EMS CANADA 2027 REGIONAL CONFERENCE
Theme: "Leading in Missions: Diverse Voices and Practice in Global Witness"
Date: Friday, April 16, 2027
The Evangelical Missiological Society (EMS) Canada Region invites scholars, students, mission leaders, and reflective practitioners to submit research, historical studies, and critical reflections on leadership and its implications for Christian witness in Canada and around the world.
Mission leadership profoundly influences the way the gospel is communicated, communities are served, local leaders are developed, and disciples are formed. Yet leadership models in mission settings are often shaped by cultural assumptions, institutional traditions, and power dynamics. These may not adequately reflect or effectively serve the people, places, and communities where mission is carried out, or advance God’s kingdom purposes.
The 2027 conference theme explores leadership in missions as a practical, theological, historical, intercultural, and organizational concern. The conference welcomes a wide range of perspectives on how leadership can strengthen faithful witness, expand participation in God’s mission, cultivate healthy partnerships, and contribute to lasting gospel impact. It honours all leaders who labour quietly and consistently for the extension of God’s kingdom in local contexts and beyond.
We particularly invite reflection on leaders and communities whose contributions have been overlooked, underrepresented, or insufficiently recognized in mission history and contemporary practice. We also welcome examination of leadership approaches that emerge from, are shaped by, or are accountable to local and Majority World contexts.
Rather than centering the conference on debates concerning church offices, titles, or roles, we seek to examine the broader sphere of missions and parachurch leadership: the people, practices, relationships, structures, and cultural assumptions that influence evangelization and the flourishing of mission leaders and the communities they serve.
2027 Suggested Sub-Themes
Papers may address one or more of the following areas. These topics are intended to encourage interdisciplinary engagement and contributions from scholars and reflective practitioners alike.
Leadership, Theology, and Global Witness
Biblical and theological understandings of leadership, leadership in missiological scholarship, and the influence of mission leadership on evangelization and the credibility of Christian witness.
Diverse Voices, Histories, and Contexts
Historical and contemporary contributions of overlooked mission leaders, including women, Indigenous leaders, minorities, diaspora leaders, and non-Western missionaries. This includes leadership emerging from Majority World contexts, diaspora communities, and transnational mission networks.
Power, Partnerships, and Organizational Leadership
Institutional barriers and unequal access to leadership opportunities, diverse leadership teams, intercultural partnerships, shared decision-making, mutual accountability, and local ownership within churches and mission organizations.
Leadership Development, Formation, and Practice
Leadership development, mentoring, succession planning, and care for mission leaders. Papers may also explore Christian leadership in workplaces and public life, alongside reflective case studies of organizational change and mission practice.
Locations
In-Person:
- Alberta (AB): The King’s University, Edmonton
- British Columbia (BC): Trinity Western University, Langley
- Manitoba (MB): Steinbach Bible College, Steinbach
- Ontario (ON): Tyndale University, Toronto
If you cannot attend in person, join us online for live sessions and discussions.
Rev. Dr. Joel Zantingh
Lausanne Movement Canada / WEA Peace & Reconciliation Network
The purpose of the Canada Region of the Evangelical Missiological Society (EMS) is to provide a forum once a year for Canadian missiologists, students, pastors and practitioners to engage each other around relevant topics in global missions, and contribute a Canadian voice to the North America and Global conversation. This is motivated by a felt need for “dialogue, fellowship, and cooperation among evangelicals devoted to researching, publishing and instructing in areas related to the mission of the Church.
