Jesus Stories: Inspiration for the Road Ahead: Recent Episodes
Ontario Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
It's time to tell the stories of God's work around us! You will receive inspiration for the road ahead as you listen to Jesus Stories from among and beyond the people of the Ontario Conference of MB churches.
God is on the move among youth today. Churches have a calling to seize the moment and multiply disciples.
Join Renee Rocheleau, Youth Pastor with Meadow Brook Church and Jamie Current, Youth Pastor with Glencairn Church, to hear stories of the spiritual hunger they're seeing. They also have great insight for how the rest of the church can bless and participate with youth ministry. Disciple-making among youth is a calling for all of us!
Episode Links:
- Is That Really You, God? Hearing the Voice of Godby Loren Cunningham
- The Anxious Generation: How the Great Re-wiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt
- Jonathan Haidt's Way Forward for an Anxious Generation - The Russel Moore Show (Podcast)
- Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did by John Mark Comer
Music Credit: Revive Us Againby C2C Music. Used with permission from Pat Sczebel.
Meet Jason Krueger, CEO off CCMBC Legacy Fund. Jason is passionate about serving the MB Church to see Kingdom growth. Legacy is here to help local with all manner of financial and administrative services.
Listen in to hear how your church and leaders can strengthen your adminstrative and financial systems, so that your ministry of disciple-making can be your primary focus.
Episode Links:
- Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness by Robert K. Greenleaf
- CCMBC Website
- ONMB Website & Resources Page
- BCMB Website
- Advisors with a Purpose
- Canadian Council of Christian Charities (CCCC)
Teresa Thompson didn't know Jesus and very little about Christian faith. She wasn't remotely interested. But, feeling prompted, she picked up a Bible and read it cover to cover. By the end, she'd met Jesus with faith!
Reaching out to a Christian neighbour asking about baptism, she was introduced to Kingsfield - Zurich Mennonite Church, where she's been discipled.
Join Teresa and Pastor David Wicks for this fascinating, faith-inspiring salvation story!
Episode Links
David Pawson - Unlocking the Bible Podcast
The Chosen
Music Credit: Revive Us Again by C2C Music. Used with permission from Pat Sczabel.
Top notch ministry equipping is right here among ONMB! Whether a lay-person looking to simply grow in faith and skills or you're looking for the more indepth experience of academic credit, the Teaching Church model fits you.
In partnership with WMB Church, MB Seminary is offering two courses again in the '25-26 year. Participants can take the weekend workshop format, or the full academic course format that extends beyond the weekend.
Brian Cooper will teach MB Convictions - Engaging in Community on November 7-8, 2025.
Gloria Woodland will teach Caring as God's People on April 24-25, 2026.
All the details can be found on the WMB or MB Seminary site. Financial Assistance is available for the full, academic courses. This includes the Leadership Development Partnership Grant where the student pays only 25% tuition with the local church, MB Seminary and CCMBC splitting the remaining 75% evenly.
"Revive Us Again" by C2C Music is used with permission from Pat Szcebel.
Our world is in desperate need of the peacemaking witness of Jesus and his people! MBs believe that actively working toward God's shalom on earth is a core aspect of the Good News of the Kingdom. This is a core commitment for Mennonite Brethren and the historic, global Anabaptist community. And yet, it hasn't been a topic we've often discussed. That's about to change.
Join the Mennonite Brethren from across Canada for or EQUIP Conference in Winnipeg, October 21-23. Register for only $149!
All info can be found here.
Speaker List and Full Pre-Reading List can be found here & here.
The full title for EQUIP 2025 is: The Gospel, Peacemaking, and the Kingdom God's Peace in an Age of Conflict, Chaos, and Confusion
Over forty people from across ONMB joined together to grow in the mission of multiplying disciples! From May 31 - June 3 The Antioch Mission School gathered in Toronto to worship, be taught the Scriptures, hear from the Holy Spirit and step out to share Jesus with strangers. The things God did in and through us were beautiful. We grew in faith, intimacy with God and anticipation for his mission. We also saw people experience God.
Nasser al 'Qahtani and Derek Parenteau of Multiply led us over four days for this ONMB training event.
