From Drug Pusher to Pastor: Nick Newman’s Story of Redemption, Rest, and Calling

From Drug Pusher to Pastor: Nick Newman’s Story of Redemption, Rest, and Calling

In this episode of The Outstand Podcast, Chandler Boyce [https://www.instagram.com/chandlerdboyce/] sits down with Nick Newman, pastor, church planter, author, entrepreneur, coach, and founder of Selah Leaders. Nick’s story is almost hard to believe. He started using drugs at twelve years old, was selling and running product by high school, and eventually found himself facing an estimated 40 to 60 years in prison. Then one encounter with Jesus changed everything. Nick went from addiction, drug charges, and hopelessness to preaching, pastoring, and planting a church in the same town where he once caused chaos. He even planted that church in the same school he had been kicked out of. But this conversation is not just about Nick’s redemption story. It is about calling, obedience, small-town church planting, leadership, rest, pastoral health, and what it really takes to finish well. Nick shares how God opened impossible doors in his life, how he and his wife planted Propel Church in their early twenties, why small towns still matter deeply to the mission of God, and why pastors must stop making sacrifices God never asked them to make. This episode also gets honest about the pressure leaders carry, the lie that “it’s lonely at the top,” the difference between spiritual fathers and mentors, and why learning to pause might be one of the most spiritual things a pastor can do. If you are a pastor, church planter, ministry leader, Christian entrepreneur, or someone who needs to be reminded that God can redeem any story and still use your life with purpose, this episode will challenge you, encourage you, and call you back to a healthier way of leading. Because God does not just call leaders to start well. He calls them to finish well. Content note: This episode includes discussion of drug addiction, legal trouble, ministry burnout, and suicide. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Nick Newman’s story of addiction, drug dealing, and encountering Jesus Facing an estimated 40 to 60 years in prison and watching God change the outcome What happened the night Nick gave his life to Jesus and immediately led his first Bible study How God opened doors that Nick never could have opened on his own Planting a church at 22 years old with his wife Why Nick planted Propel Church in the same town where he once caused chaos The beauty and challenge of small-town church planting Why population size does not determine ministry impact How Propel Church has seen more than 1,200 decisions and over 400 baptisms Why copying big-city church strategies does not always work in rural communities What pastors misunderstand about calling, sacrifice, and obedience How God uses what is already in your hands to fund what He put in your heart Building God’s house without neglecting your own Why rest is essential for longevity in leadership The story behind Selah Leaders and why Nick started serving pastors through getaways How leaders can avoid burnout and build sustainable rhythms Why “it’s lonely at the top” is one of the biggest lies leaders believe The difference between spiritual fathers and mentors Why every mentor Nick has had is someone he intentionally pursued What pastors need to hear if they feel like they cannot afford to pause One idea every pastor, church leader, and Christian entrepreneur needs to consider CONNECT WITH NICK NEWMAN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psnicknewman/ [https://www.instagram.com/psnicknewman/] Website: https://nicknewman.com/ [https://nicknewman.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Books by Nick Newman: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Nick-Newman/author/B0829DH64M?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=463651ff-e9ef-44d8-b72f-6dfa7888793f [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Nick-Newman/author/B0829DH64M?ccs_id=463651ff-e9ef-44d8-b72f-6dfa7888793f&ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true] Selah Leaders: https://selahleaders.com/ [https://selahleaders.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] CONNECT WITH THE OUTSTAND PODCAST The Outstand Podcast features real conversations with pastors, entrepreneurs, and leaders who refuse to blend in. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the pressure, pain, growth, faith, and discipline it takes to build something meaningful and become the kind of person who outstands the rest. Support this podcast: https://redcircle.com/tribe-error/donations [https://redcircle.com/tribe-error/donations] SPONSORED BY This episode is sponsored by Local Church Media. Local Church Media helps busy church leaders spend less time creating content and more time building relationships by providing unlimited church graphics, videos, sermon series packages, countdowns, bumper videos, and media resources in one place. Whether your church needs sermon series artwork, social media graphics, service visuals, or affordable creative support, Local Church Media exists to help churches communicate better without burning out their staff or blowing the budget. Learn more at https://localchurchmedia.com/ [https://localchurchmedia.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/outstandpodcast/exclusive-content [https://redcircle.com/outstandpodcast/exclusive-content]

Church Hurt, Staff Transitions, and Finding Purpose After Ministry with Tim Alcorn

