In this conversation, Ezra Okoti shares his journey from Kenya to Canada, reflecting on his transformative encounter with the gospel, his call to ministry, and the cultural insights he has gained along the way. He explores the importance of community, the differences between Western and African church fellowship, and the role of the Holy Spirit in church growth. Ezra also unpacks the power of repetition in ministry, the challenges of leadership, and the rise of young adult worship movements, emphasizing the need for simplicity, authenticity, and deep connection in worship.

Ezra is the Executive Pastor of Multiplication at Northview Community Church in Abbotsford, BC, where he oversees church planting partnerships across Canada and global missions. Originally from Kenya, Ezra brings years of experience in church planter assessment, preaching coaching, and leadership development. He lives in Abbotsford with his wife and four children and is passionate about seeing the gospel preached across Canada. He also serves as an advisor to City to City Canada and leads church revitalization efforts nationally.

TAKEAWAYS

+The Western Church deeply needs authentic community—and it has much to learn from the African Church’s example.

+The secret sauce in ministry is patience and repetition.

+The Spirit of God is the one who transforms the heart and builds the Church.

+The pastor's role is to care for people and proclaim the gospel.

+Young adults are gathering to worship without the need for elaborate productions, as simplicity and authenticity in worship resonate with them.

+Generational differences in worship can create challenges but also an opportunity to learn and grow together.

Available wherever you get your podcasts.

To learn more about Ezra and Northview Community Church, please visit https://northview.org/.

To learn more about City to City Canada, please visit https://citytocity.ca/.

#faith #journey #gospel #ministry #Africa #Canada #community #church #fellowship #culturalinsights #Christianlife #ministry #repetition #churchleadership #youngadults #worship #community #hope #joy #culturalchallenges #faith

Chapters

00:00 Ezra's Journey to Faith

08:09 From Kenya to Canada: A Missionary's Path

15:44 The Call to Serve: Embracing Ministry in the West

19:56 Cultural Reflections: Lessons from the African Church

24:44 The Power of Repetition in Ministry

29:07 Maintaining Hope and Joy in Leadership

36:12 The Rise of Young Adult Worship

41:07 Challenges of Worship Across Generations

In this conversation, James Kelly, Founder and CEO of FaithTech, explores the intersection of faith and technology, highlighting the emergence of FaithTech as a global movement for believers in the tech industry. He shares how God is working within the tech world, the importance of recognizing and mobilizing tech professionals in the church, and the need for a biblical framework to guide technology’s use. The discussion covers the theology of technology—its potential for idolatry, its opportunities for redemption, and the role of the Holy Spirit in the use of digital tools. James also examines the redemptive applications of AI, innovative solutions to social issues, and how the church can engage with technology to serve communities effectively.James' passion for innovation and the Gospel led him to launch FaithTech, a global movement bridging technology and faith. With a Master of Divinity from McMaster, he helped plant a church focused on serving those in need. In 2015, inspired by the idea that “devastation creates opportunity for innovation,” James saw how technology could transform ministry. By 2016, he left his recruitment business to lead FaithTech full-time. Today, FaithTech operates in 38 cities worldwide, launching startups, deploying real-world tech solutions, and equipping believers to use their skills for the Kingdom. With a growing global demand, the movement continues to expand, bringing faith and technology together in powerful ways.TAKEAWAYS+FaithTech is a community for believers passionate about technology.+There is a growing openness to discussing faith in the tech industry.+Many tech professionals feel underutilized in their churches.+Pastors need to understand the influence of technology on society.+Churches should empower tech professionals to use their skills for the gospel.+Lamenting the problems before building tech solutions is essential. Asking questions about the role of the Holy Spirit in technology is crucial.+Technology can serve both idolatry and redemptive purposes.+The cross symbolizes the redemptive potential of technology.+Innovative solutions can emerge from the intersection of faith and technology.To learn more about James Kelly and FaithTech, please visit https://faithtech.com/.For a list of Theology of Tech Books, please visit https://faithtech.com/theology-of-tech-books/.For a four week church tech series, please visit https://faithtech.com/theology-of-tech-books/.For more videos on this subject, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbob49P9zjk&list=PL2AaO9X-C_ZSvWPNAaIaOMpw3vdN0vi9i.#FaithTech #technology #church #community #innovation #gospel #digitalworld #Christian #fellowship #techindustry #spiritualgrowth #technology #faith #AI #theology #community, #redemption #HolySpirit #digital #future Chapters00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Faith Tech02:30 Pockets of God at Work05:59 James's Journey into Technology and Faith10:52 The Birth and Growth of Faith Tech12:18 The Role of Technology in the Church15:55 Redemptive Conversations in Tech Companies20:06 The Role of Technology in Faith and Community25:25 Understanding the Theology of Technology29:45 Redemptive Uses of AI Technology35:28 Looking Ahead: The Future of Faith and Technology40:26 New Chapter

In this conversation, Anthony shares his journey as a professional athlete, navigating the tension between faith and the competitive world of basketball. He reflects on his upbringing in a faith-filled home, the challenges of college basketball, and how God redirected his path from the NBA to a greater calling in ministry and music. Anthony also discusses the impact of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) on college athletes, the struggles of staying true to Christ in a performance-driven culture, and how he now uses his platform to inspire and equip others to walk in their God-given purpose.Anthony is a Christian rap artist and professional basketball player who has competed internationally for the past 10 years, currently playing for the KW Titans in Ontario, Canada. His passion for Christ and purpose-driven living has impacted audiences across North America, inspiring people to recognize they are MORE THAN their job, title, or stage of life. As a pastor’s kid, Anthony has been deeply involved in ministry since childhood, developing his gifts in music, communication, and leadership. Through his music, speaking, and example as a Christian athlete, he empowers individuals to live boldly in their faith without compromising their gifts or morals. His mission is to reach both the lost and the found, helping them see God’s calling on their lives so they can walk in purpose and truth. TAKEAWAYS+The competitive nature of basketball can lead to intense pressure among players.+NIL has changed the landscape for college athletes, introducing new temptations.+Maintaining faith in a challenging environment requires intentionality and commitment.+God has something bigger for you.+God has gifted us for a purpose to serve others.+Pray for athletes to understand that God controls everything.+Stay committed and disciplined in your pursuits.+Get around believers who care about your faith journey.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Anthony Lee's Journey02:34 Faith and Basketball: A Balancing Act05:27 The College Experience: Trials and Growth11:11 The Competitive Culture of Basketball14:33 Navigating NIL and Its Temptations17:59 Keeping Christ at the Center of It All20:45 The Dual Life of an Athlete26:57 A Shift in Purpose33:37 From Fame to Fulfillment36:10 Prayers for Athletes39:20 Advice for Young Athletes#basketball #faith #collegesports #NIL #athlete #Christian #sports #growth #trials #testimony #journey #purpose #challenges #Christianrap #mentalhealth #prayer #lifestyle #fulfillment

In this episode, Dan and Ben share their unique journeys to faith and ministry, reflecting on the pivotal moments that shaped their calling and their decision to co-lead a church. They dive into the challenges and rewards of church revitalization, emphasizing the power of prayer, community, and collaboration in leadership. Dan and Ben discuss the dynamics of shared leadership, the role of spiritual gifts, and the importance of humility in ministry. The conversation culminates in a call to evangelism, urging churches in Canada to engage more actively in sharing the gospel and equipping their congregations for mission.Dan and Ben serve as Co-Lead Pastors of Port Kells Church in Surrey, British Columbia, bringing years of experience in church leadership, teaching, and discipleship. Ben, originally from Pasadena, California, grew up as a missionary kid in Richmond, BC, and has 15 years of pastoral experience in senior leadership roles. He and his wife, Nicole, have been married for 16 years and have four children—Xavi, Mason, Vesper, and Lennon. Dan, a Prince Edward Island native, developed a deep passion for the Canadian Church after Bible College in the U.S., later moving to BC to pastor and invest in young leaders. He met his wife, Laurelle, while serving on staff at a church, and together they have a one-year-old son, Grayson. With 10 years of ministry experience, Dan is passionate about reaching and discipling the next generation. TAKEAWAYS+There is a huge need for revitalization in historic churches.+Co-leadership allows for shared strengths and accountability.+Listening to the community is crucial for effective leadership.+God prepares the way before new leaders arrive.+Leadership should reflect a plurality, as seen in biblical models.+Tension in leadership can arise from differing spiritual gifts.+Modeling community means working through conflicts together.+Revitalization can be a slow process requiring patience.+Evangelism should be a central focus for churches today.+The songs we sing can significantly impact our faith and outreach.To learn more about Dan, Ben, and Port Kells, please visit https://www.portkellschurch.com/. To learn more about Vision Ministries Canada, please visit https://vision-ministries.org/.CHAPTERS00:00 Journey to Faith and Ministry05:10 The Call to Co-Leadership12:01 Revitalizing a Historic Church18:26 The Dynamics of Co-Leadership24:53 Strengths and Challenges of Partnership25:49 Navigating Leadership and Community Dynamics29:41 The Challenges of Revitalization35:34 Trusting God in Revitalization40:28 A Call to Evangelism in Canada#faith #ministry #co-leadership #churchrevitalization #spiritualgifts #community #prayer #leadership #history #leadership #revitalization #community #trust #evangelism #growth #discipleship #collaboration

In this conversation, Kristy Short shares her journey of faith, reflecting on belonging, deep questions, and transformative encounters with God. She discusses the role of community, spiritual direction, and Alpha in guiding people on their faith journeys. Kristy also explores how Alpha engages churches across Canada, the barriers to participation, and the importance of the Holy Spirit in the process. She highlights the revival happening in Canada and encourages churches to stay hopeful, unified, and intentional in building relationships that lead people to Jesus.

Kristy is a Senior Advisor at Alpha Canada, where she coaches and equips church leaders, leads the Envision Team, and hosts national training webinars. With a B.Ed & BA from St. Thomas University and TESOL certification, she previously taught ESOL at Queen’s University. A pastor’s kid with a heart for gospel clarity, Kristy speaks at camps and retreats and serves in her local church. She lives in Fredericton with her husband, Ryan, their twins, Hazen and Wes, and their firecracker daughter, Maxine.

TAKEAWAYS

+Deep questions often arise from personal disappointments.

+Belonging is a fundamental question in faith journeys.

+Experiencing God's love often happens in trials and grief.

+The journey of faith involves many micro-decisions over time.

+The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the Alpha experience.

+Prayer is essential for inviting others to faith.

+Spiritual direction plays a crucial role in personal growth.

+Faith is a community experience, not just a personal one.

+The journey of faith is often a series of micro-decisions.

+God meets us in our deepest disappointments and questions.

To learn more about Kristy and Alpha Canada, please visit https://alphacanada.org/.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Faith Begins

06:25 Deep Questions and Belonging

12:11 Personalizing the Knowledge of God

17:13 Experiencing God's Love in Trials

18:33 The Role of Alpha in Faith Journeys

19:23 The Ecumenical Edge of Alpha

21:32 Common Questions About Alpha

23:47 Overcoming Barriers to Invitation

26:05 The Journey of Faith and Community Engagement

29:38 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Alpha

36:51 Encouragement for the Church in Canada

#faith #testimony #belonging #spiritualgrowth #Alpha #Jesus #community #questions #love #church #evangelism #HolySpirit #invitation #barriers #revival #Canada

