The Mission Innovate Podcast

We have an encouraging audio interview in store for you in the 25th episode of the BCI Mission Innovate Podcast. Our guest is Eric Schumacher, who recently left his role as Associate Pastor at Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Ames to become the Pastoral Ministry Director, here at the Baptist Convention of Iowa, our newest staff role. In this episode, we'll explore Eric’s journey of

Check out this insightful audio interview with Pastor Matt Heerema from Stonebrook Church in Ames. In this engaging discussion, Pastor Matt shares his expertise on the fundamentals of leading a team in church ministry. Learn how leadership becomes a powerful tool for serving others. This interview expands on his helpful teaching from the May 2023 Lunch & Learn event: The 3 Circ

"We're all here to help each other be reconciled to God. We're all here to comfort one another. We all here to encourage one another. We're all here to equip one another in the faith."Join Pastor Matt Heerema from Stonebrook Church in Ames as he shares his leadership journey and explores the joys and challenges of serving as a leader. In part 2 of this interview, discover the trans

Have you ever considered the incredible potential of a strong, united ministry team in tackling the greatest hurdles your church faces? This is the 22nd episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast from the Baptist Convention of Iowa. This is a special episode because we have an audio replay from a recent event: our Lunch and Learn event from the BCI Cultivation Co-Op. It was the best L

How can we as a family of churches work toward breaking bondage of sin in our communities? As a convention, we have partnered with some great gospel-centered ministries through what we call the “Breaking Bondage Initiative.” In the episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast, BCI Executive Director Tim Lubinus tells us more about this new initiative. We discuss the five amazing min

What does “Local Missions” mean? How can churches develop a gospel presence in their community through meeting tangible needs? In this episode, we sit down with BCI Executive Director Tim Lubinus to answer these questions. We discuss how BCI churches are serving the needy in their communities for the sake of the gospel, as well as what we do collectively as a convention to meet

What are the challenges pastors face when balancing preaching and other ministry responsibilities? How can preachers grow in their skill in the art of preaching? In this episode we are talking with two of our young pastors, Matt Reeves, pastor of First Grace Baptist Church in Sheffield, and Steve Bensema, pastor of Mosaic Church in Marshalltown. We discuss their personal preaching

What is the best way to prepare for preaching? This episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast is the second half of a conversation with Todd Stiles, Lead Pastor at First Family Church in Ankeny. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the art and craft of preaching, as well as Pastor Todd’s own personal practices for sermon preparation, rehearsal, delivery, and gathering feedback

What principles can we use to evaluate what constitutes “good preaching?” This episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast is the first half of a conversation with Todd Stiles, Lead Pastor at First Family Church in Ankeny. In addition to sharing his passion for preaching, Pastor Todd explains the 3 principles that he uses to evaluate his own preaching, his #1 tip for new preachers,

This episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast is Part 2 of a conversation that BCI Finance Manager, Chris Eller and I had with Jonathan Meyer, Student Ministries Pastor at Grace Church in Des Moines. Learn all about Pastor Jonathan’s leadership in the recently launched “BCI Youth Leader Cohort” and hear a powerful explanation of why next generation ministry is so essential to