Episodes
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If you’re a Marvel movie fan, Iron Man is probably familiar to you. In this episode of the Impactus podcast, we are excited to talk with a real-life “Iron Man”—a humble businessman from Hamilton, Ontario, who was the first Canadian to run not one, not two, but three Ironman races in three consecutive days for over 45 hours of physical exertion.
But he wasn’t running for himself but for a greater cause.
Gord Pauls owned and operated a General Insurance brokerage for 28 years and opened a running apparel store in 1996. He is an accomplished runner and triathlete and a respected, personable, and inspirational leader in the Hamilton running community.
Since taking up running twenty-six years ago, Gord has completed over 35 marathons, including 12 Boston Marathons, with a personal best time of 2h:51m. In addition, he has run countless other races, often raising money to support charities. He also races to encourage some of the hundreds of runners he has inspired through his example and instruction. As a coach, Gord has seen his clients meet and exceed their goals.
Not satisfied with being an outstanding runner, Gord took up duathlons and triathlons in recent years, earning berths on the Canadian National Teams plus completing eight grueling Ironman Triathlons. In 2010, he became “Canada’s only Triple Ironman,” a back-to-back-to-back Ironman race with a total distance of 678 km, raising a quarter of a million dollars ($257,000) for micro-credit loans in Haiti.
Gord talks with us about the physical struggles of his favorite activity and how pushing himself through these excruciating exercises has impacted and inspired his faith life and the call to love and serve others through what he is doing.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with an inspiring man!
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Is “Men’s Ministry” still a thing?
Is it still relevant? Do we even need it?
Here at Impactus, we like referring to this area as “Ministry to Men,” and that’s more than just semantics. We need a new understanding that men need ministry, not just programs, and that men are called to do ministry in their churches and communities.
On this podcast, we’re delighted to have one of the most recognizable names in Ministry to Men back with us: Steve Sonderman.
Steve is highly regarded as one of the pioneers of the men’s ministry movement in America. He started one of the first men’s ministries in the country for the growing church population at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin. He is the founder of the national No Regrets Men’s Ministries and the annual No Regrets Men’s Conference, which today draws thousands of men across the country and around the world.
Steve regularly consults with churches and leaders and has authored books on leadership and curriculum studies for men. Steve and his wife, Colleen, have four grown children and are proud grandparents.
If you are part of a Men’s Ministry or a leader in one, then this conversation is for you, as we jump into topics like:
The challenges of the “man crisis” that we can see in our culture and churches The impact that can happen when a man gets truly mobilized in his faith How we can embrace a “multiplication mindset” when ministering to men and why it’s so crucial Why “apprenticeship” is so important in Men’s Ministry, and what are some of the ways we can engage in it The difference between “knowledge-based” discipleship and “obedience-based” discipleship In our challenging cultural moment, what reasons we can have to be hopeful and excited about what God is up to The various amazing things that Steve is seeing God do in the lives of men all around the worldCome and join us for this fascinating and in-depth discussion on the Impactus podcast!
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Families are under attack. Culture seems to be encroaching on us. Pressure comes from all angles…education, ideology, politics, and sometimes even the Church.
But maybe there’s a much more sinister battle at work—in our minds, hearts, and homes.
In this podcast, we’ll discuss “Fighting for Family” with Chris Bennett, who recently released a book under this title.
Chris is a pastor, storyteller, writer, and producer from Dallas, Texas. His wife Julie is a writer, producer, speaker, and two-time cancer survivor from Edmond, Oklahoma. Together, Chris and Julie are the founders of Welcome Home Lifestyle, a production company that creates and promotes content celebrating healthy, thriving families, friendships, and communities.
Chris and Julie are also co-hosts of the Finding Family podcast. The Bennetts currently reside in Malibu, California, where Chris serves as lead pastor of Vintage Church Malibu.
