GC Session Debrief with Alexander Carpenter & Sam Girven

Spectrum Scholar Summer Intern Andrew Francis discusses his reporting on the growing controversy sparked by new Oakwood University President Gina Spivey-Brown’s focus on enforcing old student handbook bans on anklets, bracelets, crop tops and other forms of banned dress and adornment. We also discuss nineteen year old Francis’s experience on the Spectrum team at the GC Session and his plans as managing editor of The Student Movement as he completes his education in communication and behavioral science at Andrews University this December.

Drawing from our SPECTRUM’s presence at the 2025 General Conference Session, Editor-in-Chief Alexander Carpenter and Correspondent Samuel Girven discuss our in-person impressions of new General Conference President Erton Köhler, the fundamentalist focus on vaccination and jewelry, and how the communication landscape of the denomination might transform the meaning of the local church. Yes, change happened in St. Louis, but toward what end?

Steve Matthews is the CEO of ADRA Canada, he shares about his journey into humanitarian leadership, ADRA’s global mission, and efforts to connect more deeply with local churches. Steve discusses the challenges of fundraising amid economic uncertainty and media influences. Along with the importance of transparency, ADRA's strategic plan to enhance church and community relevance. Highlighting local engagement initiatives based on cultural sensitivities and actual needs. Steve introduces ADRA Canada’s new social enterprise, Hope Harvest, which sells ethically sourced Ghanaian cashews to fund community projects and provide fundraising opportunities for churches and youth groups.

Dr. Mary Beth Werdel is the director of the Mental Health Counseling and Spiritual Integration and Pastoral Care programs at Fordham University. During this conversation, she shares about the powerful intersections of spirituality, trauma, and healing. Drawing from her background in mental health counseling and her doctoral research on post-traumatic growth, she explores how spiritual and psychological experiences are deeply intertwined in the human journey. Unpacking the concept of post-traumatic growth, the dangers of spiritual bypassing, and the unique challenges trauma presents in caregiving settings. Dr. Werdel highlights the transformative potential that can emerge from suffering, when met with presence, compassion, and informed care. Check out her latest book on post-traumatic growth.

Dr. Shane Sinclair is a professor with the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Calgary and director of the Compassion Research Lab. In addition to overviewing the power that compassion holds, He shares his journey from clinical chaplaincy to groundbreaking research in oncology and palliative care on the topic of compassion. Sinclair unpacks what compassion really means, beyond pity or empathy, as a relational and often holistic response to suffering. He explains why compassion is hard to define, harder to measure, and yet essential for meaningful patient care. He also highlights how the EnACT program from the Compassion Research Lab, is a groundbreaking training tool designed for real-world clinical impact while being informed by science.

Dr. Stéphane Beaulieu is the Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Burman University. In this conversation he shares his remarkable journey from working as a truck driver and high school dropout in Québec to achieving his doctoral degree. He recounts how his conversion to Adventism in his late teens sparked a passion for learning, leading him to pursue pastoral ministry. Now leading the only Adventist religious studies department in Canada, Stéphane discusses the unique vision of Canadian Adventist education, emphasizing contextual ministry, mentorship, and practical experience. He addresses the complexities of training pastors in a secular accreditation environment, the integration of theory and practice, and the challenges of attracting young people to ministry in an era marked by cultural shifts and perceived decline in church relevance. Candid and thoughtful, Stéphane offers a hopeful yet realistic look at the future of church leadership and theology training in Canada.

Akeem Ambrose is the elementary P.E. teacher and athletic director at Crawford Adventist Academy in Toronto, Ontario. In this conversation he explores the transformative power of sports in Adventist education. Akeem shares the origin story and vision behind the Ontario Adventist Sports Association, and challenges the traditional hierarchy of learning by championing the gym as a space where A-grade character is built. He speaks candidly about the life lessons students gain through sports, namely discipline, perseverance, and goal-setting, while also highlighting the struggles Adventist schools face in embracing modern opportunities, including athletic scholarships and extracurricular expansion. More than competition, Akeem sees sports as a culture of community, relationships, and worship, a space where students can honour God, connect with peers, and show non-Christian students the heart of faith through sports. Plus, don’t miss his latest creative project: Mr. Ambrose, a brand-new animated YouTube series that brings faith-based storytelling to life from the very gym where so much of this journey begins.

Gerald Chipeur, KC, is a lawyer based out of Calgary, Alberta. In this conversation he reflects on his continuing four-decade legal career, exploring the intersections of administrative law, religious freedom, and constitutional interpretation in Canada. Sharing how the Canadian government interacts with religious citizens through regulation, and human rights. Gerald gives personal and faith-based insights on justice, ethical responsibility, and the importance of resolving disputes outside the courtroom. This episode unpacks how Canadian law continues to navigate the delicate balance between faith and fairness in a multicultural society, showing that there can be positive outcomes for governments to be in dialogue with faith communities.

Pastor Rhoda, who serves in Vancouver, British Columbia, shares her path to becoming a female pastor in the Canadian Adventist Church, from her background in education to her calling into ministry. She explores the significance of representation in leadership, the distinction between ordination and commissioning, the power of inclusive language in worship, and the importance of reexamining biblical translations that have historically diminished the roles of women. The conversation highlights the tension between tradition and progress, and suggests practical steps for fostering a more inclusive church community.

Peter Noteboom, the current General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches and Co-Chair of the Canadian Interfaith Conversation, shares his experiences and perspectives on ecumenism, emphasizing the importance of unity, peace, and love in the Christian faith. He highlights that the Christian witness can be strengthened when individuals deeply engage with their own denominational traditions. In this spirit, he calls on the Adventist Church in Canada to contribute its unique voice to the work of the Canadian Council of Churches.