Missionfest Manitoba 2027

Joy Smith has served as Member of Parliament (2004-2015) and Member of the Manitoba Legislature (MLA) for Fort Garry (1999-2003) and served as critic for Justice, Education, and Intergovernmental (Urban) Affairs. She is recognized as one of Canada's leading anti-human trafficking activists. Following her election in 2004, Mrs. Smith led the discussion on human trafficking at a national level which resulted in important changes in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. In 2011, she founded the "Joy Smith Foundation", where she tirelessly volunteers her time combatting human trafficking, and fighting for the rights of women in Canada and around the globe.

Janet Campbell brings a wealth of business experience having directed growth in several organizations and successfully leading in complex environments.

Lyndsay Clark has worked for TWR Canada as their Fundraising and Donor Engagement Manager since 2022. She graduated from Tyndale University College and Seminary with a BA in psychology and is currently working on her master’s from Hope International University with a specialization in nonprofit management. TWR Canada focuses on using media to spread the hope of the gospel to people all around the world working in 70+ countries, in over 50 heart languages, and virtually every country with their national partners.

Rev. Terry Thiessen is the Pastor of Alumni and Community Development for Adult and Teen Challenge.

Amy Sachdev is Community Office Director for the Steinbach office for Adult and Teen Challenge.

John Paetkau and his wife, Leanne, have served with SEND since 1997, and lived overseas for 17 years in Ukraine. Their ministry role overseas was coming alongside national ministry leaders, mentoring, leadership development, teaching, church planting, and camp ministries. Presently John serves as a missions coach and facilitator in western Canada, helping individuals and churches minister cross culturally across the street and across the world.

Karly Brandt began working at Search for Jesus in 2017. She was drawn to the way the ministry uses the internet to create online opportunities to reach people for Christ. There are so many lost and hurting people in the world who might not be comfortable stepping into a church, but they are comfortable going online.

Jess Penman is Project Manager for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Dr. Marvin J. Newell has spent over 45 years engaged in Christian missions. He is presently Ambassador at Large of Missio Nexus, an association of missions in North America. Previously he served as a missionary in Papua, Indonesia, a mission administrator, a professor of missions, director of a missions association (IFMA), and senior VP of Missio Nexus. He is the author of five mission related books, the newest: A Third of Us: What it takes to reach the Unreached.

Troy Lydiate is a multifaceted artist, speaker, and Creative Director at Apologetics Canada, where he also serves as host of "The AC Podcast." As a graduate of Providence University with a B.A focused on Social Sciences, much of Troy's professional career has been spent working with youth and young adults. Operating under the artistic moniker Scribe Music, Troy has skillfully utilized his music as a conduit to convey the gospel message. He has dedicated himself to the growth and vitality of the local church, actively engaging in discipleship, worship team, and church leadership. Embracing a mission to catalyze both cultural and global transformation, Troy's approach is firmly anchored in love, releasing hope by loving God and loving people.

Khevna Dave is the Missions Hub Director in Toronto where she gets to disciple students and young graduates into cross-cultural missions, alongside building and catalyzing partnerships amongst campus groups, missions agencies and churches. She has spent time in over 30 different countries, starting with being born in Kenya and currently lives in a MoveIn community with her husband, foster teens, and cats. Khevna loves getting to live life closely with her neighbours, who come from all around the world, and is very thankful for how she gets to trust God with all the joyful chaos of life!

Clay Harmon was introduced to Freedom in Christ Ministries in 1994 as a new Christian and his life was transformed when he chose to submit his life to Jesus. He participated in Transform and is now leading his third group through this intense training, helping Christian leaders be even more effective as they serve Christ. A few years ago, a former drug dealer came to Clay for prayer. Over a period of about ten weeks, by coming to know who he is in Christ and learning to forgive, this man experienced personal transformation as to how he now lives his life. This former drug dealer is now currently ministering to and praying with the homeless in his hometown. Clay will be demonstrating a simple but effective tool Christians can use when recognizing a behaviour pattern that is a result of believing one of Satan’s lies.

James Eagles is President of Intercede International, and an ordained minister of the Gospel, located in Fort Erie, Ontario and has served with Intercede International for over 42 years and has visited and ministered to international Mission boards based in over 50 nations.