If you’re a Marvel movie fan, Iron Man is probably familiar to you. In this episode of the Impactus podcast, we are excited to talk with a real-life “Iron Man”—a humble businessman from Hamilton, Ontario, who was the first Canadian to run not one, not two, but three Ironman races in three consecutive days for over 45 hours of physical exertion.

But he wasn’t running for himself but for a greater cause.

Gord Pauls owned and operated a General Insurance brokerage for 28 years and opened a running apparel store in 1996. He is an accomplished runner and triathlete and a respected, personable, and inspirational leader in the Hamilton running community.

Since taking up running twenty-six years ago, Gord has completed over 35 marathons, including 12 Boston Marathons, with a personal best time of 2h:51m. In addition, he has run countless other races, often raising money to support charities. He also races to encourage some of the hundreds of runners he has inspired through his example and instruction. As a coach, Gord has seen his clients meet and exceed their goals.

Not satisfied with being an outstanding runner, Gord took up duathlons and triathlons in recent years, earning berths on the Canadian National Teams plus completing eight grueling Ironman Triathlons. In 2010, he became “Canada’s only Triple Ironman,” a back-to-back-to-back Ironman race with a total distance of 678 km, raising a quarter of a million dollars ($257,000) for micro-credit loans in Haiti.

Gord talks with us about the physical struggles of his favorite activity and how pushing himself through these excruciating exercises has impacted and inspired his faith life and the call to love and serve others through what he is doing.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with an inspiring man!

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Is “Men’s Ministry” still a thing?

Is it still relevant? Do we even need it?

Here at Impactus, we like referring to this area as “Ministry to Men,” and that’s more than just semantics. We need a new understanding that men need ministry, not just programs, and that men are called to do ministry in their churches and communities.

On this podcast, we’re delighted to have one of the most recognizable names in Ministry to Men back with us: Steve Sonderman.

Steve is highly regarded as one of the pioneers of the men’s ministry movement in America. He started one of the first men’s ministries in the country for the growing church population at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin. He is the founder of the national No Regrets Men’s Ministries and the annual No Regrets Men’s Conference, which today draws thousands of men across the country and around the world.

Steve regularly consults with churches and leaders and has authored books on leadership and curriculum studies for men. Steve and his wife, Colleen, have four grown children and are proud grandparents.

If you are part of a Men’s Ministry or a leader in one, then this conversation is for you, as we jump into topics like:

• The challenges of the “man crisis” that we can see in our culture and churches
• The impact that can happen when a man gets truly mobilized in his faith
• How we can embrace a “multiplication mindset” when ministering to men and why it’s so crucial
• Why “apprenticeship” is so important in Men’s Ministry, and what are some of the ways we can engage in it
• The difference between “knowledge-based” discipleship and “obedience-based” discipleship
• In our challenging cultural moment, what reasons we can have to be hopeful and excited about what God is up to
• The various amazing things that Steve is seeing God do in the lives of men all around the world

Come and join us for this fascinating and in-depth discussion on the Impactus podcast!

Families are under attack. Culture seems to be encroaching on us. Pressure comes from all angles…education, ideology, politics, and sometimes even the Church.

But maybe there’s a much more sinister battle at work—in our minds, hearts, and homes.

In this podcast, we’ll discuss “Fighting for Family” with Chris Bennett, who recently released a book under this title.

Chris is a pastor, storyteller, writer, and producer from Dallas, Texas. His wife Julie is a writer, producer, speaker, and two-time cancer survivor from Edmond, Oklahoma. Together, Chris and Julie are the founders of Welcome Home Lifestyle, a production company that creates and promotes content celebrating healthy, thriving families, friendships, and communities.

Chris and Julie are also co-hosts of the Finding Family podcast. The Bennetts currently reside in Malibu, California, where Chris serves as lead pastor of Vintage Church Malibu.

Dean and Chris have an intriguing  conversation, exploring topics like:

• What it means to be men who fight for our families
• How to navigate the challenges of transition and turmoil in a godly way
• Being men who fight for what truly matters
• The biblical principle of “honor” and why it is so crucial to healthy relationships
• Why humility is so essential for men to embrace
• How actively practicing hospitality transforms both us and those we invite in
• How singles can embrace these ideas in their context

All this and more, in this month’s edition of the Impactus podcast!

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If you were to rate your current experience reading or listening to the Word of God, how would you fare?

If you're like most guys, Bible engagement can be challenging. While some are very disciplined with their time in the Word, others struggle to prioritize and focus.

Our most recent Spiritual Health of Men Survey found that you aren’t alone. We saw some decline from the previous year in the number of respondents who responded to the question of whether they spend regular time in the Scriptures.

So what can you do about it, and how can you get better at spending time daily in the Word?

The good news is that there are resources, translations, and organizations to help you. On this month’s podcast, we’re excited to speak with Duncan Campbell.

