ACCWA Pastors and Leaders Podcast

In this episode, Ps Gareth Forsdike sits down with Ps Dan Sheikh - Senior Pastor of Heart for the City Church and Director of Youth Alive WA - to unpack the heart and hustle behind building thriving youth and young adult ministries.
From starting groups with just a handful of teenagers to now leading one of the largest youth and young adult demographics in Perth, Dan shares hard-won lessons on pioneering from scratch, creating synergy between youth and young adults, and why hustle, grace, and longevity matter when discipling Gen Z.
Whether you’re leading a church plant, a mid-sized ministry or a large youth group, this conversation is packed with practical strategies, encouragement, and vision for raising up the next generation in your church.

In this rich and practical conversation, Ps Gareth Forsdike sits down with Ps. James Murray of Abide Church to talk about discipleship, church culture, and what it means to truly lead people into the way of Jesus. James shares his personal journey from being Sunday-centric to discovering a deeper call to disciple-making, the four key pillars that shape their approach and why prayer and abiding in Christ are non-negotiable. With honest reflections, stories from ministry, and insights on social media, leadership and metrics that really matter, this episode will encourage and equip pastors and leaders to lead with clarity, authenticity and love.

What does it really take to lead through crisis, navigate leadership transitions, and grow a church with intentionality? In this candid conversation, Pastor Fred Porter—Senior Pastor of Kingdom Culture Church in Brisbane—shares his remarkable journey from youth pastor to senior leader, including navigating moral failure in the early days of the church plant, stepping into leadership after his father, and seeing the church grow from 250 to 750+ in just a few years.
Fred opens up about the spiritual weight of leadership, the importance of honoring the past while boldly leading into the future, and why clarity, systems, and the right team are vital for healthy growth. With practical insights on staffing, structures, discipleship, and spiritual resilience, this episode is packed with encouragement and challenge for pastors and leaders at every stage.

What exactly is professional supervision - and why does it matter for pastors and leaders today? In this episode, Ps Nate Phor sits down with Ps Paul Sanders, former pastor of 30 years and now staff chaplain with Mission Australia, to unpack the role of supervision in ministry life.
Paul shares candidly about his own journey from senior pastor to chaplain, why supervision is more than just “mentoring,” and how reflective practice helps leaders avoid burnout, grow in self-awareness and serve with integrity. They also explore the difference between pastoral work and chaplaincy, how supervision connects soul, role and context, and why a secure identity in Christ is vital for navigating seasons of transition in ministry.
Whether you’re curious about professional supervision, considering it for your own leadership or simply wanting to lead with greater longevity and health, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and encouragement.

Ministry is one of the greatest callings - but it can also take a toll on our health if we’re not careful. In this conversation, Ps Christie Blaikie sits down with Ruth Limkin, CEO of The Banyans and an ACCWA credentialed pastor, to talk about leadership wellbeing, burnout warning signs and the rhythms that keep us healthy for the long haul. From the importance of sleep and active rest, to reframing hustle culture, Ruth offers both practical wisdom and spiritual insight to help pastors and leaders steward their call without sacrificing their health, families or faith.
Whether you’re feeling weary, on the edge of burnout or just wanting to lead from a healthier place, this episode is full of life-giving encouragement and strategies for sustainable leadership.