What does it look like to follow Jesus and make disciples in the middle of one of the busiest, most influential cities in the world? In this special episode of The Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, Craig Etheredge sits down with his daughter, Leah Beth Etheredge, and executive director Josh McCaslin for a powerful conversation about living sent, embracing bold faith, and building intentional relationships in New York City. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: Learn more about "Reach Your World": https://disciplefirst.com/store/reach-your-worlda-practical-guide-for-sharing-your-faith-2nd-edition/

What does it look like to make disciples where you work every day? Craig Etheredge is joined by Josh McCaslin and Jack Springer for a dynamic and down-to-earth conversation on living as a disciple-making leader in the marketplace. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: Learn more about "Reach Your World": https://disciplefirst.com/store/reach-your-worlda-practical-guide-for-sharing-your-faith-2nd-edition/

What does it look like to make disciples in the boardroom—not just the sanctuary? In this episode of The Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, Craig Etheredge, Zach Towery, and Josh McCaslin sit down with Jack Springer—a seasoned CEO, board member, and bold disciple-maker in the marketplace. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: Learn more about "Reach Your World": https://disciplefirst.com/store/reach-your-worlda-practical-guide-for-sharing-your-faith-2nd-edition/

If the mission of the church is to make disciples who multiply, why are so many leaders stuck in systems that don’t? In this episode, Glenn Underhill and Craig Etheredge sit down with special guest Zach Towery to unpack a game-changing truth: church multiplication doesn’t happen through programs - it happens through intentional disciple-making groups. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: Learn more about the Grow Series: https://disciplefirst.com/store/the-grow-series-2nd-edition-three-book-bundle-pack/

Disciple-making rarely follows a straight line. It’s often forged in the quiet, behind-the-scenes moments of obedience, through closed doors, difficult seasons, and the faithful investment in others. That’s the kind of life Shannon Deloach is living. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: Learn more about the Cross Creek Network: https://www.crosscreekchurch.com/crosscreeknetwork

Sometimes the best leadership lessons come from stories you didn’t expect. In this episode, Ben Borgman and Craig Etheredge sit down with Kaleigh Farnan, stepping into her first full-time ministry role, and Tommy Adams, reflecting on a year of growth since completing the Cross Creek Residency. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: Learn more about the Cross Creek Residency: https://www.crosscreekchurch.com/crosscreek-residency

What does it really take to raise up the next generation of disciple-making leaders? In today’s episode of The Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, hosts Ben Borgman and Craig Etheredge sit down with Dr. Gary Chevalier, director of the Cross Creek Residency, to unpack how intentional investment is transforming emerging leaders from the inside out.  Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: The Grow Series: https://www.crosscreekchurch.com/crosscreek-residency

What if sharing your faith didn’t feel awkward or forced but natural, relational, and even joyful? In this powerful episode of The Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, hosts Craig Etheredge, Ben Borgman, and Glenn Underhill dive into the real-life challenges and opportunities of living out a lifestyle of relational evangelism. Go to the episode webpage to download the accompanying listening guide: https://disciplefirst.com/podcast/real-world-evangelism-moving-beyond-surface-level-conversations-s3e7/ Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: The Grow Series: https://disciplefirst.com/store/the-grow-series-2nd-edition-three-book-bundle-pack/

What does it look like to preach with purpose instead of pressure? This timely conversation brings clarity to the sermon planning process. Ben Borgman, Craig Etheredge, and Glenn Underhill step into the studio during Holy Week to tackle one of the most practical and pressing challenges pastors face: sermon planning. Go to the episode webpage to download the accompanying listening guide: https://disciplefirst.com/podcast/sermon-planning-101-s3e6/ Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Coaching: http://disciplefirst.com/coaching/

What happens when a business leader catches a vision for making disciples? In this powerful conversation, Craig Etheredge and Ben Borgman sit down with Chad Alvarez—an accomplished entrepreneur, faithful family man, and a board member at discipleFIRST—to explore how leaders can align their influence with Jesus’ model for ministry. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Coaching: http://disciplefirst.com/coaching/

Craig Etheredge and Ben Borgman sit down with Cameron Bundy—a seasoned ministry practitioner and trusted discipleFIRST trainer—for a conversation that hits at the heart of a challenge every leader faces: staying focused on what matters most. Go to the episode webpage to download the accompanying listening guide: https://disciplefirst.com/podcast/productivity-as-a-disciple-making-leader-s3e4/ Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Coaching: http://disciplefirst.com/coaching/

In this powerful conversation, hosts Ben Borgman and Glenn Underhill connect with David Pothier, senior pastor of La Chapelle Church in Montreal, to unpack what it looks like to ignite a disciple-making movement in one of the most secular, post-Christian environments in North America. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Coaching: http://disciplefirst.com/coaching/ CrossCreek Network: https://www.crosscreekchurch.com/crosscreeknetwork

What happens when a leader stops trying to do it all and starts empowering others to lead? In this episode of The Disciple-Making Leader Podcast, Craig Etheredge and Ben Borgman sit down with Cameron Bundy, Adult Ministry Pastor at Cross Creek Church, to unpack a powerful shift in ministry leadership. Go to the episode webpage to download the accompanying listening guide: https://disciplefirst.com/podcast/cultivating-leaders-of-leaders-in-your-church/ Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Coaching: http://disciplefirst.com/coaching/

Ben Borgman and Craig Etheredge launch Season Three with a powerful conversation featuring special guest, Pastor Israel Iluz. In this compelling episode, Pastor Israel shares his extraordinary journey of planting a church in northern Israel—an area marked by spiritual resistance, war, and political instability. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Coaching: http://disciplefirst.com/coaching/ CrossCreek Network: https://www.crosscreekchurch.com/crosscreeknetwork

In this episode, host Ben Borgman is joined by Craig Etheredge and Glenn Underhill to discuss one of the most critical aspects of leadership: casting a compelling vision. Building on a previous conversation about crafting vision, this episode explores how leaders can communicate their God-given mission effectively at every level of their organization. Go to the episode webpage to download the accompanying listening guide: https://disciplefirst.com/podcast/how-to-cast-an-intentional-vision/ Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Coaching: http://disciplefirst.com/coaching/

In today's episode, we dive deep into the art of crafting an intentional vision. Focusing on simplicity and practicality, they explore the critical balance between inspirational, long-term goals and actionable, short-term plans. Go to the episode webpage to download the accompanying listening guide: https://disciplefirst.com/podcast/crafting-an-intentional-vision/ Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: http://disciplefirst.com/coaching/

In this episode, we'll discuss 5 proven steps to keep disciple-makers motivated. We’ll look at tools and resources available, such as books and blogs. Additionally, we'll discuss the power of a disciple-making community. Go to the episode webpage to download the accompanying free worksheet: https://disciplefirst.com/podcast/encouraging-multipliers/ Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: https://disciplefirst.com/ DiscipleFirst Resources: https://disciplefirst.com/resources/ Special links from this episode: http://disciplefirst.com/coaching/

In this episode, we dive into the power of the synergy between disciple-making and church planting, featuring hosts Ben Borgman and Craig Etheredge alongside special guest Clay Holcomb, Executive Director of CrossCreek Network. Together, we’ll explore how church planters can overcome cultural barriers utilizing the methods and model of Jesus—whether in West Africa, Israel, Cambodia, or North America. Jesus had a heart for people, invested in others to multiply himself and grow disciples who share the same mission …and so should we. Important links from this episode: DiscipleFirst Website: