In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Luke Bilberry sits down with Joel Wayne and John VanDyke for a deeply honest conversation about biblical friendship—and why it may be one of the most underutilized weapons God has given the church.

Together, they unpack how real, Christ-centered friendships are forged through vulnerability, trust, sacrifice, and shared mission—not convenience or proximity. From the complexity of leading together in ministry to the courage it takes to be fully known, this conversation explores how guardedness, busyness, and fear quietly erode relationships—and how God uses authentic friendship to sharpen leaders, protect souls, and advance His kingdom.

Whether you’re a pastor, elder, ministry leader, or simply longing for deeper relationships, this conversation will call you to invest intentionally, love courageously, and pick up the “weapon” of biblical friendship.

What you’ll learn:

• Why biblical friendship is essential—not optional—for spiritual leadership
• How vulnerability and trust are forged over time through shared sacrifice
• Why guardedness and busyness are enemies of real community
• How friendship can thrive even in complex, layered leadership relationships
• Why priorities are revealed by what you’re willing to displace
• How God uses deep friendship to sharpen leaders and advance the Kingdom

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“If God has called us to something, the answer is always yes.”

In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Luke Bilberry sits down with Pastor Andrew Honeycutt (Byron Center Campus Pastor at Chapel Pointe) for a practical and deeply encouraging conversation on leadership development, discipleship, and spiritual formation.

Andrew shares the defining moments that shaped his calling. He speaks candidly about hardship and resilience—what it means to “take kidney shots” as a leader—and how vision anchored in God’s call empowers you to keep going when the odds feel stacked against you. He offers a framework for staying grounded: Scripture, prayer, identity in Christ, and mentors who speak biblical wisdom into your life.

Whether you’re leading in your home, your workplace, your friendships, or your church, this episode will help you embrace the power of presence, the importance of words, and the calling to invest in others so they can experience life to the full in Jesus.

What you’ll learn:

• Why leadership development is discipleship (and what that looks like in real life)
• How God often forms leaders through small, incremental next steps
• What “taking kidney shots” means—and how leaders stay resilient
• Why vision and calling matter more than the odds stacked against you
• How mentors and community help secure your identity in Christ
• Why words can unlock calling: the power of “I see in you…”
• Why presence matters when someone is in a dark season
• Foundational rhythms for disciples: Word, prayer, listening, journaling
• Three self-evaluative questions for men who want to lead

Titus Ten Book: https://shorturl.at/06OTb
Mere Christianity Book: https://shorturl.at/neGbz

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• Website: https://bethechurch.org/
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In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Luke Bilberry sits down with Jon VerLee—Founder of Startup Garage, Entrepreneur in Residence at Calvin University, husband, father, and tech leader—for a practical, biblical conversation on technology, AI, and spiritual leadership.

Jon shares his story—from a defining car accident at 16, to student ministry and seminary, to building church software that served thousands of churches worldwide. Along the way, he unpacks a crucial warning for leaders in today’s tech moment: the more fascinated we become with the tools, the more we risk missing the point.

Using the life of Moses as a framework, Jon challenges leaders to resist the urge to rush ahead in their own strength. That same principle applies to innovation, calling, and the way we steward emerging technologies like AI.

Whether you’re leading in ministry, business, or your everyday relationships, this episode will help you stay anchored in the mission—people, discipleship, and the Kingdom—while thinking thoughtfully about how to use technology without losing your humanity.

What you’ll learn:

• Why technology is neutral—and why Christians can’t afford to stay silent in tech spaces
• How to avoid becoming fascinated by AI and “missing the point” of the mission
• A leadership lesson from Moses: right burden, wrong timing (and what patience looks like)
• Why social media often promises “connection” but produces isolation, envy, and loneliness
• How to use AI wisely as a tool for learning—without replacing real community and relationships
• Practical ways to lead with spiritual influence: initiative, presence, and relational investment
• How to steward passions that feel “separate” (ministry + tech) into Kingdom impact

Connect with Jon
Jon VerLee is the Founder of Startup Garage and the Entrepreneur in Residence at Calvin University, where he combines his entrepreneurial experience and passion for faith-driven innovation to empower students and founders to turn business ideas into ventures that create meaningful, redemptive impact. He is the former Founder and CEO of Breeze Church Management Software. Connect with Jon at startupgarage.org.

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• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
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Connect With Us

• Website: https://bethechurch.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI