Growing Churches with Judson Aulie

How Fusion Church Went from 5 People to 500+ in the Northeast

In this episode, we sit down with Pastor Armando Palazzo to hear the story of how Fusion Church grew from just 5 people to over 500 in regular attendance — in one of the hardest places to plant a church. Armando shares the challenges of launching in New York’s spiritually resistant culture, the intentional systems that keep their “back door” almost shut, and how their monthly Impact Ministry is turning skeptics and even atheists into followers of Jesus. We also dive into Fusion’s digital strategy that’s reached over 3 million people with the gospel, the importance of authenticity in ministry, and the leadership health that fuels healthy church culture. Whether you’re a pastor, church leader, or simply passionate about seeing the gospel advance, this conversation will inspire you with practical insights for growth and long-term impact.

How to Maximize the $10K Google Ad Grant for Your Church

Most churches qualify for the Google Ad Grant… but the majority are only spending a fraction of it. In this episode, Judson breaks down how your church can move beyond the basics and actually unlock the full $10,000/month in free Google Ads. You’ll learn: * Why most churches only spend $300/month — and how to avoid that trap * How to create content that ranks in both Google and AI search results * Strategies for matching your ads with real-life search queries like “Does God love me?” * The role of Performance Max (PMAX) campaigns in today’s AI-driven landscape * Why blog posts still dominate — and how AI can help you write them fast This episode is perfect for pastors, church communicators, or anyone managing digital outreach in a ministry setting. Let’s turn that Google Grant into a powerful ministry tool. 👉 Free Google Grant Course: clicknonprofit.com/google-ad-grant-acquisition-course 👉 Learn more at clicknonprofit.com [https://clicknonprofit.com]

Thursday Church? Why Bethlehem Church Is Breaking the Mold (and Growing Fast)

What happens when your pastor walks in and says, “What if we launched a Thursday service?” For Bethlehem Church in Georgia, that idea sparked a wave of unexpected growth—and it hasn’t slowed down since. In this episode of Growing Churches, Judson Aulie sits down with Candy Greene, Communications Director at Bethlehem Church, to unpack how a 20+ year member transitioned into leading one of the fastest-growing multi-site churches in the region. They explore: * How Bethlehem launched a thriving Thursday night service (with 800+ in attendance) * Why vulnerability is driving transformation—and how men are stepping up * How mental health, digital strategy, and personal follow-up fuel authentic connection * What “the new church foyer” really is—and how to make it work * The volunteer culture and first-time guest experience that keeps people coming back Whether you're a lead pastor or a communications director, this episode is packed with practical insights and powerful encouragement for churches navigating growth, innovation, and deep community impact.

How Alinea Church Gets First-Time Guests to Actually Come Back (and Stick Around)

How do you turn first-time guests into fully engaged members of your church family? Pastor Jeremy Pickwell of Alinea Church in Murfreesboro, TN, shares what it really takes to create a culture where people feel seen, known, and called into community — and why that starts long before the sermon ever begins. In this episode, Jeremy opens up about the challenges of launching a church in the middle of COVID, the lessons he learned in the “wilderness” season of low attendance, and how his team built a follow-up system that’s both personal and scalable. From handwritten notes and donut gift cards to practical changes in Sunday rhythms, he walks through the small, intentional decisions that have led to real, lasting growth. He also unpacks the power of their mantra: “We’re a church for anyone, but not for everyone.” Whether you're a church planter, communications leader, or just trying to build a more welcoming environment at your church, this conversation is packed with practical insights and honest encouragement. Jeremy’s approach is theologically grounded, deeply relational, and refreshingly real — and it’s helping guests not only show up, but stick around.

How Liquid Church Built a Thriving Digital Ministry

In this episode of Growing Churches, we sit down with Lauren Bercarich and Brooke Stempert from Liquid Church—one of the most digitally forward-thinking churches in the country. They share how Liquid embraced digital ministry long before the pandemic, what it looks like to build a 7-day discipleship strategy, and how they’ve empowered teams and volunteers across multiple campuses. We also talk about the lessons learned from digital missteps, how to reach millennial moms and young adults more effectively, and what it really takes to balance online and in-person ministry in today’s world. Whether you're leading a church, managing communications, or just exploring how to grow in a digital age, this episode is packed with practical insight and real encouragement.