The Pastorate Podcast

How should the Church respond to racism with both gospel conviction and cultural humility? In this honest and timely conversation, Ho-Ming Tsui, Lead Pastor at Richmond Hill Christian Community Church, joins Jason Ballard to reflect on pastoring in the wake of the Stop Asian Hate movement and the Atlanta shootings. With personal stories and theological depth, Ho-Ming unpacks how he led his congreg...

What anchors a pastor when leadership gets hard—and how do you know you’re truly called? In this honest and insightful episode, Jon Thompson, Lead Pastor of Sanctus Church, joins Jason Ballard to explore the foundations of pastoral calling. Drawing from biblical models and his own journey, Jon outlines four distinct ways God calls leaders and why knowing yours changes everything. He shares how his...

What do you do when ministry gets harder, culture grows more complex, and the old playbook no longer works? Kevin Myers, Founding Pastor of 12Stone Church, joins Brent Ingersoll for a raw and honest conversation about leading in the most challenging season of his 38 years in ministry. From writing  The Second Happy  to confronting cancel culture and spiritual confusion, Kevin shares why now is the...

Vijay Krishnan, Pastor of The Well Church in Toronto, joins Jason to explore what’s really happening to the church in the aftermath of the pandemic. With a background in corporate marketing and years spent pastoring a church plant through highs and lows, Vijay brings honest insight into vocational discernment, digital disruption, and what pastors are being called to rebuild. Key Takeaways: How voc...

John Mark Comer, former lead pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland, joins Jason to reflect on the unique challenges pastors are facing today.  From cultural polarization to rising criticism, John Mark offers honest insight into how ministry is changing—and why a renewed vision of pastoral calling is more necessary than ever. With characteristic clarity and conviction, he explores the Church as a...

John and Helen Burns reflect on 35 years of ministry, marriage, and mentoring the next generation.  Joined by Anne Miranda, they share stories from their time at Relate Church, including lessons on leadership transitions, building healthy family rhythms, and staying soft-hearted in the midst of long-term ministry. Their passion for the Church in Canada and for raising up young leaders shines throu...

Drew Hyun shares his journey of leaving comfort and control to plant a family of churches in New York City.  From his early years at New Life Fellowship to launching Hope Church NYC, Drew opens up about the identity struggles, risks, and faith it took to follow God’s call into the unknown. He unpacks the distinct vision behind their network of churches, the values that hold them together, and why...

Charles Price reflects on decades of ministry, preaching, and following God’s call with humility and faith.  In this conversation with Jason Ballard, Charles shares stories from his early days preaching across England, his journey into pastoral leadership, and the convictions that have shaped his life and ministry. He offers practical wisdom for young preachers, encouragement for discerning God’s...

Ben and Emma Narayanan share the story of planting Avant Life Church in Canada—rooted in faith, marked by loss, and shaped by community.  In this conversation with Jason, they reflect on moving from Australia with a small team, launching a church amid personal grief, and learning to lead with humility and hope. They unpack the values that shape their church culture and what it means to steward bot...

Brooke Ligertwood and Darrell Johnson explore the heart of worship, the nature of calling, and what must remain central in a changing Church.  Recorded during a Worship Central Canada webinar, this conversation moves through theology, personal experience, and cultural shifts in how we gather and worship. They reflect on worship as participation in the unseen, the pressure worship leaders face, and...

Sam Picken shares the story of planting C3 Church Toronto and building a church shaped by invitation, innovation, and intentional discipleship.  Originally from Australia, Sam talks with Jason about discerning the call to Toronto, starting with one conversation in a coffee shop that sparked a church community. He also unpacks how their team responded to the challenges of COVID-19 with creative sol...

Father Justin Huang joins guest host Matt Menzel for a heartfelt conversation about calling, confession, and abiding with Jesus in ministry.  As a Catholic priest serving in Vancouver, Father Justin shares his journey into the priesthood, his encounter with God’s mercy through confession, and the years of wrestling that led to full surrender. Despite theological differences, Matt and Father Justin...

Jono Zantingh shares the story of planting Evolve Church in Edmonton and the emotional, spiritual, and practical lessons learned along the way.  In this conversation with Jason, Jono reflects on the tension of grieving what was left behind while stepping into God’s vision for something new. He unpacks the importance of living on mission in your neighbourhood, building margin for local relationship...