Much thanks to Dani Wilding (Mountain Park Church), Ethan Pal (Life Point Church) and Aaron Raymond (Mosaic Church/Multiply).
Music Credit: Revive Us Again by C2C Music
Listen in to what God was saying to seven ONMB leaders who visited with the Brazil MB Conference in April. Inspired by the significant renewal work God has done over the past twelve years among MBs in Brazil, we went to learn and to seek God. We long to see God's renewal among and through ONMB and so will continue to discern how He's inviting our conference of churches to respond.
Emerson Cardoso, who serves on the Multiply Global Lead Team, and Franz Wolf, also serving with Multiply, were our generous hosts. ONMB team members were: Trevor Seath (ONMB Executive Director), Jeff Jantzi (The Gathering), Tanya Janssen (Kingsfield - Zurich), Jeff Martens (Cornerstone), Derek Parenteau (Multiply), Andrew Plett (Mountain Park) and Ryan Jantzi (ONMB Ministry Director).
Episode Links:
Emerson Cardoso Multiply Page
Franz Wolf Multiply Page
Nossa Missionary Agency
2025 is the 500th Anniversary for the Anabaptist movement. Mennonite Brethren often refer to ourselves as evangelical Anabapist. What does this mean and why does it matter?
Join Bruce Guenther and Stephen Sesink as they discuss how the Anabaptism stream of the Christian church has formed MBs. The Anabaptist story insipres us to value living out faith in deep community with a strong commitment to ethics. We believe this is the way of Jesus and his kingdom.
Bruce Guenther has been a professor of Church History and Mennonite Studies with MB Seminary at Trinity Western University. He is part of The Gathering Church in Langely, BC.
Stephen Sesink is Lead Pastor with Evergreen Heights Christian Fellowship in Simcoe, Ontario. He's intentionally chosen to join the family of Anabaptists and Mennonite Brethren. Stephen is a graduate of MB Seminary.
Episode Links:
- Anabaptism@500 - Mennonite World Conference
- The Radical Reformation by George Hunston Williams
- Anabaptist History and Theology: An Introduction by C. Arnold Snyder
- Family Matters: Discovering the Mennonite Brethren
- The MB Confession of Faith with Explanatory Notes
On January 12, Ryan Jantzi was ordained for church leadership with Maple View and ONMB. This is the first step of ONMB reclaiming the practice of ordination.
Could this be a helpful practice for blessing and empowering leaders across our churches? Could it be helpful for inviting churches and their pastors to covenant to God and one another to uphold and strengthen the call?
Join Brent Kipfer, pastor with Maple View Mennonite Church, and Ryan as the reflection on the ordination service and cast a vision for this practice.
See photos of the event here.
Episode Links:
- Ordination: Principles & Practices: MB Board of Faith & Life, 2017
- Schleitheim Confession
- Shepherds After My Own Heart - Tim Laniak
- The Good Shepherd - Tim Laniak
- Servants & Fools - Arthur Boers
In 2022, South Point Community Church shifted their position to affirm women for all roles of ministry and leadership. This was the result of an intentional congregational process. Tracy Lepp and Dave Bretzlaff offer the biblical rationale and passionately cast a vision for why and how other churches can move in this direction too.
South Point Community Church is an ONMB congregation in Leamington, ON. Dave serves as Lead Pastor and Tracy serves as a Volunteer Coordinator.
Episode Links
- Gifted, Called and Affirmed: A pastoral application and commentary on the Women in Ministry Leadership resolution of Gathering 2006
- Women in Ministry Leadership Resolution: CCMBC 2006
- The Continuing Conversation: Mennonite Brethren and women in leadership - Doug Hiedebrecht
- Craig Keener EQUIP 2019 Presentation: Women in Leadership
- The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible by Scot McKnight
- Leading Together: Women, Men & Authority in the Church - Sermon Series from North Langley Community Church
- MB Herald Podcast- Celebrate Recovery with Dave Bretzlaff and Tracy Lepp
Join our Acts 6:4 Assembly as we feast on God’s Word together. Nasser al’Qahtani brings the passion, joy and deep understanding God has given him as he unveils how God has woven the stories of Scripture together to reveal His heart. It’s fascinating! Many came away from Acts 6:4 with an intensified hunger for the Bible.