Dean and Chris have an intriguing conversation, exploring topics like:
What it means to be men who fight for our families How to navigate the challenges of transition and turmoil in a godly way Being men who fight for what truly matters The biblical principle of “honor” and why it is so crucial to healthy relationships Why humility is so essential for men to embrace How actively practicing hospitality transforms both us and those we invite in How singles can embrace these ideas in their contextAll this and more, in this month’s edition of the Impactus podcast!
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If you were to rate your current experience reading or listening to the Word of God, how would you fare?
If you're like most guys, Bible engagement can be challenging. While some are very disciplined with their time in the Word, others struggle to prioritize and focus.
Our most recent Spiritual Health of Men Survey found that you aren’t alone. We saw some decline from the previous year in the number of respondents who responded to the question of whether they spend regular time in the Scriptures.
So what can you do about it, and how can you get better at spending time daily in the Word?
The good news is that there are resources, translations, and organizations to help you. On this month’s podcast, we’re excited to speak with Duncan Campbell.
Duncan is the Vice President of National Programs for the Canadian Bible Society, one of our ministry partners here at Impactus, with a mission to help people hear God speak, in Canada and across the world. He is an author, blogger, visionary, husband, father, grandfather, adventurer, and incorrigibly curious.
Today, we’ll talk to Duncan about his spiritual journey, the mission and many projects of the Bible Society, and how they can help men engage with the Word.
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The pandemic wreaked havoc on our world like nothing else in our lifetime. The fallout continues with polarization, division, depression, isolation, distraction, and the disappearance of many people from inside the walls of the Church.
But what if the events of the past few years were not a problem but an opportunity?
What if God was using this time in our history to awaken people to His Kingdom and awaken His people to truly be a people of calm in chaos, to be salt and light in this dark world, and to be His ambassadors of hope and justice?
What if God was stirring you and me to ask ourselves if we truly follow Jesus—or just watch from a distance?
In this podcast, we are excited to sit down with a leading voice in the Canadian Church—someone who has cut through the distractions to call the Church back to becoming a disciple-making Church.
Daniel Im is a pastor, Bible teacher, writer, and podcast host who is passionate about discipleship and the local church. He is the lead pastor of Beulah Alliance Church and the author of No Silver Bullets, Planting Missional Churches, You Are What You Do, and the newly released The Discipleship Opportunity. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta, with his wife, Christina, and their three children.
In this conversation, we discuss topics such as:
How the pandemic affected the Church and the world in which we currently live How we can navigate a post-truth, relativistic culture as people who believe in truth Why we should view the pandemic as an opportunity for greater growth in Christ The impact of “deconstruction” and what we can learn from it The dangers of consumerism in the Church and how God calls us deeper Why it is so essential for men to intentionally seek connection and friendship with other menWe cover all this and more in this fascinating conversation with Daniel Im!
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How could a two-year-old orphan boy, taken out of his country by mistake in 1975 from halfway around the world, now impact the world as a grown man in 2024?
In this month’s podcast, you’ll hear a story of just how that happened!
Google “Orphan 32,” and you will read how Thanh Campbell was taken from his war-torn country of Vietnam and came to Canada as part of the last flight out of Saigon in 1975 with 56 other orphans.
Thanh has written his memoir Orphan 32 and, most recently, his illustrated children's book, Lost and Found: Orphan 32 Goes Home.
He has been invited to be a guest on such programs as CBC Radio, TVO, Canada AM, and 100 Huntley Street, with a chance to share his life story with the nation. As a keynote speaker, Thanh has been invited to speak at The United Nations in Toronto, Fortune 500 companies, business groups, conferences, and schools across Canada.
Most recently, Thanh was appointed as the Canadian Director of Partners Worldwide Canada. Founded in 2011, Partners Worldwide Canada pursues ending poverty around the world through business so that all may have an abundant life.
Thanh lives in Drayton, ON, with his wife, Teresa. They have six children and one crazy dog, Theo.
This month, Dean and Thanh will discuss:
Thanh’s remarkable story of being born into and rescued from the brutal violence of the Vietnam War, immigrating to Canada, and being adopted into a loving Canadian family; How he hit rock bottom in his life, and met Jesus there; How God worked powerfully and redemptively to help Thanh find his long-lost Vietnamese family later in life; The importance of finding identity in Christ as a son of God; What a “redemptive business” is and how Thanh and Partners Worldwide are transforming the lives of people in poverty; The hope for the hopeless that can only be found in Jesus!In this podcast, we will hear this amazing story of the value of family, faith, and the power of hope in God’s great plan of redemption. Don’t miss it!
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If you were to rate the health of your marriage or family today, how would you score? 10/10, living in bliss? 5/10, with some challenges and struggles? Lower?
Marriages and families go through different seasons, but the good news is that you don’t have to go through them alone. There are supports to help you and your family: counsellors, pastors, churches, and ministry organizations who are there to come alongside you wherever you find yourself on the journey.
One of those organizations is FamilyLife Canada, a ministry of Power to Change, which exists to bring help and hope to every marriage and family. They believe:
The family is the foundation of every community. A healthy marriage is the cornerstone of a strong family. The ultimate and lasting strength of every marriage and family is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.This month, we are excited to have Neil and Sharol Josephson of FamilyLife Canada with us. Previously a Bible College President and a TV news anchor, Neil and Sharol have devoted this season of life to marriage and family ministry—first at a large church in California and now with FamilyLife Canada. Neil and Sharol have been married for 41 years. They love Jesus, each other and their family, especially their four remarkable grandchildren!
Join us for this helpful and powerful conversation, where we talk about strengthening marriage, supporting singleness, building relationships and families that thrive, and how men can be strong and steadfast blessings to their loved ones.
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If you’re a football fan, you’re going to love this conversation, and if you’re not a football fan, you’re still going to love this conversation!
On January 8, the 15-0 undefeated Michigan Wolverines under coach Jim Harbaugh won the US National College Championship, beating No. 2 Washington Huskies 34-13 before a crowd of 72,808 at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
What a game it was!
In this podcast, Dean talks with one of the key leaders who played a pivotal role in the University of Michigan's triumph.
Robby Emery currently serves as the Assistant to the University of Michigan Head Football Coach. He is known for his unique and impactful role as a character coach and pastor for the team. His dedication goes beyond the field, focusing on instilling values, ethics, and character development in the players under his guidance. Robby has also served as a local pastor for over 20 years.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Robby is a devoted family man, having been married to Danielle for 25 years. Together, they have built a loving family, and Robby takes pride in being a father to three children. His commitment to both his family and the football program reflects his passion for fostering success and personal growth in all aspects of life.
In this exciting and wide-ranging conversation, Dean and Robby cover a variety of topics, including:
The experience of the Wolverines’ historic season and National Championship win What does a day look like in Robby’s role with the football team? How does “revival” happen? How can we eliminate fear in our lives? The importance of creating trust in our relationships How the younger generation is engaging with the Gospel and how we should be sharing itYou won’t want to miss this one!
https://www.impactus.org/podcast/ep-70-football-and-faith-with-coach-robby-emery/
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Are you a man who lives your life with a sense of purpose and intentionality?
We’ve heard it said that God “calls” people like pastors, teachers, and missionaries into ministry, but what about the rest of us?
Do we have a “calling” on our lives?
In this podcast, Dean sits down with Phil Wagler, who is certainly no stranger to Impactus!
Phil lives in British Columbia with his family. He has recently written a book called Live Your Assignment: Being Christ’s Ambassador in 7 Spheres of Life, which explores the idea that every believer has been given an assignment by God to fulfill in every area of our lives.
He has a unique take on discipleship and calling and challenges believers everywhere to apply these principles to their lives.
Phil has lived these ideas as a believer, son, husband, father, pastor, mission leader, and servant in the broader Body of Christ through working with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the World Evangelical Association.
Phil is deeply committed to inspiring and equipping the local church for a holistic mission and the ministry of reconciliation, which you will hear about in this interview.
