Dents in the Darkness artwork

Dents in the Darkness

45 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago - ★★★★★ - 25 ratings

Our enemy loves to isolate pastors and leaders from great resources and teammates. We provide practical resources to guide you on your journey to overcome isolation while leading and launching healthy churches across Northeast America!

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Episodes

Episode #44: Lance Witt (Replenish)

April 06, 2024 02:15 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MB

Learn more about Lance Witt - our main speaker for #NLS24 on Saturday, November 9th in Cortland, NY! Lance has been leading churches and organizations for 40+ years. He was the lead pastor for 3 different churches and then spent 7 years as an executive and teaching pastor at Saddleback Church in Southern California. In 2007, Lance launched “Replenish” which is dedicated to “Helping people live and lead from a healthy soul.”  Over the last 17 years, Lance has encouraged, challenged and equipp...

Michael Schooley

October 13, 2023 17:22 - 33 minutes - 23.1 MB

In this episode, Tim Madeira & Dan Nichols interview Mike Schooley, planter & pastor at Higher Hope Church near Horseheads, NY. Mike is NEC's new Church Strategist! Mike is an experienced, effective ministry leader who deeply loves the Northeast. Check out his story & encouragement for ministry leaders.

Mark Dance

September 29, 2023 16:38 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MB

In this episode, Tim Madeira & Dan Nichols interview Mark Dance, the Director of Pastoral Wellness for Guidestone Financial Resources (SBC). He was a lead pastor and planter for 27 years before becoming an associate vice president at Lifeway, the director of pastoral development for Oklahoma Baptists, and the co-founder/leader of the Care4Pastors Network. Mark earned degrees from Howard Payne University (BBA), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and The Southern Baptist Theol...

Sharon Davis

September 07, 2023 18:58 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MB

In this episode, Tim Madeira & Dan Nichols interview Sharon Davis, wife of the late Dr. Ken Davis. They served together for 50+ years of church planting ministry in the Midwest & Northeast U.S. Hear more about their journey & resources for yours! Buy Ken's Book: Foundations for Fruitful Church Planting See Ken's Website

Honoring Tim Keller - Dan Nichols & Tim Madeira

June 02, 2023 01:37 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MB

In this episode, Tim Madeira & Dan Nichols discuss the life and legacy of Pastor Tim Keller and the difference between idolizing and honoring human leaders. Find more information on Tim Keller's ministry at www.timothykeller.com. 

Every Woman a Theologian - Phylicia Masonheimer

May 10, 2023 14:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MB

Phylicia Masonheimer is an author, speaker, and founder of an awesome ministry called Every Woman a Theologian. She lives on a small farm in Northern Michigan with her husband, Josh, and their three children. Listen to more about her story & ministry life! Find her at www.phyliciamasonheimer.com

Converge Northeast - Andy Needham

January 20, 2023 18:46 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MB

Check out this awesome interview with Andy Needham! Andy is a New England native who spent the past two decades serving in ministry roles from church leadership, to nationally touring worship artist, to launching and leading conferences. He loves connecting, creative communication, and coaching. He currently serves as Vice President for Converge Northeast, helping start and strengthen churches here. His wife Bethany and kids Josiah and Mercy are crazy, and he wouldn't have it any other way! ...

Digital Space - Just Cause Collaborative

September 01, 2022 02:59 - 29 minutes - 20 MB

Our friends Stephen Hay and Meghan Kinter with Just Cause Collaborative provide expertise, strategy development and training for non-profits in the areas of marketing communication, funding and systems so you can focus on what's most important to you - executing your mission! Hear more of their story in this latest episode. This year they are producing our Northeast Leadership Summit recap video. You & your crew can sign up today here: www.necollaborative.com/NLS22!

Covenant Church Plant - Bernie Elliott

July 30, 2022 15:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MB

Bernie Elliott is planting a church in Baldwinsville, NY, and we want you to hear his story! We're also supporting Covenant Church (www.covenant315.org) by giving away 50% of the profits from our annual Northeast Leadership Summit (#NLS22) coming up on Nov. 5th, 2022 at Berean Bible Church in Greene, NY. You and your crew can sign up TODAY here: www.necollaborative.com/NLS22.

