Making Peace in a Polarized World | Online Equipping Experience
Canada and other developed countries around the world are experiencing unprecedented polarization and division. The COVID-19 Pandemic has exposed political, ideological, and even religious divisions that are tearing holes in the social fabric of our families, communities, and churches.
Church leaders have not been well equipped to confidently lead through these polarities. Learning to lead through polarization is now an essential skill set to lead and pastor in the post-COVID world.
Imagine having greater confidence, vision, and practical tools to disciple your congregations in Jesus’ way of peacemaking? Your team could be the catalyst in helping the church become known for attitudes and competencies that bring healing and practical tools to your divided communities.

When’s It Happening?
- October 4 & 12 from 12:30-4:45 PM ET / 9:30 AM-1:45 PM PT
- October 18 from 12:30-2:00 PM ET / 9:30-11:00 AM PT
- Three interactive sessions with over 9 hours of foundational skills training
Who’s This For?
- Church leadership teams, staff teams, church boards, and Christian non-profit leadership teams
- Individual pastoral, ministry, and lay leaders
What Can You Expect?
- Two shared online sessions (October 4 & 12) designed for teams to engage in a live training experience and a final session (October 18) to take your training to the next level with live Q&A with Dr. Samuel Sarpiya (*includes access to all the session recordings)
- Breakout workshop times to practice what you’re learning as a team/group (individual registrants will be able to join other individuals in breakout rooms during the experience)
- A return to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount manifesto of peacemaking, highlighting the differences between peacekeeping and active peacemaking
- Identify and address cultural barriers to peace that are creating polarization in our churches and communities
- Real-life case studies of how unity, peace, reconciliation, and transformation are possible
- Tools and inspiration to create a long-term culture of peacemaking in your church or organization and to equip your team with essential practices for skillful leadership for the future of the church
Faculty

SAMUEL SARPIYA
Executive Director, Center for Nonviolence and Conflict Transformation
Samuel is a teacher, author, trainer, activist, and coach for leaders who want to create a better world from the inside out using peace and nonviolence methods. He’s the founding director of the Center for Nonviolence and Conflict Transformation based in Rockford, Illinois. Samuel is a Jesus Collective Partner and lives with his family in Milton, ON.

BETTY PRIES
Change, Conflict, and Leadership Specialist
With over 28 years of experience coaching, mediating, training, facilitating, and consulting, Betty is highly regarded as a conflict, change, and leadership specialist. She specializes in working with complex challenges, supporting leaders and their organizations to be at their best.

REV. COLIN MCCARTNEY
Ordained Minister, Author, Founder of Connect City
Colin is an ordained minister, author, and founder of UrbanPromise Toronto and Connect City, a ministry that connects young leaders to God’s mission in vulnerable communities. Colin has appeared on Canadian television, radio, and in national newspapers and works as a coach and mentor to pastors and business leaders.

ADAM DYER
Leader of the Leadership Team
Adam leads Yeovil Community Church in Somerset, England alongside his wife Rachel where they’ve been exploring Jesus-centredness, distinctive inclusivity, and whole community transformation over 14 years. Adam is passionate about community transformation and the church working in partnership to see his nation transformed.

MANDY KASPER
Spiritual Practices Pastor
Mandy has served in pastoral ministry for over 17 years in a variety of church contexts, and she currently serves as the Spiritual Practices Pastor at Southridge Community Church in St Catharines, Ontario. Mandy longs to see the authentic heart of Jesus forming and transforming our communities from the inside out.

MARGARET SMART
Program Coordinator
Margaret has served as a preacher, teacher, and leader in Christian ministry for over 20 years. She currently works with the Mennonite Central Committee in Ontario, an organization committed to relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ, and as the Walking with People in Poverty Program Coordinator.
REGISTER
Last Minute Tickets are available until Oct. 12th, 2022
Teams of 3 or more: $129/person
Individual: $149/person
*All prices are in Canadian Dollars and do not include Eventbrite admin fees (viewable at checkout).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Participate Individually?
Absolutely! Single registrants will be able to join other individual leaders in breakout rooms during the experience.
What are the topics of each session?
Session topics will be available soon.
I can't make it to one or more of the sessions. Will there be VOD available?
More information on this coming soon!