Deep Roots Leadership

Biblical community is more than having people around us — it’s having people who help us become more like Jesus.
This week, Jerry Welch talks with Adult Minister Drew Baum about building meaningful community through life groups, intentional discipleship, care, evangelism, and service. Drew shares how adult ministry can help people move from simply attending church to becoming growing disciples who invest in others. They also discuss the need for new leaders and groups, and why unity around Christ matters so deeply in a divided world.

Students need people who will love them, walk with them, and keep pointing them to God’s Word.
This week, Jerry Welch talks with Student Minister Ford Rigney about building relationships that help students develop a faith of their own. They discuss connecting with parents, helping teenagers navigate questions about faith and identity, and creating a ministry where every student feels seen, heard, and loved. Ford also shares how Colonial Heights is strengthening parent partnerships and giving students new opportunities to grow through leadership, missions, and discipleship.

The greatest investment we can make in children is helping them know the God who never changes.
This week, Jerry Welch welcomes Kids Minister Gretchen Mahan to talk about the heart behind Kids Ministry at Colonial Heights. Gretchen shares her vision for raising children who trust God’s Word, develop meaningful relationships with caring leaders, and grow in prayer and discipleship. From partnering with parents to creating environments where children feel known, loved, and secure, this episode offers encouragement for every volunteer and family investing in the next generation.

Deep roots begin long before children can put their faith into words.
This week, Jerry Welch sits down with new Preschool Minister Christi Kelly to hear her story, her vision for preschool ministry, and her passion for partnering with parents. Together, they explore why relationships matter, how the church can support young families, and the foundational role preschool ministry plays in helping children know who God is and what Jesus has done for them. It’s an encouraging conversation for every volunteer, parent, and leader investing in the next generation.

Summer changes schedules — not our need for community.
In this episode of the Deep Roots Leadership Podcast, Jerry Welch sits down with Drew Baum to talk about making the most of the summer season through intentional rest, spiritual disciplines, meaningful conversations, and stronger community. They discuss how adults, parents, life groups, and church leaders can use the slower rhythm of summer to reconnect with God, invest in others, raise up new leaders, and check in on people who may be drifting away from community. From family vacations to life group fellowships, this conversation is full of practical encouragement for cultivating “deep roots” that bear lasting fruit.

For teenagers, it’s conversation.
In this episode of the Deep Roots Leadership Podcast, Jerry Welch sits down with student minister Ford Rigney to talk about why summer is such a strategic season for student ministry. From camps and mission trips to pool parties and late-night conversations, Ford explains how intentional time together helps students build friendships, grow in vulnerability, and deepen their walk with Christ. The conversation also offers practical encouragement for parents and leaders who want to create meaningful spiritual conversations at home and make the most of the summer months through intentional connection and discipleship.

Summer isn’t just a break from school — it can be a beautiful opportunity for kids to grow deeper in their faith.
In this episode of the Deep Roots Leadership Podcast, Jerry Welch talks with Gretchen Mahan about why summer is such an important season for spiritual development in kids ministry. They discuss upcoming opportunities like Kids Camp, Vacation Bible School, Day Camp, Kindergarten Kickoff, Move Up Sunday, and summer Wednesday nights — along with practical encouragement for parents and volunteers to use the slower rhythms of summer for discipleship, relationships, and lasting spiritual investment.

Sometimes the biggest ministry moments happen in the middle of playground conversations, long preschool stories, and ordinary summer days.
In this episode of the Deep Roots Leadership Podcast, Jerry Welch sits down with preschool minister Emily Barber to talk about why summer matters so much in the spiritual development of preschoolers. From camping-themed Wednesday nights and space-inspired music camp to simple “play days” for moms and kids, Emily shares how meaningful discipleship often happens through connection, conversation, and everyday moments.
The conversation also takes a heartfelt turn as Emily shares about her transition from Colonial Heights to a new role at Harbor Day School — a ministry serving preschoolers with unique needs through free Christian education. She reflects on seven and a half years of loving families, building trust with little ones, and walking alongside parents during one of life’s most formative seasons.

Caring for people isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about showing up.
 
In this episode, Jerry Welch sits down with Drew Baum to explore the real, everyday needs of adults in the church — from spiritual encouragement to emotional support and practical care. From the “ministry of presence” to building a culture of shared responsibility in life groups, this episode offers practical wisdom for leaders who want to care deeply without burning out. It’s a reminder that real ministry happens not just in teaching, but in walking alongside others.

Students do not need more noise — they need relationships strong enough to hold real questions, real struggles, and real growth.
In this episode of the Deep Roots Leadership Podcast, Jerry Welch talks with student minister Ford Rigney about what it really looks like to care well for students and their families. From the importance of meaningful relationships to the growing need for emotional and spiritual support, this conversation highlights how student ministry goes far beyond programming. Ford shares why trust, presence, and intentional discipleship matter so deeply in the lives of middle school, high school, and college students — and how the church can come alongside families in ways that are personal, practical, and rooted in Christ.