Steve Gladen - Empowering Your Leaders

The Build Groups Podcast

Steve is the Founder and CEO of the Small Group Network. An international, non-denominational network, started in 2007, to help churches Eradicate Loneliness, engage the Bible, and impact the world. Steve also serves as an Elder of Saddleback Church.

He stepped away in August 2025 from local church ministry, where he had been Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church from February 1998 to August 2025, where he oversaw the strategic launch and spiritual development of over 7,000 adult small groups on multiple campuses. He has authored Small Groups With Purpose, which has been translated into fourteen languages to date, Leading Small Groups With Purpose, and Planning Small Groups With Purpose.

He has a driving passion to see each church attendee connected to a qualified shepherd and become an integral part of their church body, living purposefully for Christ. He frequently speaks at conferences and consults with church leaders from many denominations, both in the United States and around the world.

Prior to stepping into his full-time role with the SGN, Steve had been on five other church staffs of varying sizes. He earned a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1985 and a B.A. in Biblical Studies, with minors in Greek and Philosophy, in 1982 from Evangel University. Steve and Lisa have been married since 1989 and have two children, Erika and Ethan.

Saddleback Community Group Leaders Handbook
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