The Disciple-Making Church Podcast

Is your church growing the way it should be? If your church feels stuck or stagnant, the answer may not be a new program or a bigger budget. It may start with asking the right questions.

In this episode of the Disciple Making Church Podcast, Ron Cansler sits down with Ken Adams, Lead Pastor of Crossroads Church and Founder and Director of Impact Discipleship Ministries, to explore four crucial questions every church should regularly ask:

• Is the mission clear, and do people actually know it?
• Does your church have a growth strategy, and is it working?
• Are your growth environments balanced and effective?
• Is your church developing the right kind of leaders?

Jesus modeled an intentional process for developing fully trained disciples and equipping them for leadership. Yet many churches have a menu of programs without a clear pathway to help people grow. In this conversation, Ken and Ron discuss how churches can follow Jesus’ model, evaluate their disciple-making environments, develop leaders, and create a practical ministry action plan for the year ahead.

Whether you are a pastor, church leader, small group leader, or someone who cares about the health of your church, these four questions can help you identify opportunities for growth and move forward with purpose.

Impact Discipleship Ministries exists to inspire people and churches to Be and Build Disciples of Jesus Christ. We are committed to helping churches develop effective disciple-making strategies that lead to healthy churches and multiplying disciples.

Learn more about our Disciple Making Church seminar and request a starter pack at https://impactdisciples.com.

Healthy churches make disciples. Disciples make disciples. Until next time, go make disciples!

What is the difference between having discipleship in your church and actually being a disciple-making church?

In this episode, Ken Adams and Ron Cansler tackle some of the most common questions they hear from pastors and church leaders. They explore why every church should be committed to making disciples, what Jesus’ model of disciple-making looks like, and why discipleship and evangelism must work together.

They also discuss the obstacles that keep churches from moving toward a disciple-making culture—including past models of ministry, leadership alignment, and the tendency to treat discipleship as simply another program.

One powerful distinction in this conversation is the difference between a “menu” church and a “map” church. Jesus didn’t give His followers a menu of ministry options. He gave them a pathway to follow.

If your church is asking how to move from programs and activities toward a clear pathway for making fully trained disciples, this episode will give you plenty to think about.

It’s not necessarily easy—but it can be simple, biblical, practical, and applicable.

Learn more at http://ImpactDisciples.com.

You Never Graduate from Discipleship: The Power of 6:40 Groups

What happens after someone completes a discipleship curriculum?

For many believers, spiritual growth begins to lose momentum once the lessons are over. In this episode of the Disciple-Making Church Podcast, Pastor Ken Adams is joined by Jasper Kent and Josh Drop to discuss 6:40 Groups—a simple but powerful way to continue growing as a disciple of Jesus through intentional relationships and monthly accountability.

Inspired by Luke 6:40, a 6:40 Group isn't another Bible study or curriculum. Instead, it's a small group of believers who meet regularly to encourage one another, evaluate their spiritual growth, and stay focused on becoming more like Christ in both character and conduct.

In This Episode

• Why discipleship is a lifelong journey—not a completed course
• The biblical foundation behind 6:40 Groups (Luke 6:40)
• The difference between learning information and experiencing transformation
• How monthly accountability helps believers stay intentional in their walk with Christ
• The importance of Christlike character and conduct
• Practical ways churches can build a culture of ongoing disciple-making

Key Takeaways

• You never graduate from discipleship.
• Accountability works best when you're willing to invite others into your life.
• Spiritual growth happens best through intentional relationships.
• Becoming like Jesus requires both purpose and perseverance.
• Every disciple needs people who will lovingly ask, "How are you doing?"

Resources

📖 Download the FREE Impact discipleship curriculum: https://impactdisciples.com

📧 Want to start a 6:40 Group? Email info@impactdisciples.com and request your FREE 6:40 Group Guide.

Connect with Impact Discipleship Ministries

🌐 Website: https://impactdisciples.com

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who wants to become a fully trained disciple of Jesus.

"A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." — Luke 6:40

"If you're not discipling students, someone is. The question is: who?"

In this episode of the Disciple-Making Church Podcast, Ken Adams is joined by Dominic Jacques and Slade McClain to discuss why intentional disciple-making during the middle school, high school, and college years is more important than ever.

Dominic shares how a simple invitation to disciple one student grew into years of intentional investment, ministry together, and even teaching pastors in Zambia. Slade reflects on how that discipleship relationship shaped his calling into ministry and how he's now investing in others.

