Baptist Bridges

In this special episode, our Executive Minister, Leanne Friesen, sits down with Rev. Laura Salakandu, one of our newest ordinands, to hear her powerful and inspiring testimony. Laura shares her journey of faith, calling, and the moments that led her to this new chapter in ministry.

Whether you're discerning your own call or simply in need of encouragement, Laura’s story is a moving reminder of God’s faithfulness and the courage ...

A few weeks ago, we released an episode of our podcast called "The Politics and the Pulpit." With the current political realities happening around us, we felt it was timely to release this episode again. Our Executive Minister, Rev. Leanne Friesen, recorded a special message to start the episode for all of you leading in these days. Part of her message states:

"Pivot from believing or suggesting that our hope will be ...

In this episode of Baptist Bridges, host Leanne Friesen is joined by guests Rev. Dr. Ken Foo and Curtis Lai to explore the importance of sabbaticals for pastors. They share personal experiences, discuss the biblical foundation of sabbaticals, and address common misconceptions, such as guilt, identity struggles, and church concerns. The conversation highlights how sabbaticals prevent burnout, strengthen leadership, and benefit entir...

How can churches become truly inclusive communities for people with disabilities? In this episode, we explore the intersection of faith, accessibility, and belonging. Our guest, Rev. Dr. Stephen Bedard, shares personal experiences, challenges, and insights on how churches can move beyond accommodation to full participation. From practical steps to theological reflections, this conversation invites leaders and congregations to rethi...

Are today’s youth and young adults just the "future of the church" or vital leaders for today? How can churches empower youth and young adults to lead meaningfully? In this episode of Baptist Bridges, Leanne Friesen is joined by Alvin Lau, CBOQ's Youth Ministries Associate, and Tejay Morley, a young leader from North Burlington Baptist Church, to explore how mentorship and trust can transform the next generation of ch...

In this episode of Baptist Bridges, Kevin Loten joins the conversation to explore the complexities of preaching in politically charged times. We discuss the challenges of addressing sensitive topics from the pulpit, maintaining the balance between spiritual guidance and political engagement, and respecting the diversity of opinions within congregations.

Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or someone interested in the inters...

Whether you’re a parent, pastor, or anyone passionate about growing faith in families, this episode is packed with inspiration, wisdom, and actionable steps that will empower you to take your spiritual journey beyond Sunday school.

In our first episode of Baptist Bridges for 2025, Faith Beyond Sunday School, Tanya Yuen sits down with two experts in family discipleship, Christie Thomas and Ken Foo, as they dive into the real challen...

In today's bonus episode, our guest is Sharlene MacLennan, a registered social worker and practicing therapist who specializes in mental health and addiction. Sharlene shares insights on self-care strategies for ministry leaders and discusses her work supporting clergy, non-profit workers, and others in high-demand roles. Drawing from her professional expertise and personal experiences as a pastor's kid, Sharlene offers valuable ad...

A message from our guest, Jeremy Ng:

To the unnamed grievers.

Although there is so much more about grief, both individual and corporate, that we could have talked about, the one thing I wished I had brought more attention to was unnamed grief. The grief that is not socially acceptable. The grief that is not allowed to be talked about openly. The grief that we don’t believe is real. Maybe, like I mentioned on the podcast, that it’s ...

Today’s conversation takes us into the world of small churches, where our guests describe the distinctive rhythms and responsibilities of leading a smaller congregation. They talk about what church studies and conferences that usually focus on bigger churches often miss about small church life, as well as the multi-hat roles pastors often play and the hands-on tasks unique to small congregations. The discussion highlights the beaut...

Earlier this season, we started by exploring the topic of pastoral shortages in CBOQ. We named that we have seen more churches struggling to find pastors in a season of great pastoral transition. In this particular podcast, we also discussed one of the exciting ways that we are seeing God move among us in the midst of this. We are seeing more and more pastors join our family who have come to us from other countries, and are now eag...

In today's episode, Leanne Friesen, Elden Faulkner, and Leaslie Makins explore how the pandemic has reshaped both the Church and their personal roles. They discuss the adjustments they’ve had to make and emphasize the significance of adapting to these new realities. The conversation also sheds light on the diverse experiences of churches and their ability to evolve and thrive despite challenges.

Connect with us:

Instagram: ⁠@cboq⁠

Today's podcast discusses the challenges of finding pastors for churches in the CBOQ and across Canada, including a shortage of pastors, pastors looking at different ministry avenues, and churches struggling to afford full-time pastors. Leanne Friesen, Cid Latty and David Williams, provide insights into the changing landscape of pastoral ministry, such as the need to rethink traditional expectations and models of pastoral leadershi...