We all find ourselves living in a divided, polarized culture and many of us find ourselves serving in a church that is also marked by division. Along with communicating learnings on building greater unity in local churches, Rob Hogendoorn will focus on how unity – both within our individual churches as well as among the broader Christian community – is one of the secret weapons of the church to advance the gospel in our communities.

As churches brace for impending leadership transitions, the pressing question arises: what does the face of next-generation leadership look like? Join Pamela Aramburu, a next-generation leader, as she shares insights and advice for both emerging leaders and churches seeking to embrace their potential. Drawing from personal experiences and practical wisdom, Pam navigates the dynamics essential for churches to discover and empower the leaders necessary for the future.

Finu Iype sees the massive opportunities that immigration is bringing into our country with respect to the gospel and our mission as churches. However, newer Canadians are not only an emerging part of our mission field, they are bring vital assets and gifts in enabling our churches to reach our redemptive potential. Finu’s personal experiences and practical perspectives will help every church step into this emerging moment in our country.

To lead in changing times isn’t easy however, it is a defining mark of those God uses to inspire change in a way that brings hope. Dr. Domenic Ruso is a church planter, author, and passionate about the church. He leads in one of the most secular contexts in North America and is convinced that the good news of Jesus has never been more important. In this session he explores some important habits all leaders will need if they hope to face the future with hope.

The heart of the gospel centers on restored relationships with God through Jesus. But the scope of the gospel radiates beyond this to Christians and churches engaging the broken and marginalized in our communities. Jess DiSabatino’s ministry and leadership has brought her into learnings about community engagement and the breadth of expression of the kingdom of God that will serve and inspire all of us in our diverse ministry contexts.

What is the relationship between ambition and contentment? One of the great mysteries of living the Christian life is contentment. Leaders often struggle with contentment more than most as they are called to pursue ambitious efforts with their lives. While in prison the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians that he had learned the secret of being content. Knowing the secret on how to live a contented life in the midst of chaos and calling is not hidden from us but hidden for us. Dave Koop dives into practical ways in which we too can learn how to be content even while we seek to bring change to a chaotic broken world.

Nobody’s tank for ministry stays full all the time. We all have ups and downs. But there are times we feel like we’ve completely run dry. Many Canadian leaders are still struggling to regain passion in the wake of the pandemic. Phil Kniesel has watched this in his own life and many others. Based on experience and timely truths in Scripture, he’ll present proven habits and actions that hold the hope of personal ministry restoration.

Extended Gathering Includes Lunch +$15

There are ministry challenges unique to senior church leaders in our Canadian context. Utilizing a Q&A format, a panel of senior church leaders will facilitate a discussion around some of the leadership issues that affect church leaders in all sizes of churches in Canada.

Extended Gathering Includes Lunch +$15

An interactive think tank for leaders desiring to help strangers become good neighbours. Gain inspiration from various innovative and transformative grassroots movements across Canada as we explore practical ways to lead the Church into informed and Spirit-lead compassion in our communities.

Facilitators:

Steve Griffin – Centre Street Church

Wendy Park – Care Impact

Extended Gathering Includes Lunch +$15

Our world has changed, and so has the next generation that our churches are trying to engage in evangelism, discipleship and mission. Jeremiah Niengor’s workshop will resource Student Ministry leaders and volunteers with perspectives and strategies in our calling to pass on the faith to the next generation.

Facilitator: Jeremiah Niengor – Student Ministry Pastor, First Assembly

Extended Gathering Includes Lunch +$15

Facilitator: Mitchell Osmond – Pastor of Worship, Centre Street Church

As our culture becomes increasingly secular and suspicious of churches and Christian organizations, our ability to be an effective witness in our communities can be diminished – the church effectively sidelined.

As a church planter in Quebec, Marc Pilon has had to wrestle with these realities and experiment with solutions. This breakout will allow participants to hear about ministry models that utilize Gospel City Movements, which not only understands the social needs of a region but invests in the leadership of their community in a way that grows the church’s ability to earn a trusted voice.  The church and Jesus are becoming known in this region because of an intentional investment in societal leadership.

Facilitator: Marc Pilon – Pastor Axe21, Founder Mouvement AVAD  Magog, QC

One of the most overlooked ministry needs in our current culture is marriage ministry. Both inside the church and in the community at large, the struggle for marital health has rarely been more difficult. Strong societies are built on strong families, which are built on strong marriages. How can the church enter this gap and offer accessible help for marriages in churches and communities? This breakout will explore some of the best practices and potential of The Marriage Course and discuss other existing ministry expressions.

Facilitators:

Nick Vander Ploeg – Campus Pastor Forest City Community Church, London, ON

Coby Hogendoorn – Marriage Ministry Lead, Forest City Community Church, London, ON

As the Executive Director of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, Daniel Whitehead is at the forefront of helping churches position themselves to be places that play a role in help address the explosion of mental health issues we face in our communities and churches. Along with presenting some of the core pieces of The Sanctuary Course, Daniel will lead a discussion that will help participants better understand some of the best steps churches can take in addressing this challenge.

Facilitator: Daniel Whitehead –  Executive Director, Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, Vancouver, BC

Led by Sisterhood Ministries Canada, Char Quiring and their team will lead a session that helps you look at your leadership, and the leadership development environment in your church, and consider how implementing mentorship strategies and intentional resources might provide deeper relationships and stronger leadership.

Facilitators: Char Quiring, Founder and Executive Director, Sisterhood Ministries