Dean and Phil cover a variety of topics and ideas in this conversation, including:
How “reconciliation” is truly the centre of the Gospel, where we are reconciled to God, ourselves, others, and Creation. Exploring the implications of giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s and giving to God what is God’s (Matthew 22:21). What it means to be an “ambassador” of Christ, and the posture an ambassador takes in representing the Kingdom and the King. The spheres of influence God has given to every believer (not just the “professional” ministers!) and how to embrace being an ambassador in each of these areas. What it means to truly “let go” to God and the wonderful blessings that come when we do. Why “faithfulness” is more important than “vision” in a believer’s life. Knowing that there is no “just” in the Kingdom of God (e.g. “I’m ‘just’ a plumber…” “I’m ‘just’ a homemaker…”; every assignment that God gives to a believer is significant!Join us for this fascinating conversation with Dean and Phil!
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If you were to rate your prayer life today on a scale of 1-10…how would you rate yourself?
Of course, there is no easy rating scale for our relationship with God, but prayer is one of those areas of our spiritual lives that men consistently find difficult.
At the start of this fresh new year, when topics around spiritual disciplines are common conversation, this is a great time to evaluate our prayer habits and what they mean for our walk with God.
In this month’s podcast, we are excited to welcome Dr. Bill Thrasher! Bill is a graduate professor of Bible and Theology at Moody Theological Seminary and a frequent speaker for churches and retreats nationwide. His ministry interests include campus discipleship, singles ministry, and evangelism.
He is the author of Believing God for His Best, A Journey to Victorious Praying, Principles of Christian Living from Romans 5-8, The Attributes of God in Pauline Theology, and Living the Life God Has Planned. Bill and his wife, Penny, live in the Chicago area and have three sons.
His most recent book is entitled How to Resurrect a Dead Prayer Life. We all know that prayer is essential—it's the lifeblood of the Christian life. But most of us find prayer to be challenging. We easily get discouraged, disillusioned, and distracted.
So, how can a man build and sustain a meaningful and valuable prayer life?
Through this conversation, Dean and Dr. Thrasher cover such topics as:
What does it mean to “pray in the Spirit”? How does the Holy Spirit motivate and encourage our prayer life? How can we identify and revive a “dead” prayer life? How can someone with a worried or frantic life begin to enjoy God’s presence and peace? What does it mean to truly encounter God in prayer, and not just do it as a religious duty? What do you do when you don’t know how to pray or what to pray for? How does God use our most challenging moments to actually defeat the Enemy in our lives? How can we turn our chronic temptations into moments of encounter and victory with God?Enjoy all this and more in this month’s podcast!
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Have you ever felt stressed, burdened, or overwhelmed by all the things you have to do?
Then along comes the Church, and our relationship with God, and we look at all the things we “should” be doing, and we see more deficits and feel more guilt.
Christians are called to live a life that glorifies God and blesses others. How do we do that when we're already feeling stretched to capacity?
But what if God didn’t expect you to do everything…and certainly not do it all overnight?
What if one of the greatest things we could do for God, our families, our communities, and ourselves, was to “just show up”?
We tend to think it's the big, bold moments that matter in life, but in reality, it's the steady accumulation of small acts of obedience to God that add up to a life of meaning and impact.
For this month’s podcast, we are so excited to have Drew Dyck with us. Drew is an editor at Moody Publishers and the former managing editor of Leadership Journal.
He is the author of several books, including Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science, and his latest work, Just Show Up: How Small Acts of Faithfulness Change Everything. Drew’s work has been featured in Christianity Today, Relevant, and CNN.com. He lives near Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Grace, and their three children.
As Dean and Drew jump into their conversation, they tackle such topics as:
How are Christians called to truly “change the world?” What does it mean to “just show up” for God and others? Why is physical presence with other people so important? How do we grapple with the many distractions in our lives, especially our screens? Why do so many men struggle with being “escape artists”? What is a way to engage in spiritual disciplines without feeling pressure or shame for not doing “enough”? How can our actions affect our mental health, both positively and negatively? What can guys do in times when they find their faith wavering?All this and more in this month’s podcast! Enjoy!
