Ryan Guerra
Lloydminster
After spending almost a decade touring the world in a rock and roll band, Ryan hung up his Les Paul to serve as a Pastor at First Baptist Church in Lloydminster. He has a passion for engaging the next generation with biblical truth so that they will rise up to be the leaders that the church needs. When he is not speaking, playing practical jokes, or hanging out with his wife Talasi and daughter Avra, you can find him playing strategy board games with anyone and everyone who will indulge his obsession.
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Jeremy Macdonald
Moncton, NB
Jeremy has served as a Youth Pastor in a large context reaching hundreds of students, a small context reaching dozens, and most recently at a multisite church running six separate youth groups. Now as part of the Canadian Youth Worker Community staff team, Jeremy oversees the operations of various projects that equip and encourage thousands of youth workers each year. He is married with three children and lives in Moncton, NB.
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Cody Matchett
Calgary, AB
Cody Matchett serves the Church in the areas of teaching, spiritual formation, and discipleship. He is the former College Chaplain at Briercrest College, an apprenticing church planter with the Evangelical Covenant Church, and a partner in the Gospel with varying organizations across Canada. He loves books, coffee, music, philosophy, cultures, art, and hiking. He is married to Brianna, and they live in Calgary Alberta.
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Chris Price
Vancouver, BC
Chris has been the lead pastor at Calvary Baptist for ten years. He has recently resigned to pursue church planting in Vancouver. With a Masters in Christian Studies and a BA in Biblical studies, Chris’ love for teaching the Bible, and bringing it to life in context of our everyday lives, can be found in his Sunday messages and extensive writing. He is an avid reader and author of “Radical Hope: Resurrection Hope in a Hurting World. He is also a contributor to the UK based Youth Alpha video teaching series and sometimes co-hosts a weekly podcast called Hidden City, which explores the hidden ideas that influence our lives today. Chris loves to spend time with his wife Diandra and two children, Kaeden and Mila.
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1K Phew
Atlanta, GA
1K Phew is among a new breed of Atlanta artists taking the trap sensibility and elevating it to great effect. His smooth delivery and evocative vocal tone pair well with the bouncy, energetic production that defines his sound. At just 23 years old, Phew’s rise from local rapper with swagger to compelling artist equipped with a message, has been refreshing to watch. He’s fun and engaging, no doubt, but he’s so much more. As evidenced by his mixtapes Sunday Night (2015) and Life (2016), Phew’s got plenty of swag and wisdom to impart, and people are beginning to connect with his candid approach. There’s a sense of transparency that comes through in his music, a kind of refined rawness that can only be gained through experience and honing your craft. To let him tell it: “I’m not worried about being politically correct. I just want to give people the real. That’s where the 1K comes from, always keeping it 1,000 no matter what.”
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Tehillah Worship
Calgary, AB
Tehillah Worship is a Canadian music collective based out of First Assembly Church in Calgary, Alberta. We aspire to equip and encourage the Canadian church to move God’s heart with new songs and music. We believe the beauty and light of Jesus can change a nation and that music and the arts are a massive medium that God will use to spark renewal and revitalization in our land. Our third album “All Your Colours” was released in August of 2019.
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The Young Escape
California
Born and raised in Southern California, THE YOUNG ESCAPE (Capitol) delivers a fresh shot of indie-pop with an energetic live show to match. Comprised of Ryan, McKenna, Kyrsten, and Luke Johns, the band’s debut singles “good life” and “neverfade” are an alchemy of modern pop sheen and sophisticated edge, carried to otherworldly heights by McKenna’s vocal. TYE speaks to the themes of insecurity, anxiety, and pressure facing every kid in the modern age with the hope and escape that’s found in the kinetic spirit of youth.
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Joshua Leventhal
Vancouver, B.C.
Joshua is a bit of an anomaly, both as a worship leader and a songwriter. Meeting Jesus in power very, very young, he did not fall in love with music until his teens. Until that time he did not think of himself as an artist, let alone a musician. For that reason, Joshua's simultaneous satisfaction in and longings for his Redeemer are at the forefront of these songs—they forego what is expected of a modern worship chorus, and instead tread to deeper waters. In a diverse sonic landscape of everything from Black Gospel to Punk anthem to electronically influenced Indie Rock, he weaves images of bride and feast, sojourners and shores, hope in pain, all across the canvas of the Gospel. These are unapologetically Cross-centered, hope-awaiting works. And while their lyricism may not draw from the same wells as is common in contemporary worship, they are still fully intended for the Church to sing together—that we might better know Him, love Him, and stir in affection towards Him. To explore the marriage of meaningful art with Spirit-filled worship—to the delight of the King, and His satisfaction of us. This is art as catalyst for adoration. Leventhal is American-born but has spent most of his life in Canada. He is currently based in Vancouver BC and is the Senior Worship Leader at Village Church.