In this conversation, Jeff Brodie shares his journey from youth ministry to lead pastor of Connexus Church, reflecting on family, faith, and the challenges of preaching. He discusses the changing cultural landscape, the growing spiritual openness of unchurched individuals, and how churches can create welcoming environments for genuine encounters with God. Jeff emphasizes the need for authenticity, timeless truth, and community, while advocating for a trust-building, heart-centered approach to ministry that inspires people to engage with their faith and the world around them.Jeff Brodie is the lead pastor at Connexus Church, leading its campuses and partner churches with a passion for making church inviting and accessible. He invests in next-gen leaders and coaches churches to reach more people with the gospel. Jeff and his wife, Leslie, live in Barrie with their two boys and love all things sports-related.TAKEAWAYS+The kitchen table can serve as a hub for ministry and community.+Authenticity in preaching is essential+Cultural shifts have created new opportunities for church outreach.+Unchurched individuals are more open to faith than ever before.+There is a strong desire for timeless truths in a rapidly changing culture.+Creating community is essential for spiritual growth and connection.+Churches often retreat inward during cultural uncertainty, missing outreach opportunities.+Accessible encounters with God can transform lives and communities.+Consistency in outreach efforts builds trust within the community.+It's important to explain church practices to newcomers for better understanding.+The goal of ministry should be to help people encounter Jesus, not just church culture.To learn more about Jeff and Connexus Church, please visit https://connexuschurch.com/. To learn more about the Connexus Network Partnership, please visit https://connexuschurch.com/church-leaders/. #faith #ministry #preaching #church #leadership #growth #youthministry #community #transformation #curiosity #community #truth #accessibleencounters #growth #outreach #unchurchedChapters00:00 Jeff Brodie's Journey to Faith03:44 The Kitchen Table as Ministry06:35 Discovering a Passion for People09:16 Transitioning to Kinexis Church11:51 The Role of a Lead Pastor14:53 Developing Preaching Skills17:29 Cultural Shifts and Church Relevance22:45 The Quest for Timeless Truth25:33 Cultural Alternatives and Community Longing29:13 Creating Accessible Encounters35:46 Building Trust Through Consistency41:26 Heart Over Strategy: Inspiring Change

In this episode, Matt revisits key insights from previous episodes, focusing on themes of evangelism, discipleship, and effective leadership. Matt highlights conversations with guests Lucas Burton, Matt Pamplin, Jason Persaud, and Steve Adams, discussing the importance of sharing faith, the challenges of church planting, and the necessity of character and godliness in ministry. The episode encourages listeners to engage with their faith actively and to be aware of the spiritual curiosity present in today's culture.TAKEAWAYS+We need to train people on how to talk about their faith.+We often talk about what we enjoy, including our faith.+Discipleship requires hard work, community engagement, and commitment.+Discipleship events should be a compliment to a discipleship environment.+People are often curious, confused, or callous about faith, not just confrontational.+Our lives should reflect our faith and demand questions.+Character and godliness are crucial in ministry leadership.+Effective leaders exhibit confident humility and self-awareness.+Hiring decisions should not be made out of desperation or doubt.+Developing your own voice is important for effective communication.+Engaging with culture requires understanding people's curiosity and confusion.+Effective preaching should connect with both Christians and non-Christians.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to the Recap Episode02:58 Highlights from Episode 65 with Lucas Burton09:29 Insights from Episode 66 with Matt Pamplin16:25 Reflections from Episode 67 with Jason Persaud24:14 Key Takeaways from Episode 68 with Steve Adams37:05 New Chapter#podcast #recapepisode #evangelism #discipleship #spiritualcuriosity #churchplanting #ministry #transitions #character #godliness #leadership #faith

In this conversation, Steve shares his journey from a non-Christian upbringing to a life devoted to Christ and pastoral leadership. He dives into the complexities of hiring church leaders, the qualities of effective ministry leadership, and the current leadership pipeline crisis in the church. Steve unpacks the challenges of pastoral identity, church culture, and balancing expectations, while offering wisdom on ministry transitions, church planting vs. revitalization, and embracing one’s calling with confidence and humility.

