The Crosswalk Experience Podcast

Before Crosswalk Chattanooga became an established church, it was a growing group of people setting up chairs, opening homes, and trying to create a place where people genuinely belonged.In Episode 7, Bryant Rodriguez shares his journey from theology student and marketing professional to becoming one of the key connectors in Crosswalk’s earliest days.From leading small groups and first impressions to rallying volunteers for weekly setups, Bryant reflects on how community, hospitality, and intentionality shaped the DNA of Crosswalk long before the church had a permanent home.This episode covers:The origins of Bryant’s “home church” gatheringsWhy small groups became foundational to CrosswalkHow serving helps people feel connected and investedThe challenge of building community in modern lifeWhy hospitality and conversation matter so deeply in ministryBryant’s story is a powerful reminder that meaningful church culture is built through consistency, relationships, and ordinary people willing to serve. 

What if the way kids experience church shapes everything?In Episode 6, we sit down with Jaclyn Pruehs, Crosswalk’s founding Kids Director, to talk about how Crosswalk Kids was built from the ground up—without a playbook, a team, or a clear system.From navigating chaotic early classrooms to intentionally designing environments where kids can move, play, and engage with faith, Jaclyn shares the heart behind a ministry that prioritizes both fun and meaning.This episode covers:Why kids ministry matters more than most people realizeBuilding something from nothingCreating structure without losing energy and engagementHow to recruit and retain volunteers without burnoutTeaching faith in a way that connects to real lifeJaclyn’s story is a powerful reminder that the smallest environments often have the greatest impact.

What do you do when everything is working… and God asks you to walk away?In Episode 5, Wesley León shares his journey from building a successful production company in Costa Rica to stepping into an entirely new life in the United States—and ultimately becoming part of the foundation of Crosswalk Chattanooga.From starting a growing faith community in his own living room to leaving it all behind, this conversation explores the tension between momentum and obedience.This episode covers:Building something meaningful from nothingWrestling with calling vs. comfortTrusting God in seasons of uncertaintyHow past experiences shape present purposeThe role of production and excellence in ministryWesley’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the hardest decisions lead to the most meaningful outcomes.

In this episode of the Crosswalk Experience Podcast, we turn the mic around and sit down with our own Experience Director, Shastin Rains.From growing up as a pastor’s kid to helping launch ministries across the country, Shastin shares her journey into leadership—and how God led her into one of the most unique and impactful roles at Crosswalk.We talk about:What “guest experience” really means (and why it starts in the parking lot)Building a healthy, sustainable volunteer cultureCreating environments where people feel like they belong before they believeLessons learned from leading through uncertainty, growth, and post-COVID rebuildingIf you’ve ever wondered why Crosswalk puts so much intention into what happens outside the auditorium, this conversation gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the heart, strategy, and people who make it happen.Referenced in this episode:Shastin shares part of her personal testimony and journey to Crosswalk. You can listen to the full message here:👉 Campus Day - Shastin Rains🎧 Listen now and discover how small details can lead to life-changing moments.A Lovewell Creative Podcast.📍 Want to learn more about Crosswalk or get connected?Visit: crosswalkchattanooga.com

Most churches grow by habit. Some grow by personality.Crosswalk chose to grow by identity.In this episode, founding member and brand strategist Alysa Darmody shares how Crosswalk defined who it was before scaling, and why belonging, momentum, and experience became the guardrails that shaped every decision that followed.This is a conversation about intentional culture, clarity over chaos, and why naming who you are matters more than chasing growth.Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/crosswalkexperience

We built a church around belonging before we had a building, a budget, or a roadmap.This conversation traces Crosswalk’s origin…from living rooms to pop-ups…and why choosing people first changed everything that came next.A Lovewell Creative Podcast. Chapters00:00 Intro01:30 The moment something felt different05:10 Visiting Crosswalk Redlands10:45 Why starting with small groups mattered18:40 Moving forward without clarity27:15 Pop-ups, momentum, and early resistance36:20 When it became “real”44:10 Lessons from the early days52:30 What building community actually takesFollow us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/thecrosswalkexperienceBig thanks to our sponsor: White Oak Dental in Chattanooga, TN. Learn more here: https://www.whiteoakdds.com/#crosswalkchurch #crosswalkchattanooga

Pastor Tim Gillespie didn’t “grow” Crosswalk by accident, he rebuilt it on purpose.In 2014, Crosswalk was down to ~85 people and debating whether to shut its doors. Tim walked into his first board meeting and said: we’re not closing, we’re building. What followed was a decade-long rebuild anchored in three non-negotiables: excellence (no “good enough”), belonging (people first), and relevance (faith that speaks the language of real life).In this first episode, Tim takes us behind the decisions that upset people, scaled culture, and eventually multiplied into Crosswalk Chattanooga, plus the unexpected moment that told him it was time to leave.What you’ll hear:The 5-page vision that became reality by year two “You can’t suck on Saturday” (and the backlash)Branding, merch, and the hidden power of consistencyCoffee as ministry—why a cup can feel like coming homeChattanooga: pop-ups → community → churchThe 3:30am “well done” moment that ended a 10-year runFollow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecrosswalkexperiencepodWatch this podcast on video: https://www.youtube.com/@thecrosswalkexperience

The Crosswalk Experience Podcast takes you inside the life of Crosswalk Chattanooga. Hosted by Shastin Rains and Justin Wampler, we explore the stories, leadership decisions, creativity, and faith that shape the church—from its founding to the people carrying it forward.This is Episode 1, featuring Crosswalk Founder and Pastor Tim Gillespie.