Presence Pioneers

In this episode, Matthew Lilley, Jonathan Friz, and Weslea Pierson discuss the often-overlooked topic of grief within the church. They explore how grief is a gift from God, the importance of learning to grieve well, and how to support those who are mourning.Weslea shares her personal journey through pain, healing, and the tension between experiencing miracles and mourning. The conversation emphasizes the need for empathy, understanding, and creating space for those in grief, highlighting that true comfort comes from experiencing God's presence in our pain.The conversation explores the complexities of grief, faith, and the importance of lament in worship. They discuss personal experiences with waiting and how it tests faith, the significance of community support during grief, and practical approaches to comforting those who are grieving.These important topics are expounded on in Weslea’s brand new book, To Weep With Those Who Weep, which is available now!

In this new podcast episode, Matthew Lilley interviews worship leader Justin Rizzo, exploring his journey in worship, creativity, and the challenges faced in church leadership. Justin shares humorous anecdotes from his early worship leading days, reflects on his time at IHOP-KC, and discusses the importance of creativity in worship.He emphasizes the need for greater expression in church music and the role of art and entertainment in ministry. The conversation also touches on Justin's production company and future projects, encouraging listeners to embrace their creative callings.About Justin RizzoJustin Rizzo is a worship leader, songwriter, and filmmaker based in the Midwest, USA, who coaches worship leaders and creatives. In addition, he owns Firelight Creative, a production company that has produced multiple award-winning musicals and films, and hosts gatherings for creatives. Justin spent over 10,000 hours leading worship in the prayer room at IHOP-KC before launching his current endeavors.

In this engaging conversation, Matthew Lilley and Chris Burns explore the transformative power of worship, community, and the presence of God. They discuss the importance of cultivating worship leaders, the role of freedom in worship settings, and the significance of community in nurturing spiritual growth.Chris shares humorous anecdotes from his worship experiences and reflects on his evolving perspectives on worship and leadership. The conversation emphasizes the need for a supportive environment for the next generation of worshippers, encouraging them to embrace their unique expressions of worship.

In this engaging podcast episode, host Matthew Lilley and guest Kelanie Webb explore the intersection of worship, creativity, and leadership. Kelanie shares her journey over the past four years, including her role as worship director at Morningstar Ministries and her passion for teaching and mentoring young worship leaders.The conversation delves into the importance of songwriting, the evolution of worship music, and the unique characteristics of the next generation of worshipers. Kelanie emphasizes the value of community, creativity, and the need for churches to cultivate environments that foster authentic worship experiences.

In this engaging conversation, Matthew Lilley and David Vallier explore the profound themes of worship and creativity. David shares his personal journey from Louisiana to becoming a worship leader, emphasizing the importance of unique expressions of worship and the role of spontaneity. They discuss the significance of creating safe environments for worship, the value of diverse musical styles, and the necessity of discipleship in worship leadership. The conversation highlights the importance of being genuine in worship, embracing emotions, and living a life directed towards God.

In this podcast episode, host Matthew Lilley interviews Caleb Culver, co-author of the song 'Reckless Love' and worship leader at Radiant Church. They discuss the origins of the song, Caleb's journey in worship ministry, and the significance of prayer in local churches. Caleb shares insights on the importance of being a praying church and how Radiant Church embodies this through its worship and prayer initiatives.

In this episode, Matthew Lilley interviews Adam Cates, a worship leader and church planter, discussing his journey into ministry, the founding of Big House Church, and the importance of creativity in worship. Adam shares insights on transitioning to new ministry ventures and offers encouragement to pastors and leaders about the organic nature of church leadership and the significance of allowing creativity to flourish within the church community.

We are excited to announce that the theme of our next podcast season will be WORSHIP! Our last season focused on “presence-centered communities” was amazing, and we are now preparing our next batch of episodes for you.

In this episode, Matthew Lilley continues his teaching on Psalm 132, exploring the themes of God's presence, David's vision for a dwelling place, and the implications of the Davidic covenant. He discusses the importance of waiting for God's presence, the tension between the kingdom of God now and not yet, and the afflictions faced by those who seek to pioneer God's presence. It concludes by discussing the promise of God’s kingdom through Jesus, the greater David.Listen to part 1 of this teaching here.

In episode 150 of the podcast, Matthew Lilley dives deep into Psalm 132, exploring its significance in understanding what it means to be a presence pioneer. The discussion covers David's vow to God, God's promise in return, and the importance of both personal and corporate breakthroughs in experiencing God's presence. The episode emphasizes the need to host God's presence in our communities and the transformative power it holds.

Is God calling you to be a pioneer?In this conversation, Matthew Lilley and Dr. Faith Wokoma explore the theme of pioneering in faith and ministry. They discuss the unique calling of pioneers, the role of worship and prayer, and the importance of understanding personality types in relation to leadership.Dr. Wokoma shares her personal journey, insights on apostolic ministry, and the significance of diverse expressions in worship. The conversation emphasizes the need for resilience and innovation in pursuing one's God-given purpose.

In this conversation, Matthew Lilley chats with R.A. Martinez of MAPS Global and Jason Hubbard of International Prayer Connect about the significance of the church at Antioch as a model for contemporary churches and ministries. They discuss the idea of churches as missions-sending centers, the importance of worship and prayer, and how these elements are integral to God’s purposes on the earth. The conversation emphasizes the need for a presence-centered approach in church life, highlighting the historical and theological foundations of the Antioch model and its implications for global missions today.Order The Antioch Blueprint by R.A. Martinez or The Moravian Miracle by Jason Hubbard. 

In this conversation, Matthew Lilley and Jonathan Friz explore the profound themes of unity and prayer from Jesus' prayer in John 17 which Jonathan explores in his new book, Jesus Gets What He Prays For. They discuss the nature of glory, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the dynamics of self-giving love within the Trinity. The conversation emphasizes the possibility of achieving true unity in the church today, encouraging listeners to engage with the teachings of Jesus and the scriptures to foster a deeper understanding of their faith and community.

In this Bible teaching, recorded at a live event in Greenville NC, Matthew Lilley discusses the theme of persistence in prayer, drawing from the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18. He emphasizes the importance of faith, the power of prayer, and the necessity of community in sustaining a prayer life. The discussion highlights how understanding God's nature as a loving father can fuel persistent prayer and how collective prayer efforts can lead to transformation in communities and nations.

In this podcast episode, Matthew Lilley interviews Gerald Murphy, the founder of Garden City Church in Columbus, Ohio. Gerald shares his journey of church planting, the vision behind Garden City, and the impact the church has had on the community. The conversation delves into the importance of prayer and worship, the church's commitment to sending out missionaries, and the lessons learned in leadership and discipleship. Gerald emphasizes the significance of being a presence-centered community and how the church has grown and evolved over the past four years.

In this conversation, Matthew Lilley and guest Brad Stroup explore the challenges and rewards of leading corporate prayer and worship in a house of prayer setting. They discuss the importance of maintaining engagement in prayer, the monotony that can arise from regular meetings, and the need for leaders to remind themselves of God's presence and care. The conversation also touches on the realities of attrition in prayer communities and the importance of celebrating those who have been part of the journey. Additionally, resources for prayer leaders are highlighted, including a the National House of Prayer Leadership Summit and the How to Build a House of Prayer handbook.

Presence-centered communities consistently and corporately engage with God through worship and prayer as their primary activity.In this episode, Matthew Lilley introduces the concept of presence-centered communities, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing God's presence through worship and prayer. He shares his personal journey of establishing a house of prayer in Greenville, North Carolina, detailing the challenges and successes experienced during that time. This teaching explores the impact of such communities on local transformation, the biblical foundations for presence-centered living, and practical steps for launching similar initiatives. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage with or start their own presence-centered communities.The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything! Become a paid subscriber!

A quick update with Matthew Lilley on the next season of the Presence Pioneers podcast, which launches on January 1, 2025 and is focused on the topic of "Presence-Centered Communities.” Stay tuned!

Matthew and Shepard share some closing remarks from the Back to Eden season of the podcast, followed by a bonus teaching by Elliotte Pearson titled Cultivating Our Souls, which was recorded live at the Back to Eden festival.A new season of the podcast will be launching in January of 2025. Stay tuned!

How do we navigate seasons of revival and seasons of spiritual drought?In this extended episode, Matthew and Shepard Lilley share personal experiences with drought and the importance of stewarding seasons of abundance. The conversation emphasizes the need for healthy spiritual practices and the concept of digging wells of revival to sustain faith during dry seasons. They highlight the urgent need for revival and supernatural intervention in America, emphasizing the importance of repentance and prayer.Examining the book of Joel, they explore the biblical context of locusts as a metaphor for spiritual desolation and the necessity of a collective cry for God's help. The dialogue highlights the important role of a remnant in pioneering prayer and the challenges that come with revival, including the messiness and the cost of spiritual awakening.Ultimately, this episode brings a message of hope and the promise of God's outpouring, encouraging listeners to prepare their hearts for the coming rain of His Spir