Cultivate - Calvary Chapel Church Planting

Tune in to the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast hosted by Brian Kelly, where seasoned church planters share their insights and experiences. Join us as we delve into the challenges and triumphs of starting gospel-centered churches. With practical advice and inspiring stories, this podcast equips and encourages aspiring church planters on their journey. Whether you're just beginning or well into your planting process, Cultivate provides valuable guidance and support to help you thrive in your mission. Cultivate is part of Calvary Chapel.

Cultivate - Calvary Chapel Church Planting is a religion podcast hosted by Calvary Chapel, with 65 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Calvary Chapel hosts Cultivate - Calvary Chapel Church Planting, a religion show with 65 episodes published.

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  Episode #9

  “Five Essentials For Church Planting Success” – Brian Kelly & Pilgrim Benham

  Oct 1, 202636 minS4

  Before you plant a church, there are some important questions you need to ask. In this episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, Brian Kelly sits down with church planter and pastor Pilgrim Benham to discuss five essentials every church planter should consider: God’s call, a clear gospel vision, qualified leadership, dependence on the Lord, and people. They share practical lessons from their own church planting experiences, including building a launch team, knowing when to start Sunday services, finding the right ministry context, and trusting God to build His church. Whether you’re preparing to plant or already in the process, this conversation offers practical wisdom for building a healthy and fruitful church. ***** The Cultivate Church Planting Website: https://cultivatechurchplanting.com Calvary Chapel Cooperative: https://calvarychapelcooperative.com

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  Episode #8

  The History & Value Of The Calvary Chapel Church Planting Manual

  Aug 1, 202633 minS7

  In this episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, Brian Kelly sits down with longtime pastor and church planter Bruce Zachary to discuss the story behind the Calvary Chapel Church Planting Manual. Bruce shares his remarkable testimony of coming to faith from a Jewish background, his years serving under Pastor Chuck Smith, and planting Calvary Nexus over 30 years ago. The conversation explores why biblical preparation matters, how the Church Planting Manual came into existence, and why thousands of pastors around the world have found it to be an invaluable resource. They also discuss the mission of the Calvary Chapel Cooperative, the importance of mentoring and coaching church planters, and practical ways churches can better equip the next generation of leaders. Whether you’re considering planting a church, currently leading one, or simply interested in healthy ministry leadership, this episode offers practical wisdom rooted in Scripture and decades of experience. Key Points • Bruce Zachary shares his testimony of coming to Christ through Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. • Lessons learned from over 30 years of church planting and pastoral ministry. • Why the Church Planting Manual was written after recognizing the need for better preparation. • The difference between biblical church planting principles and business-driven growth strategies. • How Pastor Chuck Smith encouraged the manual’s widespread distribution. • The structure and purpose of the Church Planting Manual. • Why intentional training and mentoring improve long-term church planter health. • Common reasons church planters become discouraged and how to address them. • The vision and purpose of the Calvary Chapel Cooperative. • How Cultivate Church Planting supports pastors before and after launch. • Encouragement for aspiring church planters to pursue training, mentorship, and healthy expectations. • The importance of building gospel-centered churches around the world. ***** The Cultivate Church Planting Website: https://cultivatechurchplanting.com Calvary Chapel Cooperative: https://calvarychapelcooperative.com

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  Episode #7

  Ministering In The Military – Dr. Chris Bassett

  Jul 1, 202641 minS4

  What does ministry look like in the military? In this episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, Brian Kelly sits down with Dr. Chris Bassett, a military chaplain, church planter, former police officer, and professor at Calvary Chapel Bible College. Chris shares his remarkable journey from being saved at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa under Chuck Smith’s ministry to serving 35 years in the military, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Along the way, he offers unique insights into the role of chaplains, the spiritual needs of service members, and how ministry often happens far beyond the walls of a church. The conversation explores the similarities between church planting and chaplaincy, the importance of spiritual presence in difficult environments, the reality of pastoral burnout, and new opportunities for veterans pursuing ministry training through Calvary Chapel Bible College. Whether you’re a church planter, pastor, missionary, veteran, or someone exploring a call to chaplaincy, this episode provides practical wisdom and encouragement for taking the gospel into challenging places. ***** The Cultivate Church Planting Website: https://cultivatechurchplanting.com Cultivate is part of the Calvary Chapel Cooperative: https://calvarychapelcooperative.com Pledge to Plant: https://tally.so/r/3xj2BG

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  Episode #6

  How Much Bible Should A Pastor / Church Planter Know? – Justin Thomas

  Jun 1, 202642 minS4

  <p>In this episode of the Cultivate Church Planting Podcast, Brian Kelly sits down with Justin Thomas, president and dean of Calvary Chapel Bible College, to discuss how much biblical knowledge a pastor or church planter should have before stepping into ministry. Justin emphasizes that while no church planter begins fully prepared, pastors must be committed to becoming lifelong learners who continue growing in Scripture, theology, and practical ministry. The conversation explores the balance between calling and training, the dangers of pride or anti-intellectualism in ministry, the importance of mentorship and community, and how Bible college can provide both biblical...

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  Episode #5

  Teams, Tenacity, & True Success - Expositors Collective Crossover Episode - Brian Kelly, Mike Neglia

  May 1, 202639 minS4

  <p>In this collaborative episode between Cultivate Church Planting and Expositors Collective, Brian Kelly and Mike Neglia explore the true nature of church planting through a biblical lens. Moving beyond the modern “startup” mindset, they frame church planting as cultivation—an organic, Spirit-dependent work that requires calling, team, perseverance, and faithfulness. Brian shares lessons from multiple church plants, emphasizing that success is not measured by visible results but by obedience to God in the present. The conversation also addresses the emotional weight of planting, the importance of teamwork, and the danger of viewing ministry through a purely entrepreneurial framework. </p><p>⸻</p...

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