About
This first-ever Hope Conference is a collaborative learning experience. We will explore a variety of issues about poverty by hearing from subject-matter experts. Together, we will search for God's heart in asking HOW to best engage poverty issues like homelessness, food insecurity, drug addiction, mental health challenges, and more. While we will emphasize a Gospel-centred response to poverty with an emphasis in the City of Barrie, the principles will apply equally in any Canadian city or town context. Wherever you live, whatever your background or experience with poverty issues, you are here because God's heart for justice for the poor resonates deeply within you, and you want engage poverty with God's compassion, mercy, and love!
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Please feel free to contact us using the form, below, if you do not find your question answered here.
Who are the Conference Organizers?
The Hope Conference is a collaborative effort of churches and church leaders in Barrie who are partnering to engage the marginalized and vulnerable among us with a Gospel-centred approach. We believe that God is calling us to be THE CHURCH of Barrie. While honouring the distinctive mission and calling of each individual church, we are people who are answering God's call to mission among the marginalized. We believe that we are Better Together.
We are not a single institution; We are a Missional Movement.
What is the Purpose?
The Goal of the Hope Conference is, simply, to bring people together.
We Hope to educate and advocate for a truly Gospel-centred approach to poverty-engagement.
The Vision is that, seeking to follow the Biblical Way of Jesus, together, we will discover new paths to partnership between Churches and Individual Christ-followers
to bring Hope to the Least, the Lost, and the Last.
What Should I Expect?
Expect to be surprised and inspired! Full Disclosure: expect to become a little overwhelmed by both the growing need to engage poverty, and with information.
Expect a series of engaging presentations, expert panels, and conversations.
Anticipate hearing directly from people with lived experience with poverty, mental health, and addictions, and learning from their journeys and wisdom.
Do You Have All the Answers?
No! We are seeking Biblical, Gospel-centred answers to poverty engagement, together!
The conference speakers and panel participants are approaching the issues of poverty from diverse backgrounds with their own unique perspectives drawn from experience. We're asking everyone, ourselves included, to approach the issues with humility and curiosity.
What is the Conference Theme?
Our working theme leading up to the conference is from Micah 6:8.
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."
We desire to find ways to engage poverty issues in a way that reflects God's Justice, to show Mercy, and to learn from God's Word and one another with humility.
What is the Conference Schedule?
The Hope Conference will begin at 9:30am and end at 3:30pm.
We will release a detailed schedule closer to the event, but for now you can expect a variety of presentations, panels, and discussions by and with subject-matter experts.
There will be plenty of opportunity to fellowship and engage in discussion during breaks and lunch, and we will begin some sessions by putting God in his rightful place with musical worship sessions.
How Much Does it Cost?
We are currently collaborating with interested sponsors so that we can keep the conference fee low. We do not want the cost to be a barrier to anyone attending!
There will be early-bird and group discounts.
Sign up for occasional correspondence to be given the first offers.
See the Event Ticket Page, here.
Can I Become a Partner / Sponsor?
YES! Contact us below with details about how you would like to partner with us.
We welcome more sponsors in order to keep costs down for everyone!
Who are the Presenters?
We'll be publishing the official list of participants shortly. Expect to hear from subject-matter experts on Poverty, Homelessness, Addiction, and Mental Health.
Here's a Teaser (this is not the full schedule.... There is much more to come!):
Special Guest appearance by City of Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall and Chief of Barrie Police Services Rich Johnston. In a panel format, they will highlight the complex problem of poverty in this city and the role of the City and the Police.
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Keynote Speaker: Pastor Matthew Parker, Yonge Street Mission. Matt will bring his decades of experience of working among the marginalized and vulnerable with a Biblical perspective.
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Panel of People With Lived Experience: This unique learning opportunity will give us profound insight into the lives of people who actually experience poverty, and their wisdom and knowledge on how to help.
What Do You Believe?
All of the Hope Conference partners adhere to an Evangelical Christian theology. All of us would agree on the Apostles' Creed, for example. Essentials of our shared faith include sin and salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, an enduring relationship with God through the indwelling Holy Spirit, and our eternal hope in the forthcoming return of Jesus Christ. We hold to the view that the Bible is divinely inspired, without error, infallible, and fully sufficient for the Christian life.