The EFCA West Podcast

KINETIC2026 - Youth Worker Round Table - Jennifer Kvamme, Mike Szoradi, Travis Sybert

Do you work with middle school or high school students? Three seasoned youth workers will share a few encouragements from their combined 70+ years in youth ministry, but much of this hour will be collaborative. Come to connect with others who share your passion and your challenges in reaching the next generation. We’ll discuss best practices, address practical questions, pray together, and be reminded of why we’re in this ministry in the first place.

KINETIC2026 - Navegando un Ministerio Pastoral Efectivo Cuando Tienes Conflicto y Divisiones Internas en el Liderazgo - David Vargas.

Un ministerio pastoral efectivo no se hace solo, requiere la colaboración y trabajo en equipo. Es una bendición experimentar un trabajo unificado en visión, misión, propósito y capacidades bajo una pluralidad de lideres y pastores. Pero ¿Qué podemos hacer cuando surgen conflictos internos en el liderazgo de una iglesia a tal punto que paraliza y divide a la iglesia?

KINETIC2026 - Navegando el Ministerio Pastoral Bajo los Actuales Desafíos Polarizadores - Hugo Concha

La creciente ideología política y el nacionalismo han afectado a nuestra cultura. ¿Cómo podemos navegar los actuales desafíos en una cultura que está afectando nuestra cosmovisión cristiana y el continuo desarrollo de la Gran Comisión?

KINETIC2026 - Navegando el Ministerio Pastoral Bajo la Constante Influencia de Falsas Doctrinas en la Cultura Religiosa y Cultura Que Nos Rodean. Jose M Hernandez

Nueva Era, Secularismo, Evangelio de la Prosperidad, Redes Sociales. Solo unos pocos “influyentes” que están haciendo nuestro ministerio pastoral menos efectivo cada día. Continuamos siendo desafiados y en peligro de perder a nuestra próxima generación de discípulos en Jesucristo. ¿Cómo podemos navegar esta constante cosmovisión influyendo nuestro ministerio pastoral?

Using Residencies to Train the Next Generation of Ministry Leaders with Young Song of Southwest Church

It's no secret that the church at large faces a major shortage of qualified pastors and ministry leaders. This affects all areas from the senior/lead role, student and kids ministry, and even prospective church planters. Thankfully, some churches are responding to this trend by creating in-house residency opportunities. One of those is Southwest Church in Indian Wells, CA. In this episode, Residency Director Young Song shares the vision and details of how they plan to train the next generation of pastors by offering paid positions along with formal seminary education. If you or someone you know are interested in this opportunity, or if you want to create your own residency program, check out their website or reach out to Young directly at residency@southwestchurch.com.

Responding to the LA Fires: Conversation with Dan Holman of EFCA Crisis Response

At the time of this recording, the fires are still burning in and around the Los Angeles area. At some point, however, the fires will go out, the news cameras will leave, but the devastation and trauma will remain. This is where EFCA Crisis Response comes in. In this episode, Dan Holman explains to District Superintendent Tim Jacobs how critical trauma care training is, as it equips those who will walk alongside their friends and neighbors who have lost their homes and neighborhoods. Drawing on his experience in working with victims from both the Paradise and Maui fires, Dan helps understand the long term work that must happen to help bring real restoration to people's lives, and how the church is uniquely positioned to accomplish that long after everyone else has left.

Please feel free to reach out to Dan to learn more about how you and your church can partner with Crisis Response. He can be reached at dan.holman@efca.org. Or contribute to the relief fund here: LA Fires Response.

Take the Pressure Off: Evangelism Doesn't Have to be Hard!

In a city that’s skeptical of church and religious institutions, what’s next for evangelism? Join Katie and Mike from the San Francisco Initiative as they apply lessons from post-Christian Europe, dive into the unique spirituality of San Francisco and offer practical insights for churches and individuals longing to reflect Christ in a post-Christian era.  

A Church Revitalization Story with Andrew Smith from Bridge Church in Fresno, CA

The past few decades have seen tremendous strides in church planting... but what about church revitalization? And what is the difference? In this episode, Pastor Andrew Smith from Bridge Church in Fresno, CA, an EFCA West church, talks about his experience over the last seven years of leading an existing church through a revitalization effort. While there are some similarities to church planting, there are many unique aspects of this type of effort that require, among other things, perseverance, faith, and all-out grit! But Andrew's message is that is can be done, and he walks us through how he is doing it. If you're inspired by his story and you want to learn more or have questions about what revitalizing your church might look like, feel free to reach out to Andrew at andrewsmith@bridgechurchfresno.com or contact EFCA West at efcawest@efca.org.

Seminary-level Education For Any Woman in EFCA with Gloria Grell and Dr.Pam MacRae.

Are you a woman or do you know a woman who would love the opportunity to get solid theological training but aren't able to attend seminary or go to a Bible college? EFCA has launched Prepared, an innovative opportunity for women nationwide to grow in their knowledge of theology, hermeneutics, homiletics, and ministry leadership. Director Gloria Grell and Dr. Pam MacRae talk about why this program was launched and what it hopes to accomplish. One of the key insights is that many women don't set out early in life to be in vocational ministry. However, because of their giftedness and availability, they are asked to serve in a local church role where this kind of training would greatly increase their ministry effectiveness. The time to sign up for the next cohort is now, and space is limited. Also, ten scholarships covering up to 50% of the tuition are available for women serving in EFCA West churches. Contact xochitl.cachon@efca.org for more info.

The Forgotten Refugees with John Cook of Indigenous Ministries

While the refugee crisis that engulfed large regions of Iraq and Syria several years ago has long since disappeared from the news cycle, it remains an ongoing catastrophe. The damage inflicted by ISIS further devastated much of these already war-torn lands, and  unspeakable acts of violence and horror were committed against innocent men, women, and children. These victims are now trying to forge a life out of the ashes. John Cook, of Indigenous Ministries, International, has built relationships with key leaders in Iraq and has established a strong ministry that uses child sponsorship as a way to bring not only resources like food and clothing to refugees, but the Gospel as well. This episode dives into what long-term commitment to a region requires, and how local churches can help bring real hope and restoration. If you are interested in learning more, go to the site or contact John at jcook@indigenousministries.org.