Nasser is a Regional Team Leader for the Middle East and North Africa with Multiply.
Join our Acts 6:4 Assembly as we feast on God’s Word together. Nasser al’Qahtani brings the passion, joy and deep understanding God has given him as he unveils how God has woven the stories of Scripture together to reveal His heart. It’s fascinating! Many came away from Acts 6:4 with an intensified hunger for the Bible.
Nasser is a Regional Team Leader for the Middle East and North Africa with Multiply.
Join Derek Parenteau, Trevor Seath & Ryan Jantzi as we reflect on God's activity among us at the ONMB Acts 6:4 Assembly.
A spirit of joy, peace and anticipation was evident as the ONMB churches gathered from across the province to seek God together. As we devoted our time to prayer and the ministry of the Word, God met us. The coolest part... we're hearing of folks stepping out in obedient faith in response to what God said.
Be sure to join us for the 2026 Acts 6:4 Assembly!
What happens when you lead your church to be with the Holy Spirit in prayer, inviting Him to speak and move, rather than prayer by speaking things over or on their behalf? What if our churches came to God without imposing our expectations of what He should say or do among us?
Join Andrew Plett and Sylvia Kirkey o fMountain Park Church in Niagara Falls to hear about their church's prayer journey.
Episode Links:
Rees Howells: Intercessorby Norman Grubb
Praying Hyde: Apostle of Prayer by E.G. Carre
Pray.Nycby Jon Tyson and Church of the City
The Awaken Network Podcast
Pursuing God's Will Togetherby Ruth Haley Barton
Luke 11:5-12
PCO is coming to Mississauga, May 6-8. But what is it?
Pastor Credentialing & Orientation is a 2.5 day event to welcome new pastors into our Mennonite Brethren family. We worship, learn and share life together as a means of growing together as this spiritual family. It's also for anyone seeking a refresher on Mennonite Brethren history, theology and resources.
Would love to see your pastor and yourself there! Find info and registration here.
Episode Links:
- Columbia Bible College
- People-Pleasing Pastors: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Approval-Motivated Leadership by Charles Stone
- The Great Story and the Great Commission by Christopher J. H. Wright
Music Credit: Revive Us Again by C2C Music
What do you do when international students continue arriving at your church, looking for community and hope? You disciple them in the way of Jesus.
Vishal Rangha and Rafiqua Masih are pastors with Behta Darya Community Church, an MB Indo-Canadian church in Mississauga. They share stories of God's power at work among the young adults he's given them favour with. Listen in for excellent insight into the discipleship of young adults and people from different religious backgrounds.
Music Credit: Revive Us Again by C2C Music. Used with permission from Pat Sczabel.
Once, in the moment of preaching on the Great Commission, God convicted Cam Stuart that he didn’t actually know how to make disciples. This started a pursuit of and passion for fostering healthy, disciple-making cultures. God has now directed that passion toward MB churches across Canada.
Get to know Cam, the National Director for the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. Hear what God has placed in his heart and get a sense for what will drive the collaboration of our regions and ministry partners across CCMBC.
Episode Links:
The Great Story and the Great Commission: Christopher J. H. Wright
Join Trevor, Kristi and Ryan as they look back at God’s activity across ONMB in 2024 and anticipate what’s to come in 2025. They love leading this family of churches and hearing firsthand how God is changing lives! Listen in to hear how the presence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit seems to continue to build toward something special in the years ahead.
You’ll also get a window into the staff team dynamic as they reflect on one year since Trevor’s start as Executive Director.
Episode Links:
- C2C Music & Pat Sczebel
- ONMB.org & The Acts 6:4 Assembly
- Practicing The Way: Book & Video Course
- Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World by Tom Holland
- The God Who Walks Beside Us by David Roper
"Prayer First" is a motto heard increasingly across ONMB. The Gathering has lived this out with their launch of The Community Table, the first food bank in their community. Dedicated prayer throughout the discernment and planning process has led directly to mission clarity and church unity. Listen in for insight on how to bathe your church's pursuit of mission in prayer!
Jeff Jantzi is the Lead Pastor of The Gathering, a church in Riverside South, Ottawa.
Linda Cudmore is the Director of The Community Table and also works with Connecting Streams, an extension of Power to Change.
