GROUND BREAKERS Keynote Speakers

June 3 - 5, 2012 at First Assembly Church - Calgary, Alberta 

Alan Hirsch, Author, Missional Practicioner 

Alan Hirsch is the founding director of Forge Mission Training Network. Currently he co-leads Future Travelers, an innovative learning program helping megachurches become missional movements. Known for his innovative approach to mission, Alan is considered to be a thought-leader and key mission strategist for churches across the Western world. His experience includes leading a local church movement among the marginalized, developing training systems for innovative missional leadership, and heading up the mission and revitalization work of his denomination.

Alan is co-founder and adjunct faculty for the M.A. in Missional Church Movements at Wheaton College (Illinois).  He is also adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary, George Fox Seminary, among others, and he lectures frequently throughout Australia, Europe, and the United States. Hirsch is the author of The Forgotten Ways; co-author of The Shaping of Things to Come, ReJesus and The Faith of Leap. (with Michael Frost); Untamed (with Debra Hirsch); Right Here, Right Now (with Lance Ford): On the Verge (with Dave Ferguson); The Permanent Revolution (with Tim Catchim). He is also series editor for Baker Books’ Shapevine series , IVP’s Forge line, and an associate editor of Leadership Journal.

Brad Jersak, Author, Church Planter, Theologian

Brad Jersak is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, BC, where he attends Fresh Wind Christian Fellowship. This unique church has a special emphasis on practicing listening prayer while ministering with the disabled, children, prodigals, and the poor. Brad's heart is to share the good news that God is Love and that God's love was shown to us perfectly in Jesus of Nazareth. He serves as a ministry associate of the Listening Prayer Community and sits on the boards of Soul Stream and Key of David Ministries. He also co-edits Clarion Journal of Spirituality and Justice and The Owl: George Grant Journal. 

Brad received an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Briercrest Biblical Seminar and an M.Div. from Trinity Western University. He is currently doing Ph.D. studies in theology through Bangor University in Wales. Brad has taught Listening Prayer seminars for seven years in Canada, the U.S., Europe and Asia. Every stream of Christianity is hungry for God's voice, so this material has been received with enthusiasm across the spectrum of mainline, evangelical, and charismatic churches, colleges, and discipleship schools. He has also begun to teach on the topic of Spirituality and Justice at colleges, churches, and peace forums. Through his books and seminers, Brad teaches that anyone can learn to hear God's voice through the simple practice of "listening prayer." Those who practice listening prayer find that God's love heals wounded hearts and empowers them to heal this broken world.

Steve Osmond, Lead Pastor, Communicator, Catylyst 

Steve and Heather Osmond along with their three rowdy boys reside in the booming city of Calgary, Alberta. When Steve finds time in his busy schedule He gives his best shot at being the Lead Pastor of First Assembly Church. He works alongside a dynamic Pastoral team that focuses on bringing hope and healing to people everywhere. Steve is determined to fight against the trend of pastoring a big church full of small Christians but instead desires to see people walking in the character and power of Jesus Christ. Steve and Heather also carry a passion for reaching young people and this passion is expressed through a young adult network of faith communities called the Tehillah Movement. As an enthusiastic and effective communicator, Steve’s primary gift is to inspire and motivate others to live a joy-filled life. 

additional guest speakers include...

Mike Love Extreme Dreamer  CJ Block Thinker, Risk Taker Mark Griffin Catylyst, Planter Keith Waara Strategist, Dreamer

Virginio Mateo Planter, Pastor  Rohadi Nagasser Justice, Planter   Jessica DiSabatino Church Planter, Entrepreneur

Worship by .....

Michael Larson and Tehillah Band