Podcast
Dents in the Darkness
Hosted by The Northeast Collaborative · EN
Our enemy loves to isolate pastors and leaders from great resources and teammates. We provide practical resources to guide you on your journey to overcome isolation while leading and launching healthy churches across Northeast America!
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Kingdom Multiplication - Antoine Lassiter
Apr 900:37:12Tap to summarizeTim and Mike sit down with Antoine Lassiter to talk about what kingdom multiplication really looks like — especially in normative-size churches. Antoine shares his personal story, his heart for reaching the community, and practical insights on how multiplication doesn't have to be reserved for the mega-church down the road. It starts right where you are.Antoine Lassiter is the pastor of Think Kingdom Church in Kannapolis, NC and a Church Planting Strategist for SendNC through the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. A native North Carolinian with over 20 years of ministry experience, Antoine is a disciple maker at heart — passionate about coaching and training church planters across the state. As the founder of the Think Kingdom network, his work includes finding, assessing, and developing planters, sending churches, leaders, and church planting coaches — as well as helping local churches create a reproducing culture that leads to multiplication. Antoine and his wife, Latonia, have been married for 25 years and have two sons, Justin and Christopher.Listen to:Antoine's Story — How God shaped his journey and calling into ministry and multiplication.Reaching Your Community — Practical ways churches can engage the people right around them with the gospel.Multiplication in Normative-Size Churches — Why multiplication isn't just for large churches, and how everyday congregations can embrace a multiplication mindset.About Antoine:Website: antoinelassiter.comAntoine's book - "Beyond the Calling: The Cost of Faithful Leadership"
Transcribe →Be the Church - Mike Rubino & Gary Campbell
Mar 900:41:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Dents in the Darkness, Tim Madiero (WGRN) and Mike Schooley (NEC) sit down with Dr. Michael J. Rubino, Vice President of Learning & Resources for Be the Church Collective and Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Bible Church on Long Island, along with Gary Campbell, Lead Catalyst for Be the Church and Lead Pastor of Groton Bible Chapel.Together they discuss the current state of the church in the Northeast and the important role collaboration plays in strengthening local congregations and multiplying kingdom impact.Be the Church exists to strengthen churches, equip leaders, and multiply kingdom impact, and this conversation explores how churches can breathe new life into ministry by investing in leadership development, cultivating healthy elder teams, and partnering with other churches for greater gospel impact.Check out https://bethechurch.org/ for more information.
Transcribe →Discipling the Next Generation - Shane Pruitt
Feb 1000:37:56Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Dents in the Darkness, we sit down with Shane Pruitt to talk about the critical issues facing today’s young people. While this generation is navigating significant challenges, there is also real hope in what God is doing in and through them.In our conversation, Shane shares insights from his book Not My Jesus, addressing how our culture often reshapes Jesus into our own image—and why restoring the biblical Jesus is essential for authentic discipleship. We also explore practical ways to disciple and minister to the next generation with truth, clarity, and compassion.Shane Pruitt serves as the National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board (NAMB). With more than 20 years of ministry experience as a denominational leader, church planter, lead pastor, and student pastor, Shane brings deep wisdom and practical insight. He is also a traveling communicator, evangelist, and Bible teacher. Shane and his wife, Kasi, live in Texas with their five children. Books & Bible Studies Not My Jesus – Bible Study Book with Video Access – 8-week study on reclaiming truth and rejecting cultural versions of Jesus: Lifeway listing: https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/not-my-jesus-teen-bible-study-book-with-video-access-P005850065 Reaching Generation Alpha: A Ministry Guide for Discipling the Church Beyond the Screen — upcoming book by Shane Pruitt & Shelly Melia (ministry to young children/Gen Alpha): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reaching-generation-alpha-shane-pruitt/1148263529 The GenSend Podcast – equipping leaders to reach, disciple, and mobilize the next generation (official GenSend podcast hosted in part by Shane Pruitt): https://www.gensend.org/leader-resources/
Transcribe →Celebrations of 2025 and What’s Ahead in 2026 - NEC Leadership
Jan 1300:38:31Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Dents in the Darkness, host Michael Schooley (Converge Northeast & the Northeast Collaborative) is joined by NEC President- Pastor Dan Nichols of Grace Christian Fellowship (Cortland, NY) and Justin Bleuer of Berean Bible Church for a conversation centered on the Northeast Collaborative (NEC).Together, they reflect on key celebrations from the past season, the stories of encouragement God is writing across the Northeast, and what is coming in 2026. This episode also unpacks the heart behind NEC—why collaboration matters, how churches are stronger together, and the long-term vision for seeing healthy, gospel-centered churches planted and strengthened throughout the region.If this episode encouraged you, consider subscribing to Dents in the Darkness, leaving a review, and sharing it with a pastor or church leader in the Northeast.New episodes released monthly.
