Connections

Many people can recall the exact moment their lives changed forever. The horrific accident. The miscarriage. The day someone walked out. Jenny and Evan Owens, the founders of REBOOT recovery, say what happened was wrong, and it hurt, but it does not have to define their lives forever.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Jay Lowder understands what it can feel like to be in a pit of darkness. He also knows what it's like to be redeemed and to find God.

It's been just over a week since the start of school, and for many, this time can be challenging.

Lucille Williams, a national speaker who has ministered to couples and families for more than 25 years and author of The Impossible Kid: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child with Love and Grace, says fear can be the biggest obstacle for both children and parents when entering a new season such as school.

Talasi Guerra is a Christian author and communicator who is passionate about infusing Jesus into her everyday life and empowering others to do the same.

Having travelled across the globe to spread a message of hope, nothing excites Talasi more than watching a “light-bulb moment” happen. But it wasn't always that way.

For years, Talasi battled with anorexia and depression. She ran as far away from God as she possibly could.

Why are hit worship songs so different from the Psalms? Should we be incorporating more hymns into our churches?

Mary Katherine Backstrom is best known for her viral videos, candid writing and laughter. What most people often forget is that underneath all of that, MK struggles with multiple diagnoses of mental health, including anxiety and depression. 

"I am somewhat known for my hysterical laughter and silly, lighthearted antics, and so I have often gotten the question and the comments on my Facebook page and social media asking, how are you so happy all the time? And this book that I've written, Crazy Joy, is an answer to that question because it was bothering me."

As a police officer for 25 years, Norm Wielsch witnessed his share of trauma and would later fall into a downward spiral following his diagnosis of PTSD. He served 8 years of a 14-year sentence on corruption charges and emerged from federal prison determined to help others — particularly first responders — heal from trauma.

When award-winning hip-hop artist Brinson Wright was just four years old, he was given a cassette tape containing the song 'Bible Break' by Stephen Wiley (regarded as the godfather of Christian rap). That planted a seed in his heart. 

Brinson grew up knowing that the spoken rhymes of rap and the spoken words of the gospel were not mutually exclusive and that music and ministry could be intertwined and used to edify and reach the often unreachable youth audience. 

Shelley Thody's childhood started great. She went to church regularly and knew that she loved Jesus. 

As she grew older, she stopped reading the Bible and moved further away from Jesus. 

By the time she was in grade 12, she had moved, met new people and made some unhealthy choices. 

"When we moved from St. Albert to Calgary, we kind of stopped making it a regular thing to go to church, and it was becoming a bit distant," said Shelley. "It's interesting because my life started to change a little. I started to feel down. It was not like my personality at all." 

Sean BE is a former children's pastor turned Christian singer/songwriter. 

The journey has been filled with plenty of success but also pride.

"I grew up, my family, all in church and my grandpa was a pastor. And so I always had that faith and those guidelines to walk by," said Sean. "What I was missing, especially in my teenage years, was that mentor to come alongside me. There is a difference between your family and a mentor. And there are just some things you would feel more comfortable talking to a mentor about than opening up to your family."