Baptist Bridges

How can churches discern God's leading as they navigate important decisions and future directions?

In this episode, CBOQ Executive Minister Rev. Leanne Friesen and Nelson Chang explore the importance of spiritual discernment and introduce the Discernment Toolbox, a practical resource to help churches thoughtfully seek God's guidance and take their next steps with clarity and purpose.

Show Notes:

The Discernment Pathway

Connect with us:

Instagram: ⁠@cboq⁠

Facebook: ⁠@cboqcommunity⁠

Website: ⁠baptist.ca

What does it look like to slow down, pay attention, and become more aware of God’s presence in our everyday lives?

In this episode, Rev. Leanne Friesen is joined by Diane McBeth for a thoughtful conversation about spiritual formation, listening for God, and creating space for a deeper relationship with Christ.

Diane brings a wealth of experience as an ordained minister, missionary, spiritual director, and founder of Life Circles Spiritual Formation. Together, Leanne and Diane explore the value of intentional spiritual practices and what it can mean to cultivate a faith that is attentive, grounded, and open to the movement of God.

Whether spiritual practices are already part of your life or you’re simply wondering how to connect with God in a deeper way, this conversation offers encouragement and wisdom for the journey.

Show Notes:
BWA Spiritual Direction

Connect with us:
Instagram: ⁠@cboq⁠
Facebook: ⁠@cboqcommunity⁠
Website: ⁠baptist.ca

What does it look like to pray with our eyes open to the people, places, and needs around us?

In this episode of Baptist Bridges, host Rev. Leanne Friesen sits down with Rev. Cid Latty to explore the practice of prayer walking – an intentional way of connecting prayer with the communities we live in and serve. Together, they reflect on how walking and praying can help us slow down, notice what God is doing around us, and become more attentive to the people and places God has called us to love.

Whether you’re new to prayer walking or looking for a fresh way to deepen your prayer life, this conversation offers practical encouragement for taking prayer into our neighbourhoods and everyday lives.

Show Notes:

Learning to Prayer Walk Guide

Connect with us:

Instagram: ⁠⁠@cboq⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠@cboqcommunity⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠baptist.ca

In this episode of Baptist Bridges, host Rev. Leanne Friesen is joined by Dr. Joyce Bellous for a thoughtful conversation about prayer and discernment.

Together, they explore how we learn to recognize God’s leading, the difference between discernment and quick judgment, and the role of prayer, Scripture, and self-awareness in listening well.

Their conversation also turns to the life of the church: how congregations can discern together, how we recognize what is, and is not, of God, and what it might mean for our churches to become places of genuine safety, hospitality, prayer, and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit.

Along the way, Joyce offers a simple question with profound possibilities: “How can I pray for you?”

Join Leanne and Joyce for a thoughtful and practical conversation about learning to listen, resisting judgment, paying attention to God’s character, and becoming communities where prayer and discernment are woven into the way we live together.

Connect with us:

Instagram: ⁠@cboq⁠

Facebook: ⁠@cboqcommunity⁠

Website: ⁠baptist.ca

What does it look like for prayer to become more than something we simply add to our meetings, worship services, and ministry plans? What happens when prayer becomes part of the culture of a church—shaping how we listen, lead, discern, and respond to God?

In the first episode of Season 3 of Baptist Bridges, host Rev. Leanne Friesen is joined by Pastor Juan Carlos Ortiz and Rev. Dr. Ken Foo for a conversation about what it means to cultivate a genuine culture of prayer in our churches and in our own lives.

Together, they explore the difference between simply believing prayer is important and actually allowing prayer to become foundational to the way we lead, serve, and do ministry.

Join Leanne, Juan Carlos, and Ken for a conversation about creating a church culture of prayer.

Show Notes:

• How prayer changed Redeemer Baptist Church (Iglesia Bautista El Redentor), where Juan Carlos Ortiz serves as pastor.

• Rev. Dr. Ken Foo’s study through the Book of Acts on the theme “And Then They Prayed”.

Connect with us:
Instagram: @cboq
Facebook: @cboqcommunity
Website: baptist.ca

Welcome to a special episode of Baptist Bridges, recorded live at Brock University during CBOQ Assembly’s Pastor’s Day! In this conversation, we’re joined by Dr. Sam Reimer, sociologist and author of Caught in the Current: British and Canadian Evangelicals in an Age of Self-Spirituality.

