WHO'S BEEN TO SKYLIGHT
Click the pictures below to read each speaker's full profile.
Anna Golladay
Speaker, Artist
Artist-Social Entrepreneur-Parish Collective. Anna thrives on curating creative, spiritual & entrepreneurial possibility and is curator of Faithmarks. Via her social enterprise Work of Place she helps urban churches understand how their underutilized facilities can…
Bernadette Arthur
Speaker-Race Relations Advocate
Bernadette Arthur is a trainer, facilitator and coach in the areas of racial justice, biblical reconciliation and asset based community development. Bernadette is gifted in designing and facilitating learning events that offer "safe" space…
Brandan Robertson
Speaker-Author, Progressive Evangelical
Brandan Robertson is the Lead Pastor of Missiongathering Christian Church in San Diego, CA and the author or contributing author to six books, including Nomad: A Spirituality For Travelling Light (DLT Books, 2016), True…
Brenda MacIntyre
Musician
Medicine Song Woman Brenda MacIntyre, author and artist of the Medicine Song Oracle Cards™ & Music, is a Juno Award-winning singer, motivational speaker, indigenous drummer and wisdom-keeper. Brenda has shared her leadership and soul nationally on stage and…
Brian Mitchell-Walker
Speaker
Brian is a certified teacher with the Enneagram Institute where he was taught by Don Riso and Russ Hudson. He studied with Andrea Isaacs of EnneaMotions , the Faculty of the Deep Coaching Institute…
Carla Ewert
Author, Speaker
Carla Ewert is a Minneapolis-based writer and speaker and works as the Relationist, integrating members, for Convergence and the OPEN Network. She hosts the Holy Writ Podcast, where she talks with faith people about…
Catherine Arcand-Pinette
A professional classical singer, Catherine Arcand-Pinette is a well respected Oakville vocal teacher, clinician and adjudicator. A graduate of the Masters In Performance and Literacy Program at Western University, she has enjoyed a diverse…
Cheri Otterbein (She/Her)
I began my yoga journey in the early 2000's when I signed up for an introductory yoga class with my husband because I thought it would be a fun activity that we could do…
Chris Davies
Speaker
Chris S. Davies is a Connecticut, US native and a Cleveland transplant and a wandering Irish Rover at heart. She loves the church deeply, and is committed to finding ways to continue to bring…
Dave Harder
Speaker
Dave is a spiritual entrepreneur who lives at the intersection of spirituality in the everyday. Dave is curating the ReImagine venue for Skylight Festival. He finds deep value in creating spaces of belonging and…
Din of F105 (He/Him/His)
Musician
Din (formerly of The Soles), with his raw, expressive vocals, is the talent behind F-105. Din released 5 albums with The Soles, performing hundreds of shows and festivals across North America, and garnishing multi-national…
Doug Pagitt
Pastor, Author
Doug Pagitt is the pastor of Solomon's Porch and Founder of OPEN Network of Progressive Evangelicals. He is the author of many books on spirituality, Christianity and leadership. Doug has connected with some Canadians…
Drew Brown (he/him/his)
Musician
Drew Brown is an award-winning and Juno nominated musician, producer, podcaster, photographer, social justice & anti-racist advocate, craft beer aficionado, bourbon lover, storyteller, and all-around awesome human. His vulnerability and warm heart attract everyone…
Duane Gibson
Musician-Rapper
D.O. Gibson is a Guinness World Record setting rapper (longest freestyle ever 8 hours 45 minutes). He has performed over a 1000 shows throughout Canada, Europe, Asia, and the US and had over ten…
Dwight Friesen
Speaker-Writer-Parish Collective
Dr. Dwight J. Friesen comes to us from the Lake Hills neighborhood of Seattle’s Eastside, though he was born and raised in Manitoba. Dwight is an author, professor, and facilitator; currently teaching practical parish…
Emily Joy
Performance Artist-Spoken Word
