Continuing our series meeting people in all areas of ministry and leadership. I met Zak and Amber on Twitter first, and then at Catalyst West. Loved them right away. They are right in the midst of launching their church plant.
1. What is your role in leadership/ministry?
Lead Pastor of a brand new church plant called Revolution Church in the San Antonio, TX metro area.
2. What is your favorite thing about your role?
Meeting people and then loving them.
3. What is the most challenging thing?
The most challenging aspect of church planting has been momentum. You start with absolutely NOTHING. No people. No trust. No speed. All you have is a little bit of money and a LOT of time. So you leverage your time and money to get some people. And you disciple your people to build a team that can create some momentum. Its challenging to always be “working the triangle.” The triangle is People, Time, and Money. This probably all makes more sense in my head than it does here. 
Its an idea I stole from my buddy Bil Cornelius.
4. What do you wish someone had told you before you started in your area of leadership/ministry?
To focus on the main things that only I can do and empower others to do everything else.
5. What do you wish others in leadership knew about your specific area?
That pastors do actually work their tails off. I get “so what else do you do?” a LOT. I shouldn’t let it frustrate me but when you are racking up 70-80 hours a week in actual work time, its tough to not let that get to you.
6. How has God used your leadership to grow and change you?
God first used “followship” to teach me how to lead. Now, as I leverage my leadership to pour into the lives of others, God is showing me that all that matters in the end is people.
7. For those in ministry, what does a typical weekend look like for you?
On the weekends we try to have some good quality family time though sometimes it has to happen during the week. I have found that in church planting you can’t have a set schedule. It changes each week.
On Saturday at about 2pm I start getting in the zone (pastors, you know what I am talking about.) Sunday, I wake up, get my girly coffee at Starbucks and then GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO for about 10-14 hours. Sunday is definitely the craziest, busiest, most tiring, yet most fulfilling day of the week.
8. If you could pass one little piece of wisdom to someone else in the same leadership role, what would it be?
Church planters, focus on doing what only YOU can do and empower others to do everything else.
9. How do you make sure that integrity is being maintained in your leadership?
I have a church planting coach and two men who I meet with once a week that keep me accountable. Right now, I also have tons of pastors and friends in ministry from all over the country checking in on me because we are do early in this church plant.
10. How do you develop other leaders? How do you grow and develop in your leadership?
For me, developing other leaders starts with understanding who the person is that I am trying to develop. There is no set formula that works for everyone. I like to start with knowing their DISC personality profile. The DISC profile has been the most valuable tool there is when it comes to developing people and empowering them because it gives you a simple picture of who they are and how to communicate/relate to them.
Right now, I meet regularly with the men I am developing in a one on one or one on two environment.
For my personal development I read books by Jud Wilhite over and over. Literally, I have read Deadly Viper 10 times.
Lots of leadership books, character books, the Bible, and time in prayer work for me. I also have regular meetings with my personal coach and other pastors I admire and follow.
11. How do you meet the needs specific to the people in your town, city, circle of influence?
We are still cracking the code in our community. One of the biggest things we have found is that very few people attend a church regularly. Their main reason is “church is boring.” So we are meeting a need by spending time on being creative whether it be during our weekend services or in our outreach and community events.
Any other planters out there? What are your thoughts/ challenges/ successes? For everyone else, let’s give the planters out there some encouragement.
You can connect with Brandi via 
Awesome! Thanks for the advice/encouragement! Nice to meet your cute family!
Hi! My husband and I are planting a church in rural Kansas – so it looks quite different than urban San Antonio! But many things are the same: developing leaders, gaining (working hard for) momentum and work, work, work while people wonder what he does “the rest of the time.” Also, as the planter’s wife, and mother of small children, I’m finding relationship and friendships a bit hard to come by – especially at church. Also, our plant is a different model – we were hired by a group of people who wanted to start a church in the E Free denomination. So we had a few people right away. As you can imagine, this is a blessing and a challenge! Great to hear your story!
Thanks, I really needed that!
As we journey into the first stages of church planting, I am excited yet constantly sick to the stomach. I pray the gospel would be glorified wherever we end up!
Thanks for sharing.
my husband and I planted our church 4 1/2 yrs ago. it has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding things we’ve ever done! education and support was one of the major keys to our success as a church plant. we are apart of an incredible church planting organization called “ARC”. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about it. Go girl! You can do it!!