Workshops
WORKSHOPS #1 - MONDAY 2:00pm
Waking The Sleeping Giant - Tom Haines
Regional Director for FEB Central
This workshop will help you wake the giant resource of people who are not yet serving and better position the people who are already involved. We will uncover ways to help you lead your people to understand how the Lord has uniquely resourced them to serve in his Church and get them involved where they best fit.
The Power of Story in Preaching and Teaching - Steve Adams
Leadership Development Catalyst - FEB Central/Consultant at Adams&Co.
Storytelling is a powerful tool that is universal across all cultures. Inviting the audience in, it can invoke emotions and magnify application. There is a power of storytelling that, when done well, makes it an invaluable tool in our teaching. In this workshop, we will discuss the elements of story uses and delivery that can make a lesson memorable and impactful.
Relationship Based Youth Ministry: Where Relationships Lead to Discipleship - Mike Racinsky
Next Gen Director FEB Central
Youth ministry thrives when relationships take centre stage. This workshop will help you shift your focus from programming to building meaningful connections that create the right environment for discipleship. Learn how to train your leaders to be intentional hosts, foster a culture of belonging, and engage students with the selfless love of Jesus. Whether you’re a pastor, leader, or volunteer, this session will equip you to create a relationally driven, Christ-centred youth ministry.
Relaunching a Multiplication Culture through Disciple-Making Ministry - Dave Carter
Senior Pastor/Bramalea Baptist FEB Central Catalyst
This workshop highlights the importance of disciple-making as the foundation for sustainable multiplication in ministry. Participants will explore biblical and practical tools such as the Discovery Bible Study (DBS), Discovery App, and the Four Fields of Ministry framework. The focus will be on forming micro-churches and missional communities, enabling participants to create an intentional culture of discipleship that goes beyond the church walls to reach the next generation for Christ.
What Do Elders Do? - Dwayne Cline
Founder & Principal of Cline Consulting
Many of us will be in elders’ meetings once or twice a month for our entire ministry. We are typically familiar with the character qualities God requires of elders serving His church, but we aren’t familiar with their responsibilities. What should elders do when they meet? Although Scripture gives a great deal of freedom in this area, Scripture also summarizes certain responsibilities that God expects from elders. In this workshop we’ll explore those responsibilities and how elders can fulfill them as they serve the Lord at their local church as well as some best practices and lessons learned.
How to Integrate Newcomers - Bill Thornton
Lead Pastor at Flamborough Baptist Church
Churches have doors through which people enter and exit. Since churches are not always given a second chance to make a first impression, it is imperative that the front door through which guests enter leads to a pleasant experience. If achieved, exiting through the back door will be reduced. This seminar will provide suggestions to ensure integration into the life of the church family.
Building and Sustaining your Women’s Ministry - Rachel Nichols
Women’s Ministry and Prayer Director at Forward Church, Cambridge
With over 50% of congregations being women, evangelical churches are faced with unique opportunities to play integral roles in the encouragement and development of a large subsection of disciple-makers. Be encouraged through story and lived practice on building and sustaining a women’s ministry within your church.
WORKSHOPS #2 - MONDAY 3:45 pm
AI in the Church: Ideals and Idols - Andrew Noble
PhD student at the University of Nottingham, specialization: Intersection of theology and technology
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a broad term that includes predictive AI (like text messaging suggestions), generative AI (such as ChatGPT and social media chatbots), and multimodal AI (like Siri or Google Gemini). Just as ancient prophets exposed idols as mere creations of human hands, Christian leaders today must demystify AI to discern its true nature. Yet, like wood in the hands of a skilled craftsman, AI can do some good! Join this session to explore the blessings and curses of this transformative technology.
Simple Steps to Community Engagement - Ben Mills
Church planter at Hope Community Church, Port Hope
Does your church love its neighbours? Does your church even know its neighbours? Often we can get caught spending so much time in our church buildings that we don’t know our community and they don’t know us. And if they don’t know us, how do they know our love for them, or God’s love for them? There are so many ways we try to be relevant in order to to communicate the message of the Gospel, but what if the most natural way is to love our neighbours? In this workshop church planter Ben Mills will share how Hope Community Church has become an integral part of their community in only 4 years, and the simple ways your church, no matter its size, can engage with your community
A Leadership Development Plan for Lay Leaders - Chris Crocker
Lead-elder of Markdale Baptist Church/Professor of Church History, Toronto Baptist Seminary
Drawing on experience gained from a Christian education initiative of the Bluewater Association called 'Barnabas,' he will share lessons from this ministry and explore a Baptistic vision for lay leadership training and how it can immensely bless the church in a post-Christian context.
