The Sowers.

In this conversation, Melinda Estabrooks shares her profound journey of faith, adoption, and the development of her voice in Christian broadcasting. She reflects on her upbringing in a missionary family, the challenges of identity as an adoptee, and the importance of community and prayer in her life. Melinda discusses her work in amplifying diverse voices and addressing mental health issues within...

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 repe...

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 technolog...

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 Likene...

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 spiritua...

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 proce...

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,...

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 encoura...

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 offe...

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 c...

In this conversation, Matt Pamplin shares his journey from the UK to Canada, reflecting on faith, discipleship, and church planting. He discusses how YWAM shaped his ministry, the challenges of transitioning from missions to local church life, and the tension between idealism and reality in church planting. Matt emphasizes the importance of spiritual family, relationships in discipleship, and list...

In this episode, Lucas Burton shares his journey into evangelism, shaped by mentorship, theological reflection, and hands-on experience. He emphasizes the power of genuine spiritual conversations and the warmth of human connection in sharing the gospel. Lucas and Matt discuss the mission of Message Canada, the evolving spiritual climate in Canada, and innovative approaches to reaching younger gene...

In this recap episode, Matt reflects on key themes from the conversations with ministry leaders from the past month, focusing on the nature of calling, the importance of faithfulness in small tasks, the power of hospitality and storytelling in evangelism, and the spiritual openness in Canada. Matt emphasizes resilience in leadership and the bright future of the church in Canada, encouraging listen...

In this conversation, Chris de Monyé shares his remarkable journey into pastoral ministry, from starting as a probation officer and receptionist to becoming a lead pastor at Village Church. With humility and candidness, he reflects on the challenges of feeling out of depth and the growth that comes from embracing one’s unique gifts and calling. Chris emphasizes the importance of faith, community,...

In this conversation, Ashwin Ramani shares his profound journey from a Hindu upbringing in India to discovering Christianity and embracing a life of ministry in Canada. He discusses the challenges and insights gained through his experiences, including the establishment of the New Canadian Friendship Center, which aims to support newcomers and foster community. Ashwin emphasizes the importance of h...

In this conversation, Joanna la Fleur shares her faith journey and the transformative role of digital media in church communication. She highlights the importance of storytelling in engaging communities, showing how personal narratives and modern tools can make the gospel accessible and impactful. Drawing from her work with Alpha, Joanna illustrates how digital evangelism effectively reaches diver...

In this episode, Vijay Krishnan explores the various ways individuals connect with the gospel based on their personal needs and experiences. He emphasizes that the gospel is universal but acknowledges that people enter through different doors depending on their felt needs, such as forgiveness, purpose, love, and relief from religious burnout. Each person's journey to understanding the gospel is un...

In this recap episode of the Sowers Podcast, host Matt Naismith reflects on key themes from recent conversations with various church leaders. He emphasizes the importance of church planting, community engagement, and the role of prayer in ministry while reflecting on guests unique insights into their journeys, challenges, and the significance of obedience to God in their work. The episode serves a...

John Lamos is the Lead Pastor of Lighthouse Church on Grand Manan, a small island off the coast of New Brunswick. He and his wife, Jesse, and their three children, Adalyn, Olive and Samuel, are passionate followers of Jesus in Atlantic Canada rediscovering how to live a life of devotion to the One they follow. John has a deep desire to see prayer and discipleship to Jesus awaken sleeping hearts to...

In this conversation, Pastors Ben and Emma Narayanan discuss the importance of obedience as a measure of success within the Kingdom. they emphasize that living a Spirit-filled life requires submission rather than compromise, and that true success may not always align with earthly achievements. The dialogue reflects on their journey and the lessons learned through obedience, even in the face of cha...

In this episode, Vance shares his faith journey and call to ministry, highlighting the transformative power of prayer in engaging communities with the gospel, especially in a unique setting like Las Vegas and Canada. He discusses practical ways to build a culture of prayer in church planting, the reality of spiritual warfare, and the unique challenges facing church leaders in Canada. Vance emphasi...

In this episode, Kyle Hackmann shares the journey of Christ Church’s acquisition of a church building in Toronto and the legacy of the Estonian Baptist Church. He reflects on the challenges of securing a permanent space, the congregation’s response, and how this has deepened his sense of God’s kindness and the role of church buildings in fostering faith and community. Kyle and Matt also discuss th...

In this recap episode of the Sowers Podcast, Matt reflects on the past five episodes, highlighting the importance of being sent as God's people, the significance of reaching immigrant communities, and the concept of co-vocational ministry. He discusses leadership challenges in the Northwest Territories, the relaunch of a church in downtown Toronto, and the mission of planting churches in small tow...

In this conversation, Sarah Han shares her journey of faith, beginning with her upbringing in a Christian home and her experiences as a missionary kid in China. She reflects on the pivotal moments that led her to a personal relationship with Jesus and the challenges of navigating her cultural identity as a third culture kid. Sarah emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's mission in our lives...