Transcript

Reverend Dan Morata (0:01)

I was thinking about the name of this podcast and Going Big, and I was thinking, you know.

Reverend Dan Morata (0:06)

So many people that have ended up changing the world, they weren't necessarily trying to go big, Right?

Kevin Gentry (0:12)

And by the way, look at all those biblical figures you talked about. None of them have that life plan. They were tapped on the shoulder and said, hey, buddy, you need to step.

Reverend Dan Morata (0:20)

In here like you interview Mother Teresa as a teenager and say, now, how are you going to, you know, how are you going to change the world? And she'd say, I'm not trying to change the world. I was trying to love my neighbor. Right? And so. So I think sometimes.

Reverend Dan Morata (0:35)

I think JR Tolkien was interviewed about this, about Hobbits have so much to teach us about what it means to be a small person in the world, to feel like there's big, powerful people doing big, powerful things, and I'm just a little person over here. And yet he wrote a really lovely story about how little people end up doing quite astonishingly big things. Right? And I think there's something about that in the heart, in the character of God, that God loves to use little people to do big things.

Kevin Gentry (1:05)

Welcome to the Going Big Podcast. I'm your host, Kevin Gentry, and this is the place where we celebrate bold moves and big ideas. Each week, I sit down with inspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, and change makers who are making a significant impact in their careers and in their communities. Whether you're looking to level up your leadership, pursue your passion, or just get inspired to take your next big leap, this is where those stories come to life. Now, if you're listening on iTunes, YouTube, or anywhere else you tune into podcasts, be sure to hit that subscribe button so you'll never miss an episode. Now let's dive in to what it means to truly go big. Well, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another episode of the Going Big Podcast, where we interview change makers and visionary leaders about how they have gone big in a different way. And I am so pleased to have with me today, in a studio here in Richmond, Virginia, the Reverend Dan Morata of Redeemer Anglican Church, which is in Richmond, Virginia. And as you're about to see, Dan is more than a spiritual leader. He has gone big in terms of really reaching out through his church's congregation, through himself, he into the community, and is building something that's special. We got a lot of Going Big questions to ask him. And, Dan, it's just such a pleasure to be here and thank you for making the space available here in Richmond.

Summary

Podcast Summary — Going Big! with Kevin Gentry

Episode: Going Big with Rev. Dan Marotta: Small Faithfulness and Big Impact
Date: December 8, 2025
Host: Kevin Gentry
Guest: Reverend Dan Marotta (Redeemer Anglican Church, Richmond, VA)

Overview

This episode of Going Big! features an in-depth conversation between host Kevin Gentry and Reverend Dan Marotta, an Anglican priest and church planter in Richmond, Virginia. The discussion explores the paradox of "going big"—how world-changing impact often emerges from acts of “small faithfulness.” Dan shares his journey into ministry, insights on calling, the challenges and joys of starting new churches, the invaluable role of mentors, and the importance of humility and presence in both spiritual life and leadership.

Key Discussion Points & Structure

1. Rethinking “Going Big”: Small Faithfulness, Big Results

[00:01]–[01:05]
Dan opens by reflecting on how many renowned figures—like biblical heroes or Mother Teresa—didn't set out to “go big.” They simply tried to be faithful in small ways.

“So many people that have ended up changing the world, they weren't necessarily trying to go big, right?...God loves to use little people to do big things.”
— Rev. Dan Marotta [00:06–01:05]
Cites J.R.R. Tolkien’s hobbits as examples of “small people who end up doing big things.”

2. Advent, Christmas, and the Person of Jesus

[03:11]–[06:05]
Kevin invites Dan to explain the significance of Advent, Christmas, and Jesus for listeners from any background.

“We believe...Jesus is the God, the Son incarnate in a human being....Christmas, we remember and celebrate the incarnation....Advent [is] a season where we anticipate...the arrival of Christ in two ways—the first coming [and] the promised return.”
— Rev. Dan Marotta [04:22–06:05]

3. Dan’s Journey: Loss, Calling, and “Going All In”

[07:12]–[14:17]
- Dan shares his upbringing in Charlottesville, his college years at William & Mary, and how the deaths of close friends during college pushed him into existential and spiritual questioning.
- Initially aspired to marine biology, not ministry.
  
  “I grew up reading, you know, like Jacques Cousteau, and I thought, well, I want to go live on a boat ... and discover new species of stingray....Not on my radar at all.”
  — Rev. Dan Marotta [09:39–09:41]
- Volunteering with Young Life and a pivotal job offer from his home church eventually led him into ministry, despite initial reluctance.
Gradual Calling:

“It was gradual, but as with all things...it happened slowly and all at once.”
— Rev. Dan Marotta [22:07]

4. Understanding Calling (for Everyone)

[15:03]–[21:13]
- Explores biblical stories of calling (e.g., Moses, Jonah)—highlights that most people aren’t “called” with fireworks.
- Encourages faithfulness to “ordinary” callings already in scripture: honoring parents, serving others, loving neighbors.
“What business do we have asking God for a special calling if we're ignoring all of the callings that are already there?”
— Rev. Dan Marotta [18:21]
Kevin and Dan discuss the anxiety around “missing” one’s calling and the value of prayerful attentiveness to what’s in front of you.

5. The Challenges of Modern Ministry

[23:37]–[29:26]
- The work of a pastor: shepherding, counseling, administration, and now also navigating declining social respect and trust (especially among younger generations).
  
