The Pastorate Podcast

Jason speaks with Ben Karuhije—a Rwandan-born pastor and church planter in Canada—about faith, leadership, and the power of prayer. From surviving the 1994 genocide to planting a Spirit-led church near Winnipeg, Ben’s story is one of resilience, spiritual hunger, and bold obedience.They explore the role of spiritual fathering, the call to persistent prayer, and how the Church can respond to injustice with healing, not vengeance.Key Takeaways:Ben Karuhije on surviving genocide and responding to God’s callThe importance of mentorship and spiritual authority for young pastorsChurch planting rooted in prayer and dependence on the Holy SpiritA Spirit-led response to racial tension and cultural divisionA powerful, Spirit-filled episode that speaks to the heart of leadership, healing, and renewal in the Church.BiographyBen Karuhije is the pastor of Cities Church, a local church with a Canada wide mission to plant one hundred churches, in one hundred cities. After a series of direction-defining encounters with Jesus in his late teens, he left university and gave himself wholly to reaching as many people as possible with the reality of Who Jesus is and the life-changing potential of His power and love. He is married to his beautiful wife Sarah, and they live in Brandon, Manitoba.  Partners Briercrest College and Seminary has been committed to raising up and developing Christians leaders for the last 85 years. With a goal to serve and bless the local church, Briercrest’s programs help the leaders of the future develop a biblical worldview, and hone the practical skills needed to succeed in the world of church leadership and nonprofit management. Every year hundreds of young adults choose Briercrest and experience an intentional discipleship community that helps them deepen their faith in such a formative time in their journey. If you know someone who could benefit from an education that focuses on spiritual formation, Biblical learning, and the practical skills needed to succeed as a leader, Briercrest is the place for them.We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Jason sits down with Danielle Strickland for a bold and prophetic conversation about disruption, justice, and spiritual formation. Together, they explore how moments of upheaval—personally and culturally—can become sacred invitations to transformation.Danielle speaks candidly about racism as a spiritual battle, the Church’s call to public love, and why justice and evangelism must go hand in hand.Key Takeaways:Danielle Strickland on disruption as a catalyst for growthNaming racism as anti-Christ and confronting spiritual powersJustice as love in public and a core part of the gospelA prophetic call for Canada to become a place of healingA courageous and Spirit-filled episode for leaders pursuing transformation in themselves and their world.BiographyDanielle is a spiritual leader, justice advocate, communicator and peace maker. Danielle trains, advocates, and inspires people to live differently through initiatives like: Amplify Peace, Brave Global, Women’s Speakers Collective, and Infinitum. Currently based in Toronto, Canada, Danielle is the proud mom of 3 boys, wife to Stephen, and as an enneagram 7, has been affectionately called the "ambassador of fun". Partners Briercrest College and Seminary has been committed to raising up and developing Christians leaders for the last 85 years. With a goal to serve and bless the local church, Briercrest’s programs help the leaders of the future develop a biblical worldview, and hone the practical skills needed to succeed in the world of church leadership and nonprofit management. Every year hundreds of young adults choose Briercrest and experience an intentional discipleship community that helps them deepen their faith in such a formative time in their journey. If you know someone who could benefit from an education that focuses on spiritual formation, Biblical learning, and the practical skills needed to succeed as a leader, Briercrest is the place for them.We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Jason sits down with Pete Hughes, pastor of KXC in London, to explore church planting through prayer, prophetic imagination, and place-based mission. Pete shares how prayer shaped the early days of their church and how understanding the spiritual history of a community can lead to renewal and breakthrough.They also discuss navigating leadership pain, responding to injustice, and trusting God in the hardest seasons.Key Takeaways:Pete Hughes on church planting as a prayer-saturated, Spirit-led journeyReading the history of a place and praying against entrenched darknessTrusting God through seasons of self-doubt and heartbreakA humble, gospel-shaped response to racism and injusticeAn honest and hope-filled episode for leaders planting churches and contending for Kingdom renewal.BiographyPete Hughes is the founding pastor of Kings Cross Church (KXC) in London. Commissioned by the Bishop of London, Pete and Bee Hughes were sent out from St Mary’s with a small group of leaders and a simple vision: to recklessly give themselves away to God, each other and the people of King’s Cross and beyond. Check out his newly released book “All Things New.” Partners Briercrest College and Seminary has been committed to raising up and developing Christians leaders for the last 85 years. With a goal to serve and bless the local church, Briercrest’s programs help the leaders of the future develop a biblical worldview, and hone the practical skills needed to succeed in the world of church leadership and nonprofit management. Every year hundreds of young adults choose Briercrest and experience an intentional discipleship community that helps them deepen their faith in such a formative time in their journey. If you know someone who could benefit from an education that focuses on spiritual formation, Biblical learning, and the practical