NMC Workshops

Workshop Tracks

Youth Care Track

Location: Copper Room

Workshop #1

Understanding ACEs and Resiliency:
Caring for youth who have experienced trauma
Location: Copper Room

Trauma leaves a mark. Come learn about the impact of trauma – and God’s invitation toward healing and resiliency. In this session, you’ll gain understanding, practical language and skills to walk forward with hurting teens in your world.

Jennifer Mervyn
Dr. Jennifer Mervyn is a Registered Psychologist, educator, and consultant with over 20 years of experience working in trauma, substance use, mental health, and community wellness. Recognized by CAMH as one of 150 Canadians Making a Difference in Mental Health, Jennifer is passionate about bridging frontline clinical practice with systems-level change.

Her work focuses on trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and decolonizing approaches to healing, with particular interest in attachment, intergenerational trauma, resilience, and the role of culture, community, and connection in wellness. Jennifer has worked extensively with Indigenous communities, youth, families, and service providers across British Columbia and internationally.

Jennifer previously served as Practice Initiative Lead for the Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Collaborative with Doctors of BC, supporting innovative approaches to improving access to care for children, youth, and families. She has also held leadership and clinical roles with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Fraser Health.

In addition to private practice, Jennifer teaches in the graduate Counselling Psychology program at Trinity Western University and is a sought-after speaker on trauma, attachment, substance use, resilience, cultural humility, and decolonizing mental health practice.

Workshop #2

Managing Dysregulated Emotions
Location: Copper Room

Dysregulation is a word we hear a lot of in our world, but what does it mean? Come and learn about the nervous system, what causes it to become deregulated, and how you can calm your emotions. You’ll gain understanding and tangible de-escalation techniques you can use and share with others.

Jennifer Mervyn
Dr. Jennifer Mervyn is a Registered Psychologist, educator, and consultant with over 20 years of experience working in trauma, substance use, mental health, and community wellness. Recognized by CAMH as one of 150 Canadians Making a Difference in Mental Health, Jennifer is passionate about bridging frontline clinical practice with systems-level change.

Her work focuses on trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and decolonizing approaches to healing, with particular interest in attachment, intergenerational trauma, resilience, and the role of culture, community, and connection in wellness. Jennifer has worked extensively with Indigenous communities, youth, families, and service providers across British Columbia and internationally.

Jennifer previously served as Practice Initiative Lead for the Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Collaborative with Doctors of BC, supporting innovative approaches to improving access to care for children, youth, and families. She has also held leadership and clinical roles with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Fraser Health.

In addition to private practice, Jennifer teaches in the graduate Counselling Psychology program at Trinity Western University and is a sought-after speaker on trauma, attachment, substance use, resilience, cultural humility, and decolonizing mental health practice.

Workshop #3

Conversations about Neurodivergence
Location: Copper Room

Come be a part of a facilitated panel discussion about neurodivergence. What is it? Who does it impact, and how can we care well for neurodivergent folks in our midst? This session will touch on living with neurodivergence, supervising those who see the world through a neurodivergent lens, and caring well for teens who are on the neurodivergent spectrum.

Jen Hubbard, Caleb Posthumus, Sarah Chow, Karmen Sawatzky

Jen – There are a few things you need to know about Jen Hubbard: the smell of the ocean is life giving to her, a slurpee soothes her soul, and she plays and coaches soccer. She also likes youth— a lot! This makes the Academic Coordinator position at Lifeteams a great fit for Jen. There she gets to equip front-line youth workers, train staff & volunteers, teach, mentor, and essentially raise up the next generation of youth missionaries in Canada. 

Caleb – Caleb is on staff with Kawartha YFC in Lakefield, working mostly with Jr Highs.

Sarah – Sarah is on staff with GVYU, loving teens in the city of Vancouver and offering spaces for teens to come and be seen and known.

Karmen – Karmen is wife to Greg, mom to two (including one neurospicy gem), and financial processor with GVYU.

Ministry, Marriage & Parenting Track

Location: Okanagan A

Workshop #1

Things I never counted on:
Parenting through unexpected and difficult circumstances
Location: Okanagan A

At the best of times parenting can feel daunting. How do we navigate extreme seasons that we couldn’t prepare for? Our panel of staff will give real life experience and wisdom to support, encourage and equip us.

