Bill McAlpine

Born to TEAM missionary parents in Chad Africa, Bill grew up in a pastor's home after his parents' return to Toronto. He has pastored for just under 16 years in Alliance Churches in Ontario and Saskatchewan and served for 26 years as Professor of Pastoral Theology at Ambrose University in Calgary, Alberta. He retired as Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology in June of 2019. Bill has authored two books, Sacred Space for the Missional Church, published in February of 2011 and Four Essential Loves: Heart Readiness for Leadership and Ministry, published, May 2013.

Learning CentreGuest PostMarch 3, 2021Bill McAlpine

Keith Walker

Keith Walker is Professor of Educational Administration and Leadership at the University of Saskatchewan. He enjoys his collaborative ventures with Flourishing Congregations Institute colleagues and numerous other teaching, mentorship, research, and consulting service activities. www.KeithdWalker.ca

Learning CentreGuest PostMarch 3, 2021Keith Walker

Joel Thiessen

Dr. Joel Thiessen is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Flourishing Congregations Institute at Ambrose University in Calgary, Alberta. He has authored and co-authored several books regarding Christianity, religious nones, millennials, and congregations in Canada. For more information, see www.joelthiessen.ca.

Learning CentreGuest PostMarch 3, 2021Joel Thiessen

Jan Steckley

Jan Steckley, MTS
Jan is a pastor, spiritual director and transformational coach. She lives on the creative edge and is passionate about creating a supportive space for relationships that are real, honest, authentic and mutual. Jan has a lifetime of experience companioning others through some of life’s most significant threshold moments and in engaging others in the learning and reflection that makes growth possible.

Together with her husband, Jeff Steckley, they have recently launched Threshold Commons, offering coaching and companioning spaces where individuals and groups can discover the transformative power of the “in between” spaces of life. Jeff and Jan are the lead developers and facilitators of New Leaf’s Discernment Pathway.

Learning Centre, DiscernmentGuest PostFebruary 20, 2021Jan Steckley

Jeff Steckley

Jeff Steckley, OCT
Jeff is an educator, transformational coach and well-known community initiatives facilitator who has embraced his calling to design and facilitate change-inspiring conversations, develop and equip leaders, and curate transformational space which deeply honours diverse journeys and life experiences. Jeff has an insatiable curiosity and desire to help others learn and grow in ways that lead to whole-hearted engagement.

Together with his wife, Jan Steckley, they have recently launched Threshold Commons, offering coaching and companioning spaces where individuals and groups can discover the transformative power of the “in between” spaces of life. Jeff and Jan are the lead developers and facilitators of New Leaf’s Discernment Pathway.

Writing Collective Author, Learning Centre, DiscernmentGuest PostFebruary 20, 2021Jeff Steckley

Sylvia McAdam (Saysewahum)

Sylvia McAdam (Saysewahum) is a nêhiyaw (Cree) lawyer, protector, and defender of land and water. A co-founder of Idle No More, Sylvia is a proud mother and grandmother, and the author of Nationhood Interrupted: Revitalizing nêhiyaw Legal Systems (2015).

Learning CentreGuest PostJanuary 21, 2021Sylvia McAdam (Saysewahum)

Cheryl Bear

Cheryl Bear is Nadleh Whut’en from the Dakelh Nation and Dumdenyoo Clan (Bear clan) in central British Columbia. A community leader, band councillor, and theologian, Cheryl is also an award-winning singer-songwriter who seeks to share Indigenous life — the joy, sorrow, faith, and journey — through story and song.

Learning CentreGuest PostJanuary 21, 2021Cheryl Bear

Steve Heinrichs

Steve Heinrichs is a Settler Christian from Winnipeg, Manitoba —Treaty 1 territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation. The director of Indigenous-Settler Relations for Mennonite Church Canada, Steve is a student of activism who loves to march with his partner, Ann, and their children, Izzy, Aiden, and Abby.

Learning CentreGuest PostJanuary 21, 2021Steve Heinrichs

Brian Walsh

Brian Walsh is a retired campus pastor and the founder of the Wine Before Breakfast community in Toronto. His most recent book, with Sylvia Keesmaat, is Romans Disarmed: Resisting Empire, Demanding Justice (Brazos). Brian and Sylvia live at Russet House Farm, an off-grid permaculture farm in the Kawartha Lakes area of Ontario.

Learning CentreGuest PostDecember 23, 2020Brian Walsh

Sylvia Keesmaat

Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat is a scholar, activist and farmer. She teaches courses at the intersection of biblical faith and radical discipleship through Bible Remixed (www.bibleremixed.ca). Sylvia is the co-chair of the Bishop's Committee on Creation Care for the Anglican Diocese of Toronto. She speaks frequently on topics related to the Bible and economic justice, climate catastrophe, gender justice, and Indigenous justice. Sylvia is the co-author, with Brian Walsh, of Romans Disarmed: Resisting Empire, Demanding Justice (Brazos Press, 2019) and Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire (IVP, 2004), and the author-editor of The Advent of Justice. Sylvia lives at Russet House Farm (www.russethousefarm.ca) an off-grid permaculture farm in the Kawartha Lakes on the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg, with her husband, Brian Walsh, and a fluctuating number of people and animals.