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Disclaimer: This conversation frankly discusses sensitive topics relating to sex and marriage that may not be age-appropriate for younger viewers/listeners.
In this month’s podcast, Dean sits down for a conversation with Sheila and Keith Gregoire. Sheila is no stranger to the Impactus podcast, and we are happy to have her husband with us this time as well!
Sheila is the face behind Bare Marriage, a website and blog dedicated to Christian marriage and sex. She is the author of nine books, including best-sellers The Great Sex Rescue and The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex and is a much sought-after speaker on these topics.
She lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband Keith, who co-authored a new book, The Good Guy’s Guide to Great Sex, with Sheila. They have been married for over 30 years and have two adult children and two grandchildren.
The Gregoires are passionate about changing the evangelical conversation about sex and marriage to line up with Kingdom principles. They desire to bring research and data to this conversation, and to undo some of the harmful and toxic Christian teaching on sex that exists out there, and to bring sexuality back in line with the Scriptures and the way of Jesus.
In this podcast, Dean and the Gregoires have an absorbing and in-depth conversation about some very tricky topics, exploring such questions as:
If sex is truly a gift from God, why do many Christian women feel like it is anything but? Why is our theology of sex so important? What are the 5 most important contributors to a frequent and healthy sex life in a marriage? What are some of the most damaging teachings about sex out there in Christian circles, and why are they so damaging? How has “purity culture” teaching affected marriages? What is a healthy Kingdom view of sexuality? What are some lessons about sex that Christian men need to un-learn? What does it mean to be “Christ-like” in your sex life?Join us for this important and impactful conversation!
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Disclaimer: This conversation discusses sensitive topics that may not be age-appropriate for younger viewers/listeners.
In this podcast, Dean interviews Zachary Wagner, author of Non-Toxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality.
Zachary hails from Chicago and currently lives in England as a PhD candidate at Oxford. He is also the editorial director of the Center for Pastoral Theologians, where he co-hosts the CPT Podcast. He is a researcher, writer, and ordained minister who discusses post-evangelical discipleship, theological formation, and speaking against abuse in the Church.
As the #MeToo movement erupted and decades of male sexual sin against others was exposed, many Christians were shocked as the #ChurchToo movement followed—we learned that much sexual sin and abuse was happening even within the Church.
From small churches to megachurches and international ministries, numerous scandals were exposed involving the faithful experiencing sexual harassment and abuse at the hands of Christian men.
Combine this with an ongoing conversation in the Church about “purity culture” and its effects on a generation of young Christians, and Zach found himself with a lot of questions that needed answers, which he explored in his book.
As Dean and Zach jump into these hot topics, they grapple with some of those questions:
Where did “purity culture” come from, and why? What was good about purity culture, and what wasn’t good, in retrospect? In defining masculinity, what is toxic vs. non-toxic masculinity? How can we live out being men, made in the image of God, in healthy and holy ways? What do our masculinity and sexuality have to do with fatherhood? What does Jesus’s life and example teach us about masculinity?As this discussion unfolds, we learn a lot about what is going on in our culture at this moment, what has been going on in the Church, and how we can find hopeful and healthy ways to move forward as men, living into our God-created nature, and doing so in a way that serves and blesses the world.
We hope you enjoy this fascinating conversation about some very tricky topics, and are encouraged in your manhood through it!
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In this episode, Impactus President Dean Brenton sits down with Men’s Ministry legend Steve Sonderman!
Steve is highly regarded as one of the pioneers of the Men’s Ministry movement in America. He started one of the country’s first Men’s Ministries at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, WI. He is the founder of No Regrets Men’s Ministries, including the annual No Regrets Men’s Conference, which draws thousands of men across the US and around the world. He consults and equips worldwide, training local churches on creating their own dynamic Men's Ministry in their own context.
