The Sowers Podcast

What if the next generation isn’t closed to Jesus—but open in a different way?In this episode of The Sowers Podcast, we’re joined by Andy Smits, National Director of Power to Change–Students, to talk about evangelism, spiritual curiosity, and mission in a post‑Christian world.Andy explains:+ Why spiritual openness today doesn’t look like the past+ How Gen Z mirrors post‑Christian Quebec more than church‑saturated culture+ Why evangelism is increasingly a journey, not a moment+ What it means to “pull up a chair to tables we don’t own”+ How everyday relationships are shaping faith more than programsAndy Smits is a national ministry leader, strategist, and communicator committed to helping the church reach the next generation. Known for his ability to read cultural trends and connect them to mission, Andy works at the intersection of faith, leadership, innovation, and emerging technologies—helping leaders respond with creativity and faithfulness.📍 Watch, reflect, and rethink how we share Jesus today.To learn more about Andy and Power to Change Students, please visit: https://p2cstudents.com/🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, culture, and living missionally where you live, work, learn, and play.

What happens when worship stops being a show—and becomes simply about Jesus again?In this episode of The Sowers Podcast, Bobby Lane—worship pastor, songwriter, and founder of Backyard Worship—joins us to talk about pure worship, spiritual hunger among the next generation, and why authenticity matters more than excellence when it comes to encountering God.Bobby reflects on:+ Growing up as a pastor’s kid+ Losing his mom and how that trial deepened his faith+ Why students are longing for worship without lights, hype, or performance and how that led to the formation of Backyard Worship.+ The tension between growth and purity in ministry+ The future of worship music and songwriting in the local church🎶 About Bobby LaneBobby Lane is a worship pastor and artist based in Sarnia, Ontario. He pastors at a local church and leads a worship collective called Backyard Worship. He is married to his wife of four years and is the proud dad of his son, Sparrow. Bobby is passionate about leading people into worship that is free from performance and centered fully on honest devotion to the Lord, and he carries a deep desire to see local churches writing and singing their own songs.To learn more about Bobby Lane and Backyard Worship, please visit: https://www.backyardworship.ca/📌 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, mission, and the life of the church.

What happens when two pastors share the “first chair”?Derik Fuller and Kirk Giles are the Co‑Lead Pastors of Forward Church, a growing multi‑site church across Southwestern Ontario. Before stepping into co‑leadership, Kirk famously Googled whether the model works—and discovered the overwhelming verdict: don’t do it.Five years later, they’re still leading together.In this episode of The Sowers Podcast, Derik and Kirk pull back the curtain on:+ Why co‑leadership almost didn’t happen+ The seven objections they had to overcome+ How ego, pride, and power can quietly sabotage leadership+ The weekly rhythms that keep them unified+ How co‑leadership strengthens elder teams and staff culture+ Why the Canadian church must prioritize discipleship in unstable timesThis is an honest, pastoral, and deeply hopeful conversation about leadership, trust, and planting seeds while trusting God for the growth.About the Guests:Derik Fuller is one of the Lead Pastors of Forward Church, a multi‑site church with locations in Cambridge, Kitchener, and Paris, Ontario. He’s a husband, a father, a sports nut, and an ordinary guy rescued by an extraordinary Saviour.Kirk Giles is the Co‑Lead Pastor of Forward Church and former President of Promise Keepers Canada (now Impactus). He and his wife Shannon have been married for over 30 years, have four children, and are brand‑new grandparents. Kirk loves the Blue Jays, discipleship, and developing leaders.To learn more about Derik, Kirk, and Forward Church, please visit: https://forwardchurch.ca/👇 Subscribe, share, and join the conversation.

In this episode of The Sowers Podcast, Rich Birch unpacks why most churches are missing people before they ever have a chance to stay. Drawing on decades of experience in multi-site leadership and church growth strategy, Rich breaks down what first-time guests are really asking, why invite culture matters more than marketing, and how churches of any size can make simple changes that lead to lasting growth.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why the average church is far “stickier” than leaders realizeThe two subconscious questions every first-time guest is askingWhy being “friendly” is not enough anymoreHow invite culture fuels discipleship, leadership development, and missionSimple changes churches of 70–100 people can make right nowWhy teaching still matters deeply to unchurched peopleWhether you’re leading a church plant, a small congregation, or a multi-site church, this conversation will challenge and equip you to remove barriers and help more people encounter Jesus.GUEST BIO Rich Birch is a trailblazer in the multi-site church movement across North America. He played a key role in The Meeting House becoming Canada’s largest multi-site church, reaching over 5,000 people across 20+ locations. Rich also served in senior leadership at Connexus Community Church (a North Point Strategic Partner) and as Operations Pastor at Liquid Church in New Jersey.Rich’s mission is to help 100 churches grow by 1,000 people each by transforming their invite cultures. Through unSeminary.com, his podcast, blog, books, and coaching, he equips thousands of church leaders with practical, proven growth strategies.He is the author of "Church Growth Flywheel" and "Unlocking Your Church’s Invite Culture," leads the Church Growth Flywheel Masterclass, and coaches churches through the Church Growth Incubator. Rich lives in Ontario with his wife Christine, their young adult children Haley and Hunter, and their dog Rory—who is constantly being asked (unsuccessfully) to stay off the furniture.To learn more about Rich Birch and unSeminary, please visit: https://unseminary.com/

