Episode 88 - “From Calling to Impact: The Journey of Willa Dean Montgomery”

Episode 88 - “From Calling to Impact: The Journey of Willa Dean Montgomery”

In today’s episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Dr. Don Hicks welcomes Willa Dean Montgomery for a deeply insightful conversation about calling, resilience, and leadership development. Willa’s journey is anything but ordinary. From serving as a Medical Specialist in the United States Army to becoming a pastor, nonprofit founder, and doctoral student, her life reflects a powerful testimony of faith in action. Throughout the episode, Willa shares how her early experiences in healthcare and service shaped her heart for people, eventually leading her into ministry. She opens up about founding Gospel of Grace Church and developing leadership training programs designed to equip others for effective ministry. Listeners will also hear about her passion for education, including her pursuit of advanced degrees in ministry and higher education administration. Willa explains how academic training combined with spiritual growth has enabled her to build systems, lead organizations, and mentor future leaders. In addition, this episode highlights her extensive community outreach work, including: Shoes for Kidz Ministry (supporting children in need) Rising to Lead Scholarship Fund (investing in student success) Food bank and community resource initiatives Willa also speaks honestly about the challenges she has faced—balancing ministry, education, finances, and leadership responsibilities—while remaining committed to God’s calling. This conversation is both practical and inspirational, offering encouragement to leaders who may feel overlooked, overwhelmed, or uncertain about their next step.  Tell us how we're doing [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/fan_mail/new] Strength for the Journey Podcast [https://strengthforthejourney.buzzsprout.com/] A weekly short inspirational message from Trish Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/support] If you've been enjoying the weekly insights and engaging discussions from our channel, we have a heartfelt request for you. By becoming a subscriber, you can play a crucial role in supporting our mission to deliver quality content every week. Your subscription not only fuels our passion but also enables us to enhance our teaching and broaden our reach. Every contribution—no matter how small—makes a significant difference. Together, we can continue to foster a vibrant community dedicated to learning and growth. Join us on this journey; your support can help us make an even greater impact! Thank you for considering this opportunity to help us thrive.   Thank you for listening to our podcast. To learn more about Church Health Solutions visit our website: https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com [https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com]

Episode 87 - "From a Dream to a Calling: A Personal Journey of Faith, Family, and Care"

In this powerful episode of Church Leadership in Focus, Dr. Don Hicks sits down with Vickie Runk, co-founder of Runk & Pratt Senior Living Communities. Together, they explore how faith, family values, and servant leadership have shaped a thriving model of senior care in Central Virginia. Vickie shares her journey from social work to building a multi-generational ministry of care—one that treats residents not as clients, but as family. This conversation offers profound insights for pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone seeking to lead with compassion, excellence, and purpose. You can find out more or if listeners want to hear more about her story and senior topics, they can listen to her show "Around the Table with Vickie," on podcast channels or locally on WLNI every Saturday at 11:30am. Website: https://vickietalk.com [https://vickietalk.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AroundTheTableWithVickie [https://www.youtube.com/@AroundTheTableWithVickie] "Runk & Pratt Senior Living Communities"  Website: https://www.runkandpratt.com [https://www.runkandpratt.com/] Email: info@runkandpratt.com [info@runkandpratt.com] Phone: (434) 237-2268 Tell us how we're doing [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/fan_mail/new] Techknow Computer Center, LLC [https://www.techknowcc.com] Proud sponsor of the Church Leadership in Focus Podcast. Strength for the Journey Podcast [https://strengthforthejourney.buzzsprout.com/] A weekly short inspirational message from Trish Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/support] If you've been enjoying the weekly insights and engaging discussions from our channel, we have a heartfelt request for you. By becoming a subscriber, you can play a crucial role in supporting our mission to deliver quality content every week. Your subscription not only fuels our passion but also enables us to enhance our teaching and broaden our reach. Every contribution—no matter how small—makes a significant difference. Together, we can continue to foster a vibrant community dedicated to learning and growth. Join us on this journey; your support can help us make an even greater impact! Thank you for considering this opportunity to help us thrive.   Thank you for listening to our podcast. To learn more about Church Health Solutions visit our website: https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com [https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com]

Episode 86 - “We Find God When We Let Go: Surrendering the Ego in the Face of Life and Death”