IN THIS EPISODE OF THE OUTSTAND PODCAST, CHANDLER BOYCE SITS DOWN WITH TIM ALCORN FOR A RAW AND HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT CHURCH HURT, STAFF TRANSITIONS, MINISTRY IDENTITY, AND FINDING PURPOSE AFTER LEAVING FULL-TIME MINISTRY. Tim Alcorn is the founder of Social Ground Foundation, a marketing and media agency built to help mission-driven organizations, nonprofits, churches, and schools grow their visibility and move their mission forward. But before building his agency, Tim spent years serving in church ministry, from running sound as a kid to leading youth, worship, creative, and pastoral ministry roles. THIS CONVERSATION UNPACKS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR MINISTRY ROLE ENDS, BUT YOUR CALLING DOES NOT. Chandler and Tim talk openly about the emotional weight of leaving church staff, the identity crisis that can follow ministry transitions, and why so many pastors, church staff members, and ministry leaders struggle when a season comes to an end. They also discuss the difference between being released and being blessed, how to leave a church well, and why the way leaders handle staff transitions matters more than many realize. Tim shares what he wishes he had done differently during his ministry transitions, including the importance of communicating early, seeking wise counsel, honoring leadership, and refusing to slander the church or its leaders on the way out. Chandler and Tim also talk about forgiveness, reconciliation, and why church hurt should not become a reason to disconnect from the body of Christ. This episode also explores the tension between ministry and the marketplace. Tim shares how God used entrepreneurship, family, and mission-driven marketing to help him rediscover purpose after leaving full-time paid ministry. Together, Chandler and Tim challenge the idea that calling must always come with a paycheck and remind listeners that ministry can happen in the church, in business, in your family, and wherever God has placed you. If you have ever served on church staff, experienced church hurt, walked through a painful transition, questioned your calling, or wondered who you are after ministry changes, this conversation will encourage you, challenge you, and help you process what it looks like to heal, forgive, rebuild, and keep following God. IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: * Church hurt and how to process it in a healthy way * What happens when a church staff role ends * Finding purpose after leaving full-time ministry * The identity crisis many pastors and ministry leaders experience * How to leave a church or staff position well * Why communication with leadership matters during transition * The difference between being released and being blessed * Why your calling is bigger than your paycheck * How ministry and entrepreneurship can work together * The importance of family, humility, forgiveness, and reconciliation Whether you are a pastor, church staff member, ministry leader, Christian entrepreneur, or someone walking through a difficult church transition, this episode will help you remember that your role can change without your calling disappearing. FOLLOW TIM ALCORN AND LEARN MORE ABOUT HIS WORK: Social Ground Foundation: https://www.socialgroundfoundation.org/ Follow Tim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timothyalcorn/ CONNECT WITH THE OUTSTAND PODCAST The Outstand Podcast features real conversations with pastors, entrepreneurs, and leaders who refuse to blend in. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the pressure, pain, growth, faith, and discipline it takes to build something meaningful and become the kind of person who outstands the rest. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST: HTTPS://REDCIRCLE.COM/TRIBE-ERROR/DONATIONS [https://redcircle.com/tribe-error/donations] SPONSORED BY This episode is sponsored by Local Church Media This episode is sponsored by Local Church Media, helping churches save time and elevate their visuals with affordable, high-quality church graphics, sermon series packages, videos, social media assets, and customizable media resources. Spend less time creating content and more time building relationships. LEARN MORE AT LOCALCHURCHMEDIA.COM [http://Localchurchmedia.com] Subscribe to The OutStand Podcast for more conversations on faith, leadership, ministry, growth, and what it really takes to outstand the rest. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/outstandpodcast/exclusive-content [https://redcircle.com/outstandpodcast/exclusive-content]

Digital Discipleship, Gospel Influence, and Reaching Millions Online with Mark LeBrun

