A new culture is emerging, and the Christian story has lost its central place in a society it did much to shape. While every generation has a responsibility to contextualize the Gospel, the pace of change is accelerating. New challenges are facing the Church, and old models of ministry aren’t bearing the same fruit. The harvest remains ripe, but our harvesting methods must change.
In the midst of these challenges, God is doing something new. Isaiah 43:19 tells us, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Innovation NEXT provides an opportunity to see new ways God is moving through dozens of innovative ministries and our NEXT Ventures program. Listed below you will find articles, interviews, podcasts, and other resources to better serve you as you seek to invest in the future Church.
Through a growing group of Venture Partners, we have a front-row seat in discovering, connecting, learning from, and investing in dozens of innovative ministry leaders. We are convinced that twenty years from now, we will look back and see the profound impact this investment has made in changing the trajectory of the church and multiplying disciples, leaders, and churches.
What happens when the Church doesn’t wait for people to come but goes to where they already are?
In this insightful and energizing episode hosted by Tom Planck, Director of NEXT Ventures, sits down with Drew Cline of South City 2.0/317 Coffee & Cafe and Shane Boyd of Gathering of Nomads to explore what it truly means to be a sent community. These two leaders are reaching people in vastly different, but equally impactful, contexts: Drew is engaging and discipling people in and around Central Arkansas, while Shane is ministering to individuals and families living in RV parks across the country.
Together, they share powerful stories and practical strategies for how they’re discipling, equipping, and mobilizing believers outside of traditional church models. From house gatherings and mobile communities to persistent presence and relational evangelism, this episode unpacks fresh, contextual approaches to ministry that meet people where they are – literally.
If you’re passionate about church planting, mission-driven community, or reimagining how the Gospel moves in the world today, this conversation will inspire and challenge you to think beyond the building.
What does ministry look like when the church goes beyond four walls and into the digital world?
In this thought-provoking and timely episode, host Tom Planck sits down with Anne Bosarge, founder of Digital Discipleship and Mark Lutz, Founder and Lead Pastor of Lux Digital Church, to explore how technology is reshaping the way we reach, disciple, and walk with people in their faith journeys.
Anne and Mark share their unique perspectives on building real, authentic relationships, even when those relationships begin on a screen. From online prayer and community to virtual mentorship and spiritual formation, we unpack both the incredible opportunities and real challenges of doing ministry in digital spaces.
Whether you’re leading a church, launching a digital ministry, or just wondering how to better engage people online, this conversation will expand your vision for what’s possible. Ministry in the digital era isn’t about replacing face-to-face connection; it’s about leveraging technology to make the Gospel more accessible than ever before.
What if evangelism wasn’t just about sharing the message of Jesus—but about sharing life with others?
In this inspiring and deeply practical episode, hosts Carrie Williams and Tom Planck are joined by Akie Hadeed, Founder and CEO of Streets of Prayer, and Molly Soderstrom, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Brook. Together, they explore the transformative power of relational evangelism, where faith is shared not from a platform but from the context of real, everyday relationships.
Akie shares the global vision behind Streets of Prayer, an app and movement aiming to raise up a billion Spirit-filled followers of Jesus to cover every person and every place in persistent prayer by the year 2030. Molly brings her passion for multiplying everyday disciple-makers through The Brook, a movement mobilizing young professionals to live out the Gospel across generations.
This conversation offers encouragement, strategy, and a renewed vision for how personal connection can open doors for spiritual transformation. Whether you’re in full-time ministry or simply want to love your neighbors better, you’ll be equipped and inspired to live and lead as a bridge builder in your own community.
What does meaningful ministry look like for the next generation?
In this energizing and insightful episode, Tom Planck is joined by Olivia Williamson of Claim Your Campus and Emma Tautolo of AZ Reach, two leaders who are deeply invested in raising up Gen Z through prayer, leadership, and holistic community engagement.
Olivia shares how Claim Your Campus is mobilizing middle and high school students to pray for their schools and communities, creating a grassroots movement of young people who are spiritually grounded and bold in their faith. Emma brings a powerful perspective from her work with AZ Reach, which empowers Arizona youth through mentorship, skill-building programs, entrepreneurship training, mental health support, and more.
Together, they dive into what it means to reach, equip, and walk alongside a generation navigating immense cultural, emotional, and spiritual challenges. Whether you’re a church leader, youth pastor, parent, or someone passionate about the future of the Church, this conversation offers real stories, practical insights, and fresh vision for engaging Gen Z and beyond.
