In this episode of the ACCWA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Ps Peter Hammer sits down with Ps Shannon Riley, Senior Pastor of Riviera Church in Victoria. Shannon shares his journey from coming to faith in a church plant as a 24-year-old to leading Riviera Church through transition, crisis, and now into a season of planting and multiplication.
Together, they unpack the unique challenges and opportunities of pioneering in regional Australia, the difference between planting new churches and adopting existing ones, and the importance of resilience, sacrifice, and discernment in church planting. Shannon also offers honest insights into leading through bushfires, lockdowns, and the call to expand into new communities - even when it looks different to what you first imagined.
This inspiring conversation is full of practical wisdom for leaders who are called to plant, multiply, or strengthen churches in both city and regional contexts.
In this episode of the ACCWA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Julian Kirtisingham sits down with Ps Dustan Bell, Senior Pastor of Calvary - a multi-site church with campuses across Queensland, South Africa and Papua New Guinea.
Dustan shares his journey from youth pastor to becoming senior pastor at just 33 years old, and the leadership lessons learned along the way. He offers practical insights on leading in multi-site environments, raising up preachers, building trust with your congregation and navigating the tension between centralisation and local expression.
This conversation is filled with wisdom for pastors and leaders at every level - whether you’re leading a small congregation, preparing to plant a new campus, or overseeing a multi-site movement.
In this deeply moving episode of the ACCWA Pastors & Leaders Podcast, Ps Nate Phor sits down with Sally Hewitt, grief recovery specialist and founder of Aging Gratefully. Out of her own painful loss - the sudden passing of her husband - Sally shares her journey through grief and how God met her in the rawest moments of anger, lament and healing.
Together, Nate and Sally unpack what grief really is, why it’s more than bereavement alone and how pastors and leaders can better support people in their congregations who are walking through seasons of loss. From practical ways churches can rally around families, to the importance of allowing space for lament and authenticity before God, this conversation offers both wisdom and hope.
If you’ve ever walked through loss personally, or if you’re a leader wanting to walk with others through grief in a healthier, more compassionate way, this episode will equip and encourage you.
Connect with Sally and learn more about her resources at https://www.ageinggratefully.com.au
What makes marriages thrive - and what causes them to fall apart? In this episode, Ps Christie Blaikie is joined by Ps Sabrina Peters - psychologist, pastor, author, wife, and mum - to explore the heart of marriage.
Drawing from years of ministry and clinical experience, Sabrina unpacks Gottman’s Four Horsemen that predict relational breakdown, practical rituals that build intimacy, how to navigate expectations, and the importance of prioritising your spouse in every season. She also shares wisdom on safeguarding marriages against affairs and the unique challenges leaders face in this area.
Whether you’re married, preparing for marriage, or walking with others in their relationships, this conversation offers fresh clarity, hope, and practical tools to help cultivate love that lasts.
For more from Ps Sabrina Peters, explore her resources and articles on marriage at thehealthyyou.co or tune into her podcast, The Healthy Christian, on Spotify.
In this episode Ps Julian Kirtisingham sits down with Ps Mark Varughese, Founder of Kingdomcity, whose journey took him from a legal career in Perth to planting a church in Malaysia in 2006 that has since grown into a vibrant global movement.
Together they unpack Kingdomcity’s origin story, the pivotal moments of acceleration, and the leadership lessons learned along the way. Ps Mark shares practical insights on recruiting and retaining volunteers, balancing structure with the Spirit, accountability for leaders, starting and discipling campuses, learning from mistakes, and keeping a local heart while carrying a global vision.
A conversation rich in wisdom, faith, and practical takeaways for every pastor and leader.
In this inspiring episode, Ps Peter Hammer sits down with Ps Charlie Burke - Executive Ministry Director of Exponential Australia and local church planter in Blacktown, Western Sydney. Charlie shares his powerful story of coming to faith, resisting the initial call to plant, and eventually pioneering a church in one of Sydney’s toughest suburbs just before the pandemic hit.
We explore the heart and cost of church planting, what it takes to move from a growing church to a multiplying one, and why building healthy leaders and churches is non-negotiable. Charlie also shares insights from his national role, highlighting the trends, opportunities, and spiritual hunger he’s seeing across Australia.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to plant, lead, or multiply a church - or you’re passionate about discipleship and the future of the church in Australia - this episode is for you.
In this inspiring episode of the ACCWA Podcast, Pastor Ken Lee of Nations Church joins Ps Gareth Forsdike for an honest and practical conversation about preaching, communication and leading with vision. Pastor Ken shares insights from his journey of planting and growing a multi-site, international church - from crafting sermons that bring Scripture to life, to staying spiritually fresh in ministry, and balancing creativity with clarity when casting vision. Whether you lead a congregation of 10 or 1,000, this episode is packed with wisdom to help you communicate effectively, care deeply for your people and stay grounded in your calling.
In this inspiring episode of the ACCWA Podcast, Ps Christie Blaikie sits down with powerhouse leader Ps Bronwyn Bonnell - church planter, leader of The Chapel Collective, and mentor to pastors across regional NSW. With eight churches and counting, Bron shares her courageous journey of planting churches in small towns, what it's like starting from scratch in your 40s, and why obedience always trumps outcome.
Together they unpack what healthy leadership looks like, the power of raising leaders across generations, and how to lead with conviction - especially as a woman in ministry. Whether you're a church planter, a leader feeling the call to go again, or someone seeking clarity around calling and identity, this episode will equip and encourage you.
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You’ll walk away freshly empowered to step out in faith - wherever God is calling you next.
In this episode of the ACCWA Podcast, Ps Phil Ayres sits down with Ps. Sharon Chelliah to explore one of the biggest questions for any pastor: How do you lead well both in church and at home? Together, they unpack the vital role of prioritising your family as your “first flock”, cultivating intentional rhythms of presence and fostering deep connections in the home. From setting boundaries and shaping a Godly culture, to navigating the pressures of life in the fishbowl, this conversation is packed with honest insights and practical wisdom for any pastor or church leader striving to lead well in both ministry and family life.
In this powerful and deeply practical episode, Ps Nate Phor sits down with Ps John Finkelde - former senior pastor and seasoned church consultant - to talk about what it really takes to last the distance in ministry. From avoiding burnout and establishing sustainable rhythms, to protecting your emotional health and navigating the complexities of pastoral relationships, this is a must-listen for any pastor or ministry leader. John shares wisdom from decades in church leadership and consulting, offering vulnerable insights into his own journey through exhaustion and depression, and the critical role of rest, relationships, and self-awareness. Whether you're bi-vocational, full-time, or feeling stretched thin, this conversation will leave you encouraged, challenged, and equipped to take one step toward a healthier, more sustainable ministry life.
In this episode, Ps Christie Blaikie sits down with Alicia Leis, governance expert and partner at WLF Accounting & Advisory, for a practical and powerful conversation on church finances. From navigating the "blur factor" and understanding the distinct roles of pastors and boards, to building trust with donors and balancing faith with financial discipline - this episode is packed with wisdom for every church leader. Learn how stewarding isn't just a budget item, but a spiritual responsibility.
