The Sowers.

In this conversation, Ron Baker reflects on the journey of Vitalpoint Church over the past decade, discussing the church's growth, the challenges faced in small town church planting, and the shifts in leadership and vision that have shaped its mission. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement, the need for spiritual and physical support in small towns, and the future direction of the c...

In this episode, Tyler Wigg-Stevenson shares his journey of planting St. George's Grange Park in downtown Toronto. He discusses the church's mission to serve the community, the revival within the Anglican Church, and his personal faith journey from a secular upbringing to becoming a pastor. Tyler emphasizes the importance of collaboration among churches in Toronto and the need for leaders in minis...

In this episode, James Clarence of Cornerstone Church in Yellowknife, NWT, shares his journey of faith, from being a pastor's kid to experiencing a profound encounter with God that led him to ministry. He discusses the challenges he faced in his early ministry career, the transition to Yellowknife, and the importance of prophetic words in guiding his path. James emphasizes the need for revival in...

Alexander Krupin was born in Ukraine and moved to Canada when he was 14. He came to faith through reading the New Testament he received at a local food bank. Alexander shares the importance of building genuine relationships with our Slavic neighbors as a way to foster community and share the gospel. He also reflects on how owning a decking company has been a blessing to his involvement in church m...

In this episode, Matt Naismith, our podcast host, reflects on the last month of conversations and does a deep dive into the things that stood out. A big thanks to Brady Shearer of ProChurchTools.com, Rob Chartrand of Briercrest College & Seminary, Keith Dow of Karis Disability Services, and Matt Vincent of Lewisville Church, for being part of the last month.00:00 Introduction to Deep Dive Epis...

Matt Vincent is the lead pastor of Lewisville Church in Moncton, New Brunswick. In this conversation, Matt N. invites Matt V. to reflect on the 200-year history of Lewisville Church while also reflecting on his own ministry longevity and maturation. This conversation delves into the themes of community, faith, and the historical context of the church. It reflects on the prayers and aspirations of...

In this episode, Keith Dow, Manager of Organizational and Spiritual Life with Karis Disability Services, shares his personal journey of faith and how he came to have a heart for the church and disability. He discusses the vision and mission of Karis Disability Services, emphasizing the importance of valuing and respecting the gifts of people with disabilities. Keith highlights the theological foun...

In this episode, Matt is joined by Rob Chartrand, Program Coordinator for Christian Ministry at Briercrest College & Seminary and co-host of the Church in the North podcast. Rob shares his journey of coming to faith, going to bible college, pursuing theological education, planting Crosspoint Church in Edmonton, Alberta and then transitioning to academia at Briercrest. Rob has been in ministry...

In this episode, Matt is joined by Brady Shearer, the creator and director of Pro Church Tools, a business he started to help churches navigate the biggest communication shift in 500 years. Brady talks about coming to know Christ, how he started a business in the digital engagement space and how he and his team are helping churches, including their most recent project of providing 1000 churches ma...

In this episode, Matt is joined by Jeremiah Capule, a church planter and pastor of a diverse network of house churches called the Alberta Underground in Edmonton and Calgary. Jeremiah shares about growing up in the Philippines, working as a scuba instructor and how these experiences prepared him to make disciples in Canada. He also talks about the tension between being busy and doing a lot of 'goo...

In this episode, Matt is joined by Jesper Jeppesen of Haven Church in Toronto (and Denmark). Jesper shares his journey of coming to Christ, as well as responding to a vision and call towards church planting in Denmark and beyond. Jesper shares the highs, lows, lessons along the way and how he has grown more deeply with Christ. Jesper has been in full-time ministry since 2011, when he became the pa...

In this episode, Matt is joined by Elita Friesen of The Way Church in Vancouver. Elita shares disciplines and rhythms she practices to maintain balance, as well as how she and her husband are leading their family in spiritual practices. Elita is a writer and Bible teacher and has served in various ministry capacities for the last 10 years. She currently serves on the teaching and pastoral team at...

In this episode, Matt is joined by Shaila Visser, the National Director of Alpha Canada and the Global Senior Vice-President for Alpha International. She is the Executive Producer of both The Alpha Youth Film Series (2013) and The Alpha Film Series (2016), and currently holds a position on the Board of the Damascus Road Foundation. Shaila has a heart for people coming to know Jesus and is passiona...

