The Pastorate Podcast

What does it take to lead a historic church with fresh hope in one of Canada’s most secular cities?In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with Pastor Patti Miller of Evangel Church in Montreal to explore her leadership journey, the shifting spiritual landscape of the city, and the story of how a 107-year-old church continues to be a vibrant witness for the Gospel. Patti shares insights on pastoring in a post-Christian culture and how to stay resilient and hopeful when ministry feels challenging.Key Takeaways:Leading a historic church into a new season of mission and renewalHow Montreal’s secularization has shaped the Church’s callingLessons in resilience, faithfulness, and fresh vision for ministryEncouragement for pastors navigating cultural change with hopeBiographyPatti is a pastor, blogger, urban-dweller, sometimes-runner, who laughs at her own jokes. Loves her spiky-haired husband Jeff, and visits Ukraine any chance she gets. Most of all, she's a follower of Jesus, loved by God.⁠⁠⁠SponsorsWe 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.Join Generis for a free online ⁠coaching call⁠ to learn about giving strategies for your church and growing a culture of generosity. Read World Vision's Open Generation Report to reach, love and serve the Next Generation in the most well-informed way. Guest NotesEvangel ChurchThe Art of Neighbouring by Jay Pathak Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor by DA Carson Show Notes⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

What happens when a pastor’s vision collapses—and God rebuilds something better?In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with John Lamos to hear his honest story of leading on empty, approaching burnout, and how Jesus brought new life to his ministry, marriage, and family. John’s journey offers raw insight and real hope for pastors and leaders who feel at the end of themselves.Key Takeaways:Recognizing burnout before it’s too lateHow God meets us when our strength runs outRestoring family life and ministry visionFinding deeper life in Jesus beyond ministry performanceBiographyJohn Lamos is the Senior Pastor of Lighthouse Church on Grand Manan, a small island off the coast of New Brunswick. He is married to Jessie and has three kids, Adaline, Olive, and Samuel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠SponsorsWe 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.Help solve the global food crisis by giving ⁠⁠gifts of Compassion⁠⁠ today or get in touch with the ⁠⁠team at Compassion⁠⁠.Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their ⁠⁠⁠Bible Course here⁠⁠⁠.Guest NotesDarrell Johnson: Resources to Lead You to Jesus An Interview with Tyler Staton on the Canadian Church Leaders Podcast Show Notes⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

How can pastors respond to the complexity of our time with courage, creativity, and deep spiritual resilience?In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with Mark Sayers—pastor, author, and cultural commentator—for a long-form conversation on discipleship in an age of disruption. Drawing from his global perspective and deep theological insight, Mark explores how the Church can navigate cultural shifts through ancient Christian practices like prayer, perseverance, and radical dependence on God. This conversation was recorded during Discipleship in Our Complex Age, a national online gathering of Canadian pastors.Key TakeawaysWhy modern discipleship must match the complexity of our timeAncient Christian responses to cultural disruptionSigns of renewal and how to steward themEncouragement for pastors seeking clarity and courage in leadershipBiographyMark 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 including Strange Days and Reappearing Church. Mark lives in Melbourne with his wife, Trudi, his daughter, Grace, and twin boys, Hudson and Billy.SponsorsWe 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.Help solve the global food crisis by giving ⁠gifts of Compassion⁠ today or get in touch with the ⁠team at Compassion⁠.Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their ⁠⁠Bible Course here⁠⁠.Guest NotesRebuilders PodcastRed Church Strange Days: Life in the Spirit in a Time of Terrorism, Populist Politics, and CultReappearing Church: The Hope for Renewal in the Rise of Our Post-Christian CultureShow Notes⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

