Cultivate Church Planting

01/06/2025

New Episode!

“Transition, Leadership & Longevity”
– Bruce Zachary & Ryan Marr

In this episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, host Brian Kelly is joined by Bruce Zachary and special guest Ryan Marr, lead pastor of a thriving church in St. Petersburg, Florida. Together they dive deep into the lessons learned from leading through transition, pastoring in a transient community, and
shepherding a church with a complex history and a massive former-Walmart facility.

Ryan shares candid insights about taking the reins after a difficult transition, honoring the past while building for the future, and how five years of patience helped rebuild trust and culture. They discuss everything from ESL outreach to managing multi-million-dollar maintenance, navigating staff changes with compassion, and understanding nonprofit financials—all while staying rooted in the calling to care for people.

Whether you’re a church planter, a pastor stepping into transition, or someone dreaming about what’s possible, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and heartfelt encouragement. And don’t miss Ryan’s final word to planters: “Don’t do it alone—find a real friend.”

01/05/2025

New Episode!

Aaron Smith from

04/03/2025

Greetings from the Cultivate core team. Exciting times ahead 🙌⛪️

01/03/2025

New Episode

“From Pulpit to Planting: Alan Stoddard’s Church Planting Journey”

In this episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, Brian Kelly talks with Alan Stoddard about his journey from pastoring to planting Imagine Church in Cresson, Texas. They discuss the importance of cross-cultural ministry, church planting partnerships, and how technology, like daily online devotionals, can support discipleship. Alan shares his vision for launching on Easter 2025 and becoming a sending church for future planters.

01/02/2025

Personal Devotions and Spiritual Care - Daniel Williams and Marlon Brown

Welcome to the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast with Brian Kelly! In this episode, I sit down with two incredible leaders, Daniel Williams and Marlon Brown, to dive into a crucial yet often overlooked topic for church planters: personal devotions and caring for the soul. We discuss the importance of cultivating a daily quiet time with God, how it strengthens your relationship with Him, and why it’s essential for sustaining the demands of ministry. Whether you’re planting a church, leading a congregation, or simply seeking to grow spiritually, this conversation will inspire and equip you to prioritize your time with the Lord. Let’s get started

01/01/2025

Creating Cohorts - Ted Leavenworth and Tommy Cota

In this episode, Brian Kelly sits down with two incredible guests, Ted Leavenworth and Tommy Cota, to dive into the power of fellowship and its transformative role in ministry. Together, they unpack the value of creating cohorts—intentional small groups of pastors and church leaders designed to provide encouragement, accountability, and shared wisdom.

Whether you’re planting a new church, leading an established congregation, or simply looking for ways
to build stronger connections in ministry, this conversation will inspire and equip you. Ted and Tommy share practical insights and personal stories that highlight why fellowship isn’t just important—it’s essential for sustaining and growing healthy churches.
Tune in and be encouraged as we explore how collaboration and community can strengthen leaders and advance the mission of the church. Let’s get started!

02/12/2024

NEW EPISODE!

Money & Finances – Nick Cady and Seth Allingham

Welcome to the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast I’m Brian Kelly, joined by my co-host Nick Cady. Today,
we’re tackling a topic that every church planter will face, but many find challenging: managing money
and finances in a church plant. This is one of those areas where wisdom, planning, and stewardship can
make or break a ministry’s impact.

We’re thrilled to have Seth Allingham with us for this episode. Seth has extensive experience in church
finances and administration, and he’s here to help us navigate the practical and biblical aspects of
managing resources in ministry. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re already in the trenches, this
episode is packed with insights that will help you steward what God has entrusted to your church. Let’s
dive in!

01/11/2024

The Assistant Pastor - Josiah Hart
In this episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, I sat down with my friend and assistant pastor, Josiah Hart, here at West Church in Florida. Josiah and I explored the vital role of an assistant pastor—not just as a support but as an essential partner in ministry. We unpacked how an assistant pastor brings balance, depth, and a unique skill set that lifts both the lead pastor and the congregation. Whether you're starting a church plant or strengthening an established one, you’ll hear insights on teamwork, service, and the countless ways an assistant pastor helps a church flourish.

08/10/2024

New Episode

How To Plant In A School - Billy Almaguer

Welcome to the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, where we explore practical strategies for growing and
launching new churches. Today, host Brian Kelly sits down with Billy Almaguer to dive into the unique
process of planting a church in a school building. From navigating logistics to building community
partnerships, they’ll share key insights and lessons learned from their own experiences. Whether you’re
just starting out or looking for fresh ideas, this episode will equip you with the tools and inspiration to
plant a thriving church in an unconventional space.

23/09/2024

10/09/2024

New Episode!

The Importance Of Staying Connected - Daniel Williams and Billy Almaguer

In this episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, host Brian Kelly sits down with guests Daniel
Williams and Billy Almaguer to discuss the crucial role of staying connected with other pastors and churches during the church planting journey. They dive into the benefits of building strong networks, sharing resources, and learning from one another’s experiences to foster growth and resilience. Whether you’re just starting out or years into your church plant, this conversation offers valuable insights to keep you grounded and connected.

27/08/2024

New Episode!

The Greeks – Jeff Gipe, Stephan Calhoun, & Dan Vorm

Welcome to the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast with your host, Brian Kelly, and co-host, Jeff Gipe! In this episode, we’re thrilled to have Stephan Calhoun, originally from the United States and now working with Hellenic Ministries in Greece, and Dan Vorm from Fellowship Bible Church.

They’ll be sharing their inspiring journey of church planting in Greece, highlighting some very exciting opportunities. Stephan and Dan have been part of Operation Joshua and have distributed over 1.5 million Bibles to homes across Greece. Join us as we delve into their experiences, challenges, and the incredible potential for growth in this vibrant region. Let’s dive in!