Darren Rouanzoin shares the story of building Garden Church in Long Beach and why true spiritual leadership starts with hiddenness, not hype.  In this conversation with Jason, Darren reflects on moving from skepticism to encountering the power of the Spirit—and how that encounter shaped a church vision not just for Sundays, but for the whole city. He unpacks lessons from mentorship, the importance...

Anne Miranda shares her journey of healing, leadership, and stepping into ministry later in life.  In this conversation with Jason, Anne reflects on growing up as a first-generation Canadian, navigating trauma, and how her faith came alive in her late teens—eventually leading her from government work into full-time church leadership at 35. She unpacks what it means to lead with empathy, how to emp...

In this conversation with Jason, Father Simon reflects on serving at Saint Benedict Parish in Halifax and leading a team through the shift from “maintenance to mission.” They explore the changing dynamics of leadership as congregations grow, the power of community among clergy, and the vital need to raise up Missionary Disciples in a post-Christian Canada. Key Takeaways: Moving from pastoral care...

Julie and Damian Bassett share their story of planting a church in Toronto, growing as leaders, and learning to lead together in marriage and ministry.  In this conversation with Jason, they reflect on moving from Australia to Canada, starting small, and faithfully investing in people long before momentum arrived. They also unpack what it means to lead from their strengths, build healthy rhythms a...

Miles Toulmin shares his journey of church planting in Kuala Lumpur, leading with generosity, and trusting God in every season of leadership.  In this conversation with Jason, Miles reflects on planting Holy Trinity Bukit Bintang (HTBB) out of Holy Trinity Brompton and leading in a predominantly Muslim context. He unpacks how Alpha, prayer, and sacrificial leadership have shaped their ministry, an...

Charles Price, Darrell Johnson, and Laurel Buckingham share wisdom from decades of ministry to encourage leaders navigating pressure and fatigue.  Hosted by Shaila Visser, this conversation is full of honest reflections and practical guidance for pastors seeking to stay faithful in hard seasons. Together, they offer spiritual and practical rhythms that sustain leaders—reminding us to abide in Chri...

Mark Buchanan shares his journey from unbelief to awe-filled faith, offering wisdom on what sustains the pastoral heart over the long haul.  In this conversation with Jason, Mark reflects on how Scripture first awakened him to the reality of God—and how he continues to keep that wonder alive today. They explore how grief has shaped his leadership, what young pastors need at their foundation, and h...

Phil Cann shares the story behind the “Quest” video series, his journey to faith, and the importance of local, relational ministry.  In this conversation with Jason, Phil reflects on how Quest helped shape youth ministry in Canada and how it ultimately inspired the Youth Alpha Film Series. They discuss the beauty and challenge of ministering in Canada’s diverse cultural landscape, the importance o...

Tim Mackie shares how wrestling with the Bible’s complexities led him deeper into the story of Jesus—and inspired the global impact of BibleProject.  In this conversation with Jason, Tim opens up about his early doubts, the uncomfortable parts of Scripture, and why the Bible is more a place of dialogue than tidy answers. They explore how BibleProject was born out of a desire to make the Bible acce...

Darrell Johnson offers wisdom and encouragement for pastors feeling worn out, sharing rhythms of rest, emotional honesty, and clarity in preaching.  In this conversation with Jason, Darrell reflects on his own experience with ministry fatigue and how he continues to find renewal after decades of service. They explore the lies leaders often believe, how to process emotions in a spiritually healthy...

This episode features the most powerful moments and insights from Season 2—curated to encourage and equip you for the year ahead.  From navigating church leadership during COVID to reimagining ministry in a post-Christian culture, these conversations are packed with wisdom and Spirit-led inspiration. Hear from leaders like Josh Kelsey, Darrell Johnson, Miles McPherson, Jon Tyson, and more as they...

Jason sits down with four Canadian authors—Aaron White, Alastair Sterne, Andy Steiger, and Brett Ullman—to explore their latest books and the ministries behind them.  Each conversation highlights timely issues like addiction and recovery, spiritual formation, apologetics, and parenting in today’s cultural moment. From Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to Canadian family life, these leaders are offerin...