In this episode of Teach Us to Pray, Brian and Cory sit down with Kansas City Underground Hub Leader Lori Roy to talk about her journey of learning to pray, and what she’s seen God do through years of persistent prayer. Lori shares how she came to faith after moving to Kansas City, how praying Scripture became a lifeline as she prayed for her husband and family, and how her understanding of prayer grew into listening to and responding to the Holy Spirit. We explore the importance of giving people permission to be clumsy in prayer, modeling simple prayer for new disciples, and creating spaces where everyday people can learn to hear from God.

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.

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian and Cory begin a new season focused on extraordinary prayer, returning to the first phase of the Disciple-Maker Pathway with fresh urgency and a deeply personal invitation. Rather than offering quick answers, they open up their own journeys of conviction, hunger, and surrender, asking what it really means to become people of prayer. This conversation sets the tone for a broader learning journey, inviting listeners to rediscover prayer not as a practice to master, but as a life to enter. As we look ahead to a national prayer summit in Kansas City, September 18th - 19th, and a season of learning from others, the invitation is this: come with curiosity, humility, and a desire to be formed, “Lord, teach us to pray.”

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian and Cory wrap up their series on the Disciple-Maker Pathway by exploring what is formed in us in the phase of multiplication. They reflect on the surprising mix of joy, loss, and resilience that comes with releasing others, and how multiplication forces a deeper surrender, letting go of control, pride, and the need to be “the one.” Drawing from personal stories, Scripture, and the lived reality of pursuing an audacious vision for citywide gospel flourishing, we highlight how this phase forms a deeper dependence on Jesus, a renewed imagination for what God is doing, and a commitment to keep pressing forward even when growth feels slow or unseen. This conversation invites you to embrace the tension and beauty of multiplication, trusting that as we release, God is forming something far greater than we could build on our own.

In this episode of the Kansas City Underground podcast, Brian, Cory, and Casey Olinger discuss Casey's journey of faith, his involvement in special needs ministry at Life Centers, and his transition to a house church community. Casey shares how God has been working in his life, shaping his identity and confidence as he serves others. The conversation highlights the importance of community, discipleship, and the unique experiences of those in the special needs community.

In this episode of the Kansas City Underground podcast, Brian and Cory welcome Riley Griggs, who shares his journey from a small town in Kansas to living on mission in North Africa and back to Manhattan, Kansas. Riley discusses his experiences with the Ichthus campus ministry and how it shaped his understanding of disciple-making and community. He reflects on the importance of identity in Christ and how it influences his approach to evangelism and mission work, emphasizing the need for patience and discernment in sharing the gospel.

In this episode of the Kansas City Underground Podcast, we interview Ashlyn Griffin, a younger leader who has been developing a new team among young adults in Kansas City. From her early days in a traditional church setting to her "come to Jesus" moment, Ashlyn shares her path of faith, mission, and the challenges of disciple-making. Join us as we explore the messy yet rewarding process of living on mission, the importance of community, and the refining fire that shapes our identity in Christ.

In this episode of the Kansas City Underground podcast, we continue in our series of interviewing everyday disciple-makers about how they have become more like Jesus as they have joined him on mission. Join us as we interview Chris Renshaw and hear how his work with City Union Mission has been consistently forming his character. Chris shares how embracing vulnerability and genuine connection can lead to profound personal growth and a deeper relationship with Jesus. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that challenges us to live out our faith authentically and intentionally.

Join us on the Kansas City Underground Podcast as we interview Zephan and Taylar Allenbrand and explore how they’ve personally been formed as they join Jesus on mission. In this episode, they share their personal stories of faith, their current missional context, and the profound impact of serving within the intellectual and developmental disabilities community. This episode is all about embracing vulnerability, finding purpose, and being formed in mission.

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.

Join us on the Kansas City Underground podcast as we explore the formative power of solitude and prayer in discipleship. With insights from Bill Randall, we consider how unhurried time with God shapes our identity and mission, moving beyond checklists to a life of intentionality and intimacy.

In this episode of the Kansas City Underground Podcast, we explore the theme of identity within the Disciple Maker Pathway. Join us as we dig into the concept of 'holy discontent' and discuss how it propels individuals to become more like Jesus.

