Hi Reader,

What if your church could fund its ministry without relying solely on congregational giving?

I get that question a lot. So today, a fascinating answer.

Mark Batterson, lead pastor of National Community Church in D.C., didn’t just plant a church—he built a sustainable ministry by investing in businesses that fuel kingdom work.

In this episode of the podcast, Mark shares how he went from meeting in movie theaters to owning a city block—all while staying debt-free and focused on the gospel.

You may have read Mark's books and heard him speak, but you've probably never heard this side of his approach to ministry. So I went there.

We unpack:
👉 The funding model Mark developed (it’s not what you think)
👉 How to integrate mission and marketplace without losing focus
👉 Why generosity unlocks unexpected financial miracles

If you’ve ever wrestled with how to resource your church’s vision, this episode is a game-changer.

And if this conversation sparks something in you, share it with a fellow leader. Because when we think bigger, dream bolder, and lead better, everyone wins.

Watch today's conversation.

Mark Batterson unpacks the funding and church planting strategy of National Community Church, from 29 people to owning coffee houses and city blocks in one of America's most expensive real estate markets, and how 'success' goes from gradual to sudden.

Watch it on YouTube or tune in wherever you listen to podcasts.

This episode is brought to you by...

The Art of Leadership Live

Super early bird pricing is available for only a few more days, so don’t wait—visit theartofleadershiplive.com to grab your spot today.

TenX10

I’m excited about Future-Focused Church, a new book by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Raymond Chang. Their team at the Fuller Youth Institute has helped over 1,000 churches navigate change over the past decade, and this book is packed with tested strategies to help you do the same.

Gloo

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Go Deeper

My #1 takeaway from this conversation.

Things change when you go from wanting the city to bless your church to ensuring your church blesses the city.

Episode questions.

Here are 3 questions you can ask yourself as you listen to the episode. You can also use these as discussion starters with friends, a mentor, or staff.

1. Are we thinking beyond tithes and offerings to create sustainable revenue streams?
2. Are we budgeting with financial discipline and long-term vision in mind?
3. Are we embracing a culture of generosity that extends beyond our church walls?

Transcript and links.

​Mark Batterson's Website​

​Mark Batterson's Instagram​

​Mark Batterson's X​

​Mark Batterson's Facebook​

​A Million Little Miracles by Mark Batterson​

​National Community Church​

​Episode 128 with Mark on chasing down dreams without fear​

​Episode 463 with Mark on motivation and habit formation​

​Episode 565 with Mark on his writing process and staying true to your voice​

​At Your Best by Carey Nieuwhof​

​Assemblies of God​

​Connexus Church​

​Ebenezers Coffeehouse​

​International Justice Mission​

​World Vision​

​Anaheim Packing District​

​Armature Works​

​Denver Milk Market​

​Dream Collective​

​Renew 2025​

​Episode 431 with Chris Hodges​

Take Action

Shift Your Church's Mindset: Give Back to Your Community.

Making the shift from wanting the city to bless your church to ensuring your church blesses the city starts with you.

A good way to start? Change the way you talk about money… without making it about fundraising.

What would happen if you started talking about money when you weren’t asking for it? And what if your focus was on what you want for people rather than what you want from them?

That’s exactly a lesson I teach in The Art of Building a Generous Congregation. Check it out today—all it takes is 5 minutes to get started!

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. It truly helps other leaders like you discover these conversations.

Cheering for you,

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Carey Nieuwhof Communications, PO Box 160, Oro Medonte, Ontario L0L 2X0