In this episode of The GC Collective, we sit down with one of our own California-born, California-sent IMB missionaries serving in Central Asia—sharing his story under an alias for security reasons. After more than a decade of gospel work in one of the most unreached regions of the world, he was unexpectedly barred from returning to his country of service, leaving his family, church, and ministry behind in an instant.

We talk about the long obedience of missions work, the slow process of discipleship in Muslim contexts, the real cost of baptism for new believers, and how suffering fits within God’s sovereign will. We also explore the vital role California churches play in holding the rope through prayer, Cooperative Program giving, and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. If you’ve ever wondered what missions really looks like, wrestled with the idea of a “missionary mindset,” or just need a reminder that faithfulness matters even when outcomes are unclear, this episode will strengthen your heart.

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In this special recap episode of the GC Collective Podcast, we reflect on a handful of conversations from 2025 that together represent the breadth of what we’ve explored this year: the realities pastors face at home, the importance of caring for emotional and spiritual health, the opportunity of California as a global mission field, the challenge of engaging culture with biblical clarity, and the enduring strength of gospel cooperation.

If you’ve been listening all year, this episode offers a chance to revisit moments that may sound different now than they did the first time. And if you’re newer to the podcast, it’s a window into the kind of Christ-centered, resourceful conversations we’re committed to having as we serve churches across California.

Episodes referenced in this conversation:
· When Ministry Pulls in Two Directions with Will and Tarah

· Caring for Pastors’ Mental Health with Chuck Padilla

· Go and Tell: How Globalization Is Shaping California’s Churches with James Westbrook

· The Church, Culture, and Common Sense with Jonathan Keller

· Gospel Partnerships and Cooperation Insights with Tony Wolfe

Be sure to subscribe to This Week at CSBC, and if you have questions or ideas for future conversations, email us anytime at podcast@csbc.com.

In this end-of-the-year episode, Pete Ramirez, Sarah Graham, and Marc Tempesta sit down to look back on a landmark year for California Southern Baptists. From a powerful overseas moment that put Christmas hope in sharp focus, to a growing movement of prayer gatherings across the state, to fresh stories of generosity through Cooperative Program, this year-end conversation celebrates how God has been at work in and through our churches. We also revisit statewide listening sessions and share how your feedback is shaping the way CSBC will serve pastors and congregations in 2026 and beyond.
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Disaster Relief had a year like no other, at home, across the nation, and around the world. In this episode, Kendrick Neal joins us at the table for a candid conversation about what God has been doing through California Southern Baptist DR volunteers who just keep showing up. From unexpected partnerships to moments of Gospel impact that still surprise even our seasoned teams, Kendrick walks us through another side of this unique ministry that many people never see.
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If you’ve ever wondered what DR actually looks like, or if DR is the place for you, this is your episode.

To learn more or to sign up for Disaster Relief training go to https://csbdr.org/
As always, send your questions or stories to podcast@csbc.com and stay on top of all of our CSBC news by subscribing to This Week at CSBC

Most churches don’t think about their bylaws…until something goes wrong. In this episode, Pete and Sarah sit down with “ordained attorney” and longtime ministry leader Phil Kell to unpack why bylaws, boards, membership records, and minutes are not just “paperwork,” but essential tools for protecting your church, your people, and your Gospel witness. If you’ve ever wondered who really has authority in your church, what your members can (and can’t) vote on, or how dissolution and deed restrictions actually work, this conversation will help you get your house in order before a crisis hits.

Related Resources:

· Listen to Phil’s earlier GC Collective episode on church legacy planning: https://gccollective.transistor.fm/s1/9

· Read Phil’s “ABC” article on corporate records and compliance: https://csbc.com/resource/keeping-in-compliance-with-corporate-records/

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Email the podcast team with questions or episode ideas at podcast@csbc.com.

Get ready for a quick listen! Recorded live from the International Family Festival at New Vision Church in Milpitas, this episode shares the energy and encouragement of our CSBC Annual Meeting. Join Sarah, Pete, and Jason as they reflect on key moments, celebrate God’s work across California, and look ahead with unity, both in prayer and on mission. Big thanks to New Vision Church and their volunteers. Save the date for our 2026 meeting: October 20–21 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Highland.

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In this episode of The GC Collective, Bay Area Send City Missionary James Westbrook joins Sarah Graham and Francis Chung for a thought-provoking conversation on how globalization is transforming the landscape of ministry in California. From the shifting identities of urban and rural churches to the call for pastors to think like missionaries, James challenges leaders to see the Great Commission not as a distant assignment but as a local one. Together, they unpack what it means to engage the harvest in our rapidly changing communities—and why “go and tell” must replace “come and see.”

Don’t forget to subscribe to This Week @ CSBC for more stories and resources that equip you to reach your community. And if you have a question or topic idea for the podcast, email us anytime at podcast@csbc.com

Annual Meeting is here! We preview everything you need for Milpitas including registration tips, Pastors’ Conference details, major business items on the docket, must-do auxiliary events, the new CSBC app rollout, exhibit hall hours, and the family festival. Register messengers & guests at https://csbc.com/2025-annual-meeting/

*To clarify what was said in the podcast: Our Annual Meeting dates are Fri Oct 24 - Sat Oct 25. The Oct 23 -24 dates mentioned in the episode, apply to the Pastors Conference sessions. The Annual Meeting sessions begin at 10 AM on the 24th and conclude at 9:15 AM on the 25th to be followed by the International Family Festival.

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Email: podcast@csbc.com