Simply Missional

In this episode, Byron Grant shares about his 40+ years of living and ministering among his first nations brothers and sisters in Vancouver, Canada. With joy and compassion, Byron unpacks why first nations people experience such difficulty in reconciling their culture and history to Christianity and the Church, much of it owing to the trauma experienced in Canada’s residential school system. He encourages us to take the time to listen more to the rich stories that First Nations people love to tell, to get to know their sense of humor and fun, and to enjoy them with all of the God-given gifts, skills and potential they possess. Byron Grant is the Lead Pastor at New Beginnings Baptist Church in East Vancouver where he has pastored for many years alongside his wife Diane. Byron was commissioned as a missionary by North America Indigenous Ministries (NAIM) in 1979, and has lived and served among first nations people ever since. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… How God called Byron to Vancouver to minister to First Nations people [2:55] The moment Byron knew he was called to be a missionary [6:30] The history of First Nations people in Canada and the USA [9:22] The impact of Canada’s residential schools on First Nations People [12:15] The vision of NAIM to raise up indigenous leaders and churches [16:55] The Tillicum Centre: a bridge between the native community and Jesus [20:38] Loving First Nations people through listening [25:14] Some First Nations theology [29:51] Why First Nation people are underrepresented in Canadian churches [36:33] Challenging the stereotyping of First Nations people [40:12] Friendship with First Nations people [41:18] Resources & People Mentioned Email your Simply Missional questions to info@globaldisciples.ca North American Indigenous Ministries New Beginnings Baptist Church Introduction to First Nations Ministry by Cheryl Bear Connect with Byron Grant Connect with Byron on Facebook Connect with Global Disciples Canada https://www.globaldisciples.ca/ GDC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/globaldisciplescanada GDC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/globaldisciplescanada/ GDC on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs8QB3nhzqujZi3PDVjp5qA

In this episode, Preston Gordon shares about his own unusual calling into the Anglican church, his journey into liturgy and how it ‘tells the story’, and becoming ‘Anglicans on mission’. Preston Gordon is the Associate Pastor at St. Peters Fireside in downtown Vancouver, a thriving, urban church plant with the Anglican network (ANiC). Preston and his wife Deanna are originally from the US and moved to Vancouver in 2013 where they immediately joined the church. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Preston on growing a surprising love for Anglican liturgy [4:43] Seeking to balance the Word, the Spirit and tradition [11:25] What is wearing robes and a collar all about? [15:50] Preston’s grounding mantra: Oxygen, Grace and Godspeed [18:33] Simple Mission: expressing God’s love on the move in practical ways [20:50] How to reach out to friends with the love of Jesus [31:12] Resources & People Mentioned Email your Simply Missional questions to info@globaldisciples.ca St. Peters Fireside Anglican Network Connect with Preston Gordon Connect with Preston on LinkedIn Connect with Preston on Facebook Connect with Global Disciples Canada https://www.globaldisciples.ca/ GDC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/globaldisciplescanada GDC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/globaldisciplescanada/ GDC on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs8QB3nhzqujZi3PDVjp5qA Follow Simply Missional on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts

Simply Missional is brought to you by Global Disciples Canada, and hosted by Cat Pienaar, a church planter in North Vancouver. GDC is a non-profit that believe it’s the Jesus-followers who need to respond to the injustice that one third of our world (or 3 billion people) have never heard the good news of Jesus in a language or context that they can understand. For over 25 years Global Disciples has been training and equipping indigenous leaders and church planters to go and make disciples in least reach-communities worldwide. We believe ‘near culture’ people can do a far better job of reaching out to those in their nations, than by sending those from the West to do this for them. With the same heart of championing ordinary, local people into a missional way of life, Simply Missional is a podcast that seeks to enable ordinary people to feel encouraged and equipped to do mission simply and locally. Jesus has already commissioned us to go and make disciples of all nations but often we feel scared or ill-equipped for the task. This podcast is for you if you want some practical ideas and inspiration to go and make disciples for Jesus where you are. The interviews are really interesting conversations with some awesome men and women who have simply said a big fat yes to Jesus and His Great Commission to make disciples of all nations beginning here at home in Canada. We will be hearing stories of both success and failure for many people who have had the courage to walk by faith in what and how and where they feel God has called them. It will be encouraging, challenging, inspiring and funny as we chat about living a life for Jesus. Each podcast will end with a suggestion of how to do mission simply, here, where you’re at and watching God multiply the itsy bitsy bread and fishes that we offer to Him. May it also be a clarion call to the injustice that one third of the world still need to hear the good news of Jesus.