We dive into what’s happening in our culture, why people are “deconstructing” their faith, and how belonging might matter more than apologetics. Plus: the rise of the “nonvert,” why relationships are everything, and how the church can still be a place where people meet God—even if they don’t start by calling it that.

Whether you’re a pastor, parent, or just trying to make sense of the spiritual shifts around you, this one’s for you.

In this special episode, our Executive Minister, Leanne Friesen, sits down with Rev. Laura Salakandu, one of our newest ordinands, to hear her powerful and inspiring testimony. Laura shares her journey of faith, calling, and the moments that led her to this new chapter in ministry.

Whether you're discerning your own call or simply in need of encouragement, Laura’s story is a moving reminder of God’s faithfulness and the courage it takes to say “yes.”

Notes:

You can view photos and video from Laura's ordination here.

Children & Family Certificate Training Program.

Connect with us:

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cboq⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cboqcommunity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠baptist.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits:

Host: Leanne Friesen

Guests: Curtis Lai & Ken Foo

Recorded by: Josh Del Rosario & Kristina Gummatova

Edited by: Josh Del Rosario

A few weeks ago, we released an episode of our podcast called "The Politics and the Pulpit." With the current political realities happening around us, we felt it was timely to release this episode again. Our Executive Minister, Rev. Leanne Friesen, recorded a special message to start the episode for all of you leading in these days. Part of her message states:

"Pivot from believing or suggesting that our hope will be found if we just get the right person "on the throne." Christ is on the throne. Christ is the one we follow and in whom we place our hope. You are pastoring such challenging times and we are thankful for you. Know of our prayers for you. Know that you are seen, and do not underestimate the importance of your calling in this time and this place. Preach well, dear friends, and know that God is with you."  

In this episode of Baptist Bridges, Kevin Loten joins the conversation to explore the complexities of preaching in politically charged times. We discuss the challenges of addressing sensitive topics from the pulpit, maintaining the balance between spiritual guidance and political engagement, and respecting the diversity of opinions within congregations.

Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or someone interested in the intersection of faith and politics, this episode offers valuable insights for fostering unity in the midst of division.

Connect with us:

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cboq⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cboqcommunity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠baptist.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits:

Host: Leanne Friesen

Guest: ⁠Kevin Loten⁠

Recorded by: Josh Del Rosario & Kristina Gummatova

Edited by: Josh Del Rosario

In this episode of Baptist Bridges, host Leanne Friesen is joined by guests Rev. Dr. Ken Foo and Curtis Lai to explore the importance of sabbaticals for pastors. They share personal experiences, discuss the biblical foundation of sabbaticals, and address common misconceptions, such as guilt, identity struggles, and church concerns. The conversation highlights how sabbaticals prevent burnout, strengthen leadership, and benefit entire congregations. Whether you're a pastor considering a sabbatical or a church leader wondering how to support one, this episode offers valuable insights on rest, renewal, and trusting God in ministry.

Notes:

Leanne mentioned that she wrote some pieces on her blog about Sabbatical, including one about the ephod. Here is a piece she wrote about struggling to take Sabbatical.

Connect with us:

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cboq⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cboqcommunity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠baptist.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits:

Host: Leanne Friesen

Guests: Curtis Lai & Ken Foo

Recorded by: Josh Del Rosario & Kristina Gummatova

Edited by: Kristina Gummatova

How can churches become truly inclusive communities for people with disabilities? In this episode, we explore the intersection of faith, accessibility, and belonging. Our guest, Rev. Dr. Stephen Bedard, shares personal experiences, challenges, and insights on how churches can move beyond accommodation to full participation. From practical steps to theological reflections, this conversation invites leaders and congregations to rethink what it means to be the body of Christ—where every member is valued and empowered.

Tune in for an honest and hopeful discussion on breaking barriers and embracing diversity in our church communities.

Notes:

Here is an article Stephen wrote on importance of online services for accessibility and how that opens up new opportunities for disabled people.

Additional resources:

www.disabilityandchurch.com

Stephen's X (formally Twitter) account: @stephenbedard10

Connect with us:

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cboq⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cboqcommunity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠baptist.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits:

Host: Leanne Friesen

Guest: Stephen Bedard

Edited by: Kristina Gummatova