Duncan is the Vice President of National Programs for the Canadian Bible Society, one of our ministry partners here at Impactus, with a mission to help people hear God speak, in Canada and across the world. He is an author, blogger, visionary, husband, father, grandfather, adventurer, and incorrigibly curious.

Today, we’ll talk to Duncan about his spiritual journey, the mission and many projects of the Bible Society, and how they can help men engage with the Word.

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The pandemic wreaked havoc on our world like nothing else in our lifetime. The fallout continues with polarization, division, depression, isolation, distraction, and the disappearance of many people from inside the walls of the Church.

But what if the events of the past few years were not a problem but an opportunity?

What if God was using this time in our history to awaken people to His Kingdom and awaken His people to truly be a people of calm in chaos, to be salt and light in this dark world, and to be His ambassadors of hope and justice?

What if God was stirring you and me to ask ourselves if we truly follow Jesus—or just watch from a distance?

In this podcast, we are excited to sit down with a leading voice in the Canadian Church—someone who has cut through the distractions to call the Church back to becoming a disciple-making Church.

Daniel Im is a pastor, Bible teacher, writer, and podcast host who is passionate about discipleship and the local church. He is the lead pastor of Beulah Alliance Church and the author of No Silver Bullets, Planting Missional Churches, You Are What You Do, and the newly released The Discipleship Opportunity. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta, with his wife, Christina, and their three children.

In this conversation, we discuss topics such as:

• How the pandemic affected the Church and the world in which we currently live
• How we can navigate a post-truth, relativistic culture as people who believe in truth
• Why we should view the pandemic as an opportunity for greater growth in Christ
• The impact of “deconstruction” and what we can learn from it
• The dangers of consumerism in the Church and how God calls us deeper
• Why it is so essential for men to intentionally seek connection and friendship with other men

We cover all this and more in this fascinating conversation with Daniel Im!

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How could a two-year-old orphan boy, taken out of his country by mistake in 1975 from halfway around the world, now impact the world as a grown man in 2024?

In this month’s podcast, you’ll hear a story of just how that happened!

Google “Orphan 32,” and you will read how Thanh Campbell was taken from his war-torn country of Vietnam and came to Canada as part of the last flight out of Saigon in 1975 with 56 other orphans.

Thanh has written his memoir Orphan 32 and, most recently, his illustrated children's book, Lost and Found: Orphan 32 Goes Home.

He has been invited to be a guest on such programs as CBC Radio, TVO, Canada AM, and 100 Huntley Street, with a chance to share his life story with the nation. As a keynote speaker, Thanh has been invited to speak at The United Nations in Toronto, Fortune 500 companies, business groups, conferences, and schools across Canada.

Most recently, Thanh was appointed as the Canadian Director of Partners Worldwide Canada. Founded in 2011, Partners Worldwide Canada pursues ending poverty around the world through business so that all may have an abundant life.

Thanh lives in Drayton, ON, with his wife, Teresa. They have six children and one crazy dog, Theo.

This month, Dean and Thanh will discuss:

• Thanh’s remarkable story of being born into and rescued from the brutal violence of the Vietnam War, immigrating to Canada, and being adopted into a loving Canadian family;
• How he hit rock bottom in his life, and met Jesus there;
• How God worked powerfully and redemptively to help Thanh find his long-lost Vietnamese family later in life;
• The importance of finding identity in Christ as a son of God;
• What a “redemptive business” is and how Thanh and Partners Worldwide are transforming the lives of people in poverty;
• The hope for the hopeless that can only be found in Jesus!

In this podcast, we will hear this amazing story of the value of family, faith, and the power of hope in God’s great plan of redemption. Don’t miss it!

If you were to rate the health of your marriage or family today, how would you score? 10/10, living in bliss? 5/10, with some challenges and struggles? Lower? 

Marriages and families go through different seasons, but the good news is that you don’t have to go through them alone. There are supports to help you and your family: counsellors, pastors, churches, and ministry organizations who are there to come alongside you wherever you find yourself on the journey. 

One of those organizations is FamilyLife Canada, a ministry of Power to Change, which exists to bring help and hope to every marriage and family. They believe: 

• The family is the foundation of every community. 
• A healthy marriage is the cornerstone of a strong family. 
• The ultimate and lasting strength of every marriage and family is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

This month, we are excited to have Neil and Sharol Josephson of FamilyLife Canada with us. Previously a Bible College President and a TV news anchor, Neil and Sharol have devoted this season of life to marriage and family ministry—first at a large church in California and now with FamilyLife Canada. Neil and Sharol have been married for 41 years. They love Jesus, each other and their family, especially their four remarkable grandchildren!

Join us for this helpful and powerful conversation, where we talk about strengthening marriage, supporting singleness, building relationships and families that thrive, and how men can be strong and steadfast blessings to their loved ones.

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If you’re a football fan, you’re going to love this conversation, and if you’re not a football fan, you’re still going to love this conversation!