Episode Links:
Caring for the Wounded Heart
How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People - Pete Greig
The Prayer Course
Lectio 365
Our culture increasingly avoids direct conversation about and acknowledgment of death. And yet it's everywhere. It's in our music and on our tattoos. As people of death and resurrection, we must learn to die and grieve well. Walking with others through these inevitable experiences is a rich Good News opportunity!
Dr. Rob Patterson is the Lead Pastor of Scott Street Church and teaches Thanatology at Tyndale Seminary. Mary Chapman is a Tyndale student and an intern with Rob at Scott Street Church.
Resource Links:
Rob's Resource List
Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I've Loved) by Kate Bowler
Center for Loss and Life Transition with Dr. Alan Wolfelt
GriefStories.org
Arvo Part - Spiegel im Spiegel
Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day
Do you feel the beautiful Gospel story deeply within, but struggle to get it out to share with others? You're in good company. ONMB & Multiply want to help you by empowering everyday missionaries to share Jesus freely.
Join Nasser al’Qahtani & Derrick Parenteau for the Antioch Mission School, June 2025 in Toronto. With a focus on the Bible, listening to the Holy Spirit and being sent out, Nasser will train us with this form that has proven fruitful. Listen in for the full story!
Episode Links:
Nasser's YouTube Channel
Nasser's Multiply Page
We long to see God move in Ontario, turning many toward Him. Join Kevin Bayne as he casts vision and shares practical insight for deepening a prayer-first practice for individuals and churches. "A prayerless church is like a sailboat without a sail!" Kevin declares.
Kevin Bayne is a Pastor of Spiritual Formation with Cornerstone Community Church in Virgil, Ontario.
Episode Links:
- Jesus Stories: Prayer Ministry for Everyone with Doris and Wilf
- The Hebrides Revival
- Greg Nickels Prayerlessness Quote
- The Fulton Street Revival
- Canadian Mantles of Revival by Sarah Maynard
- 24-7 Prayer
- How to Pray: A Simply Guide for Normal People by Pete Greig
- The Prayer Course
- Everyday Prayers by Scotty Smith
- Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Timothy Keller
- Every Moment Holy by Douglas McKelvey
- Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home by Richard J. Foster
ONMB's annual gathering is making a shift! Our annual gathering is being re-branded as the Acts 6:4 Assembly, indicating a greater commitment to Prayer and the Ministry of the Word.
Meet our weekend Bible Teacher, Nasser Al'Qahtani, Multiply Regional Team Leader for Middle East and North Africa. He and Trevor will share what to expect at the Acts 6:4 Assembly and why you'll not want to miss this opportunity to seek God and be empowered for ministry together.
Episode Links:
Acts 6:4 Assembly
MBCM/Multiply Podcast with Nasser
Nasser Al'Qahtani on YouTube
Do you long to pray with commitment and vibrancy, but struggle? You need to meet Doris and Wilf!
Join Derek Parenteau and Ryan as we learn from these seasoned prayer warriors. Doris and Wilf share their personal stories of becoming intercessors and coach us on how to grow in prayer and form prayer teams.
Doris Falkenburger is with Glencairn Church in Kitchener. Wilf Janzen is with Meadow Brook Church in Leamington.
Episode Links:
Rees Howells: Intercessor by Norman Grubb
These Signs Shall Follow by Neil W. Gamble
Moutain Rain: A Biography of James O. Fraser by Eileen Crossman
Theme song, 'Revive Us Again' by C2C Music used with permission from Pat Sczabel.
God is drawing kids, parents and staff to himself at Camp Crossroads! Join summer staff, Macy Peters and Caleb Lockyer as they share Jesus Stories and even a great prank from 2024. Crossroads exists as a Christ-centered ministry to support the local church in making disciples and developing leaders. They are doing it well!
Macy is from Glencairn Church in Kitchener and Caleb is from Cornerstone Community Church in Virgil.
Episode Links:
Camp Crossroads
Tabitha VandenEnden & Michelle Knowles share their journeys to becoming pastors among the MB Church. The development of their call, the people who encouraged them along the way and the biblical understanding that led them are detailed. They offer critical insight into how we can continue to call and empower women to use their full gifting and calling in our churches.