Wayne Friesen, Char & Gregg Lockhart, Allan Heron, Dave and Sharon Wiebe

Wayne – Wayne works with the National Team and provides care for staff across Canada. He is a therapist who uses the Gottman Method couples work as well as Emotional Focused Therapy. Wayne lives in MacGregor, Manitoba with his wife Julie and they are celebrating 30 years of marriage together

Char – Char Lockhart is Director of People Care and Development with Central Alberta Youth Unlimited, where she supports staff through supervision, training, and spiritual care. She and her husband Gregg, who also serves with CAYU, have been married 25 years and have five kids and three grandkids. Char holds a Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and loves camping, kayaking, and meaningful conversations with good friends.

Gregg – Gregg Lockhart – Gregg has been with Central Alberta Youth Unlimited since 2001. He serves the youth of Lacombe.

Allan – Al is the Executive Director of Montreal Youth Unlimited and has been involved with YFC since 1996.

Dave – Dave Wiebe – Dave is the Abbotsford Area Director for GVYU and has been with YFC since 1994.

Sharon – Sharon is the Fraser Valley Regional Director for GVYU and has been with YFC since 1994.

Workshop #2

Avoiding the Apocalypse:
Communication in Relationships for Connection
Location: Okanagan A

Every relationship experiences four communication pitfalls that create disconnection. Together we’ll identify them and how to replace them with patterns that foster deeper connection to our partner.

Wayne Friesen
Wayne Friesen works with the National Team and provides care for staff across Canada. He is a therapist who uses the Gottman Method couples work as well as Emotional Focused Therapy. Wayne lives in MacGregor, Manitoba with his wife Julie and they are celebrating 30 years of marriage together.

Workshop #3

“The Doctor’s Kids are Always Sick…”:
Parenting well when our job is caring for people
Location: Okanagan A

You’ve been caring for people all day and now you’re struggling to be the parent your kids are hoping for. How do our kids get more than just the scraps at the end of the day?

Wayne Friesen
Wayne Friesen works with the National Team and provides care for staff across Canada. He is a therapist who uses the Gottman Method couples work as well as Emotional Focused Therapy. Wayne lives in MacGregor, Manitoba with his wife Julie and they are celebrating 30 years of marriage together.

Disciple-Making Track

Location: Okanagan A

Workshop #1, #2, #3

Strategies for Going Deeper in Disciple-making
Location: Okanagan A

2000 years ago, Jesus launched a movement that changed the world. Many of those original disciples were teenagers. Believe it or not, Jesus still chooses teenagers today to change the world. And He has called you to this mission! How did Jesus do it then? How does He still do it today? What is His Strategy? This three-part Seminar will explore Jesus as our model for multiplying disciples among the next generation. We will dive into the life of Christ together, uncovering Jesus’ process for building a disciple-making movement. What were the underlying principles, priorities and practices that Jesus used then, and are they still relevant for today? Jesus took this rag-tag bunch on a journey for 3 1/2 years, and then He turned them loose and launched them out to change the world. He wants to do the same thing, through YOU, with the teens in your community!

Doug Holliday
Doug is a thirty-plus year veteran of youth ministry, having served on staff in the local church as a youth pastor and teaching pastor in Illinois, New Jersey and Florida. Doug served as the President of Sonlife Ministries from 2013-2025.

In 2026, Doug launched the Global Ambassadors Network, a leadership community committed to sharpening and strengthening one another while strategizing and serving together to advance Jesus-focused, gospel-centered, disciple-making fueled movements across the globe. He is also pioneering Sonlife Caribbean, equipping disciple-making leaders throughout the islands to impact the next generation.

Operations and Best Practices Track

Location: Kanaskis Lounge

Workshop #1

Facilitating Effective Meetings
Location: Kanaskis Lounge

Most of us spend a LOT of time participating in (or facilitating) meetings. This workshop will explore practical tools to plan and lead meetings that are thoughtful, engaging, and productive. Through interactive learning and reflection, you’ll grow in confidence and leave with clear next steps to strengthen your facilitation.

