The Sowers Podcast

Matt Naismith
  • 5.0 (9)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Sowers. features stories and best practices from Canadian church planters and leaders who are influencing kingdom movement and impacting their communities. With a whimsical thoughtful approach and format, episodes and conversations are easy to follow with tangible action steps at each episode’s conclusion. Insights gained can be used as teaching and inspiration for ministry whether personal or church specific.  Hosted by Matt Naismith, The Sowers. podcast desires to help and inspire every listener to become a sower in the places where they live, work, learn and play.  Matt was a church planter and local pastor, before transitioning to a catalyst and strategist role for a church planting network. 

  1. #111- Love as the Measure of Leadership: Danielle Strickland on Hope, Justice, and the Way of Jesus

    15 HRS AGO

    #111- Love as the Measure of Leadership: Danielle Strickland on Hope, Justice, and the Way of Jesus

    In this episode, Danielle Strickland joins the podcast for a deeply compelling conversation on discipleship, justice, prayer, and hope in a fearful world. Danielle recounts her first encounter with Jesus in a jail cell, how love—not shame—set her on a new path, and why the Church is at its best when it looks upward and moves outward. Together, they unpack: Why justice and discipleship cannot be separatedHow fear-driven Christianity pulls the Church off mission Danielle’s practice of Infinitum: a rule of life for people who don’t like rulesHow prayer becomes the fuel for sustained hope and resiliencePractical expressions of justice through IMBY, Brave Global, and more Danielle Strickland lets Love lead her to inspire, challenge, provoke, and disrupt the present—and to live the future now. Having lived in different cultures around the world, she celebrates diversity and works tirelessly to see wrong things made right. She has authored seven books, leads Boundless Enterprise, hosts The Right Side Up podcast, and speaks globally on faith, justice, and transformation. Danielle lives in Vancouver, Canada with her three sons and husband Steve. Danielle loves getting outside, doing new things, physical adventures, and she can’t seem to turn down a free lunch. To learn more about Danielle Strickland, please visit: https://www.daniellestrickland.com/ To learn more about IMBY and Brave Global, please visit: https://www.imbyhomes.org/ https://www.braveglobal.ca/ 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on mission, discipleship, and gospel renewal in Canada.

    53 min
  2. #110 - Unity, Youth & A Move of God in Canada — The 306 Network Story with William Dmytrow

    MAR 24

    #110 - Unity, Youth & A Move of God in Canada — The 306 Network Story with William Dmytrow

    In this conversation, Matt sat down with William Dmytrow, pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Saskatoon and General Director of the 306 Network — one of the most inspiring unity movements we've ever encountered.William didn’t grow up in a Christian home. But through a friend’s invitation to camp, a desperate prayer at age 16, and the simple words “youth group,” God began a journey that led him to pastor the very church he wandered into that night.Today he leads a growing movement uniting 46+ churches, rallying hundreds of youth, and equipping a generation to follow Jesus for life.🔥 What’s happening in Saskatoon?+A student led a Youth Alpha in her school… and within months 30 more were running.+ Students are sharing stories like: “God is quietly working in significant ways in the city right now.”+ Principals are noticing the impact.+ Youth across Canada are showing signs of being the open generation — spiritually curious, eager, and ready.💬 “When God’s people gather together, good things happen.”This is the heartbeat of The 306 Network.And the fruit is undeniable.About WilliamWilliam Dmytrow serves as a pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and serves as the General Director of the 306 Network, a grassroots movement uniting youth ministries across the region. He is the author of “The Leader After His Own Heart.” As a husband, friend, and follower of the way of Jesus, William’s life centers on one simple goal: gathering people around Jesus and helping them follow Him for life. He loves creating with both hands and mind, whether through pastoring, writing, or speaking. William writes bi-weekly at “Follow Jesus for Life with William Dmytrow” on Substack, exploring what faithful discipleship to Jesus looks like in everyday life. He and his wife Emma live in the heart of Canada, where they pursue life with Jesus in the modern world.To learn more about the 306 Network and read some of the things William has made, please visit:https://www.306network.ca/https://linktr.ee/williamdmytrow

    46 min
  3. #109 - From Iran to Canada: The Costly Call of Following Jesus — with Nathanael Fallahi

    MAR 10

    #109 - From Iran to Canada: The Costly Call of Following Jesus — with Nathanael Fallahi