Mobilizing Volunteers in the New Normal - Derek Sanford

June 14, 2022 16:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MB

Pastor Derek Sanford serves as Lead Pastor of Grace Church in Erie, Pennsylvania (one of the snowiest cities in the country!). The emphasis of his ministry is building up and equipping leaders to walk in their God-given calling. He has served in ministry at Grace since 1995, first as Youth Pastor and then as Executive Pastor before serving in his current role as Lead Pastor. He also created a ministry called ServErie that has mobilized over 50 churches and organizations to address the needs ...

Church Planting - Dr. Ken Davis

May 08, 2022 00:24 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MB

The need for North American church-planting is at an all-time high. Dr. Ken Davis has dedicated decades of his life to training, mobilizing, coaching and empowering planters to move the Gospel forward into hearts and homes across this nation - especially the Northeast! He directed a ministry called Project Jerusalem that planted 10 churches in Northeast America, and NEC was birthed from this ministry’s legacy. Check out his interview with Tim Madeira & Dan Nichols!

Healthy Small Churches - Karl Vaters

March 25, 2022 21:40 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MB

Karl Vaters has been in pastoral ministry for 40 years. He is the teaching pastor of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, a healthy small church in Orange County, California, where he has ministered for over 28 years with his wife, Shelley. They have three kids and two grandkids. Karl produces resources for Helping Small Churches Thrive at KarlVaters.com. His heart is to help pastors of small churches (up to 90 percent of us) find the resources to lead well, and to capitalize on the unique adv...

Waymart Church

February 25, 2022 14:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MB

Revitalization is hard work that requires a very long time investment and gritty perseverance, but it's totally worth it! Listen to Pastor Sal Maiorana's story & wisdom on church revitalization in the Northeast as he's led Waymart Church in Waymart, PA from a handful of people to hundreds of people with lives changed for eternity and significant spiritual fruit over the last decade.

2021 Wrap Up - NEC Directional Team and WRGN's Tim Madeira

January 22, 2022 19:43 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MB

In this episode, NEC’s directional team (along with WRGN’s Tim Madeira) recap God’s faithfulness through 2021 with some exciting previews for NEC’s ministry in 2022! Learn more here: www.necollaborative.com.

Northeast Leadership Summit (#NLS21) - David Whiting

October 21, 2021 17:12 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MB

The Northeast Leadership Summit (#NLS21) is coming up on Saturday, November 6th at Berean Bible Church! Sign up you & your crew for #NLS21 here: www.necollaborative.com/NLS21. David Whiting will be our keynote speaker, and David is no stranger to Northeast America. Hear more from David in this interview & here’s a short bio below: David served as a youth pastor for over eight years in Harrisburg, PA, then served as the lead pastor of Northridge Church in Rochester, NY, for over fifteen yea...

Until Unity (Francis Chan) - Book Review w/ Brad Travelpiece

September 27, 2021 16:00 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MB

Division in the American Church is at an all-time high, but that is not Christ's plan for His Church (see John 17). In this episode, we review Francis Chan's latest book Until Unity with Pastor Brad Travelpiece from LCBC Church - a dynamic church in PA with 16 locations throughout the state. Listen as NEC's Dan Nichols & WRGN's Tim Madeira discuss the book with Brad and how we can play major roles in bringing healing unity back to the American Church! Until Unity Book LCBC Church 

Grace Bomb - Pat Linnell

August 13, 2021 16:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MB

Grace Bomb is a nation-wide movement of intentional acts of love motivated by Jesus, and in this episode - founder Pat Linnell tells us more about all that God's doing through this incredibly powerful discipleship tool for you and your church! Hear more of Pat's story & stories of transformed lives as NEC's founder & president Dan Nichols and WRGN's general manager Tim Madeira interview Pat. Get more info at the links below too! Grace Bomb's Website Get the Grace Bomb Book

CarePortal - Mandy Chapman

July 26, 2021 16:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MB

Hear more from our friend Mandy Chapman with Care Portal, a ministry that creates connections for isolated children by bringing together the family, church and community to create a holistic, healthy approach to caring for kids - because every child matters! Learn more here: https://www.careportal.org.

