Alpha Leadership Tour
Leadership Tour Details
We can’t wait to join together with church leaders from across Canada to learn, celebrate and connect in the beautiful and historic city of London.
What are you waiting for?
Join us for a week packed full of inspiring conversations, workshops and exploration as we catch a vision of what God is doing at Alpha this year!
Draft schedule
Meet your hosts
Ryan Moffat
Director of Strategic Partnerships, Alpha Canada
I’m honoured in my role as the Director of Strategic Partnerships to be able to work closely with some of the brightest and most influential Church leaders across Canada. I also have the privilege of aiding in the leadership development of Alpha International staff and sit on the Executive Team at Alpha Canada.
Pam Aramburu
Associate National Director, Alpha Canada
Originally from Mexico City, Pam transitioned from Broadcast Media to ministry after hearing God’s call. For 17 years, she served at Centre Street Church in Calgary, most recently as Pastor of Communications and Technical Ministries on The Senior Leadership Team.
Pam, her husband, and their two sons, Fernando (10) and Diego (7), are passionate about helping people become part of Jesus’ story.
Ed Zadeiks
National Director of Catholic Church, Alpha Canada
As National Director of Alpha in a Catholic Context for the past six years, I’m grateful to serve and equip the Catholic Church across Canada in its mission to evangelize and bring people to Christ. I sit on the Alpha Executive Strategy team. I’m a lifelong practicing and proud Catholic, born and educated in Vancouver, BC.
My wife Shawna and I, along with our 3 kids, have been actively involved in our parish, Christ the Redeemer, since 2004. We are leaders in C.C.O’s Faith Studies, and since 2012 have personally led 30+ Alphas in our parish as well as across the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
Tim Teakle
National Alpha Youth Director, Alpha Canada
Tim has served 20+ years in ministry and is currently the National Alpha Youth Director at Alpha Canada. He was a youth pastor for 10 years and has been with Alpha for another 10, serving in the youth department, overall church experience and strategic development.
He and his wife Carolyn have 4 children and a cat named Archie. In his spare time, Tim enjoys custom carpentry and refinishing, movies, and hanging out with his kids.
Attendees
Anna Anandarajan
The Bridge Markham Church
I have been serving at the bridge-A Markham Community Church in Markham, Ontario for the past 7 years giving leadership to our Groups and Care Ministries. I am a mother of five children ages 14yrs to 27 yrs and enjoy sharing life with my husband Jey to whom I have been married for 28 yrs.
Jenny Andison
St. Paul’s Bloor Street
I am married to Tim and we have three young adult daughters – two in university in the UK and one who works in NYC. I am the Senior Pastor of St. Paul’s Bloor Street. Before that I served as an Area Bishop in the Diocese of Toronto. I have lived in Pakistan, India, Singapore, Japan and the UK.
Bishop Andrew Asbil
Anglican Diocese of Toronto
Bishop Andrew Asbil is the Anglican Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Toronto. He is the chief pastor of the Diocese of Toronto, with pastoral oversight of 202 parishes and 650 clergy. A passionate preacher, Andrew has shared vision for creation, diversity, discipleship and mission.
Ron and Desiree Baker
Vitalpoint Church
Ron & Desiree Baker have been married for 34yrs. They have two grown son’s, two daughter in-laws and two amazing granddaughters. They lead a multi-site church called Vitalpoint that has a passion to plant churches in Small Towns.
Damian Bassett
Hillsong Canada
Married to Julie for 23 years, 3 beautiful girls (ages 20, 17 and 13), Lead Pastor of an amazing church, Hillsong Toronto and Hillsong Toronto North. Born in NZ, lived in Australia and now call Canada home.
Julie Bassett
Hillsong Canada
Married to Damian for 23 years and mom to three girls (20, 17 and 13). I was born in Canada and met my husband in Sydney, Australia where we lived for a decade before moving to Toronto to plant a church 14 years ago.
Tim and Melissa Busse
Living Hope Alliance Church
Tim and Melissa been married for 15 years and have 3 kids. Tim has almost finished a masters degree at Northern Seminary in Theology and Mission. Things Tim is passionate about: engaging our current context with the gospel, strategic leadership in the local church, basketball, fishing and outdoor activities.
Fr. Alex Colautti
Companions of the Cross
Born and bred in Windsor, ON. Ordained a Catholic priest in 2018. Spent the first 5 years as associate pastor of Saint Benedict Parish, Halifax. Currently serves his religious order, the Companions of the Cross by recruiting the next generation of Catholic priests and helping form them for ministry.