On January 8, the 15-0 undefeated Michigan Wolverines under coach Jim Harbaugh won the US National College Championship, beating No. 2 Washington Huskies 34-13 before a crowd of 72,808 at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.

What a game it was!

In this podcast, Dean talks with one of the key leaders who played a pivotal role in the University of Michigan's triumph.

Robby Emery currently serves as the Assistant to the University of Michigan Head Football Coach. He is known for his unique and impactful role as a character coach and pastor for the team. His dedication goes beyond the field, focusing on instilling values, ethics, and character development in the players under his guidance. Robby has also served as a local pastor for over 20 years.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Robby is a devoted family man, having been married to Danielle for 25 years. Together, they have built a loving family, and Robby takes pride in being a father to three children. His commitment to both his family and the football program reflects his passion for fostering success and personal growth in all aspects of life.

In this exciting and wide-ranging conversation, Dean and Robby cover a variety of topics, including:

• The experience of the Wolverines’ historic season and National Championship win
• What does a day look like in Robby’s role with the football team?
• How does “revival” happen?
• How can we eliminate fear in our lives?
• The importance of creating trust in our relationships
• How the younger generation is engaging with the Gospel and how we should be sharing it

You won’t want to miss this one!

https://www.impactus.org/podcast/ep-70-football-and-faith-with-coach-robby-emery/

Are you a man who lives your life with a sense of purpose and intentionality?

We’ve heard it said that God “calls” people like pastors, teachers, and missionaries into ministry, but what about the rest of us?

Do we have a “calling” on our lives?

In this podcast, Dean sits down with Phil Wagler, who is certainly no stranger to Impactus!

Phil lives in British Columbia with his family. He has recently written a book called Live Your Assignment: Being Christ’s Ambassador in 7 Spheres of Life, which explores the idea that every believer has been given an assignment by God to fulfill in every area of our lives.

He has a unique take on discipleship and calling and challenges believers everywhere to apply these principles to their lives.

Phil has lived these ideas as a believer, son, husband, father, pastor, mission leader, and servant in the broader Body of Christ through working with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the World Evangelical Association.

Phil is deeply committed to inspiring and equipping the local church for a holistic mission and the ministry of reconciliation, which you will hear about in this interview.

Dean and Phil cover a variety of topics and ideas in this conversation, including:

• How “reconciliation” is truly the centre of the Gospel, where we are reconciled to God, ourselves, others, and Creation.
• Exploring the implications of giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s and giving to God what is God’s (Matthew 22:21).
• What it means to be an “ambassador” of Christ, and the posture an ambassador takes in representing the Kingdom and the King.
• The spheres of influence God has given to every believer (not just the “professional” ministers!) and how to embrace being an ambassador in each of these areas.
• What it means to truly “let go” to God and the wonderful blessings that come when we do.
• Why “faithfulness” is more important than “vision” in a believer’s life.
• Knowing that there is no “just” in the Kingdom of God (e.g. “I’m ‘just’ a plumber…” “I’m ‘just’ a homemaker…”; every assignment that God gives to a believer is significant!

Join us for this fascinating conversation with Dean and Phil!

If you were to rate your prayer life today on a scale of 1-10…how would you rate yourself?

Of course, there is no easy rating scale for our relationship with God, but prayer is one of those areas of our spiritual lives that men consistently find difficult.

At the start of this fresh new year, when topics around spiritual disciplines are common conversation, this is a great time to evaluate our prayer habits and what they mean for our walk with God.

In this month’s podcast, we are excited to welcome Dr. Bill Thrasher! Bill is a graduate professor of Bible and Theology at Moody Theological Seminary and a frequent speaker for churches and retreats nationwide. His ministry interests include campus discipleship, singles ministry, and evangelism.

He is the author of Believing God for His Best, A Journey to Victorious Praying, Principles of Christian Living from Romans 5-8, The Attributes of God in Pauline Theology, and Living the Life God Has Planned. Bill and his wife, Penny, live in the Chicago area and have three sons.

His most recent book is entitled How to Resurrect a Dead Prayer Life. We all know that prayer is essential—it's the lifeblood of the Christian life. But most of us find prayer to be challenging. We easily get discouraged, disillusioned, and distracted.

So, how can a man build and sustain a meaningful and valuable prayer life?

Through this conversation, Dean and Dr. Thrasher cover such topics as:

• What does it mean to “pray in the Spirit”? How does the Holy Spirit motivate and encourage our prayer life?
• How can we identify and revive a “dead” prayer life?
• How can someone with a worried or frantic life begin to enjoy God’s presence and peace?
• What does it mean to truly encounter God in prayer, and not just do it as a religious duty?
• What do you do when you don’t know how to pray or what to pray for?
• How does God use our most challenging moments to actually defeat the Enemy in our lives?
• How can we turn our chronic temptations into moments of encounter and victory with God?

Enjoy all this and more in this month’s podcast!