Front Yard Mission

June 25, 2021 15:54 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MB

Visionary leaders Steve Lutz and Jonathan Weibel share their amazing ministry Front Yard Mission that is catalyzing a #LoveYourNeighbor movement across the Northeast! Front Yard Mission's Website

Love Thy Body - Nancy Pearcey

May 22, 2021 13:56 - 49 minutes - 34 MB

Answering hard questions about sexuality, gender, identity, and so much more is really difficult today. In this episode, author, scholar, and professor Nancy Pearcey (who personally studied under Francis Schaeffer) sits down with WRGN's general manager Tim Madeira & NEC's president Dan Nichols to get real about these really tough topics and share lots of great content from her amazing book Love Thy Body! Love Thy Body Book Nancy Pearcey's Website

How Not to Read the Bible - Dan Kimball

April 30, 2021 16:59 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MB

The new cultural narrative regarding the Bible no longer says it's irrelevant. Now the cultural narrative says the Bible is evil. In this interview, NEC's president Dan Nichols and WRGN's general manager Tim Madeira interview Pastor Dan Kimball about his book that helps unbelievers and believers alike understand the Bible better in a rapidly growing anti-Christian culture. Dan Kimball is originally from the Northeast, hailing from NJ! He is the author of several books on leadership, church,...

Hard Times Make Healthy Churches - Dan Nichols

April 09, 2021 18:44 - 21 minutes - 17.9 MB

Take a quick journey through Ephesians with NEC’s President Dan Nichols to re-discover God’s game plan for His Church.

Shepherding Shepherds - Jamie Overholser

March 20, 2021 00:35 - 33 minutes - 22.7 MB

NEC cares deeply for the spiritual health and longevity of pastors and ministry leaders, and this episode features one of our soul-care coaches Jamie Overholser who serves the deeper needs of ministry leaders in partnership with Standing Stone Ministry. This conversation is extremely helpful for pastors and ministry leaders who are facing decision fatigue, exhaustion, and potential burnout. Feel free to reach out to Jamie here: [email protected].

Counseling: Safe Place Ministries - Bethann Miller

February 20, 2021 00:13 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MB

Safe Place Ministries provides guidance and care to those who serve in any definition of ministry. Listen to co-founder Bethann Miller share about this vital counseling ministry with WRGN’s Tim Madeira & NEC’s Dan Nichols! https://safeplaceministry.org/

Church Planting - Kevin Greene & Joey Wright

January 29, 2021 21:52 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MB

Kevin & Alisha Greene and Joey & Cara Wright are church planting in the Northeast along with their lovely daughters, and NEC is honored to partner with them in their journeys forward! Kevin’s plant ConnectUs Church is launching weekly services on Sunday, Jan. 31st in Lancaster, PA. Joey is in the internship phase & prayerfully looking to plant in either Paterson or Newark, NJ. Learn more about their stories in this episode and get in touch with them here: www.ConnectUschurch.org joeyrwrigh...

For the Unborn - Dan Nichols

January 20, 2021 16:01 - 31 minutes - 26.2 MB

One of our NY churches asked NEC's founder & executive director Dan Nichols to preach on the topic of abortion for Sanctity of Life Sunday on Jan. 17th. Wherever you're coming from on this personal, painful, polarizing and often private topic - this episode is for you! Below are links to resources Dan recommends in the episode... Reversing Roe Documentary on Netflix Phil Vischer/Skye Jethani Abortion Video Unplanned Movie Love Thy Body by Nancy Pearcey Why Pro-Life? by Randy Alcorn Abo...