    What does it mean to follow Jesus when obedience costs you everything? In this powerful episode of The Sowers Podcast, Persian-speaking pastor and church planter Nathanael Fallahi shares his incredible journey from Islamic seminary in Iran, to encountering Jesus in a deeply personal way, to planting underground house churches under intense persecution, and finally to rebuilding life and ministry in Canada. Nathanael opens up about: + His search for the true God and the moment he met Christ + Traveling seven hours each way to attend worship in Tehran + Serving believers in Iran under government pressure and fear + The cost of discipleship for Iranians, refugees, and newcomers + The long and painful journey of family separation + The birth of a new Persian-speaking church in Toronto + How Canadian churches can love and walk with immigrant planters This episode is an honest, hope-filled look at resilience, persecution, and the faithfulness of Jesus—no matter the cost. About Nathanael Fallahi: Nathanael is a Persian-speaking pastor and church planter based in Toronto. He came to faith in Christ after years of spiritual searching and theological study in Iran—where following Jesus came at great cost. Today he serves among Persian-speaking newcomers and refugees, walking alongside individuals and families in discipleship, community, and biblically grounded care. His heart is to see people encounter the true God, find healing in Christ, and become faithful disciples one step at a time. To learn more about Nathanael Fallahi, please visit: https://www.gbchurches.com/ To learn more about Send Network Canada, please visit: https://www.sendnetwork.ca/ Chapters 00:00 Journey of Faith: From Iran to Canada 05:36 Understanding Iran: A Historical Perspective 08:44 Church Planting Under Persecution 12:15 The Gospel's Transformation Through Suffering 15:19 Reaching Iranian Communities in Canada 20:19 The Role of Community in Church Planting 22:35 Personal Stories of Struggle and Resilience 24:56 Supporting Immigrant Church Planters 27:36 Celebrating New Life: Baptism Stories 29:55 NEWCHAPTER

    38 min
  4. #108- The Leader Within: Jason Ballard on Emotional Health, Self-Awareness & Jesus‑Shaped Leadership

    MAR 3

    #108- The Leader Within: Jason Ballard on Emotional Health, Self-Awareness & Jesus‑Shaped Leadership

    Leadership isn’t first about strategy — it’s about the inner life of the leader. In this episode, Jason Ballard (Lead Pastor at The Way Church, Founder of The Pastorate) takes us deep into the work God does within a leader: emotional awareness, spiritual rhythms, honest self-audit, and learning to lead from presence rather than pressure. Jason shares vulnerable lessons from his own formation — moments where pain became his teacher, where his passion accidentally steamrolled others, and where slowing down saved relationships. We explore the three awarenesses every leader needs in every room: self-awareness, other-awareness, and awareness of the Spirit. He also unpacks the “lost hard drive” story — where one leader’s calm, gracious response discipled a teenager more deeply than any Sunday production ever could. This conversation is for pastors, planters, parents, and anyone who senses God shaping “the leader within.” About Jason: Jason is a lead pastor at The Way Church in Vancouver, BC and the director/founder of The Pastorate, a ministry dedicated to strengthening Canadian pastors. Formerly with Alpha International, he helped pioneer the Alpha Youth Film Series, used worldwide to engage over a million teenagers in conversations about Jesus. He serves through The Pastorate Podcast, The Way Church Podcast, and leadership development initiatives at The Way College (Everyday Seminary). Jason and Rachael have three kids — Hudson (12), Mary (10) and Millie (8). Links: The Way College The Pastorate Podcast The Way Church Chapters 00:00 The Essence of Leadership 05:39 Personal Growth in Leadership 10:28 Skills for Effective Leadership 15:38 Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence 20:18 Leading with Kindness and Integrity 23:08 The Essence of Christian Leadership 24:31 Navigating Goals and Contentment 26:45 The Journey of Personal Development 29:02 Establishing Rhythms for Growth 32:57 Understanding God's Character and Ways 36:07 The Future of Christian Leadership 42:35 NEWCHAPTER

    50 min
  5. #107 - When God Calls You Into the Unknown: The Story of Evolve Church with Jono & Nicole Zantingh

    FEB 24

    #107 - When God Calls You Into the Unknown: The Story of Evolve Church with Jono & Nicole Zantingh

