Victor and Kristen Maynard are pastors at Vintage Church Los Angeles. They recently moved to Santa Monica after having served as pastors at Village Church, Surrey for over the past decade. They are both passionate about helping others experience the depth and beauty of Jesus in the everyday and many changing seasons of life. 

John Swinton is Professor of Practical Theology at the University of Aberdeen, where his work explores the intersections of theology, mental health, disability, and human flourishing. A former mental health nurse and chaplain, he brings theological insight into conversation with lived experience and interdisciplinary research. Alongside his academic writing, he is a guitarist, singer-songwriter, and host of Thinking from the Heart, a podcast and musical project exploring theology, mental health, and the healing imagination.

Daniel Whitehead is the CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries. Previously, he spent ten years in full-time vocational ministry, serving as senior pastor of a church for eight years. Daniel hails from the UK, but now resides in Vancouver, BC. He is married to Annie, and has two children. In his spare time Daniel loves laughing, making other people laugh and watching his beloved soccer team, Tottenham Hotspur (who rarely make him laugh...but does cause others to laugh at him).

Gerald Griffin served as a pastor at Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon for 15 years before recently relocating to Topanga Canyon with his wife Jenni to plant a church alongside his former ministry partner, John Mark Comer. In addition to this new venture, Gerald serves as a pastoral coach with Practicing the Way, helping ministry leaders cultivate sustainable rhythms and spiritual practices.

A lifelong surfer, Gerald has recently embraced backpacking as another way to connect with others and enjoy creation. He and Jenni share a rhythm of daily walks together for conversation and prayer, and they treasure time with their three adult children: Simon, Jillian, and Miriam.

Ian Simkins grew up just outside of Detroit as the oldest of seven homeschooled children. He first encountered the beauty of global and local mission at his family’s Alliance church, and nervously preached his first “terrible” sermon (he says) at sixteen. That moment, though, planted a seed of love for ministry that God would continue to grow.

After studying Youth Ministry and Adolescent Studies at Judson University in Illinois, he became Pastor of Student Ministries at Poplar Creek Church and in 2010, stepped into the Lead Pastor role amidst a crisis. During that season, he met Katie, now his wife and partner in every adventure.

After serving as a Teaching Pastor at Community Christian Church and co-hosting The Common Good radio show, he followed God’s call to Tennessee in 2021. Today, he serves as Lead Pastor of The Bridge Church, where Katie and him raise their three amazing boys: Owen, Redmond and Ezra.

Mark & Cheryl Buchanan live between Enderby, BC and Calgary, Alberta. Mark is associate professor of Pastoral Theology at Ambrose Seminary, and Cheryl is Director of New Story Community, a recovery program for Indigenous women.

For 20 years Mark and Cheryl have walked with Indigenous peoples, learning from their wisdom and supporting their journeys. Mark is a teacher, speaker and author of 13 books. They have 3 adult children.

Joshua Luke Smith is a British poet, songwriter, community builder, podcaster and author. He’s the founder of Orphan No More, a record label and creative community, as well as The Psalmists, a charity helping the lives of offenders through creative expression. Raised partially in Pakistan, Smith draws on his personal journey to engage audiences on the themes of spiritual formation, identity and hope.

He lives with his family in London, UK.

Alex Rayment is Lead Pastor of Penny Lane Church, Liverpool, UK. He is married to Laura who will be leading worship this week alongside their dear friend Emily Nelson. They have 3 daughters, love board games and lifting heavy things!

Brett Donald is a pastor, coach, and occasional professor who served in the Vancouver area for many years. More recently, he and his wife Natalie and their two kids have moved to Victoria to pioneer a new church. Brett is also a trainer with Saturate, helping church leaders make disciples in their contexts. Ever since accidentally becoming a pastor when he was 18, Brett has been passionate about helping people meet Jesus, and equipping Christians to join Jesus' mission in their everyday lives. 

The Donald family enjoys a good game of Catan, being by the water, and a delicious coffee (or tea depending on who you talk to).

Chris Price is one of the lead pastors at The Way Church Vancouver — a church he planted with two close friends in 2020. He is also the head of theology at The Way College.

He holds an MA in Christian studies and he has been in pastoral ministry for two decades. Married to Diandra for 17 years with two children, Kaeden (15) and Mila (13), they live together in East Vancouver.