Together, they explore:

• Why students aren't just the future of the Church—they are the Church today.
• How disciple-making relationships transform lives.
• Practical ways churches can build a disciple-making pathway for students.
• Why consistency and intentional relationships matter more than programs.
• How Jesus' model of disciple-making continues to change lives across generations and cultures.

Whether you're a pastor, student pastor, church leader, volunteer, or parent, this conversation will encourage you to invest intentionally in the next generation of disciple-makers.

Learn more about Impact Discipleship Ministries: https://impactdisciples.com

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nFY0yssetEc

What happens when a church moves beyond Bible study and fully commits to making disciples?

In this episode of the Disciple Making Podcast, Ken Adams sits down with leaders from Greenbrier Church in Alabama to share how God transformed their church culture through intentional disciple-making.

What started as a desire to grow deeper turned into a movement—where new believers are being discipled immediately, small groups are multiplying, and lives are being changed both locally and globally.

You’ll hear powerful, real-life stories of: • Life change happening in small groups • New believers stepping into leadership • A church reaching people far from God—not just transferring members • Disciple-making spreading internationally, from Alabama to Africa

This conversation will challenge and encourage pastors, leaders, and believers to rethink what it truly means to follow the Great Commission.

If you're ready to see real transformation in your church or ministry, this episode will inspire your next step.

👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JkM8bPVIpok5

What happens when ordinary men commit to intentional discipleship in the context of a local church?

In this episode of the Disciple Making Church Podcast, Ken Adams is joined by Glenn Howell and Chris Thomas—two faithful church members at Crossroads Church in Newnan, Georgia—who share their experience of walking through a two-year Impact Group together.

They talk about what the group looked like week to week, how studying Scripture and living life together deepened relationships, and the real-life changes they saw in their homes, marriages, parenting, and spiritual growth. This conversation is a powerful reminder that disciple making is not just for pastors or ministry staff—it’s for everyday believers who are willing to follow Jesus and help others do the same.

You’ll hear:

• What an Impact Group actually looks like
• Why intentional discipleship creates deeper spiritual growth
• How transparency and accountability strengthen men in the church
• The difference disciple making can make in families, workplaces, and church life
• Why multiplication—not just addition—is the goal

To learn more about Impact Ministries, disciple-making training, and resources for your church, visit http://impactdisciples.com.

The key to effective disciple making isn't found in programs or strategies, but in our love relationship with Jesus. Statistics show that 80-90% of Christians have never shared the gospel, not primarily due to lack of training, but because they aren't deeply in love with Christ. We naturally talk about what we love - sports, family, hobbies - so if we're not talking about Jesus, we need to examine our relationship with Him. True disciple making flows from delighting in God, declaring the gospel, and discipling others in reproducible relationships. When we fall deeply in love with Jesus, sharing our faith and investing in others becomes the natural overflow of our hearts.

One Summit, One Story, One Life Changed

What happens when ordinary people spend time with Jesus?

Their lives are transformed—and so are churches.

In this month’s episode, Ken Adams sits down with Ethan Thompson, who shares a powerful, honest story of how God used the Disciple Making Summit, community, and discipleship to radically change his life. From brokenness and searching… to faith, growth, and purpose—Ethan’s testimony is a reminder that God still uses everyday people to change the world (Acts 4:13).

This conversation is real, hopeful, and deeply encouraging for anyone:

• Exploring faith

• Walking through hard seasons

• Leading or building a disciple-making church

Share this with someone who needs hope today

And don’t forget—Disciple Making Summit | January 30–31

Learn more & register at https://impactdisciples.com/summit/2026

Join Ken Adams and Kathryn Rahn on the Disciple Making Church Podcast as they walk through the heart and vision behind the Disciple Making Summit 2026—Impact Ministries’ largest discipleship event of the year.

In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why the Summit exists and who it’s for • This year’s theme: Ordinary Disciple Makers (Acts 4:13) • Keynote speakers and breakout sessions • How to register and plan your Summit experience

Whether you’re a pastor, church leader, or disciple maker, this episode will inspire and equip you to grow a culture of disciple making in your local church.

Register for the Summit: https://impactdisciples.com/summit/2026 Watch the full podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zHrQuNf1MiI

Discovery Groups are small, home-based outreach groups designed to connect with people far from God by addressing real-life needs like marriage challenges. These 5-6 week groups bring together couples from the same neighborhood to discuss practical marriage tools in a safe, welcoming environment. Led by volunteer couples without special training, they use structured materials that encourage authentic sharing and relationship building. The approach combines evangelism and discipleship, often leading to gospel conversations and lasting friendships. Many groups result in people coming to faith or connecting with local churches, making this a powerful strategy for community outreach that has been producing fruit for over twenty years.

