Dr. Stéphane Beaulieu is the Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Burman University. In this conversation he shares his remarkable journey from working as a truck driver and high school dropout in Québec to achieving his doctoral degree. He recounts how his conversion to Adventism in his late teens sparked a passion for learning, leading him to pursue pastoral ministry. Now leading the only Adventist religious studies department in Canada, Stéphane discusses the unique vision of Canadian Adventist education, emphasizing contextual ministry, mentorship, and practical experience. He addresses the complexities of training pastors in a secular accreditation environment, the integration of theory and practice, and the challenges of attracting young people to ministry in an era marked by cultural shifts and perceived decline in church relevance. Candid and thoughtful, Stéphane offers a hopeful yet realistic look at the future of church leadership and theology training in Canada.

Akeem Ambrose is the elementary P.E. teacher and athletic director at Crawford Adventist Academy in Toronto, Ontario. In this conversation he explores the transformative power of sports in Adventist education. Akeem shares the origin story and vision behind the Ontario Adventist Sports Association, and challenges the traditional hierarchy of learning by championing the gym as a space where A-grade character is built. He speaks candidly about the life lessons students gain through sports, namely discipline, perseverance, and goal-setting, while also highlighting the struggles Adventist schools face in embracing modern opportunities, including athletic scholarships and extracurricular expansion. More than competition, Akeem sees sports as a culture of community, relationships, and worship, a space where students can honour God, connect with peers, and show non-Christian students the heart of faith through sports. Plus, don’t miss his latest creative project: Mr. Ambrose, a brand-new animated YouTube series that brings faith-based storytelling to life from the very gym where so much of this journey begins.

Gerald Chipeur, KC, is a lawyer based out of Calgary, Alberta. In this conversation he reflects on his continuing four-decade legal career, exploring the intersections of administrative law, religious freedom, and constitutional interpretation in Canada. Sharing how the Canadian government interacts with religious citizens through regulation, and human rights. Gerald gives personal and faith-based insights on justice, ethical responsibility, and the importance of resolving disputes outside the courtroom. This episode unpacks how Canadian law continues to navigate the delicate balance between faith and fairness in a multicultural society, showing that there can be positive outcomes for governments to be in dialogue with faith communities. 

Pastor Rhoda, who serves in Vancouver, British Columbia, shares her path to becoming a female pastor in the Canadian Adventist Church, from her background in education to her calling into ministry. She explores the significance of representation in leadership, the distinction between ordination and commissioning, the power of inclusive language in worship, and the importance of reexamining biblical translations that have historically diminished the roles of women. The conversation highlights the tension between tradition and progress, and suggests practical steps for fostering a more inclusive church community.

Peter Noteboom, the current General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches and Co-Chair of the Canadian Interfaith Conversation, shares his experiences and perspectives on ecumenism, emphasizing the importance of unity, peace, and love in the Christian faith. He highlights that the Christian witness can be strengthened when individuals deeply engage with their own denominational traditions. In this spirit, he calls on the Adventist Church in Canada to contribute its unique voice to the work of the Canadian Council of Churches.

Kyle Hausmann-Stokes talks about his new film, My Dead Friend Zoe, which explores his own experience as a U.S. Army veteran and draws attention to the ways that violence and mental health issues impact friendships and families. 

I first met Kyle on a humanitarian effort to help migrants several years ago and continued to admire his creative talents and how his personal values drive his work. The film, which stars Sonequa Martin-Green, Natalie Morales, Gloria Reuben, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Morgan Freeman, and Ed Harris, shows how great storytelling can help difficult conversations turn into opportunities for shared grace and understanding. 

Jocelyn Bell is the editor and publisher of Broadview, a Canadian faith-based magazine and media organization. With roots dating back to 1829, Broadview is the oldest continuously published magazine in North America. Broadview covers national and international issues related to spirituality, justice, and ethical living. Jocelyn reflects on the publication’s rich history while also addressing the modern challenges faced by faith-based media.

Zach Lambert is the lead pastor and co-founder of Restore, a church based in Austin. He emphasizes the importance of building inclusive communities where everyone feels valued, shifting the spiritual focus away from belief statements to a centering on Jesus. Zach encourages Christ followers to assess faith by its fruits, in both personal and communal introspection. He also advocates for a holistic approach to scripture, offering thoughtful engagement rather than outright dismissal. His upcoming book presents solutions to harmful Bible interpretations, providing a path toward deeper, more meaningful understanding.

Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart is dean of St. Andrew’s Hall and professor of Mission Studies at Vancouver School of Theology. He is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

Noticing that fewer and fewer people are interested in Christianity, Ross uses his doctrinal research to ask, "What, then, does church mission look like?" He shares that as Canada moves further toward secularization with its history of colonialism, the question is no longer, is Christianity true? but rather, is Christianity any good?

Terry Shaw, president and CEO of AdventHealth (revenue $21 billion), shared with Spectrum why his Climate Resilience Plan improves whole-person care. He also explained why government funding of health and humanitarian work is essential. 

Reflecting on his 40-year career with the now 100,000 employee network stretching from Florida to Colorado, he shared how an internship inspired him and how his focus on extending the healing work of Jesus inspires his leadership.