It wasn’t clear until fairly recently whether Mission Fest would be able to find a home this year. But the leadership prayed and waited – and prayed and waited – and God has provided.
Steve Schroeder has been a leading force in renewing Mission Central, which oversees Mission Fest. He wrote this reflection, and invitation:
Someone once said that to be a good leader, you must be a good follower. In our desire to be led, we invited people to pray alongside us for a venue for Mission Fest 2025.
Through a great miracle and an answer to prayer, the Lord opened the door for us to host Mission Fest in the Fraser Valley this year.
After it seemed every door had closed, we went to our knees as a team. As we listened, the Lord prompted one of the team members to consider the Red Barn (Heritage Park) in Chilliwack. By faith, he put it in the calendar for Feb 13 – 15 after sharing it with me.
We were under the understanding that there were no dates available there until late June. In obedience and surrender, we sent another email. We heard nothing. After sending our latest prayer update and being wholly set on looking for a venue in the Vancouver area, we received a surprising email saying there was “a significant cancellation. The only dates we can give you are Feb 13 – 15.”
These were the dates He provided last year, the anniversary dates to our ‘yes’ to pick up the Mission Fest mandate. The Lord’s heart, attention and affection for Mission Fest was to bring our conference to the Fraser Valley this year. Every time we gather, we believe there’s a Hudson Taylor and an Amie Carmichael in BC that the Lord is excited to find.
- Our theme: I Will
When the theme of the conference emerged in a time of prayer, we, as leaders of Mission Fest, felt sure that the one who “wills and works” (see Philippians 2:13) would lead us to where the conference would be held.
However, with doors closing and the possibility of being postponed, the Lord once again revealed himself as the Lord who makes a way when it seems there is no way. He is the Lord who wills and works for his pleasure.
With extremely short notice, as the venue wasn’t secured until December 1, we had only a few weeks to plan the conference.
The theme, ‘I Will,’ is about discovering all the places in the Gospels where strength and willingness depend entirely on what Jesus Himself does. There’s nothing more freeing and exciting than being around the One who is willing, who does the work and who is present and active!
To put it another way, these I will active statements reveal where our trust, affection and surrender are to rest. Ministry must first be about partnership with the living Jesus in the midst of us. Mission Fest conferences are about giving Jesus every minute to call, connect with and encounter the next generation of cross-carrying lovers of Jesus to take the Gospel wherever He leads.
- Our plan
This year, we have brought back the school field trip day with over 600 students registered already. There will be a Youth Encounter night as well as the popular ‘Mission Talks,’ which highlight and display agencies across the world which are doing the works of Jesus. This year’s speakers are from all over Canada and share a common passion for Jesus to be All.
So far, over 70 agencies will make this year’s atmosphere tremendous and something new and refreshing.
- The location
Chilliwack Heritage Park, or as we like to call it ‘The Red Barn,’ is just a short distance for some and a road trip for others. Full access to the event and free parking make this venue attractive and affordable for all.
This year’s emphasis is making space for the tangible presence of the person of Jesus. This is different – in both substance and atmosphere – from most conferences, which often focus on learning, growth and strategy. All of these are important, yet focusing on Jesus, meeting with Jesus, and being refreshed for mission by Jesus are the main priorities for our three days together.
We believe that Jesus is the one who changed the location for this year’s conference, opening this door while closing others. We didn’t initiate moving Mission Fest to Chilliwack and didn’t have these dates in mind. The way everything is coming together encourages us to believe that Jesus is ‘on it,’ actively at work and guiding our steps. When He’s the one doing the work, wonderful things lie ahead!
We encourage you to invest your time and effort in joining us this year. If coming to this conference leads you to experience a fresh touch from Jesus, refreshing and energizing you for your ministry and life, it’s worth it.
Steve Schroeder
We hope to see many familiar and new faces as we gather to lift up Jesus together.
- Speakers
Mission Fest 2025 speakers include:
- Adam Shepski: Disciple a City
- Darian Atwood: South Abbotsford Church
- Greg Musselman: Voice of the Martyrs Canada
- James Bonney: Mission Central
- Matt Menzel: Westside Church
- Randy Friesen: Global Disciples
- Ryan Johnson: Church: Untitled
Go here for more information.
The Monk & the Pope
The Centre for Christian Engagement and the Thomas Merton Society are joining forces to present The Monk & the Pope.
The presentation will be delivered by scholar and author Dr. Michael Higgins, formerly President of St. Mark’s College on the UBC campus – where the event will take place next Monday (February 10) in the chapel:
Pope Francis spoke to the joint session of Congress in Washington in 2015 celebrating America’s moral prophets; he identified the monk and writer Thomas Merton as one of them. Pope Francis shares the comprehensive embrace of a culture of dialogue articulated by Merton so many decades before his own election as pope.
Merton realized that he needed to evolve beyond healing the rifts in Christianity and to affirm and not to refute the truth in Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, et cetera. And this is precisely what Pope Francis has done with his papacy. The Jesuit disruptor is a bridge to a greater and encompassing unity.