    In this episode of The Sowers Podcast, Matt sits down with Jono & Nicole Zantingh, co-lead pastors of Evolve Church in Edmonton. Their journey began in Winnipeg, where they spent over 20 years serving and leading in the local church. But in 2017, God began stirring their hearts toward an unexpected calling.What follows is an incredible story of discernment, obedience, sacrifice, and God’s miraculous provision — from interest parties, open mic nights, and shoe-store conversations… to now seeing students, families, and newcomers encounter Jesus every single week.In this episode, they share:+How God used a season of uncertainty in 2017 to redirect their lives+The miraculous story behind the launch of Evolve Church+What it’s like to co-lead as husband and wife with wildly different giftings+Their heart for Gen Z and why they’ve committed so deeply to reaching the University of Alberta+Why they believe Canada is in a ripe harvest seasonAbout Jono & Nicole:Jono and Nicole met in 1997, married in 2000, and have chased after God’s calling together ever since. After decades of fruitful ministry in Winnipeg, they moved with their three children — Julia, Riley, and Kaleb — to Edmonton in 2018 to launch Evolve Church. Their home and lives continue to be open spaces where people encounter Jesus, grow in faith, and discover their identity and calling in the Kingdom.To learn more about Jono, Nicole, and Evolve Church, please visit: https://www.evolvechurch.com/ To learn more about ARC Canada, please visit: https://arcchurches.ca/👉 Subscribe for more conversations that inspire kingdom movement across Canada.#TheSowersPodcast #ChurchPlanting #EvolveChurch #CampusMinistry #GenZRevivalChapters00:00 The Call to Change: A New Journey Begins08:12 Planting Evolve Church: The Early Days18:12 Marriage and Ministry: A Unique Partnership25:10 Evolve on Campus: Reaching Students38:43 Empowering the Next Generation: A Vision for the Future42:20 NEWCHAPTER

    49 min
  6. #106 - Why LGBTQ+ Christians Fear Lifelong Loneliness: Pieter Valk on Historic Christian Sexual Ethics & LGBTQ+ Discipleship

    FEB 10

    #106 - Why LGBTQ+ Christians Fear Lifelong Loneliness: Pieter Valk on Historic Christian Sexual Ethics & LGBTQ+ Discipleship

    In this honest and theologically rich conversation, Matt welcomes Pieter Valk to The Sowers Podcast to talk about his journey as a same-sex attracted Christian who has committed to following Jesus through vocational singleness.Pieter shares candidly about:• Growing up in the church, shame, and loneliness• Thousands of prayers for orientation change• Harmful and helpful experiences in Christian community• Why he still holds to a historic Christian sexual ethic• How to think theologically about Scripture, authority, and interpretation• The top 10 arguments for a revisionist sexual ethic — and his responses• Why the church needs deeper discipleship, not just clearer doctrine• What thriving, chosen family, and intentional Christian community can look like• The three “missing discipleship levers” for today’s churches• Hopeful stories from churches in Canada moving toward better pastoral careWhether you’re a pastor, parent, LGBTQ+ Christian, or someone sorting through these questions yourself, this episode is packed with wisdom, compassion, and clarity.Pieter Valk is a speaker and author, the Director of Equip, a diaconate explorer in the ACNA, and a licensed professional counselor. He writes at https://pieterlvalk.substack.com and is on social media at @pieterLvalk.📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED• Equip: https://equipyourcommunity.org• Pieter’s Substack: https://pieterlvalk.substack.com• Follow Pieter: @pieterLvalk "The Secular Creed" by Rebecca McLaughlin https://www.amazon.ca/Secular-Creed-Rebecca-McLaughlin/dp/0999284304/ref=sr_1_14?crid=1FU7Q0XZOJYLW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fp6WFbF76brSxYM-W3K40_C4VXN1Lybw6lDy6lJbJX-Je0sTAbzds0OWaduXJt2SSSSxtgES-gxRJ9kayBBkAPkZKIoNQmhUEJ8NjNRxtanCW7iwOlRENgw51986gw5VQ_YOI0PD0m-UaZ5NreZEOt2qzwVbJVq56ecTDFH4GDSzoNE32X15mSFWi9Cjzir2Odvy0Dan6jVkBE8nWQUuqortWL8Mx2kgvFnaWiT_4UVenKAWzn7KXcHUFnlYivSbeVs4P1OYEY1W4_Tn-33GdvbabOTLnPzxMRGcmeZtXgI.Tj3Af06ruW2DhSuTEoKNsHgPu6SOKt3RxaunfQoUepk&dib_tag=se&keywords=rebecca+mclaughlin+books&qid=1770223508&sprefix=rebecca+mc%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-14

