Leadership isn’t first about strategy — it’s about the inner life of the leader.

In this episode, Jason Ballard (Lead Pastor at The Way Church, Founder of The Pastorate) takes us deep into the work God does within a leader: emotional awareness, spiritual rhythms, honest self-audit, and learning to lead from presence rather than pressure.

Jason shares vulnerable lessons from his own formation — moments where pain became his teacher, where his passion accidentally steamrolled others, and where slowing down saved relationships. We explore the three awarenesses every leader needs in every room: self-awareness, other-awareness, and awareness of the Spirit.

He also unpacks the “lost hard drive” story — where one leader’s calm, gracious response discipled a teenager more deeply than any Sunday production ever could.

This conversation is for pastors, planters, parents, and anyone who senses God shaping “the leader within.”

About Jason:

Jason is a lead pastor at The Way Church in Vancouver, BC and the director/founder of The Pastorate, a ministry dedicated to strengthening Canadian pastors. Formerly with Alpha International, he helped pioneer the Alpha Youth Film Series, used worldwide to engage over a million teenagers in conversations about Jesus. He serves through The Pastorate Podcast, The Way Church Podcast, and leadership development initiatives at The Way College (Everyday Seminary). Jason and Rachael have three kids — Hudson (12), Mary (10) and Millie (8).

Links:

The Way College

The Pastorate Podcast

The Way Church

Chapters

00:00 The Essence of Leadership

05:39 Personal Growth in Leadership

10:28 Skills for Effective Leadership

15:38 Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence

20:18 Leading with Kindness and Integrity

23:08 The Essence of Christian Leadership

24:31 Navigating Goals and Contentment

26:45 The Journey of Personal Development

29:02 Establishing Rhythms for Growth

32:57 Understanding God's Character and Ways

36:07 The Future of Christian Leadership

42:35 NEWCHAPTER

In this episode of The Sowers Podcast, Matt sits down with Jono & Nicole Zantingh, co-lead pastors of Evolve Church in Edmonton. Their journey began in Winnipeg, where they spent over 20 years serving and leading in the local church. But in 2017, God began stirring their hearts toward an unexpected calling.What follows is an incredible story of discernment, obedience, sacrifice, and God’s miraculous provision — from interest parties, open mic nights, and shoe-store conversations… to now seeing students, families, and newcomers encounter Jesus every single week.In this episode, they share:+How God used a season of uncertainty in 2017 to redirect their lives+The miraculous story behind the launch of Evolve Church+What it’s like to co-lead as husband and wife with wildly different giftings+Their heart for Gen Z and why they’ve committed so deeply to reaching the University of Alberta+Why they believe Canada is in a ripe harvest seasonAbout Jono & Nicole:Jono and Nicole met in 1997, married in 2000, and have chased after God’s calling together ever since. After decades of fruitful ministry in Winnipeg, they moved with their three children — Julia, Riley, and Kaleb — to Edmonton in 2018 to launch Evolve Church. Their home and lives continue to be open spaces where people encounter Jesus, grow in faith, and discover their identity and calling in the Kingdom.To learn more about Jono, Nicole, and Evolve Church, please visit: https://www.evolvechurch.com/

To learn more about ARC Canada, please visit: https://arcchurches.ca/👉 Subscribe for more conversations that inspire kingdom movement across Canada.#TheSowersPodcast #ChurchPlanting #EvolveChurch #CampusMinistry #GenZRevivalChapters00:00 The Call to Change: A New Journey Begins08:12 Planting Evolve Church: The Early Days18:12 Marriage and Ministry: A Unique Partnership25:10 Evolve on Campus: Reaching Students38:43 Empowering the Next Generation: A Vision for the Future42:20 NEWCHAPTER

In this honest and theologically rich conversation, Matt welcomes Pieter Valk to The Sowers Podcast to talk about his journey as a same-sex attracted Christian who has committed to following Jesus through vocational singleness.Pieter shares candidly about:• Growing up in the church, shame, and loneliness• Thousands of prayers for orientation change• Harmful and helpful experiences in Christian community• Why he still holds to a historic Christian sexual ethic• How to think theologically about Scripture, authority, and interpretation• The top 10 arguments for a revisionist sexual ethic — and his responses• Why the church needs deeper discipleship, not just clearer doctrine• What thriving, chosen family, and intentional Christian community can look like• The three “missing discipleship levers” for today’s churches• Hopeful stories from churches in Canada moving toward better pastoral careWhether you’re a pastor, parent, LGBTQ+ Christian, or someone sorting through these questions yourself, this episode is packed with wisdom, compassion, and clarity.Pieter Valk is a speaker and author, the Director of Equip, a diaconate explorer in the ACNA, and a licensed professional counselor. He writes at https://pieterlvalk.substack.com and is on social media at @pieterLvalk.📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED• Equip: https://equipyourcommunity.org• Pieter’s Substack: https://pieterlvalk.substack.com• Follow Pieter: @pieterLvalk

