S2 E18 David Godbout | Play the Long Game: A Lower Branch & A Lower Bar

In this episode, Jon, Hugh, and Taylor sit down with their longtime friend David Gobout from St. Louis to unpack the gritty, raw, and faithful journey of community-rooted ministry.

David shares his evolution from entering a marginalized neighborhood with the classic church planting mindset to uncovering that what the neighborhood actually needed was something much different — presence, patience, listening, and decades of relationship-building.

From running neighborhood events and building a beloved outdoor basketball court to taking over the historic Melvin Theater and opening it up for the community, David’s story reveals the heart of long-game ministry — where slow, faithful work creates deep roots and real trust.

Topics we cover:

✅ Why David didn’t plant a traditional church
✅ What it means to uncover the “good news” in a neighborhood
✅ How the Melvin Theater became a hub for help, hope, and collaboration
✅ The challenge and beauty of playing the long game
✅ Why small acts of love (like building a basketball court) matter more than flashy programs
✅ The power of contextual mission — and why results may take decades
✅ Rethinking success: from counting heads to reshaping perceptions of God