The Pillar Network

Erik Raymond preaches on being sober minded from 1 Timothy 4:5 at the 2026 NYC Pillar Pastors Conference.

Dave Kiehn leads a panel discussion on the upcoming SBC in Orlando, FL. Panelists Nate Akin, Dave Russell, and Ben Lacey discuss important issues heading up to the SBC, including the presidential election, Al Mohler's proposed Truth and Unity Amendment, and more. This audio is from a network-wide Zoom call from May 28, 2026.

Nate Akin gives a talk on Multiplying Men, Marriages, and Ministry at the 2026 Pillar Intensive at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.

In this episode of the Pillar Women Podcast, Betsy Gómez and Sarah Rogers sit down for a warm and honest conversation about the lessons they wish they had learned earlier as ministry wives.
With a lighthearted backstory and plenty of laughter, Betsy and Sarah reflect on the joys, tensions, limitations, and hidden graces of serving alongside their husbands in ministry. Together, they share twelve lessons shaped by years of church life, motherhood, repentance, and dependence on Christ. 
 
Highlights
“You will never meet people’s standards.” (Gal. 1:10; Prov. 29:25)
“Instead of doing more, you need to dwell more in Christ.” (Jn. 15:4-5; Matt. 11:28-30)
“The work in the home is also ministry.” (Titus 2:3-5; Deut. 6:6-7)
“You are more influential than you think.” (Titus 2:7-8; Matt. 5:14-16)
“Embrace the seasonality of life.” (Eccl. 3:1; Jn. 17:4)
“Root your identity in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3-14; Col. 3:1-4)
“Sinful comparison kills.” (2 Cor. 10:12; Heb. 12:1-2)
“You are a church member.” (1 Cor. 12:12-27; Heb. 10:24-25)
“Giftedness doesn’t override God’s order for the church.” (1 Tim. 2:12-15; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 2:3-5)
“Embrace who God made you to be.” (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Pet. 4:10-11)
“You don’t need to have a degree to start discipling women in your local church.” (Titus 2:3-5)
“You are not alone.” (Gal. 6:2; Heb. 3:13)
 
Dig Deeper
Where are you most tempted to live for people’s expectations rather than resting in Christ’s approval?
Are you trying to do more for Christ while neglecting to dwell with Christ?
How is God using hidden faithfulness in your home, family, or ordinary responsibilities as a ministry?
In this season of life, what work has God placed before you?
Are you relating to your church primarily through usefulness or through belonging to Christ’s body?
What other lessons have you learned as a ministry wife?

Eric Bancroft gives a talk on Pastoral Leadership at the 2026 Pillar Intensive at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.

Nate Akin, Dave Kiehn, Brandon Langley, and Ben Wright discuss affinity groups within the Southern Baptist Convention. In this episode, they explore the benefits and concerns surrounding affinity groups, their role in fostering cooperation for missions and church planting, and how these networks can help churches engage more meaningfully in SBC life.

Nate Akin hosts a panel discussion on Ministry and Missions in the 21st Century with Greg Gilbert, Ryan Fullerton, Andrew Walker, and Tom Schreiner at the 2026 Pillar Intensive at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.

Liam Garvie gives a talk on Holiness of the Shepherd at the 2026 Pillar Intensive at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.

Ed Moore shares 12 Lessons on Preaching Application at the 2026 Pillar Intensive at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.

In this episode of the Pillar Network Podcast, Sarah Rogers and Betsy Gómez sit down with Hunter Beless to talk about discipleship, women’s ministry, and the irreplaceable role of the local church.
Hunter shares how her understanding of the church deepened through years of ministry, especially as she saw the limitations of online influence and the necessity of embodied, relational discipleship. Together, they reflect on the beauty and challenges of church planting, the formative role of motherhood, and how God uses ordinary, unseen faithfulness to shape His people.
Throughout the conversation, they emphasize that true discipleship happens in the context of real relationships, rooted in God’s Word, and lived out both in the home and the local church. They call women to reject a consumeristic mindset and instead embrace a life of humble, Word-centered service for the building up of the body of Christ. 
 
Highlights from the episode:
“In a generation of curated platforms, we cannot disciple people at a distance.”
“I have become less consumeristic… and more willing to bend low and serve.”
“Everything is curated to the algorithm… we end up surrounding ourselves with people who are just like us.” 
“The Lord uses this space within the four walls of my home as the training ground for what it looks like to apply the gospel.”  “I have become less consumeristic and more willing to bend low and serve.”
“We are embodied souls… we need embodied discipleship.”
“The gospel is on display when we have unity across our differences.”
“The home is the training ground for applying the gospel.”
“If we open God’s Word together, we are doing real spiritual good.”
“No woman is exempt from teaching what is good.”
“Discipleship is teaching and training in godliness in the context of a relationship.” 
 
Dig deeper:
How has the “algorithm” or online influence shaped your expectations of church and discipleship?
Are you trying to grow spiritually apart from the context of real, embodied relationships in the local church?
In what ways might you be approaching church with a consumer mindset instead of a servant’s posture?
How is God using your home (your current season, responsibilities, and relationships) as a training ground for the gospel?
If discipleship is “teaching and training in godliness in the context of relationship,” how does that challenge the way you currently think about spiritual growth?