How did you hear about Artizo?

A friend invited me to St. John’s a few weeks into living in Vancouver. We went to the evening service together and stayed for the soup dinner afterwards. That evening I got to know Aaron Roberts, and he was the first to put Artizo on my radar. I then kept hearing about it from other Regent students as a wonderful complement to their studies, so I explored further.

What did people say (or what did you read) that convinced you to apply to Artizo?

The emphasis of Scripture-based ministry really attracted me to Artizo, and the opportunity to gain experience in a wide variety of ministry contexts. I knew I needed an internship for my MDiv program, so honestly, it was also really appealing that Artizo pays a bursary. It truly helps a lot as a graduate student!

What excites you most about Artizo training?

I am most excited about the people I get to learn alongside. There is such an amazing cohort of apprentices, trainers, and mentors that really set this program apart. The opportunity for meaningful feedback from both peers and leaders as we grow into ministry is invaluable.

What do you struggle most with as you contemplate a life in ministry?

A life of ministry is endlessly humbling because success in the kingdom of God feels so backwards to success in the world. As much as ministry involves stepping up into leadership and responsibility, it also means letting go of control so that God’s work can flow. That open-handedness is a challenge for me, but I am grateful that God will continually refine my own character through those challenges as I grow in him and into his call for my life.

How would you characterize the need for gospel-based teaching in Canada?

The pressure to conform to the predominant cultural worldview is strong. Most of my ministry experience up to this point has been with university and high school students, and I have learned about the strong messaging that is woven into school and university curricula. Young people (and people of all ages) need to be equipped with a solid gospel-based foundation upon which they can thoughtfully, compassionately, and prophetically engage the cultural narratives fed to them with a biblical worldview.

How did you hear about Artizo?

I began to attend the morning Eucharist service (as much as I could) at St. John’s shortly before I started my studies in Regent. I was very edified and inspired by the word-centred liturgical worship of the Anglican tradition from the services. As I became interested in Anglicanism, Will Gray, who was then an Artizo apprentice, recommended Artizo to me and told me to have a conversation with Ben Roberts about it.

What did people say (or what did you read) that convinced you to apply to Artizo?

All the Artizo apprentices and graduates that I have spoken to have told me how formative Artizo has been in their formation as ministers. Some of the elements that stood out for me were the word-centred approach and a serious focus on mentorship. Above all, what Ben told me about how Artizo trains apprentices not because they need them but because they want them was the most convincing aspect.

What excites you most about Artizo training?

I am excited to learn how to teach the word in a manner that is spiritually edifying to all members of the church. I am also excited to build community with the wonderful cohort of apprentices. And finally, I am excited to receive a good Christian mentorship that is at once critical and loving.

What do you struggle most with as you contemplate a life in ministry?

Currently, I sense that my calling is to be a teacher in the church and a Christian academic. I realize that it is very easy and tempting for academics to be disconnected from the actual lives of the people of God and hide away in the safety of academia. One of the main reasons that I wanted to be trained through Artizo is to ground myself in the life of the church and be able to use my gifts for the service of the church.

How would you characterize the need for gospel-based teaching in Canada?

It is evident that the spiritual dryness of Canada is uniquely severe compared to almost any other place in the world. But dryness always implies thirst, and spiritual thirst hides beneath itself a hidden thirst for the living water of Christ. However, it is crucial that the thirst is quenched through the water that is truly life, which is given only through the gospel of Christ, instead of a false water that will never ultimately satisfy. Hence, it is the mission of the church to proclaim the gospel rightly, so that people can drink and have life abundantly.

How did you hear about Artizo?

I first heard about Artizo through Hosea, who had started going to St. John's communion services and connected with Ben Roberts. I also encountered other friends at Regent in the program who shared their joy of learning, teaching, and preaching the word.

What did people say (or what did you read) that convinced you to apply to Artizo?

