Why do so many ministries struggle to get their message out? Christian marketer Stephen Lee has a confronting answer — it's not a tactics problem, and it's not a budget problem. It's a faith problem.

In this episode, Luke and Adam sit down with Stephen Lee, founder of Compose Marketing, to unpack why the church so often undersells the most valuable message in the world — and what it looks like to build a business with God, not just for Him.

Stephen shares his journey from being disowned by his family after becoming an Adventist, surviving on under $200 for years, to generating $4 million in ad revenue for ministry clients — and why he recently walked away from it all to build something new for Christian entrepreneurs.

Along the way they cover what Ellen White actually said about marketing, why Coca-Cola's $5 billion ad spend should convict every ministry leader, and what it looks like when you finally understand the true value of what you're carrying.

In this episode:

• Why most ministries don't have a marketing problem — they have a faith problem
• What Ellen White actually said about marketing (and why it still stings)
• Why Coca-Cola spending $5 billion on a drink should convict every ministry leader
• How to think about success and attribution in Christian marketing
• Where AI fits — and where it doesn't
• Why building with God looks different from building for God

Timestamps

00:00 Growing up, being disowned, and becoming a missionary

08:00 Launching a new event-based business for Christian entrepreneurs

10:00 How to get attention for your ministry on social media

21:00 How to measure success in Christian marketing

23:00 If you had $10,000 and one month — what would you do?

28:00 Thought-provoking content — has it ever gotten Stephen in trouble?

30:00 Stephen's take on AI and responsible use

33:00 Where ministry leaders should put their attention in the next few years

35:00 Final advice — know yourself, know your gifts, build from there

Connect with Stephen Lee

📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gospelpreneur/

✍️ Newsletter & Blog: https://www.simpleestephen.com

💼 Marketing Company: https://www.compose.marketing

Connect with Blue Vineyard

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What does the future of Adventist publishing actually look like? Jarrod Stackelroth has spent nearly 20 years in the thick of it. He was the editor of Adventist Record and Signs of the Times. And he has recently been called to be the associate editor of the Communications Department of the GC.

In this episode, he gives an honest assessment of where the church's journalism and communication stand today. You'll hear about the publications and initiatives doing standout work across the world church, how AI is reshaping the way content gets made, and why trust is becoming the most valuable currency in ministry communications.

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If you have an idea for an episode on the Blue Vineyard Podcast, contact us at hello@bluevineyard.com

Do you offer services in the Adventist Ecosystem? Connect with us on LinkedIn

Or, perhaps you need some digital services. Find out more by visiting our website now. bluevineyard.com

Real life and digital life are blending together — and the local church is no exception. Pastor Wes Via has spent years figuring out how to leverage digital tools in the local church without losing what matters most: real relationships. In this episode, he shares practical examples from his own ministry, including how he uses a podcast as a Bible study resource to free up his one-on-one time for genuine discipleship conversations.

If you lead a local church and you're wondering where to start with technology, this is a grounded, honest place to begin.

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If you have an idea for an episode on the Blue Vineyard Podcast, contact us at hello@bluevineyard.com

Do you offer services in the Adventist Ecosystem? Connect with us on LinkedIn

Or, perhaps you need some digital services. Find out more by visiting our website now. bluevineyard.com

In this episode, Adam and Luke dive deep into the evolution of Blue Vineyard, the Adventist technology landscape. They explore long-form podcasting, the launch of TrustLoop, and teacher appraisal solutions in our schools. Watch to learn how a relationship-first approach to technology is helping those who share God's truth with the tools they deserve.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: The Blue Vineyard Journey

1:51 - Why DIY Website Builders are Failing Large Ministries

4:39 - The NAD, WordPress, and the Power of Open Source

6:59 - Podcasting: Choosing Depth Over Breadth

14:21 - Launching TrustLoop: Solving the Safety Gap

24:14 - ElevatED: Measuring Teaching Skill vs. Mission Alignment

34:41 - AdventAI: Faithfully Navigating the Age of AI

39:16 - The Incubator Model: Building Sustainable Tech Teams

46:16 - The North Star: Equipping the Gospel Commission

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Connect with Blue Vineyard: hello@bluevineyard.com

#sda #sdachurch #tech #ministry #strategy

What is missing from the Adventist media landscape? Kahn Ellmers shares his wishlist for the types of shows the church should be producing, from daily adult devotionals to news commentary. You'll learn about the gaps in the current market and how your ministry might be the one to fill them.

Plus, get access to Blue Vineyard's free "Podcast Launch Guide" to help you start your journey on the right foot.

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If you have an idea for an episode on the Blue Vineyard Podcast, Contact us at hello@bluevineyard.com

Do you offer services in the Adventist Ecosystem? Connect with us on LinkedIn

Or, perhaps you need some digital services. Find out more by visiting our website now. bluevineyard.com

Is your ministry actually unique, or are you just holding onto inefficient processes? This episode challenges the common assumption that "ministry work is different" to help you make smarter technology choices. You'll discover the hidden costs of off-the-shelf workarounds and learn how to identify which 20% of your operations truly justify a custom build. This honest debate will save you from wasting budget on features you don't need.

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If you have an idea for an episode on the Blue Vineyard Podcast, Contact us at hello@bluevineyard.com

Do you offer services in the Adventist Ecosystem? Connect with us on LinkedIn

Or, perhaps you need some digital services. Find out more by visiting our website now. bluevineyard.com

Ever wonder why ChatGPT makes up Bible verses or misquotes Ellen White? In this episode, you’ll discover the fundamental "compression" problem with generic AI models. Emmanuel Higgins returns to explain how Advent AI uses advanced context engineering to solve this issue.

You'll learn how to use this specialized tool to get accurate, sourced answers for your Sabbath School lesson or sermon prep, ensuring your digital research is grounded in truth, not hallucinations.

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If you have an idea for an episode on the Blue Vineyard Podcast, Contact us at hello@bluevineyard.com

Do you offer services in the Adventist Ecosystem? Connect with us on LinkedIn

Or, perhaps you need some digital services. Find out more by visiting our website now. bluevineyard.com

In this episode, Adam and Luke takes you behind the scenes of Types and Symbols. They reveal the branding process used by one of Adventism’s top design studios.

You’ll discover the power of establishing a "brand tone" before any design work begins and learn how that single step can clarify your entire communication strategy.

Listen to understand their step-by-step process. It'll turn your complex vision into a unified, beautiful, and mission-focused reality.

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If you have an idea for an episode on the Blue Vineyard Podcast, Contact us at hello@bluevineyard.com

Do you offer services in the Adventist Ecosystem?

Connect with us on LinkedIn Or, perhaps you need some digital services.

Find out more by visiting our website now. bluevineyard.com