Dents in the Darkness – Details, episodes & analysis

Join us for a conversation with Matta Rizkallah, founder and CEO of Manufacturing Automation Systems (MAS), as we unpack what it means to live out Business as Mission in the industrial automation space.

Matta shares how his company began not only to serve market needs but to actively engage global mission initiatives and community transformation—all from Painted Post, New York.

Key themes include:

• How to build a kingdom business.

• How MAS integrates innovation, social impact, and Christian values into its mission 

• The challenges of being a business leader.

• How the church can help business leaders in their kingdom pursuit.

• Ongoing faith-based projects: building a school in Ghana and partnering with organizations like NuVenture Nepal and Potter’s Hands Foundation Manufacturing Automation Systems LLC

This episode is ideal for mission-minded entrepreneurs, church leaders, and Christians seeking to connect their daily work with eternal purpose

• Manufacturing Automation Systems, Inc. – automation & robotics company providing engineered solutions to industries including defense, life sciences, and semiconductor manufacturing Empire State Development+1

• Books on Business as Mission - https://businessasmission.com/library/books/

If you're a pastor feeling the weight of leadership, you’re not alone. In this episode, we sit down with Pastor Derek Sanford, lead pastor of Grace Church in Erie, PA, and founder of the Grace Leadership Institute, to talk about leadership.

Derek shares practical, time-tested wisdom on multiplying leaders, creating healthy team dynamics, and leading for the long haul without burning out. This episode is packed with insight for pastors looking to build sustainable leadership structures, raise up others, and stay faithful over decades—not just seasons.

 In This Episode: 

• Why teams matter (and how to build one)

• Building Leadership Longevity.

• How to identify, develop, and deploy emerging leaders

• Strategies for longevity in ministry and avoiding burnout

• The role of vulnerability and humility in healthy leadership

  
  

  Derek’s book: ⁠Untapped Church: Discovering the Hidden Potential of Ordinary People in Your Church

• Sign up for the Northeast Leadership Summit

   
  

Dents in the Darkness returns with "Leading From The Second Chair" with Pastor Paul Piraino from Victory High Wesleyan Church in Corning NY.

Paul has been at the same church for 30+ years in many different roles.  Although he was the lead pastor for many years, he loved leading from the second chair.  This is a great conversation on how to lead well when you are not in charge and how team leadership can be a beautiful thing.  

Resources:

1. Second Chair Leadership by Tracy Reynolds

2. Leading From The Second Chair by Mike Bonem

On this episode, Hosts Tim Madeira and Mike Schooley will sit down with Jamie Overholser, from Standing Stone Ministry, and hear about their focus on the much needed mission of soul care in pastors. They will speak into "what is soul care" and "what is the soul" first. Make sure to listen in and consider any shepherd's in your circles that might benefit from this ministry!

Needing some guidance? Feeling alone? Wanting to grow as a leader? Experiencing burnout? We are here to support and help you prevent crises, navigate them if they happen, and increase your health so you, your family, and your ministry flourishes.

Contact Jamie to have a conversation.⁠

Jamie's email address -⁠jamie.overholser@gmail.com⁠ 

https://standingstoneministry.org/⁠

In this episode, Tim Madeira and Mike Schooley interview with NEC Founder/President - Pastor Dan Nichols, along with Andy Needham - Converge Northeast Regional Vice President & Associate Director https://www.converge.org/northeast

Andy is a trusted connector and champion for church leaders with twenty-four years of experience in regional ministry in the northeast. Serving and solving problems for pastors is his passion and joy.

Developing leaders is a critical piece of seeing the movement of God in the northeast. Converge is partnering with NEC to invest in leaders through a cohort.   

Apply here: https://bit.ly/evergreencohort

Aaron Damjanovich and Dave Holvig, from Eaglebrook Association joined us on the podcast to share who they are and their passion for Christ. Hear about their upcoming church training outside of Syracuse in August. You will hear the story of why Eagle Brook does this passion - and what they will be doing during this training!

After experiencing God's redemption, forgiveness & consequences from secret sin, our friends Derek & Andrea graciously & transparently let us into their story of how God is saving their marriage after Derek's affair within their former church. This interview gives us all great caution and great encouragement no matter where we are in our marriages and walks with Christ! 

Learn more about Lance Witt - our main speaker for #NLS24 on Saturday, November 9th in Cortland, NY! Lance has been leading churches and organizations for 40+ years. He was the lead pastor for 3 different churches and then spent 7 years as an executive and teaching pastor at Saddleback Church in Southern California. In 2007, Lance launched “Replenish” which is dedicated to “Helping people live and lead from a healthy soul.”  Over the last 17 years, Lance has encouraged, challenged and equipped thousands of leaders through speaking, personal coaching, LifePlanning, and writing books. Lance and his best friend Connie have been married for 45  years. They have two grown children and 4 beautiful granddaughters. 

Northeast Leadership Summit 2024 (#NLS24)

Lance's Website

Lance's Books 

In this episode, Tim Madeira & Dan Nichols interview Mike Schooley, planter & pastor at Higher Hope Church near Horseheads, NY. Mike is NEC's new Church Strategist! Mike is an experienced, effective ministry leader who deeply loves the Northeast. Check out his story & encouragement for ministry leaders.

In this episode, Tim Madeira & Dan Nichols interview Mark Dance, the Director of Pastoral Wellness for Guidestone Financial Resources (SBC). He was a lead pastor and planter for 27 years before becoming an associate vice president at Lifeway, the director of pastoral development for Oklahoma Baptists, and the co-founder/leader of the Care4Pastors Network. Mark earned degrees from Howard Payne University (BBA), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min). 

Check Mark out more here:

Mark's Book: Start to Finish

⁠⁠Mark's Website⁠⁠

Mark's Email⁠