  "Every movie that depicts a pastor or a priest, they're either the villain or they're an idiot."
  — Rev. Dan Marotta [25:21]
- Dan notes, despite modern challenges, church leadership has often been harder in history (e.g., early church persecution).
- Discusses scandals in ministry, the difference between saints and celebrities, and how falls affect the church’s witness.

6. The Power and Practice of Mentorship

[29:26]–[39:16]
- Dan recounts story after story of older mentors who pursued him, invested time, and embodied different virtues (relational initiative, generosity, calm under pressure).
- Lists mentors: J.R. Briggs, Carver Bolton, Pete Bauer, Brian Brown, John Yates.
  
  “One of the ways in which I feel most—I would say—rich in my own story is in how kind some older people have been to me along the way.”
  — Rev. Dan Marotta [29:36]
Advice to Mentees:
- Take initiative—ask for a “first date” (a single coffee/lunch to ask questions), not a lifelong “mentoring commitment.”
  
  “May I please have an hour of your time to buy you lunch and ask you questions? ... I just feel honored.”
  — Rev. Dan Marotta [36:33]
- Show teachability and eagerness.
Advice to Mentors:
- Look for teachable, hungry individuals.
- Often mentorship works best “elbow to elbow”—doing things together rather than face-to-face discussion.

7. Church Planting: Vision, Strategy, and Mission

[40:21]–[51:43]
- The “why” and “how” of founding Redeemer Anglican Church in Richmond:
  - Personal relationships drew them to Richmond.
  - Saw rapidly growing city with declining church presence—a clear need.
  “Metro Richmond ... is growing rapidly, and population growth has far outpaced church growth....We had a relational invitation and ... a real need, a missional need.”
  — Rev. Dan Marotta [45:10]
- Practical start: "Did about the only thing I know how to do to gather people, which is to throw a barbecue in our backyard.”
  — Rev. Dan Marotta [48:21]
- Growth and multiplication: Three church plants launched (and a “fourth on the way”) from Redeemer.
  
  “We've got a fourth church planter who just started with us two months ago.”
  — Rev. Dan Marotta [51:19]

8. Ambition, Humility, and Healthy Leadership

[52:02]–[57:18]
- Kevin asks: How do you balance “ambition” to reach more people with the hazards of ego and “celebrity” leadership?
- Dan advocates for “sanctified ambition”—big passion for growth, but “with an ever-shrinking ego.”
  
  “How can you really have a strong drive and passion for something to grow and to flourish and to do well, but also have an ever-shrinking ego?...Self forgetfulness.”
  — Rev. Dan Marotta [54:23]
- Importance of accountability (a bishop’s authority), empowering others, and reframing increased “growth” as increased service and opportunity to “suffer for” and serve more people.
- Personal boundaries: Minimal social media, avoids metrics that foster pride.

9. Advice for the Next Generation, and Those Still Seeking

[58:05]–[59:29]
- To his younger self (and young listeners): “Stop worrying. It’s going to work out. Receive the days as they come.”
- Rejects the myth that impact comes from being big or important from the start.
  
  “So many people that have ended up changing the world, they weren't necessarily trying to go big....I think there's something about that in the character of God—that God loves to use little people to do big things.”
  — Rev. Dan Marotta [60:11–61:06]

10. Parting Encouragement: Where to Start

[61:44]–[62:29]
- Dan concludes with advice for those seeking meaning, purpose, or a “go big” moment:
  
  “Prayerfully pay attention to what’s in front of you....Be faithful in the moment with whatever you’ve been given....If you skip the little in favor of just doing big things, you probably won’t even be ready for the big things.”
  — Rev. Dan Marotta [61:47]

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

On Impact:
"God loves to use little people to do big things." — Rev. Dan Marotta [01:05]
On Calling:
"What business do we have asking God for a special calling if we're ignoring all of the callings that are already there?" — Rev. Dan Marotta [18:21]
On Mentorship:
“May I please have an hour of your time to buy you lunch and ask you questions? ... I just feel honored.” — Rev. Dan Marotta [36:33]
On Church Growth & Ego:
"How can you have a strong drive and passion for something to grow and to do well, but also have an ever shrinking ego?...Self forgetfulness." — Rev. Dan Marotta [54:23]
On Worry:
“Just stop worrying. It’s going to work out. Receive the days as they come.” — Rev. Dan Marotta [58:14]

Notable Moments & Timestamps

Dan's realization his faith became “the most important thing” after the deaths of friends: [09:19]
Explains the difference in respect for clergy across generations: [24:30]
Practical tips on seeking and being a mentor: [35:34–36:33]
The hard realities versus the “Little House on the Prairie” image of church planting: [43:01]
Stories of launching multiple church plants: [50:21–51:19]
Dan's discipline of minimizing ego triggers in the age of social media: [57:18]

Themes & Takeaways

True impact comes from small, consistent faithfulness—intention matters more than grandeur.
Important to “grip the handle at the smooth end”—be wise, practice the ordinary well.
Don't wait for a lightning-bolt calling; honor what you already know to do.
Mentorship doesn’t always “find you”—seek it out with humility and specific requests.
Leadership requires balancing ambition and humility, especially in a spotlight-driven age.
The healthiest growth is often slow, local, and focused on serving others.

Final Invitation

Dan’s story is a reminder that “going big” is less about striving for fame, and more about patient, humble faithfulness—and that’s where life-changing impact begins.