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.

Microchurch & Spiritual Family Brian Johnson Microchurch & Spiritual Family Brian Johnson

Microchurch Conference: Chris and Renee

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian sits down with Chris and Renee Renshaw during the recent Microchurch Conference in Tampa, Florida to reflect on what they’re hearing and experiencing alongside hundreds of leaders exploring the theme of hospitality. Chris and Renee share insights about welcoming God into everyday life, practicing hospitality within marriage and community, and discovering how simple acts of presence can create spaces of belonging in places like Raytown. They also reflect on what it means to stay faithful in the rhythms of disciple-making, learning to show grace to yourself in the process, and how creating “living room” spaces in a city can open new pathways for connection, community, and mission.

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Microchurch & Spiritual Family Brian Johnson Microchurch & Spiritual Family Brian Johnson

Microchurch Conference: Josh Jackaway

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian interviews Josh Jackaway during the recent Microchurch Conference as he shares his journey of cultivating radical hospitality and authentic community through microchurch rhythms and years with Apartment Life. Josh reflects on learning to practice simple, relational hospitality in everyday life, and how welcoming the stranger can transform neighbors into family and open new pathways for disciple-making.

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Microchurch & Spiritual Family Brian Johnson Microchurch & Spiritual Family Brian Johnson

What is Formed in You as the Church Emerges

In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian and Cory explore the biblical foundation and practical aspects of church as family, emphasizing the importance of relational, spiritual, and mission-driven community in disciple-making and movement growth. It highlights how family dynamics shape our understanding of church, leadership, and multiplication in the Western context.

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Movements & Multiplication Brian Johnson Movements & Multiplication Brian Johnson

Global DMM Learning: Part 3

In this episode, Brian and Cory explore how a global disciple-making movement uses simple, relational Bible studies within families and neighborhoods to drive exponential growth, bypassing traditional church structures. The conversation explores real stories from India, where local believers are creating vibrant, indigenous expressions of church that thrive outside the Western model. The episode also examines the differences between modalic and sodalic church expressions and innovative approaches that empower everyday people to lead in community-based settings.

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Prayer & Spiritual Formation Brian Johnson Prayer & Spiritual Formation Brian Johnson

Formed in Mission with Casey Olinger

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.

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Prayer & Spiritual Formation Brian Johnson Prayer & Spiritual Formation Brian Johnson

Formed in Mission with Riley Griggs

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.

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KCU Vision & Network Brian Johnson KCU Vision & Network Brian Johnson

Formed in Mission with James Mays

In this episode of KC Underground, we welcome back regular contributor James Mays, who shares his transformative journey from a life of addiction to becoming a beacon of hope. James opens up about his past struggles and how finding faith has led him to a path of recovery and ministry. James discusses the power of art, community, and the profound impact of living on mission. Join us as we explore themes of identity, resilience, and the transformative power of faith in action.

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Leadership, Teams & Coaching Brian Johnson Leadership, Teams & Coaching Brian Johnson

Formed in Mission with Ashlyn Griffin

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.

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Microchurch & Spiritual Family Brian Johnson Microchurch & Spiritual Family Brian Johnson

Formed in Mission with Zephan and Taylar

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.

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Movements & Multiplication Brian Johnson Movements & Multiplication Brian Johnson

Gospel Movements in a Post Christian Context

In this episode of the KC Underground Podcast we explore the dynamics of spiritual movements in the UK and beyond. Adam and Matthew share their personal journeys and insights into the challenges and opportunities of fostering discipleship and community in a post-Christian society. Discover how grassroots efforts and a return to fundamental values are reshaping the landscape of faith and mission work.

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Movements & Multiplication Brian Johnson Movements & Multiplication Brian Johnson

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.

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Disciple-Making Practices Brian Johnson Disciple-Making Practices Brian Johnson

Disciple-making in Community

In this episode, Brian and BrianJames McMahon talk about the complexities of pain, suffering, and community within the context of disciple-making. We discuss the need to reimagine our relationship with pain, the importance of attachment in community, and the challenges posed by individualism. We emphasize the significance of practicing confession and lament as tools for building trust and fostering healthy relationships. Ultimately, we advocate for a deeper understanding of communal formation and the practical steps necessary to cultivate meaningful connections.