Crystal Tse
Bosco Tung (Outreach Canada / Lausanne)
Joel Zantingh (Lausanne / WEA PRN)
Laura Alexander (TCPI / Tyndale)
Larry Hayashi (CANIL /TWU)
James Bruyn (Kings U)
Carl Loewen (Steinbach)
Alexander Lee (TIM Centre / Tyndale / Fuller)
Chris Pulsifer (MissionFest BC / BAM Canada)
Narry Santos (Outgoing EMS VP)
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Join the team nationally / regionally! Email your interest at canada@emsweb.org
2027 EMS Canada Plenary Keynote Speakers & Response
Rev. Dr. H. Daniel Zacharias
TBA
Danny grew up in Winnipeg (Treaty 1 territory), with his maternal ancestors (Cree/Anishinaabe) inhabiting the areas of Treaty 1 and Treaty 5 territory for many generations. After completing his Bachelor of Arts at Providence College, he and his wife Maria moved to Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia) to complete his Master of Divinity and Master of Arts (Theology) at Acadia Divinity College. While working part-time at ADC, Danny completed his PhD in New Testament studies through Highland Theological College (University of Aberdeen). During his time serving at ADC, Danny also completed the process of ordination with the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada and serves regularly in his local church. Danny also carries administrative responsibilities as Associate Dean and Director of the Hayward Lectures. In addition to his role at ADC, Danny is a faculty member of NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community. More than any of these achievements, Danny is most proud to call Maria his wife, Lex, Jack, and Hudson his sons, and Ella-Rose his daughter.
Response to Danny:
TBD
Dr. James Bruyn
TBA
Assistant Professor, Business, King’s University
Faith at Work (Our Common Calling)
Response to James:
Dr. Jean Lee, Canadian Chinese School of Theology at Tyndale – Principal, Professor
TBA
TBA
Response:
TBD
This multi-provincial gathering offers opportunities for dialogue, collaboration, and learning. It provides a platform for participants to shape the Church’s engagement in an ever-changing world. Breakout sessions, led by preliminary paper authors, will delve into practical and academic insights, fostering meaningful discussions.
ON Venue (Tyndale University)
TBA
AB Venue (The King’s University)
TBA
BC Venue (Trinity Western University / TEDS)
MB Venue (Steinbach College)
TBA
Sign Up Now!
To avail of membership benefits (e.g., EMS Canada regional conference and EMS national conference discounts, ebook copy of the EMS annual compendium), join as EMS Canada member here (in US$):
For questions, or to volunteer in supporting the conference, please contact Dr. Narry Santos, EMS Regional Vice President for Canada Region: nsantos@tyndale.ca
Partners
Submission Process & Key Dates
Who Should Submit?
Proposals are welcome from scholars, educators, pastors, mission and parachurch leaders, students, and reflective practitioners, including those engaged in diaspora ministries, Indigenous communities, and workplaces.
Papers may draw from biblical and theological scholarship, historical or empirical research, fieldwork, organizational experience, and ministry case studies. All submissions should make explicit how their subject informs the theory or practice of mission leadership.
Submission Process & Key Dates
Paper Proposal Deadline: Monday, February 8, 2027
Submit a paper title and a 200–300-word abstract using the EMS Canada online submission form.
Acceptance Notifications: February 2027
Regional Paper Deadline: Friday, April 2, 2027
Authors of accepted proposals may submit a paper of at least 2,000 words for a regional breakout presentation, or a full-length paper of 4,500–7,000 words for regional presentation and possible EMS Annual Conference consideration, subject to the applicable review process.
Chicago/Turabian author-date citation format is preferred. Reflective practitioner papers may adopt a less formal style suitable for case studies and ministry reflection, provided sources are acknowledged and arguments are supported.
Selected regional presenters may be invited to expand their papers for consideration at the 2027 EMS Annual National Conference, October 1–2, at Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas, and online. Regional acceptance does not guarantee Annual Conference acceptance.
For complete topic descriptions, paper guidelines, and submission requirements, please consult the full 2027 Call for Papers.
Submission Inquiries: canada@emsweb.org
Submissions should address how the Church engages dynamically across one or more of the Four As:
- Academy: Theological and Educational Sectors
- Assembly: Local Church Communities
- Agency: Missions Organizations and Networks
- Agora: Marketplace, Workplace and Public Spaces
For detailed guidelines and submission instructions, read the full Call for Papers here.
EMS Canada Conference 2026 Schedules & Papers
2026: Theological Anthropology for Missional Engagement