
The Disciple Standard Podcast sparks the conversations the church can’t afford to avoid.
In an age where shallow faith and cultural conformity often pass as discipleship, we believe it’s time to raise the standard. Hosted by pastors Aaron Mamuyac and Scott Vander Ploeg from Sunlight Community Church, this show is part rallying cry, part discipleship manual, and part therapy session for believers who are hungry for something real. What started as a side conversation between church leaders has become a growing movement to restore the clarity, power, and urgency of biblical discipleship.
Subscribe and listen today!

The Disciple Standard Podcast sparks the conversations the church can’t afford to avoid. In an age where shallow faith and cultural conformity often pass as discipleship, we believe it’s time to raise the standard. Hosted by pastors Aaron Mamuyac and Scott Vander Ploeg from Sunlight Community Church, this show is part rallying cry, part discipleship manual, and part therapy session for believers who are hungry for something real. What started as a side conversation between church leaders has become a growing movement to restore the clarity, power, and urgency of biblical discipleship.

The Disciple Standard Podcast sparks the conversations the church can’t afford to avoid. In an age where shallow faith and cultural conformity often pass as discipleship, we believe it’s time to raise the standard. Hosted by pastors Aaron Mamuyac and Scott Vander Ploeg from Sunlight Community Church, this show is part rallying cry, part discipleship manual, and part therapy session for believers who are hungry for something real. What started as a side conversation between church leaders has become a growing movement to restore the clarity, power, and urgency of biblical discipleship.
Subscribe and listen today!
Why This Podcast Exists
The modern church is facing a discipleship crisis.
Despite an abundance of programs, sermons, and Christian content, many believers remain spiritually underdeveloped, relationally isolated, and missionally disengaged. We believe the way forward is not louder hype or flashier services—but deeper, more honest conversations about what it really means to follow Jesus in today’s world. That’s why we created this podcast: to open up the kinds of conversations we wish more churches were having. No fluff. No fear. Just truth, grace, and guts.
Recent Episodes
Why We Need to Raise Leaders—and Then Let Them Lead
They cover everything from the theology of adulthood to why pastors shouldn’t fear being replaced. It’s raw, funny, and full of wisdom from decades of raising leaders—and watching them surpass you.
🔔 Subscribe to join the movement of disciples making disciples.
📍 Learn more about the Multiply Conference: conference.multiply222.com
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Support the Podcast - https://www.patreon.com/c/DiscipleStandardPodcast
Visit our church - https://sunlightchurch.com/
Connect with us - https://multiply222.com
00:00 – The Boys Are Back: Meet Jerry, Scott & Aaron
01:30 – Jerry’s Legacy of Discipleship: 40 Years of Raising Leaders
05:00 – What Would They Say at Your Funeral?
07:30 – How One Student Called During Labor to Ask a Theological Question
10:00 – Why the World Delays Adulthood (and Why the Church Shouldn't)
13:00 – The Hutterite Mindset: Treating Kids Like Adults
16:00 – Spotting Future Leaders: Look at the Kids in the Background
19:00 – What’s More Fruitful—A Meeting or a Middle Schooler?
23:00 – The Real Priority: Investing in People Over Projects
25:30 – Sowing vs. Harvesting: Why Most Leaders Get It Backward
28:00 – Decentralizing Leadership: Why Multiple Preachers Matter
31:00 – Addressing Insecurity in the Pulpit
34:00 – Preaching, Power, and Letting Others Lead
36:00 – Youth Group as the Leadership Training Ground
40:00 – How Do You Know You’re Called? External vs. Internal Calling
44:00 – 58% Want to Lead for Jesus. Only 10% Have Been Asked.
47:00 – What Happens When You Ask, “Who Knows What God Can Do?”
51:00 – Limitless Potential: What If the Church Unlocked the Other 90%?
54:00 – Creating Systems and Spirit-Led Culture
58:00 – Greg, Jerry, and God’s Unexpected Plan
59:30 – Multiply Conference Preview – You’re Invited!Show More