In this fascinating conversation, Dean and Steve take time to cover a variety of helpful topics surrounding Men's Ministry, including:
How can churches reach men for Jesus more effectively? How can a church get a Men’s Ministry started? What is changing in Men’s Ministry, and how can churches navigate? What is the greatest challenge that Men’s Ministries are currently facing? Why is Men’s Ministry so important to the Kingdom of God and to the local church? What do pastors need to know about the value of Men’s Ministry in their church? How can a Men’s Ministry shift to become more outward-focused and missional? What are young men today most desperate for, and how can Men’s Ministries engage with the younger generation?Amidst this wide-ranging conversation, there is much hope, encouragement, strategy and vision for every Men’s Ministry leader and volunteer out there who is doing the good and noble work of ministering to men.
Dean and Steve give us the gift of a conversation steeped in a wealth of knowledge, experience, expertise, and godly wisdom, as Steve shares from his decades of leadership and ministry involvement in Men's Ministry and the local church.
We hope you enjoy this deep dive into Men’s Ministry with one of the all-time greats.
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Have you ever had someone constant in your life pass away? Have you ever wondered how you might continue on when you lose someone so close to you?
Stephanie shares her story of losing her father to ALS. He was her rock and ever present in her life. Through her experience, she learned to trust more deeply in Jesus as the one who can fully be trusted. When life isn't going the way, we had hoped, we can always trust in the Lord and His word.
The Legacy of an Extraordinary Ordinary Man:
Stephanie's Father, Jesse Morales, was an ordinary Filipino immigrant and mechanic who found the better life he was looking for when he met Jesus. Jesse learned to walk by faith and not by sight and left a legacy for his family and scores of others when he passed away from ALS. Stephanie authored a book called Anything But Ordinary, which tells the story of the divine encounter that changed the trajectory of one man's life and the faith that profoundly influenced the too-short journey to his death. This story will inspire you that any ordinary guy can leave an extraordinary legacy and impact.
Losing a loved one can be emotionally devastating, making finding hope in the pain challenging. However, Stephanie's experience taught her the profound lesson of trusting in Jesus during life's most challenging moments. While life may not always go as planned, turning to the Lord and relying on His word can bring comfort and guidance.
Healing Father Pain:
Regardless of our background, we all carry a degree of "father pain" caused by various life experiences, whether it's a paper cut or an arm amputation. For Stephanie, losing her father left a profound impact, forever altering her life's course. However, she found wholeness and security in Jesus.
Understanding Our Identity as Children of God:
Stephanie's journey led her to understand the significance of her identity as a beloved child of God. Just as God declared His love for Jesus during His baptism, she learned to trust God's promises and accept her identity as His daughter. This revelation helped her break free from the limitations that doubt, and insecurity imposed on her life.
Each of us must learn to believe and trust that we are a son of God. We are held back when we don't take God at his word and trust that what he says about us is true. Listen or watch the full episode to hear Stephanie's full story.
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Are you concerned about the growing number of Canadian young adults who are leaving their faith behind? As parents, we hold a tremendous responsibility to ensure the transmission of faith to the next generation. How can we effectively disciple our children within the confines of our own homes? What steps can we take to pass on a strong foundation of faith to our children? These are not just ordinary questions; they are critical inquiries that demand careful and thoughtful answers.
Parenting is a journey that brings both immense joy and significant challenges. However, our role as parents extends far beyond teaching life skills. We have the essential duty of educating our children, nurturing their social development, and raising them within the framework of faith.
To shed light on this crucial topic, the Canadian Evangelical Family Faith Formation Study (CEFFFS) was initiated in 2019. This groundbreaking project, led by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada in collaboration with 15 ministry partners, sought to understand how Canadian evangelical parents perceive their role as disciple-makers and how they actively shape their children's faith within the home. The study draws upon insights gained from interviews with parents, family ministry experts, and a comprehensive survey involving over 1,000 evangelical parents across Canada.