Over 20 years of the Artizo history found on its website convinced me the most. I am well aware of the difficulty of teaching, learning, and forming future pastors and church leaders, as I interact with Regent College's faculty members and learn the need to adapt and develop vision and curriculum in the changing contexts of the student body. In this period of ambivalence towards pastoral ministry, the fact that 81% of Artizo apprentices pursue the ministry call is impressive. I wanted to join Artizo in hopes of learning the reasons for success of the program by learning it first-hand.

What excites you most about Artizo training?

I am excited to join with other Regent students, who have different life and ministry experiences than me, to learn from their wisdom and hearts. One thing that is crucial for ministry, in my opinion, is a group of friends who will encourage, pray, and sometimes persuade each other to the path of the righteous. I look forward to growing with them in a learning community.

What do you struggle most with as you contemplate a life in ministry?

The most striking thing that is on my mind these days is the lack of men and women who would like to pursue life in ministry. Many factors are at play, such as finances, conflicts, overwork, and the declining social status of Christian leaders. I am also curious if we can view this apathy through a different lens. Maybe God is calling us to become a prophetic voice in different fields, as all believers are priests and missionaries, salt and light of this world.

Yet, my conviction for the Church to be light is still strong, and I have witnessed well-equipped and spiritually healthy ministers who can nurture and teach congregants to take charge of the call to discipleship. Thus, I wonder what ways God will be restoring our hope and giving clarity to the vision of pastoral ministry to those whom He calls.

How would you characterize the need for gospel-based teaching in Canada?

As I don't have extensive understanding of the climate in Canada across all provinces, I can only attest to the situation in Vancouver. I see hope in the growing number of Christians from the immigrant churches, and I also see challenges in multilingual ministry. At the end, the vision in Revelation where all peoples and languages praise God will remind us that this is what God has desired of us. On the other hand, I also cannot help noticing tensions within the church over theological issues and overall decreasing numbers. It is a reality that we are facing, that Vancouver is a multi-spiritual city, but Christ ultimately is the answer to all. The gospel-based teaching, based on the foundations of the scripture and theology as well as the ability to exegete the world, the culture, or the parish will give us a vision to present the gospel in any setting we will end up ministering to.

How did you hear about Artizo?

I first heard about Artizo in September of 2022 on one of the first occasions that I attended St. John's Vancouver. I met Willie Shain-Ross after church and he told me about Artizo. A few weeks into my time at Regent, I had heard about some of the Regent students who were Artizo interns.

What did people say (or what did you read) that convinced you to apply to Artizo?

I gradually became interested in Artizo the longer that I attended the Sunday services at St. John's. In every sermon that I heard, the gospel was clearly and powerfully communicated, and I felt that I had had the scriptures opened to me. When I learned that Artizo is connected with St. John's, I began to think that I too could be trained to open up the scriptures to people in this way. When I looked online to explore Artizo, I saw how carefully and thoughtfully designed the program was, and I knew that the training was serious. The information night confirmed this, but I was also surprised to hear that the Artizo interns were "wanted, but not needed." One of the Artizo interns said during the info night that Artizo had been even more shaping and formative for him than Regent. Having just completed an incredibly impactful first year at Regent, I knew that was high praise for Artizo, and this was something that would be a great complement to my studies.

What excites you most about Artizo training?

What I am most looking forward to in Artizo training is the group of people that I will be surrounded by. In addition to working closely with my trainer and mentor, I am excited to learn from the various guests in their unique areas of expertise. I am thankful to go through Artizo as part of a cohort, because I know that I will also learn a great deal from others' experiences, insights, and questions.

What do you struggle most with as you contemplate a life in ministry?

I am hesitant about ministry when I see so many people who have left ministry because it has not been sustainable for them. To minister to others is a call to serve others and care for them. I do not want to only do this on my terms, but I also recognize the importance of knowing my limitations and needs. Striking that balance seems like a challenge.

How would you characterize the need for gospel-based teaching in Canada?

There is a desire to have one's individual story be working towards something bigger than oneself, which provides a sense of direction, meaning and purpose in the world. At the same time, people have largely come to believe that there is no greater story or sense of meaning in the world, but also still feel a longing for universals such as justice, goodness, and beauty. This is disorienting, and people are trying to live with a sense of meaning, without ultimately believing that there is any. When it comes to the gospel, Canadians have largely dismissed it since they do not feel that it can offer any help in living good or just lives. People need to hear how the gospel resonates with their deep longings and provides a narrative to make sense of it all, as well as giving them a vision for goodness and justice that is even better than they had imagined for themselves. In the context of reaching Canadians, I think that gospel teaching needs to be unapologetic (unlike the buses in Vancouver!) and needs to cut through the thick layer of pleasantries which often shield people from deeper discussions of meaning and purpose. Above all, this teaching needs to be done in a winsome way which highlights just how good the gospel is.

How did you hear about Artizo?

St. John’s and Artizo are well known by my bishop in South Carolina and Artizo was identified as an excellent complement to Regent College.

What did people say (or what did you read) that convinced you to apply to Artizo?

Although I was already planning to apply to Artizo as part of our move here to Vancouver, I was thrilled to hear such great reviews and excitement from last year’s interns.

What excites you most about Artizo training?

I’m excited to learn preaching from the world-class leadership at St. John’s and Artizo. I have been personally impacted by the word preached at St. John’s every Sunday over the past year and am excited to learn from this talented staff!

What do you struggle most with as you contemplate a life in ministry?

I owned a demanding consulting business for several years and have struggled in the past with a healthy work-life balance. I worry most about maintaining this balance in ministry while being a good husband and father.

How would you characterize the need for gospel-based teaching in Canada?

We’ve experienced from our neighborhood in Kitsilano a hunger for meaning in this autonomous society. People here are scattered and are in need of gospel-based teaching that guides them on the way to transformation and flourishing.

How did you hear about Artizo?

Last year, during my studies at Regent, I became acquainted with Artizo through interactions with a couple of current apprentices at St. John’s Vancouver. While I have pastoral experience in Evangelical churches, it's the Anglican heritage in particular, that has increasingly captivated me. My initial forays into a number of Anglican churches last year exposed me to its rich liturgy, history, and tradition and the way it continues to form followers in the way of Jesus. My sense has been that Artizo is not just a place to delve deeper into this tradition, but also an Institute with a proven track record of offering comprehensive and immersive training. With its deep Anglican roots and its dedication to molding the next generation of clergy, Artizo has appeared fitting as the next right step in my pastoral journey. I am thrilled for the opportunity to be mentored by renowned clergy in a post-Christian setting like Vancouver. It is a great privilege, and I am truly excited to see the impact of this equipping in the coming years.

What do you struggle most with as you contemplate a life in ministry?

In an increasingly disconnected world, it can often feel as though society is hurtling towards some perilous future. What is more, we live in an era marked by skepticism, committed to a kind of relativism, and plagued with questions of identity. Amidst this, gaining clarity and holding onto one's conviction has become a profound challenge. It strikes me that this is not merely my personal struggle but one that resonates with many Christians today, especially those discerning a life in ministry. This "conviction" stands as one of Artizo's cardinal three C’s – Conviction, Character, and Competency. My prayer is that God would deepen my conviction and foster a courageous spirit. I hope to become a person in the church who walks with humility, yet, stands unwavering when met with the trials that are now here.

How would you characterize the need for gospel-based teaching in Canada?

In today's Canada, a prevailing secular worldview tends to eclipse our connection with the transcendent and in turn, creates a fragmented experience of life. This shift has left society hungry for purpose and searching for it in a myriad of places. Gospel-based teaching bridges the widening gap between the everyday and the eternal. At its heart, the gospel invites us into a fuller engagement with reality, guiding us, through prayer and the life of Christ, to rediscover the intertwining of union, or participation in God, and communal well-being. This gospel-centered life counters Canada's modern individualistic trends that lead to dis-integrated lives and transient joys, offering a guiding light toward a more integrated existence within our communities and the good creation God has given us.