They cover everything from the theology of adulthood to why pastors shouldn’t fear being replaced. It’s raw, funny, and full of wisdom from decades of raising leaders—and watching them surpass you.
🔔 Subscribe to join the movement of disciples making disciples.
📍 Learn more about the Multiply Conference: conference.multiply222.com
-
https://disciplestandard.com/
Support the Podcast - https://www.patreon.com/c/DiscipleStandardPodcast
Visit our church - https://sunlightchurch.com/
Connect with us - https://multiply222.com
00:00 – The Boys Are Back: Meet Jerry, Scott & Aaron
01:30 – Jerry’s Legacy of Discipleship: 40 Years of Raising Leaders
05:00 – What Would They Say at Your Funeral?
07:30 – How One Student Called During Labor to Ask a Theological Question
10:00 – Why the World Delays Adulthood (and Why the Church Shouldn't)
13:00 – The Hutterite Mindset: Treating Kids Like Adults
16:00 – Spotting Future Leaders: Look at the Kids in the Background
19:00 – What’s More Fruitful—A Meeting or a Middle Schooler?
23:00 – The Real Priority: Investing in People Over Projects
25:30 – Sowing vs. Harvesting: Why Most Leaders Get It Backward
28:00 – Decentralizing Leadership: Why Multiple Preachers Matter
31:00 – Addressing Insecurity in the Pulpit
34:00 – Preaching, Power, and Letting Others Lead
36:00 – Youth Group as the Leadership Training Ground
40:00 – How Do You Know You’re Called? External vs. Internal Calling
44:00 – 58% Want to Lead for Jesus. Only 10% Have Been Asked.
47:00 – What Happens When You Ask, “Who Knows What God Can Do?”
51:00 – Limitless Potential: What If the Church Unlocked the Other 90%?
54:00 – Creating Systems and Spirit-Led Culture
58:00 – Greg, Jerry, and God’s Unexpected Plan
59:30 – Multiply Conference Preview – You’re Invited!Show More

