KCU Podcast
Discover how to live as everyday disciple-makers in Kansas City and beyond. Through real stories, practical tools, and inspiring conversations, we equip you to Get to Know KCU, Train as Missionaries, and Multiply Disciple-Makers. Join us as we explore what it means to bring the beauty, justice, and Good News of Jesus to where you live, work, learn, and play.
Teach Us to Pray with Rob Wegner
In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian and Cory interview Rob Wegner with a conversation about what it looks like to enter a new neighborhood with open eyes, open hands, and a prayerful imagination. Rob shares the story of moving across Kansas City with Michelle, learning the rhythms of a new place, and resisting the pressure to make something happen too quickly. From daily walks with their dog to neighborhood cleanups, front-yard conversations, parties, and unexpected friendships, Rob reflects on how prayer has helped them notice where Jesus is already at work. We explore prayer as a way of becoming present: awake to beauty and brokenness, attentive to people, and available to the invitations God places in front of us. Rob talks about people of peace, the difference between intentionality and agenda, the importance of solitude and silence, and the simple practices that help ordinary disciples see their own neighborhoods with fresh eyes. It is an encouraging reminder that mission does not begin with a strategy or a checklist, but with learning to be with Jesus and joining him in the places where he has already gone ahead of us.
Teach Us to Pray with Jack Price
In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian and Cory are joined by Jack Price, disciple-maker and global coach with Novo, for a conversation about cultivating a life of prayer that naturally overflows into disciple-making. As part of the Teach Us to Pray series, Jack reflects on growing up in a family where prayer, listening to God, and making disciples were woven into everyday life. From prayer walking school hallways and leading Discovery Bible Studies as a teenager to seeing God move across college campuses and among unreached communities around the world, Jack shares how learning to hear God's voice has shaped every season of his journey. This episode explores what it means to become the kind of person who expects God to speak and is willing to respond with simple obedience. Jack, Brian, and Cory discuss listening prayer, prayer walking, spiritual discernment, and the patient work of partnering with the Holy Spirit over months and even years. Through stories of transformation, healing, and disciple-making, this episode offers a vision of prayer not as preparation for mission, but as the very way we discover where Jesus is already at work and faithfully join Him in the harvest.
Microchurch Conference: Morgan Greer
In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian sits down with Morgan Greer during the recent Microchurch Conference to reflect on what stood out while gathering with microchurch leaders and networks from across the country and around the world. Morgan shares how hearing diverse stories of disciple-making, welcoming the stranger, and experimenting with new expressions of mission reminded him of the freedom and beauty of following Jesus in creative, contextual ways. He also reflects on moving through fear and hostility toward genuine hospitality, what it means to stay present to the work of the Holy Spirit, and how ordinary faithfulness in places like juvenile detention centers can become a meaningful witness to the kingdom. Morgan encourages listeners to keep listening to Jesus, keep experimenting, and keep taking simple steps of obedience toward the people and places God is putting on their hearts.
Formed in Living Missionally
In this episode of the Kansas City Underground podcast, we dive into the second phase of the Disciple Maker Pathway, focusing on living on mission. Join us as we explore the importance of identity formation, the role of 'Bless Rhythms,' and how embracing our identity as God's people transforms our mission. We talk about how these rhythms shape us to become interruptible, generous, curious, and patient like Jesus, and how that propels us to live on our mission.
Formed in Extraordinary Prayer and Fasting
Join us as we dive into the transformative power of extraordinary prayer and fasting. In this episode, we discuss how these spiritual disciplines shape our identity and align our hearts with God's will. We talk about how solitude and fasting form us to be people that long to abide in Christ which then empowers us to live missionally. These rhythms are what shape us to sustain on mission throughout the rest of the journey.
Gospel Movements with Taylor Smith
In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Cory and Brian interview Taylor Smith to explore the transformative power of community and faith. You’ll hear how Novo, a missionary sending organization, is fostering gospel movements across diverse contexts, from Dallas to Southern Africa. Taylor shares personal insights on spiritual growth, the importance of prayer, and the journey of equipping young believers to become disciple-makers.
Planting the Gospel - The Missionary Pathway
In this episode, we’re revisiting a video series we originally released with Exponential on how microchurches plant the gospel incarnationally in their context. We’ll walk through the heart of the gospel, why it’s the power of God for salvation, and how ordinary people can embody, demonstrate, and share it in everyday life. This series is framed by the Missionary Pathway, a five-phase framework for making disciples and seeing microchurches emerge, and focuses on the third phase: planting the gospel. You’ll also hear practical tools for sharing the good news in real conversations and everyday rhythms.
Healing & Wholeness for Disciple-Makers: Thrive Hub's Unique Contribution
In this episode, Brian and Cory interview Chris Caputo, and Michael Miller, two of the directors of the Thrive Hub. We invite both of these guys to share their story, how this Hub emerged as one of the current Hubs of the KC Underground network, and the unique part Thrive plays in equipping the network toward relational and emotional flourishing, not only through training, but also through modeling it for the network. Chris and Michael emphasize the need for healthy attachments as we present a holistic Gospel narrative and share stories of how this is transforming lives in lasting ways.
Continuing the Missionary Pathway Journey
In this episode, Cory and Brian walk through next steps after the Missionary Pathway. We primarily focus on the building teams, but we also mention the importance of reproducing the Pathway with other leaders, joining a network, and engaging ongoing coaching. We also share some real-life stories of what we've seen as leaders take these steps. Ready to facilitate a huddle? Head to missionarypathway.com and register. Or, join our next training huddle. "Commitment to the mission requires ongoing engagement and support."
Finding Persons of Peace
In this episode, Brian and Cory explore the concept of the 'Person of Peace' within the context of the Missionary Pathway. We emphasize the importance of finding individuals who are spiritually open and relationally connected to facilitate the spread of the gospel. We talk about practical steps for identifying and engaging with these individuals, the role of miracles in this process, and how to effectively communicate the message of Jesus.
Prayer Walking
In this episode, Cory and Brian will walk through the tool of prayer walking. This is another important tool in Phase 1 of the Missionary Pathway of prayer and fasting. We use prayer walking as a tool for community engagement and spiritual authority. We'll explore the concept of intercession, the significance of understanding one's mission field, and the balance between spiritual warfare and relational outreach. Prayer walking helps us to engage both spiritually and physically in our communities to foster disciple-making and spiritual growth.
The Bless Five Tool – Praying with Kingdom Authority
In this episode, Brian and Cory discuss the importance of effective prayer tools in disciple-making movements by highlighting a tool we've found very helpful in our training in Kansas City. We call it the Bless Five tool. Most of us have been taught intercessory prayer and that's primarily the way we pray. We haven't been taught declarative prayer, emphasizing the authority believers have in prayer as agents of the Kingdom of God. While you can find this tool in the Missionary Pathway training, we wanted to walk you though it as a practical tool you can begin using if you're not already.