First Nations And The Canadian Church (Aaron Mix-Ross interview)

February 15, 2021 by Kevin Rogers in Canada, Christianity, PAOC, Religion & Spirituality, Urban Ministry, First Nations Canada

Aaron Mix Ross is the new pastor at Richmond Pentecostal Church in British Columbia. Prior to that he served on staff at Heartland Church in Mississauga and before that he was part of the pastoral team at Toronto’s Stone Church.

Aaron is an urban pastor with great insights into city life.

During his years at Stone Church he completed his PhD in theology at the University of Toronto's Wycliffe College. The title of his thesis was "The Heavens Have Become a Highway" The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Northland Mission and the Indigenous Principle.

With one half living in major urban centres and two-thirds of the Metis living in cities, it’s a worthy exploration for every Canadian.

Sniff, Sneeze, Splice (James Craig, Archivist)

February 01, 2021 by Kevin Rogers in Canada, Christianity, PAOC, Religion & Spirituality, Urban Ministry

James Craig is the archivist for Pentecostal Assemblies Of Canada. He runs a state of the art archive with documents and artifacts related to the history of the Pentecostal movement in Canada. We will learn some intriguing details about data storage and the value of looking back.

Part of this interview explores the early Pentecostal history of ministry engagement in urban centres.

Jim is also the executive director of The Lifestream Initiative.

The Lifestream Initiative exists to discover, disseminate and facilitate new opportunities for churches to love their neighbours. Current areas of focus include the mental health needs of First Responders and their families, mental health education for faith leaders, and assisting churches to become more engaged in their communities. With a primary emphasis on Mississauga, Ontario, Canada's sixth largest city, the initiative serves to bring Christian leaders together and make new connections between and among those engaged in a variety of ministries.

Viewing Canada From 30,000 Feet (Dr. David Wells)

Sidewalk Skyline Podcast

August 15, 2020 by Kevin Rogers in Canada, Christianity

Our guest on today’s podcast is Dr. David Wells, a Canadian with a global perspective and a view from 30,000 feet. As General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies Of Canada and president of the Pentecostal Charismatic Churches of North America, he is an influencer that is shaping generations of believers and churches around the world.

He is a key architect of Mission Canada and the PAOC 2020 Initiative revitalizing churches and disciples across the nation. He is an urban thinker and intercessor with a high view of cities in the plans of God.

Race Talk Windsor-Detroit (Part 2)

July 15, 2020 by Kevin Rogers in Canada, Christianity, Religion & Spirituality, Urban Ministry

I was involved in a local conversation shortly after the death of George Floyd under the knee of officer Derek Chauvin. Christopher Cobbler and I gathered a mixed-race panel of pastors from Windsor and Detroit to talk about the black-white divide.

Because Windsor is a border city to Detroit, we likely have an enhanced perspective on America’s history of oppression against black slaves. Border cities are also part of the Underground Railroad where American slaves escaped. Harriet Tubman called Canada ‘The Promised Land’ and at that time, it was an escape from slavery’s tyranny.

That does not mean that Canada has not had its own struggles with racial tension; that is an unfortunate part of human nature that surfaces in every nation and every generation.

This is part two of that conversation with Chris Cobbler, Nelly Latchman, Kellen Brooks, Josh Bowers and myself. If you have not yet heard part one, why don’t you go back and download that first.