What if the path to deeper leadership is through emotional honesty and quiet faithfulness?In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with Ken Shigematsu—pastor of Tenth Church in Vancouver and author of Now I Become Myself—to talk about envy, shame, identity, and the interior life of a leader. Ken shares what he’s learned over decades of ministry in the same church and offers a countercultural vision of spiritual leadership rooted in humility and formation.Key TakeawaysLeading the same church faithfully for over 25 yearsNavigating emotions like envy and shame in ministryWhy emotional and spiritual health must go togetherBecoming your true self in Christ—not your idealized versionBiographyKen Shigematsu is the Senior Pastor of Tenth Church in Vancouver, BC, one of the largest and most diverse city-centre churches in Canada. He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal awarded to Canadians in recognition for their outstanding contribution to the country. Before entering pastoral ministry, he worked for the Sony Corporation in Tokyo. Ken is the author of the award-winning bestsellers ‘God in My Everything’ and ‘Survival Guide for the Soul.’ Ken lives in Vancouver with his wife, Sakiko, and their son, Joey. SponsorsWe 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.Thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for supporting this episode. Learn more about their ⁠Bible Course here⁠.Guest NotesNow I Become Myself: How Deep Grace Heals Our Shame and Restores Our True SelfTenth ChurchArrow Leadership Show Notes⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

What does it mean to bring justice in the way of Jesus?In this episode, Jason Ballard speaks with Jonathan Tremaine Thomas, founder of Civil Righteousness, about gospel-centered justice, reconciliation, and the Church’s role in places of unrest. From leading a drug dealer to Jesus on a street corner to becoming a national voice for Christlike activism, Jonathan shares a powerful story of transformation and mission.Key Takeaways:The story behind Civil Righteousness and its gospel foundationHow the Church can bring healing where pain and unrest are presentThe difference between God’s justice and the world’s justiceEncouragement for Christians seeking to live their faith in actionBiographyJonathan Tremaine Thomas is an actor, activist, pastor, producer, social entrepreneur, fifth generation “preacher’s kid”, and the grand-nephew of the legendary Civil Rights artist Dr. Nina Simone. In 2003, after earning a B.S. Communications at East Carolina University and pursuing an M.A. in Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary; he was commissioned as a full-time missionary to the most violent neighborhoods in Nashville, TN. He gained a voice nationally due to his peacemaking efforts during the 2014 civil unrest in Ferguson, Missouri; which led to the founding of CivilRighteousness, Inc. and a national reconciliation movement. He then moved to Ferguson where he currently resides with his family directing prayer fueled evangelism, community transformation, and racial reconciliation initiatives. ⁠⁠SponsorsWe 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.Join Generis for a free online coaching call to learn about giving strategies for your church and growing a culture of generosity. Guest NotesHoly GroundCivil RighteousnessShow Notes⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

What does faithful, long-term ministry look like in one place over decades?In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with Albert Chu—founding pastor of Tapestry Church and Director of the Centre for Missional Leadership—to explore the beauty and cost of staying rooted in one community. Albert shares the story of Tapestry’s growth from a living room gathering to a multisite church, the grief and grace of expansion, and how a second chance at leadership reshaped his vision for pastoring and discipleship.Key Takeaways:Planting and growing a church that reflects its communityThe emotional cost and opportunity of church expansionHow God met Albert through a season of leadership renewalEncouragement for pastors committed to long-haul, local missionBiographyAlbert has been the Lead Pastor of the Tapestry Church - a multi-campus church in the Lower Mainland - for nearly two decades. He is also the Director of the Centre for Missional Leadership which strives to equip leaders for God’s mission in this corner of the world affectionately called Cascadia (PNW). Albert is married to Frieda and is blessed with two lovely daughters. They love to travel, cycle, cook, and wander with their backpacks within the 117,900 acres of bliss called Mt. Baker Wilderness.SponsorsWe 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.Prepare your church to respond to global crises by ⁠connecting with Chris⁠ from World Vision. Guest NotesTapestry Church Centre for Missional Leadership Show Notes⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

What does faithful church planting look like in a secular city—and what sustains it?In this episode, Jason Ballard and Chris Price sit down with Brett Landry, founding pastor of Christ City Church in Vancouver. Brett shares his powerful journey to faith, the early days of planting Christ City, and how he’s navigated the highs and lows of leadership with hope, friendship, and perseverance.Key Takeaways:The story of how Christ City Church came to life Brett’s personal testimony and pastoral callingHow to navigate the inevitable challenges of ministryThe role of gospel friendship and shared vision in staying faithful BiographyBrett Landry is the pastor of Christ City Church in Vancouver, BC – a network of neighbourhood churches currently serving South Vancouver, East Vancouver and Kitsilano. Brett has been married to his wife Alison for almost 2 decades, and they have three teenage daughters – Tasia, Mireya, and Jasmine. SponsorsWe 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.Deepen your faith and increase your impact in ministry by enrolling at Tyndale University. Guest NotesChrist City ChurchShow Notes⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