Nico and Nadira Deschner
Celebration Church
Nico and Nadira are originally from Germany and have pastored in multiple churches in Canada. Nico was ordained into Holy Orders in 2016 and became Lead Pastor in Regina 2021. They live with the deep conviction to see God’s Kingdom released in this world today and contend for unity in God’s church.
Jason Fan
Foothills Alliance Church
Husband to Claire, father to Amelia, Sienna, and Elissa, pooper scooper to Gigi. Love Jesus, serving God’s people, enjoying His creation. 18 years, three cities, three churches, 7 homes, still lovin’ it! Love to stay active: volleyball, tennis, basketball, hiking, biking, camping.
Christine and Marvin Franz
WMB Church
My husband Marv and I have 3 teen/young adult children who presently live with us. I work as a nurse in the community but have been able to join Marv as a partner with serving through Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and in our local church in Waterloo, Ontario.
Kyle Harnett
Foothills Alliance Church
Hi I’m Kyle. I’m married to my wife Lauren, have 3 boys: Josh (13), Caleb (11), and Nathan (10). I am the lead pastor of Foothills Alliance Church in Calgary, Alberta. Previous to that I started a church in Calgary that has multiplied many times. I long to see Jesus made more famous in our day!
Tim Haughton
Little Trinity Anglican Church
The joy of ministry for me is getting front row seats to watching God at work in a person’s life! I am married to Laurie and we have two teenage boys Joshua and Kaleb. When I’m not working or with my family I am often found fishing and hunting.
Darren Herbold
The Alliance Canada
Rev. Darren Herbold has a passion to see The Alliance Canada thrive as a Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered, and Mission-focused movement. In July 2022, The Alliance Canada appointed Rev. Darren Herbold to serve as President of The Alliance Canada.
Judah Herbold
The Alliance Canada
Judah Herbold is the son of Darren Herbold.
Daniel and Christina Im
Beulah Alliance Church
Daniel and Christina have been married for 17 years and have 3 children. They live in Edmonton, AB where Daniel serves as the Lead Pastor of Beulah Alliance Church. He is the author of several books, and together with Christina, they co-host the IMbetween Podcast on marriage and parenting. Christina is currently completing her Masters of Counselling Psychology to become a therapist.
Chris Ivany
Rock Church Halifax
Chris, originally from Newfoundland, has been married to Jennifer for 22 years and together they have 5 kids from 20 years old to 9 years old. He is the Lead Pastor of Rock Church Halifax – a multicultural and multigenerational church with a heart for Nova Scotia.
Damien Lee
The Alliance Canada
Damien is passionate about developing and empowering leaders of diverse backgrounds who are committed to advancing the Kingdom in the hardest and darkest regions of the world. He is of South East Asian descent and has been married to Darlene since 2000. They have two adult children.
Darlene Lee
The Alliance Canada
Darlene most recently served with the Alliance Canada as Regional Developer for the Middle East and Africa. She has been married to Damien since 2000 and they have two adult children.
Dan MacDonald
Grace Toronto Church
Senior pastor of Grace Toronto Church, a plant of Redeemer Presbyterian Church NYC. Husband of Sue, father of Shaila (named after Alpha Canada’s fearless leader).
Sue MacDonald
Grace Toronto Church
I am the wife of a pastor, a mother, a registered psychotherapist (RP Qualify), and a lay leader in my church. I love Jesus and love to tell others about him.
Ben and Emma Narayanan
Avant Life Church
Ben and Emma are Lead Pastors in British Columbia. They moved to Vancouver with their 3 kids Levi, Alice and Eden from Australia 7 years ago pursuing a call from God to plant a church on the north shore of Vancouver. They are passionate about raising leaders and planting churches in Canada.
AJ and Julia Plaizier
Yarmouth Wesleyan Church
AJ and Julia have been married for 17 years, have 3 kids, and are involved with foster care. AJ has been at their current church for 8 years but has been in ministry 18 years. Julie is involved in the worship and children’s ministries at their church.
Jeff and Amber Price
Movement Church
Jeff and Amber Price are the Lead Pastors at Movement Church in Woodstock, Ontario. They have been married for 24 years and have 4 children ranging in age from 6yrs old to 19yrs old.
Ben Raine
Celebration Church
My name is Ben Raine. I have worked with several leadership teams in the non-profit sector, serving people with disabilities, as well as in local Church ministries with the role of pastor for the last 15 years. My wife, Larissa, and I have been married for 13 years and together we have three kids.
