MILESTONES
APPOINTED
Janet Epp Buckingham of Ottawa as director of global advocacy at the World Evangelical Alliance. The alliance’s global advocacy department was formed earlier this year to unite its engagement efforts at the United Nations in Bonn, Geneva and New York. It works collaboratively with two other WEA groups – its Religious Liberty Commission and the International Institute for Religious Freedom. Dr. Buckingham also directs the Laurentian Leadership Centre in Ottawa (a campus of
Trinity Western University) and is executive editor of the IIRF’s International Journal for Religious Freedom.
Aisha Francis of Toronto as executive director of Kairos Canada, a group of 10 churches and religious organizations that work together for ecological justice and human rights. Francis is the founder of Project Restore, a grassroots organization focused on justice, racial equity and access for families impacted by incarceration. She has 25 years experience in both business and non-profit leadership. She succeeds Jennifer Henry, who held the position nine years, and interim director Lori Ransom.
CLOSED
Generous Space Ministries, a national organization that supported LGBTQ2+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two-Spirit) people of faith. The ministry, formerly known as New
Direction, had pivoted away from being an ex-gay ministry. Recent internal differences over structure and vision were unable to be resolved. It had offices in Ontario and New Brunswick and staff and volunteers in other parts of Canada.
RENAMED
GFA World is the new name of the mission agency formerly known as Gospel for Asia, founded and led by K. P. Yohannan. Headquarters of the Canadian branch are in Stoney Creek, Ont. The not-for-profit
filed for creditor protection in July 2020 partly in response to a class-action lawsuit about its finances. An Ontario judge ruled it can continue to fundraise while these concerns are dealt with.
RESIGNED
T.V. Thomas of Regina as chairman of the Global Mobilization Network associated with the Mission
Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance, a position he held for ten years. He is succeeded by Allan Matamoros of Partners International (Middle East and North Africa director). Dr. Thomas continues to chair Lausanne’s Global Diaspora Network and the Ethnic America Network.
AWARDED
Shawna Cain’s debut recording THE WAY won the contemporary Christian/ gospel album of the year at Canada’s mainstream Juno Awards on June 6. Cain is from Brampton, Ont. Nominees this year also included Allen Froese
All Things New; K-Anthony The Cure; Matt Maher Alive & Breathing; Steve Bell
Wouldn’t You Love to Know? Details at www.JunoAwards.ca.