When Jaimie was a teenager, she was sexually assaulted, and then was told by her Pastor at the time that it was her fault. Confused, hurt, and angry, Jaimie left the church and didn't return for 24 years.

In her search for something more, she began exploring things like New Age Spirituality and Wicca. Over the years, God had become a distant thought in her mind, and church became something that was just a painful part of her past ... that was, until her son decided he wanted to become a Christian.

Listen along as Jaimie shares her experience of healing from church hurt and sexual assault, and discovering a Father God who loves her without end. This episode is an amazing story of healing that only God could do!

Thank you, Jaimie, for sharing your powerful story. Thank you, Ryan, for editing this episode and taking out every word-fumble and making it so easy to hear what God has done in Jaimie's life!

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcast@faccalgary.com

Thanks for listening!

As a trained EMS responder, Zach has seen his share of difficult things ... after a particularly tough day, he found himself talking to his Christian co-worker about faith. Though an atheist, Zach had come to the end of his rope, and wanted to discover how he could cope better with the tragedies he was witnessing every day. His co-worker suggested he check out Alpha, and the rest ... well ... you'll have to hear it in the episode! Zach's story is full of amazing surprises, and you won't believe the ways God has shown up in miraculous ways in his life over the last year!

This is a story that will leave you in total amazement at what God can do when a person opens the door (even if it's just a crack!) to knowing Him. Get ready to be encouraged, inspired, and excited about the ways God draws people to Himself!

Want to learn more about the difference God could make in your life? Send us an email at podcast@faccalgary.com.

For more info about Alpha: https://www.faccalgary.com/our-classes/alpha

Thank you to our amazing editor, Ryan, who takes out all of the awkward "uhmms" "uhhs" and random vacuuming and sounds in the background so that Zach's story made coherent sense. We couldn't do this without you!

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!