By Andy Hale
This week on the CBF Podcast Conversation, we highlight the work of three leaders whose ministries help shape the life and health of congregations across the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Carrie Harris, Director of Fellowship Experiences, joins the conversation to share how she designs gatherings where relationships deepen, faith is nurtured and communities are strengthened. From national gatherings to retreats and leadership events, Carrie reflects on the art and spiritual practice of creating spaces where belonging and transformation can take root.
We’re also joined by Brian Foreman and Kelly Adams from CBF Congregational Ministries, who offer a glimpse into several initiatives supporting churches and leaders today. They discuss the upcoming Thriving Children’s initiative, the Fellows program that cultivates emerging leaders, and gatherings like Selah Vie and the Advocacy Conference that help connect faith with formation and public witness. Throughout the conversation, Brian and Kelly reflect on how these resources are helping churches grow in creativity, safety, inclusion and leadership development.
Together, these leaders remind us that thriving congregations don’t happen by accident—they grow through intentional relationships, thoughtful formation, and communities committed to nurturing faith across generations. If you’re a pastor, volunteer, or congregational leader looking for encouragement and resources, this episode offers a window into the people and programs working to support your ministry.
Listen to this week’s podcast here.
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CBF’s podcast shares stories from across the Fellowship and innovative practices of those working to renew God’s world. The vision is to share ideas, stories, and innovations from ministers, authors, and practitioners.
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Sponsorship
This podcast is presented by:
- Baylor’s Garland School of Social Work: Social workers can be found addressing the full scope of the human experience in churches, schools, prisons, government agencies, senior living centers, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies.
- Baptist Seminary of Kentucky: BSK equips leaders through their Homegrown Initiative, offering ministry leaders training and growth that fits into their busy schedules.
- The Gardner-Webb School of Divinity: The Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity aims to equip, nurture, encourage, and support men and women for their very best service in the Kingdom of God.
- The Center for Congregational Health: Strengthening congregations through consulting, leadership coaching, and intentional ministry.
- The Baptist House of Studies at Union Presbyterian Seminary: Exists by God’s grace to educate, inspire, and support generations of bold, faithful servant leaders as they seek actively to participate in God’s mission in the world.
- Community Transformation Center: Through educational opportunities, community conversations, and research initiatives in collaboration with universities and local leaders, PBACTC is at the forefront of integrating spiritual care into holistic community development.
- Creation Justice Ministries: Creation Justice Ministries equips churches to turn conviction into faithful action with Scripture-based resources, worship guides, and community support to pursue environmental justice and care for God’s creation.
- Dawnings: Through prayerful discernment, storytelling, and collaborative visioning, Dawnings helps churches rediscover their calling and imagine their next chapter—guided by trained facilitators and grounded in God’s ongoing story.
- Congregational Ministries Team of CBF Global: Through coaching, resources, and collaborative support, CBF’s Congregational Ministries Team helps churches and ministers cultivate the five traits of thriving—Rooted Relationships, Compelling Clarity, Holy Tenacity, Strategic Agility, and Dynamic Collaboration—for faithful and flourishing ministry.
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Andy Hale is the creator and host of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Podcast. Hale is the Associate Executive Coordinator of CBF North Carolina. He’s also served as CBF’s Church Start Specialist, the founding pastor of Mosaic Church of Clayton, and the senior pastor of University Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. Follow on Twitter @haleandy.