Transcribe →Longevity in Ministry — Q/A with Dr. Crawford Loritts
Dec 900:28:03Tap to summarizeIn this special episode of Dents in the Darkness, we bring you a live Q&A session with Dr. Crawford Loritts from the Northeast Leaders Summit 2025. Dr. Loritts shares wisdom on perseverance, spiritual resilience, and what it takes to be a leader who finishes well in ministry. This conversation is rich with decades of pastoral experience, honest reflections, and practical encouragement for anyone called to lead.Why longevity in ministry matters now more than everThe foundational habits that sustain pastors and leadersHow to navigate discouragement, criticism, and seasons of doubtThe importance of character formation over platform buildingWhat Crawford has learned after a lifetime of preaching, shepherding, and leadingEncouragement for younger leaders stepping into ministry todayDr. Crawford Loritts was the main stage speaker at NLS 2025 and is a respected pastor, speaker, and leadership mentor who ministers across the country. He is the author of numerous books, including the influential Leadership as Identity. His decades of ministry experience have shaped a powerful voice for leaders seeking to remain faithful for the long haul.
Transcribe →Developing Worship Leaders - Mike Seay (Multiply Group)
Nov 1400:45:59Tap to summarizeIn today's episode of Dents in the Darkness, we sit down with Mike Seay, Worship Consultant at the Multiply Group, to talk about the intentional development of worship leaders. Drawing from his experience in both local church leadership and national coaching, Mike unpacks practical strategies for identifying, equipping, and releasing worship leaders who are spiritually grounded and musically skilled. Whether you're a lead pastor, worship pastor, or ministry leader, this conversation will give you tools to build a worship leadership pipeline that lasts. What You’ll Learn:Why developing worship leaders is more than just teaching musicHow to create a culture of spiritual formation in your worship teamHow pastors and worship leaders should partner together.Practical systems for mentoring and multiplying leadersCommon mistakes churches make when building worship teamsHow Multiply Group partners with churches to raise up worship leaders About Our Guest:Mike Seay serves as a Worship Consultant with the Multiply Group, helping churches across the country develop sustainable systems for worship ministry. Resources & Links:Learn more about the Multiply Group: www.multiplygroup.orgConnect with Mike Seay on Instagram: @mikeseay
Transcribe →Business as Mission - Matta Rizkallah
Oct 700:37:34Tap to summarizeJoin us for a conversation with Matta Rizkallah, founder and CEO of Manufacturing Automation Systems (MAS), as we unpack what it means to live out Business as Mission in the industrial automation space. Matta shares how his company began not only to serve market needs but to actively engage global mission initiatives and community transformation—all from Painted Post, New York.Key themes include:How to build a kingdom business.How MAS integrates innovation, social impact, and Christian values into its mission The challenges of being a business leader.How the church can help business leaders in their kingdom pursuit.Ongoing faith-based projects: building a school in Ghana and partnering with organizations like NuVenture Nepal and Potter’s Hands Foundation Manufacturing Automation Systems LLCThis episode is ideal for mission-minded entrepreneurs, church leaders, and Christians seeking to connect their daily work with eternal purposeManufacturing Automation Systems, Inc. – automation & robotics company providing engineered solutions to industries including defense, life sciences, and semiconductor manufacturing Empire State Development+1Books on Business as Mission - https://businessasmission.com/library/books/
Transcribe →A Leadership Conversation - Pastor Derek Sanford
Sep 900:36:22Tap to summarizeIf you're a pastor feeling the weight of leadership, you’re not alone. In this episode, we sit down with Pastor Derek Sanford, lead pastor of Grace Church in Erie, PA, and founder of the Grace Leadership Institute, to talk about leadership.Derek shares practical, time-tested wisdom on multiplying leaders, creating healthy team dynamics, and leading for the long haul without burning out. This episode is packed with insight for pastors looking to build sustainable leadership structures, raise up others, and stay faithful over decades—not just seasons. In This Episode: Why teams matter (and how to build one)Building Leadership Longevity.How to identify, develop, and deploy emerging leadersStrategies for longevity in ministry and avoiding burnoutThe role of vulnerability and humility in healthy leadershipDerek’s book: Untapped Church: Discovering the Hidden Potential of Ordinary People in Your ChurchSign up for the Northeast Leadership Summit
Transcribe →A Vision for Church Health - Stephen Hay
Aug 1100:32:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Dents in the Darkness, we talk with Pastor Stephen Hay, Vice President of Church Health with Anago Partners—an organization dedicated to helping churches flourish.Stephen shares practical and spiritual insight on how churches can move from where they are to where God is calling them: places of vitality, health, and kingdom impact. Whether your church is stuck, struggling, or seeking greater clarity, this conversation offers hope and a roadmap forward.What You’ll Learn:What it means for a church to flourishHow to move from survival to Kingdom effectivenessThe common challenges in church health and renewalHow Anago Partners comes alongside pastors and leadersA powerful resource: Leading Change—a guide to help churches navigate transition and growth intentionally
Transcribe →Releasing Children from Poverty in Jesus’ Name - Matt Wilson (Compassion International)
Jul 800:36:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Dents in the Darkness, we sit down with Matthew Wilson from Compassion International to explore how this powerful ministry is changing the lives of children and families around the globe.You’ll hear the heart behind Compassion’s mission to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name, and how the organization partners with local churches to provide not only physical needs like food, healthcare, and safety—but also spiritual hope through the gospel.Whether you're a church leader, a sponsor, or just curious about how you can make a difference, this conversation will stir your heart and expand your vision for Kingdom impact.What You’ll Learn:The story and mission of Compassion InternationalWhy partnering with local churches is key to sustainable transformationHow Compassion supports the mind, body, and soul of each childReal stories of children going from surviving to thrivingA sneak peek into our upcoming trip to El Salvador!
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