skills needed to succeed as a leader, Briercrest is the place for them.We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Jason sits down with John Mark Comer to talk about spiritual formation, leadership, and the challenges of ministry in uncertain times. From navigating the impact of COVID to wrestling with burnout and personal transformation, John Mark shares with honesty and depth about the journey of becoming like Jesus.They also explore the power of a rule of life, the need for deep relationships, and how to lead well when the illusion of control is gone.Key Takeaways:John Mark Comer on the Church’s response to COVID and seasons of limitationBurnout, success, and facing the shadow side of leadershipSpiritual formation as the heart of pastoral ministryFriendship, rule of life, and practices that sustain the soulA thoughtful and hope-filled episode for leaders longing for spiritual depth and personal renewal.BiographyJohn Mark Comer lives, works, and writes in the urban core of Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Tammy, and their three children, Jude, Moses, and Sunday. He is the pastor for teaching and vision at Bridgetown Church. As for education, John Mark holds a master’s degree in biblical and theological studies from Western Seminary and is the author of Garden City, Loveology, God Has a Name and The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. Partners Briercrest College and Seminary has been committed to raising up and developing Christians leaders for the last 85 years. With a goal to serve and bless the local church, Briercrest’s programs help the leaders of the future develop a biblical worldview, and hone the practical skills needed to succeed in the world of church leadership and nonprofit management. Every year hundreds of young adults choose Briercrest and experience an intentional discipleship community that helps them deepen their faith in such a formative time in their journey. If you know someone who could benefit from an education that focuses on spiritual formation, Biblical learning, and the practical skills needed to succeed as a leader, Briercrest is the place for them.We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show Notes Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Jason sits down with Matt Menzel, pastor of Westside Church in Vancouver, to explore what it means to lead a life-giving, generous church in the heart of a city. Known for its sending culture and commitment to church planting, Westside’s story is one of open-handed leadership and Spirit-led change.Matt shares about leading from the second chair, letting go of control, and preparing for renewal through a season of repentance.Key Takeaways:Matt Menzel on building a sending culture and blessing the wider ChurchHow to lead into change with humility and dependence on GodInsight for second-chair leaders on honour, patience, and trustCOVID-19 as a refining moment for the Church’s futureA timely and reflective episode for leaders seeking courage, clarity, and a fresh move of the Spirit.BiographyMatt Menzel is the Lead Pastor of Westside Church in downtown Vancouver. He and his wife Melissa are passionate about calling and equipping Jesus' people to 'Make Him Known' through the ordinary, Spirit-empowered rhythms of following Jesus in everyday life. They're thrilled and beyond blessed to be part of what Jesus' Spirit is doing in the city. Partners Briercrest College and Seminary has been committed to raising up and developing Christians leaders for the last 85 years. With a goal to serve and bless the local church, Briercrest’s programs help the leaders of the future develop a biblical worldview, and hone the practical skills needed to succeed in the world of church leadership and nonprofit management. Every year hundreds of young adults choose Briercrest and experience an intentional discipleship community that helps them deepen their faith in such a formative time in their journey. If you know someone who could benefit from an education that focuses on spiritual formation, Biblical learning, and the practical skills needed to succeed as a leader, Briercrest is the place for them.We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Jon Tyson joins Jason to discuss leading through the COVID crisis, the Church’s role as a Creative Minority, and the call to contending prayer. In a season of disruption and uncertainty, Jon challenges pastors to lean into prayer, Scripture, and intentional relationships rather than distraction or despair.They explore what it means to be a faithful and fruitful presence in culture—living with deep conviction and spiritual authority that points toward God’s vision for human flourishing.Key Takeaways:Jon Tyson on embracing the spiritual opportunity of a disrupted seasonThe Church as a Creative Minority shaping culture with conviction and graceA lifestyle of prayer as the foundation for transformationCalling pastors to intercede for renewal in their communitiesA stirring and hope-filled episode for leaders longing to lead with depth, clarity, and Spirit-empowered presence.BiographyJon Tyson is a Pastor and Church Planter in New York City. Originally from Adelaide Australia, Jon moved to the United States over 2 decades ago with a passion to seek and cultivate renewal in the Western Church. He is the author of Sacred Roots, A Creative Minority and The Burden is Light. Jon lives in the Hell’s Kitchen neighbourhood of Manhattan with his wife and two children. He serves as the Lead Pastor of Church of the City New York. Partners Briercrest College and Seminary has been committed to raising up and developing Christians leaders for the last 85 years. With a goal to serve and bless the local church, Briercrest’s programs help the leaders of the future develop a biblical worldview, and hone the practical skills needed to succeed in the world of church leadership and nonprofit management. Every