We talk with Marco Ávila, East Coast Regional Leader for Resonate Global Mission, about raising up church planters, coaching leaders, and navigating ...the recent funding changes coming in 2026.
From the essentials every church plant needs, to the challenges of vision and funding, this conversation digs into the practical steps for multiplying disciples, leaders, and churches in the years ahead.
1:08 – Meet Marco Ávila: From Honduras to Resonate leadership
2:39 – What is Resonate? Global & local mission explained
3:27 – A day in the life of a regional leader
5:23 – Article 43 & 23: Licenses for preaching
6:49 – Why church planter assessments and preparation matter
8:31 – Inspired by last week’s podcast on multiplication
10:07 – The CRC’s vision for multiplying disciples & churches
11:39 – Vision: Top-down vs. bottom-up
12:42 – Why church planting vision is often missing
13:31 – Accountability and support for church planters
15:07 – How funding and coaching used to work
16:39 – Gaps in support: coaching vs. being “left alone”
18:12 – Why hands-on church planting experience is essential
20:51 – Marco’s story of guiding a new planter into an internship
22:21 – The workload of planting: preaching, setup, leadership
23:00 – Why coaching matters (but not all coaching is equal)
26:06 – How Resonate connects planters to coaches
27:31 – The value and cost of good coaching
29:53 – Mentorship vs. coaching: helping planters discern their path
33:04 – Resonate funding cuts explained (Kevin’s Synod clip)
35:16 – How cuts impact current church planters
39:16 – Short-term plan: fundraising from churches for 2026
40:39 – Why vision must come before fundraising
41:59 – Scott’s conference for multiplying disciples, leaders, churches
43:29 – A call for collaboration: “Better together” in church planting
46:33 – The need for a clear roadmap & accountability
46:52 – Why internships should be standard for planters
48:42 – How internships reveal gifting and readiness
50:42 – Proximity in coaching: why local involvement matters
53:20 – Building the DNA of a church plant
57:13 – Unity vs. uniformity in multiplying churches
1:00:03 – Non-negotiables for Sunlight church plants
1:02:10 – Marco’s heart for serving in church planting locally
1:03:09 – Final thoughts: Vision, collaboration, and the future
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Scott shares why leadership multiplication matters, Saron reflects on his first sermon (Psalm 137), and we talk about insecurities, discipleship, and the Holy Spirit’s role in preaching. Plus—an unexpected story about a Q-tip, Psalm 40, and hearing God’s Word clearly.
⏱️ Timestamps:
1:14 – Life updates: “Little Sir” the grandchild
5:20 – Excitement and involvement as a grandparent
6:14 – Sermon recap: Saron’s first preaching experience
8:08 – Overcoming hesitation & preparing to preach
9:10 – Two months and 200+ hours of sermon prep
10:50 – Balancing prep time vs. weekly preaching rhythm
11:18 – Finding your own preaching voice
13:32 – Mimicking others before discovering your style
14:15 – Why every preacher’s style is unique
15:28 – The role of the Holy Spirit in preaching outcomes
16:12 – Experimentation: sermon successes & “duds”
16:33 – Voices that influence preaching style
17:12 – Pastors & preachers who shaped delivery
18:18 – The Simpsons & storytelling in preaching
19:12 – Storytelling & music in teaching (VBS connection)
21:09 – The Bible’s story & soundtrack (Psalms)
22:03 – Christ’s voice first in the Psalms
24:14 – Psalms as Jesus’ songbook
25:28 – Psalms as prayer & soundtrack for discipleship
27:50 – Applying this to Psalm 137 and Saron’s sermon
29:03 – Justice, blessing, and Christ in the Psalms
29:21 – Saron’s reflections on preaching Psalm 137
30:02 – Handling nerves before preaching
31:19 – Audience reactions & encouragement
32:11 – Feedback: strengths & areas to grow
33:14 – Theme, purpose, and need in preaching
35:24 – Connecting sermons to listeners’ lives
36:12 – Why raise leaders from within the church
37:23 – Matthew 9: The harvest is plentiful, the workers few
38:48 – From the harvest, for the harvest
40:35 – The megachurch model vs. multiplying preachers
41:58 – Why raising multiple preachers matters
43:24 – Cultural & spiritual reasons leaders stay invisible
44:24 – Disciples make disciples: multiplication vision
45:35 – Tracking leaders trained & raised up
46:46 – Insecurity about training better preachers
48:50 – Worship analogy: better musicians make a better team
49:58 – Hoping for 100 better preachers in the church
50:55 – Doing things imperfectly & learning by trying
54:29 – Sowing vs. reaping: measuring ministry by faithfulness
55:29 – Discipleship as a long-term investment
56:47 – God answering prayer by sending workers
57:11 – Gratitude for being discipled and passing it on
58:17 – Discipling younger musicians & leaders
59:43 – Leadership development takes time and persistence
1:00:07 – Books that shaped leadership growth
1:00:29 – Scott’s Q-tip story: clogged ear & Psalm 40
1:02:47 – God “digging out our ears” to hear His Word
1:04:03 – Public Reading of Scripture as discipleship
1:05:47 – Scripture & prayer as core of spiritual growth
1:07:11 – Recovering relationship with God through Scripture
1:08:01 – Doctor visit details: ear cleared & hearing restored
1:09:29 – Spiritual parallel: God clearing our ears to hear Him
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If you're a pastor, church leader, or just passionate about the future of the CRC, this episode is a must-watch!
🔗 Resources, speech links, and Paul VanderKlay’s video: https://youtu.be/uflCO1yddMY
00:00 – Welcome back + Scott’s European vacation
01:45 – Why Greece? Biblical geography + visiting Apollonia
05:00 – The Apostle’s Step + preaching where Paul once stood
07:00 – Slowing down as a pastor + spiritual discipline reflections
09:00 – Explaining Synod + what it is and how it works
11:00 – Why Synod 2025 matters: decline, sexuality, and the real issue
13:20 – 2017 overture: raising the alarm on denominational decline
15:00 – Multiply vision: 40 leaders in 10 years
17:00 – Strategy birth: how the 2009 crisis reshaped a classes
22:00 – 2023 overture fallout and planting momentum
26:00 – How overtures work + advisory committees explained
29:00 – Floor speech strategy: from frustration to motion
32:00 – Paul VanderKlay’s “Mr. VanderPloeg Goes to Synod” video
36:00 – The funding crisis: Resonate’s painful announcement
39:00 – Church planting cutbacks & why it shocked the classes
41:00 – Scott’s floor speech clip: “We don’t lack anything”
47:00 – Gospel identity vs. blame + why decline must be addressed with action
52:00 – Jesus-centered leadership: problem-solving as gospel witness
56:00 – Multiply disciples. Multiply leaders. Multiply churches.
1:03:00 – Final floor motion: what passed and why it matters
1:06:00 – What’s next? Creating a denomination-wide plan
1:11:00 – Hesitations, leadership, and stepping into responsibility
1:13:00 – The 3-part plan: Disciples → Leaders → Churches
1:16:00 – Call to prayer + rallying the CRC for a gospel future
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Support the Podcast - https://www.patreon.com/c/DiscipleStandardPodcast
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💬 They discuss:
Why church planting is a gift that keeps on giving
The real danger of defunding church multiplication
What we should cut instead to preserve the mission
How funding impacts evangelism, discipleship, and growth
The temptation to deconstruct systems without gospel vision
Why faithfulness to God, not guaranteed results, is our true calling
If we want to reach more people for Christ, we must invest in multiplication—not pull away from it.
👉 Subscribe for new episodes every Thursday
🗣 Join the conversation in the comments below!
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You’ll hear how Dave’s gospel-centered identity sustained him through heartbreak, why longing is a powerful evangelistic tool, and how denominations can better support church planters for the future.
🔗 Subscribe for more gospel-centered content
🔗 Visit The Grove Church: https://www.thegrovechurch.co/
🎙 Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DiscipleStandardPodcast
00:00 – Intro: What surprised you most in church planting?
01:00 – Dave & Aaron’s friendship history
02:30 – Turning 40: A shift from growing to giving
03:45 – From worship leader to church planter
05:15 – Frustration with the church & unreached people
06:00 – Curiosity, doubt & being shut down in Catholic school
07:00 – Doubt as a path to deeper faith
08:00 – Safe places for skeptics in the church
09:10 – The universal longing for “more”
10:30 – The 27 Club & the hollowness of worldly success
12:00 – Emptiness after reaching the top (Deion Sanders story)
13:00 – Cultural idols: comfort, fame, success
14:15 – Gospel identity combats false measures of success
15:00 – Creating space for skeptics & believers to journey together
15:50 – The hardest part: planting a church while caring for a sick son
18:00 – Exhaustion, hospital visits, and spiritual storms
20:00 – Writing sermons while suffering
22:00 – Preaching truth before emotionally feeling it
24:00 – The need for gospel-centered identity in pastors
26:00 – Grove Church size & slow-growth model
28:20 – The real need: training for church planters
30:00 – Wearing all the hats: pastor, accountant, leader
31:00 – Why church planters learn what culture is really saying
32:40 – Established churches should learn from church planters
34:00 – What kind of people does a church plant need?
36:00 – Givers, businesspeople, skeptics, and new believers
38:00 – Team sizes and sending strategies
40:00 – Why churches are afraid to send planters
42:00 – The call to tithe your best people to new plants
44:00 – Why fewer people want to plant churches today
45:00 – Importance of a church planting coach
47:00 – Straight talk for denominational leaders: take the risk
49:00 – What makes a denomination attractive to planters?
50:00 – MNA (PCA) church planter assessment explained
51:30 – The importance of pre-plant training
52:00 – Final question: What are church planters learning?
53:00 – Hosting live Q&A after every sermon
54:30 – Unity in theological diversity
55:30 – How Grove Church handles infant baptism & disagreement
57:00 – Grit, endurance & faith stretched out
59:00 – How to preach to both believers & skeptics
1:00:00 – Longing: the thread that unites Christians & skeptics
1:01:00 – Why hope can feel cruel unless it leads somewhere
1:03:00 – The longing for justice, righteousness & a perfect king
1:04:30 – People want a life well-lived, not just good sermons
1:05:00 – Closing & how to support the podcastShow More

