March 5th, 2025Gathering 2025 Speakers
We have invited a diverse collection of voices to inform our times of worship and discernment. Their presentations will lead into thoughtful sharing around the discussion tables.
WEDNESDAY EVENING: Focus “CELEBRATING THE GIFTS”
With a global perspective of Anabaptism at 500 in mind, César Garcia will preach from our theme verse for the Gathering - 1 Peter 4:10…”Each has a gift”
César García has been the general secretary of the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) since 2011, an organization that serves some 1.5 million members worldwide in the Anabaptist tradition. García grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, became a Christian there as a teenager, and responded to the call to serve as pastor in the Mennonite Brethren Church. He graduated from Seminario Bíblico de Colombia and the Universidad de San Buenaventura. While planting and pastoring Strong Tower Mennonite Brethren Church in Bogotá, César was elected president of the Mennonite Brethren churches in Colombia. After completing an M.A. in Theology at Fresno Pacific Seminary in California, César was chosen as General Secretary of MWC. He is married to Sandra Báez, a pastor in Kitchener, Ontario. They have two grown daughters and have served in pastoral roles together for over 30 years.
WEDNESDAY EVENING: Anabaptist Origin Stories
Gareth invites us to consider "How might 3 different Anabaptist origin stories from 500 years ago inspire our diverse expressions today?"
Gareth Brandt is a freelance artist, itinerant speaker, and independent scholar. His most recent publication is Radical Roots: A Collection of Paintings, Stories, and Poems Celebrating the 500th Anniversary of Anabaptist Origins. Gareth is arriving at Gathering 2025 after five weeks on the road presenting his poetry, paintings, and sermons at various Mennonite churches and schools across Canada. He was born in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada and has served Mennonite churches in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia as a congregational and denominational youth pastor and most recently as a college professor teaching spiritual formation and Anabaptist history and theology for more than two decades. Gareth has always enjoyed being creative and has dabbled in various artistic endeavors from poetry to painting and from sculpture to spoken word. Gareth lives with his wife Cynthia, and they are part of Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford, BC. They enjoy four adult children, three daughters-in-law, and one grandchild. You can follow his blog and listen to some of his poetry here.
THURSDAY MORNING: Focus “VISITING THE WOUNDS”
Joon Park will share his insights of “seeking to belong” within the Mennonite Church in Canada.
Joon Park, a Christian writer, intercultural consultant, and social entrepreneur, completed his intentional interim pastorate at Holyrood Mennonite Church in Edmonton in 2024. Accompanied by his musician wife, Shim, he has returned to his hometown of Abbotsford, BC, and his home congregation Emmanuel. He is now awaiting the next stage of ministry, where he will be called and engaged based on the intercultural needs of local congregations.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON: MC Canada Priority “PURSUING GOD’S CALL”
Is our motivation simply to make the world a better place by being peaceful and seeking justice? God has called us to be disciples of Jesus who belong to a community of believers working toward the restoration of all creation. How does this call make a difference?
Anika Reynar grew up in central Alberta, and has gradually moved east, finding homes in Winnipeg, Toronto, and now in Boston. Anika recently graduated with a dual master's degree from Yale University in theology and environmental management. Anika is interested in the intersections between theological commitments, land use practices, and patterns of migration and displacement. These interests have led Anika to work with refugee communities, in urban and rural agriculture, and with churches engaged in reparative action with Indigenous communities. She now works in Boston as a facilitator and mediator for public policy and environmental issues. Anika loves sharing good food, creating art, and moving between places by foot and bike.
THURSDAY EVENING: TESTIMONY Kelbessa Muleta Demena
THURSDAY EVENING: DRAMA “Spirit Acts”
Spirit Acts is a commissioned drama by Arlyn Friesen Epp for the 2025 Gathering. In 45 minutes, this biblical retelling explores several key “Spirit moments” in the first half of the book of Acts. It follows Peter’s spiritual journey and a growing understanding of the church as the eventual inter-cultural congregation in Antioch. Underneath, it ponders our present understanding of time: Are we too in tune with the Spirit’s continued “Kairos” activity in our regular, “Chronological,” day-to-day, experiences?
