Junie Josue on Empowering a Young, Multicultural Church, Hearing God’s Call from Manila to Winnipeg, and Carrying a Vision to Plant 100 Churches Across Canada
On today’s episode of The Pastorate we welcome Junie Josue, pastor of International Worship Center, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. From a three-day fast in Manila to planting a multi-ethnic church in central Canada, Junie shares a Spirit-led story of obedience, discipleship, and multiplication. The conversation traces the discernment journey that brought Junie and his wife, Fatima, to Canada in 1999, the cell-church structure that fuels IWC’s inter-provincal growth, and a vision to plant 100 churches across the nation. Junie also opens up about the inner life of a pastor, moving from performance to presence, and letting God heal old wounds.
Shaila Visser with the Lead Pastors Fellowship: Reaching Gen Alpha, the Future of Alpha Canada, and Canada’s Unique Spiritual Moment
Today’s episode features a conversation between Tammy Giffen, Lead Pastor of Groundswell Church in Turo Nova Scotia and Shaila Visser, National Director of Alpha Canada and Senior Vice President at Alpha International. It’s a recording of a conversation that took place live in front of our Lead Pastor Fellowship cohort, two weeks ago when they were gathered together in Vancouver for a city meetup. Over the course of that week together, the cohort, made up of 15 pastors from across Canada, spent time learning from local pastors and leaders, touring local churches, and enjoying quality time together. This conversation between Tammy and Shaila was one of the sessions of the week that was designed to help encourage our cohort members and sharpen their pastoral imagination, specifically around the themes of evangelism, prayer, and ministry to Gen Alpha and Gen Z.
Ryan Johnson on Healing from Brokenness, Leading through Pain, and Building a Community of Worship and Hope
In this conversation, Jason and Ryan explore the messy beginnings of Church Untitled, how a community born out of hurt became a place of dependence and hope. They talk about the call to consecration that shaped their early days, and how worship has become the defining posture of their community, creating space for healing and shepherding the soul of the city.
Pete Hughes with the Lead Pastors Fellowship: Pastoral Courage, Revival, and Leading in the Power of the Spirit
We’re pulling back the curtain on our Lead Pastors Fellowship and inviting you into a conversation that Pete Hughes, pastor of KXC London, had with our cohort participants during one of their monthly Zoom sessions. We’re sharing it here because it speaks directly into the cultural moment we find ourselves in, and because applications for the next round of the Lead Pastors Fellowship open next month.
Dom Ruso on Church Planting in Quebec, Pastoring in a Post-Christian Age, and Making the Bible Make Sense in a Secular World
In this conversation, Jason and Dom explore Dom’s honest wrestle with returning to Quebec, and the slow ways God confirmed the call to plant a church there and why it’s not enough to “tell” people what the Bible says, but to invite them into its story, and how plot points of Scripture resonate with modern longings for justice, meaning, and identity.
Howard Jolly on Reconciliation in the Canadian Church, the Courage to Face Our Shared Story, and How His Father’s Transformation Led Him to Jesus
In this conversation, Howard Jolly shares how he came to faith through the remarkable transformation of his father’s life, why reconciliation is essential for the whole body of Christ, and how facing our shared history with courage can lead to healing and hope. Drawing on decades of pastoral leadership, he reflects on the God‑given dignity of every person, the unique call for First Peoples to reach First Peoples, and his vision for a renewed Church in Canada.
Lissa Wray Beal on Why Pastors Need the Old Testament, Faithfully Preaching Trauma Texts, and the Role of Seminary in a Changing Church
In this conversation, Old Testament scholar and Anglican priest Dr. Lissa Wray Beal offers a thoughtful and deeply encouraging guide for engaging the harder parts of Scripture. Drawing from her current writing on the book of Jeremiah and her years of pastoral ministry and academic scholarship, Lissa makes the case that these ancient texts are essential for helping congregations find language in time of suffering and struggle.
Matthew Price on Learning to Love the Suburbs, Leading Post-Burnout, and Church Revitalization
In this episode we welcome Matthew Price, Lead Pastor of North Langley Community Church, for a deeply personal conversation about pastoral ministry. Matthew opens up about his unexpected journey into preaching, the powerful influence of mentors like Darrell Johnson, and how a vision from God reshaped his love for suburban ministry.
Pradeepan Jeeva on Planting in a Post-Christian City, Pastoring Through Suffering, and Measuring Christian Discipleship
Jason sits down with Pradeepan Jeeva, pastor of Kalos Church in Bellevue, Washington, for an honest conversation about calling, suffering, and building a church where everyone belongs. Pradeepan shares the story of planting a multicultural church in one of the most unchurched cities in America. He opens up about his family’s journey from Sri Lankan refugees to pastors and the personal challenges they’ve faced, including mental health struggles and parenting children with autism. Through it all, Pradeepan reflects on how the church has become a vital support for his own family.