The Multicultural Church - Neil Chotai
Pastor of Adult and Language Ministries, WestPark Church, London
When you look around in our nation you can see so many people of different cultures – some have been in Canada for generations, others are very new. God has strategically placed the church to interact and reflect the diverse world that He has created for the Gospel to be proclaimed. Learn of the opportunities and challenges that we can face as we reflect the Kingdom of God in its cultural diversity.
Keeping the Peace: Nurturing Unity in the Body of Christ - Bob Flemming
Integration & Peacemaking Director, FEB Central
Description: It was Ronald Regan who said, ‘Peace is not the absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.’ In this workshop we will look at topics such as learning to respond to conflict properly and the causes of conflict. We’ll focus on subjects such as Leaderdrift, Categorizing & Triaging issues, Chief Influencers, and having our reputations wrongly criticized.
Infusing Discipleship in Summer Day Camp Ministry - Kim Beaman
Director of Children’s Ministry, West Highland Baptist, Hamilton
The laughter, worship and delight of children during VBC and day camp are a highlight for many churches each summer! We will discussing how to structure intentional discipleship into summer programs to disciple young leaders and increase the surrounding community’s engagement with the church. Leave with resources and ideas to support your camp ministry in making disciples that multiply.
Building an Inspired Worship Culture - Cliff Cline
Founder of eyesUP Worship/Founder and President of ideaPraxy.
The goal is to discover the artists in our midst and ignite them to create new music and liturgies for the church that will re-invigorate inspiring worship and deeper discipleship.
In a time where secular culture is as pervasive as it has ever been, find ways to discover and empower the artists we have in our local churches to create music and liturgies that stay with people and help the church in its mission to make disciples while being a light in a dark world.
WORKSHOPS #3 - TUESDAY 2:00 pm
Ministering in the Time of M.A.I.D - Rick Buck with Dr. Greg Steffens
Leadership Advancement Director, FEB Central
This workshop will present a Biblical perspective on end of life concerns, including examining the current issue of M.A.I.D. (Medical Assistance in Dying). Retired family physician, Dr. Greg Steffens, will join Rick Buck in this presentation, including a Q&A time.
The Sacred Pause: Building a Rhythm of Solitude into Your Life - Allan Self
Lead Pastor, Bethel Baptist Church, Strathroy, ON
Knowing, enjoying, loving, and glorifying God are at the heart of the Christian faith. In the pages of Scripture and through the ages of history, God has uniquely met with His children and deepened their intimacy with Him through times of solitude. This seminar will explore the discipline of contemplative solitude through a theological and practical lens to help you savor God more deeply by building a regular rhythm of contemplative solitude into your life.
Church Planting – Where To Start? - Graeme Melvin, Marc Soto and Jeremiah Thomas
FEB Central Church Planting Team
Thinking about planting a church? You know you’ll need the Gospel, the empowering work of the Holy Spirit, a sending church, a committed team, and some financial resources. But what about developing a strong ecclesiology, cultivating a multiplication culture, identifying a church planting model, and utilizing strategic ministry tools?
This workshop is designed to guide you through the foundational principles and practical steps needed to establish a thriving, reproducing church plant, helping you turn your vision into reality.
Creating a Culture of Generosity at Your Church - Dwayne Cline
Founder & Principal of Cline Consulting
Money is one of the topics many pastors and church leaders avoid. Few churches have an intentional stewardship pathway. How do you combat our greed saturated day and watch the Lord create a culture of generous and cheerful givers at your church? How does the Lord move your members to proactively contemplate ways they can release the wealth He has entrusted to them for His Kingdom? Join us for this workshop as we consider theological and practical ways to disciple your members in generosity through your preaching, discipleship pathway, membership process as well as in your overall communication strategy.
