As a Christian, the topic of truth excites me. After all, my saviour and personal friend Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. As I grow closer to him I’d like to think he gets equally as excited about revealing deeper truths about himself to me, and in love, revealing the messy truth about my sinful nature. Truth is beautiful and freeing, but it’s hard to accept sometimes. And as a Heart’s Exchanged facilitator I see the same thing when we dive into the truth of our nation’s history. 

As someone who is many years into the learning journey of Canadian History, I can attest to the painful stretch that this truth calls for. It’s not easy to accept the fact that I am drinking downstream from the benefits of settler colonialism — the same stream that continues to harm our Indigenous neighbours. And now, as I commit to walking alongside others as they embark on this journey I see the same painful stretch in their hearts as well. Truth is not always easy. Heart’s Exchanged calls for individuals to enter into an 8-month dialogue of messy, complex and devastating truths about Indigenous history and the role of settlers, the Canadian government and the Church in inflicting these harms. It calls you to consider your own place in this historical narrative, examine your heart and share with others in the growing pains. 

For too long, our Indigenous brothers and sisters have borne the weight of injustice, and as followers of Christ, we are invited to face the truth and join God’s redemptive work of reconciliation and restoration. 

Facilitating a course of such importance seems daunting, but I’ve learned that creating space for honest conversations makes the process more approachable than it seems — truth, whether biblical or historical, is best absorbed in community. To facilitate Heart’s Exchanged primarily involves guided conversation as your community navigates the rocky terrain of complex truth. Amid discomfort, tears and push-back on this learning journey, I have been blessed to see the Holy Spirit softening the hearts of my brothers and sisters in Christ as they begin to see Indigenous people through His eyes. 

And the truth is that we follow a God of justice—a justice rooted in His unwavering love for all people, including our Indigenous neighbours. Scripture reveals that God’s heart beats for the oppressed, the marginalized, and the forgotten. His justice isn’t abstract; it’s deeply personal and relational, calling us to honour the image of God in every person. For too long, our Indigenous brothers and sisters have borne the weight of injustice, and as followers of Christ, we are invited to face the truth and join God’s redemptive work of reconciliation and restoration. 

This journey with truth is not an easy one, but it’s one that God calls each of us to as His people. I invite you to prayerfully consider where He might be leading you in this work of truth seeking, justice and reconciliation. Whether through a program like Heart’s Exchanged or simply by listening and learning from Indigenous voices, you, too, can be part of this transformative journey.