Higgins is the author of many books, including Heretic Blood: The Spiritual Geography of Thomas Merton and, just last fall, The Jesuit Disruptor: A Personal Portrait of Pope Francis.
Here is part of the publisher’s description of the latter book:
Jorge Mario Bergoglio is the consummate disruptor, disrupting archaic modes of church governance, disrupting our collective spiritual complacency in the face of new challenges to our human flourishing while at the same time remaining deeply faithful to the organic traditions of the church. . . .
In his determination to reform the Vatican and ensure the Catholic faith evolves in a way that is relevant to the 21st century, Francis is very much carrying on the tradition of the Jesuits, an order known for their work in education, humanitarian missions, and social justice.
A deep understanding of the Jesuit order informs Michael W. Higgins’s approach in this novel reading of a papacy unlike any other.
Writing obituaries
Julie Lane-Gay recently wrote a lovely reflection on “the surprising blessing of writing obituaries.”
‘Lives well told’ appeared in the January-February issue of Faith Today, “the home of Canada’s Christian conversation and the leading hub of trusted information and connection for Canada’s evangelical Christians.”
Here is a short portion:
Assuming the 300 – 800 words are written for a newspaper or website, obituaries follow an expected form – a beginning with the cause and location of death, a middle with facts about their lives and history, an ending with a list of descendants and possibly memorial service logistics.
This is usually the easy part. In addition to these staples, one or two family members usually want an extensive list of accomplishments – degrees and schools, positions held at a hospital or tech company, how they taught over a thousand kids to play tennis or led the local food bank to a million-dollar budget.
While most of us are happy to be reminded where our uncle went to university at 15 (while he worked night shifts at the local diner), we look for the stories of who they were far more than what they did, that they were genuinely who we thought they were.
This is what I have learned – memorable, honouring obituaries respond to our longings. They verify what we hope it means to be human, that in the end accomplishments fade and kindness, character and love matter most. Put simply, we want to know that in the end, good wins.
Go here for the full comment, which is well worth reading, especially the introduction about writing her dad’s obituary and how others came to ask her to write “about their parents, their employees, people at church.”
Julie Lane-Gay is a freelance writer and editor. Her work has appeared in a range of publications including Reader’s Digest, Fine Gardening, Faith Today, Anglican Planet and The Englewood Review of Books. She teaches occasional courses at Regent College and also edits the college’s journal, CRUX.
I began my local books round-up last May with a write-up on her book, The Riches of Your Grace: Living in the Book of Common Prayer (IVP Formatio, 2024)
Events & Jobs
Events are listed below, but there is also an Events page and a Jobs page on the Church for Vancouver site.
Feb 2025
Laing Lectures: Dr. Janet Martin Soskice – God and Creation: An Urgent Teaching for Today – February 4, 2025 - February 6, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Neil Cockburn : Award-Winning Organist in Concert – February 7, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm
The Datenight Comedy Tour – February 7, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Cineplex Showing: Out of Hiding : Substance Use, Faith and Family – February 8, 2025 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Free Public Talk: The Monk and the Pope – February 10, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Kentro Webinar: Data to donations — 7 digital blind spots (and how to fix them) – February 11, 2025 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Digital Dignity – February 12, 2025 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Strange Wisdom: Navigating Meaninglessness with Ecclesiastes – February 12, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: Black History Month - Marcus Mosely – February 12, 2025 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Mission Fest 2025 – February 13, 2025 - February 15, 2025 at 12:00 am
AI & the Church Gathering – February 13, 2025 at 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Post-COP29 Debrief: Climate Finance & Canada’s Contributions – February 13, 2025 at 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
6th Annual Charity Scotch Tasting Reception – February 13, 2025 at 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Book Launch: The Routledge Handbook of Christianity and Culture – February 13, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Biblical Telling: By-Heart Training (2 sessions) – February 15, 2025 at 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Doubt & Desire Conference: A.J. Swoboda – February 15, 2025 at 8:30 am - 2:00 pm
Primer on Memory Loss and Dementia Care – February 15, 2025 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Free Community Dinner – February 15, 2025 at 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Taizé Service – February 16, 2025 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Lunch Program – February 19, 2025 at 12:45 pm - 2:00 pm
Launch Webinar: Jubilee 2025 – Turn Debt into Hope – February 19, 2025 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
1525: Reform & Revolution – February 20, 2025 - February 21, 2025 at 12:00 am
A Doll's House: Part II – February 20, 2025 - February 23, 2025 at All Day
Run Alpha – February 20, 2025 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
FaithTech Vancouver February Meetup : Apologetics in the Digital Age – February 20, 2025 at 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm
To Heal, We Must Remember: Reconciling the Palestine-Israel Past in Order to Look Forward – February 21, 2025 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
WomanCare's 14th Annual Trivia Night – February 21, 2025 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Dr. Carolyn Muessig: Preaching Under the Radar – February 21, 2025 - February 22, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 2:00 pm
The Coldest Night of the Year – February 22, 2025 at All Day
Love Without Borders: Welcoming Refugee Claimants Orientation – February 22, 2025 at 9:15 am - 3:00 pm
