2026 MCBC LEAD Conference and Annual Meeting
Theme: Hope & Healing in a Broken World
Location: Peace Church on 52nd, 659 52nd Ave E, VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA V5X 1G8
DEADLINE for Registration: Feb 13th
LEAD Conference:
Date: Feb 27th from 3:00-8:30 pm (Check in at 2:30), Evening Session @ 7:00 pm (Check in at 6:30)
Cost: $20, Evening Session only attendance will be by donation - registration still required.
Registration:
Register as an Individual - same form for LEAD/AGM
Register Organization Representatives - same form for LEAD/AGM
Register Church Representatives - different form for AGM
Info:
We invite all ministry leaders to join us for this year’s LEAD Conference. To better support those serving in volunteer leadership roles, we have adjusted the schedule to run in the afternoon and evening.
While we encourage participants to attend the full conference, we are also offering the Evening Session only (final keynote and community worship) on a donation basis. Registration is still required.
Dinner will not be provided this year. Instead, we invite you to connect with others—perhaps meeting someone new or gathering a small group—and enjoy a meal at one of the many excellent local restaurants nearby. Let’s support our local community with our presence and generosity. Dessert and coffee will be waiting for you when you return for the evening session.
Click here for some close by Dinner options
AGM Conference:
Date: Feb 28th from 9:00-3:30pm (Check in at 8:30)
Cost: For MCBC Church Delegates and guests - Cost split between MCBC Churches according to membership numbers.
For Individuals or Organization Representatives - $40
Registration:
Register as an Individual - same form for LEAD/AGM
Register Organization Representatives - same form for LEAD/AGM
Register Church Delegates - different form for LEAD
Info:
We invite you to join MCBC for our Annual Meeting. Following the 2025 format, business sessions will take place in the morning, followed by a shared lunch. The afternoon will feature workshops, a teaching session, and concluding remarks.
The Annual Meeting is open to all who wish to attend and is especially intended for delegates from MCBC congregations, along with their guests, guest speakers, and partner organizations. Voting privileges are reserved for those formally registered as delegates by their church.
Guest Speaker Bio: Joni Sancken’s approach to preaching is interdisciplinary and theological. Sancken (PhD, Toronto School of Theology, Emmanuel College) holds the Butler Chair of Homiletics and Biblical Interpretation at Vancouver School of Theology. She was formerly Profes
sor of Homiletics at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH where she served for a decade and Assistant Professor of Preaching and Practical Theology at Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg, VA. She is the author of several books including, Stumbling Over the Cross: Preaching the Cross and Resurrection Today (Cascade, 2016), Words that Heal: Preaching Hope to Wounded Souls (Abingdon, 2019), All Our Griefs to Bear: Responding with Resilience After Collective Trauma (Herald Press, 2022,) and Getting to God: Preaching Good News in a Troubled World (co-authored) (Cascade, 2023.)
Sancken is passionate about supporting and encouraging pastors and church leaders. She grew up in a Mennonite congregation near Champaign-Urbana, IL and is an ordained pastor in Mennonite Church USA. She is energized by ecumenical and religious diversity having studied, served, and worshipped in Presbyterian Church USA, United Church of Canada, and United Methodist settings, and has completed training in the interfaith practice of scriptural reasoning. She is committed to non-violence and conflict resolution. She has completed two levels of training in Strategies for Trauma and Resilience (STAR) at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University.
Sancken lives in Vancouver, BC with her Presbyterian pastor spouse, Steve Schumm, children Maggie and Teddy, and dogs Bella and Pax. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching low-stakes reality TV, and exploring the natural beauty around Vancouver.
Annual Meeting Workshop Descriptions
Workshops will run from 1-1:45 on Feb 28th. Room location will be based on sign-ups during registration and announced before Lunch on the 28th. Please indicate on your registration which workshop you are most interested in attending.
Succession Planning: Preparing Today for Tomorrow’s Leadership
Succession planning is more than filling roles—it’s about stewarding vision and values for the future. In this interactive session, we’ll explore:
• Why succession planning matters for churches and ministries.
• Practical steps to identify and prepare future leaders.
• How to create a culture of mentorship and continuity. Whether your organization is large or small, this workshop will provide tools and strategies to help you plan proactively and faithfully for leadership transitions.
Led by Wanda Froese, Director at Menno Hall
Generosity Across Generations: Wisdom Worth Sharing
Generosity Across Generations is an interactive workshop that helps participants uncover their learned and practical wisdom about living generously to shape insights that will be used to inspire and encourage a new generation of givers navigating today’s affordability challenges.
Led by Scott Campbell (More Than a Roof Foundation) and Kevin Barkowsky, MCBC's Church Engagement Minister
Read our Workshop Presenter's Bios Here
Amen! AAMEN; International Witness Workshop
Hear about the new network that Asian Anabaptist Mennonites have formed to share training resources to strengthen their churches. See how MCBC both laid the groundwork and can reap the benefits of being part of this network.
Led by Jeanette Hanson, MC Canada's Director of International Witness
A Closer look at the MCBC Budget for 2026 and Beyond
We’re trying to simplify way the budget is presented. We are also looking ahead to see how different spending levels will affect MCBC in the long term. Come and work through the details with us.
Led by Brad Heinrichs, MCBC Finance Chair
Read our Workshop Presenter's Bios Here
Next Generations with Josh Willms
Join MCBC Youth Director Josh Willms for a conversation about youth ministry in today’s church. This workshop invites reflection on nurturing faith with young people, sharing stories from the field, and imagining faithful, sustainable ways to invest in the next generation within small-church contexts.