year hundreds of young adults choose Briercrest and experience an intentional discipleship community that helps them deepen their faith in such a formative time in their journey. If you know someone who could benefit from an education that focuses on spiritual formation, Biblical learning, and the practical skills needed to succeed as a leader, Briercrest is the place for them.We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Father James Mallon joins Jason to explore church renewal, unity across traditions, and the global impact of Divine Renovation. Through Alpha, dependence on the Holy Spirit, and a focus on mission, Father James shares how Catholic parishes are being revitalized—and what all churches can learn from this movement.With realism and hope, he challenges leaders to let go of outdated ministry models and embrace a vibrant, Spirit-led future.Key Takeaways:Father James Mallon on revitalizing the Church through Divine RenovationBuilding bridges across denominations for greater unity and missionLetting go of Christendom and embracing a post-institutional futureA Spirit-filled vision for a global missionary ChurchAn inspiring and prophetic episode for leaders ready to reimagine Church for a new era.BiographyFather James Mallon is the Episcopal Vicar for Parish Renewal and Leadership Support for the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. Father James is also the author of the best selling book Divine Renovation: From A Maintenance To A Missional Parish, an engaging guide for parishes seeking to cultivate vibrant and dynamic faith communities centred on missionary discipleship. Partners We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Jason speaks with Mark Sayers—pastor, author, and cultural thinker—about disruption as a catalyst for spiritual renewal. They explore the seismic shifts happening in the Western Church and why humility, not just strategy, is essential for leaders navigating this new era.Mark challenges us to see instability as opportunity, calling leaders to deeper dependence on God in the face of cultural change.Key Takeaways:Mark Sayers on how disruption can lead to renewalCultural shifts reshaping the future of the Western ChurchWhy humility is foundational for resilient leadershipEncouragement for navigating uncharted territory with faithA timely and insightful episode for leaders seeking clarity and courage in uncertain times.BiographyMark is the senior leader of Red Church in Melbourne, Australia. He is passionate about spiritual renewal and the future of the church. Mark is the author of a number of books and cohosts the This Cultural Moment podcast with John Mark Comer. Mark lives in Melbourne with his wife, Trudi, his daughter, Grace, and twin boys, Hudson and Billy. Partners We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.

Jason sits down with Brent Ingersoll, Lead Pastor of Kings Church, to talk about personal holiness, spiritual hunger, and leading a major church transition at just 29 years old. Brent shares openly about the internal work God did in him before entrusting him with leadership—and why revival must start with the leader’s own transformation.They explore the cost of spiritual authority, the pursuit of God’s presence, and how to lead with clarity in seasons of change.Key Takeaways:Brent Ingersoll on becoming a lead pastor at 29The link between holiness and lasting leadership impactSeeking revival and building a hunger for more of GodNavigating transition with humility and convictionA powerful and personal episode for leaders longing to lead with depth, faith, and fire.BiographyBrent is the Senior Pastor at Kings Church, one of the fastest-growing churches in Canada, with a leading and growing presence throughout the Atlantic provinces. Brent has a passion for revival in Canada and is committed to seeing the local church bring a transforming, life-giving presence across the country. Brent lives in Quispamsis, New Brunswick, with his wife Melanie, their daughter Ava, their sons Aden and Alexander, and his dog, “(CS) Lewis.” PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Jason sits down with Josh Kelsey, Lead Pastor of C3 NYC, to talk about planting a church in the heart of New York City, navigating the disruption of COVID-19, and building lasting community in a transient, high-pressure environment.Josh shares the lessons learned from pastoring through a pandemic, the spiritual hunger rising in urban centers, and how to cultivate a church culture grounded in Scripture and empowered by the Spirit.Key Takeaways:Josh Kelsey on planting and leading C3 NYCLeading through COVID-19 and rebuilding post-pandemicCreating authentic community in a fast-paced cityCasting vision for urban churches that are Spirit-led and resilientA timely and encouraging episode for planters and pastors called to build the Church in the heart of the city.BiographyJosh along with his wife Georgie are the Lead Pastors of C3 NYC in New York, where they are raising their two sons. C3 NYC started as a Dinner Party in 2013 and has since grown into many locations, including two cities. Josh’s passion is to communicate the transforming message of God’s grace, raising up and releasing a generation of leaders, reformers and pioneers who love Jesus, believe in His church and reflect His glory wherever they are. Partners Alpha is an 11-week course where people are excited to invite their friends for a conversation about Jesus, so everyone can play a part in lives being changed. Hundreds of Alphas are being run online right now by churches as a way to reach friends, family and neighbours. You can find out more information at alphacanada.org/alphaonline. The team at Alpha Canada is working every day to serve churches and help them transition to our current online reality, and helping to make it possible to keep doing effective evangelism.We couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