Tabitha is a Co-Lead Pastor with Grantham MB Church in St. Catharines and Michelle Knowles is a Pastor with WMB Church - Kitchener and serves as the Chairperson of the ONMB Board of Directors.
Episode Links:
Gifted, Called & Affirmed: A pastoral application and commentary on the Women in Ministry Leadership resolution of Gathering 2006
Women in Ministry Leadership: The Journey of the Mennonite Brethren, 1954 - 2010 by Douglas J. Hiedebrecht
The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible by Scot McKnight
Slaves, Women and Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis by William J. Webb
How I Changed My Mind About Women in Leadership
On Holy Ground: Stories By and About Women in Leadership in the Mennonite Brethren Church
MB Herald: Women in Ministry
Revive Us Again by C2C Music used with permission.
Ever wished you were better trained for the ministry God's called you to? Ever wished you had a better grasp on why we can trust the Bible and how to read it well?
MB Seminary, in partnership with WMB Church in Kitchener-Waterloo is here to help! A new Teaching Church model is being launched here in Ontario this fall. Mark Wessner will be teaching Interpreting Scripture Today, Nov. 1&2. Whether as a non-credit workshop, or for undergraduate or graduate academic credit, we'd love to have you join us!
Episode Links:
WMB Teaching Church
Interpreting Scripture Today - Details & Registration
Financial Aid for Enrolled Students
MB Seminary played a critical role for April King in discerning and peparing for her call to pastoral ministry as a second career. Online offerings made studies accessible for a full life. Caring and wise professors enabled perseverance throughout the program.
Whether heading toward vocational leadership, or as a lay person, might MB Seminary play a key role in equipping you to think, lead and love well?
April is an Associate Pastor with Kingsfield - Zurich Mennonite Church and also works as a Recreational Therapist.
Episode Links:
MB Seminary Online
MB Seminary Teaching Church - WMB
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
Lisa TurKeurst
A Lead Pastor's departure can be unsettling for a church. It is also fertile ground for growth into deeper health and vitality. Intentional Transitional Leadership can play a key role in guiding this process and setting the stage for a positive start for the next pastor.
Might Transitional Leadership be a wise step for your church the next time a Lead Pastor moves on? Might God be calling you to serve as a Transitional Leader?
Join Keith Shields, a transitional pastor with the Transitional Leadership Network and Tamille Richardson, Associate Pastor with Evegreen Heights Christian Fellowship as they share about the positive experience Evergreen had with transitional leadership.
Episode Links:
- Transitional Leadership Network
- Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Dr. Travis Bradberry and Dr. Jean Greaves
When over 70 students show up weekly to pray before school starts you know God is on the move! Join Meghan Plett to hear more stories of renewed spiritual hunger and God's activity at Eden SLC.
Meghan Plett is a Spiritual Life Associate with the Eden Spiritual Life Centre at Eden High School in St. Catharines. Eden was formerly an MB high school which is now a part of the District School Board of Niagara. Meghan is a member of Cornerstone Community Church and serves with the ONMB Board of Directors.
Meet Adib Maxwell of the Jesus Network. Hear his story of coming to faith through missionaries, fleeing Afghanistan for his life, pastoring in India and settling in Canada. Alongside Obed Rod, God is using Adib to gather Afghan believers in Canada and share the Gospel with those who've not yet heard.
The Jesus Network is an ONMB Missional Expressions partner. Might you find joy in partnering with Adib to bless the Afghan church and mission?
A number of years ago, Meadow Brook Church asked the question, "Would anyone notice if our church disappeared?" They were troubled by the answer, which led them into an ambitious plan to partner with other churches to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus. The Bridge was developed to offer safe, welcoming spaces for people to get help with housing, jobs, addiction, education and more.
It's a fascinating story! Perhaps you'll be inspired with ideas for your community.
Episode Links:
The Bridge
Meadow Brook Church
ONMB is at a significant moment in our story and God is inviting us into a posture of greater reliance on Him. Join Derek Parenteau as he extends a plea from John 21 to deepen the work of prayer across our churches and ministries. This is a message first shared at the ONMB Pastors Retreat in May. We now share it with you. Stay tuned for follow-up prayer gatherings in the months ahead.
