Breaking the 200 Barrier, Church Leadership Systems, and Revival with Pastor Mike Santiago

Creating the Future with Dr. Brent Simpson where we dive into stories, truths, and deep questions that help shape our faith, our families, and our future. In this episode, Dr. Brent sits down with Mike Santiago, lead pastor of Focus Church and one of the most respected voices in modern church planting and leadership. Pastor Mike has trained hundreds of church planters across the United States, helping leaders build healthy systems, sustainable growth models, and Spirit-led cultures that last. He is also a revivalist who travels extensively, carrying a deep burden for the move of God in this generation. This conversation goes deep into what actually builds strong churches—not just hype, but structure, leadership clarity, and spiritual depth. In this episode, we talk about: What effective church leadership looks like in today’s rapidly changing culture Why systems don’t replace the Spirit—but actually help steward revival Common mistakes churches make that keep them stuck under 200 in attendance Practical shifts that help churches break the 200 barrier and continue growing The balance between numerical growth and spiritual health How pastors can lead with both faith and foresight What the future of the church may look like in the next decade Why revival and leadership development must go hand in hand This is a must-listen conversation for pastors, church planters, staff leaders, and anyone passionate about the future of the local church. It’s honest, practical, and deeply hopeful. 💬 Learn more about Focus Church: https://www.focus.church/ 🌐 Connect with Pastor Mike Santiago: @MikeSantiago on Instagram 🎙️ You can listen to the podcast on Podbean or anywhere podcasts are found: https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/ ✨ Connect with Dr. Brent: 💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson 🌐 BrentSimpson.com 🏡 MyAriseChurch.com