why discipleship and recovery may have more in common than you...
Apr 28, 2025•40 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Anne shares how a quick pivot during the pandemic became a global digital community where people are finding connection and experiencing daily discipleship. In this episode, you’ll hear the story of unexpected innovation, the challenges of digital ministry, and how the Spirit is forming authentic faith communities—even online. Whether you're exploring new ways to do church or wondering what digital discipleship can really look like, Anne’s story offers encouragement, insight, and a fresh take on...
Apr 14, 2025•38 min•Season 6Ep. 4
How has the Fresh Expressions movement transformed discipleship in the inherited church over the past two decades? In this episode, Dave shares insights from the UK on how Fresh Expressions not only reaches new people but also activates discipleship in fresh ways, empowering the priesthood of all believers. We explore how Fresh Expressions fosters a culture of disciple-making and why the Church of England’s Fruitfulness Framework is pushing the conversation toward new metrics for measuring churc...
Mar 31, 2025•44 min•Season 6Ep. 3
What if discipleship wasn’t a program, but a way of life? In this episode, Heather Jallad and David Sunde explore how moving from programmatic discipleship to incarnational rhythms can lead to real multiplication. David unpacks what discipleship truly means, breaking it down into the seven rhythms from his book Small Batch Disciplemaking, and challenges the inherited church’s current models. What does discipleship look like in the everyday? How can we create space for organic, relational, and tr...
Mar 17, 2025•52 min•Season 6Ep. 2
In this episode, Eun Strawser—church planter, physician, professor, and author of Centering Discipleship—joins Heather to explore how pastors and church leaders can shift discipleship from the periphery to the core of their church life. They discuss moving from program-based approaches to discipleship as a pathway, a shift that has transformed Eun’s ministry and personal walk with Jesus. Whether you’re a pastor, leader, or disciple-maker, you’ll walk away with practical insights on creating a cu...
Mar 03, 2025•50 min•Season 6Ep. 1
What does it take to truly grow as a disciple? In this audio from a past webinar, Matt Lake explores the complexities of discipleship and the need for a multi-layered approach. He emphasizes that at its core, discipleship is about relationship and community—requiring nuance and context. More than just a curriculum, discipleship is a lifestyle, and Matt challenges churches to embrace fresh perspectives and new approaches. Discipleship Reset - a week-long live training experience designed to equip...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Season 6 of the Fresh Expressions Podcast is coming soon!! Kicking off this season is Discipleship Reset a week-long live training (February 3-7, 1p ET) experience designed to equip the leaders of the average North American church for the opportunities of 2025. Many churches in North America are facing a crisis of discipleship, and many churches don’t know where to begin to address discipleship in this ever changing world. You will learn how to: Address the discipleship crisis and foster a whole...
Jan 27, 2025•2 min
Why is it that we can be surrounded by people—even friends—and still feel so lonely? Alan Hirsch, renowned missional thinker, has an idea about this that he calls "communitas." In this conversation, Alan helps us explore what it means to be a community on mission and how that could transform our churches into places where we experience both belonging and purpose.
Dec 30, 2024•47 min•Season 5Ep. 12
What if the solution to the loneliness epidemic is as simple as moving into the neighborhood? In this episode, host Heather Jallad sits down with Sean Bailey and Josh Jackaway from Apartment Life to explore how the church can play a vital role in fostering community in apartment complexes. Together, they discuss the transformative power of intentional relationships and partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits. Listeners will hear inspiring stories of how small acts of presence and kindn...
Dec 16, 2024•54 min•Season 5Ep. 11
What should a lifelong pastor do when they encounter hostility towards the church that they can't seem to overcome? Discover the twists and turns that took Chris Battle from ministering in a typical Baptist church to growing food and exploring discipleship with his neighbors. Join Heather Jallad as they discuss new ways of being the church, connecting with neighbors, and addressing significant issues like loneliness and food insecurity.
Dec 02, 2024•34 min•Season 5Ep. 10
How did Pastor David Carter go from skeptic to passionate advocate for Fresh Expressions of Church? Today, his revitalized congregation includes Adventure Church, a Running Club, and more. Tune in as Heather Jallad unpacks David’s journey and reveals how these innovative gatherings are transforming both his church and the wider community.
Nov 18, 2024•44 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Is your church ready to serve during a disaster? Emergencies often reveal who we truly are—whether it’s individuals, congregations, or Fresh Expressions communities. In this special bonus episode, we explore stories from North Carolina following hurricanes and flooding. Fresh Expressions leader Luke Edwards shares how churches—especially new and organic expressions—have been uniquely positioned to serve their neighbors in crisis. You’ll also hear from Rev. Dustin Mailman , Founding Pastor of Dee...