"The Secular Creed" by Rebecca McLaughlin

https://www.amazon.ca/Secular-Creed-Rebecca-McLaughlin/dp/0999284304/ref=sr_1_14?crid=1FU7Q0XZOJYLW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fp6WFbF76brSxYM-W3K40_C4VXN1Lybw6lDy6lJbJX-Je0sTAbzds0OWaduXJt2SSSSxtgES-gxRJ9kayBBkAPkZKIoNQmhUEJ8NjNRxtanCW7iwOlRENgw51986gw5VQ_YOI0PD0m-UaZ5NreZEOt2qzwVbJVq56ecTDFH4GDSzoNE32X15mSFWi9Cjzir2Odvy0Dan6jVkBE8nWQUuqortWL8Mx2kgvFnaWiT_4UVenKAWzn7KXcHUFnlYivSbeVs4P1OYEY1W4_Tn-33GdvbabOTLnPzxMRGcmeZtXgI.Tj3Af06ruW2DhSuTEoKNsHgPu6SOKt3RxaunfQoUepk&dib_tag=se&keywords=rebecca+mclaughlin+books&qid=1770223508&sprefix=rebecca+mc%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-14

What does biblical stewardship look like in a housing crisis, high interest rates, and a growing Church?

In this episode of The Sowers Podcast, Matt Naismith is joined by Joy Gomersall, Executive Director of Stewards Canada, for a powerful conversation on money, mission, and the future of church buildings in Canada.

Joy shares:

+Why banks often refuse to lend to churches

+How Stewards Canada connects Christian investors with growing congregations

+Real stories of churches expanding their impact through fair mortgage financing

+Why stewardship is about ownership vs. caretaking (Psalm 24:1)

+What excites her most about the next generation of kingdom‑minded investors

Joy grew up attending a Stewards‑funded church in the GTA and now leads the organization that helps churches acquire and expand spaces for ministry. With a background in banking, nonprofit leadership, and executive recruitment, Joy brings a rare blend of financial expertise and pastoral heart.

Whether you’re a church planter, pastor, investor, or Christian thinking deeply about money and mission, this episode will challenge and encourage you.

👉 Learn more about Stewards Canada: https://stewardscanada.org

👉 Subscribe for more conversations on church planting, mission, and disciple‑making.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Joy Gomersall and Her Journey

00:40 Career in Finance and Its Intersection with Faith

00:48 Understanding Stewards Canada and Its Mission

03:37 Challenges in Church Financing and Lending

06:12 Success Stories of Stewards Canada

11:35 Guidance for Church Planters and Future Growth

16:43 Future of Church Financing and Stewardship

22:26 Closing Thoughts and Future Generosity

29:45 NEWCHAPTER

In this powerful and practical conversation, Registered Social Worker Erin Walsh unpacks how mental, emotional, and spiritual health are deeply interconnected — and why healing must involve all three.Erin shares her story of coming to faith at 16, her journey through her own mental health struggles, and how God led her into counseling and psychotherapy. She explains the autonomic nervous system in simple language, the importance of grounding, why community is essential for healing, and the role churches can play in supporting people well.In this episode:🔹 Erin’s journey to faith + her call to therapy🔹 Why healing is possible and God-designed🔹 Trauma, the body, and the nervous system🔹 How to support a struggling friend🔹 What pastors should (and shouldn’t) do🔹 A vision for better mental health care in Canada🎧 Subscribe to The Sowers Podcast for more conversations on gospel-centered living, mission, leadership, and human flourishing.

Learn more about the Emmaus App here: https://emmaus-app.com/

Join The Sowers weekly e-newsletter: https://join.thesowerspod.ca/Chapters00:00 Journey to Faith and Mental Health04:41 Understanding Mental Health09:20 The Interconnectedness of Mind, Body, and Spirit13:51 The Role of the Autonomic Nervous System18:34 Awareness and Action in Mental Health22:56 Supporting Friends in Mental Health Struggles27:29 The Role of Community and Pastoral Care32:04 The Future of Mental Health Care in Canada

In this episode, Matt sits down with Ivhan Rusli, Ontario Director for Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), to explore why reaching kids with the gospel is one of the most strategic ways to impact the world.

Ivhan didn’t grow up in a Christian home but became a believer at 16. Since then, he’s dedicated over 30 years to children’s ministry and has served with CEF Ontario for more than 20 years. When he’s not doing ministry, you’ll find him playing board games with his wife, two teenage boys, and his ten-year-old daughter who’s going on thirty!

In this conversation, Ivhan shares:

✔ His personal story of coming to faith at 16

✔ Why children’s ministry matters more than ever

✔ The mission and global vision of Child Evangelism Fellowship

✔ How STEM clubs are transforming outreach in Canada

📌 Connect with CEF Ontario: www.cefontario.org

🎙 Subscribe to The Sowers Podcast for more conversations on gospel-centered mission and innovation.

