Pastoring at Christmas - Navigating the Spiritual, Emotional, and Practical with Knute Larson

Pastoring at Christmas - Navigating the Spiritual, Emotional, and Practical with Knute Larson

Christmas 2025 is here! Today’s episode welcomes a check-in with Pastor Knute Larson as he’s recovering from the flu and reflecting on pastoring at Christmas. Our host Gary Underwood opens up about losing his family’s dog the week before Christmas and being in need of Jesus and the Good News Christmas brings. Knute talks about keeping Christ and His Mission at the center of a church Christmas and how Jesus’ nearness, understanding, love, and hope is what we need most in life. These pastors also reflect on Christmas church services and some takes on making those meaningful to people. We want to thank all of you pastors and your families for helping people see Jesus and celebrate Christ’s birth and salvation this time of year! Check out LovePastors.com to learn about our mission and ministry to pastors and their families! Let’s give life to the life-givers!

Guarding your Pastor Heart: Rhythms, Rest, and Real Life with Pastor Ross Miller

In this insightful and grounded conversation, our podcast host, Gary Underwood, sits down with Pastor Ross Miller from Evermore Church in Hartville, Ohio—a steady, thoughtful shepherd with a deep heart for spiritual formation and community. Together they unpack what ministry looks like in a rapidly changing world, the emotional and spiritual weight pastors carry, and the importance of leading with authenticity rather than performance. Ross shares stories from his journey at Evermore, what it means to slow down and pay attention to God’s work in ordinary places, and why rootedness in community matters more than ever. Gary and Ross also dive into the realities of pastoral life: the grind, the joys, the hidden pressures, and the moments God uses to remind us that we’re not alone in the work. The conversation is warm, honest, and encouraging—two friends talking ministry in the heart of Northeast Ohio, shining a light on God’s faithfulness in the everyday. * Leading with presence, not pressure * The beauty of slow, faithful ministry * Life and leadership in Hartville * How community shapes a pastor’s soul * Staying rooted when the world is unstable * Encouragement for pastors who feel tired, hidden, or stretched * “Sometimes the holiest thing we can do as leaders is slow down enough to notice the people God put right in front of us.” * “Hartville might be a small town, but God does big things in small places.” * “Pastoring isn’t about producing; it’s about shepherding.”

Seasons, Calling, and Staying Faithful: A Conversation with Pastor Dave Pacheco

In this heartfelt episode, Gary sits down with longtime friend and ministry partner Dave Pacheco to talk about their shared years of pastoring together, the highs and heartbreaks of church leadership, and how God’s call often shifts in unexpected ways. Dave opens up about his journey from youth and associate pastor to lead pastor at Delaware Grace, and how learning to step away didn’t mean stepping out of ministry. Together, Gary and Dave reflect on El Salvador trips with Compassion International, the power of friendship through hard seasons, and what it really means to love pastors well. Now serving with Encompass World Partners, Dave shares how his heart for people and the gospel has only grown—moving from one local church to a global mission. Whether you’re a pastor, church leader, or someone who loves your local shepherds, this conversation is a deep breath of encouragement and perspective.

Resetting the Pastor Soul: Shepherding Through Chaos and Finding Rest with Brannon Marshall

In this episode, Gary from LovePastors sits down over lunch at Gervasi Vineyard with Brandon Marshall, Lead Pastor of The Chapel in North Canton, Ohio. Brandon shares what it was like stepping into leadership right before COVID, navigating fifteen wild months of uncertainty, and how his church loved him well through it all. They talk about the gift of a pastoral sabbatical, rebuilding life rhythms, and what it means to be a shepherd, not just a ministry machine. You’ll hear honest reflection, laughter, and even a quick cameo from their server, Evan, who kept the conversation fueled with good food and better timing. Whether you’re a pastor catching your breath, a church leader learning how to care for your team, or someone who loves encouraging the encouragers, this one will hit home. Learn more about our movement to give life to the life-givers at LovePastors.com [http://www.lovepastors.com] right now! pastor encouragement, pastoral sabbatical, church leadership, ministry burnout, soul care, LovePastors podcast, Brandon Marshall, North Canton Chapel, Gervasi Vineyard, pastor health, spiritual rhythms, shepherding, caring for pastors, pastoral ministry, church growth, ministry leadership, Ohio pastors, faith and rest, Gary Underwood

When Pastors Need Pastoring — The Story Behind LovePastors with Gary Underwood

In this heartfelt and often hilarious episode, Tom Burns turns the mic around to interview his longtime friend — and our usual host — Gary Underwood. What unfolds is a candid journey through Gary’s story: growing up in Akron, finding faith after a heartbreak (and a broken kneecap), learning ministry from mentors like Tom Bernardo and Newt Larson, and discovering that friendship and authenticity can change everything. Gary opens up about the highs and lows of pastoral life — from leading a growing church in Delaware, Ohio, to walking through lawsuits, depression, and the redefining of “success.” Along the way, he shares how mentors, good friends, and even Taco Bell lunches shaped his understanding of what it really means to love pastors and their families. The episode builds toward the birth of LovePastors — Gary’s nonprofit focused on giving life to the life-givers. He and Tom talk about why so many pastors struggle with loneliness, why friendship is ministry, and how LovePastors exists to pursue pastors simply to encourage them, no strings attached. Key Moments: * Gary’s early influences: Jack and Rita Underwood, Tom Bernardo, and a lot of 80s music. * The moment basketball, girls, and rap music all got taken away — and God broke through. * From seminary burritos to meeting Jennie. * The emotional toll and transformation of 11 years as a lead pastor. * What LovePastors is really about — friendship over formulas, presence over performance. Listen If You: * Are a pastor or church leader who feels unseen. * Want to know what drives the LovePastors mission. * Enjoy real, laughter-filled stories about faith, calling, and redemption. Quote: “Pastors don’t need another report or retreat. They need a friend who shows up, listens, and reminds them they’re loved — no strings attached.” — Gary Underwood