What if your church could return to the simple but powerful mission Jesus gave 2,000 years ago? Impact Ministries is helping churches worldwide move from event-driven programming to relationship-driven discipleship. From building training centers in Zambia to reaching 2,000 leaders in Uganda, this global movement is creating eternal impact. How is your church currently making disciples? What would transformation look like in your community?

Many churches scramble for leaders—but Jesus showed a better way. He didn’t tell us to make leaders; He told us to make disciples. From discipleship flows leaders who know the mission, embody Christ’s character, and develop others.

Learn how intentional discipleship creates a “stock pond” of ready-to-lead, Christ-centered leaders. Strong disciples = strong leaders. 🚀

🎧 Learn more at http://impactdisciples.com. Check out the podcast!

Is your church just offering discipleship as one option on the menu, or is your entire church the pathway to spiritual growth? Jesus didn't have a discipleship program—He WAS the pathway. What if everything your church does moved people intentionally toward becoming disciples who make disciples? Discover the game-changing shift from having a pathway to being one!

What if we could recapture Jesus' original blueprint for church growth? He didn't build with programs or buildings—He built through disciples who made disciples. Are your evangelism and discipleship efforts separated or integrated as Jesus intended? Discover how returning to His simple but revolutionary approach could transform your ministry and unleash exponential growth.

Church planting should focus on establishing disciple-making communities that follow Jesus' original model, not just starting new gatherings. Jesus planted the first church by embedding Himself in a community, building a leadership team, attracting followers, creating small groups, developing disciples, and raising reproducible leaders. Effective church planting requires training, community, resources, mentorship, and financial support. The ultimate goal isn't merely increasing the number of churches but creating movements of multiplying disciples who transform communities and fulfill the Great Commission as Jesus intended.

Jesus didn't just hang out with His disciples—He intentionally taught them theology, Scripture, prayer, and mission. Are we creating informed Christians or transformed disciples who can multiply? Discover the critical elements of effective discipleship that creates not just followers, but disciple-makers who reflect Christ's character and continue His mission

In this episode of the Impact Discipleship Podcast, we dive into a personal story of transformation—how one conversation in 2016 shifted the direction of my faith journey forever.

I share how I went from simply volunteering with teens to leading intentional small groups of men focused on making disciples who make disciples. You'll hear how God used a simple truth to inspire lasting impact:

"Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the apples in a seed."

We talk legacy, leadership, spiritual multiplication, and the calling each of us has to invest in others.

✅ Whether you're new to disciple making or leading your 5th group, this episode will encourage and challenge you to step into your calling.

🔗 Learn more about our mission at: https://impactdisciples.com 📱 Follow us on Instagram: @impactdisciples

In this episode of the Impact Discipleship Podcast, we dive into a personal story of transformation—how one conversation in 2016 shifted the direction of my faith journey forever.

I share how I went from simply volunteering with teens to leading intentional small groups of men focused on making disciples who make disciples. You'll hear how God used a simple truth to inspire lasting impact:

"Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the apples in a seed."

We talk legacy, leadership, spiritual multiplication, and the calling each of us has to invest in others.

✅ Whether you're new to disciple making or leading your 5th group, this episode will encourage and challenge you to step into your calling.

🔗 Learn more about our mission at: https://impactdisciples.com 📱 Follow us on Instagram: @impactdisciples

Discipleship is a transformative journey that begins when someone invests in our spiritual growth. Through consistent Bible study, mentorship, and intentional relationships, disciples learn to pour into others' lives while deepening their own faith. This multiplication effect creates generations of believers who understand and apply God's Word. The key to successful discipleship lies in making it a non-negotiable priority, focusing on younger generations, and creating sustainable patterns of spiritual growth and leadership development.

Athletics provides a powerful platform for demonstrating Christ-like character and making disciples. Through intentional discipleship in sports, individuals can model the fruit of the Spirit while competing at high levels. Effective discipleship involves regular small group meetings, systematic teaching, and practical application in competitive contexts. Athletes and coaches can significantly impact others by demonstrating Spirit-controlled responses, positively influencing teammates and opponents, and building intentional relationships focused on spiritual growth.