Derek is a disciple-maker with Multiply and serves on the Global Lead Team.
Might God be calling your church to plant a new church in your region?
A Church Planting partnership can be a beautiful pathway for multiplying healthy disciple-making churches. Join Jeff Jantzi, Lead Pastor of The Gathering Ottawa, and Dan Chook Reid, Church Planter with Bytown Community Church, to be inspired for what this mutually beneficial partnership can look like.
Recommended Resource
The Honest Guide to Church Planting by Tom Bennardo
Across ONMB we long to see folks asking how they can make disciples of Jesus in the social realms they inhabit. Through an initiative called Power Serve, Darren Milley is doing just that! This ONMB-sponsored Missional Expression is seeking to equip truckers as disciple-makers across the industry.
Darren has launched a series of videos on YouTube and TikTok. The Trucker Toolbox app will be launched shortly to equip truckers in their walk with Christ.
- To engage with Darren, email powerservechaplain@gmail.com
- To financially support PowerServe, click here and indicate Missional Expressions - Power Serve
Camp Crossroads is starting a Gap Year discipleship program this fall! Christie & Andrew Hiebert join us to share how God is calling Camp to disciple young adults in small cohort setting with Bible study, servant leadership, multicultural experiences, travel and mission.
Do you know someone who would be a good fit?
Full Gap Year information is available here.
Why MB? This key question was addressed by Kristal Toews at the national EQUIP Conference in October. This was one of two plenary sessions that Ryan Jantzi and many others found to be particularly inspiring.
Kristal is a pastor with Northview Church in Abbotsford, BC and a member of the CCMBC National Faith and Life Team.
Click here for the video format.
Why Church? This key question is addressed by Ken Esau, CCMBC National Faith & Life Director at the national EQUIP Conference in October. This was one of two plenary sessions that Ryan Jantzi and many others found to be particular inspiring.
Click here for the video format.
Join Rob Patterson, Lead Pastor with Scott Street Church in St. Catharines, as we discuss what a church culture of service looks like. Rob is a pastor who deeply values presence among the people God has called him to shepherd. He shares from over three decades of experience leading among God's people.
Grab a copy of A Church Called Tov and follow the conversation with various contributors at our ONMB Blog.
Recommended Resource:
Every Moment Holy, Vol. III: The Work of the People
@everymomentholy
The ONMB Board has appointed Trevor Seath as our new Executive Director! Trevor will start this role on January 22, 2024.
Listen in to hear Trevor's heart, how God has led Trevor to this point and the gifting, experiences and vision he brings to leading ONMB.
Trevor has been closely connected to ONMB for many years now, most recently through his work with C2C Collective. Trevor is a credentialed leader with ONMB and has served as a church planting coach, confidant, friend, and spiritual leader to many across our province. Trevor brings a passion for raising up disciples who make disciples and a strategic vision born out of over two decades of ministry leadership in the local church, church plants, and diverse missional expressions.
Episode Links
Official ONMB Announcement
Ch. 1 Review of 'Church Called Tov' with Trevor Seath and Jordan Duerrstein - April 26, 2023
Join Derek Klumpenhouwer, Pastor with WMB Church as we discuss how to nurture cultures of justice across our churches. Derek is clearly passionate about the fullness of God's good presence being manifest among his Bride.
Grab a copy of A Church Called Tov and follow the conversation with various contributors at our ONMB Blog.
Recommended Resources:
The Great De-Churching by Jim Davis and Michael Graham
The Rise & Fall of Mars Hill: Bonus Episode with Tim Keller
Dream with Me by John M. Perkins
Black and White Bible, Black and Blue Wife by Ruth A. Tucker
Join Ken Esau, National Faith and Life Director with CCMBC as we discuss how to nurture cultures of truth in our churches. Ken also offers a nuanced perspective on Ch. 9, reminding us that the motivations of parties pursuing truth aren't always known to others and even themselves. It's a rich conversation!
Grab a copy of A Church Called Tovand follow the conversation with various contributors at our ONMB Blog.
Recommended Resources:
Ken's Q&R Corner in the MB Herald
Ken's Ch. 9 Post with the ONMB Blog
Ken's EQUIP Address: Why Church?
