Paul Bartley joins us this week on the show! Paul works with me at Youth Unlimited here in Toronto, specifically serving in the Jane & Finch community. 

For most of his life, Paul has made it his goal to partner with youth in his neighbourhood and help them reach their full life potential. As a Community Youth Mentor, he runs two programs in the Jane-Finch area, and also focuses on dedicated one-on-one mentoring time. This includes Iron Fruits, which is a fitness mentoring program that teaches character skills through the discipline of fitness. 

Another significant initiative Paul is involved with is the Hoop 2 Hope basketball program, which has over 60 young men in attendance. Through this program, participants are supported in their journey to manhood, by mentoring, field trips, and sports activities. 

Paul is also Youth Unlimited's Mentor Specialist for the newly launched BECC internship program, where he walks closely with interns to develop their growth into young community leaders.

To make a financial donation to the important work Paul is doing on the ground, visit:

https://www.yugta.ca/our-team/paul-bartley

Our guest this week is Linda Martin. Linda is an Ojibway-Cree woman whose words, wisdom, faith, and experiences cut to the heart as you listen. Linda and her husband have worked for over 20 years providing care and healing to indigenous people groups in Canada, and she brings her own journey, education, and teaching to help many of her people.

I will be the first to admit that I have so much to learn about the stories of individual unique people like Linda, as well as the stories of the broader Indigenous community in Canada. But as Linda says in the episode, a good place to start is by listening to individual stories. So that’s what we’re going to do today.

This is a very difficult conversation to listen to at certain points, and it is so important that we listen.

Please note that there is a strong trigger warning for this episode, as we speak many times about traumatic experiences and results of trauma.

Lastly, if you would like to support the incredible work Linda is doing along with her husband Rick, please visit the Missionary Services Canada website. You will not see their names specifically listed for privacy reasons, so be sure to spell out their names (Linda and Rick Martin) on the giving section:

https://www.msccanada.org/

Today’s guest is our very good friend, and someone I’ve worked with now for over 13 years at Capstone Church in Toronto: Rob Cripps.

There is a passage in the Christian scriptures where the author is writing to his friends, recapping their origin story. 1 Thessalonians 2 says: "We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too."

When I think about the kind of person that Rob is, both as a Christian minister, a mentor, and a friend – this is what comes to mind. What I mean is that he speaks about Jesus to others, and he also gives his very life in service to God and people.

Vocationally, Rob has worked for over 20 years in a ministry context, from Huntsville, to King City, and now here as the lead pastor at Capstone church in the city of Toronto. He has a deep love and knowledge of comics and the Marvel universe, is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, and has a very similar humour to me – which has gotten us into many uncomfortable situations over the years.

In addition to his role with the church, Rob also works as a professional conciliator, which he speaks about on the show today.

I am so grateful to have known Rob and his wife Becky (on episode 6) for so many years now, and I am excited that you get to hear some of his story today.

For more information about Capstone Church in Toronto, visit: capstonetoronto.com

For information on Pathway Conciliation, visit: https://www.pathwayconciliation.com/

Today we have my very favourite guest: My mom, Lynn Ironside!

My mom is a strong, compassionate, giving, hard-working person, who cares deeply for others. She lives out her faith in God privately and publicly with genuineness, devotion, and wisdom, and is respected by just about everybody that knows her. She also has several degrees and was the valedictorian for her graduating class at Tyndale University (unfortunately her smarts were passed on to my sister and not me – but I have forgiven her in my heart).

Vocationally, my mom worked a large part of her life in nursing and long-term care. She also served as many years as the pastor of Harvest Family Community Church up in Keswick – where I’m from.

Recently I was asked by a friend about the most important things my parents taught me growing up. For both my mom and dad, I would say more than anything that they taught and exemplified service to others, kindness, generosity, prayer, and doing their best to love God and others in everyday life.

My mom and dad are both now retired, but still spend a significant amount of time doing things for other people, as well as watching their dumb British shows.

Truly, my mom is a person who follows Jesus in all of her life, and I hope you'll be encouraged by what she shares today!

Hanne Simoes has spent many years caring for homeless youth and adults, and a close friend referred to her as the "modern day Mother Teresa." In this episode, Hanne beautifully shares her personal experience of Jesus, of deep pain and darkness*, of prayer, and of service to others. This is one you don't want to miss!

If you need a different option, please text a trusted adult and let them know you are having thoughts of suicide, or call your local emergency number.

At 95, Marjorie Reid is probably one of the most senior guests we'll have on the podcast, and she brings a joyful and humble perspective on Jesus. Since the very first week I started working at Capstone Church, Marjorie and a few other senior ladies took the time to sit with me and share stories of God's work in their lives (and lots of coffee and cookies too!). I am so excited to have Marjorie share with us on this episode, and I hope you'll be encouraged too. Plus, we also share the same birth month, so you know this will be good!

Welcome to the very first episode of the Jesus & Everybody Podcast!

As my wife Stephanie and I were discussing potential guests, one of the first people that came to mind was our good friend Vicky Cade. Vicky is an example to many in her leadership, faith, resiliency, kindness, and her free-style rapping. She is also a gifted speaker, has played a significant role at Muskoka Woods Camp for many years, and is respected by pretty much everyone she knows. Her and her husband Paul live about an hour North-East of Toronto, have 3 kids, and most notably she has placed 5th twice in Survivor at Home – an obstacle I know she hopes to overcome in the future!

We are so happy to have Vicky kick things off for the Jesus & Everybody Podcast!

Welcome to the Jesus & Everybody podcast!