What began as a short-term missions trip to Mexico turned into 23 years of faithful ministry for Dennis and Diane Unrau. Continuing to serve through Restoring the Foundations, they eventually returned to Canada and their journey is a powerful testimony of God’s provision, guidance, and faithfulness through every season. If you’ve ever wondered whether missions might be for you, questioned how God makes a way when He calls someone to serve, or wrestled with what needs to be considered before stepping out in faith, this conversation will encourage and inspire you. Through real challenges, difficult decisions, and life-altering moments, Dennis and Diane experienced God’s presence again and again. They began serving at Emmanuel Church in the 70s (!) and are still involved members to this day. Join this long-serving couple as they share the incredible story of how one simple “yes” changed the course of their lives.

For our April episode we meet Shelley Thody. She has walked through more darkness than

most people ever face. She retells her story here with honesty and hard-earned peace. After

experiencing sexual molestation as a youth, she became very depressed. Many aspects of her

teen years affected her well-being and her moods became more extreme. She also experienced

intense highs. Eventually she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition that would shape

much of her life. By her early twenties, overwhelmed and in a deep low, she attempted to end

her life but was miraculously resuscitated. While dealing with and learning about her mental

illness, she went back to school and became a teacher. With her young family she decided to

find a church and together they decided to give it a try. This is a story of rebuilding, finding a

renewed purpose, and focusing on the steady ground of faith to build a peaceful life upon.

Listen in to her undeniable miracles and the ever-present hope of having God in her life.

Shelley has published her story and insights into bipolar disorder in two books too! Find

“Melancholy, Mania and Miracles” and “Miracles Unfolding” on Amazon.

In this episode, I sit down with Ben, the Okanagan Director for Youth for Christ—a man whose life is guided not by a schedule, but by a willingness to respond to the Holy Spirit at any hour, at any moment.

From showing up in the middle of the night during suicide crises or overdoses to walking with teens for years as a steady presence, Ben lives on the front lines of heartbreak and hope. He speaks honestly about burnout, discouragement, and the weight of life-and-death moments.

As he puts it, “after years of being a presence in these teens' lives, what an honour when that teen says, ‘I believe you're actually here for me, you're on this journey with me,’ and then they ask me what to do at their personal crossroads.”

This is a raw conversation about what it means to be a “first responder for Jesus”—and why, despite it all, he wouldn’t choose anything else.