Rebecca McLaughlin on the Timeless Wisdom of Christian Sexual Ethics, a Gospel-Shaped Vision of Singleness, and the Offence of the Gospel in a Post-Christian World
In a time when Christian sexual ethics are increasingly seen not just as outdated but as morally offensive, how can pastors lead with both clarity and compassion? In this conversation, author and apologist Rebecca McLaughlin engages with questions around Christian sexual ethics and makes a case for why the Christian story is ultimately good news.
R. Paul Stevens on Why Every Christian is in Full-Time Ministry, Embracing Whole-Life Discipleship, and Empowering the Whole Church for Kingdom Work
In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with long-time pastor, professor, and marketplace theologian Paul Stevens to explore the sacredness of daily work. Paul’s ministry journey spans decades, from student ministry in Halifax to pastoring in Vancouver, teaching at Regent College, and even a mid-career stint as a carpenter. Paul unpacks the heartbeat behind his conviction that every follower of Jesus is in full-time ministry and that whatever your vocation, be it a pastor, a police officer, or a mother, your work matters to God.
Dustin Funk on the Importance of Camp Ministry, Local Church Renewal, and Annual Rhythms of Rest
In this episode, Jason sits down with Dustin Funk, Lead Pastor of Oasis Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dustin shares his journey from encountering God at summer camp as a teenager, to stepping into leadership at a small Italian-speaking church, to guiding that same church through a remarkable season of cultural transition and growth.
Preston Pouteaux on Pastoring with a Tender Heart, the Sacred Work of Neighbouring, and the Power of Presence in Pastoral Ministry
In today’s conversation Preston Pouteaux shares what it means to be a tenderhearted pastor in a fast-paced world. Speaking from Chestermere, Alberta, Preston invites us into a vision of pastoring that’s slow, rooted, and profoundly local. From RCMP ride-alongs to keeping bees and loving neighbours, Preston offers a poetic yet practical vision of what it means to love and serve a place and its people.
Steve Cuss on His Year as a Chaplain, The Gap Between What We Preach and What We Experience, and Leading Without Carrying the Anxiety of Others
What does it look like to stay tender and human as a pastor, even while holding the weight of others’ pain? In this rich and deeply practical conversation, Steve Cuss shares wisdom from decades of ministry—including his years as a hospital chaplain, a lead pastor, and now, a trusted voice equipping leaders around the world in managing leadership anxiety.
Canadian Pastors Joe Jung, Ben Carbone, and Jaz Ghag Share Their Stories
In this special episode of The Pastorate Podcast, we’re doing something a little different. Rather than one long-form conversation, you'll hear stories from three Canadian lead pastors.
Reward Sibanda on How Culture Shapes Ministry, The Role of the Megachurch Today, and Fasting as a Means to Soul Rest
In this episode, Jason sits down with Reward Sibanda, a pastor, speaker, and writer, a leading voice on fasting and a Pastor at Saddleback Church. Reward is known for his contagious joy, his deep love for the church, and his ability to bridge cultural gaps in ministry.
Tyler Staton on the Redemption of Pain, Contextualizing Our Suffering Within the Story of Scripture, and Cultivating a Daily Desire to Experience the Power of the Holy Spirit
In this episode, Jason sits down with Tyler Staton, lead pastor of Bridgetown Church and author of The Familiar Stranger, to explore how God works in seasons of suffering and renewal. Tyler shares candidly on how deep pain has shaped his understanding of faith, ministry, and the presence of God in everyday life.
Claude Lainey on Ministry in Rural Canada, The Church’s Call to Raise Up the Next Generation of Church Leaders, and How Listening Prayer Inspires Courageous Leadership
Pastoring in rural Canada comes with unique challenges and opportunities—navigating leadership transitions, bilingual ministry, and the call to raise up the next generation of leaders. In this episode we’re joined by Claude Lainey, lead pastor of Gospel Mission Church in Winkler, Manitoba, to hear his story of moving from Northern Ontario to Manitoba and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Mark Sayers on Leadership and Suffering: A Theology of Resilience, Cultivating Spiritual Authority Over Charisma, and The Call of the Church in a Changing World
Our world is changing at a rapid pace and it can be hard to make sense of. The weight of pastoral leadership can feel heavier when we’re navigating through uncharted waters. That’s why we’re grateful for voices like Mark Sayers—leaders who cut through the noise with a prophetic edge, distill complex cultural trends, and speak to the Church with a non-anxious presence.
Megan Fate Marshman on Preaching with Integrity, Practical Prayer Rhythms, and Cultivating Hope in Longing
Preaching with authenticity is no easy task, but for Megan, authenticity is the only gear she knows. The question remains—how do we craft honest sermons and let the message impact our lives first?
Megan is a pastor, speaker, and author joining us from Lakewood, California. She serves as the teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in Illinois and leads a women’s Bible study at Arbor Road Church in Long Beach, California. Whether preaching, leading, or writing her latest book, Megan brings a refreshing honesty that resonates deeply and inspires many.