More To Life

About More To Life

There's More to Life! Listen in to a new podcast featuring monthly guests that give us a slice of their life story in each interview. God impacts lives in many unique and personal ways. In the "More to LIfe" podcast we get to hear how everyday people invite God into their life full time and how it has since affected them! These interviews take place in Emmanuel Church in West Kelowna, British Columbia. Your host is Rebecca Robinson.

Publisher

Rebecca Robinson

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 Oct 2024

Latest episode

3 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   3 Sept 2026

   Back to School: From Panic to Purpose

   As we head back to school, we’re sitting down with Ceili Joyce who is preparing for an exciting new chapter at Summit College this fall. But getting to this point hasn’t been easy. Throughout her middle and high school years, Ceili struggled with severe anxiety and panic attacks. Things many of us take for granted—like going to a movie theatre, being in a crowded church, or surrounded by large groups of people—could feel overwhelming. Even when her parents stopped attending church, Ceili’s own faith remained. She continued attending Bible study and eventually found her way into the youth ministry at Emmanuel Church. What began as simply showing up grew into serving as the church’s office administrator, joining leadership teams, and eventually becoming a youth ministry intern. But there were moments when she was ready to walk away and decide that ministry simply wasn’t for her. After years of waiting she finally received an answer that changed her direction. Today, the same young woman who once feared crowded spaces and struggled to enter a movie theatre has been able to preach in front of auditoriums full of students. In this back-to-school episode, Ceili shares her journey of anxiety, faith, calling, and growth—and gives us an inside look at the many things happening behind the scenes in Emmanuel’s youth ministry. Tune in to hear how far God has brought her—and where He is leading her next.

2. 

   25 May 2026

   A Short Term Trip to a Lifetime Calling

   What began as a short-term missions trip to Mexico turned into 23 years of faithful ministry for Dennis and Diane Unrau. Continuing to serve through Restoring the Foundations, they eventually returned to Canada and their journey is a powerful testimony of God’s provision, guidance, and faithfulness through every season. If you’ve ever wondered whether missions might be for you, questioned how God makes a way when He calls someone to serve, or wrestled with what needs to be considered before stepping out in faith, this conversation will encourage and inspire you. Through real challenges, difficult decisions, and life-altering moments, Dennis and Diane experienced God’s presence again and again. They began serving at Emmanuel Church in the 70s (!) and are still involved members to this day. Join this long-serving couple as they share the incredible story of how one simple “yes” changed the course of their lives.

3. 

   7 May 2026

   Beyond Bipolar & Finding Peace With Jesus

   For our April episode we meet Shelley Thody. She has walked through more darkness than most people ever face. She retells her story here with honesty and hard-earned peace. After experiencing sexual molestation as a youth, she became very depressed. Many aspects of her teen years affected her well-being and her moods became more extreme. She also experienced intense highs. Eventually she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition that would shape much of her life. By her early twenties, overwhelmed and in a deep low, she attempted to end her life but was miraculously resuscitated. While dealing with and learning about her mental illness, she went back to school and became a teacher. With her young family she decided to find a church and together they decided to give it a try. This is a story of rebuilding, finding a renewed purpose, and focusing on the steady ground of faith to build a peaceful life upon. Listen in to her undeniable miracles and the ever-present hope of having God in her life. Shelley has published her story and insights into bipolar disorder in two books too! Find “Melancholy, Mania and Miracles” and “Miracles Unfolding” on Amazon.

4. 

   13 Apr 2026

   Ben McGilivray: A First Responder for Jesus

   In this episode, I sit down with Ben, the Okanagan Director for Youth for Christ—a man whose life is guided not by a schedule, but by a willingness to respond to the Holy Spirit at any hour, at any moment. From showing up in the middle of the night during suicide crises or overdoses to walking with teens for years as a steady presence, Ben lives on the front lines of heartbreak and hope. He speaks honestly about burnout, discouragement, and the weight of life-and-death moments. As he puts it, “after years of being a presence in these teens' lives, what an honour when that teen says, ‘I believe you're actually here for me, you're on this journey with me,’ and then they ask me what to do at their personal crossroads.” This is a raw conversation about what it means to be a “first responder for Jesus”—and why, despite it all, he wouldn’t choose anything else.

5. 

   3 Mar 2026

   A Second Home: Randy and Colleen Mueller

   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.

6. 

   21 Jan 2026

   Finding Purpose: Brandon Goudreau's Story

   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.

7. 

   18 Dec 2025

   From Violence to Victory: Dustin Little’s Story

   In this raw and deeply moving episode, we sit down with Dustin Little, born and raised on the Red Pheasant Reserve in Saskatchewan. At just five years old, Dustin witnessed a shocking, life-altering event that left him homeless and without a family to raise him. Moved through the foster system, he endured multiple forms of abuse—experiences that made him feel forgotten, discarded, and alone. As he got older, that pain turned into rage. Dustin became a martial arts fighter, living hard in a world fueled by alcohol, drugs, and a destructive party lifestyle. By all accounts, his life should have come to a violent end. But it didn't. Dustin shares how God intervened—literally and physically—pulling him back from the brink. In the darkest moments of addiction and violence, he encountered a light he could not deny. Today, Dustin is a Muay Thai Champion and coach, using the same discipline and talent that once fed his destruction to build others up and live with purpose. This is a story of survival, faith, and redemption—of how Jesus became his light in the darkness, his saviour, and his future. You won’t want to miss this conversation.

8. 

   27 Nov 2025

   Kevin Burhmann: A Life Painted by God

   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.

9. 

   15 Oct 2025

   Trisha Martin: What Happens When Your Body Fails as Life Demands the Most From You?

   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.

10. 

    10 Sept 2025

    Called by God? A Lifetime of Faith with Pastor Daryl Busby

    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 from nurturing family traditions and the sudden loss of his Dad as a child, to pastoring in the quiet wilderness 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 how you can begin to discern God’s call on your own life. You’ll remember his simple, yet profound personal philosophy he calls “Know, Do, Feel.” Pumpkin Chocolate chip muffins may be involved. 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 called by God.

11. 

    5 Jun 2025

    In the Chaos, Be Still: Margaret Mary's Story of Trusting God Through Loss.

    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.

12. 

    22 Apr 2025

    She Told Me This Was Home: A Journey from Abandonment to Grace

    Tayler Lefevre At 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.

13. 

    18 Mar 2025

    Rock Bottom to Recovery to Renewal

    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.

14. 

    18 Feb 2025

    From War to Service: A Ukrainian Refugee's Journey to Missions in Canada

    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.

15. 

    16 Jan 2025

    Gavin's Freshman Faith: Experiencing God in College

    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.

16. 

    18 Dec 2024

    Carson's U-turn Back to God

    Carson Dutt, your motorcycle riding, truck driving, metal music listening Gen X’er avoided religion 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 his relationship with church and God, he was rather struck one Sunday when he realized how he had it all wrong. This is his story.

17. 

    15 Nov 2024

    Nicole's Redemption 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.

18. 

    2 Oct 2024

    A Pastor's life

    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!

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 5 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

10

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.