The Renew Church Canada Podcast

In the opening message of our new series, The Pursuit, Pastor Bartley introduces us to the timeless quest for purpose and fulfillment in life. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 1:1-18, he unpacks the reflections of King Solomon, who explored the depths of wisdom, wealth, and human achievement, only to conclude that everything under the sun is ultimately fleeting and unsatisfying. This message challenges u...

Pastor Bartley Sawatsky explores the transformative power of community, especially within the church setting. Drawing from personal experiences and biblical insights, Pastor Bartley highlights how being part of a community shapes our lives, offers protection, and provides care and support. He emphasizes the benefits of face-to-face interactions in an increasingly digital world and encourages liste...

Pastor Bartley Sawatsky wraps up our enlightening series, "The Story of Light" in this heartfelt Christmas sermon. Pastor Bartley explores what it means to be the people of light in a world often shrouded in darkness. Drawing from pivotal scriptures such as John 8:12 and Matthew 5, he reminds us of our calling to let our light shine before others. Discover practical ways to embody and radiate the...

Who is the Light that changes everything? In Week 3 of The Story Light, Pastor Bartley delves into the profound truth of Jesus as the Light of the world, exploring passages like John 1:1-14 and 1 John 1:5-7. Discover how Jesus embodies the Light that exposes darkness, brings hope, and transforms lives. Through this message, we’ll reflect on the personal implications of walking in the Light and the...

What drives people to pursue something greater than themselves? In this week’s message, Pastor Bartley uncovers the deep connections between Daniel’s ancient prophecies and the unexpected ways God’s light drew seekers like the Magi, shepherds, Simeon, and Anna toward Jesus. How did these people recognize the significance of the Messiah when so many others missed it? Through Daniel 7:13-14 and Matt...

In the first week of our new Christmas series, The Story Light, Pastor Bartley takes us on a journey through Old Testament prophecies to uncover "The Promise of Light." Beginning with creation in Genesis 1 and weaving through key passages like Isaiah 9 and 60, we see how the coming of Jesus was foretold and how 'light' symbolizes hope, redemption, and God’s presence. This message highlights the si...

In the final week of our series 7 Questions Jesus Asked, Pastor Bartley unpacks Jesus' pivotal question in Matthew 16:13: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Through this message, we explore the various perspectives on Jesus’ identity and, more importantly, the personal significance of Peter’s declaration, “You are the Christ.” Join us as we consider what it truly means to know and follow...

In Week 6 of our series 7 Questions Jesus Asked, Pastor Marek Kowalsky delves into the depths of our relationship with Christ. The story of Peter's restoration in John 21 serves as a backdrop, revealing the complexity of love in our faith journey. We're challenged to consider: Is our love for Jesus a choice, a feeling, or both? Pastor Marek unpacks the Greek words 'agape' and 'phileo', showing how...

In Week 4 of our series 7 Questions Jesus Asked, Pastor/Elder Barry Jones takes a powerful exploration of Jesus' cry on the cross, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?', delving into the profound depths of Christ's sacrifice. The supernatural darkness that fell during the crucifixion symbolizes God's judgment on sin, reminding us of the weight Jesus bore for our sake. This moment of separati...

In Week 4 of our series 7 Questions Jesus Asked, Pastor Bartley examines Jesus' thought-provoking question from Mark 8:36: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but forfeit his soul?” This message speaks directly to the needs and challenges young people face today, inviting us to reflect on the true cost of worldly success and the value of a life rooted in Christ. Join us as we explor...

In Week 3 of our series 7 Questions Jesus Asked, Pastor Bartley delves into Jesus' challenging question from Luke 6:46: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do what I tell you?” This message examines what it means to genuinely follow Christ, drawing insights from Luke 6:43-49, Matthew 7, and Matthew 25. Together, we explore the significance of bearing good fruit, living with integrity, and the...

In Week 2 of our series 7 Questions Jesus Asked, Pastor Bartley unpacks the powerful encounter between Jesus and Bartimaeus in Mark 10:51. Jesus asks a simple yet profound question: “What do you want me to do for you?” Through this message, we explore the importance of clearly understanding and expressing our desires before God. Join us as we discover how this question challenges us to reflect on...

In the inaugural message of our new series "7 Questions Jesus Asked," Pastor Bartley Sawatsky delves into the power and purpose behind the questions posed by Jesus, beginning with, "Why are you afraid, oh you of little faith?" Drawing on the context of Matthew chapter eight, Pastor Bartley examines a pivotal moment when the disciples experienced fear despite witnessing Jesus' miraculous works. Thr...

