Field Notes

Raised in Saudi Arabia in a deeply religious Muslim family, Ahmed Joktan memorized the Qur’an by age thirteen before a life-changing dream led him to Christianity. This episode traces Dr. Joktan’s journey through rejection, persecution, and survival—revealing a story of conviction, resilience, faith, and hope that endured against extraordinary odds.

On the streets of the Downtown Eastside — among addiction, loneliness, homelessness, and cultural fragmentation — youth teams from around the world are discovering that ministry is less about having answers and more about learning how to see people.

What started as a humanitarian mission has grown into an unusual alliance between church, state and hundreds of Filipino volunteers determined to reach isolated villages with practical care and hope. Sometimes, they witness things they still struggle to explain.

“By changing the mindset of farmers, we see yields increase by 300-400%.”
For Tearfund Canada, transformation in Africa does not begin with foreign aid convoys. It begins with local churches and farmers using simple agricultural techniques capable of tripling harvests without fertilizer or expensive technology.

“You are the new hotel nightstand”, says Tony Froese. For more than a century, the Gideons placed Bibles quietly into hotel rooms around the world. Today, as ShareWord Global, the mission remains the same — but their methods are changing as public institutions become less accessible to the Word.

What does a man on fire looks like…? Meet David Block, a freed and humble man, transparent to a fault who calls us to leave everything behind. “Come, all you who are weary and heavy ladden…” these are the words of Jesus.

“They would hold secret English camps in the forests while communism still ruled Eastern Europe.”

What began as conversational English lessons became something far more dangerous — and transformative.

Life in uniform forced Roei Stanley to confront deeper questions: What is life for? What is worth giving yourself to? What if the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses could actually reveal Himself personally?

“I have no idea what he prayed… but he was crying,” admits Chaplain Carl Dorozio.

Years later, that same sailor would send back video of his baptism, his family gathered around a Bible player, and news that his son was now learning about Christ.

“When artists find a home, they stop running.” In the crowded casinos and neon-lit streets of Macau, a quiet movement is gathering around dinner tables, guitars, and wounded hearts led by Chien-Chien H*.

“Forty-two percent of Canadians are functionally illiterate,” according to Kerry Joe of Literacy and Evangelism Canada.
Not overseas. Not hidden in some distant developing nation. Canada.

Something radically different is emerging. Across Canada, the U.S., and beyond, independent missionaries, church planters, and unconventional pioneers are stepping forward — not waiting for permission, but responding to what they believe is the direct call of God.