John Mark Comer Teaching Podcast
Join Michelle Knowles as we discuss how churches can avoid "institution creep", keeping the shepherding of people as the focus. Michelle serves as the ONMB Board Chair and is a pastor of Adult Ministries with WMB Church in Kitchener-Waterloo.
Grab a copy of A Church Called Tov and follow the conversation with various contributors at our ONMB Blog.
Recommended Resources:
Sermon on the Mount: The Story of God Bible Commentary by Scot McKnight
Church of Us vs. Them by David Fitch
River Dwellers by Rob Reimer
Join Derek Klumpenhouwer of WMB Church and Jordan Duerrstein of Scott Street Church as we discuss how to nurture grace in our churches. We long to be communities that mutually give and receive the gifts of God.
Grab a copy of A Church Called Tovand follow the conversation with various contributors at our ONMB Blog.
Recommended Resources:
- Quilts and Power: What Malcolm Gladwell is missing about Mennonites
- Skye Jethani Website
- What if Jesus Was Serious? by Skye Jethani
- Building a Multiethnic Church by Derwin Gray
- A Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas
- The Holy Post Podcast
Why do narcissism and 'power through fear' dynamics take root in some church contexts? How can we identify these dynamics? How can we mitigate them? How can we form cultures of goodness across our churches? Join Connie Maier and Ryan Jantzi to discuss Chapter 2, Early Warning Signs of a Toxic Church Culture.
Connie is a Pastor of Outreach and Implementation with Glencairn Church in Kitchener.
Grab a copy of A Church Called Tov and follow the conversation with various contributors at our ONMB Blog.
Recommended Resources:
The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible by Scot McKnight
Tyndale Association of Spiritual Directors
Spiritual Direction with Sarah Patterson - The Jesus Stories Podcast
How do we foster cultures of goodness across our ONMB leaders and churches? This is the question we'll be asking throughout 2023 as we engage in A Church Called Tov by Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer.
Join Ryan Jantzi in this discussion of Chapter 1 with Jordan Duerrstein of Scott Street MB Church and Trevor Seath of C2C Collective. Together we'll consider how neither goodness nor abuses of power rise and fall with singular leaders. Rather, they are collectively formed by the people across that church culture.
Grab a copy of A Church Called Tov and follow the conversation with various contributors at our ONMB Blog.
Recommended Resources:
Sacred Trust: Fostering Safe Spaces in Congregations
MCC Abuse Response and Prevention
Theology in the Raw: A Raw Conversation About Modesty and Purity Culture
You Are What You Love by James K. A. Smith
How do we foster cultures of goodness across our ONMB churches and leaders? This is the question we'll be asking throughout 2023 as we engage in A Church Called Tov by Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer.
Join Ryan Jantzi in this discussion of chapter 1 with Jordan Duerrstein of Scott Street MB Church and Trevor Seath of C2C Collective. Together we'll consider how neither goodness or abuses of power rise and fall with singular leaders. Rather, they are collectively fostered by the people within the broader church culture.
Grab a copy of this book and follow the conversation at our ONMB Blog.
Recommended Resources:
Sacred Trust: Fostering Safe Spaces in Congregations
MCC Abuse Response and Prevention
Theology in the Raw: A Raw Conversation about Modesty and Purity Culture with Sheila Gregoire and Rebecca Lindenbach
You Are What You Love by James K. A. Smith
Join Matt Ehresman of USMB Lead Pods for this conversation, getting to know Bruce Enns, the recently appointed general director of Multiply.
Bruce has years of local church leadership experience after his time as an MB pastor with Forest Grove Church in Saskatchewan. There have been lots of changes within Multiply over the past few years, but on this episode we get a peek into Bruce's heart for ministry and his vision for this next chapter of Multiply's work around the world.
Much thanks to Matt and Bruce for permitting us to use this LEAD Pods interview for Jesus Stories.
Click here to track regularly with Matt and the USMB Lead Pods.
Click here to learn more and to support the mission of Multiply.
What does leading God's people amidst a foreign invasion look like? Meet Pavlo Lozynsky.
Pavlo is a church planting pastor with God's Design Church in Lviv, Ukraine. Following several years in the Niagara region, as a member of Southridge Community Church, Pavlo responded to God's call back to his homeland to share the Gospel. He offers insight into the challenges his people face, the way God is at work, and casts a vision of hope for the future of Ukraine.