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Disciple-Making Practices Brian Johnson Disciple-Making Practices Brian Johnson

Which Jesus Did You Meet

In this episode, Brian and BrianJames McMahon, founder of Church Well Co., explore the complexities of discipleship, community, and the human experience of pain and suffering. We discuss the importance of human connection in spiritual growth, the different ways individuals experience Jesus, and the necessity of vulnerability and attachment in relationships. Our conversation emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to faith that includes both divine and human elements, ultimately aiming to foster a deeper understanding of God through community engagement.

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Mission & Gospel Engagement Brian Johnson Mission & Gospel Engagement Brian Johnson

Planting the Gospel - The Story Diamond

In this episode, Breanna Wiebe discusses the concept of the 'dominant story' that shapes individuals' perceptions of God and the world. She introduces the 'story diamond' as a tool to understand the overarching narrative of the Bible, which consists of four movements: creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus as the center of this story and encourages us to engage with the scriptures in a transformative way, both personally and within community.

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Leadership, Teams & Coaching Brian Johnson Leadership, Teams & Coaching Brian Johnson

The Upside Down Kingdom - Organic Leadership with Neil Cole

In this episode, Brian and Cory interview Neil Cole and delve into the themes of leadership, church movements, and the importance of relationships over hierarchical structures. They discuss the fear of chaos in leadership, the need for authenticity and vulnerability, and the transformative power of love in the Kingdom of God. Neil shares his personal journey of faith and the lessons learned through years of silence and dependence on Christ. The conversation emphasizes the need for a decentralized approach to church leadership that empowers individuals and fosters genuine community.

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Leadership, Teams & Coaching Brian Johnson Leadership, Teams & Coaching Brian Johnson

The Upside Down Kingdom - A Leadership Journey with Roy Moran

In this episode, Brian and Cory interview Roy Moran and explore the paradoxes of leadership in the context of Jesus' teachings. We discuss the shift from celebrity culture to a more humble, servant-oriented leadership style, emphasizing the importance of empowering ordinary people to lead and make disciples. The conversation highlights global perspectives on discipleship, the role of humility in leadership, and the vision for future leadership that prioritizes community and collaboration over status.

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Leadership, Teams & Coaching Brian Johnson Leadership, Teams & Coaching Brian Johnson

The Upside Down Kingdom - Resisting Power - Alan Hirsch

In this episode, Cory and Brian interview Alan Hirsch and explore the dynamics of kingdom movements, emphasizing the importance of decentralized leadership and the dangers of centralized power structures. We discuss the significance of metaphors in understanding movements, the cultural implications of fame in leadership, and practical insights for ordinary disciple makers. We also highlight the need for a shift from consumer-driven church models to organic, community-focused movements that prioritize discipleship and service.

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Leadership, Teams & Coaching Brian Johnson Leadership, Teams & Coaching Brian Johnson

The Upside-Down Kingdom - Choosing Obscurity Over Fame

In this episode, we interview Rob Wegner and talk about the contrasting paradigms of leadership as exemplified by Jesus and the prevalent models in American churches. We explore everything from the dangers of volunteerism that leads to a domesticated version of mission, the temptation of leadership roles, and the importance of choosing obscurity over fame. We also highlight the significance of being rooted in community and the transformative power of ordinary people in the mission of the church.

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Movements & Multiplication Brian Johnson Movements & Multiplication Brian Johnson

mDNA: Organic Systems

In this episode, Brian and Cory explore the mDNA element of Organic Systems. Organic systems are all about adaptation and reproducibility in cultivating movements. As you think about organic systems, you will discover a need for decentralized decision-making, a permission-giving culture, and the significance of leadership multiplication. This has been the challenge faced in traditional church structures. We advocate for a more flexible, organic approach to disciple-making and community building.

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