Arlyn Friesen Epp has been at CommonWord (and the MC Canada resource centre before that) for over 21 years – and has seen the shape of Christian formation and resourcing shift over time. This job brings together a lot of his loves: books and resources, retail and loan, church and university, fine details and finer customers from across the country. It also offers some creative time to explore biblical drama writing, a particular interest first sparked at CMBC (predecessor to CMU) thirty-five years ago. It is hoped that by telling the biblical story anew – in contemporary settings and with fresh language – we see ourselves within it. He is grateful for his partner, Judith, who for over 3 decades has helped him nurture this dream – and to their children who help him ask the good questions.
FRIDAY MORNING: Focus “TRANSFORMING INJUSTICES”
Doug Klassen, EM of Mennonite Church Canada will lead a panel discussion that features the Intercultural Church Steering Committee (ICSC) and Ernie Harris, a retired pastor/administrator, intercultural trainer and former MCEC Executive Council member. The discussion will profile some of the obstacles to belonging and test ways that congregations can be more inclusive of folks not from Eurocentric (primarily Germanic) and/or “traditional” Mennonite backgrounds.
Panel: Joon Park, Josh Wallace, Kenny Bvn, Fanosie Legessie, Ernie Harris
FRIDAY AFTERNOON: MC Canada Priority “CREATING SPACES FOR COMPANIONS”
The Western world often views relationships as “transactional”. How should MC Canada live out its partnerships with people locally and around the world. Is a shift from “partner” to include “companion” (Latin - those with whom we share bread) more helpful, and less transactional?
Lakan Sumulong Pantoja is a dedicated peacebuilder, theologian, and social entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience in fostering justice and reconciliation across Southeast Asia. As the President & CEO of PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. and Lead Story Practitioner at Coffee for Peace, Inc., he works to empower conflict-affected communities through faith-based reconciliation and social entrepreneurship. Based in Davao City, Philippines, he also serves as an International Witness Worker with Mennonite Church Canada. His academic background includes master's degrees in Asian studies (University of Philippines) and theology (Vancouver School of Theology, UBC) equipping him for a career that spans pastoral leadership, academia, and cross-cultural peacebuilding.
Lakan has played a vital role in sustainable development, collaborating with Indigenous groups, local communities, and global organizations to promote transformative justice. Married for 46 years to Joji Felicitas Bautista-Pantoja, he is a devoted husband, father of three, and grandfather of eight. He is passionate about mentoring future peacebuilders and discussing justice, continuing to shape inclusive and harmonious spaces. He enjoys hiking, photography
SATURDAY MORNING: MC Canada Priority “CULTIVATE A CULTURE”
How do we empower one another to live, grow, and share the peace of Christ with joy? David and Shana Boshart will invite us to rediscover the deep purpose found in God's call—to faith, service, and ministry. In a world often weighed down by apathy, skepticism and doubt when invited to vocations of service to the church, we will explore how to nurture a culture where calling is recognized, affirmed, and lived out at every stage of life—for the sake of Christ and the renewal of the church.
Currently in his second term of service, David Boshart was appointed President of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in August of 2019. He has been a Mennonite pastor for almost 40 years. Prior to his appointment to AMBS, David served for 9 years as Executive Conference Minister for Central Plains Mennonite Conference and as a local congregational pastor for 25 years. David was a member of the Executive Board of Mennonite Church USA for 12 years, serving as the denomination's Moderator from 2017-2019.
David holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Andrews University with an emphasis in missional ecclesiology. He is the author of the book Becoming Missional: Denominations and New Church Development in Complex Social Contexts. David has taught classes at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and Andrews University. He is married to Shana, and they have three adult sons, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren.
Shana Peachey Boshart is the Project Facilitator for Shine Everywhere, the at-home initiative of Shine Curriculum. She is an ordained minister and a credentialed leadership coach. Shana served for 20 years as the conference minister for Christian formation for Central Plains Mennonite Conference and for four years as the denominational minister for faith formation for Mennonite Church USA. Shana earned a graduate certificate in theological studies from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and has formal training in spiritual direction. Shana is married to David Boshart, the president of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana, and they have three sons and four granddaughters. They attend Prairie Street Mennonite Church where Shana is the chair of the Executive Committee.