Parliamentarian Events and Opportunities
Recession. Re-flation. Restoration. – Jonathan Wellum
April 21, 2020
As a result of the public health policy response to COVID-19, the global economy is experiencing the largest contraction in GDP in modern history. This has thrust the global economy into an economic recession/depression. Governments and central banks have responded with massive spending programs funded by record levels of debt coupled with an enormous expansion in the money supply.
Jonathan will be discussing some of the impacts and potential unintended
consequences of these dramatic actions. He will address the questions:
What are some of the impacts and potential unintended consequences of these dramatic actions?
As decision makers what approach might we take?
How do we begin economic and spiritual restoration?
The Goal of My Life – Mr. Paul Henderson
February 25, 2020
In 1972 Paul Henderson led Canada to victory against the Russians in the greatest moment of Canadian sports history. He instantly became a national hero.
How did this change his life? Did it bring him what he imagined?
And what about his 10 year battle with cancer? What has he found in the wake of fame, struggle and success?
36th Christmas Dinner: Peace on Earth? – Mr. Michael Ramsden
December 2, 2019
Diplomats, parliamentarians, business leaders and their guests are invited to begin celebrating the Christmas season by enjoying a festive meal, live seasonal music and inspirational keynote speaker Michael Ramsden.
54th National Prayer Breakfast – Know, Believe, Imagine
May 2, 2019
The annual National Prayer Breakfast of Canada is a Christ-centred event held by the Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast Group in our nation’s capital. The purpose of this event is to come together collectively to honour and continue to hold to our Christian heritage. This allows our elected officials to gather together with men and women from different backgrounds to pray and connect through our shared faith.
2019 National Christian Leadership Dinner
May 1, 2019 from 17h30 to 21h30
The Annual Christian Leadership Dinner is another event organized by the Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast Group as a part of the National Prayer Breakfast festivities. It has been taking place almost as long as the breakfast itself. The purpose of the dinner was originally to extend a courtesy to those travelling from out of town to attend the Breakfast. It has now evolved into an event that compliments the National Prayer Breakfast.
Making Headlines – Mr. Michael Suderman
April 9, 2019
We live in a time when public failure often leads to defamation. Misdeeds, whether past or present, start trending in social media headlines. Apologies are minimized and dismissed out of skepticism and distrust. In such a toxic environment, is it even possible to become agents of reconciliation and restoration? If so, how?
2019 Couples’ Weekend Getaway: Mont-Tremblant, QC
April 5-7, 2019
Great marriages are built! Like a great house – on a solid foundation, lovingly crafted, updated and renovated over time. A Weekend Getaway will strengthen your foundation – God’s way – and give you new tools to renovate your relationship.
For most couples it’s a chance to reconnect, re-establish the foundation and rekindle romance.
For others, it’s a fresh start.
For some, it will be the weekend that saves a marriage.
Wherever you’re at in your relationship, it’s a weekend to remember. The atmosphere is relaxed and warm, even fun. You’ll hear from real couples doing real life together… God’s way. You’ll be given time to process what you’re learning. And together, you’ll make a plan for a marriage that lasts a lifetime.
Is the Next Recession Imminent? – Mr. Peter Hall
February 26, 2019
Global economic momentum slowed in the final weeks of 2018. Stock market volatility and a rising fear-factor are leading some to predict recession. Is there a point to their pessimism? Or is this another analytical misstep in a time of uncertainty? Hear about global economic prospects and the hope to be found in times of uncertainty.
Inside the Entrepreneurial Mind – Mr. Don Simmonds
November 27, 2018 from 12h00 to 13h30
A serial entrepreneur shares what makes him tick, and then opens up for an honest Q and A with those in the room. What drives the desire to create new business? How does government inspire or discourage? What about the growing income inequality? Can the “1%” problem be solved? What is the impact of the changing view of leadership? Any other question you might have?
35th Christmas Dinner: The Certainty of Uncertainty – Don and Fay Simmonds
November 26, 2018
Uncertainty strikes all of us. For Don and Fay Simmonds it came in the words “liver failure.” They spoke about their life and death battle and their search for certainty in life’s most uncertain moments. There is much to celebrate!
The annual Christmas Dinner is the highlight of the Christian Embassy’s year. This year we welcomed over 200 diplomats, parliamentarians and business leaders, representing 55 nations.
The festive evening allows busy leaders and their spouses to relax, network and enjoy special music and meaningful reminders of the season. Diplomats appreciate what is often a first opportunity to experience Canadian Christmas traditions.
Reflections on a Trade Challenged World – Mr. Rob Wildeboer
October 31, 2018 from 12h00 to 13h30
Martinrea is a global automotive parts supplier based in Canada, with $4 billion in revenues and 15,000 employees worldwide, operating 44 plants in eight countries on four continents. The current international trade environment, as well as the challenges of one of the most innovative and technologically advanced industries in the world, provide a suitable background to discuss issues of politics, culture and adaptability in a changing world. Martinrea has been heavily involved in international trade and policy discussions involving the automotive sector. Join Rob Wildeboer, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Martinrea, and fellow colleagues for a roundtable discussion on how to persevere and succeed in this challenging environment.
An Anchor in a Financial Storm – Mr. Jonathan Wellum
June 6, 2018
Levels of debt, wealth disparities, shifting social, ethical and moral values, nation-state challenges – the world is living with risk. How might we deal with the challenges we face?
Jonathan Wellum addresses the need to restore truth, meaning and values rooted in Christianity if we are to progress and maintain free, vibrant and healthy markets at this networking luncheon.
53rd National Prayer Breakfast – Dr. Os Guinness
May 8, 2018
The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual ecumenical event held in Ottawa inviting leaders to come together for an inspirational message, music and the opportunity to pray together. The breakfast is offered under the auspices of the speakers of the Senate and the House of Commons and is organized by a group of volunteers.
The theme for the 2018 National Prayer Breakfast is “Believe, Serve, Lead”.
Dr. Os Guinness, author and social critic, is the keynote speaker and will be joined by special guest Humboldt Broncos’ chaplain Sean Brandow.
National Prayer Leadership Dinner – Kim Phuc
May 7, 2018 from 18h00 to 21h30
The National Prayer Leadership Dinner is an annual ecumenical event held in Ottawa inviting leaders to come together for an inspirational message, music and the opportunity to pray together. The dinner is offered under the auspices of the speakers of the Senate and the House of Commons and is organized by a group of volunteers.
Kim Phuc, author of Fire Road: The Napalm Girl’s Journey Through the Horrors of War to Faith, Forgiveness and Peace, will give the keynote address.
2018 Couples’ Weekend Getaway: Montebello, QC
April 6-8, 2018
Great marriages are built! Like a great house – on a solid foundation, lovingly crafted, updated and renovated over time. A Weekend Getaway will strengthen your foundation – God’s way – and give you new tools to renovate your relationship.
For most couples it’s a chance to reconnect, re-establish the foundation and rekindle romance.
For others, it’s a fresh start.
For some, it will be the weekend that saves a marriage.
Wherever you’re at in your relationship, it’s a weekend to remember. The atmosphere is relaxed and warm, even fun. You’ll hear from real couples doing real life together… God’s way. You’ll be given time to process what you’re learning. And together, you’ll make a plan for a marriage that lasts a lifetime.
Clarity in a Confused World – Mr. Abdu Murray, J.D.
March 28, 2018
Educational institutions, news and social media provide us with many different voices, opinions and perspectives. Who do we believe? Increasingly in Western culture, many believe that morals, spirituality and truth are all relative; that there are no absolute truths. Truth is being sacrificed on the altar of preferences. This tendency can cause confusion in interactions. In contrast people who express certainty about what they believe are frequently seen as bigoted, arrogant and intolerant.
Have we embraced a culture of confusion? What are the consequences of such a perspective? Mr. Murray presents reasoning from a Christian perspective for the foundations of truth with applications for professional and personal life to an audience of diplomats, parliamentarians and business leaders at a plated networking luncheon entitled Clarity in a Confused World.
Leading Change – Mr. Don Van Meer
February 28, 2018
Change is inevitable. In fact, what we have in common is that we are all grappling with change in our lives. Change is the one constant. It’s the one reality.
Jack Welch says, “Anytime there is change, there is an opportunity. So it is paramount that an organization get energized rather than paralyzed.”
According to Don Van Meer, the greatest single point of failure in driving through change is when leadership doesn’t capture the hearts and minds of the entire organization. In other words, change is just not about leaders taking people through something. Change is about engaging people in the process of change. Having them be part of the decision making. Having them understand where you are going as an organization. Having them buy into the process, even when they don’t understand all of it.
When people are engaged, people “Get it, feel it, and want it.”
How does a leader keep a team engaged in the face of major changes? What equipped Don to lead change?
Promise Keepers “All In” National Men’s Conference
February 23-24, 2018
Join men from all walks of life at the “All In” National Conference, where we will explore God’s plan for leading significant lives. Whether you are exploring faith or have been a Christian longer than you can remember, “All In” will challenge, motivate and equip you to stand firm and navigate the world around us.
34th Christmas Dinner: Counter-Intuitive Leadership
November 27, 2017
The annual Christmas Dinner is the highlight of the Christian Embassy’s year. This year we welcomed 186 diplomats, parliamentarians and business leaders, representing 56 nations.
The festive evening allows busy leaders and their spouses to relax, network and enjoy special music and meaningful reminders of the season. Diplomats appreciate what is often a first opportunity to experience Canadian Christmas traditions.
Leaders from various backgrounds participated in readings, reflections and seasonal music. Richard Magnussen, Chairman of the American Furniture Association, gave the keynote address entitled Counter-intuitive Leadership.
Richard shared his thoughts on the key virtue required of a successful leader, one that is a core characteristic of God and interwoven throughout the Christmas story: humility. He gave a number of examples of how he has grown in humility.
Richard concluded by stating, “I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I have learned so many lessons through my simple faith in the humble Jesus of the Christmas story.”
Ottawa Civic Prayer Breakfast: “Who is my Neighbour?”
October 27, 2017 7h15-9h00
The Ottawa Civic Prayer Breakfast is one of more than 50 gatherings across Canada in which community leaders honour and pray for the mayor, city councillors, police and emergency responders. Leaders come together to celebrate under the banner “Who Is My Neighbour?” because the Scriptures suggest that we love our neighbour as ourselves.
Each year the speaker at the breakfast focuses on answering the question: “Who is My Neighbour?”
This year our speaker will be Gerry Organ and he will be answering that question through the lens of being a former football player, his work with refugees and immigrant families here in Ottawa, mentoring young men with fatherhood issues, and encouraging young entrepreneurs in their calling. Also, he is passionate about this annual prayer event!
Gerry became a Christian in 1973 while playing professional football for the Ottawa Rough Riders. Since that time, he has been fully engaged in Kingdom work both in the church and in business. His passion is to fulfill the will of God as an ambassador and servant so that others will taste and see God’s goodness and be transformed by His love.