2021 Prep & 2020 Recap - Dan Nichols (NEC) & Tim Madeira (WRGN)

January 02, 2021 00:11 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MB

As we all process the challenges of 2020, NEC’s founder & executive director Dan Nichols sits down with WRGN’s Tim Madeira to talk about the future for healthy churches in 2021 while reflecting on God’s faithfulness in 2020 as well! One of the key articles they highlight is a Gallup study that found the ONLY positive change in mental health from various demographic groups were weekly church attenders: https://news.gallup.com/poll/327311/americans-mental-health-ratings-sink-new-low.aspx.

Church & For-Profit Business - Michael Brewster (Mount Zion Baptist Church)

December 18, 2020 23:28 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MB

This month Pastor Michael Brewster joins us from Mount Zion Baptist Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA to share the story of their church’s for-profit business: Mount Zion Food Services! Tim and Dan talk with Pastor Mike about new, alternative income solutions for churches that can simultaneously impact your community for Christ. See more info on Mount Zion here: www.mtzionwb.com. Contact Zion Food Services for more info here: [email protected].

Clarks Summit University & LYFE Women’s Conference - Diane Lytle & Terry Perrine

November 30, 2020 17:17 - 25 minutes - 17.7 MB

Two wonderful ladies Diane Lytle & Terry Perrine join us this month to share their personal stories, an update on one of our terrific resourcing partners Clark’s Summit University, and a great opportunity for women called the LYFE Women’s Conference on May 28-29, 2021. Get more info at www.clarksummitu.edu & www.clarkssummitu.edu/lyfe.

LGBTQ Heart, Mind & Soul - Jim Childs

October 23, 2020 17:11 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MB

Jim Childs spent 30 years in the gay lifestyle and never found peace until God found Jim right where he was. After finding a life of fulfillment and freedom that can only be found by trusting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Jim became a pastor and now travels the country with ABWE’s EveryETHNE team coaching, counseling, and leading Heart, Mind, Soul seminars to empower the average believer to build grace & truth relationships with LGBTQ individuals. If you’d like more info, connect with Jim...

Church Consulting - Matt Svoboda (ChurchOps)

September 10, 2020 12:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MB

Check out this interview with church consultant Matt Svoboda, founder of ChurchOps and former executive pastor at The Bridge Church (the 5th fastest growing church in 2018), who serves churches around the country by identifying and solving problems to spiritual growth in leadership, reach, and depth. He offers a generous discount for NEC member churches, and his website is www.churchopsgroup.com.

Pastoral Coaching - Matthew Hoskinson (Redeemer City-to-City)

August 04, 2020 01:45 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MB

This is a conversation recorded pre-COVID with Dr. Matthew Hoskinson from Redeemer City-to-City on the why &what of pastoral coaching!

Money Matters - Karen Vannice (Life Institute)

July 06, 2020 20:42 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MB

This month we’re honored to share a conversation on finances with Karen Vannice from our strategic partner Life Institute (www.lifeinstitute.org). Karen is the Ministry Coordinator for this incredible organization that partners with churches to disciple Christians, offer practical Biblical teaching for everyday stewardship decisions, and provide personalized family guidance from a Biblical worldview. They offer great opportunities for local churches to live out God’s design for their finance...

Imperfect Conversation #2 - Pastor Shawn Walker

June 23, 2020 00:18 - 53 minutes - 20.9 MB

Pastor Shawn Walker from Shiloh Baptist Church in Scranton, PA sat down with NEC’s executive director Dan Nichols for an imperfect conversation on race, injustice, and Jesus. They’re not experts. They didn’t say everything right, and they didn’t say enough. But they’ve been friends for many years and simply want to keep growing closer and growing better as leaders - together.

Imperfect Conversation #1 - Pastor Errol Morgan

June 15, 2020 23:21 - 1 hour - 26.1 MB

Pastor Errol Morgan from Parker Hill Church with multiple locations in Dickson City, Clarks Summit, and Wilkes-Barre, PA sat down with NEC’s executive director Dan Nichols for an imperfect conversation on race, injustice, and Jesus. They’re not experts. They didn’t say everything right, and they didn’t say enough. But they’ve been friends for many years and simply want to keep growing closer and growing better as leaders - together.

