The Courage to Confess: Practicing Honesty in Ministry

What happens when pastors and ministry leaders are willing to name the hidden struggles, wounds, temptations, and patterns that can quietly shape their leadership? Inspired by Jamin Goggin’s Pastoral Confessions, this webinar will explore the transformative potential of confession, vulnerability, and honest self-examination in the life of a leader. Rather than viewing confession simply as an admission of failure, we’ll consider how bringing our whole selves into the light can become a pathway toward deeper spiritual formation, healing, freedom, and greater integrity in leadership.

Featuring four leaders who have intentionally put these practices into action, this conversation will bring the themes of Pastoral Confessions into real ministry contexts. Our guests will share what led them to embrace these practices, what they have discovered along the way, and how confession and vulnerability have shaped their relationships, leadership, and ministry cultures. They will also reflect on the challenges of creating spaces where leaders can be honest about their struggles without fear of shame, judgment, or losing credibility.

Together, we’ll explore what it means to develop a healthier culture of honesty, grace, accountability, and mutual care among ministry leaders. Whether you have read Pastoral Confessions or are simply curious about what it looks like to practice these ideas in real life, this webinar offers an opportunity to listen, learn, and consider how greater openness before God and others can contribute to healthier, more authentic, and more sustainable leadership.

Paul Austin serves as Director of Church Planting and Church Health for the Iowa Ministry Network, bringing nearly four decades of ministry experience to his work of strengthening churches and developing leaders. He spent 15 years in Chi Alpha campus ministry, pioneering Chi Alpha at Idaho State, developing the movement across Idaho, and later serving as Regional Director and Pioneering Director at the national office. Today, Paul is passionate about helping churches engage their communities through missional presence, developing leaders who discover their voice and gifting, and equipping the body of Christ to live out its mission.

Rob Awil serves as Lead Pastor of Bethel Church, where he is passionate about helping people follow Jesus and embrace the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit. He joined Bethel as Executive Pastor in 2021 and has served as a Lead Pastor in Oregon and in pastoral roles in New England and Missouri. An ordained Assemblies of God minister, Rob holds graduate degrees from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and is a candidate for a Doctor of Practical Theology. His journey into ministry began as a college basketball player when he surrendered his life to Jesus during his senior year, leading him into a calling to pastoral ministry. He is passionate about lifelong learning, spiritual growth, and faithfully serving the Church.

Austin Epperson serves as Lead Pastor of Jay First Assembly in northeast Oklahoma, where he has faithfully served for the past seven years. An ordained Assemblies of God minister, Austin also serves as the Under-40 Presbyter for the Oklahoma District. He is passionate about serving the local church, developing leaders, and helping people grow in their relationship with Jesus. Austin and his wife, Charity, have been married for 18 years and are raising their 14-year-old son, Knox.

Jake Krahn serves as Lead Pastor of New Life Church, a multisite church in central South Dakota, where he has served for the past eight years. He also serves as a Presbyter with the South Dakota Ministry Network. Before coming to South Dakota, Jake spent four years in youth ministry in Butte, Montana. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Trinity Bible College and his Master of Divinity from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Jake is passionate about encouraging pastors and leaders, helping people take next steps in their faith, and building healthy church communities.