In this episode, we are joined by two members of the research team who will help us delve into the study's key findings and their profound implications for Christian parents. Lindsay Callaway, a dedicated researcher at the Centre for Research on Church and Faith within the EFC, brings her expertise garnered from the Parenting Faith study, the Significant Church study, and her role as a co-host on the Faith Trends Podcast. Lindsay holds graduate degrees in systematic theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and bioethics from Trinity International University. She lives in Ottawa with her husband, a pastor, and their three children.
Joining us as well is Rick Hiemstra, Director of the EFC's Centre for Research on Church and Faith. Rick's background encompasses pastoral experience in the Wesleyan tradition, along with teaching mathematics and computer science at the high school level. Renowned for his insights on Canadian church and cultural trends, he has contributed to several studies, including Parenting Faith, Significant Church, Renegotiating Faith, and various explorations into Bible engagement, local church missions, small evangelical churches, and faith formation during emerging adulthood. Rick holds a BMath from the University of Waterloo, a BEd from Ottawa University, and an MTS from Tyndale Seminary.
Together, Lindsay Callaway and Rick Hiemstra will unpack the research findings and guide us toward a deeper understanding of how we, as parents, can fulfill our vital role as disciple-makers and raise a generation firmly rooted in faith.
Learn more about the study: https://www.impactus.org/articles/parents-kids-faith/
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Have you ever struggled with your mental wellness or know of someone who has? Mental health in Canada is a huge concern. Some would say a crisis.
Men in Canada are less likely to seek or receive mental healthcare than women and more likely to die by suicide. Suicide rates are 3x higher in men than in women, with men between the ages of 35-59 being the most vulnerable.
This is why it's essential to talk about mental health issues and find solutions to this enormous problem. In this episode, we will hear about one of those solutions.
Our guest is Daniel Whitehead, the CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries. He spearheads the movement to equip churches to support mental health and well-being in their community. Previously, Daniel spent ten years in full-time vocational ministry, serving as senior pastor of a church for eight years. He is also a certified mediator and a double theology graduate of Regent College.
A Mental Shift
There has been a significant change in online search trends related to mental health. With searches related to information about depression in the Bible and God's perspective on mental health topping the list.
Mental health concerns affect everyone, regardless of social factors or religious affiliation. That is why it's crucial that the church address this issue and provide a supportive environment where people can seek help and recover.
An Image Shift
It's important to recognize that as human beings, we are created in the image of God, who exists in a relationship as Father, Son, and Spirit. We're inherently wired for relationships. We need each other.
There are many factors and reasons why, but the fact remains that men often hesitate to seek help for mental health issues. This is where small groups play a vital role. Men can come together in these groups, providing a safe space to discuss their struggles and find support.
If you're currently struggling with mental health concerns, it's essential to know that you are not alone. Many others are going through similar challenges. We encourage you to reach out to someone you trust and have a conversation.
This will require courage, but remember that God is already aware of your situation and desires for you to be in a community with other men in your life who will listen and support you.
For leaders of men's groups and men's ministries, please consider addressing this important topic within your community. By discussing mental health openly, you can address the needs present in your group and provide valuable support.
Connect with Daniel and Sanctuary Mental Health: Sanctuary Mental Health's Website YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Podcast -
Welcome to the Impactus Podcast; we’re here to equip men for a life of purpose and godly impact. In this episode, we are joined by Sheila Wray Gregoire, co-author of the book "She Deserves Better: Raising Girls to Resist Toxic Teachings on Sex, Self, and Speaking Up."
What if some Christian teachings have damaged our daughters and taught them to be small and invisible? What if some of the most common teaching girls hear in the church today make them more likely to marry an abuser, less likely to understand consent, and more likely to blame themselves if they're assaulted?
Sheila, along with her daughter Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach and Joanna Sawatsky, conducted a survey of over 7,000 women and found some startling results.