Carl Nash
Carl Nash is the Ministry Director for Youth Unlimited in Toronto – a role that involves facilitating lots of meetings, discernment times and leadership gatherings. As someone who likes to learn from his mistakes, he claims to have lots of lessons to draw from! Carl is a running enthusiast and currently lives in Scarborough with his wife Leanne where they enjoy as much time with their toddler grandson as possible.

Workshop #2

When Regular Feedback Isn’t Working
Location: Kanaskis Lounge

As supervisors, you want to see your staff grow and be effective in their roles. You invest in and encourage your team and give them regular feedback. But what do you do when you don’t see any change or improvement, even though you are intentional about giving feedback? When do you consider coaching for success in the workplace? When do you consider more formal workplace discipline? Come to this session to find out and receive some practical tools.

Naomi Van de Visch
Naomi is the Human Resources Director with YFC Canada. She loves to serve and care for YFC staff across the country, learning from and sharing HR best practices with Chapters and Affiliates. She is passionate about seeing people serving in their giftings and increasing the effectiveness of our movement so that more and more young people are engaged and equipped to know and follow Jesus. Naomi’s husband, Shawn, is a Pastor in Chesterville, Ontario, and together they have four amazing children. In her spare time, she loves swimming with the kids, reading, and volunteering with the church youth group.

Workshop #3

Red Flags & Risk Management
Location: Kanaskis Lounge

This workshop will focus on identifying, preventing, and managing risk with volunteers and in programs. We will look at best practices and how we can best equip ourselves and our volunteers on Risk Management.

Kahala Enns
Kahala Enns serves as the Affiliate Director for Peace Country Youth Unlimited | YFC in Northern Alberta. Through the process of launching an Affiliate and her education, Kahala spent time studying and working through what Risk Management practically looks like in ministry. Together, Kahala and Kristin Schut prepared this workshop for NMC to help equip others in the area of risk management.

Soul-Tending Track

Location: Summit Room

Workshop #1

More Than Just “Okay”: Building Real Resilience with PERMA4+
Location: Summit Room

This workshop introduces PERMA4+ as a practical, evidence-informed framework to strengthen staff wellbeing and sustain effective service. Participants will gain simple, actionable strategies to build resilience, support team health, reduce burnout risk, and model the wellbeing they seek to cultivate in the young people they serve.

Kevin Hamp, Abner Hernández, and Karen Bott

Kevin has served with YFC since 2001 and considers it a privilege to be part of what God is doing to change lives across Canada and around the world. He is passionate about equipping ministry leaders for resilient, sustainable service and currently serves as a Staff Care Advisor with YFC Canada’s People Development team, as well as a psychotherapist with Cornerstone Counseling Foundation in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Abner serves with Youth for Christ Ecuador, where he is involved in leadership, board governance, program development, and international partnership work. He is especially interested in the connection between youth ministry, staff wellbeing, resilience, and evidence-informed frameworks such as PERMA4+, particularly in contexts where leaders are serving young people facing complex social and emotional challenges. Abner is based in Ecuador and works closely with YFC partners in Latin America and Canada.

Karen works for the National office as the Health and Resilience Advisor for YFC Canada, supporting staff through practical resources, training, and care that encourage healthy, sustainable rhythms in life and ministry. Her heart is to see leaders thrive with resilience, depth, and long-term effectiveness.

Workshop #2

The Wall: Navigating the Critical Journey of Faith
Finding God in Seasons of Uncertainty and Transformation
Location: Summit Room

Faith is rarely a straight line. Drawing on Janet Hagberg and Robert Guelich’s The Critical Journey, this seminar explores the six stages of faith development with special attention to “the Wall”—those seasons of disappointment, uncertainty, loss, burnout, or spiritual dryness that often become turning points in our relationship with God.

Together we will examine why these experiences occur, how they can deepen our dependence on Christ, and practical ways to rest, trust, and listen to the Spirit when answers seem elusive. Through teaching, reflection, and simple contemplative practices, participants will gain a hopeful framework for understanding their own spiritual journey and discovering God in seasons of uncertainty and transformation.