In this powerful conversation, Matt Naismith sits down with Chris Keyes, VP of Programming at Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO), to explore the urgent need for evangelization within the Catholic Church. Chris shares his own journey from cultural Catholicism to a vibrant, personal relationship with Jesus—and how the Holy Spirit ignited a lifelong passion to see Catholics truly encounter Christ.This episode dives into:+ Why many Catholics are sacramentalized but not evangelized+ The role of the Holy Spirit in authentic discipleship+ The Catholic Charismatic Renewal and its global impact+ Why evangelicals and Catholics need each other now more than everWhether you’re Protestant, Catholic, or simply passionate about seeing people come alive in Christ, this conversation will stretch, encourage, and unify.Chris Keyes has been active in evangelization for over 40 years. He was a regular contributor to the national television ministry Food For Life and holds an MA in Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. After a long career in high‑tech leadership, Chris joined Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) in 2016, where he now serves as VP of Programming. His ministry passion is activating young men to support one another in living an evangelistic lifestyle empowered by the Holy Spirit. Chris is the proud father of two married children and the proud “Poppy” of nine grandchildren.To learn more about Chris Keyes, visit: https://cco.ca/👉 Subscribe for more conversations on gospel multiplication, discipleship, and mission.

In this episode, Danielle Strickland joins the podcast for a deeply compelling conversation on discipleship, justice, prayer, and hope in a fearful world. Danielle recounts her first encounter with Jesus in a jail cell, how love—not shame—set her on a new path, and why the Church is at its best when it looks upward and moves outward.Together, they unpack:Why justice and discipleship cannot be separatedHow fear-driven Christianity pulls the Church off mission Danielle’s practice of Infinitum: a rule of life for people who don’t like rulesHow prayer becomes the fuel for sustained hope and resiliencePractical expressions of justice through IMBY, Brave Global, and moreDanielle Strickland lets Love lead her to inspire, challenge, provoke, and disrupt the present—and to live the future now. Having lived in different cultures around the world, she celebrates diversity and works tirelessly to see wrong things made right. She has authored seven books, leads Boundless Enterprise, hosts The Right Side Up podcast, and speaks globally on faith, justice, and transformation.Danielle lives in Vancouver, Canada with her three sons and husband Steve. Danielle loves getting outside, doing new things, physical adventures, and she can’t seem to turn down a free lunch.To learn more about Danielle Strickland, please visit:https://www.daniellestrickland.com/To learn more about IMBY and Brave Global, please visit:https://www.imbyhomes.org/https://www.braveglobal.ca/🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on mission, discipleship, and gospel renewal in Canada.

In this conversation, Matt sat down with William Dmytrow, pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Saskatoon and General Director of the 306 Network — one of the most inspiring unity movements we've ever encountered.William didn’t grow up in a Christian home. But through a friend’s invitation to camp, a desperate prayer at age 16, and the simple words “youth group,” God began a journey that led him to pastor the very church he wandered into that night.Today he leads a growing movement uniting 46+ churches, rallying hundreds of youth, and equipping a generation to follow Jesus for life.🔥 What’s happening in Saskatoon?+A student led a Youth Alpha in her school… and within months 30 more were running.+ Students are sharing stories like: “God is quietly working in significant ways in the city right now.”+ Principals are noticing the impact.+ Youth across Canada are showing signs of being the open generation — spiritually curious, eager, and ready.💬 “When God’s people gather together, good things happen.”This is the heartbeat of The 306 Network.And the fruit is undeniable.About WilliamWilliam Dmytrow serves as a pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and serves as the General Director of the 306 Network, a grassroots movement uniting youth ministries across the region. He is the author of “The Leader After His Own Heart.”As a husband, friend, and follower of the way of Jesus, William’s life centers on one simple goal: gathering people around Jesus and helping them follow Him for life. He loves creating with both hands and mind, whether through pastoring, writing, or speaking.William writes bi-weekly at “Follow Jesus for Life with William Dmytrow” on Substack, exploring what faithful discipleship to Jesus looks like in everyday life. He and his wife Emma live in the heart of Canada, where they pursue life with Jesus in the modern world.To learn more about the 306 Network and read some of the things William has made, please visit:https://www.306network.ca/https://linktr.ee/williamdmytrow