00:00 – The Future of Church Planting at Risk
01:30 – What Is Synod and Why It Matters
03:52 – First-Time Delegate Culture Shock
07:21 – Diversity Gaps in the CRC
10:58 – Theology vs. Strategy: Where We Divide
12:15 – Decline Stats That Shocked Synod
15:04 – Scott’s “Bad News” Speech
18:47 – Church Planters Push Back
21:20 – Is Cultural Identity Holding Us Back?
24:40 – Churches in Survival Mode
26:46 – Can Coaching Replace Funding?
30:23 – Who Really Supports Church Planters?
33:56 – Why Local Context Beats National Strategy
36:40 – Planting from Strength, Not Scarcity
39:41 – The Franchise Church Model Debate
43:11 – Real Support Means Practical Help
45:51 – “You Can’t Plant Churches with Kind Words”
48:43 – Are We Afraid to Admit Failure?
52:54 – \$200K or Coaching: What’s Worth More?
56:43 – Scott’s “Good News” Call to Action
1:00:08 – The Gospel Still Leads the Mission
1:01:13 – First Steps to a Real Church Plant Strategy
1:04:25 – The Next Chapter: Church Planting Series Begins
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🎙️ We talk about:
The biblical definition of a dad
Passive vs involved fathers in today’s world
Lies about fatherhood that men are tempted to believe
The rise of gentle parenting
Helping your kids become critically self-reliant and spiritually grounded
Practical advice for dads trying to live up to God’s calling
Whether you're a dad, want to be one, or are leading the next generation—this one’s for you!
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🎙️ Pastor Aaron sits down ...with Andrea and Kristen to discuss:
The lasting impact of VBS at Sunlight ☀️
How community helps us through hard seasons
What changed his perspective on children’s ministry
How kids’ spiritual growth can transform the entire church 🧠❤️
Controversial takes on modern approaches to children's ministry 😮
And how you can support kids ministry—without ever stepping into a classroom!
This episode is for parents, leaders, volunteers, and anyone passionate about discipling the next generation.
📅 New episodes every Thursday!
📍 Subscribe to the channel and join the conversation in the comments!
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Support the Podcast - https://www.patreon.com/c/DiscipleStandardPodcast
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They explore big questions like:
🤔 What’s the real threat to a young person’s faith today?
💰 Should we be paying kids for chores—or is that teaching the wrong lesson?
⌚️ When is the right time to introduce technology like smartphones?
💭 How do Christian parents navigate raising kids in a hyper-digital, fast-paced culture?
This conversation is packed with real talk, biblical insight, and practical wisdom for parents, church leaders, and anyone investing in the next generation.
👉 New episodes every Thursday on YouTube and your favorite podcast platform.
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Support the Podcast - https://www.patreon.com/c/DiscipleStandardPodcast
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We explore:
– Why phones and distraction are killing real connection 😶🌫️
– How modern culture promotes isolation vs. what Scripture says 🧍♂️➕🧍♀️
– The Church’s role in building genuine relationships ⛪
– The power of discipleship in community 🤝
– How YOU can start creating meaningful connection again 🙌
Whether you’ve felt alone in a crowd or just want deeper faith-based friendships, this episode will challenge and encourage you to build the kind of community Jesus modeled.
🎙 With Pastor Aaron Mamuyac, Pastor Scott Vander Ploeg & Pastor Jary Reed
💡 Brought to you by Sunlight Community Church👥
Subscribe + Share this with someone who needs encouragement today!
📈 Invest Booklet: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/356724949/
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What People Say