Matt is joined by Harold Peasley, a pastor to pastors for the Canadian National Baptist Convention (CNBC), in the Toronto region. Harold shares lessons he has learned on his nearly 80-year journey and encourages pastors to keep going. Harold was born in South Africa and served the Church there until his retirement when he immigrated to Canada to be closer to one of his children and grandchildren....

In this episode, Matt is joined by Andrew Lamme, Director of Send Network Canada. Andrew talks about his journey and history as a counsellor and specifically, working with men struggling with sexual addiction. Andrew transitioned from the corporate world to a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in 2002. He soon joined a church plant in Oakville, ON, and evolved into a role focused on assessme...

In this episode, Matt is joined by Chris Vacher, the Director of Clearway, an organization focused on helping churches move their ministry forward. Chris is a husband, father, and consultant with 20+ years of leadership experience. His passion is to help churches faithfully realize their God-given vision. Chris has served as an Executive Pastor, board member, mentor, and coach to dozens of organiz...

In this episode, Matt is joined by church planter, pastor and Send City Missionary, Nate Vedoya of Church in the Valley in Edmonton, Alberta. Nate talks about his experience as a Filipino Canadian and how he planted a church that he hoped would become multiethnic. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Nate has been part of church planting as far back as he can remember. Over the years, Nate and h...

In this episode, Matt is joined by Andrew Lang, Interim Executive Director of Living Hope Native Ministries and Executive Director of the New Hope Youth Center in Thunder Bay. Andrew talks about his calling to serve First Nations communities, the challenges and opportunities, as well as the experience of First Nations youth. He loves seeing others succeed and hearing all the great stories of how s...

In part one of a two episode miniseries, Matt is joined by Kim McGibbon, the Director of the Send Relief Ministry Center in Hamilton, Ontario. Matt and Kim discuss ministry to refugees and newcomers to Canada, as well as how to develop ministry of compassion out of a local church. Kim's heart for people in the margins of society, as well as her extensive experience in entrepreneurship and compassi...

In this episode, Matt is joined by Pastor Jon Thompson of Sanctus Church in the Durham Region of Ontario. Matt and Jon discuss the background and foundation of Sanctus' restoration prayer ministry, as well as the process for developing a spiritual theology to interpret spiritual experience from a biblical worldview. Jon joined Sanctus Church as a teenager after returning to Canada from his childho...

In this episode, Matt is joined by co-lead pastor of Base Church, Brandon Richardson. Brandon shares the journey of merging Slate Church with Koinonia Christian Fellowship to form one new church, Base Church, as well as the ups and downs of ministry along the way. Brandon co-leads Base Church with his wife, Emma. They are passionate about making disciples of Jesus and they have had the privilege o...

In this episode, Matt is joined by Earl Marshall, Director of Great Commission Collective Canada (GCC). Matt and Earl discuss the discipleship need across Canada and in our churches, as well as how to form healthy leadership teams. Earl has been serving GCC since its inception, before moving officially into the role of Executive Director in 2024. He is married to Brenda and together they share a d...

In this episode, Matt is joined by Chad MacDonald and Jeremy Dager, co-lead pastors of Port City Church in Halifax, NS. Chad and Jeremy share about their individual callings to Atlantic Canada and how God brought them together to plant a church in team. They share the ups and downs of planting in team but also the benefits. Port City Church exists to help people encounter Jesus and follow His way....

In this episode, Matt is joined by Ken Taylor, pastor of Grace Community Church in Guelph, ON., and planting and founding pastor of Creekside Church in Waterloo, ON. As a seasoned leader, Ken has much to share about leadership, relationships and pitfalls of the average pastor and leader. Ken shares about planting and leading Creekside Church for 35 years ago and then making his most recent ministr...

In this episode, Matt is joined by lead pastor and church planter, David Pothier of La Chapelle, a French speaking church he planted in the heart of Montreal in 2013. La Chapelle is multiplying churches with a vision to plant several churches in Montreal, Quebec, and French speaking European countries in the upcoming years. He is the proud husband of Karine and father of four children. In a span o...