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OJ The DJ
Hailing from Brampton, Ontario and joining us for our second year, OJ brings an electric and contagious vibe to our conference. Cue the dance party!
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Dallas Block
Dallas is the Executive Director of Rock Solid Refuge, a ministry 95 km south west of Swift Current Saskatchewan committed to bringing God’s restoring grace into the lives of teen boys with life-controlling issues. Dallas has over 25 years experience working with teens and families including 10 years as youth / associate pastor of Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Frontier SK. As one of the founding board members of Rock Solid Refuge in 2005, Dallas was impassioned to see a segment of Canada’s youth (addicts) and their families be reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to see hope restored where it had been lost. Dallas, his wife Marla of 27 years, and their children live at Rock Solid Refuge and are no strangers to the sacrifices necessary to ministering in the most desperate situations.
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Alicia Chinchilla
Surrey, BC
Alicia Chinchilla is the definition of a level 2 enneagram, extroverted energizer bunny, who has a love for all things people, especially young people. She loves being able to lead this next generation along side her husband Michael, who is the Youth Director for our Village Church Surrey location. Alicia can most often be found meeting up with people at all hours of the day for coffee, singing her heart out no matter where she is or stuffing her face with donuts. She currently works for Signal Hill, a non profit Life Education Society, as one of their value project presenters, who's goal is to help young people thrive, discover, and experience their unconditional value and the value every person. She is truly passionate about seeing peoples lives transformed by Jesus and believes that we as the church play a HUGE part in that.
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AJ Crocker
AJ has had the privilege of being apart of Youth Quake leadership for 16 years. AJ loves Jesus, his family, Briercrest, his shoe collection, finding new music, eating fancy burgers, his dog Rocky and the Leafs. His hair is not a perm, those curls are real. He is happy to advise on curly hair strategies for men if you are in need.
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Geoff Dresser
Geoff Dresser is the Assistant Professor of Worship Arts at Briercrest. He has been coaching worship leaders for over 15 years as a worship pastor and seminar leader. Geoff’s is a Covenant Award Nominated recording artist and songwriter. Geoff is also the author “Mountaintop,” a novel about the travails a young idealistic worship pastor.
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Sid Koop
Sid is passionate about awakening the lives of students through the truth of Jesus Christ. Sid has spent over 15 years in full time youth ministry, both in the local church andas the full time executive director of Truth Matters Ministries, which includes overseeing the CYWC Regional Training Conferences across Canada. Sid and his wife, Jen, have two boys, Payton and Cole, who have a passion for sports, camp, youth group and shooting their dad with paintball guns!
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James Simpson
James has been involved working with youth for over 17 years. He presently serves at Rock Solid Refuge pouring into the lives which have been devastated by pornography, substance abuse, abuse and addiction. He has three amazing daughters, Rachel, Cara, and Petra. He is married to a beautiful gal by the name of Julie. James hobbies include, watching Manchester United, Toronto Maple Leafs and participating in Taekwondo tournaments.
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Refined Undignified
Refined/Undignified is a dance ministry that seeks to reveal true life through dance. Auditioning students from Briercrest College and Briercrest Christian Academy each year, RU creates an opportunity for students to be equipped to become godly leaders, to see these students excel in dance and lifestyle for the glory of God and and to allow these students to use the tools they have been given to engage a hurting world with gospel of Jesus Christ. Their shows are high energy and lots of fun, all while tackling relevant issue that need to be discussed. You won’t want to miss them!
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Briercrest Worship
Briercrest Worship is made up students involved in the Worship Arts program at Briercrest College. Each one of these students regular serves their community by leading worship at Briercrest chapels and worship nights. They also serve beyond the Briercrest community, touring and leading worship at churches and youth events. They are passionate about seeing people encounter the living God through authentic worship.
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