Generous churches are led by generous pastors.

Roger Patterson is not a consultant who left ministry. He is a sitting senior pastor actively leading a large, complex, multi-campus church — and seeking every day to build a culture of generosity in his own congregation.

What distinguishes Roger in this work is not only his pastoral track record — it is his long-standing commitment to leader formation. For more than 20 years he has invested in the development of leaders across the United States and around the world — through one-on-one coaching, cohort environments, and formal leadership development. In 2005 he co-authored Leading from the Second Chair, a book that has shaped ministry leaders in churches of every size.

Roger created Leading Generosity to give pastors both things at once: the formation and the framework. Because one without the other is never enough. Generous churches are led by generous pastors — and generous pastors need to be formed and equipped to lead well.

Stephen Smith is a dynamic leader with a rich mix of ministry and marketplace experience. He brings over 20 years in marketing and communication alongside deep roots in church leadership — a combination that makes him uniquely equipped to help churches think strategically about generosity culture.

Stephen served on the executive teams at First Baptist Irving and Houston's First, where he was instrumental in cultivating a culture of excellence in worship and communication and designing the blueprint for multisite strategy. His visionary leadership created frameworks for sustainable growth and engagement that continue to shape those communities.

As a worship leader, Stephen and his wife Star traveled the nation under the name "Smith Band," sharing their passion for worship and playing a significant role in leading Breakaway Ministries in College Station — inspiring countless young believers along the way.

In 2021, Stephen and Star felt called to a new chapter, founding Aerable to help leaders around the globe while continuing to serve Houston's First as volunteers and worship leaders. Their journey reflects a deep commitment to fruitfulness, faithfulness, and empowering others for kingdom impact.