We’re kicking off 2026 with a conversation every pastor, leader, and church planter needs.

On the first Unscripted episode of the year, Pastor Dino Rizzo sits down with Pastor Steve Robinson (Church of the King) in Louisiana for an honest, practical discussion on Soul Leadership and how unprocessed trauma can quietly hijack a leader’s emotions, decision-making, and relationships.

This episode is full of wisdom, grace, and real help for anyone who feels like they’re “fine” on the outside but running on fumes inside.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why there’s a difference between being tired and being traumatized
• How leaders can slip into hypervigilance, irritability, numbness, and overreaction without realizing what’s happening
• The “stress continuum” (green / yellow / red) and how to know what zone you’re in
• How to build resilience before crisis hits, not after
• Why “break the silence” is often the first step toward healing
• The hope of post-traumatic growth…a real “2.0” on the other side of a hard season

Pastor Steve’s newest book, “Soul Leadership” (releasing January 27) is the foundation for much of the conversation. And it’s aimed at helping leaders rebound from crisis, grow resilience, and live from wholeness.

Let’s start 2026 the right way…not just with better goals, but with a healthier soul.

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The Association of Related Churches (ARC) is a cooperative of independent churches from different denominations, networks, and backgrounds who strategically resource church planters and pastors to help them reach people with the message of Jesus.

Since 2000, ARC has helped to plant more than 1,180 churches worldwide. If you have a dream in your heart to start a life-giving church and reach your city with the message of Jesus, ARC is here to come alongside you in the journey. Attending ARC Launch, a church planter training event, is the first step in planting a church with ARC. You will hear from ARC pastors, coaches, and staff as they share the nuts and bolts of church planting. Discover more and register for ARC Launch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.arcchurches.com/launch/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Don’t Do Ministry Alone - We need relationships to thrive. You need other people in your corner, who have gone through similar things that you’ve gone through, and believe in your dream. ARC provides opportunities for you to build relationships with others in ministry that will support and strengthen you in what God has called you to do. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.arcchurches.com/connect/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

“If we can say yes, and keep open hands and open hearts our whole lives, then when we look back at what the Lord has done, it really is a beautiful journey. Our yes is so important.” — Pastor DeLynn Rizzo

In the final Unscripted episode of 2025, Dino sits down with his favorite guest of all time: his wife, DeLynn. On the eve of their 37th wedding anniversary, they look back on nearly 40 years of ministry, marriage, and saying yes to Jesus together.

From the earliest moments of learning to say yes to God, to saying yes to marriage, ministry, and every unexpected assignment along the way, this conversation is a tender, hope-filled look at how a lifetime of open-handed obedience has shaped their family, their calling, and their unity through the mountains and valleys of ministry.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How a simple yes to Jesus becomes the foundation for every other yes

• What it looks like to stay unified in marriage while serving in ministry

• Reflections on this year’s Unscripted guests and the themes that stood out

• Why character, soul health, and who you are at home matter more than anything you build

• A fresh encouragement for stepping into 2026 with gratitude, faith, and courage

Plus, a look ahead:

As Dino and DeLynn reflect on God’s faithfulness, they also share their excitement about ARC’s 25th anniversary year. In April 2026, we’ll gather at Seacoast Church, where the ARC story began, for a once-in-a-generation celebration of God’s goodness. With a full-scale ARC documentary in the works and a historic conference planned, this is the moment for every planter, partner, pastor, and friend of ARC to come together.

Watch or listen to the full episode!

We pray you’re encouraged as you reflect on 2025 and plan for 2026 – God has so much more in store!

P.S.:

You do not want to miss the ARC Conference milestone event! It won’t be the same without you!

➡️ Register now for ARC Conference 2026 at Seacoast Church

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The Association of Related Churches (ARC) is a cooperative of independent churches from different denominations, networks, and backgrounds who strategically resource church planters and pastors to help them reach people with the message of Jesus.

Since 2000, ARC has helped to plant more than 1,180 churches worldwide. If you have a dream in your heart to start a life-giving church and reach your city with the message of Jesus, ARC is here to come alongside you in the journey. Attending ARC Launch, a church planter training event, is the first step in planting a church with ARC. You will hear from ARC pastors, coaches, and staff as they share the nuts and bolts of church planting. Discover more and register for ARC Launch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.arcchurches.com/launch/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Don’t Do Ministry Alone - We need relationships to thrive. You need other people in your corner, who have gone through similar things that you’ve gone through, and believe in your dream. ARC provides opportunities for you to build relationships with others in ministry that will support and strengthen you in what God has called you to do. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.arcchurches.com/connect/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

“Nobody can out-local the local church.” - Pastor Carey Nieuwhof

On the latest episode of Unscripted, Marc Cleary, Director of Church Planting at ARC, and Noah Herrin, pastor of Way Church, an ARC church plant located in Nashville, sit down with pastor, author, and leadership expert Carey Nieuwhof for a conversation full of insight and hope for the next generation of leaders.

From his start in law school to pastoring Connexus Church in Canada, Carey has spent decades studying church health, leadership, and cultural trends. In this episode, he unpacks what he is seeing right now among churches and leaders across the world and why he’s never been more optimistic.

Highlights from the conversation include:

• The Non-Derivative Church: The most effective churches in the next decade will stop copying formulas and start embracing their unique voice.

• Slow Is Pro: Data shows the strongest church plants are the ones that build patiently, raise strong cores, and grow through relationships.

• The Gen Z Revival: In the UK, church attendance among young adults has quadrupled since 2018, and Carey believes that same spark is spreading across North America. “Gen Z has seen what the world offers and found it empty. They’re looking for hope, and the church is sitting on a gold mine.”

• AI and the Human Soul: Carey addresses the growing use of artificial intelligence for companionship and what it means for the church. Real connection is what people are longing for.

• Finishing Strong: “Work twice as hard on your character as you do on your competency,” Carey challenges. “The people closest to you should get the best version of you.”

This conversation is a masterclass in leadership and a powerful reminder of why church planting still matters more than ever. As Carey said, “Ten thousand churches close every year, and only three thousand open. We need more church planters.”

Listen now to hear Carey’s wisdom and heart for the next generation of leaders, along with practical encouragement for pastors navigating growth, calling, and the challenges of modern ministry.

____________

The Association of Related Churches (ARC) is a cooperative of independent churches from different denominations, networks, and backgrounds who strategically resource church planters and pastors to help them reach people with the message of Jesus.

Since 2000, ARC has helped to plant more than 1,180 churches worldwide. If you have a dream in your heart to start a life-giving church and reach your city with the message of Jesus, ARC is here to come alongside you in the journey. Attending ARC Launch, a church planter training event, is the first step in planting a church with ARC. You will hear from ARC pastors, coaches, and staff as they share the nuts and bolts of church planting. Discover more and register for ARC Launch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.arcchurches.com/launch/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Don’t Do Ministry Alone - We need relationships to thrive. You need other people in your corner, who have gone through similar things that you’ve gone through, and believe in your dream. ARC provides opportunities for you to build relationships with others in ministry that will support and strengthen you in what God has called you to do. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.arcchurches.com/connect/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.