What does it mean to follow Jesus when obedience costs you everything?In this powerful episode of The Sowers Podcast, Persian-speaking pastor and church planter Nathanael Fallahi shares his incredible journey from Islamic seminary in Iran, to encountering Jesus in a deeply personal way, to planting underground house churches under intense persecution, and finally to rebuilding life and ministry in Canada.Nathanael opens up about:+ His search for the true God and the moment he met Christ+ Traveling seven hours each way to attend worship in Tehran+ Serving believers in Iran under government pressure and fear+ The cost of discipleship for Iranians, refugees, and newcomers+ The long and painful journey of family separation+ The birth of a new Persian-speaking church in Toronto+ How Canadian churches can love and walk with immigrant plantersThis episode is an honest, hope-filled look at resilience, persecution, and the faithfulness of Jesus—no matter the cost.About Nathanael Fallahi:Nathanael is a Persian-speaking pastor and church planter based in Toronto. He came to faith in Christ after years of spiritual searching and theological study in Iran—where following Jesus came at great cost. Today he serves among Persian-speaking newcomers and refugees, walking alongside individuals and families in discipleship, community, and biblically grounded care. His heart is to see people encounter the true God, find healing in Christ, and become faithful disciples one step at a time.To learn more about Nathanael Fallahi, please visit: https://www.gbchurches.com/To learn more about Send Network Canada, please visit: https://www.sendnetwork.ca/Chapters00:00 Journey of Faith: From Iran to Canada05:36 Understanding Iran: A Historical Perspective08:44 Church Planting Under Persecution12:15 The Gospel's Transformation Through Suffering15:19 Reaching Iranian Communities in Canada20:19 The Role of Community in Church Planting22:35 Personal Stories of Struggle and Resilience24:56 Supporting Immigrant Church Planters27:36 Celebrating New Life: Baptism Stories29:55 NEWCHAPTER

Leadership isn’t first about strategy — it’s about the inner life of the leader. In this episode, Jason Ballard (Lead Pastor at The Way Church, Founder of The Pastorate) takes us deep into the work God does within a leader: emotional awareness, spiritual rhythms, honest self-audit, and learning to lead from presence rather than pressure.Jason shares vulnerable lessons from his own formation — moments where pain became his teacher, where his passion accidentally steamrolled others, and where slowing down saved relationships. We explore the three awarenesses every leader needs in every room: self-awareness, other-awareness, and awareness of the Spirit.He also unpacks the “lost hard drive” story — where one leader’s calm, gracious response discipled a teenager more deeply than any Sunday production ever could.This conversation is for pastors, planters, parents, and anyone who senses God shaping “the leader within.”About Jason:Jason is a lead pastor at The Way Church in Vancouver, BC and the director/founder of The Pastorate, a ministry dedicated to strengthening Canadian pastors. Formerly with Alpha International, he helped pioneer the Alpha Youth Film Series, used worldwide to engage over a million teenagers in conversations about Jesus. He serves through The Pastorate Podcast, The Way Church Podcast, and leadership development initiatives at The Way College (Everyday Seminary). Jason and Rachael have three kids — Hudson (12), Mary (10) and Millie (8).Links:The Way CollegeThe Pastorate PodcastThe Way Church Chapters00:00 The Essence of Leadership05:39 Personal Growth in Leadership10:28 Skills for Effective Leadership15:38 Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence20:18 Leading with Kindness and Integrity23:08 The Essence of Christian Leadership24:31 Navigating Goals and Contentment26:45 The Journey of Personal Development29:02 Establishing Rhythms for Growth32:57 Understanding God's Character and Ways36:07 The Future of Christian Leadership42:35 NEWCHAPTER

In this episode of The Sowers Podcast, Matt sits down with Jono & Nicole Zantingh, co-lead pastors of Evolve Church in Edmonton. Their journey began in Winnipeg, where they spent over 20 years serving and leading in the local church. But in 2017, God began stirring their hearts toward an unexpected calling.What follows is an incredible story of discernment, obedience, sacrifice, and God’s miraculous provision — from interest parties, open mic nights, and shoe-store conversations… to now seeing students, families, and newcomers encounter Jesus every single week.In this episode, they share:+How God used a season of uncertainty in 2017 to redirect their lives+The miraculous story behind the launch of Evolve Church+What it’s like to co-lead as husband and wife with wildly different giftings+Their heart for Gen Z and why they’ve committed so deeply to reaching the University of Alberta+Why they believe Canada is in a ripe harvest seasonAbout Jono & Nicole:Jono and Nicole met in 1997, married in 2000, and have chased after God’s calling together ever since. After decades of fruitful ministry in Winnipeg, they moved with their three children — Julia, Riley, and Kaleb — to Edmonton in 2018 to launch Evolve Church. Their home and lives continue to be open spaces where people encounter Jesus, grow in faith, and discover their identity and calling in the Kingdom.To learn more about Jono, Nicole, and Evolve Church, please visit: https://www.evolvechurch.com/To learn more about ARC Canada, please visit: https://arcchurches.ca/👉 Subscribe for more conversations that inspire kingdom movement across Canada.#TheSowersPodcast #ChurchPlanting #EvolveChurch #CampusMinistry #GenZRevivalChapters00:00 The Call to Change: A New Journey Begins08:12 Planting Evolve Church: The Early Days18:12 Marriage and Ministry: A Unique Partnership25:10 Evolve on Campus: Reaching Students38:43 Empowering the Next Generation: A Vision for the Future42:20 NEWCHAPTER