    53 min
  7. #105 - From Banking to Kingdom Building: Joy Gomersall on Stewardship & the Future of the Church

    FEB 3

    #105 - From Banking to Kingdom Building: Joy Gomersall on Stewardship & the Future of the Church

    What does biblical stewardship look like in a housing crisis, high interest rates, and a growing Church? In this episode of The Sowers Podcast, Matt Naismith is joined by Joy Gomersall, Executive Director of Stewards Canada, for a powerful conversation on money, mission, and the future of church buildings in Canada. Joy shares: +Why banks often refuse to lend to churches +How Stewards Canada connects Christian investors with growing congregations +Real stories of churches expanding their impact through fair mortgage financing +Why stewardship is about ownership vs. caretaking (Psalm 24:1) +What excites her most about the next generation of kingdom‑minded investors Joy grew up attending a Stewards‑funded church in the GTA and now leads the organization that helps churches acquire and expand spaces for ministry. With a background in banking, nonprofit leadership, and executive recruitment, Joy brings a rare blend of financial expertise and pastoral heart. Whether you’re a church planter, pastor, investor, or Christian thinking deeply about money and mission, this episode will challenge and encourage you. 👉 Learn more about Stewards Canada: https://stewardscanada.org 👉 Subscribe for more conversations on church planting, mission, and disciple‑making. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Joy Gomersall and Her Journey 00:40 Career in Finance and Its Intersection with Faith 00:48 Understanding Stewards Canada and Its Mission 03:37 Challenges in Church Financing and Lending 06:12 Success Stories of Stewards Canada 11:35 Guidance for Church Planters and Future Growth 16:43 Future of Church Financing and Stewardship 22:26 Closing Thoughts and Future Generosity 29:45 NEWCHAPTER

    40 min
  8. #104 - A Holistic Path to Mental Health: Erin Walsh on the Mind, Body, & Soul

    JAN 27

    #104 - A Holistic Path to Mental Health: Erin Walsh on the Mind, Body, & Soul

    In this powerful and practical conversation, Registered Social Worker Erin Walsh unpacks how mental, emotional, and spiritual health are deeply interconnected — and why healing must involve all three.Erin shares her story of coming to faith at 16, her journey through her own mental health struggles, and how God led her into counseling and psychotherapy. She explains the autonomic nervous system in simple language, the importance of grounding, why community is essential for healing, and the role churches can play in supporting people well.In this episode:🔹 Erin’s journey to faith + her call to therapy🔹 Why healing is possible and God-designed🔹 Trauma, the body, and the nervous system🔹 How to support a struggling friend🔹 What pastors should (and shouldn’t) do🔹 A vision for better mental health care in Canada🎧 Subscribe to The Sowers Podcast for more conversations on gospel-centered living, mission, leadership, and human flourishing. Learn more about the Emmaus App here: https://emmaus-app.com/ Join The Sowers weekly e-newsletter: https://join.thesowerspod.ca/Chapters00:00 Journey to Faith and Mental Health04:41 Understanding Mental Health09:20 The Interconnectedness of Mind, Body, and Spirit13:51 The Role of the Autonomic Nervous System18:34 Awareness and Action in Mental Health22:56 Supporting Friends in Mental Health Struggles27:29 The Role of Community and Pastoral Care32:04 The Future of Mental Health Care in Canada

    43 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The Sowers. features stories and best practices from Canadian church planters and leaders who are influencing kingdom movement and impacting their communities. With a whimsical thoughtful approach and format, episodes and conversations are easy to follow with tangible action steps at each episode’s conclusion. Insights gained can be used as teaching and inspiration for ministry whether personal or church specific.  Hosted by Matt Naismith, The Sowers. podcast desires to help and inspire every listener to become a sower in the places where they live, work, learn and play.  Matt was a church planter and local pastor, before transitioning to a catalyst and strategist role for a church planting network. 

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Naismith
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Matt Naismith
  • Show Website
    The Sowers Podcast

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