Brett Andrews
Brett is the Director of People Development for YFC Canada. His passion is to inspire, equip and encourage people for effective and sustainable ministry. Brett loves teaching, helping people tell their stories & seeing where God is at work in their lives. He has an M.Div in Counselling and a D.Min in Christian Leadership, is a graduate of the Arrow Leadership Program as well as a certified leadership Coach through Coachnet International. Additionally, Brett recently graduated as a certified Spiritual Director through Emmaus Formation Centre. Brett enjoys speaking about spiritual health, leadership, coaching, strategic visioning, disciple-making and especially grace.

Workshop #3

Grief in Ministry:
Stories, Struggle, and Faith in Process
Location: Summit Room

Grief doesn’t follow a formula—especially in ministry. This workshop brings together real stories of loss and faith in process, helping participants feel less alone, release pressure to “have it together,” and explore how lament can create space for honesty with God.

Panel: Char Lockhart, Brett Andrews, Shenoa Gislason, Marcy Amendt

Char – Char Lockhart is Director of People Care and Development with Central Alberta Youth Unlimited, where she supports staff through supervision, training, and spiritual care. She and her husband Gregg, who also serves with CAYU, have been married 25 years and have five kids and three grandkids. Char holds a Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and loves camping, kayaking, and meaningful conversations with good friends.

Brett – Brett is the Director of People Development for YFC Canada. His passion is to inspire, equip and encourage people for effective and sustainable ministry. Brett loves teaching, helping people tell their stories & seeing where God is at work in their lives. He has an M.Div in Counselling and a D.Min in Christian Leadership, is a graduate of the Arrow Leadership Program as well as a certified leadership Coach through Coachnet International. Additionally, Brett recently graduated as a certified Spiritual Director through Emmaus Formation Centre. Brett enjoys speaking about spiritual health, leadership, coaching, strategic visioning, disciple-making and especially grace.

Shenoa – Shenoa serves as the Personnel Director and has been with CAYU for seven years. She is passionate about supporting staff and helping CAYU thrive through strong people practices. She was born and raised in Ponoka, Alberta, and is one of five siblings. Shenoa had two older brothers, one younger brother, and one younger sister. Her older brother Clint passed away in 2017 and her younger brother Clayton passed away in 2018. Family remains an important part of her life, as they recently had the joy of celebrating her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary.

Marcy – Marcy, originally from British Columbia, felt called by God to serve young women in Quebec facing unexpected pregnancy with love and encouragement, and with much investment behind the scenes in building and refining Options programs and operations. Marcy’s compassion to serve young women came from experiencing her own unplanned pregnancy while she was a teenager.

Marcy is a gifted visionary with a unique ability to draw out the strengths and talents of those she works alongside. As a mom of six, she inherently knows how to spin many hats at the same time!

Marcy is a part of the Montreal Youth Unlimited Leadership Team, and is also involved in helping with the start-up of Aide Grossesse, another pregnancy centre for all ages.

Faithful Witness in a Complex, Diverse World

Location: Selkirk Lounge

Workshop #1

Worldview & Culture
Location: Selkirk Lounge

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Explain how worldview, perception and culture affect how the gospel is heard and communicated.
• Reflect on biblical narratives of the gospel crossing cultural boundaries.
• Gain some practical wisdom on communicating the gospel across cultures.

Chris Pullenayegem
Chris Pullenayegem is an immigrant from Sri Lanka where he grew up in a multi-religious and multi-ethnic context among communities fractured along these lines. Chris holds a degree in Law (specializing in Refugee and Immigration law and policy), a Masters in Leading Innovation and Change and a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology. He is a certified dialogue educator and coach. In Canada he worked as a Refugee Policy Analyst and has continued being an ardent student of the changing demographics of Canada, that adds to the wealth of knowledge and experience he brings to the area of migration and Diaspora.

He is keenly interested in building a vision for a new and emerging church in Canada co-created by established and migrant communities of faith. This involves researching and developing resources to facilitate this evolution. He is a trainer in cross-cultural competencies and multi-faith awareness and is a keen observer and advocate of the link between Kingdom expansion and people movements. Chris has decades of experience working with the Church in matters relating to church renewal, leadership, youth, new ministry development and discipleship/faith formation. He has decades of experience in leading startups/new initiatives and brings passion, people skills and sound strategy to help them grow. Chris finds recreation in music and outdoor activities.