We’re Growing and I Can’t Keep Up! - Tim Strickland
Church Vitality Director, FEB Central
God is answering prayers for more newcomers, baptisms, and growth across FEB Central, and many churches are struggling to keep up! Whether your church is planning for growth or already growing, this workshop is for you. Come learn practical strategies rooted in Scripture to manage and multiply the growth that God provides.
Beyond Public and Private: A Church-Based Model for Education - Valerie Cressman -
Director and Principal of Bluewater GO! Homeschool Academy
Christian families face a challenging conundrum when it comes to educating their children: the growing, blatant opposition to our faith in the public schools, the rising costs of private Christian education, and the immense weight and responsibility of homeschooling. This workshop will explore the role the church can play in supporting families with this crucial responsibility of providing a biblically based education.
Your Building as a Community Hub -
Jim DeMarsh - Director of Leadership Development, Outreach and Evangelism - Milton Bible Church
Matt Timpson - Administrator of Pastoral Care and Prayer, Milton Bible Church
Your Church building is a ministry tool, and an expensive one. As church leaders we need to leverage our buildings for maximum Kingdom impact. Come and hear how Milton Bible Church has learned to do this over the years and how God is currently using their building for His glory and the good of Milton, Ontario. MBC is a thriving, diverse church family together on mission.
WORKSHOPS #4- TUESDAY 3:45 pm
Sacred Hope: A Gospel-Centered Approach to Gender Identity - Derek Hisson
Associate Pastor, James North Baptist, Hamilton, ON
As questions and opinions about gender identity continue to flood our culture, it has never been more important for God's people to be prepared to engage in this discussion with the truth and love of the gospel. In this workshop, we will discuss the importance of holding firm to God's design for gender, while also exploring how we can point individuals to the hope found in Christ alone.
Growing Together: How to Start Small Groups in Your Church - Nick Doyle
Pastor of Discipleship and Community Life, Calvary Baptist, Oshawa
At Calvary, we’ve seen over 900 people actively participating in small groups, led by more than 70 dedicated leaders meeting at various times throughout the week. This ministry has transformed our church, fostering deep connections, spiritual growth, and a stronger sense of community. I’m excited to share practical steps and insights on how you can build a thriving small group ministry in your church, too!
Relaunching a Multiplication Culture through Evangelism - Josh Davy
Lead Pastor, Emmanuel Barrie
This workshop focuses on building a church culture in which evangelism becomes part of the DNA of the church ministry. Participants will explore the biblical mandate for evangelism and learn practical methods for sharing the Gospel in Canada’s diverse cultural landscape. Leaders will be equipped to cultivate a passion for reaching the lost. The workshop aims to inspire leaders to make evangelism not just an event but a lifestyle for their churches and communities.
Letting the Spirit Transform your Teams - Rob Hayes
Pastor and Consultant for over 40 years. Currently serving as Vitality Interim Pastor, Harmony Road Baptist, Oshawa
This is not your ‘same old’ methodology in building impactful teams. This is about 3 simple parts of a process that is truly transformative. If you want to establish some real team baselines this session is for you!
Step into the Mess: A Call to Christ-Centred Care & Counselling - Curtis Heaton
Executive Director of the Canadian Biblical Counselling Coalition
Christ called his Church to be the place where genuine love is found, burdens are lifted, and chains are broken through the power of the gospel. And yet, so many turn for help outside the Church. Join us as we discuss why and how our churches should grow in their ability to offer biblical, Christ-centered care and counselling.
Social Media for Churches - Naomi Mills
Communication & Administration, Hope Community Church, Port Hope
Do you struggle to use social media at your church? Maybe you don’t have social media, and aren’t sure how to get started. Perhaps you want to up your social media presence. In this workshop, Naomi will share simple and effective ways for your church to use social media as a ministry of your church. Have questions about your website or weekly email? Naomi can help answer those as well.
Help! Our Building is Getting Older! -
Mark Cuthbert - District Shepherd for Southwestern Ontario.
John Boyachek, Executive Pastor, Bramalea Baptist Church
Your church building can either enhance or hinder ministry. Unfortunately, over time church buildings and spaces can become tired, out-of-date, and unattractive. Mark and John have led churches through building revitalization projects. They will be sharing some “best practices” they have learned to keep your building enhancing, not hindering your ministry.