Learning Centre, Advent AuthorGuest PostDecember 23, 2020Sylvia Keesmaat

Jamie Howison

Jamie Howison is a priest of the Anglican Church of Canada and the founding pastoral leader of Saint Benedict’s Table in Winnipeg. He is the co-author with musician Steve Bell of I Will Not Be Shaken: A Songwriter's Journey through the Psalms (2015), God's Mind in the Music (2012), and his forthcoming—and brutally honest—spiritual memoir, A Kind of Solitude (2021). You can find out more about Jamie at www.jamiehowison.ca

Learning CentreGuest PostDecember 23, 2020Jamie Howison

Simon Lasair

Simon Lasair is a nationally recognized expert in spirituality and spiritual care, the practice of professional chaplaincy. He holds a PhD in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Manchester, UK, and is employed in a research role investigating how best to integrate spiritual care and fine arts-based interventions into health care. He is an experienced workshop and retreat facilitator, often using storytelling and humour to invite participants to reflect deeply on their experiences. When not working, Simon enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children, taking time outdoors, watching superhero movies, reading while listening to jazz, and baking gourmet sourdough breads.

Advent Author, Learning CentreGuest PostDecember 17, 2020Simon Lasair

Jon Coutts

Jon Coutts lives in Calgary where he is Assistant Professor of Theology at Ambrose University. Prior to this he pastored churches in the Christian and Missionary Alliance and most recently taught ethics in England. He is the author of the SCM Studyguide to Church Leadership and of A Shared Mercy, a book on forgiveness in the church published with IVP.

Advent Author, Learning CentreGuest PostDecember 14, 2020Jon Coutts

Jenn Burnett

Jenn Burnett is lead pastor at The Well church plant in Kelowna, and has received her doctorate from Portland Seminary. She longs to see the body of Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit and contending for unity across difference. She also loves rugby, the outdoors, the colour orange and the chaos that goes with raising 4 kids.

Writing Collective Author, Advent Author, Learning CentreGuest PostNovember 16, 2020Jenn Burnett

Xenia Chan

Xenia Chan Ling-Yee 陳靈兒 is a Ph.D. Candidate (Hebrew Bible/Old Testament) at Regis-St. Michael's College, Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto. As a former pastor, her scholarly work is informed by the present condition of the Canadian evangelical church, particularly the churches within the Sinophone revivalist tradition in Canada. Her work at present deals with Jeremiah's Confessions.

Writing Collective Author, Advent Author, Learning CentreGuest PostNovember 10, 2020Xenia Chan

Keitha Ogbogu

Keitha Ogbogu is the lead pastor at West Springs Church in Calgary, Alberta. A former teacher, she is passionate about the power of mentorship and especially enjoys encouraging young men and women who are called to preach, to speak and to lead. Her pastoral work has affirmed her love for the nations, her pursuit of justice and, of course, her call to preach. She believes that the church holds the potential to participate in the transformation of neighbourhoods, cities and individuals when we get it right. She is married to Cyril and together they are raising three black princes, Samuel, Emmanuel and Ezra.

Writing Collective Author, Advent Author, Learning CentreKeitha OgboguSeptember 17, 2020Keitha Ogbogu

Cid Latty

Rev Cid Latty served in pastoral ministry for over 15 years with the Baptist Union of Great Britain before joining Canadian Baptist of Ontario and Quebec as the Congregational Development Associate. He co-founded the Cafechurch Network which helped to start more than a hundred café churches in high street coffee shops all over the UK. He is married to Alison and they have two children.

Writing Collective Author, Learning CentreGuest PostSeptember 11, 2020Cid Latty

Bernard Tam

Bernard Tam is a coffee enthusiast, neighbourhood connector and one of the pastors at The Living Room Church in Midtown, Toronto. Regularly you can find Bernard at local specialty coffee shops learning to be present in the neighbourhood while enjoying every sip of local roasted coffee. He is also one of the cohost of the Canadian Asian Missional Podcast - a conversation that engages with the movements of the Canadian Asian Church.

Writing Collective Author, Learning Centre, New Leaf Advisory TeamBernard TamSeptember 11, 2020Bernard Tam

Andrew Stephens-Rennie

Andrew Stephens-Rennie is a writer, preacher, and church planter now serving as Missioner to Valhalla Parish in the Anglican Diocese of Kootenay. Before moving "temporarily" to the Kootenays in March 2020, Andrew was Director of Ministry Innovation at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver. Living so closely to family, and falling in love once again with the region, it didn't take them long to decide to stay.

Andrew is co-founder and contributing editor at www.empireremixed.com, and co-editor of "A Sort of Homecoming: Essays Honoring the Academic and Community Work of Brian Walsh" with Marcia Boniferro and Amanda Jagt.

Elle Pyke

Elle Pyke is the Director of Programs & Innovation for the New Leaf Network. Elle has served on the board of a number of organizations such as Women Powering Technology Global, TEDxWaterlooWomen and The Christian Entrepreneurial Leaders Organization. She is currently pursuing her MA in Theology and Culture from the Institute for Religion, Peace and Justice at St Stephen's University. She loves spending time with friends and family, the great outdoors and all things New Leaf.