On this very special episode, Matt joins us to share his story of being diagnosed with cancer at the young age of 23, undergoing treatment, and what it has been like to learn to trust God in the unknown. Listen in as he shares what it was like to discover the cancerous lump, receive the devastating phone call from his doctor, and then the ins-and-outs of chemotherapy. This episode will give you a very real glimpse into the cancer journey, help you understand what's helpful and what's not, and encourage your faith.

At the time this episode was recorded, Matt was still awaiting results to determine if he was considered in remission or not. We are celebrating with Matt and his family, as a week after recording, he received the news that he IS in remission! Praise God! Please continue to pray for Matt's health and strength to improve each day!

If you are in a season of waiting, like Matt was when we recorded this, or you are in a place of deep pain and suffering, you are not alone. Check out the Care & Support resources (including resources for caregivers) available here: https://www.faccalgary.com/group-types/care-support

To get in touch, email us at podcast@faccalgary.com

Special thanks to our amazing editor, Ryan, for putting so much work into each episode and making them sound smooth and coherent (it's not always an easy task!).

Thanks to YOU, our listener, for listening and making this a part of your week!

What if you could have a deep, thriving, personal relationship with Jesus? What would that look like?

Renee Mairs, author of, "Just Be," is on the podcast today, sharing how she entered into a deep friendship with Jesus, and how we can do the same! This episode will inspire and challenge you to invite Jesus into your life in a new way today.

If you'd like to know more about Inner Healing ministry at FAC, click here: https://www.faccalgary.com/our-groups/innerhealing-ministries . If you're not local to Calgary and want to know about this ministry where you are, send us a message at podcast@faccalgary.com and we'll help you find one near you!

For more information about Renee Mairs' book and ways to connect with her:

Amazon Links for "Just Be":

Paperback: https://a.co/d/0KxulLz

Kindle: https://a.co/d/5K85Soo

Business:

The More: https://www.mairsministries.com/

Special thanks to our amazing Editor, Ryan, who spent hours putting this episode and removing the awkward pauses, fumbled words, and so much more! We are so thankful for you!

What does it look like to forgive your abuser? How do you recover from sexual abuse that you kept hidden for most of your life? Is the hope to be found after abuse?

On this episode, Kathleen bravely shares her story of discovering healing and forgiveness after major childhood trauma. Listen as she shares how she has been able to forgive her abuser, and what that has meant for her today. This episode will leave you feeling encouraged and inspired by the redemptive work of Jesus.

Special thanks to our Editor, Ryan, who not only made this episode sound so smooth, but also guest co-hosted!

For information about Celebrate Recovery: https://www.faccalgary.com/our-groups/celebrate-recovery

Emails us: podcast@faccalgary.com

Rachel was born and raised in the Occult, and was trained for a life of wickedness. On this episode, she shares the story of what it was like to exist in the kingdom of darkness, and how God rescued her from the depths of it all.

"When He calls you by name it's as though everything inside you, no matter how resistant, has to say, "yes!" He called me through everything - through all the muck, the mire, the false, the ugliness. He called me by name and I heard it."

This episode is a great reminder that there is a spiritual battle at place, and we need to keep our eyes on our Commander, Jesus.

Want to get in touch with Rachel?

Email: rachelmckenziebooks@gmail.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rachelmckenziebooks/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rachelmckenziebooks/

YouTube - www.youtube.com/@AuthorRachelMcKenzie

Books available: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738009025?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_WA654P25KXCTNBMVY4YZ

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/173800905X?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_MMJK1FH9MTPKD6QT18KM_1

Want more info on Inner Healing Ministry? Click here: https://www.faccalgary.com/our-groups/innerhealing-ministries

Thank you to our podcast editor, Ryan, as he poured so much time into smoothing out this episode! We couldn't do this without you!

If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to subscribe, rate, and review! For more information/to contact the show, email podcast@faccalgary.com Thank you for listening!

What is Gen Z all about? What is their relationship with the Church? Who is God to them? Are they even interested in a relationship with Jesus?

Listen in as our resident Gen Z-er, Angel Castillo, unpacks what it was like to grow up as a digital native, how the presence of technology and social media impacted her childhood, and what she (and other Gen Z's) are looking for in a church community (and if that's even something they want!). This is a conversation that is full of amazing insights and will leave you feeling hopeful for the next generation.

Special thanks to our special guest, Angel, for offering her insights on this topic. Thank you to our podcast editor, Ryan, as he poured so much time into smoothing out this episode! We couldn't do this without you!

If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to subscribe, rate, and review! For more information/to contact the show, email podcast@faccalgary.com Thank you for listening!

What happens when your doctor sits you down and says the word, "cancer" in reference to you? Maybe there's moments of fear, sadness, anger, hopelessness. For Fern, it was a moment of relief. After months of knowing something was wrong, she felt instant relief when she heard her diagnosis of Stage 3 Oral Cancer. After an 8 hour surgery, 11 days alone in the hospital, and many days of radiation, Fern has discovered what it means to have enduring hope amidst all circumstances.

Fern is a retired counsellor and pastor, with a wealth of knowledge and experience to share ways to cope when life gets really difficult, and how to have hope through it all.

Check out her book, "Embrace Life, Embrace Hope," by Fern Buszowski here: https://www.amazon.ca/Embrace-Life-Hope-Cultivating-Resilience/dp/1486623697

Find Fern on Instagram: @hope.blooming

Find Fern on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtHopeBlooming

Special thanks to our amazing editor, Ryan, for putting this episode together! We could not do this without you!!

Thank you, Fern, for coming on to share your story and inspire us to discover enduring hope in all circumstances! Your story is powerful!

If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to subscribe, rate, and review! For more information/to contact the show, email podcast@faccalgary.com Thank you for listening!

What do you do when the future you'd always planned on is quickly ripped out from underneath you, and the calling you were sure you had is suddenly the source of immense pain and trauma?

For years, Zach had felt sure of the calling God had placed upon his life - to serve as a youth pastor in a church. Not long after graduating from University, he was offered what he thought was his dream job, and he and his wife moved across the country to pursue this ministry opportunity. The dream quickly became a nightmare, and Zach found himself questioning the faith he'd always known, the calling he had been so sure of, and his overall sense of identity.

Listen in as Zach, now a Psycho-Spiritual Practitioner, shares his story of church hurt, and how he has discovered healing through it all.

If you'd like to reach out to Zach to learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, email him here: zhair1993@gmail.com

Special thanks to our editor, Ryan who makes these episodes sound so good!!!

For more information/to contact the show, email podcast@faccalgary.com

Jim had it all; a well-paying job, a stable relationship, and a place to call home ... until one night at a party, where he experimented with drugs and suddenly found himself hooked. Within a matter of months, he lost his job, house, and relationship. He wound up living in his truck, addicted to drugs, and hopeless.

In this episode, Jim shares what it was like to hit rock bottom repeatedly, and how God rescued him from the cycle of addiction and homelessness.

If you've ever felt hopeless or wondered where God is in the midst of the hard things of life, this episode is for you!

Special thanks to our producer, Ryan, for all of his hard work putting this episode together and making it sound so smooth!

Don't forget to subscribe and review our podcast! Thanks for listening!