Steve has over 30 years of church leadership experience, including 12 years as lead pastor of a large multi-site church with a staff of 25. He has also led parachurch organizations in both the U.S. and Canada and launched two non-profits. As a leadership consultant, Steve works with churches across Canada, specializing in pastoral placements, church assessments, and leadership coaching for pastors and church boards.

TAKEAWAYS

+Character and godliness are crucial in hiring decisions.

+Congregations often have unrealistic expectations of pastors.

+Effective preaching and teaching are top priorities for churches.

+Churches need to balance their needs with the type of leader they hire.

+Self-awareness is crucial for both candidates and churches.

+Investing in strengths is more beneficial than focusing solely on weaknesses.

+Confused expectations can lead to turbulence in church hiring.

+Effective ministry leaders should embody humble confidence.

+Desperation in hiring can lead to poor decisions.

+Character doubts should prompt careful consideration in hiring.

To learn more about Steve and Adams & Co., please visit https://adamsandco.org/.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Steve's Journey to Faith

04:28 Transitioning to Pastoral Ministry

08:19 The Hiring Process in Churches

12:12 Understanding Church Needs and Expectations

15:50 Balancing Expectations in Hiring

18:42 Understanding Pastoral Identity

23:45 Core Qualities of Effective Ministry Leaders

27:03 The Leadership Pipeline Crisis

30:23 Navigating Transitions in Ministry

32:48 Lessons from Hiring Experiences

36:40 Church Planting vs. Revitalization

39:49 New Chapter

#gospel #pastoralministry #churchhiring #faith #journey #leadership #church #community #expectations #character #churchgrowth #pipeline #churchplanting #ministry #self-awareness #revitalization

In this conversation, Jason Persaud shares his journey into evangelism, emphasizing relational outreach and Holy Spirit-led conversations. He discusses his work with Alpha Canada and The Culture Changers, highlighting the need for a Jesus-centered approach to cultural engagement and social justice. Jason challenges believers to listen to marginalized voices, navigate the tension between cultural confrontation and conformity, and step into the future of the church through prayer, unity, and action.Jason is the National Director of Church Experience at Alpha Canada, leading a team that equips churches and leaders in evangelism. With over 32 years in ministry as a pastor, missionary, and speaker, he’s passionate about engaging culture with the gospel. He also leads The Culture Changers, helping churches navigate cultural issues impacting the next generation. Jason and his wife, Kerri, serve in ministry and live in Brampton, ON, with their two kids.TAKEAWAYS+Relational evangelism is about planting seeds in people's hearts.+Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is crucial in evangelism.+Jesus exemplified crossing cultural and ethnic barriers.+Christians should lead with God's heart for justice.+Empathy and compassion can bridge cultural divides.+Hope is found in a relationship with Jesus.+Prayer is essential for the future of the church.

To learn more about Jason and The Culture Changers, please visit: ⁠https://www.theculturechangers.org/⁠.

To learn more about Alpha Canada, please visit: ⁠https://alphacanada.org/⁠

#evangelism #Alpha #theculturechangers #faith #community #justice #Jesus #curiosity #hope #service #unity Chapters00:00 Introduction to Evangelism and Personal Journey03:21 The Role of Relational Evangelism06:17 Divine Moments and Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit09:18 Overview of Alpha and Culture Changers11:55 Leading Culture from a Jesus-Centric Perspective20:41 Redefining the Kingdom of God21:31 Engaging Culture as Christians24:43 Empathy and Compassion in Action26:22 Confront or Conform: Navigating Cultural Tensions31:20 Curiosity and Confusion in Spiritual Conversations34:55 The Hope Within: Personal Testimonies37:22 Preparing for the Future of the Church