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

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

In this episode, Matt sits down with Ivhan Rusli, Ontario Director for Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), to explore why reaching kids with the gospel is one of the most strategic ways to impact the world.

Ivhan didn’t grow up in a Christian home but became a believer at 16. Since then, he’s dedicated over 30 years to children’s ministry and has served with CEF Ontario for more than 20 years. When he’s not doing ministry, you’ll find him playing board games with his wife, two teenage boys, and his ten-year-old daughter who’s going on thirty!

In this conversation, Ivhan shares:

✔ His personal story of coming to faith at 16

✔ Why children’s ministry matters more than ever

✔ The mission and global vision of Child Evangelism Fellowship

✔ How STEM clubs are transforming outreach in Canada

📌 Connect with CEF Ontario: www.cefontario.org

🎙 Subscribe to The Sowers Podcast for more conversations on gospel-centered mission and innovation.

Chapters

00:00 Ivan's Journey to Faith

03:07 The Importance of Children's Ministry

05:54 Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) Overview

09:01 The Significance of Reaching Kids

12:08 Current CEF Initiatives in Canada

15:01 Innovative STEM Programs

17:59 Practical Steps to Start a STEM Program

20:49 Training and Equipping Volunteers

24:04 Stories of Transformation through CEF

27:12 The Heart of a Child in Ministry

30:09 Opportunities for Church Planters

33:05 The Future of the Church in Canada