The charis4’s Podcast

Jesus calls His followers to take the Gospel to the nations. Local churches are central in that mission. Yet churches and the mission agencies which serve them face some unavoidable issues in that common calling. What is the heart of the Great Commission? What kind of workers are needed? What is the desired outcome? How long should it take? How do the church, agency, and worker partner together? What does financial transparency look like? Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this workshop explores answers as Encompass leaders help local churches like yours chart a fruitful path forward. MIKE YODER serves as the Executive Director for Encompass World Partners.

Some wounds are invisible, but no less devastating. Beneath the surface, many carry deep pain shaped not only by trauma, but by guilt, shame, betrayal, and spiritual anguish. Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this workshop is intended to help pastors and ministry leaders understand moral injury, discern how it differs from PTSD, and respond with compassionate, Christ-centered care. In a world full of hidden wounds, the Church has a vital calling to speak hope, healing, forgiveness, and restoration. DR. GEORGE YOUSTRA (COL) is a retired Air Force Chaplain. DR. MARK PENFOLD (COL) is a retired Army Chaplain and serves as the Endorsing Agent with Eagle Commission.

In a world that is constantly in flux, how do we engage our 21st century contexts while being rooted in a 1st century text? What guides our curiosity and shapes our questions about missional engagement? Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this workshop discusses how to mimic Jesus’ use of the agricultural metaphor to promote Kingdom and missional insight and action. Jesus and the New Testament authors used insights about planting, growth, and harvest in the biological world that provided a grid for missional perception and engagement in any cultural setting. Also includes real-life examples of the use of the agricultural metaphor in missional strategy and engagement in modern day missions in Dublin, Ireland. ROY ANGLE serves as a Missionary in Dublin, Ireland, with Encompass World Partners.

The church is always “one generation away from extinction,” and yet God has always been faithful to raise up workers for His harvest. As a Fellowship of churches, are we doing our part to identify, equip, and send faithful, well-rounded pastors into ministry? Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this roundtable features a practical discussion on creating opportunities for emerging leaders, developing healthy pathways for pastoral training, and intentionally investing in the next generation of shepherds for the local church. The discussion explores effective models for mentorship, internships, residencies, and leadership development, while sharing ideas and experiences from churches that are actively cultivating future ministry leaders. ETHAN BUNCE serves as a Pastoral Elder for Bellefontaine Grace Church in Bellefontaine, Ohio. RICH HANCOCK serves as the Family Ministries Pastor for Marysville Grace Church in Marysville, Ohio.

What does it really take to build a ministry that lasts in a rural or small-town context? Drawing from research,real-life experience, and biblical truth, this workshop (recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference) explores the deeper factors that help pastors not only stay, but thrive over the long haul. Be encouraged, challenged, and equipped with practical insights to cultivate a ministry that bears fruit and endures for years to come. DR. ADAM KIPP serves as the Executive Director of Rural Home Missionary Association.

Every church is at a different place in its journey, but every church can take intentional steps toward greater health, impact, and mission. Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this workshop explores practical pathways for church planting, church revitalization, leadership development, and ministry multiplication. Drawing on the experience and resources of Assist Church Expansion, the workshop covers principles, tools, and real-world examples that can help churches assess their current reality, strengthen their ministry, develop leaders, and pursue new opportunities for Gospel impact. NATHAN BRYANT serves as the Executive Director for Assist Church Expansion.

Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this roundtable discussion unpacks a three-fold framework of making, growing, and sending disciples to help our ministry move from a maintenance mindset to active health, including practical ways to implement this continuous discipleship loop and reverse the trends of stagnation within our unique community context. BART BLAIR serves as the Director of Church Revitalization for Assist Church Expansion.

Ever feel like you need an unbiased voice to help you think through the effectiveness of your ministry and what steps you need to consider taking next? Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, during this roundtable discussion Ed talks through what a ministry coach can do for you and your ministry, and also explores how to assess your ministry and set goals that will help your ministry move to the next level. ED SHORT serves as the Church Revitalization Ministry Associate for Assist Church Expansion.

Church planting remains a vital part of the Charis Fellowship’s mission to make disciple-making disciples. Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this roundtable featured pastors, church planters, and ministry leaders discussing the opportunities, challenges, and lessons being learned through church planting today. Explore practical strategies, multiplication pathways, leadership development, and ways local churches can cultivate a culture of church planting. JEREMY BURY serves as the Lead Pastor for Marysville Grace Church in Marysville, Ohio.

How should the Church engage the political direction of a country? Many Christians are wondering how to respond to the confusion generated by the variety of candidates for public office and the differing perspectives of church leaders who are trying to evaluate the political picture. This seminar will provide additional guidelines and discussion to assist Christians navigate these challenges in a God-honoring and Gospel-affirming way. Florent has served as the director of the Church Equipping Network at Encompass World Partners since 2015. Prior to that he pastored the Charis church in Lyon, France, for 25 years. He has written books and articles on apologetics, ministry, and theology.