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Jason
Johnson
Jason is a writer and speaker who encourages families and equips church and organizational leaders .
He currently serves as the Director of Church Mobilization and Engagement with Christian Alliance for Orphans. In his work he develops resources, coaches leaders and teaches in a variety of contexts on church-based ministry structures, organizational leadership and strategy.
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Prior to his work at CAFO Jason spent 14 years in church staff ministry, including planting and pastoring a church in Houston where his foster care journey began. Jason and his wife, Emily live in Texas with their daughters.
Testimonial About Jason
I've heard Jason speak on a number of occasions and each time I am filled with renewed encouragement and direction. I appreciate his honest stories, his humour, but most importantly, his understanding and exposition of the gospel. His easy-to-relate method of speaking is engaging and motivates me to keep going, start new things but also be intentional to take care of myself. He shows that he cares for individuals, marriages, churches and ministries, with a desire to see them equipped to follow God's heart.
Jamie C. Finn is the author of Foster the Family, executive director of Foster the Family, the host of the Real Mom podcast, and the founder and owner of Goods and Better. Her popular social media accounts offer a glimpse into the real life of a foster parent and provide encouragement to thousands of foster parents. She is a mother to four to six children, including her two biological children and two children adopted through foster care. She lives in Sicklerville, New Jersey, with her husband, Alan.
Jamie
Finn
Testimonial About Jamie
"I recently attended a retreat where Jamie spoke. She is the type of person who oozes Christ's love. You know, the person you want to rub up against just to learn from them and soak them in. I met her before I even knew she was our speaker. She was so relatable, friendly, and down to earth. When she spoke, it was from her heart and with such grace. I really appreciated that she shared scripture to go along with almost everything she spoke about. This was the most practical thing for me, knowing the place to find the things she was sharing, making it easier for me to meditate and grow in what Christ wanted to teach me. I am so thankful for the time I got to share with her and learn from her heart." - Kate, Montana
Breakout Sessions
The workshops will be a time for you to be encouraged and equipped to live and love well.
Addictions and the Church
You are or someone you know is struggling with an addiction. The path away from addiction has been laid by a God who is full of surprises, who faithfully pursues those enslaved. Bring your questions, your tears and your hopes to learn and pray together to be equipped to have your church support you!
Secondary Trauma and Biblical Self-Care
This breakout will explore the importance of Biblically informed self care. Topics include the risk of secondary trauma and burnout for those caring for families in tough situations, a Biblical foundation for self care, creating space for self care in a busy family, and practical ideas to build actual self care into their lives.
Counseling in the Church
God is able to lead a group of average people, who don’t know what they’re doing, to build an infrastructure for Soul Care in the local church. This session will focus on the story of Soul Care at Hope Oakville, and will discuss what the essential elements of a care ministry are, and how these elements can be fostered and developed in any church.
Making Marriage your Priority
Oftentimes in caring for others, one of the first things to take a "back seat" on the priority list is our marriages. This workshop is designed to help bring our marriages back to their rightful place - as one of the most important things we can focus on and pour into. We don't just want marriages to survive the journey, but to thrive and grow because of it. That's what this
workshop is designed to help you with.
Cultivating Thriving Souls
We can’t give others what we don’t have. Sometimes this journey depletes us and we’re left feeling like we have nothing left to offer - to the children and families we serve, to the process, to our families, and to ourselves. We’re spent. This session is intended to offer practical, simple and implementable ideas you can take back home that will help you establish healthy rhythms and practices focused on tending to the depths of your own soul on a regular basis.
The Missionary
at Home
How was an ordinary person like me used to transform lives in my home, in my church, and to the ends of the earth? Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, in word, or in deed, do everything in the name of our Lord Jesus.” In this breakout session, you will hear how God transformed an ordinary me to care for, love, and sacrifice my time and talents to care for and love those closest to God’s heart and how you can too.
It’s in the average every day of our lives when we look at God's perspective that we will be in a position to live a lifestyle of love, faith and action in our homes, church and to the ends of the earth.
Foster Care, Adoption, Safe Families
Have you been considering and praying about fostering, adopting or volunteering with Safe Families? Are you on the journey and have questions? You know it is important and something that God has invited you to do but there are lagging questions. Come, ready to laugh and cry, learn and be challenged. Jamie and Natalie would love to converse with you to answer your questions, share their stories and leave you encouraged.
Diverse Cultures in the Church
With the influx of immigrants, refugees and international students, how does your church welcome diverse cultures? We desire to make all people feel a sense of belonging but with different languages, diets, and traditions, it can be difficult. In this workshop you will hear from a couple of leaders who will share practical ways of showing hospitality and discipleship to brothers and sisters from diverse cultures.
Speakers
Beside their keynotes presentations, Jason and Jamie will both be leading 2 breakout sessions!!
We are also very thankful to God for the following speakers for our breakout sessions!!
George Schuurman
Prior to ministry George was a police officer with the Toronto Police Service for 31 years. In 2001 at age 43 and with his own drinking problem, God turned his life around. God used the hurting people on the streets of downtown Toronto to convict George of his own sin and selfishness and it was during that time when he became a new person in Jesus Christ and was adopted into the family of God. It was also during this time that he was called by God into ministry with a focus on marginalized people and specifically those struggling with addiction. In 2008 George retired from policing and joined the staff at what is now Hope Bible Church in Oakville. Since 2009 he has led the Recovery Group at Hope and more recently also a Recovery Group at Philpott Church in Hamilton as the two churches partner together in urban ministry.
Nathan Penny
Nathan is the Pastor of Soul Care Ministries at Hope Bible Church Oakville. He is also an adjunct professor at Heritage College and Seminary, and serves on the board of the Canadian Biblical Counselling Coalition. Nathan is passionate about seeing biblical counselling ministries established within churches across Canada.
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Nathan will be joined by two counselors on staff, Andrea Chiang and Tami Swartz. They are all both part of the Soul Care Ministries team at Hope.
Dean Billings
Dean Billings is the Regional Manager for Compassion Canada. Dean has a responsibility to raise awareness while mobilizing the church, and donors to prioritize global holistic child development to those globally living in poverty. He is certified in child protection. Along with his wife Sarah, they are registered foster parents providing relief care within the Hamilton Children’s Aid Society for over 10 years. Dean is an Elder at Philpott Church in Hamilton, leads adult bible study courses and is active in the missions committee. Dean is also a member of LeaderImpact Group, who challenges leaders to develop professionally, personally, and spiritually, to impact our families, friends and ministry/business networks.
Paul Havercroft
Paul has been the Associate Pastor at James North Baptist Church in the North End of Hamilton for 16 years. JNBC is a multicultural church that also partners with the Karen Baptist Church, a church made up of people who have fled from Myanmar through the refugee camps of Thailand, and Igreja Joy, a Brazilian Church that shares their building for worship services and other ministries.
Paul will be joined by Marcio Silva whose role is Community Pastor, JNBC Assistant Pastor Igreja Joy Church and by Wilson Klosay whose role is Pastor, Hamilton Karen Baptist Church
Natalie Vanderlaan
Natalie is a wife and mom to three children and fosters through the Hamilton Children’s Aid Society. When she first heard of Safe Families Canada, she felt a strong tug on her heart to be involved, knowing personally of birth parents who maybe would not have been separated from their children had they had some support. Moving from the Steering Committee, to Assistant Director and now Chapter Director, her hands and heart are open to how God will lead. She is passionate about this ministry and seeing families safe and strong together. She has seen the Circle of Support model in action over and over, and loves how beautiful it is when each member is using their gifts and capacities to support and strengthen a family unit.