Energizers Bringing Spirit To Culture - QUEST Conversation
Today’s QUEST Conversation features the letter ‘E’ which stands for Energizers. What does it look like to be people that bring God’s energy to bear on the culture and sub-cultures they belong to? Energizers bring Spirit to culture.
So let’s meet our guests. And we’ve included friends from south of the border in our Canadian conversation.
Glenn Kaiser
Glenn Kaiser
Glenn Kaiser is based out of Chicago where he and group of friends founded Jesus People USA. Their ministry has all the characteristics of QUEST combined including street ministry workers and transformers. Here’s what it says on their website:
In 1972, a bus full of young Christian hippies decided to set down roots in Chicago with the goal of boldly sharing the gospel message.
As many young people did in this era, the Jesus People lived together communally - first in the basement of a local church before we were able to acquire our own property.
Over the years, the ministry took many shapes. Most notably through:
Impactful music - Resurrection Band were pioneers of Christian hard rock. They were one of our bands who reached thousands of hungry ears around the world.
Cornerstone Magazine - a publication that bravely dove into faith and culture (1971-2003)
Cornerstone Festival - Our Christian music festival drew up to 20,000 attendees each summer for 28 years (1984-2012).
Cornerstone Community Outreach - What started as a makeshift shelter in our dining room has become one of the largest shelters for people experiencing homelessness in the city of Chicago (1989-present).
As the season of the magazine and festival ended, we shifted focus to our local efforts - Cornerstone Community Outreach, the Wilson Abbey (a center for faith, art, and events), as well as the intentionality of caring for each other within the community.[1]
Glenn Kaiser along with other elders in the community are ordained with the Evangelical Covenant Church and function as a member congregation. Glenn is a blues artist in his own right and quite active in prison ministry.
https://www.grrrrecords.com/glenn-kaiser
https://jesuspeoplechicago.org/
Danny Brooks
Danny Brooks and Lil’ Miss Debbie
And speaking of the blues, Danny Brooks and his wife Debi are Canadians that moved to Llano, Texas several years ago to expand their reach and opportunities as touring musicians. Their music takes them into clubs, barbeques, prisons and churches across North America. So, while they live in Texas now, they tour regularly through Canada with roots in Toronto.
https://www.youtube.com/user/Decatur7
Connie Jakab
Connie Jakab
Connie Jakab is a motivational speaker, author, life coach, podcaster, mom and hip-hop enthusiast in Calgary, Alberta. She has played a leading role in Bell Media’s ‘Let’s Talk’ campaign on mental health.
https://www.facebook.com/conniejakab/
https://courageous-parenting.teachable.com/p/from-surviving-to-thriving-at-home
https://theentrepreneurblueprint.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/ConnieJakab
Ryan Stockert
Ryan Stockert
Ryan’s burden for the entertainment industry began when Jesus transformed his life while working as head producer for two of Canada’s largest radio stations. He became a spiritual caregiver to the people who had the ears of hundreds of thousands of Calgarians each day.
The power of film, television, music, and the 'Arts' in general is undeniable in our culture. In fact, the Arts aren’t just a reflection of culture, but a driving force in changing our culture’s worldview. So, what if you could use the power of the gospel to influence the people who influence the masses? You can.
Ryan has responded to the call of God on his life to reach into the film and entertainment industry in Calgary as a Mission Canada worker. He holds what is called “Underground” meetings, a safe place for those in the industry to come to, where they can hear the good news of Jesus, and can also be discipled in their faith, then trained and equipped to go out and reach others. The Calgary Underground is seeing people engage with one another from the world of film, music, tv, theatre, arts and more. Jesus is transforming lives in an industry that influences not only our nation, but our continent and the world.
https://thunderandlightstudios.com/
https://paoc.org/canada/workers/ryanstockert