Connections with Mike Thom and Colleen Houde

The newest group from Elevation Worship Records, Elevation Rhythm,  just released their new debut LP titled Growing Pains. While the group has previously released a handful of singles, such as “QUIET” and “NEVER WALK AWAY,” Growing Pains is a cohesive introduction of the group to the world.  The 12-song project was created for a generation searching for purpose, identity and acceptance.   Today on...

For years, others have asked Gail Song Bantum and Brian Bantum to reveal the secret to their marriage as a multiracial Christian couple with high-profile ministry callings. They're doing that in their new book, Choosing Us: Marriage and Mutual Flourishing in a World of Difference. This book reveals the lessons, mistakes, and principles that have helped the Bantums navigate race, family history, an...

Alicia Dougherty and her husband, Josh, experienced nine years of infertility and losses. This led them to foster care and adoption from foster care. Eventually, it spiralled into 10 children joining their family in just eight years. Six of their children are adopted from foster care, and four are their biological children. They call themselves the Dougherty Dozen. Today on Connections, Alicia sha...

Joshua Broome was one of the most successful adult film stars in the world. He spent six years in the industry. He obtained fame and wealth and travelled the world, all to find out that none of those would fill the emptiness in his heart. He eventually moved on, overcoming depression as well as the shame that comes with doing thousands of pornographic films. Today he is a pastor sharing the gospel...

The first thing you will notice when you meet Kechi Okwuchi is her scars. One of just two survivors of a devastating plane crash that killed more than one hundred people, sixteen-year-old Kechi was left with third-degree burns over 65 percent of her body. More Than My Scars is her incredible story. A story of not just surviving impossible odds but thriving in a world that is too often caught up wi...

First responders often go unrecognized for the heroic duties they offer to communities. They work long, gruelling hours, receive modest pay and sometimes are placed in unforeseen danger. Their jobs can take a physical or emotional toll on their lives and their loved ones also. Adam Davis, a former police officer, understands the sacrifice and the commitment of a first responder. He has made it his...

Recognizing that a large amount of Millennials, Gen Z’s and younger are disconnected from a growing Christian faith, Dr. Robert Petterson has founded a new ministry to help grandparents of faith, most of whom are not technology savvy, reach their digital native grandchildren with the Gospel message and biblical values. Legacy Imperative seeks to mobilize and equip grandparents and other followers...

Churches aren’t immune to the Great Resignation, and that’s an important conversation to have. A surprising number of pastors have either quit or seriously considered it.  Douglas Brouwer spent 40 years as a Presbyterian pastor. He shares his moments of disillusionment, doubts and, ultimately, an acceptance of grace with unexpected candour in his new book, Chasing After Wind: A Pastor’s Life. Toda...

As parents, we either raise kids who are dependent on us or we raise kids who grow into confident and capable adults. It all comes down to helping them develop their mindsets, skillsets, and toolsets. Jonathan and Erica Catherman share practical ways to prepare your kids for life on their own. They help you see how your kids view everyday demands of life as either threats to survive or challenges...

It was a couple of days after the war began in Ukraine that Tommy Iceland, an Iceland-born, Sweden-raised, and now Nashville, TN-based songwriter was prompted by God to record a new version of Chris Tomlin's “Whom Shall I Fear (God Of Angel Armies).” He connected with Mark Sergeev, a worship pastor in Ukraine, to record vocals in Ukrainian.   It was a rollercoaster ride to get the song recorded an...

Migdalia Smith had a lot to be fearful of. Now, the survivor of abuse and sex trafficking wants other victims to know that God is real and he can help. Today on Connections, Migdalia shares her amazing story of transformation and the inspiration behind her book.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you worry a lot? Do you find it impossible to work in the middle of chaos? Do you wonder if God is going to come through for you in difficult times? Jenny Donnelly is a speaker, entrepreneur, best-selling author and mother of five. She is using her new book, Still: 7 ways to find calm in the chaos, to teach us how to experience true, life-giving rest even amid chaos. Today on Connections, Jenny...