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PASTOR FROM THE HOOD BUILDS A DIGITAL MINISTRY THAT REACHES 13 MILLION PEOPLE, AND NOBODY TRAINED HIM TO DO ANY OF IT? In this episode of The Outstand Podcast, Chandler Boyce [https://www.instagram.com/chandlerdboyce/] sits down with Mark LeBrun, founder of Digital Influencer Co. and Hood Proverbs, pastor, and one of the most compelling voices in faith-driven digital media today. Mark shares the story of growing up surrounded by gang influence and drug culture, encountering Christ coming out of high school, and eventually building a digital platform that reaches hundreds of thousands of people across YouTube, social media, and beyond. This conversation gets honest about the courage it takes to do ministry differently, why Mark believes it might genuinely be a sin for a pastor to not have an online presence, what the church is missing when it comes to social media, and what he has been quietly building with Hood Proverbs that he has not shared publicly until now. If you are a pastor, church leader, Christian entrepreneur, or someone trying to figure out how faith and digital culture actually fit together, this episode will challenge you, stir you, and probably make you want to go post something. Because the gospel belongs in every sector of society. Including the ones the church has been too afraid to enter. TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * Growing up in the hood and coming to faith out of drug culture and street life * What it means to do ministry in contexts the church is not reaching * The origin and vision behind Hood Proverbs and why Mark held back for years * How a discipleship conversation at a coffee shop during COVID launched a digital business * Growing from zero to 100,000 TikTok subscribers in four months * Why Mark shifted his primary platform to YouTube and what he focuses on now * What churches and pastors are getting wrong about social media in 2026 * The difference between posting to announce and posting to actually serve people * Why Christian entrepreneurs are afraid to share their wins and why they should * The intersection of faith, business, and ministry and how to hold all three * Self-leadership rhythms for leaders whose lives are full and seasons are shifting * The lasting impact of a father's example and what gets passed down without words * What it looks like to bring gospel influence into every sector of society * Why LinkedIn is underrated for faith-based business owners * One idea Mark says every person in this audience needs to hear CONNECT WITH MARK LEBRUN * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmarklebrun/ [https://www.instagram.com/itsmarklebrun/] * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marklebrun [https://youtube.com/@marklebrun] * Digital Influencer Co. helps businesses, personal brands, and nonprofits scale their online presence through social media strategy, content marketing, and audience growth: https://www.digitalinfluencersco.com/ [https://www.digitalinfluencersco.com/] * Vantage Point Agency is a full-service marketing agency offering social media management, paid ads, SEO, web design, and CMO-level strategy for service-based businesses: https://vantagepointagency.co/ [https://vantagepointagency.co/] CONNECT WITH THE OUTSTAND PODCAST The Outstand Podcast features real conversations with pastors, entrepreneurs, and leaders who refuse to blend in. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the pressure, pain, growth, faith, and discipline it takes to build something meaningful and become the kind of person who outstands the rest. Support this podcast: https://redcircle.com/tribe-error/donations [https://redcircle.com/tribe-error/donations] Sponsored By THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY THE MARKETING CO-OP. The Marketing Co-op helps churches and faith-based nonprofits create and implement custom digital marketing strategies to reach more people, expand the mission, and build the church. From digital marketing consulting to SEO, AI strategy, Google Ads, Meta Ads, and content strategy, The Marketing Co-op partners with churches and ministries to help them grow their reach, strengthen their online presence, and connect with the people they are called to serve. Learn more at marketingco-op.co [http://marketingco-op.co] Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/outstandpodcast/exclusive-content [https://redcircle.com/outstandpodcast/exclusive-content]

The Painful Truth About Leaving Ministry

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PASTOR LEAVES MINISTRY AND HAS TO FIGURE OUT WHO THEY ARE ALL OVER AGAIN? In this episode of The Outstand Podcast, Chandler Boyce sits down with Evan Doyle, a former pastor who spent 18 years in ministry before transitioning into a new season of life, work, coaching, content, and leadership. Evan shares the story of planting a church in California, returning home, serving on staff for years, navigating church culture, and eventually stepping away from full-time ministry. This conversation gets honest about burnout, identity, family, values, vocational transition, and the complicated emotions that come when your role, church, relationships, and calling are all deeply connected. If you are a pastor, church leader, former ministry staff member, or someone walking through a major life transition, this episode will help you process the in-between with honesty, hope, and clarity. Because leaving a role does not mean your calling is over. Sometimes, it means a new version of your calling is just beginning. CONNECT WITH EVAN DOYLE * Instagram @theevandoyle [https://www.instagram.com/theevandoyle?igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D&utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet] * Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@evandoylethinks] * The in Between Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/61WjIuurHkovmXmTyjX7Ty?si=1356fb7b4e944130] - Whether you’re facing a personal, professional, or spiritual disruption, these conversations are here to help guide you through the questions, uncertainties, and opportunities that come with change. CONNECT WITH THE OUTSTAND PODCAST The Outstand Podcast features real conversations with pastors, entrepreneurs, and leaders who refuse to blend in. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the pressure, pain, growth, faith, and discipline it takes to build something meaningful and become the kind of person who outstands the rest. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST: HTTPS://REDCIRCLE.COM/TRIBE-ERROR/DONATIONS [https://redcircle.com/tribe-error/donations] SPONSORED BY This episode is sponsored by The Marketing Co-op. The Marketing Co-op helps churches and faith-based nonprofits create and implement custom digital marketing strategies to reach more people, expand the mission, and build the church. From digital marketing consulting to SEO, AI strategy, Google Ads, Meta Ads, and content strategy, The Marketing Co-op partners with churches and ministries to help them grow their reach, strengthen their online presence, and connect with the people they are called to serve. Learn more at marketingco-op.co [http://marketingco-op.co/] Subscribe to The OutStand Podcast for more conversations on faith, leadership, ministry, growth, and what it really takes to outstand the rest. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/outstandpodcast/exclusive-content [https://redcircle.com/outstandpodcast/exclusive-content]

