Water For Shepherds | Words Of Encouragement For Spiritual Leaders

For 25 years, John served as a pastor in three different churches in Denver. In 1998 the Lord moved John and his wife, Tamela, into the house church world. Beginning in 2002, John worked for 6 years as the U.S. Coordinator with DAWN Ministries (Discipling A Whole Nation). Out of their experience with DAWN, John and his friend, Kent Smith, founded the LK10 Community in 2008. Currently, John is the Director of LK10 and is part of both the Leadership Team and the Board of Directors.

John Finkelde has spent 30 years in pastoral leadership in Western Australia, initially as a team pastor for 10 years and then as the senior pastor for 20 years. His church has sent him and his wife out to be specialist ministers in the wider body of Christ, specifically to partner with pastors to grow healthy churches which they do at Grow a Healthy Church.

Peter is a Republican member of the State of Kansas House of Representatives where he has served since 2008. He is a 1979 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and the Founder and President of Shepherd's Staff Ministries. He serves as an elder at Jesus the Good Shepherd’s Church and is married to Karen and has 4 children.

Roger Thoman is the founder of New Springs, a Community of Home Churches, and Appleseed Ministry which provides training in several nations for planters of simple churches. He has been involved in church planting since 1976. Roger and his wife Brooks train and coach leaders in several developing countries to multiply disciples and simple churches.

Dan is the North American Director for Compass. His desire is to free people, rich or poor, from the bondage that financial issues cause. Dan serves the church by equipping their leaders to disciple believers to be faithful stewards. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University.

Michael Whitworth is a minister at Carter Lake Road Church of Christ in Bowie TX. He has authored several books, including the award-winning The Epic of God: A Guide to Genesis. He is an Eagle Scout and third-generation preacher who graduated from Freed-Hardeman University in 2006 with a B.A. in Biblical Studies.

Cara is an author, speaker, writer, and advancing leader. Her book is A Ministry's Leader: Effective Ways to Lead Kingdom Minded. She is the Founder and CEO of Youthful Soul Enterprises, LLC a creative writing company. Cara holds a Masters degree in Management (HR) and a Bachelors degree in Business Management from Troy University.

Frank Viola is a happily married man, a father, a cat owner, author, speaker, and entrepreneur. He loves movies, music, and NY style pizza. His mission is to help serious followers of Jesus to know their Lord more deeply, to gain fresh perspectives on old or ignored subjects, and to make the Bible come alive. He also produces the Christ is ALL podcast.

Greg Atkinson is an author, consultant and speaker who loves Jesus, the Gospel, and the Church. He is the editor of Christian Media Magazine. Greg discusses his new book Strange Leadership, 40 Ways to Lead an Innovative Organization. 

Bruce Van Horn is a Dad, a writer, a coach, an entrepreneur, a speaker, a runner, and a lot of other things as life demands. His personal motto is: “Life is a marathon, so let’s train for it!” Most of the inspiration for that motto comes from the 12th chapter of the book of Hebrews.

Ron Edmondson is the senior pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington KY. Before entering full-time ministry Ron had over 20 years of business experience, mostly as a self-employed business owner. Ron holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Luther Rice Seminary and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University.

Matthew Wester is the Director of Congregational Care and Development at Algona First United Methodist Church in Algona IA. His job is to encourage people in their spiritual growth. He attended Arizona State University and received his Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary Southwest.

Brandon Cox, along with his wife Angie, are planting Grace Hills Church in Northwest Arkansas. He also oversees the content and online community of Pastors.com and Rick Warren’s Ministry Toolbox.

Robert (Bob) Lloyd Russell is a Bible teacher and seminar leader whose purpose is to help Christians develop a living theology and dynamic discipleship. He is the author of the Christian Concepts Series as well as the Editor of "JIM ELLIOT: A Christian Martyr Speaks to You." 

Shawn is a certified executive coach and public speaker and founder of Motivationeer™ Christian Coaching in Boston MA. He uses the teachings of Jesus to help Christians in corporate America achieve breakthrough career results.

Steve Gladen currently serves as the pastor of small groups of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. He has a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary with a concentration in pastoral counseling. Steve has authored several books, including Small Groups with Purpose and Leading Small Groups with Purpose.

Jeff Keady is the senior pastor at Dover Avenue Alliance Church in Orange City, Iowa. Originally from Rochester, NY, Jeff graduated from Baptist Bible College in Pennsylvania with a degree in Bible and Pastoral Ministry.  He is currently involved in a Master's Program at Bethel Seminary of St. Paul, MN.  

Joe Woodruff is a speaker, author, coach and pastor. He has led several churches ranging in size from 400 to 4000 and is currently the lead pastor at New Vision Fellowship in Beaverton, Oregon. Joe is the author of several books, including I'm On Your Side... Scoot Over, a book for every marriage.

Tony Sutherland is a speaker, author and worship leader. He travels the U.S. and other countries serving local churches and ministering the gospel of grace. He is an author and he serves as a worship leader at the Free Chapel in Gainesville, Georgia.

Barak Strickland shares the first summary episode of the Water For Shepherds podcast. He reviews some highlights of the content from ten previous guests of the show along with some inside details.