The First Priority Podcast

In this episode, Brad Schelling and Steve Cherrico are joined by Larry Bragg, Director of First Priority Metro East, to kick off our new series on First Priority's Personnel Values. The conversation begins with stories of God's faithfulness from across the ministry, including a thriving new Club and student-led growth on campuses. The focus then shifts to our first personnel value: Christ Follower. Larry shares how God called him into First Priority, why following Christ must come before pursuing ministry goals, and how bold faith can influence entire families, schools, and communities. Together, the team discusses radical obedience, encouraging student leaders, staying grounded in Scripture, and what it looks like to remain close to Christ during busy seasons of ministry. In This Episode • Why "Christ Follower" is the foundation of every other value• Larry Bragg's journey from Chick-fil-A to First Priority leadership• Celebrating 419 student decisions for Christ in Metro East this year• The story of a new Club that launched after three years of prayer• How one fifth-grade student's testimony impacted an entire room• Hebrews 10:24 and the challenge to spur others on toward love and good deeds• Radical obedience, bold faith, and trusting God with the next step• Staying connected to Christ when ministry feels overwhelming Connect With First Priority Learn more about First Priority and our mission to take the hope of Christ to every student at FirstPriority.org.

In this episode, Steve Cherrico and Brad Schelling kick off a new podcast series focused on the five personnel values that shape the culture of First Priority. These values help define the characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors that contribute to healthy leadership and effective ministry. Together, they discuss the difference between ministry core values and personnel core values, explore how these values were developed through EOS® and Traction®, and share why they continue to guide the way First Priority leaders serve students, churches, schools, and communities. The conversation also highlights exciting updates from FP Connect, stories of new club opportunities across the country, and a preview of the upcoming episodes that will take a deeper look at each individual core value. In This Episode • Updates on FP Connect and new club opportunities across the country • The difference between ministry core values and personnel core values • An overview of First Priority's five personnel values: Christ Follower Passionate & Inspiring Collaborative Team Builder Eager to Learn Confidently Driven • Why culture matters in ministry leadership • How strong values create healthy teams and sustainable growth Coming Next The next episode takes a deeper look at the first core value, Christ Follower, featuring special guest Larry Bragg from First Priority Metro East.

Raising money for ministry can feel like the hardest part of the work… but what if it actually became one of the most life-giving parts of it? In this breakout session from Align 2025, Joe Maldonado shares how his First Priority region grew to 50+ clubs across multiple counties while keeping things simple, relational, and sustainable. Instead of chasing big events or complicated strategies, Joe walks through a clear, repeatable approach built on relationships, small gatherings, and sharing real stories of impact. From Director Dinners to Monthly Donors and Church Partnerships, you’ll hear exactly how he structured a plan that funded growth without adding pressure. If fundraising has ever felt frustrating or disconnected from your calling, this episode will help you rethink it as part of the mission and give you a practical way to move forward. ⚡ What You’ll Walk Away With: A simple framework for funding your ministry without big events. How to turn relationships into long-term support. Practical ways to build a steady monthly donor base. A clearer, more confident way to invite people in. 🔗 Links & Resources First Priority → https://firstpriority.orgYouth Pastor Summit → https://slulead.com

Brad and Steve introduce another breakout session from Align 2025, featuring Logan Miller and Tayana Bradley on social media marketing for First Priority. In this conversation, Logan and Tayana share practical ways Chapters can use social media to tell the story of what God is doing on campuses. From simple posting rhythms to empowering students to share what’s happening at their clubs, the session focuses on keeping the mission visible and helping more students hear about First Priority. You’ll hear: • How Chapters can consistently share club stories online• Simple systems that help directors and students post regularly• Why social media matters for growing awareness and celebrating what God is doing in schools• Real examples from the Kansas City chapter and national content efforts If you want practical ideas for sharing the First Priority story and reaching students where they already spend time online, this breakout session is worth the listen. 🙌📱

In this episode, Steve and Brad recap a practical breakout session from the Align 2025 Conference: the Culture Index! Download this worksheet before you start listening. Hosted by Ashley Jones and Travis Neff, they break down how this profiling tool helps teams understand how they’re wired and how that wiring impacts leadership, communication, hiring, and burnout. 🧠 Learn what the core traits reveal about drive, social style, pace, detail, logic, creativity, and energy capacity.🤝 Discover how understanding your teammates reduces conflict and increases trust.📊 See how Culture Index can clarify your next hire and strengthen team health.🔥 Identify where you may be operating outside your natural wiring. This conversation is not about labeling people. It’s about building stronger, healthier teams so we can serve the mission of First Priority with clarity, unity, and purpose.