What You'll Hear
Real talk for real disciples. Each episode dives into the issues that matter most—from spiritual formation and biblical theology to leadership, culture, relationships, and how to live as a disciple-making Christian in a distracted world. It’s unfiltered, often funny, and deeply practical. We also share how our 222Disciple process is helping everyday believers grow in the gospel, get personally invested in others, and become the kind of disciple-makers Jesus envisioned in Matthew 28 and 2 Timothy 2:2. If you’re ready to take your faith seriously and multiply your life in others, this podcast is for you.
Meet Your Host

Scott Vander Ploeg
Scott Vander Ploeg is the founder of 222Disciple and has been the senior pastor at Sunlight Community Church of Port Saint Lucie since 2004. He began this ministry in the early 2000’s, which was called Sunlight Discipleship Center at the time. Since then, he’s authored all of the lessons, is front and center in its tutorial videos, all while mentoring more than 40 people himself. The ever-expanding ministry has now grown to over 580 people under his leadership. He’s passionate about one of 222Disciple’s driving principles: disciples are called to be disciple-makers.
Meet Your Host

Aaron Mamuyac
Aaron Mamuyac brings over two decades of ministry experience and a deep love for discipleship to The Disciple Standard podcast. A long-time member and now pastor at Sunlight Community Church, Aaron has served in ministry for more than 11 years and was discipled under the faithful leadership of Scott Vander Ploeg. As an ordained Minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church, Aaron combines biblical depth with practical wisdom, helping listeners follow Jesus with clarity and conviction. Whether he’s unpacking Scripture, interviewing guests, or offering reflections from the trenches of pastoral life, Aaron brings a warm, insightful, and grounded voice to every episode.
Become a Sponsor

Our Audience Wants to Hear From You
Want to support discipleship while getting your brand or ministry in front of a thoughtful, faith-driven audience? Sponsor an episode of The Disciple Standard Podcast!
Here’s what you get as a sponsor:
🎬 Lower Thirds Bar: Your name or logo featured on-screen during the video version.
🎙️ Shoutouts: A verbal thank-you mid-episode and at the end.
🔗 Link Sharing: Your website or link featured in the episode description on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.
Whether you’re a business, ministry, or just someone who believes in the mission, your sponsorship helps us keep creating honest, Christ-centered conversations.