Why Christians Need to Rethink Money, Debt & Generosity ( & Tithing)

In this episode of The Outstand Podcast, Chandler Boyce [https://www.instagram.com/chandlerdboyce/] sits down with Andrew Giorgi, founder of Financial Order Academy, for an honest and practical conversation about faith, money, debt, stewardship, generosity, and why so many Christians feel stuck when it comes to their finances. For many believers, money is one of the most stressful areas of life. Some avoid it because they do not want to idolize it. Some feel shame because of debt or poor financial decisions. Others have been taught a lot about giving and tithing, but very little about stewardship, investing, financial management, and building margin. Andrew shares his personal journey of realizing that even though he was doing what he thought were the “right” things, tithing, working hard, and providing for his family, his financial life was still full of chaos. That realization led him to confront his beliefs, habits, and behaviors around money and begin building a biblical framework for financial order. Chandler and Andrew talk about why ignoring money does not make someone more spiritual, how financial stress can quietly run your life, and why stewardship is about more than just giving. They also unpack the tension many Christians feel around debt, budgeting, Dave Ramsey, prosperity teaching, generosity, wealth building, and what it actually means to honor God with the money He has entrusted to you. This episode is for pastors, Christian business owners, ministry leaders, families, and believers who want to move from financial stress and shame into clarity, order, and faithful stewardship. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR: * Why money is such a polarizing topic in the Church * How financial avoidance can create more stress and chaos * Why stewardship is bigger than tithing * The difference between consumer debt and owner-minded debt * What Andrew appreciates about Dave Ramsey and where he sees things differently * Why pastors should teach more about stewardship, not just giving * How shame keeps people silent about financial struggles * Why Christians should learn how to manage, multiply, and steward money well * How to begin creating financial order even if you feel behind * Why building margin can lead to greater generosity Andrew also shares who Financial Order Academy is designed to help, especially six-figure earners who are making good money but know their finances are not operating at full capacity. His goal is to help people bring order to their money so they can honor God, create margin, build wisely, and live with greater intentionality. CONNECT WITH ANDREW GIORGI: * Financial Order Academy: https://financialorderacademy.com/ [https://financialorderacademy.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrew.giorgi/ [https://www.instagram.com/andrew.giorgi/] CONNECT WITH THE OUTSTAND PODCAST The Outstand Podcast features real conversations with pastors, entrepreneurs, and leaders who refuse to blend in. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the pressure, pain, growth, faith, and discipline it takes to build something meaningful and become the kind of person who stands out from the rest. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST: HTTPS://REDCIRCLE.COM/TRIBE-ERROR/DONATIONS [https://redcircle.com/tribe-error/donations] SPONSORED BY This episode is sponsored by The Marketing Co-op. The Marketing Co-op helps churches and faith-based nonprofits create and implement custom digital marketing strategies to reach more people, expand the mission, and build the church. From digital marketing consulting to SEO, AI strategy, Google Ads, Meta Ads, and content strategy, The Marketing Co-op partners with churches and ministries to help them grow their reach, strengthen their online presence, and connect with the people they are called to serve. Learn more at marketingco-op.co [http://marketingco-op.co/] Subscribe to The OutStand Podcast for more conversations on faith, leadership, ministry, growth, and what it really takes to outstand the rest. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/outstandpodcast/exclusive-content [https://redcircle.com/outstandpodcast/exclusive-content]