#SomeGoodChurchNews - 2 Different Re-Opening Plans

June 03, 2020 00:00 - 34 minutes - 23.9 MB

We’re highlighting stories of #SomeGoodChurchNews in Northeast America in the middle of this COVID crisis! In this episode, we interview Pastor Tim Madden from Cornerstone Bible Church in Forest City, PA and Pastor Tim Walker from Restored Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Both of these leaders are good friends, lead NEC member churches, and have different viewpoints on re-opening based on their church context. Listen to them celebrate wins, God’s faithfulness, and unity in diversity of re-opening...

#SomeGoodChurchNews - Branch Life Church

May 25, 2020 11:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MB

This month we get to hear #SomeGoodChurchNews from Pastor Josh Park - lead pastor of Branch Life Church in Pottstown, PA. They just celebrated their one year anniversary since their public launch, and God’s doing amazing things through their team! Check out their website here: https://www.branchlife.church. And check out the book Gaining by Losing by J.D. Greear here: https://www.amazon.com/Gaining-Losing-Belongs-Churches-Exponential/dp/0310533953.

#SomeGoodChurchNews - COVID Survivors

April 24, 2020 09:00 - 46 minutes - 31.9 MB

We’re highlighting stories of #SomeGoodChurchNews in Northeast America in the middle of this COVID crisis! In this episode, we interview Pastor Dan and Lynn Nold from State College, PA along with Pastor Max and Priscila Pera from Newark, NJ who recently survived coronavirus. Check out their stories of hope with co-hosts Tim Madeira from WRGN Radio and our executive director Dan Nichols.

Foundations Christian Counseling

February 21, 2020 16:24 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MB

Dan Nichols sits down with Fred Jacoby from Foundations Christian Counseling. You can find more info on them here: www.foundchristcounsel.org!

95 Network

January 21, 2020 13:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MB

In this month's episode, Dale Sellers and Austin Savage from the 95 Network (www.95network.org) discuss how they serve & resource the 95% of American churches under 500 people. NEC is bringing them out to Restored Church (Wilkes-Barre, PA) on Tuesday, Feb. 25th and Berean Bible Church (Greene, NY) on Thursday, Feb. 27th. See more info on these one-day conferences here: www.95network.org/conferences.

Rural Pastors Talk

December 18, 2019 18:31 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MB

Tim Madiera and Dan Nichols sit down and talk with Rural Pastors TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh McClarren.

Episode Four: Rural Pastors Talk

December 18, 2019 18:31 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MB

Tim Madiera and Dan Nichols sit down and talk with Rural Pastors TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh McClarren.

Soul Care: What? Why? & How?

November 18, 2019 13:00 - 33 minutes - 27.2 MB

In this episode, Tim Madeira, Dan Nichols, and special guest Ben Rudolph talk about the why, what & how of SOUL CARE! Check out the flow of discussion below along with links to resources that they highlight throughout the conversation. 0:00 - Intro & Ben’s Story The Front Pew Podcast: https://thefrontpew.libsyn.com/ 8:00 - What is Soul Care? 12:20 - What is Soul Care NOT? 15:00 - The NEED for Soul Care 17:10 - Finishing Strong by Steve Farrar https://www.amazon.com/Finishing-Strong-Go...

What is NEC?

October 22, 2019 12:29 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MB

So what actually is the Northeast Collaborative anyways? On this episode of Dents in the Darkness, hosts, Tim Madeira and Dan Nichols, sit down with the NEC Directional Team to discuss just exactly what NEC is. The NEC Directional Team consists of lead pastors Justin Bleuer from Berean Bible Church in Greene, NY and Tim Walker from Restored Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA. For more information on NEC visit www.necollaborative.com!

Why NEC?

September 06, 2019 19:47 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MB

In this episode of Dents in the Darkness, NEC's Executive Director (Dan Nichols) sits down with the General Manager of WRGN (Tim Madeira) to talk about the why behind the Northeast Collaborative. The Northeast Collaborative is a resourcing network of churches that empowers pastors to lead and launch healthy churches in Northeast America. But why Northeast America? Why networking? Why right now? And why another podcast? Tune in to this episode to find out! http://necollaborative.com/