About The Episode
In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, host David Hibiske sits down with church planter Raymond Hudson to discuss his journey of planting a church in Berkeley, California—one of the most challenging places to reach with the gospel. Raymond shares how his early experiences in church planting shaped his calling, the challenges of launching during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of loving and serving a city rather than trying to “fix” it. He also offers key insights on leadership development, team building, and financial sustainability for church planters. His story is a powerful testament to faith, adaptability, and the impact of a deeply embedded, service-oriented church.
Welcome to Episode 035 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.
Insights From Ray
Planting a church is never easy, but doing it in a city like Berkeley, California—where over 99% of residents don’t claim faith in Jesus—requires a unique approach.
- Love the City, Don’t Just Try to “Fix” It
One of Raymond’s biggest lessons was shifting his perspective from changing a city to loving it. “If you don’t love the place, you’re not going to last,” he says. For him, that meant spending time praying over the city, meeting people in coffee shops, and getting to know its rhythms before even launching.
- Adaptability is Everything
Raymond’s church launched in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic—an unpredictable challenge that forced him to pivot. Instead of delaying their launch, they accelerated their timeline and started as a digital church. “God wasn’t surprised by the pandemic,” Raymond shares. “So we leaned in instead of pulling back.”
- Serve the City Non-Transactionally
A big part of City Center Church’s success has been its commitment to serving Berkeley in practical ways. From mentoring in schools to partnering with the local school district on community events, they have built trust by being a consistent presence. “We made it our goal to be the city’s primary partner for serving people in need,” Raymond explains.
- Leadership Development Should Be a Priority
One of Raymond’s biggest regrets was not focusing on developing leaders within his church sooner. Now, every full-time staff member at City Center has gone through their leadership pipeline before being hired. “Raising up leaders from within creates a stronger, more committed team,” he says.
- Build Financial Sustainability Beyond Tithes
Recognizing the financial challenges of church planting, Raymond implemented an additional revenue stream strategy by renting out underutilized space in Berkeley. This approach allows the church to generate income while building relationships with the community.
- Have Fun and Stay Encouraged
Raymond emphasizes the importance of enjoying the process. “If it’s not fun, we’re missing something,” he says. Church planting comes with struggles, but staying connected to God, leading your family well, and celebrating wins along the way can make the journey more joyful.
Final Thought:
Whether you’re a church planter or a leader looking to make an impact in your city, Raymond’s story is a reminder that God goes before us in every challenge. “Faith is forwarding all our issues to heaven,” he says. “God’s not surprised—He’s already working.”
Episode Links
https://www.ourcitycenter.com/
Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
Who Is Ray Hudson?
Raymond Hudson is a dedicated leader with over 15 years of experience in ministry, education, and community development. He has passionately served in various pastoral roles, focusing on creating welcoming spaces where people of all backgrounds can grow in their faith, discover their purpose, and impact their communities. In addition to his ministry work, Raymond has led numerous initiatives in education, partnering with schools to support underserved families, championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, and mentoring educators to foster culturally responsive classrooms. His heart for empowering others is evident in his work, where he consistently prioritizes equity, collaboration, and innovation to help individuals and organizations thrive. Raymond has been married to his wife Rachel for 17 years, and together, they are the proud parents of four amazing children. As a family, they are deeply committed to faith, service, and creating meaningful connections with those around them. Raymond’s leadership is guided by his passion for helping people maximize their potential, both spiritually and practically, to make a lasting impact in their communities.
Sponsors
Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.
A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you’re ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!
Our goal with the Ascent Leader and our church planting cohorts is to help church planters win early and finish strong. We want to resource you so that you can avoid common pitfalls and simple mistakes. Being involved in a community of leaders like our church planting cohorts is one of the best ways to wrestle through these questions. We’re here to help you, if we can be of assistance to you please feel free to reach out.
Contact our team: ops@theascentleader.org
Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app
Take Your Leadership to New Heights
The Ascent equips you to lean into your God-given leadership potential.
Cohorts offer you the chance to go deeper with a small circle of peers and professional mentors so you can elevate your expertise and grow your confidence as a leader.
Learn more about upcoming cohorts by clicking below.