In this special episode of The Issues Podcast, host Martin Wickens sits down with church planters Marty Montgomery and Josh Levesque during the missions conference at Bedford Bible Church.

Through personal testimonies, practical insights, and honest reflections, Marty and Josh share how God led them into church planting, not through ambition, but through surrender, faithfulness, and obedience. They discuss the unique challenges of their fields, from urban ministry in Dearborn to long-term growth in Springfield, while offering encouragement to pastors, young leaders, and anyone seeking God’s direction for their life and ministry.

Whether you’re a church planter, a ministry leader, or simply burdened for the work of the Gospel, this episode will challenge you to trust God’s leading, avoid the trap of comparison, and remain faithful where He has placed you.

In this episode of the Issues Podcast, Stephen and Martin unpack what true spiritual leadership looks like from 1 Corinthians 4, addressing why it is often misunderstood in today’s churches and why fewer young men seem willing to step into leadership roles. They explore the tension between faithfulness and success, the dangers of personality-driven ministry, and the challenge of developing the next generation of leaders.

With honest discussion about ministry realities, delegation, and the long-term work of discipleship, this conversation encourages believers to pursue leadership that is humble, biblical, and ultimately accountable to Christ.

In this episode, we sit down and walk through Job 31 together, unpacking Job’s final defense and what it reveals about true integrity.

As the conversation develops, we explore how Job invites his entire life to be examined from his thought life and purity, to his treatment of others, his handling of wealth, and even his response to his enemies. Along the way, we highlight the nature of integrity and how it flows from a genuine fear of God, not just outward behavior.

If you’ve ever wondered what real, biblical integrity looks like in everyday life, this conversation will give you a clear and challenging picture.