Nov 04, 2024•45 min
What if belonging could come in a bottle? That’s the promise of Coop’s Soup, which chef and pioneer Cristin Cooper started after her own experience of loneliness. In this conversation, Heather and Cristin discuss the journey of leaving her church job and explore building community through sharing a bowl of soup. This episode will leave you hungry for food, friends, and a deeper experience of God’s mission.
Oct 28, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Have you ever received a present that seemed like it was a better fit for the giver, not the receiver? In this episode, we hear from one of the founding voices of the original Fresh Expressions movement in the UK, Mike Moynagh. We’ll discuss how loneliness is experienced in the UK and how a church is transformed when it is treated like a gift given to bless the world
Oct 14, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 7
In 2023, homelessness hit an all-time high in the United States. But simply providing shelter is seldom enough. How can churches provide the “full community” people need to turn their lives around? And how could it affect the congregation itself? In this episode, you’ll hear from Gabrielle Clowdus of Settled, a movement to help churches develop permanent supportive tiny home villages designed to address long-term homelessness. Each Sacred Settlement is owned and operated by the worshiping commun...
Sep 30, 2024•42 min•Season 5Ep. 6
What does freshly baked bread have to do with the loneliness epidemic? Could experiencing Christian community be as simple as sharing a meal? In this interview, Kendall Vanderslice shares how her passion for baking and sharing meals has helped her overcome loneliness and dive into Christian community.
Sep 16, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Victor Glover found life in Christ while in prison and began to share his faith with others there. In this episode, you’ll hear how Victor worked with God to love, serve, and build community in an unexpected place. Listen and be reminded of how Christian community can transform lives, even in the loneliest of places. Fresh Expressions is a worldwide movement of everyday missionaries who want to see churches thrive in the places we live, eat, work and play by leveraging the creativity and enduran...
Sep 02, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Being a part of a group, or even a church, doesn’t mean you feel like you “belong.” In this episode, David Kim of Made to Belong helps us explore what it takes to build a community of belonging. You will learn about five practices he has identified for cultivating community in a disconnected world both inside and outside of our inherited forms of church. Fresh Expressions is a worldwide movement of everyday missionaries who want to see churches thrive in the places we live, eat, work and play by...
Aug 19, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 3
When we go to church, we bring our stories with us. Our stories can color how we experience Christian community, and even affect the larger community. Fresh Expressions Pioneer Elaine Heath and church planter Charles Kiser are co-authors of Trauma-Informed Evangelism: Cultivating Communities of Wounded Healers . Motivated by their own experiences, they have worked to create expressions of church that are safe spaces for healing and connection. You can learn more about their book at https://www.e...
Aug 05, 2024•53 min•Season 5Ep. 2
“Loneliness isn't just an uncomfortable feeling; it's dangerous to us as individuals and as a society.” In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy went so far as to declare it an epidemic. "Being socially disconnected is...[as detrimental as] caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day..." Failing to address it would lead Americans to "further retreat to our corners—angry, sick, and alone." But what if churches held the key to addressing this growing problem? In this new season of the Fresh Expr...
Jul 22, 2024•53 min•Season 5Ep. 1
What happens when you follow the passions God has given you? Can God use your passions to help address some of the major issues facing our culture? In this bonus episode of the Fresh Expressions podcast, you’ll meet Alan Graham and hear how his passion led him to start Community First! Village, a master-planned neighborhood where the chronically homeless and mission-minded Christians live side by side. We’ll also get an exciting update from former podcast host Gannon Sims about how he is helping...
May 20, 2024•50 min
Does your ministry feel insignificant? Churches large and small have struggled with a decline in attendance since pandemic restrictions were lifted. But scripture teaches us not to despise small beginnings. In this episode, Dr. Chris Backert, North American Director of Fresh Expressions returns to discuss the opportunities that lay ahead for churches and church leaders when they embrace small beginnings. Fresh Expressions is a worldwide movement of everyday missionaries who want to see churches ...
Jan 08, 2024•44 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Over time, it’s natural to become stuck. In your career, relationship, ministry, you name it. Goal-setting and resolutions are great things to do. But what if you could become a person with a more creative spirit and innovative mindset? This episode features an excerpt of a recent webinar where creativity coach and Fresh Expressions Mission Strategist Mitch Marcello will help you understand how people, churches, and organizations can get stuck and help you learn to use principles of innovation i...
Dec 25, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 11
