Matt Naismith

The Sowers.

Religion EN ↓ 121 episodes

The Sowers. features stories and best practices from Canadian church planters and leaders who are influencing kingdom movement and impacting their communities. With a whimsical thoughtful approach and format, episodes and conversations are easy to follow with tangible action steps at each episode’s conclusion. Insights gained can be used as teaching and inspiration for ministry whether personal or church specific.  Hosted by Matt Naismith, The Sowers. podcast desires to help and inspire every listener to become a sower in the places where they live, work, learn and play.  Matt was a church pla...

Author

Matt Naismith

Category

Religion

Podcast website

www.thesowerspod.ca

Latest episode

Jun 23, 2026

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Episodes

#46 - Keith Dow on Serving Alongside People With Disabilities 17.09.2024

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...

#45 - Rob Chartrand on Reimagining Theological Education for the Future & The Gospel As Foundation 10.09.2024

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...

#44 - Brady Shearer on The Power of Digital Engagement For Churches & Why The Church Matters 03.09.2024

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...

#43 - Jeremiah Capule on Scuba Instructing as Preparation for Disciple Making, Doing Good Things Vs. God Things, and Hearing His Voice 13.08.2024

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...

#42 - Jesper Jeppesen on Planting a Church in Denmark and Toronto, Responding to a Hostile Culture, Taking Steps of Faith, and Praying Like Never Before 23.07.2024

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...

#41 - Elita Friesen on Balance, Early Mornings With Jesus, Practicing Sabbath As a Family & Loving Jesus & His Church 09.07.2024

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...

#40 - Shaila Visser on Coming to Christ, Leading Alpha Across Canada, Defining Evangelism & Spirit-Led Encounters on Airplanes 25.06.2024

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...

#39 - Harold Peasley on Lessons From a Nearly 80-Year Journey: The Powerhouse of the Church and the Need to Listen 18.06.2024

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....

#38 - Andrew Lamme on Desire, Sexual Addiction, Accountability & Taking Steps Towards Recovery 11.06.2024

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...

#37 - Chris Vacher on Discovering Your Primary Calling, Discerning a Vocational Change & Helping Churches Move Their Ministry Forward 05.06.2024

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...

#36 - Nate Vedoya on Multiethnic Church, The Danger of Stereotypes & Building a Culture of Grace, Curiosity & Welcome 28.05.2024

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...

#35 - Andrew Lang on Serving First Nations, The Power of the Gospel Leading to Forgiveness & The Commitment of Presence 21.05.2024

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...

#34 - Kim McGibbon on Welcoming Newcomers & Refugees, Developing Ministries of Compassion and Serving Out of the Overflow 14.05.2024

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...

#33 - Jon Thompson on Restoration Prayer, Developing a Spiritual Theology to Interpret Spiritual Experience & Discovering The True Nature Calling 07.05.2024

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...

#32 - Brandon Richardson on Merging Two Churches, Staying in Ontario, Hope vs. Hype & Relying on the Good Good Father 30.04.2024

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...

#31 - Earl Marshall on The Temptation of Information Transfer Alone & Teams Building Trusting Relationship Prior to the Storm 23.04.2024

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...

#30 - Chad MacDonald & Jeremy Dager on Planting in Halifax, Planting in Team & Dying to Self for the Glory of God & The Good of the Church 16.04.2024

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....

#29 - Ken Taylor on 35 Years of Ministry in The Same Place, Avoiding Isolation & The Importance of Building Relationships With Other Pastors in Your City 09.04.2024

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...

#28 - David Pothier on Reaching Montreal and Beyond, Counting The Cost, and Impact Over Influence 02.04.2024

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...

#27 - Jason McGibbon on the Opportunity for Gospel Witness in the Arts, Various Hobbies & The Subcultures They Represent 26.03.2024

In this episode, Matt is joined by pastor, creative and entrepreneur Jason McGobbon. Jason shares about his passion for music, the arts, hobbies and discipleship. Jason has been living, working, and playing in Hamilton for 10 years and has loved every minute in the city. Jason, along with his wife and partner in crime Kimberley, have raised four kids in the city. All four children still call Hamil...

#26 - JD Fasolino on Reaching Hispanics, The Mourner in Every Immigrant & The Power of a Warm Welcome 19.03.2024

In this episode, Matt is joined by church planter, pastor and Send Network Espanol Director, JD Fasolino. During his senior year of BA studies in economics JD began sensing God’s call to ministry. After completing this degree he enrolled in the Evangelical Seminary of Caracas (Venezuela, where he lived at that time). He completed a degree in Pastoral Counselling while directing his family’s busine...

#25 - Brett Porter on the Process of Discernment, Walking With Jesus & Building the Kingdom Vs. an Individual Church 12.03.2024

In this episode, Matt is joined by Brett Porter, the Send City Missionary with the Send Network for Toronto, Ontario. Brett shares his journey of coming to Christ, coming to Canada, planting a church and then transitioning to his current role. Brett has a lot of experience in discerning vocational transitions and shares his lessons reflecting on them. To learn more about the Send Network, visit ht...

#24 - Jason Ballard on the Creation of the Alpha Youth Film Series, CCLN, Church Planting & the Most Relevant Thing Being a Meal With Friends 05.03.2024

In this episode, Matt is joined by Jason Ballard of The Way Church, CCLN (Canadian Church Leaders Network), and one of the original leaders and creators behind the Alpha Youth Film Series. When Jason is not speaking at events, creating content, and working to inspire and equip leaders, you can find him at home with his wife, Rachael, and three kids. Find him on Instagram at @jasonaballard. Jason a...

#23 - Ben Jolliffe on Raising Up, Leading Alongside and Being Challenged by Local Elders and the Power of Church Statements 27.02.2024

Matt is joined by Ben Jolliffe, pastor of Resurrection Church in Ottawa, On., and the host of the Canadian Church Planting Podcast. Ben shares his journey of coming to faith in Christ, working for Power to Change and then transitioning to church planting. He shares about the power of developing compelling church statements and what they mean for the church community that will eventually be raised...

#22 - Mark Burch on His Father's Example, Impacting Lostness & Leading a Large Church Outward 19.02.2024

In this episode, Matt is joined by Mark Burch, Lead Pastor of Northview Community Church in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Prior to leading Northview, Mark served as Northview's Multiplication and Church Planting Director, and prior to that a National Director with C2C Network and the Mennonite Brethren denomination. Mark shares his personal journey, the story of Northview and their commitment to l...

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