A Deeper Look

Over the past few decades, the American church has experienced a significant exodus. Millions have stepped away from regular church attendance, many still identifying as Christians, yet disconnected from a local faith community. This growing movement, often referred to as “dechurching,” isn’t just a trend, it’s a deeply personal story unfolding in cities, suburbs, and small towns across the country. In response, some churches are exploring a different way forward. It is a path rooted in slower, smaller, and more relational work. Ronnie Goble, pastor of Rooted Church in Metro Detroit, is leaning into that approach. Rooted is a young church plant that’s already become a home for people for the dechurched and the never churched. Through everyday presence, intentional relationships, and a patient approach to discipleship, Ronnie and his church are meeting people where they are and inviting them into something deeper. In this conversation, Ronnie shares what they’re learning from the frontlines about dechurching, reconnection, and the kind of slow work they are doing for renewal in their city.

In recent years, one church’s global outreach and residency program has undergone a meaningful shift. What once were purely short-term, event-driven trips, have grown into a deeper investment in long-term missions and discipleship. Through intentional training and relational investment, Marty and Grace Bible Church have continued to mobilize Millennials and Gen Z for global mission. In contrast to declining national trends in long-term sending, the church is seeing a surprising and encouraging wave of long-term commitments. In the conversation that follows, Marty, a ministry leader at Grace Bible Church, joins Mike Easton, Reliant’s International Program Manager, to reflect on how their church is navigating the full spectrum of mission involvement. They share insights from a decade-long partnership with Launch Global, discuss the shift from mobilization events to long-term discipleship, and highlight how churches are reengaging college students while creating cross-cultural mission opportunities in their own communities.

Throughout church history, the call to send missionaries has taken many forms. Today, more local churches and networks are stepping into that role with renewed ownership to mobilize, send, and support missionaries as a core part of their mission and discipleship efforts. One such example is the Acts2 Network, a network of over 35 churches across the U.S. focused on church planting near universities and equipping graduates for long-term campus ministry. In 2024, the Acts2 Network sent 72 missionaries overseas through a partnership with Reliant. In the conversation that follows, Timothy Rhee, who leads the Acts2 Network’s One-Year Foreign Missions Program, joins Mike Easton, Reliant’s International Program Manager, to reflect on the church’s role in sending and how shared vision and collaboration are fueling new growth in missions.

Jared Lentz of H2O Church shares his journey of learning to say "yes" to God's call, even when the path felt uncomfortable or uncertain. From ministering as a student, to serving as a resident missionary, to now committing long-term to campus ministry, each season has stretched his faith and deepened his trust in God. Through the challenges of raising support and facing the unknowns of each next step, Jared has witnessed God's faithfulness again and again. His story is a testament to the power of obedience—showing how simple, faithful yeses can lead to unexpected provision, transformation, and lasting impact.

In this interview, we sit down with Cash Fields, a ministry leader who moved from Brooklyn, New York, to Bryan, Texas. Aware of how easy it would be to settle into a Christian bubble; Cash committed to a simple weekly rhythm: one hour on a college campus each Thursday to share the gospel. What began with awkward conversations and a weekly temptation to skip grew into a steady practice of “leaning in.” Through honest moments and surprising openness, Cash discovered that showing up faithfully, even in small ways, creates space for God to move in big ones.