You may read some of his reflections here.

Workshop #2

Engaging Major Religions
Location: Selkirk Lounge

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Summarize the core beliefs and practices of major world religions and recognize diversity within each tradition.
• Compare and contrast these religions with Christianity on key themes such as God, salvation and human purpose.
• Understand how to engage people of other faiths with a posture of love, respect and thoughtful witness.

Chris Pullenayegem
Chris Pullenayegem is an immigrant from Sri Lanka where he grew up in a multi-religious and multi-ethnic context among communities fractured along these lines. Chris holds a degree in Law (specializing in Refugee and Immigration law and policy), a Masters in Leading Innovation and Change and a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology. He is a certified dialogue educator and coach. In Canada he worked as a Refugee Policy Analyst and has continued being an ardent student of the changing demographics of Canada, that adds to the wealth of knowledge and experience he brings to the area of migration and Diaspora.

He is keenly interested in building a vision for a new and emerging church in Canada co-created by established and migrant communities of faith. This involves researching and developing resources to facilitate this evolution. He is a trainer in cross-cultural competencies and multi-faith awareness and is a keen observer and advocate of the link between Kingdom expansion and people movements. Chris has decades of experience working with the Church in matters relating to church renewal, leadership, youth, new ministry development and discipleship/faith formation. He has decades of experience in leading startups/new initiatives and brings passion, people skills and sound strategy to help them grow. Chris finds recreation in music and outdoor activities.

You may read some of his reflections here.

Workshop #3

Seeing and Being Seen:
A Zacchaeus Approach to Reconciliation
Location: Selkirk Lounge

Learning from Zacchaeus about what reconciliation could look like in the context of Canada’s history with Indigenous peoples.

Steve Hildebrand
Steve has been a passionate leader within Youth for Christ (YFC) since 1990, when he began volunteering with YFC Portage. In 1998, he joined the team full-time and soon after combined his love for skateboarding and youth outreach to launch Platform Skate, a unique ministry aimed at connecting with the local skateboard community.

In 2012, Steve expanded his impact globally by joining YFC Canada’s Global Engagement team, where he helped develop skateboard ministries in Costa Rica, and brought teams to Lebanon, Hungary, and Honduras.

With a desire for reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada, Steve has led skateboarding camps and initiatives in Indigenous communities. In 2019, he was appointed to lead YFC Canada’s Indigenous/Settler Relations initiative, helping the organization respond meaningfully to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.

Building Teams Track

Location: RimRock Dining Room

Workshop #1

Better Together:
The Art of Building Healthy & Effective Teams
Location: RimRock Dining Room

Jesus built a team before He built a movement.

In ministry, our impact is often limited not by vision or passion, but by our ability to build and lead healthy, effective teams. Yet teams can be both a tremendous gift and a significant challenge. Why do some teams thrive while others struggle? Why should we invest in building teams in the first place? And what does Scripture teach us about God’s design for collaborative leadership?

This interactive workshop explores the spiritual and practical foundations of team building. Together, we’ll examine biblical models of teamwork and wrestle with the question, “Why are teams worth building?” We’ll explore both the advantages and challenges of team-based ministry and discover how healthy teams create greater resilience, creativity, accountability, and Kingdom impact.

Drawing on insights from leading resources participants will gain practical tools for fostering trust, navigating conflict, clarifying purpose, and strengthening team culture.
The workshop will include interactive discussion and team-building exercises—including a version of Lencioni’s Personal Histories Exercise—to help participants experience the principles firsthand and apply them to their own ministry contexts.