Would you consider supporting Pavlo and his family in their ministry through prayer, finances or building relational bridges? You can contact him to receive his regular newsletter. Pavlo is in Canada through November and is looking for opportunities to engage with churches and leaders. Contact Pavlo at: p.lozynsky@gmail.com.
You can support his ministry at the following links:
Support the Humanitarian Efforts in Lviv - One Mission Society
Support Pavlo - One Mission Society
The time is ripe for having spiritual conversations with our neighbours! Using a guiding philosophy of "pray & obey" Sandra Reimer follows the Holy Spirit into new territory, creating spaces for the diverse people around her to discuss life and spirituality. Sandra is driven by a desire to see people meet Jesus!
Sandra Reimer is a member of Glencairn MB Church in Kitchener, Ontario and is a freelancing communications specialist, working as the President of Reimer Reason Communications and the Founder of CoLaborNation.
Recommended Resources:
- Soul Care: 7 Transformational Principles for a Healthy Soul by Rob Reimer
- River Dwellers: Living in the Fullness of the Spirit by Rob Reimer
- Spiritual Authority: Partnering with God to Release the Kingdom by Rob Reimer
What if we actually tried to live like Jesus did? What if we oppose the tenets of Christendom? What if we took Jesus' call to peacemaking to heart?
These are a few of the questions that have inspired Chris Walker on his journey to becoming an Anabaptist Christian. As Mennonite Brethren, what does it mean when we say we're Anabaptist? Why does it matter? How do we fit into the broader Christian church? Chris offers the unique perspective of one who chose this expression of faith, rather than one who was born into it.
Chris Walker is the Lead Pastor with Meadow Brook Church in Leamington, ON. Follow along with his blog at Third Way Christians (@thirdwaychristians).
Recommended Resources
- The Meeting House (@themeetinghouse)
- Greg Boyd (@gregboydb)
- Brian Zahnd (@brianzahnd)
We live in a time when many are facing housing affordability challenges. Listen in on how God led Doug Valerio and Ray Gerard together toward a creative solution. The values of generosity and financial discipleship expressed in this episode point to a true Jesus Story... and the cool piece is that the story is already multiplying!
Doug Valerio is lead pastor of Manotick Community Church
Ray Gerard is retired and former President of I-Sight Investigations Software Solutions
Recommended Resources:
- The Ways of the Alongsider by Bill Mowry
- Podcast: Making Disciples with Robbie Gallaty
Obed Rod of the Jesus Network shares how God is at work among Afghan people in the country, in refugee camps and here in Canada. It's remarkable how goodness is springing up amidst horror. God is using Obed in significant ways to share the Good News and to lead people to freedom both spiritually and physically.
Find out how you can help, particularly through enabling Refugee Sponsorship.
Show Links:
- The Afghan Refugee Help Fund
- The Jesus Network
- A Faith Today Article - Uncompromising: In hiding and in exile Afghanistan's Christians remain committed
All churches say they want to engage their community. Southeast City Church is among the few who do it well. After years of steadfast and gracious presence, Southeast City was invited to support their neighbourhood amidst covid-19 by establishing a food bank. As a result, doors have been opened to express the Good News of Jesus in new ways.
Southeast City Church was planted by David and Diana Hood in 2017, through the C2C Network and they are a part of the Ontario Conference of MB Churches.
Recommended Resources:
- Total Church: A Radical Reshaping around Gospel and Community by Tim Chester & Steve Timmis
- The Art of Neighbouring by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon
Sarah's Art Journalling can be seen here.
Any other leaders find it challenging to listen for the voice of God for yourself, rather than only on behalf of your church?
If so, the discipline of Spiritual Direction is for you! Listen in as Sarah Patterson, a Spiritual Director and Instructor with Tyndale Seminary specializes in the role of Direction in the formation of pastors. Sarah is a member with Scott Street MB Church in St. Catharines where her husband is the Lead Pastor.
Looking for a Spiritual Director? The Tyndale Association of Spiritual Directors
Recommended Resources:
- Jesus Our Spiritual Director by Wendy J. Miller
- The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill: Podcast by Christianity Today