What does it take to pastor one church for over four decades?In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with Dr. Henry Schorr, who has led Centre Street Church in Calgary for more than 43 years. They explore the church’s story of growth, the values that shaped it, and the wisdom Henry would offer to young pastors pursuing a life of faithfulness in ministry.Key Takeaways:How Centre Street Church grew with a Kingdom-centered visionThe value of long-haul leadership and staying the coursePractical advice for young pastors discerning their callHow to hold family and mission together in pastoral lifeBiographyDr. Henry Schorr is the lead pastor of Centre Street Church, an influential, resourcing church in Calgary, Alberta that has been serving Calgary and beyond since 1958. Henry has been lead pastor of Centre Street Church for 43 years, with 37 of those years spent as the lead pastor. Under Henry’s leadership, Centre Street Church has had a profound impact on the National & Global Church.SponsorsWe 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.Prepare your church to respond to global crises by connecting with Chris from World Vision. Guest NotesCentre Street Church New Canadian Friendship CentreShow Notes⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

Can one moment with God’s Word change everything?In this episode, Jason Ballard sits down with Jess DiSabatino, lead pastor of Journey Church in Calgary, to talk about her family’s dramatic conversion through a hotel room Bible, her call to ministry, and the story of how Journey Church came to life. From late-night Scripture reading to leading a church in Northwest Calgary, Jess’s story is full of hope and Kingdom purpose.Key Takeaways:How Jess’s parents came to faith through a hotel New TestamentHer journey into ministry and pastoral leadershipThe founding and vision behind Journey ChurchEncouragement to trust that small beginnings can lead to powerful Kingdom impactBiographyJessica DiSabatino is a renowned communicator in both business environments and the Church. Following the death of her younger brother, Jess and her dad founded MySafeWork, a philanthropic initiative to bring justice to workplaces in Canada and around the world. For this ground-breaking work, Jess received the Governor General’s award in 2016. In tandem with her foundation work, Jess has pastored in various churches for over twenty years and currently serves as lead pastor of Journey Church in Calgary, AB. When Jess is not playing with her husband and four kids, or her Goldendoodle, Nacho, she is busy resurrecting her 1980s rap career.SponsorsWe 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.Help solve the global food crisis by giving gifts of Compassion today or get in touch with the team at Compassion.Guest NotesJourney Church My Safe WorkShow Notes⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

What if the Church became known for unity, service, and hope in the heart of secular cities?In this episode, Jason Ballard talks with Kevin Palau—president of the Luis Palau Association—about his father Luis’s incredible legacy, and the gospel movements Kevin now helps lead across North America. They discuss evangelism, city partnerships, and how a simple “yes” can bring the Kingdom to life in surprising ways.Key Takeaways:Luis Palau’s legacy and final years of ministryHow gospel movements have formed in secular citiesWhy partnership with civic leaders can open doors for the ChurchStories of thousands mobilized for citywide service and evangelismBiographyKevin Palau is President and CEO of the Luis Palau Association. Under his leadership, LPA has united tens of thousands of churches in hundreds of cities to love and serve their communities and clearly share the Good News of Jesus. Kevin also helps lead TogetherPDX, a sustainable, united movement of churches in Portland, Oregon. His book, Unlikely: Setting Aside Our Differences to Live Out the Gospel describes the ongoing impact of the movement. Kevin lives in Beaverton, Oregon with his wife, Michelle, and enjoys serving on the boards of Alpha USA, Christians Against Poverty, and Transforming the Bay with Christ.SponsorsWe 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.Help solve the global food crisis by giving gifts of Compassion today or get in touch with the team at Compassion.Guest NotesLuis Palau AssociationTogetherPDXShow Notes⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