Do you worry that you’re messing up your kids? Do you get stressed when you think about their futures? New York Times bestselling author Crystal Paine knows how you feel. A mom of four, Crystal has struggled with anxiety over parenting. She wanted to parent with grace, instead of a system of rules where kids are expected to do all the right things. She wanted to be a safe place for her children, a...

As the war drags on in Ukraine, millions of people have fled the country, with more leaving daily. Michael Messenger is the president and CEO of World Vision Canada. He was at the border in Romania when Russia's invasion of Ukraine started.  He says World Vision remains at the border helping children and families and will continue to do so for as long as necessary. Today on Connections, Michael sh...

Our kids are watching us, and because I said so just doesn’t cut it sometimes. Lucille Williams says our words and our actions need to match up to allow for authentic parenting and the ability to point our children to God. Raising an 'impossible kid' can be a challenge, and Lucille Williams has been there and done that. Thankfully, she's using her years of experience, complete with mistakes and vi...

Jenita Pace is a licensed professional counsellor (LPC) in Minnesota. She is also a pastor's wife. She experienced a battle with depression and anxiety that led her down a path of destruction. After several years of prayer, counselling, and pursuing God, Jenita and her family experienced God’s grace and restoration.    Today on Connections, Jenita shares her story of restoration. She'll also share...

Born with moderate to severe hearing loss, Thomas Muglia grew up in a musical family and quickly learned how to feel, play, and read music at a young age. Under his dad’s leadership in the Church, he began playing and singing for the congregation.   It wasn’t long after, in Campus Ministry during college, Thomas discovered a passion for honest songwriting and music that speaks to the heart. In 201...

Diagnosed with VATER/VACTERL Syndrome, a rare combination of several birth defects, JT Jester’s life was anything but easy. By the time JT was three years old, he had spent 250 days in the hospital. He endured sixteen major surgeries before he was sixteen. On top of his physical challenges, he suffered dyslexia and short-term memory loss, which made learning nearly impossible for him. JT pushed pa...

If there is one family that knows how to do cancer in a big way, it's the Epp-Tiessen family. There have been 10 occasions when a doctor told one of their family of five that they have cancer or that, despite the treatments, the cancer has returned. They also experienced loss after cancer took the life of their eight-year-old son, Tim. Despite all of this, the Epp-Tiessen family continues to cling...

Today is Purple Day, a day to support epilepsy and seizure awareness across the world. Anita Apetagon is from Norway House, Manitoba. Her daughter, Amanda Duncan, was diagnosed with epilepsy at 11 years old. She is now 23 and still struggling to get her epilepsy under control.  Today on Connections, Anita will share her family's story. She'll also chat about what it's like to deal with epilepsy wh...

March is Epilepsy Awareness Month, a great time to raise awareness, challenge myths, and help dismantle the stigma of epilepsy. Chris Kullman is the president of the board of directors for the Epilepsy and Seizure Association of Manitoba. He was also diagnosed with epilepsy at 12 years old.  Today on Connections, Chris shares his journey with epilepsy. He'll also share the importance of drawing aw...

There are great rewards that come along with being a foster parent, yet there are also great challenges that make them feel depleted, alone, and discouraged. The many burdens of a foster parent's day--struggling children, difficult biological parents, and a broken system--are only compounded by the many burdens of a foster parent's heart--confusion, anxiety, heartache, anger, and fear. In her new...

Jorge and Kat Vazquez are the founders of Revolution Media Ministries, The Revolution TV and the Your Story is Not Done film series. Evangelists, authors, and TV hosts for over 15 years, the Vazquez’s are called to evangelize the lost and energize and equip the body while empowering the Church to do the same. Your Story Is Not Done is a campaign to amplify hope. A book and film series, Your Story...

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues into its fourth week more than 10 million people have left their homes, over 3 million people have left the country, with Poland taking more than 2.1 million of those people. Sasha Romancha works with a ministry in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, called Shelter Plus. Before the invasion, they were an organization that helped orphan children and children in need. They...

The Skit Guys are Tommy Woodard and Eddie James — best friends since high school. They fell in love with acting in their school’s theatre productions and had a knack for making people laugh. When Tommy invited Eddie to church, everything changed. With encouragement and guidance from their youth pastor, the guys started to write and perform skits for their youth group. No longer was it just about m...