Why This Austin Pastor Gives Away Weddings to Strangers

Pastor Randy Phillips pulls up to Grown & Growing — and he's not what you'd expect. 35 years of ministry, 25 #1 songs with Phillips, Craig and Dean, six church campuses across Central Texas… and a dog park on the property. Yes, a dog park.Cozy Earth's biggest sale of the year ends December 3rd. Head to cozyearth.com and use code GROWING for 35% off home and sleepwear. That's cozyearth.com, code GROWING. And when they ask at checkout where you heard about them, let them know Grown & Growing by Keion and Shaunie Henderson sent you. In this conversation, Keion and Shaunie sit down with one of Austin's most beloved pastors to talk about what it really takes to lead, love people, and keep showing up when the "people business" bruises you. What we get into: • Growing up a preacher's kid in Austin and inheriting the call • Why his church has pickleball courts, disc golf, hiking trails — and a chapel for free weddings • The hidden cost of loving people like Jesus did • 41 years of marriage, and the humility it took to stop trying to "fix" his wife • The "First Lady" title conversation Shaunie has been waiting to have • Phillips, Craig and Dean — and the showcase they almost bombed • Otis Ray Charles Phillips 🐾 Pastor Randy also shares his children's book, Guppy and the Silvery Hook. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe so you don't miss the next conversation. Timestamps 00:39 Meet Pastor Randy 02:11 The Buc-ee's church rumor 02:54 From Louisiana evangelists to Austin roots 04:33 How church attendance culture has shifted 05:35 Why communion was always at night 07:34 The "First Lady" title debate 10:26 Going multi-site instead of bigger 12:49 The toll of pastoring people who leave 19:28 Denise the puzzle-solver 22:13 Early marriage: immature and controlling 23:21 The dog park strategy for reaching Austin 28:08 Free Wedding Weekend 33:42 The Guppy book origin story 37:30 35 years of Phillips, Craig, and Dean Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices