In this practical episode, Phil Gifford and Richard Pope dive into six essential tips for holding baptism services that are meaningful, mission-focused, and joy-filled. Whether you're a lead pastor or part of a church team, this conversation is packed with real-life stories, helpful strategies, and a few tangents along the way.

You’ll learn:

• How to capture and share baptism stories to inspire your church and community.
• Why it’s better to spread out baptisms instead of batching them all together.
• The importance of giving space but not waiting too long between decision and baptism.
• How to make baptisms a true celebration that mirrors heaven’s excitement.
• Why you should let others baptize and empower spiritual leaders beyond just the pastors.
• How to invite people to respond—both those watching and those being baptized.

Phil and Richard also get honest about navigating baptisms with kids, avoiding false conversions, and balancing theology with pastoral care.

Key Takeaway: Baptisms should be a regular, joyful, and mission-driving part of church life, not just an occasional event.

In this second part of our two-part conversation with Jim Collins, we pick up the story after his failed church plant in Tennessee. Now, Jim shares how God led him—slowly and graciously—toward planting again, this time in Las Vegas, Nevada. But this story isn’t just about “success.” It’s about soul-level transformation, submission to God’s process, and the deep lessons of leadership that only come through waiting, listening, and learning.

From new rhythms of spiritual health to wise counsel and assessment, Jim walks through how he and his wife approached this second attempt with humility, intentionality, and kingdom dependence. Whether you're in a season of rebuilding or preparing for what's next, this episode will encourage you to lead faithfully and stay rooted in the gospel.

Key Topics Covered:

• How to know if you're ready to try again after failure
• What healthy preparation looks like for church planting
• Why waiting is often part of God’s leadership development
• The role of assessment, training, and spiritual mentors
• How to build the right kind of core team
• Leading from a place of joy and surrender
• What makes ministry leadership sustainable over time

Key Quotes:

“God killed off the idol of being ‘the guy.’ I was finally ready to just be faithful.”
“Delays in ministry are not disobedience—they’re often obedience.”
“We weren’t launching a service to grow a church. We were living on mission to reach people.”
“Your greatest failure might become the thing you thank God most for.”

In this unfiltered and unscripted episode, Phil and Richard have a real conversation about why summer is one of the most strategic seasons for church outreach—and how your church or ministry can make the most of it.

Rather than settling for the “summer slump,” they share how their churches are leaning in with clear goals, creative outreach ideas, and intentional mobilization. From micro-events to digital reach, and personal invitations to park pop-ups, they explain how summer can be a season of growth, not just survival.

You’ll hear real strategies, some goofy banter, and a healthy reminder: good intentions don’t become faithful action without clear goals. Whether you’re dreaming big or just trying to do something with purpose this summer, this episode will help you get there.

In This Episode:

• Why most churches waste the summer—and how yours doesn’t have to
• Outreach goals that go beyond attendance (and actually excite your people)
• Why digital impressions do count as gospel outreach in 2025
• How to leverage summer events to build fall momentum
• Encouragement for ministry leaders to stay engaged and not grow discouraged

Memorable Quotes:

“Summer is for lead, not lag.”
“A good goal turns good intentions into faithful action.”
“Stop using Sunday attendance as your only metric for summer success.”