Larissa Raine
Celebration Church
Larissa is a counsellor and art therapist in Regina, Saskatchewan. Her passions include art, running, and hiking. She loves to truly make people feel seen and heard in her ministry to adults and children in the sacred space of counselling.
Mark Regis
St. Mary & St. Martha Anglican Church
Mark serves at St. Mary & St. Martha in west Toronto, where he is excited about a budding rejuvenation of the Holy Spirit, which includes an unfolding property redevelopment. He’s also involved in a bunch of ministry roles in the wider church. He’s married to Ruthia, with two beloved teen daughters.
Fred and Carolyn Reid
Northridge Community Church of The Salvation Army
Fred currently serves as Head pastor, along with his wife, at Northridge Community Church of The Salvation Army in Aurora. Their greatest joy in ministry is journeying with people and seeing how God impacts their life! Fred loves being outside – either spending time hunting and fishing, or on the golf course.
Jeff Renaud
North Langley Community Church
I have been a pastor for 25 years, a church planter for 8, and I love being a part of what God is doing in and through the church! I am married, and with 4 children and 2 dogs, there is never a dull day around my house. I love Alpha and the powerful impact it has.
Sam and Joryli Romijn
CA Church
Sam and Joryli serve as pastors of Coquitlam Alliance Church in British Columbia. They have served there for 6 years. They have 2 little kids, Kinsley (5) and Harper (2) and we enjoy good coffee and time together.
Fr. Bryan Sabourin
Companions of the Cross
Ordained to the priesthood in 2014 with the Companions of the Cross, I have served at churches in Ottawa and Halifax. I’m now the Director of Ongoing Formation for my religious community, a role with a focus on leadership development. I enjoy playing guitar, reading, birding, and deep conversations.
Kevin Schultz
North Langley Community Church
I’m a Campus Pastor with North Langley Community Church. We planted in Aldergrove in Fall of 2022. Before that, I spent a long time as a Youth Pastor here in Langley. Christina and I have two adult sons, Caleb, 22 and Liam, 20. Go Canucks!
Janet Thiessen
North Langley Community Church
I am an American transplanted to Canada. I have been a pastor for almost 25 years at the same church in Langley, BC, serving as the executive pastor. My husband also is in ministry and we have 4 married kids and 9 grandkids. I really enjoy the outdoors, growing a vegetable garden and reading.
John and Margaret Tillsley
Northridge Community Church of The Salvation Army
John and Margaret Tillsley are members of The Salvation Army and attend Northridge Community Church in Aurora, Ontario. In the late 1990’s they were involved in facilitating their first Alpha course and since 2017 have run approx. 15 courses. They are the Alpha point contacts for the SA in Canada.
Chris Vacher
Clearway
I help pastors move your ministry forward. I bring 20 years of local church leadership experience to help churches all over Canada and the US on the organizational side of what you do. I live outside Toronto with my wife Sonya and we’re parents of four teenagers.
Tyler Wigg-Stevenson
St. Paul’s Bloor Street
I’m the associate priest at St. Paul’s Bloor Street, where I oversee adult Christian formation, as well as serving as the clergy lead for our church plant, St. George Grange Park (opening Sept 2024). I’ve been married to Natalie for 19 years and we have three daughters in grade school.
Kent Williams
St. Paul’s Bloor Street
Kent joined St. Paul’s Bloor Street in early 2023 as the Executive Director. Previously he was a CFO for a Toronto-based chemical company and has worked in finance over his 25-year career. He holds a Chartered Professional Accountants designation.
Niki Williams
Bloom Church
Niki is the Lead Pastor at Bloom Church in Regina, Sask. She is a connector, a bold speaker and is passionate about leading people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus. She is also a Mom and the founder of ‘Sisters Regina’ connecting women with God’s love to go out and be the Church.
Cynthia Yoon
The Bridge Markham Church
Director of Administration at a church in Toronto; providing executive leadership & overseeing the operational areas of the church. Previously, worked in hospitality & HR at Tyndale. I help run Outpour, an annual conference for young adults. Serve as a small group leader. Wife & mother of 2 kids.
Justin Zinck
Rock Church Halifax
Justin serves as the Executive Pastor at Rock Church Halifax. Born and raised in Halifax, he has been on staff for 13 years first serving as Worship Pastor and currently as Executive Pastor. He has been married for nearly 18 years to Brittany and has 2 kids – Ellie (10) and Declan (7). He is a huge soccer fan and coffee enthusiast.
Highlights from 2024
FAQs