How did you hear about Artizo?

I initially heard about Artizo on the web in connection with Dr. Packer. I was exploring possibilities for formation in ANiC and stumbled upon the program by happenstance. I then heard great things about the program from a former apprentice – Josh Drury – who encouraged me to enquire. Then in the summer of 2022, during a chat with James Salladin (a visiting professor at Regent, a former St. John’s minister, and Artizo graduate himself), he highly encouraged me to join Artizo based on my interest in preaching and desire for pastoral formation.

What did people say (or what did you read) that convinced you to apply to Artizo?

Hearing from current apprentices about their experience in Artizo was a major factor in my decision to apply. I was influenced by apprentices sharing about formative and helpful experiences they received in their ministry placements working with St. John’s staff and clergy, the challenging and instructive practice of preparing and delivering sermons in the Artizo sessions with Ben Roberts, David Short, and Susan Norman, and about the rich experience of teaching and preaching on the ground in the context of a real congregation. All of this seemed like exactly what I was looking for to supplement my Regent education. Furthermore, I had a desire to be seriously trained for the preaching ministry. Jim Salladin told me, “There’s no better place in the world to learn to preach.” So I took his word for it and applied. My expectations have been met and exceeded!

What excites you most about Artizo training?

The weekly meetings where we share our work in scripture and give/receive feedback is one of the highlights of the Artizo experience. I’m also excited and blessed to have lots of opportunities to preach and minister in ANiC churches throughout the lower mainland of BC.

What do you struggle most with as you contemplate a life in ministry?

As my family and I contemplate our future in ministry, there are lots of exciting and perplexing questions around where and how we might settle into a ministry position. We are excited about the possibility of serving the church in Canada, but being from the US there are lots of complications to consider. Certainly the question of financial/housing sustainability is always on our minds. We are also often considering where might be a good fit for our family as a whole, particularly our oldest son who just began secondary school. We continually commit these things to prayer and we’re learning more and more to take a posture of receptivity and dependence upon the Lord’s provision.

How would you characterize the need for gospel-based teaching in Canada?

Canadian culture, as I’ve experienced it in the past few years, is deeply post-Christian and lacks a sense of grounding upon any transcendent values at all. The church has a unique opportunity in the Canadian context to proclaim God’s word and communally embody the gospel of Jesus Christ as an antidote to the toxic lack of meaning which exists in Canadian culture. Jesus is the answer to our hearts’ deepest longing, he represents and offers us real abundant life, he draws us together in true community, and he is the answer to the question of meaning which Canadians of this generation are asking. This is a message that desperately needs to be proclaimed in Canada.

How did you hear about Artizo?

The first church we (Christie and our boys) attended upon relocating to Vancouver was St. John’s. In our conversations, upon learning we were here and studying at Regent, someone introduced me to Artizo. I was evangelized, you might say.

What did people say (or what did you read) that convinced you to apply to Artizo?

First, my father is a pastor and said that the best part of his training for ministry was his time placed in a church. Secondly, I was impressed with the people I was meeting and drawn to their company. Finally, I was struck by the thoughtfulness and comprehensiveness of the training.

What excites you most about Artizo training?

The weekly meetings and preparing for sermons are highlights of my time here so far. I experience joy in diving into God’s Word with others and then submitting to God’s Word in preparing to give a sermon.

What do you struggle most with as you contemplate a life in ministry?

Of course, there are the cares of this world – “Where will we live? In what ways will God provide for us?” Then there is the humbling thought of leading a congregation in a biblically faithful way, knowing the standards that teachers of God’s word are held to.

How would you characterize the need for gospel-based teaching in Canada?

As St. John’s wrapped up a series on Amos this summer, I was struck with his words about a different kind of famine that would be experienced – “a famine of hearing the words of the LORD” (Amos 8:11). Only the word of God can offer the rich feast so desperately needed in Canada today. And only gospel-based teaching that tells us the truth about our situation apart from God and his work to make all things new can truly feed us.