Free to Fly (Nepal / Docu-drama) – February 22, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Vespers with Leora Cashe – February 23, 2025 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Changing Landscapes: Psychological Dimensions of Religious Decline – February 25, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Reflecting on MAiD: how can we remain faithful in our living and dying? – February 25, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Pastors & Leaders Prayer Forum – February 26, 2025 at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Business by the Book: Jenn Ennis – February 26, 2025 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Dr. Andrew Kaethler: A Reflection on Temporality, Death & Universal Salvation – February 26, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Defend Dignity: Roundtable Discussion – February 27, 2025 at 9:30 am - 11:00 am
VST Faculty Book Launch – February 27, 2025 at 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
2025 Fundraising Dinner: Cherished Belonging – the Healing Power of Love in Divided Times – February 27, 2025 at 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Gather25: an epic gathering of the global Church – February 28, 2025 - March 1, 2025 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Freedom Worship Night – February 28, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pmMar 2025
Partner Visit to Logos Hope, 2025 – March 1, 2025 at 12:00 am
(Mandarin) Chinese Training on Alpha Weekend/Day and Prayer Ministry – March 1, 2025 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am
(Cantonese) Chinese Training on Alpha Weekend/Day and Prayer Ministry – March 1, 2025 at 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
500: A Celebration of the Anabaptist Mennonite Story – March 1, 2025 at 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
LOL:A Comedy Fun(D)Raiser (for Pacific Theatre) – March 1, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Lead Pastors Retreat – March 3, 2025 at All Day
An Ignatian Response to the Migrant in Our Midst – March 3, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Prof. Magda Teter: Reckoning with the Roots of Antisemitism and Racism – March 4, 2025 at 12:00 am
Dr. Quentin Genuis: Rethinking Medical Ethics in Light of the Good – March 4, 2025 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
National 'After Alpha' Training – March 4, 2025 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
The Un-cancelled lecture: Nigel Biggar – Did the British Empire promote human welfare? – March 4, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Kevin N. Flatt: What If There Is No Such Thing as Religion? Implications for Secularization Theory – March 6, 2025 at 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
'O Lord Most High': Michael D. O'Brien's By the Rivers of Babylon – March 6, 2025 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Business As Mission Vancouver Conference 2025 – March 7, 2025 at All Day
Apologetics Canada Conference 2025: Theology of Technology – March 7, 2025 - March 8, 2025 at 6:30 pm - 2:00 pm
African Children's Choir – March 7, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dementia Care: Foundation and Practicum (2 days) – March 8, 2025 - March 15, 2025 at 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Loreto Aramendi : The Virtuoso Organist – March 8, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm
African Children's Choir – March 9, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
ARC Canada: Vancouver Meetup – March 12, 2025 at 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Arnold Sikkema: The Cosmic Drama Unfolds – Science & the Biblical Story – March 12, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Tolkien, Enchantment & the Consolation of Catholicism – March 13, 2025 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
African Children's Choir – March 14, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Film Screening of Sugarcane – March 14, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
A Celtic Evening – March 15, 2025 at 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
African Children's Choir – March 16, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
AI & Faith: A Christian Contribution to Ethical AI – March 19, 2025 at 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm
Jonathan Anderson: In/Dwellings – March 20, 2025 - March 23, 2025 at All Day
Need Tools for Parish Renewal? – March 20, 2025 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Bible Translation Computing Tools Conference – March 21, 2025 - March 22, 2025 at 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Gender Light Bulb Moments in Ministry: Canadian Women Pastors’ Experiences of Gender Inequality – March 21, 2025 at 10:30 am - 11:00 am
An Opportune Time: The Seven Temptations of Jesus, a play – March 21, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Tax Clinic – March 22, 2025 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tax Clinic (Saturdays) – March 22, 2025 at 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Tax Clinic (Saturdays & Sundays) – March 22, 2025 at 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Tax Clinic (Saturdays) – March 22, 2025 at 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Tax Clinic (Saturdays & Sundays) – March 22, 2025 at 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Tax Clinic (Wednesdays & Saturdays) – March 22, 2025 at 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Tax Clinic (Sundays) – March 23, 2025 at 9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Taizé Service – March 23, 2025 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Intentional Networking with FaithTech Vancouver – March 25, 2025 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Antisemitism, Islamophobia & Anti-Palestinian Racism: a panel discussion – March 25, 2025 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Ambrose Research Conference: Technology and the Human Experience – March 26, 2025 at 12:00 am
Business by the Book: Jared L. Taylor – March 26, 2025 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Monasticism: On Value of Work, by Abbot Alban Riley – March 26, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Cup Overflowing: When Wine Meets Soul Care – March 27, 2025 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Memorial Service for Laurel Gasque – March 27, 2025 at 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Peace & Chaos: Journeying with Christ Through It All – March 28, 2025 - March 30, 2025 at All Day
Flourish – March 29, 2025 at 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Jazz Vespers with Joelle Lush & Friends – March 30, 2025 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Vivaldi Chamber Choir: Brahms – A German Requiem – March 30, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Surrey: Faithful Election Conversations – March 31, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm