Sidewalk Skyline Podcast

Andrew is the Communication and Relations Manager at Open Doors Canada, part of an international ministry that has been strengthening the persecuted church for more than 65 years in more than 70 countries. Open Doors serves the church through Bible & Christian literature distribution, discipleship and leadership training, trauma counselling, urgent aid, and Christian community development. They stand with the persecuted church in prayer, through presence ministry, and by advocating on their behalf. They also strive to connect Canadian Christians with persecuted family members around the globe, providing truthful research, information, and current prayer resources. Andrew is married to Kate, and together they have three beautiful girls. They live in Mississauga, ON.

On today’s episode, we are getting off the sidewalk and more into the skyline. Dallas Derksen serves with Mission Aviation Fellowship at Prairie Aviation Training Centre in Three Hills, Alberta. A critical shortfall of new pilots, highlighted by Statistics Canada and global aviation authorities, threatens to ground as many as half of all available flights in Canada within the next decade.

The Gate Church is an Alliance Church in Niagara Falls, Ontario. I’m here with two of their staff. Lead pastor Mark Royall and executive pastor David Gagne. The Gate Church has the unique distinction of owning a former school building with 120,000 s.f., and has become a hub for several different organizations, businesses, residences and ministries to operate. I’ve known Dave Gagne for 35 years or so and am not surprised that he and his wife Isabel would end up in a ministry like this. When I was a youth pastor in Exeter, Dave & Isabel had a storefront church called Belongers Church. They were ahead of their time with some of the ways that they pastored and conducted ministry. They came with a background in graphic arts. Isabel was a hometown girl in Exeter, just like my wife Marsha. Dave, you and I captured our brides away and took them off to engage in urban and community-based ministry. This is my first time meeting Mark Royall, so welcome guys.

Jessica Sanchez is a filmmaker and musician based in Calgary, Alberta, with a profound passion for the arts and artist community in Canada, and the intersection of the arts and faith. With creativity and artistry at the core of everything that she does, she has consistently yearned to express and explore the human experience and faith through her work.

On today’s episode, I have four guests that were contributors to a book entitled, “Dysfunction In The Name Of Jesus – Confronting The Idol Of Pastoral Workaholism”. As one who has pastored for all of my adult life and grew up in a pastor’s home, I can speak to the value of such a book and the need to guard the pastoral heart from the world that glorifies busyness. Featuring Kevin Rogers interviewing James Ellis III, Karen Stiller, David Dack and Micah Lang.

It’s usually me interviewing someone else or bringing the content of others here to inspire and inform. On this episode, it’s my turn to speak. This was my session recorded at Our City Windsor 2025. Empire is the human tradition of conquerors and ideologues wanting to build a world in their image. It’s the ninety-foot selfie of Nebuchadnezzar and the pinch of incense in worship of Caesar. The nation of Israel was not satisfied to be led by a priesthood and wanted to have a king like the other nations surrounding them. Empire is about power and defense. It is the belief that what’s best for us should be enforced on the other nations. Even churches can fall prey to empire building and miss out on the true intentions of God. Shalom on the other hand, is the governmental structure of the Kingdom of God. It is the world as God intends it and is established with the love and power of God bringing about peace on earth. Shalom is dependent on the King of Kings and will not be fully realized until he returns. Somehow, we are to live as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven while giving the Caesar what he is due.

Keith Dow, PhD, is a Canadian theologian, researcher, and writer exploring the beauty and complexity of human limits, care, and community. He works with Karis Disability Services (formerly Christian Horizons) and serves as a fellow with the Psychology Cross-Training for Theologians program through the University of Birmingham and Martin Luther University College. His research explores theology, disability, and the ethics of care, emphasizing the beauty and limits of human life in community. Keith is the author of Formed Together: Mystery, Narrative, and Virtue in Christian Caregiving (Baylor, 2021) and leads the Images of God research project supported by the John Templeton Foundation. This session was recorded at Our City Windsor 2025.