What happens when hardly anyone shows up to church, the worship leader is gone, there’s no sermon prepared, and the pastor is running on four hours of sleep? Most church planters would cancel. Peyton didn’t—and it turned into one of the most meaningful Sundays he’s ever experienced.

In this episode, Peyton tells the story of a tiny gathering that turned into a powerhouse discipleship moment. A recovering addict asked real questions. A brand-new believer learned how to pray out loud for the first time. Walls dropped, Scripture came alive, and the Spirit showed up in ways no carefully planned service could have produced.

This episode is a reminder that church planting is not about the show—it’s about people. When you let discipleship take the lead, Jesus gets the spotlight.

If you’ve ever wondered how to create a culture where people talk, ask honest questions, pray for each other, and grow on Sundays—not just listen—this one is for you.

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.

In this episode, the Peyton & Pete kicks things off reminiscing about the early days of The Church Planter Podcast before diving into one of the most practical topics for planters today: how and where to meet.

Peyton unpacks his current church plant journey and explores creative ways to gather—whether in homes, co-working spaces, or even pubs. Together, he and Pete talk about balancing depth and width in ministry, why mission should shape your model, and how old rhythms like weekly communion can bring new life to a community on mission.

If you’ve ever wondered how to grow beyond your living room without losing authenticity—or how to make disciples in the middle of your neighborhood’s everyday spaces—this conversation will give you plenty to think about (and laugh about).

Highlights include:

• Why consistency matters more than ever in podcasting and pastoring
• Peyton’s vision for churches meeting in shared workspace
• The real-world costs of renting schools and community centers
• Blending centralized gatherings with scattered micro-churches
• Taking communion seriously in every setting
• A reminder that the mission always dictates the model

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.

In this powerful conversation, Peyton Jones sits down with Christian Mungai, Global Movement Pastor at Mariners Church and author of People Are the Wealth, to explore how the global landscape of missions is shifting — and why that’s good news for the Church.

Born in Kenya and now serving in California, Christian shares his remarkable family story that traces the full circle of missions: from the Scottish missionaries who reached his grandfather to his own call as a missionary to North America. Together, he and Peyton unpack how the center of Christianity has moved to the Global South, what that means for Western churches, and how a new era of interdependent mission is emerging.

They discuss the African proverb behind his book title — “Money can make you rich, but only people make you wealthy” — and why relationships, not results, are the true measure of ministry. You’ll also hear the surprising story of how Mariners Church adopted Kenya’s Mizizi discipleship process, transforming it into Rooted, now used by thousands of churches worldwide.

This episode challenges every leader to rethink mission as collaboration rather than conquest, to trade independence for interdependence, and to rediscover what it means to love people as the greatest wealth of all.

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.

In this episode, Chestly Lunday sits down with Carey Nieuwhof — pastor, author, and host of The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast — to talk about how churches and leaders can stay healthy and innovative in a rapidly changing world.

Carey unpacks why most great ideas have a five-to-seven-year shelf life, how leaders can navigate the “second S-curve” without losing their identity, and why humility and curiosity are key to long-term influence. They dive into the future of church models — from micro-expressions to digital communities — and explore how to build platforms that serve a mission instead of egos.

Whether you’re a pastor, entrepreneur, or digital innovator, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what growth, character, and calling look like in the new era of church leadership.

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.

What happens when your disciple-making actually works?

In this episode, Pete and Peyton dive deep into Discipology—Peyton’s newest project and framework for mobilizing every believer. Forget the buzzwords about “multiplication.” This is about what Jesus actually did: sending ordinary people two by two to change the world.

Peyton unpacks the three rhythms of disciple-making—Teaching, Time, and Tactics—and explains why most churches stop short of the third. Then he explores what happens when those rhythms start producing fruit and your systems can’t keep up. From the chaos of growth in Acts 6 to a modern-day electrician who accidentally started a movement, this one’s full of real stories, field-tested wisdom, and classic Peyton energy.

If you’ve ever wondered what comes after the multiplication movement—or how to survive the disruption that comes when disciples start multiplying—this episode is for you.

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.

What does it take to lead the first truly digital generation? In this episode, Chestly Lunday sits down with leadership expert and author Tim Elmore to talk about his latest book, The Future Begins with Z: 9 Strategies to Lead Generation Z as They Disrupt the Workplace. Together they unpack what makes Gen Z unique, the myths leaders often believe about them, and why this generation might actually be the solution—not the problem—for the future of the church and the workplace.

From stories of innovation and frustration in corporate America, to fresh insights on belonging, authority, and discipleship, Tim and Chestly explore how pastors, church planters, and leaders of all kinds can build teams where Gen Z thrives. Whether you’re planting a church or leading in another sphere, this conversation will help you move from gatekeeping to guiding, and discover why the future really does begin with Z

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Future Begins with Z
• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.

In this episode, Pete and Peyton dive into the often-overlooked practice of mentorship and its vital connection to discipleship. Reflecting on stories from Charlie Kirk, early church history, and their own church planting journeys, they explore why asking for a mentor is essential, what healthy mentoring relationships look like, and how they differ from coaching and training.

From stories of Peyton’s mentors to Pete’s business insights, the conversation unpacks both the joys and pitfalls of seeking guidance, the responsibility of mentees to act on what they learn, and how disciple-making naturally flows out of intentional mentoring. Whether you’re planting a church, leading a ministry, or just hungry to grow, this episode will challenge you to pursue mentors and become one for others.

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.

Peyton has finally caught up on his Star Wars, which means it's time for a special edition of the Church Planter Podcast where Peyton and Pete don't talk about church planting. Get ready for Peyton's thoughts on a galaxy far, far away, along with a healthy dose of Alien and Jeeps.

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Reliant Mission: reliant.org/cpp
• NewBreed Training

Thanks for listening to the church planter podcast. We’re here to help you go where no one else is going and do what no one else is doing to reach people, no one else is reaching.

Make sure to review and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast service to help us connect with more church planters.