In this powerful and reflective episode, Dr. Don Hicks explores the profound spiritual truth that we find God when we release our grip on self-centered living. Drawing from the candid remarks of a public figure facing terminal illness, this conversation confronts the illusion of self-sufficiency and the quiet pride that often places us at the center of our own universe. Together, we examine how modern culture reinforces ego, identity-building, and personal control—while Scripture and life experience point us toward humility, surrender, and dependence on God. Through themes of suffering, aging, and mortality, this episode reveals how crises can dismantle self-idolatry and open the door to deeper faith, compassion, and meaning. Listeners will be challenged to reflect on where ego may still dominate their lives and encouraged to embrace the freeing, life-giving posture of surrender—making room for something far greater than themselves. Tell us how we're doing [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/fan_mail/new] Strength for the Journey Podcast [https://strengthforthejourney.buzzsprout.com/] A weekly short inspirational message from Trish Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/support] If you've been enjoying the weekly insights and engaging discussions from our channel, we have a heartfelt request for you. By becoming a subscriber, you can play a crucial role in supporting our mission to deliver quality content every week. Your subscription not only fuels our passion but also enables us to enhance our teaching and broaden our reach. Every contribution—no matter how small—makes a significant difference. Together, we can continue to foster a vibrant community dedicated to learning and growth. Join us on this journey; your support can help us make an even greater impact! Thank you for considering this opportunity to help us thrive.   Thank you for listening to our podcast. To learn more about Church Health Solutions visit our website: https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com [https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com]

Episode 85 - "What if one of the greatest missing elements in church leadership today is something no one is talking about?"

In this compelling episode of Church Leadership in Focus, Don Hicks confronts a deeply important reality: pastors are often leading without protection. While they faithfully preach, counsel, and shepherd others, they are simultaneously absorbing criticism, navigating conflict, and carrying heavy emotional burdens—often alone.  Through a powerful real-life story and decades of ministry insight, Don uncovers the widespread impact of this issue—not just on pastors, but on their families and entire churches. He introduces a simple yet transformative idea: every pastor needs a bodyguard—a committed group of people who will intentionally pray, support, defend, and stand alongside their leader.  In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why many pastors experience burnout, discouragement, and isolation * The hidden role of “pathological antagonists” and silent bystanders *  How unprotected leadership affects the health of the entire church *  Five practical ways to become a “spiritual bodyguard” for your pastor * A vision for creating a culture of protection, encouragement, and resilience This episode is a must-listen for pastors, elders, deacons, ministry leaders, and church members who want to move from passive support to active protection. ~~ Healthy churches are built when leaders are supported—and protected. ~~ Tell us how we're doing [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/fan_mail/new] Strength for the Journey Podcast [https://strengthforthejourney.buzzsprout.com/] A weekly short inspirational message from Trish Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/support] If you've been enjoying the weekly insights and engaging discussions from our channel, we have a heartfelt request for you. By becoming a subscriber, you can play a crucial role in supporting our mission to deliver quality content every week. Your subscription not only fuels our passion but also enables us to enhance our teaching and broaden our reach. Every contribution—no matter how small—makes a significant difference. Together, we can continue to foster a vibrant community dedicated to learning and growth. Join us on this journey; your support can help us make an even greater impact! Thank you for considering this opportunity to help us thrive.   Thank you for listening to our podcast. To learn more about Church Health Solutions visit our website: https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com [https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com]

Episode 84 - “Shepherding the Flock: Lessons from the Front Lines of Pastoral Ministry” A conversion with Pastor Frank Gonzalez

In this episode, Dr. Don Hicks and Dr. Frank Gonzalez explore the realities of pastoral ministry. From sermon preparation to conflict resolution and leadership growth, this conversation provides practical and spiritual insight for pastors at every stage of ministry. https://ccnorthlakes.com/ [https://ccnorthlakes.com/] Tell us how we're doing [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/fan_mail/new] Strength for the Journey Podcast [https://strengthforthejourney.buzzsprout.com/] A weekly short inspirational message from Trish Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/support] If you've been enjoying the weekly insights and engaging discussions from our channel, we have a heartfelt request for you. By becoming a subscriber, you can play a crucial role in supporting our mission to deliver quality content every week. Your subscription not only fuels our passion but also enables us to enhance our teaching and broaden our reach. Every contribution—no matter how small—makes a significant difference. Together, we can continue to foster a vibrant community dedicated to learning and growth. Join us on this journey; your support can help us make an even greater impact! Thank you for considering this opportunity to help us thrive.   Thank you for listening to our podcast. To learn more about Church Health Solutions visit our website: https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com [https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com]