Ep. 22 / Your Calling: How to Hear God's Voice in Your Life Journey ► Jim Cantelon

03/24/25 • 28 min

What lights your fire? This might be the most important question in discovering your divine purpose, according to Jim Cantelon, whose remarkable faith journey has taken him from youth pastor to church planter in Jerusalem to founder of an international NGO serving orphans and widows.
In this profound conversation with Brian Stiller, Cantelon reveals a refreshingly practical approach to discerning God's will. Rather than waiting for perfect clarity or divine roadmaps, he advocates recognizing what you're naturally good at and taking faithful action. "The will of God will and should flow seamlessly through your life and never be something that challenges you to be what you're not," Cantelon explains, dismantling the perfectionism that often paralyzes believers.
Through vivid storytelling, Cantelon shares how his ministries emerged not from strategic planning but from faithful response to divine prompting—what he describes as visceral, sometimes irrational nudges from God. His nautical metaphor perfectly captures this philosophy: many Christians keep their "ships" docked, loading them with contingencies while waiting for perfect direction, but "God can make a midcourse correction for a moving vessel but can do nothing with a ship that remains docked."
Particularly moving is Cantelon's account of founding WOW (Working for Orphans and Widows), sparked by encountering devastating poverty while pastoring a wealthy church. This organization has since helped hundreds of thousands affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India, transforming entire communities. Now at 77, while peers have long retired, Cantelon continues active ministry with "the biggest horizon I've ever had in my life."
Whether you're questioning your purpose, considering ministry, or seeking fresh direction in retirement years, this episode offers wisdom that liberates from analysis-paralysis and inspires faithful action today. Subscribe to Evangelical 360 for more conversations that explore contemporary issues impacting Christian life worldwide.

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Ep. 21 / From Mali to Missions: A Journey of Faith ► Nouhoum Coulibaly

Join us for a captivating episode with Nouhoum Coulibaly as he shares his journey of faith, resilience, and God’s provision. Growing up in Mali, he faced both hardship and deep spiritual growth within a Christian family. Despite financial struggles, his strong faith laid the foundation for a life of service. Through trials and unexpected challenges, Nouhoum’s story reveals the transformative power of perseverance, community, and unwavering trust in God’s calling.

As he discusses the shift in contemporary missions, Nouhoum reveals how the roles have evolved. It's no longer a one-way street; it now involves a rich exchange of cultures and ideas. His insights are both poignant and motivating, especially as he illuminates the misconceptions surrounding poverty and wealth within a faith context. Not only does he offer a window into the burdens of being a missionary, but he also underscores the power of collaboration and mutual respect in current mission frameworks.
The discussion delves into how Nouhoum now serves as a bridge between two worlds, emphasizing the importance of education in combating both intellectual and spiritual poverty. Through his work in establishing a Christian school in Mali that welcomes students from all backgrounds, he demonstrates a commitment to holistic ministry that merges faith with practical needs.
This episode not only inspires but challenges us to rethink our approach to missions in a multicultural society. Nouhoum invites pastors and church communities to actively engage in missions that honor partnerships over paternalism, fostering relationships that empower rather than impose. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable perspectives on faith and service across borders.
Be sure to subscribe, share, and explore together how we can all contribute to a mission that serves everyone, everywhere.

Zion Alliance Church - https://zioncma.ca/

Grace Between Nations - https://www.gracebetweennations.org/

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Ep. 23 / The Unexpected Resurgence of Belief in God ► Justin Brierley

What if everything you thought you knew about religion's decline in the West was wrong? Justin Brierley, award-winning broadcaster and author of "The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God," reveals the remarkable cultural shift happening beneath our noses.
After fifteen years hosting conversations between atheists and Christians, Brierley noticed something unexpected. The New Atheism movement that dominated cultural discourse in the 2000s has rapidly faded, with many of its former champions now focusing on culture war issues rather than critiquing religion. Meanwhile, secular intellectuals like Jordan Peterson and historian Tom Holland have begun publicly appreciating Christianity's cultural contributions, even as they personally struggle with belief.
Most surprisingly, younger generations—particularly Gen Z—are showing unprecedented openness to faith. Recent UK surveys reveal Gen Z are half as likely to be atheist as their parents and grandparents. Unlike previous generations who rebelled against a Christian upbringing, today's young people have no religious background to reject. For them, exploring Christianity represents something novel, even countercultural.
This spiritual renaissance emerges against a backdrop of what psychologists call a "meaning crisis." Despite material prosperity and technological advancement, rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide continue to climb. Many who've tried individualistic "spiritual but not religious" approaches find themselves still searching for something more substantive.
What makes this movement distinctive is that many seekers aren't looking for watered-down spirituality. Instead, they're drawn to traditional expressions of faith that offer rigorous community, challenging moral frameworks, and transcendent mystery. As Brierley observes, "they want something weird" that stands apart from secular culture.
For churches navigating this cultural moment, the opportunity is substantial but requires discernment. The communities seeing growth aren't necessarily those chasing relevance, but those confidently offering Christianity's distinctive alternative to a fragmented, increasingly dehumanized world. Share your thoughts using #Evangelical360 and subscribe for more conversations with Christian changemakers worldwide.

evangelical 360° - Ep. 22 / Your Calling: How to Hear God's Voice in Your Life Journey ► Jim Cantelon

Transcript

Brian Stiller00:00:10.090

Hello and welcome to Evangelical 360 . My name is Brian Stiller , global Ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance and host of this new podcast series . On Evangelical 360 , I interview leaders , writers and influencers about contemporary issues which are impacting Christian life around the world . My hope is that it will not only be a global meeting place where faith is explore