Church Leadership in Focus
Coaching, equipping and strengthening church leaders. I Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one other and build each other up as you are already doing (CSB).”
Episodes
On this episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Don Hicks sits down with Brandon Pickett, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Communications for the Southern Baptists of Virginia and an accomplished media professional. Brandon Pickett shares insights from a career that spans broadcast journalism, Christian media, strategic communications, and missions-focused storytelling. He also serves as vice president of Innovative Fait...
In this episode Don explores the challenges of leading with humility, staying focused on God’s calling, and serving others faithfully. In this episode, Don discusses how pride can affect ministry, relationships, and decision-making—and how church leaders can recognize it, overcome it, and lead with grace, accountability, and purpose.
Why you should vote NO on two proposed constitutional amendments on marriage and abortion November 3 in Virginia.
On this episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Don Hicks welcomes Brandon Pickett, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Communications for the Southern Baptists of Virginia, for an important conversation about the proposed Virginia constitutional amendments concerning marriage and abortion. Brandon Pickett brings...
In an age when churches are increasingly adopting business models and leadership strategies, many pastors find themselves asking: Am I called to be a shepherd or a CEO? In this episode of Church Leadership in Focus, Dr. Don Hicks explores the critical differences between pastoral leadership and corporate leadership. While pastors and CEOs share responsibilities such as vision casting, team development, and organizational oversight,...
A Special Replay of Episode 5 parts 1 and 2 As a tribute to Georg Shaffer.
It is with deep sorrow and Christian hope that we announce the passing of George Richard Shaffer, Sr., Director of Deacon and Leadership Training, who entered the presence of the Lord on August 19, 2026.
George faithfully dedicated his life to serving Christ, strengthening churches, mentoring leaders, and equipping deacons and pastors for effective biblical mi...
A Special Replay of Episode 5 parts 1 and 2 As a tribute to Georg Shaffer.
It is with deep sorrow and Christian hope that we announce the passing of George Richard Shaffer, Sr., Director of Deacon and Leadership Training, who entered the presence of the Lord on August 19, 2026.
George faithfully dedicated his life to serving Christ, strengthening churches, mentoring leaders, and equipping deacons and pastors for effective biblical mi...
In this special episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Don Hicks pays tribute to his dear friend and ministry partner, George Richard Shaffer, Sr., who entered the presence of the Lord on August 19, 2026. George devoted his life to serving Christ, strengthening churches, mentoring leaders, and developing healthy biblical leadership
Listeners will hear personal stories of George's impact on church leadership, deacon ministry, co...
2 Part Series
In Part 2 the conclusion of this episode of Church Leadership in Focus, Dr. Don Hicks sits down with Henok Girma Tibebu to discuss a journey marked by challenges, perseverance, and God's faithfulness. From caring for a child with special needs to balancing family, ministry, and leadership responsibilities, Henok shares how God sustained his family through difficult seasons and transformed their struggles in...
A 2 Part Series
In Part 1 of this episode of Church Leadership in Focus, Dr. Don Hicks sits down with Henok Girma Tibebu to discuss a journey marked by challenges, perseverance, and God's faithfulness. From caring for a child with special needs to balancing family, ministry, and leadership responsibilities, Henok shares how God sustained his family through difficult seasons and transformed their struggles into a testimony of g...
In this inspiring episode, Dylan shares his powerful journey from hardship and personal struggles to a life marked by victory, healing, and renewed purpose. Through seasons of challenges, discouragement, and uncertainty, Dylan discovered the faithfulness of God and the strength that comes from a supportive community. Listen as he reflects on the vital role his pastor, church family, and faithful friends played in encouraging him, p...
Church conflict affects more than congregations. It often leaves deep emotional, spiritual, relational, and leadership scars on the pastors called to shepherd God's people. In this episode of Church Leadership in Focus, Don Hicks explores the often-overlooked personal toll that church conflict takes on pastors and their families.
Drawing from biblical examples, ministry experience, and a relatable real-life ministry illustration, Do...
Part 3 of a 3 Part series
In this compelling episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Dr. Don Hicks sits down with pastor David Jones to explore a life journey marked by faith, perseverance, love, loss, and God's sustaining grace.
David shares his story of growing up in a small Tennessee town without a father and the challenges that shaped his early years. He reflects on his college experience, the formative lessons God taught him...
Part 2 of a 3 Part series
In this compelling episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Dr. Don Hicks sits down with pastor David Jones to explore a life journey marked by faith, perseverance, love, loss, and God's sustaining grace.
David shares his story of growing up in a small Tennessee town without a father and the challenges that shaped his early years. He reflects on his college experience, the formative lessons God taught him...
A 3 Part series
In this compelling episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Dr. Don Hicks sits down with pastor David Jones to explore a life journey marked by faith, perseverance, love, loss, and God's sustaining grace.
David shares his story of growing up in a small Tennessee town without a father and the challenges that shaped his early years. He reflects on his college experience, the formative lessons God taught him along the...
Join us for part 2 the conclusion:
Healing from low self-worth is rarely a sudden event. More often, it unfolds through small but significant changes in how we think, respond, lead, and relate to others. In this encouraging episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Don Hicks explores ten powerful signs that God may be restoring your identity and rebuilding your sense of worth.
Drawing from Scripture, practical leadership insights, ...
Healing from low self-worth is rarely a sudden event. More often, it unfolds through small but significant changes in how we think, respond, lead, and relate to others. In this encouraging episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Don Hicks explores ten powerful signs that God may be restoring your identity and rebuilding your sense of worth.
Drawing from Scripture, practical leadership insights, and relatable illustrations, Don h...
In this insightful episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Don Hicks explores the critical issue of self-worth and leadership identity. Many pastors and ministry leaders faithfully serve others while privately wrestling with feelings of inadequacy, comparison, performance-based acceptance, and self-doubt.
Drawing from biblical truth and practical leadership principles, Don examines how scarcity thinking can erode confidence, how...
Dr. Hicks shares a powerful personal testimony about an opportunity to teach at the Evangelical Theological Bible School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. When circumstances prevented him from traveling, he prayerfully reimagined the mission—choosing instead to teach remotely from Lynchburg, Virginia, through Liberty University’s Liberty Theological Seminary where he has taught nearly 20 years. He will be teaching and equipping...
In today’s episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Dr. Don Hicks welcomes Willa Dean Montgomery for a deeply insightful conversation about calling, resilience, and leadership development.
Willa’s journey is anything but ordinary. From serving as a Medical Specialist in the United States Army to becoming a pastor, nonprofit founder, and doctoral student, her life reflects a powerful testimony of faith in action.
Throug...
In this powerful episode of Church Leadership in Focus, Dr. Don Hicks sits down with Vickie Runk, co-founder of Runk & Pratt Senior Living Communities. Together, they explore how faith, family values, and servant leadership have shaped a thriving model of senior care in Central Virginia.
Vickie shares her journey from social work to building a multi-generational ministry of care—one that treats residents not as clients, bu...
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