What will it take to raise up the next generation of Kingdom leaders—and how can the Church equip them to thrive?
In this visionary and practical episode, Tom Planck is joined by three catalytic leaders who are deeply invested in multiplying healthy, mission-driven leadership: Jon Wiest of Mobilize the Church, Steve Pike of Urban Islands Project, and Dave Miller of Leadership Pathway. Together, they engage in a powerful conversation about how to find, develop, and unleash change makers for the future of the Church.
Jon shares how Mobilize the Church partners with pastors and local leaders to train and resource the body of Christ for movement and mission. Steve discusses how Urban Islands Project is working across multiple cities to launch coaching clusters that support church starters planting in urban contexts simultaneously. And Dave outlines how Leadership Pathway is helping churches build strong leadership pipelines through intentional, in-house residency programs that consistently raise up high-impact leaders.
If you’re a church leader, coach, planter, or simply someone passionate about leadership development, this episode offers real tools, tested strategies, and fresh inspiration for building the kind of leaders the Church desperately needs.
What does it look like to disciple deeply and see that impact multiply widely across communities?
In this challenging and hope-filled episode, host Tom Planck, Director of NEXT Ventures, is joined by Walter Harvey of the Wi+H Movement and Paul Watson of the Freedom Initiative. Together, they share innovative, context-specific approaches to discipleship that are helping people grow in faith and become disciple-makers in their own communities.
Walter shares how Wi+H Movement partners with churches and emerging pastors to develop culturally relevant and transformative discipleship strategies. Rooted in relationship and local context, their work equips leaders to disciple effectively in the communities they serve.
Paul brings insight into the powerful work of Freedom Initiative, which is focused on launching Disciple Making Movements among those impacted by incarceration in the U.S. By equipping believers, prison ministries, and churches, they’re seeing lives transformed, recidivism reduced, and the Kingdom expanded through the power of deep, replicable discipleship.
Whether you’re serving in a traditional church, navigating complex social issues, or longing to see real transformation in your community, this episode offers both inspiration and practical models for making disciples who make disciples.
Join Jon Wiest, Leadership Network Innovation NEXT Director, for episode 1 of Innovation NEXT: Snapshots of Innovation.
In this episode Jon shares current cultural trends and highlights the need for innovation and the future of the church.
Join Jon Wiest, Leadership Network Innovation NEXT Director, and Rob Wegner, LN’s Director of Microchurch NEXT for episode 2 of Innovation NEXT: Snapshots of Innovation.
In this episode, Rob explains the rise of microchurches and how they are innovating to meet the cultural and practical challenges of ministry.
Join Jon Wiest, Leadership Network Innovation NEXT Director, and Jay Moon, Professor at Asbury Theological Seminary for episode 3 of Innovation NEXT: Snapshots of Innovation.
In this episode, Jay provides six creative ways for churches to innovate by remaining missional and financially viable.
Join Jon Wiest, Leadership Network Innovation NEXT Director, and Jason Shepperd, Lead Pastor at the Church Project for episode 4 of Innovation NEXT: Snapshots of Innovation.
In this episode, Jason shares a few key principles for leveraging facilities for ministry and rethinking how churches gather.
Join Jon Wiest, Leadership Network Innovation NEXT Director, and Hannah Gronowski Barnett, CEO of Generation Distinct for episode 5 of Innovation NEXT: Snapshots of Innovation.
In this episode, Hannah gives examples of how next generation leaders are innovating to reach new segments of people with the gospel.
Join Jon Wiest, Leadership Network Innovation NEXT Director and Ed Love, CMAD, Director of The Wesleyan Church, for episode 6 of Innovation NEXT: Snapshots of Innovation.
In this episode, Ed unpacks key principles for how a denomination and networks can innovate to create movement.
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Tom Planck has served on the Healthy Growing Churches team since 2013 and stepped into the role of Chief Catalyst in 2019. With more than 34 years of full-time ministry experience, Tom spent 22 of those years as the founding and lead pastor of Journey Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Throughout his ministry, Tom has coached hundreds of pastors and led dozens of cohort-based learning communities across the country. He is a certified ChurchOS and Movement System coach, passionate about equipping leaders to multiply disciples, leaders, and churches.
Tom and his wife, Andrea, have been married for 34 years. They have two adult children, both married, and one grandson. In his free time, Tom enjoys traveling with Andrea, playing golf, and spending quality time with his family.