In Pastor Bartley Sawatsky's exploration of cultural fragmentation, we're challenged to consider how we as Christians can navigate an increasingly divided society. Pastor Bartley draws from various biblical passages, particularly emphasizing Philippians 2, which reminds us that Jesus' name is above all others. This truth should guide our interactions and priorities in a fragmented world. Ultimatel...

Join Lead Pastor Bartley Sawatsky for an eye-opening exploration into the impact of technology on our families in this week's installment of "Future Proofing Your Family." In a world marked by rapid advancements like AI, augmented reality, and social media, Pastor Bartley delves into how these innovations are reshaping our daily lives and posing new challenges. Discover the balance between embraci...

Join Pastor Bartley Sawatsky for a compassionate and eye-opening sermon on the crucial topic of anxiety and mental health, with a special focus on today's youth. In this segment of our "Future Proofing Your Family" series, Pastor Bartley shares personal anecdotes, insightful statistics, and offers practical and spiritual steps grounded in biblical wisdom. Discover how to navigate mental health cha...

In this week's message, Pastor Bartley Sawatsky examines the decline of traditional moral values and their effects on families and society. Using a biblical lens, he navigates the complexities of modern cultural shifts and identity issues. Pastor Bartley provides practical steps for parents to safeguard their families by instilling strong Christian principles. ABOUT THE SERIES In our exploration o...

In his thought-provoking sermon "Economic Pressure," Pastor Bartley Sawatsky uncovers timeless biblical wisdom and offers actionable advice for dealing with economic pressures. Pastor Bartley explores how our financial struggles often reflect deeper character issues and presents transformative principles to help families navigate these challenges. His message emphasizes the profound impact of gene...

Renew Lead Pastor Bartley Sawatsky looks at how embracing new methods and passionate commitment can revitalize our church community in this inspiring message on Luke 5 and the parable of the wineskins. Pastor Bartley dives into the parable of new wine and old wineskins from Luke 5. This teaching challenges us to embrace change and adapt our faith practices to our current context. Just as new wine...

Renew Lead Pastor Bartley Sawatsky wraps up our series Psalmify, focusing in on Psalm 1, The Path of the Blessed. In this powerful exploration of Psalm 1:1-3, Pastor Bartley delves into the essence of a righteous life. We're reminded that true blessedness comes from aligning ourselves with God's ways, not the world's. The passage paints a vivid picture of the righteous person as a tree planted by...

Renew Youth Director Jake Troughton continues our series Psalmify, focusing in on Psalm 100, A Psalm of Joy. In this look at Psalm 100, Jake looks at how Psalm 100 offers a powerful antidote to pessimism and negativity in our busy lives. It reminds us that despite the challenges we face, we have an eternal hope that far outweighs our present struggles. The psalm calls us to worship with gladness,...

Renew Communications Director Marek Kowalsky continues our series Psalmify, focusing in on Psalm 16, under the title, Turning to the Psalms When Words Fail. In this exploration of the Psalms, Marek invites us to rediscover their profound relevance in our prayer lives. Just as mixtapes were once a labor of love, the Psalms are a carefully curated collection of spiritual songs that can deepen our co...

Elder Barry Jones continues our series Psalmify, focusing in on Psalm 95, under the title,  The Power of Worship and the Peril of Procrastination. Elder Barry Jones invites us to explore the power of worship and the dangers of a hardened heart. The psalm begins with a joyful call to praise God, emphasizing how worship interconnects us as a community and ignites our faith. We're reminded that God i...

Brandon Ting continues our series Psalmify, focusing in on Psalm 24, God Is Our Creator. Brandon Ting continues our series "Psalmify" with a focus on Psalm 24, exploring the theme "God Is Our Creator." In this sermon, Brandon unpacks the majestic imagery of the psalm, which celebrates God as the sovereign Creator of the earth and everything in it. He emphasizes the holiness and grandeur of God, wh...

Pastor Bartley Sawatsky continues our series Psalmify, focusing in on Psalm 46, God Is Our Refuge & Strength. Pastor Bartley Sawatsky speaks this week from Psalm 46, highlighting the theme "God Is Our Refuge & Strength." Discover the profound comfort of Psalm 46 as Pastor Bartley Sawatsky explores how God is our refuge and strength, omnipresent in our crises and omnipotent in His ability t...