Chapters

00:00 Ivan's Journey to Faith

03:07 The Importance of Children's Ministry

05:54 Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) Overview

09:01 The Significance of Reaching Kids

12:08 Current CEF Initiatives in Canada

15:01 Innovative STEM Programs

17:59 Practical Steps to Start a STEM Program

20:49 Training and Equipping Volunteers

24:04 Stories of Transformation through CEF

27:12 The Heart of a Child in Ministry

30:09 Opportunities for Church Planters

33:05 The Future of the Church in Canada

In this episode, Isaiah Bennett and Liam Wilson join Matt to share the origin story of Pony Church and the 10:2 Network. From praying in a mini mart to launching a disciple-making movement, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for anyone passionate about gospel sharing and church planting.

What you’ll learn:

+How Pony Church started in a convenience store

+Why weekly “in the harvest” evangelism is central to their DNA

+The vision behind the 10:2 Network and how you can get involved

📌 Connect with 10:2 Network: https://10-2network.com

📌 Connect with Pony Church: https://www.ponychurch.com/

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Pony Church

01:01 The Origin of Pony Church

03:50 Defining Church and Community

06:48 Transitioning to a Church

10:53 Weekly Rhythms of Pony Church

13:01 The Importance of Gospel Sharing

17:03 The Birth of the 10-2 Network

20:56 Engaging Different Demographics

24:53 Training for Evangelism

30:06 Stories of Transformation

34:04 The Future of the Church in Canada

As 2025 comes to a close, Matt reflects on key insights and themes from the conversations held during the fall season. Drawing from 12 conversations with leaders across Canada, this episode unpacks six key insights for following Jesus in a post-secular culture:

+Unity and collaboration for kingdom impact

+Deep formation as the engine of mission

+Faithful presence and adaptive leadership

+The power of story and worship to shape imagination

+Courage and creativity in discipleship

+Calling, gifts, and perseverance for the long haul

Whether you’ve listened to every episode or are just joining us, this conversation will inspire you to live out and share your faith in the places you live, work, learn, and play.

Join The Sowers Community here: https://join.thesowerspod.ca/

👉 Subscribe for more conversations that help you share and follow Jesus in Canada.

📧 Got guest suggestions? Email us at [email protected]

🌐 Visit: thesowerspod.ca

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Recap Episode

01:39 Insights for the Post-Secular Church

02:52 Unity and Collaboration for Kingdom Impact

07:02 Deep Formation as the Engine of Mission

10:50 Faithful Presence and Adaptive Leadership

13:43 The Power of Story and Worship

16:43 Courage and Creativity in Discipleship

19:59 Calling, Gifts, and Perseverance for the Long Haul

24:39 NEWCHAPTER

Watch on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_5ASoNWdoI&list=PLy8IDceDwwFIBJWdwsOmoDkfKp1uKb5MZ#TheSowersPodcast #Episode100 #FaithLeadership #Perseverance #churchplanting Chapters00:00 The Journey of Perseverance03:24 Understanding Calling in Ministry06:10 The Four Types of Calling09:19 The Role of Spiritual Gifts in Perseverance12:17 Navigating Challenges in Long-Term Ministry21:55 Understanding Spiritual Gifts and Anointing24:49 The Importance of Knowing God's 'No'27:13 Wrestling with Discontentment and Trusting God30:25 The Role of Influence and Leadership in the Church33:46 Unity in Diversity: Embracing Different Assignments40:03 Observations on the Church in Canada43:54 NEWCHAPTER

In this episode of The Sowers Podcast, Matt talks with Dustin Boreland, who currently serves at Springvale Church in Stouffville, Ontario, and is pursuing a Doctorate in Practical Theology at McMaster Divinity College. Dustin shares insights from years of ministry—including church planting in Montreal and fostering 15 teenage boys—on how the church can navigate a rapidly changing cultural landscape.

They discuss:

✅ Why spiritual formation must be stronger than cultural formation

✅ How to live as faithful exiles in a secular age

✅ Practical practices for a “rule of life” in today’s church

Prior to returning to Ontario in 2022, Dustin spent several years in Montreal, where he and his family planted and revitalized churches. Before their time in Montreal, he and his wife Racquel served as foster parents to more than 15 teenage boys while also engaging in church planting. Dustin is deeply passionate about bridging the gap between the Gospel and culture, equipping the local church for mission, and can be found overindulging on hip hop and spicy chicken sandwiches.

To learn more about Dustin, please visit https://springvale.org/.

📌 Subscribe for more conversations on mission and discipleship!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey

03:36 Academic Pursuits and Church Planting

06:21 The State of Christian Education

08:57 Navigating Leadership in a Digital Age

11:38 Engaging the Post-Secular Culture

14:18 Reaching Established Church Members

17:17 The Role of Spiritual Practices

20:02 Creating a Monastic Community

22:31 Conclusion and Future Vision

39:52 NEWCHAPTER