In this episode, Peter "Pheaney" Lindell from the On The Road podcast sits down with Cory and Brian from KC Underground to explore the concept of "hubs" in disciple-making movements. We discuss the importance of creating local networks that equip everyday people to become disciple makers in their networks of relationships. The conversation dives into the balance between organic growth and structured support, sharing insights on how to foster a movement that thrives both locally and citywide.

​​In this opening episode, Brian and Cory cast vision for this new series on where we will explore the radical invitation of Jesus to lead in a way that flips everything upside-down. While Western models of leadership often chase platform, power, and personality, Jesus modeled something entirely different: surrender, service, and spiritual authority rooted in love. We explore key biblical passages, Mark 10, Philippians 2, and John 13, and show how this isn’t just theory. It’s how movements are actually growing today, from underground networks in the Global South to ordinary disciple-makers in places like Kansas City.

In this episode of the Kansas City Underground podcast, Brian and Cory interview Justin Nkundabagenzi from Rwanda, discussing his journey from experiencing the Rwandan genocide to becoming a mobilizer of disciple makers. The conversation explores the importance of prayer, the transition from traditional church models to disciple-making movements, and the current state of the movement in Rwanda, highlighting the significant growth and impact of ordinary people spreading the gospel. Justin emphasizes the need for dependence on the Holy Spirit and the importance of leadership development in sustaining the movement.

​​In this episode, Brian and Cory discuss the evolution of the Kansas City Underground, focusing on the six elements of movement DNA (mDNA) that were developed by Alan Hirsch. The mDNA has shaped and guided who we are as a network, though it’s not something we always talk about. We explore the importance of paradigm shifts, the role of community, and the necessity of embodying the principles of disciple-making in everyday life. We take time to give you a high level introduction of (1) Jesus as Lord, (2) the missional incarnational impulse, (3) disciple-making ecosystems, (4) liminality and communitas (5) apostolic environments and (6) the need for organic systems that allow for growth and multiplication within the church.

In this episode Brian and Cory interview two of the directors of the Serve Hub, Sara Jackaway and Morgan Greer. This is the second interview featuring one of the ten Hubs that currently make up the Kansas City Underground. Sara and Morgan discuss their roles in disciple-making and community-building in Kansas City. They share personal stories, their transition from a predominant model church plant to becoming a Hub in the Underground, and the importance of collaboration and relationships in their mission.

In this episode, Brian interviews Alex Sons, one of the leaders of the Rock Island Hub. We’ve done a lot of work around telling individual stories, but we want to include some more storytelling around the equipping teams that support every day disciple-makers in Kansas City. You’ll hear a bit of Alex’s personal journey in ministry, but you’ll also hear the unique mission of the Rock Island Hub as he shares stories of transformation within the community, the importance of family and entrepreneurship, and some of the rhythms and structure of their weekly gatherings, a unique component for this team. Alex gets to share a bit of the highlights he’s experienced as he’s found a family that understands the unique call God has on his life.

In this episode, Cory Ozbun and Upashaker Gurung explore the significance of extraordinary prayer and fasting in both personal and communal contexts. Upas shares his inspiring journey from Nepal to Kansas City, highlighting the transformative power of prayer in his life and community. Cory and Upas emphasize the need for desperation in prayer, the impact of unified prayer efforts, and the importance of maintaining a deep dependence on God in ministry. We believe prayer precedes movements, and if we want to see movement, we must embrace a lifestyle of prayer and seek unity in our efforts to spread the gospel.

In this episode, Brian and Cory explore the themes of collaboration and community building in our city, drawing parallels to NASA's successful model of teamwork and goal-oriented projects as documented in the monograph "The Flat Org Chart" by Dan Pallotta. This is part tow of the conversation we started last week, talking about the importance of restoring the spiritual soil of cities, overcoming barriers to collaboration, and practical steps for fostering unity among various organizations and individuals. This isn't just for high level leaders. It's also for everyday leaders making disciples and leading microchurches as well. We have to think about collaboration at every level if we're going to see the gospel flourish in our city.