In their book, "She Deserves Better," the authors expose common evangelical teachings that can backfire, causing shame instead of good choices. They delve into the purity movement, which can lead to shame and unrealistic expectations, and the strict dating rules that can prime girls for abuse. They also address the belief that girls should be small and invisible, which can prevent them from setting healthy boundaries and speaking up for themselves.
This conversation is especially important for fathers or those who hope to be fathers, but it is relevant for everyone.
It's time to have a frank conversation about how Christian teachings can harm young girls and how we can do better. Tune in to the Impactus Podcast to learn more about raising girls to resist toxic teachings and live a life of purpose and godly impact.
This conversation gets into some sensitive topics. So, if the little ones are around or you're listening on the drive to school, please be warned that this episode may be better heard without young ears.
She Deserves Better: Raising Girls to Resist Toxic Teachings on Sex, Self and Speaking Up
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We have been blessed to have completed four conferences in Ottawa, Cambridge, Edmonton, and Winnipeg, where we ministered to over 2,500 men. We had some amazing speakers at these conferences, and one of those speakers was Matt Tapley. On this episode of the Impactus podcast, we get to have a deeper conversation with him.
Matt has been the Lead Pastor of Lakemount Worship Centre in Grimsby, Ontario, since 2008. He is a gifted leader who serves the Church by developing leaders in a culture of dependence on the Spirit with total devotion to the unchanging Word of God. He frequently travels the nation as an insightful preacher, anointed worship leader, and a keen contributor to leadership team environments.
Matt and His wife Lisa have been happily married since August 1994. Together they have three amazing kids – Abigail, Joey, and Sarah. In November of 2012, their youngest daughter Sarah died after a 3-year battle with cancer. Accordingly, a significant dimension of their life message is declaring God's relentless goodness even amid tragedy and disappointment. God continues to use their testimony to encourage others who are facing trials and challenges of faith.
Impactus is excited to bring you solid, Biblical, and practical content through these podcasts. If you know of a young guy who could use this kind of resource, invite them to check out our Young Men's podcast. Subscribe and share our podcasts, and leave us a review on the platform you use, so more people can experience this content.
You can learn more about Lakemount Worship Centre by visiting, https://lakemount.ca
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Have you ever wondered if you can break free of your past to live free and fulfilled? In this episode, we have a fascinating conversation about breaking the cycle of the brokenness of our past to find real success in our marriages, families, and relationship with God.
Our guest on this episode is Jean-Paul Beran, president of Focus on the Family Canada. Jean-Paul and his wife Susan were married in 1996 and have two teenage daughters. Born and raised in Vancouver, Jean-Paul studied Commerce, Operational Management, and International Business. Jean-Paul’s personal commitment to Jesus Christ is evident, as is his passion for families in Canada and his heart for serving God.
In June 2021, he completed a Master of Arts in Leadership, Theology and Society from Regent College. The focus of his thesis was brokenness in the workplace. This provided him with unique insights into some of the challenges families are facing today.
Breaking Our BrokennessThe world needs authentic men who have experienced pain and brokenness and are willing to share those experiences with other men.
Jean-Paul shares how the brokenness in his life has allowed him to communicate the hope of Jesus with men and families facing complex challenges. Helping them not to feel alone and find wholeness in Jesus Christ.
Many men feel the need to keep their brokenness guarded, they feel the pressure to be strong and not show weakness. This kind of pressure is exhausting with a huge emotional toll.
Our brokenness and weakness are not bad when we have God at our side.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
In order to be a good dad, we must first learn to be good sons. Our priority should be prayer. That we should first stay connected with the Lord through 1-on-1 prayer and his word.
For those men in pain and feeling broken, it is important that they find someone they can talk to. We are not alone, and if we take a step of courage to share with another man, we’ll find the encouragement we need to turn to the Lord and face our brokenness.
Resources: Website: https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fotfcanada/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/fotfcanada/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fotfcanada/----------------------------------------------
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