Next Step Leadership

When Brianna Edwards was almost 5 years old, life changed drastically. Her family welcomed the birth of her brother Nathaniel, but he was born with special needs—and her mother nearly died giving birth. From ages 5 to 9½, Brianna’s “normal” became hospital visits, medical procedures, and nonstop caregiving. For many families, this is everyday life, though it’s often forgotten by others. In this conversation, Brianna reflects on how...

In this second conversation with Terry Ross, you’ll hear even more of his heart—not just his past, but his hurts and hopes. He speaks with honesty about weakness and wounds, his mission endeavors, and his decades in ministry. His story reminds us how God works uniquely in each of our lives. Tracy and Chris invite you to listen closely, learn from Terry’s experiences, and take away truths you can apply to your own journey.

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Tracy and Chris invite you to sit back and hear the remarkable story of Terry Ross. His journey weaves through years of business ventures, risky decisions, music, mission work, ministry, family, and miracles—each with lessons for all of us. Terry was climbing the ladder of business success while his deeper life was falling apart. But then, God intervened. Terry and Tracy share a long history in music, ministry, and friendship. They...

In Part 2 of their conversation with Peter Rosenberger, Chris and Tracy continue to be inspired—and believe you will be, too. Peter’s deep love and care for his wife Gracie serve as a powerful reminder of Christ’s love for us all, and of how each of us can grow in caring for those in need.

Peter does whatever he can—whatever she needs—with steady, selfless commitment. The life of a caregiver carries a unique mix of sorrow, strength,...

Few conversations on Next Step Leadership have been as honest, funny, serious, and inspiring as this week’s episode. Chris and Tracy cherished both of their conversations with Peter Rosenberger—and they believe you will too. Peter has a remarkable ability to be both hilarious and convicting in the same moment. As the longtime caregiver for his wife Gracie—who has endured nearly one hundred surgeries—Peter knows the deep realities o...

In the second episode of their conversation with Hal Donaldson, Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds believe the message is just what so many in today's world need to hear. Hal knows about wounds and scars. He knows about death and poverty. He knows about health issues and overworking. He knows about busyness as a drug of choice in this modern culture. But Hal also knows God. He knows God's love deeply and he hopes to share t...

Hal Donaldson is the president and CEO of Convoy of Hope, a global, faith-based, nonprofit organization that works with communities to address root causes of poverty and hunger. According to Forbes, Convoy of Hope is among the 50 largest charities in the United States. Through its disaster responses and community development programs, Convoy has distributed more than $3 billion worth of food and supplies, helped more than 300 milli...

In this second conversation, Pastor Greg Dixon picks up where last week's episode ended. Chris and Tracy want you to hear these types of stories. We might pretend to be strong while deep inside wounds are impacting us. We might present powerful messages and vision and teaching sessions and songs, while our inner worlds carry the pain from past encounters. True leaders seek to be in the job that is best for them and for the peo...

Tracy and Chris invite you to join their time with Pastor Greg Dixon. Like each episode in Next Step Leadership, this week's words are valuable for all who listen. Greg serves as executive pastor at Upward Christian Fellowship in Flat Rock, NC.  Years ago, Greg's lead Pastor died unexpectedly. Greg began to serve as lead pastor during a very difficult season of life and ministry.  In this conversation, Greg tells his test...

Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds are glad you decided to join them in this week's episode of Next Step Leadership. As you listen to Pastor Brandon Goff's words, think about where you are in your personal journey and in your ministry. What lessons can you learn from Brandon's guidance? What beliefs do you often neglect? What statements of faith should be more a part of your everyday life? Through teaching, pastoring, ...

This week and next week you will hear the conversation Tracy and Chris enjoyed with Pastor Brandon Goff. Brandon is the lead pastor at Radiate Church in Columbia, SC. Their church emphasizes the importance of loving God, loving others, and loving life. They believe life doesn't end when a church service concludes. They seek to build relationships which show God's love throughout the week and throughout every season. Throu...

Revived and Kickin' (Survival to Revival: A Forty Day Journey Through the Wilderness), an amazing book by Joel de Jesus, is ideal literature for today's leaders. Hear his story in this week's Next Step Leadership podcast with Tracy and Chris. Pick up his book and read about what his wilderness experiences were--and are—like. Have you ever felt God was silent? Have you ever obeyed God, and the outcomes of your decisio...

Author and business leader Joel de Jesus tells a story you don't want to miss. Listen to his testimony of difficulties, potential success, obedience to God, conflict, rejection, disaster, and hope. Yes, God places hope in the middle of life's storms. Leaders—and everyone in any role—often assume healing comes when all the external circumstances are resolved, when conflict concludes, when healing comes, when all the needs ...

Chris and Tracy continue their conversation with Pastor Randy Hill. Randy served in production and business for many years, and he now continues working in pastoral ministry. Through his seasons of mourning and grieving, joy and pain in ministry, seeking God and obeying the Father, Randy knows about death and sadness while also knowing the miracles of God. His story is so needed in today's world of leadership. Hear his desire ...

Randy Hill serves as a pastor, seeking to make a positive difference in the lives of other people. Randy also serves in denominational leadership. Through his years of pastoring, Randy has learned many lessons. Tracy and Chris enjoyed hearing Randy's story of growing up in church and seeing many miracles. Do we still believe in miracles? If so, why? If not, why? As a young child Randy traveled with his father who was leading r...

Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell hope this second episode in their interview with Jeff McCoy continues guiding you through his journey from pain to healing. It is not just a few steps to success type of process. It is not just a learn-this-lesson-quickly-and-all-will-be-simple. No, our stories include conflict. They include terrible decisions. They include times of asking God questions we never thought we would ask Him. And, they c...

Interview with Jeff McCoy, Part 1 - Season 5, Episode 10

This week and next week Pastor Chris and Pastor Tracy invite you to listen to a story of both deep sadness and true joy. As they engage in a conversation with their dear friend Jeff McCoy, they believe we all can learn important life lessons from his testimony. Jeff tells of his early years—life with God and family and friends and music. God and music have been, and continue t...

Welcome to the second episode of Chris and Tracy’s conversation with the amazing staff from Living Hope Church in Lenoir, NC. Pastor Keith Gilliam and his servant leaders invite you to listen in as they continue their dialogue is this installation that lasts a little longer than the normal weekly Next Step Leadership Podcasts. They discuss key topics related to leading a congregation together rather than apart, applying biblical pr...

Each one of the Next Step Leadership Podcasts for the last few years lasts only a little over twenty minutes. Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell know listeners are in a hurry, so they try to provide important information in a brief segment of time. But today’s episode is the first in a two-part conversation with a church staff—and both chats will be about twice the length of time the podcasts normally last. Why? Not just doing someth...