More To Life

As Emmanuel Church celebrates 50 years of faith and community, this month’s episode shares the story of a couple who have called Emmanuel home for decades! Randy and Colleen Mueller found each other later in life after previous marriages, and they built their new beginning on a shared foundation of faith and the support of their church family — their true second home. Together, they have walked the challenges of Randy's lifelong Crohn’s disease with perseverance, patience, and a growing trust in God’s peace, strengthened by the care of their faith community. In this conversation, they also share heartfelt encouragement for anyone struggling with unexpected health issues or hardships. And they have some wisdom for the next generation on building a resilient faith and a strong church foundation that will carry them through every season of life.

Born with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), Brandon faced early physical and social challenges, including developmental delays and bullying after entering a large public school. Though academically bright, these experiences shaped his resilience and led to a turning point when he repeated a grade and began to thrive.Guided by strong morals at home and the mentorship of a hockey coach, Brandon avoided destructive paths but continued searching for deeper purpose. After moving to West Kelowna, that search led him to a local church—one email and a few coffee conversations later, his life changed. Today, he is deeply rooted in his faith, has hungered after knowing God and read the Bible four times in three years! Listen in as Brandon gives a clear, upfront description into what his path was like as he learned what the Christian life was like and how he became a new follower of Jesus.

At fifteen years old, while attending a South African boarding school for farming and agriculture, Kevin encountered Jesus in a life-changing way as the Holy Spirit met him through dreams, prayer, and a powerful anointing that sparked revival among his classmates and even his teachers. Years later, guided (in a sometimes humorous way!) by God’s provision, he immigrated to Canada, only to face the heartbreak of an unexpected divorce and the hard task of relearning his own identity. Yet through every trial, God continued to be with him and restore him. Today, he walks in renewed hope and faith, with his eyes ever fixed on the big picture of eternity.Join me as I interview Kevin Burhmann, a staple here in Emmanuel Church's worship and men's ministry.

In this month’s episode, we sit down with a remarkable woman, Trisha Martin, who faced difficult health crises—not once, but twice. First during pregnancy she battled debilitating anxiety, and then again - a disease all too similar to what affected her father, all while balancing the chaos and beauty of motherhood, marriage, and career. With the shadow of her father’s incurable degenerative disease looming over her own symptoms, fear could have consumed her. But instead of asking “Why me, God?”, she discovered something much more powerful: a God who walked every step with her even when she couldn’t take steps herself.From initial diagnoses to what were potentially life-saving interventions, her story is one of grace, resilience, and unwavering faith. This isn’t just a story of strength in tough times; it’s a story of seeing God in the hardest places, and finding gratitude in the midst of uncertainty.

Have you ever wondered if you're truly being called by God? In this heartfelt and wisdom-packed episode, we sit down with Pastor Daryl Bugby. His journey of faith has taken him fromnurturing family traditions and the sudden loss of his Dad as a child, to pastoring in the quietwilderness of Northern Ontario, the heart of inner cities, federal prisons, and senior care homes.From his first job in a tiny church, that sometimes couldn’t pay him, to a lifetime of ministry,Pastor Daryl shares how his relationship with God deepened over decades of service,challenge, and calling. With warmth, insight, and just the right touch of humor, he unpacks howyou can begin to discern God’s call on your own life. You’ll remember his simple, yet profoundpersonal philosophy he calls “Know, Do, Feel.” Pumpkin Chocolate chip muffins may beinvolved.So grab your own muffin or a cuppa, settle in, and listen as Pastor Daryl offers stories,encouragement, and practical wisdom for anyone wondering what it really means to be calledby God.

Growing up in a small village in Ghana and then raised in the city, Margaret Mary was surrounded by faith, family, and simplicity. Her journey took her through university and into a life she built with her soulmate, a love that anchored her. But during the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns, her world unraveled. Within eight months of each other, she lost her beloved father and then her husband to a swift, unforgiving brain cancer. Medical setbacks, isolation, and the heartbreak of her sons being unable to return home tested her deeply. Yet, through this grief and loneliness, Margaret Mary chose stillness, chose to stay with God and believe in his plans for her. This is her story of how she held on when everything else was falling apart.

Tayler LefevreAt just six years old, Tayler was driven to her grandparents’ house by her mother—no explanation, no warning—just the words, “This is your home now.” What followed was a whirlwind of confusion, heartache, and years of wondering why. Previously raised in an environment consumed by drugs and late-night parties, her childhood was marked by instability, but it was her 'normal'. When someone called the Ministry for Child and Family Services, her life changed forever.In this raw and heartfelt testimony, one young woman opens up about being left in the care of her grandparents, only seeing her mother under supervision once a week, and slowly coming to terms with a reality she never asked for. But through the loneliness, the waiting, and family loss, came something unexpected: the steady love and safety of her grandparents, the realization that she was never really alone—and eventually, the peace she found in her faith in God.This is a story of resilience, healing, and the long road from abandonment to belonging.

In this episode, we sit down with Nathan, a man whose journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Once an army reservist, he transitioned to life on the road as a long haul truck driver and then into the grueling world of the oil industry in Fort MacMurray. But for many years, beneath the tough exterior, he was battling demons - clinical depression, divorce, alcoholism, PTSD, and family loss. In his words, he 'hit rock bottom many times'.Then, one night, everything changed. The Holy Spirit came to him, and from that moment on, his life took a new direction. Three years ago, he was baptized, and today, he stands as a testament to healing, faith, and redemption. He’s never been more at peace, more joyful, or more ready to serve Jesus. Join us as he shares his powerful story of struggle, surrender, and salvation.

Yevah fled Kharkiv, Ukraine one day as she awoke to the bombing of her beautiful city. The Russian invasion of her family’s home near the Eastern border of Ukraine had begun. She overcame numerous challenges as a modern refugee: leaving her home, finding love, dealing with loss, moving across Europe and then on to Canada. Pouring her heart into missions now is how all the changes in her life find a home – placing her trust and focus on her Lord.

Gavin Hewitt has watched his life change rapidly since becoming a follower of Jesus in his teens. Now in Bible College, Gavin relates how he has had a whirlwind transforming year with God since he went ‘all in’ and pursued a relationship with and a future serving Jesus.

Carson Dutt, your motorcycle riding, truck driving, metal music listening Gen X’er avoidedreligion for most of his life. As he said, he thought Christianity was ‘whoo whoo’ spirituality –especially watching some televangelists in the 80s. With many opinions formed about hisrelationship with church and God, he was rather struck one Sunday when he realized how hehad it all wrong. This is his story.

You won't forget this testimony today. Nicole brings us into her life story, sharing bravely about a difficult childhood and immense challenges as she grew into a young adult. The best part is where God has brought her today. This is an amazing redemption story of rescue, love and healing.

Have you ever wondered what it's like being the pastor of a church? This is episode 1 and our first interview gets behind the scenes with Emmanuel Church's lead pastor - Jeff Bjorgan. Join us 'behind the podium' as Pastor Jeff opens up about his biggest challenges, the blessings of being a pastor, and also - what keeps him up at night these days!