Participants will leave with:

• A biblical framework for team-based ministry
• Greater understanding of why healthy teams matter
• Practical tools for developing trust and emotional health
• Insight into team dynamics and stages of development
• Strategies for addressing common team dysfunctions
• Actionable next steps for building stronger ministry teams

Whether you lead staff, volunteers, or ministry initiatives, this workshop will help you cultivate teams that are both healthy in relationship and effective in mission.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9

Brett Andrews
Brett is the Director of People Development for YFC Canada. His passion is to inspire, equip and encourage people for effective and sustainable ministry. Brett loves teaching, helping people tell their stories & seeing where God is at work in their lives. He has an M.Div in Counselling and a D.Min in Christian Leadership, is a graduate of the Arrow Leadership Program as well as a certified leadership Coach through Coachnet International. Additionally, Brett recently graduated as a certified Spiritual Director through Emmaus Formation Centre. Brett enjoys speaking about spiritual health, leadership, coaching, strategic visioning, disciple-making and especially grace.

Workshop #2

Leadership and the Art of Discernment
Location: RimRock Dining Room

As Christian leaders, how can we embrace a collaborative model of discernment that allows our collective sense of God’s invitation to be the foundation of our strategic plans? Come explore the heart behind a group discernment model and learn how to facilitate the flow of the various components of these meaningful gatherings.

Scott Moore
Scott serves Youth Unlimited as its Executive Director in the CEO role. He is responsible for the strategic direction of the organization, as well as leadership, team and resource development. Central to his responsibilities, Scott provides spiritual leadership to YU, caring for the well-being of his staff as they reach out to the young people of the GTA.

Scott Moore & Carl Nash have practiced this approach to collective discernment as part of the leadership of YU in Toronto for over 10 years. For both of them, this model has also ‘spilled out’ into their leadership of church life and key decision-making moments with family and friends. They are eager to share some of their learnings and experiences!

Workshop #3

Pipelines and Transitions – Roundtable Discussion
Location: RimRock Dining Room

Leadership transitions are inevitable. Whether it’s a staff change, volunteer turnover, maternity leave, or a major leadership transition, every ministry faces moments when key people move in and out of roles.

Join a panel of YFC leaders as they share lessons learned, practical insights, and honest reflections on navigating change well. Together, we’ll explore how to develop people, build healthy leadership pipelines, and create ministries that continue to thrive through seasons of transition.

Jerel Peters
Panel includes Rena Booth-Navid, Don Rose, Evan Spencer, Megan Adam

Jerel – Jerel Peters is the Executive Director of Central Alberta Youth Unlimited / Youth for Christ. Since joining the ministry in 2003, he has served in a variety of youth ministry roles before becoming Executive Director in 2018. Jerel is passionate about helping young people and youth workers live with hope, purpose, and wholeness. He enjoys inspiring and developing leaders, communicating vision, and building healthy teams. Jerel loves Jesus, his wife Katie, their five children, good coffee, and meaningful conversations.

Rena – Rena is a Canadian Healthcare professional, community leader, and Christian minister who serves as the Executive Director of Westman Youth for Christ in Brandon, Manitoba. With over 25 years of experience serving the Westman community, her career bridges public Healthcare administration with non-profit faith based youth advocacy. Rena has spent more than two decades volunteering in local, provincial and national youth ministry. In addition to her Executive duties at YFC, she is an active speaker in the Christian community.

Don – Don joined Southwestern Ontario Youth for Christ after serving thirty years as a Christian high school educator and administrator. Having had a challenging young life transformed by those who shared with him the Gospel, his adult life has been dedicated to building up the church and encouraging, equipping, and empowering those who help youth recognize and live into their rich potential in Christ. He and his wife, Corrie, have three young adult children.

Evan – Evan serves as the Executive Director of Youth Unlimited / YFC Calgary. A family man, former pastor, and community builder, Evan is passionate about helping young people become fully alive and supporting the leaders who walk alongside them.

Since stepping into leadership with YFC Calgary, Evan has been navigating organizational transition with a focus on listening well, strengthening teams, building partnerships, and honouring the legacy of the ministry while preparing for the future. He is grateful to be part of the YFC movement and looks forward to learning with others around healthy leadership pipelines and transitions.

Megan – Megan began working for Greater Vancouver Youth Unlimited in 2014 as the administrator for the Langley area. Over the past 12 years she has moved from an area administrator to the central office administrator, to serving as executive partner and, as of 2025, moved into the role of Director of Operations for all of Greater Vancouver. Megan believes that her role is to do what she does best in order to equip and empower the team to do what they do best.