Chris Dias on Discerning a Call to Ministry, Raising up Pastors, and the Cost of Being a Sending Church

In today’s episode, Jason sits down with Chris Dias of Hope Bible Church in Oakville, Ontario to discuss Chris’ journey from the corporate world into vocational ministry. Chris reflects on Hope Bible Church’s unique co-lead model, grounded in long-term friendship and clear “highest and best use” roles, and shares honestly about the joy and struggle of being a church committed to equipping and sending out ministers and church planters. Along the way, he highlights the importance of prayerful discernment and the courageous work of calling and forming leaders for the good of the local church.

Chris and Jason explore:

• The story of Hope Bible Church and what God has done in the past 20 years,
• Chris’ journey from bank executive and church elder to full-time vocational ministry, and what that discernment looked like over time,
• Why Hope Bible Church shifted from a senior pastor model to a co-lead model, and the ingredients that make it work,
• The burden of Matthew 9:38, praying earnestly for labourers, and how leadership development requires both prayer and courageous invitation,
• The worthwhile cost of being a sending church: money, bandwidth, change, and the grief of releasing friends,
• A framework for multiplication: conviction, culture, constructs, and why the Church needs all three.

Chris offers a grounded, hope-filled vision for pastors who feel the weight of leadership shortages, who long to develop future leaders with depth, and who want to build churches that both grow and send. If you’re trying to steward what God is doing without drifting into self-reliance, may this conversation renew your dependence on Jesus, expand your imagination for multiplication, and strengthen your courage to call leaders forward.

Show Notes

• Hope Bible Church Oakville
• Give to The Pastorate’s Year End Campaign
• Emerging Leaders Lab Application
• Spring Pastors Retreat

Partners

• Contact John Wright at Generis for help cultivating a culture of generosity in your church. 
• We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠give⁠ towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church⁠.