Emily Joy is a spoken word poet and yoga teacher RYT 200 whose work focuses on the intersections of faith and sexuality, spiritual deconstruction, and creative writing. Emily has released two studio albums of…
Esther Kern
Speaker-Activist
Esther Kern Immigrated to Canada in 1969 with a USA Vietnam War Resister and has been active in the London and Toronto War Resister campaigns. Her Professional Career included earning a Bachelor of Science…
Evan Noodin Smith & Jesse Swance
Indigenous Teachers
The Reverend Evan Noodin Smith Rev. Evan Smith is ordained in the United Church of Canada and is the minister at Toronto Urban Native Ministry in Regent Park, Toronto. Evan is Queer, Two-Spirit, Anishinaabe,…
Ganosano, Adrian Jacobs
Keeper of the Circle
Ganosono, of the Turtle Clan, Cayuga Nation, Six Nations Haudenosaunee Confederacy, is also known by his GST name, Adrian Jacobs. He is a father of 5 & grandfather of 2. He is the Keeper…
Grace Petrie
Musician-Activist
Grace Petrie is a folk singer, songwriter, and activist from Leicester, UK. She first exploded on to the national protest scene in 2010 with the emotive anthem Farewell to Welfare, which captured perfectly the…
Harzel Katembe
Speaker
Harzel Katembe is a 24 years old student studying Business Administration (Finance). She is the current student President at the Kenya Methodist University - Mombasa. She is the lastborn of a family of three…
Heather Beamish (she/her)
Performing Artist-Spoken Word
Heather is a tea-drinking, female-loving, ex-evangelical pastor turned spoken word artist, activist and educator. Heather recognizes that throughout history differences have divided, isolated and disrupted our connection with each other. In her work she…
James Wilson
Musician
James Wilson a Singer/songwriter musician from the Six Nations of the Grand River territory. He has performed at many venues and competitions around Canada and the United States. In 2017 he had the great…
Jeffery Straker (He/Him/His)
Singer-songwriter pianist Jeffery Straker grew up taking piano lessons in small-town Saskatchewan. He actually swears he was born under the piano on the family farm, and since those ‘grand’ beginnings he’s gone on to…
John VanDuzer
Speaker-Author
Author of two books, "LOONIE: Crazy talk about Faith and Finances" and "Amen." John is a speaker in high demand. Featured on CBC Radio's "Tapestry." John is a marketing professional specializing in fundraising. One of the…
Jonathan (Pastah J) Brooks
Speaker, Performing Artist-Hip Hop
Jonathan Brooks is a lifelong resident of Chicago, IL. He currently serves as Senior Pastor at Canaan Community Church in the West Englewood nieghborhood. He is also the Director of the joint degree program…
Joshua Fernandes
Speaker
Joshua jokes that he is a burnt-out activist, recovering from a young male ego. He hopes to approach outer social change through the frame of inner spiritual transformation. He loves cycling, cooking, civic engagement…
Julian Ochieng Omanje
Speaker
Julian Ochieng Omanje is a 22 years old student at KCA University - Kisumu Campus pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Procurement and Logistics. Julian is a second last born in a family of…
Kate Reid (they/them)
Musician
Singer-songwriter and whip smart wordsmith Kate Reid is funny, feminist, queer as a three-dollar bill, and they’re sure to entertain. Slam-storytelling meets many a queer-themed tune in Kate’s songs, which just might have you…
Kevin Makins
Pastor
Kevin is the founding pastor of Eucharist Church in downtown Hamilton, Ontario. His curiosity and spirit of adventure leads him to write, podcast, make videos, tour one-man shows, and act as a catalyst for…
Kim Radersma
Speaker
Kim teaches at Brock University where she is also completing her Ph.D. in Education with a focus on anti-racist pedagogy. The focus of her work is intertwined with her role as a mother of…
Mama D (Diem LaFortune)
Musician
2013 CFMA Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year Nominee - brings a huge heart, tons of soul, a rich alto and fine guitar playing to her performances. Lafortune’s lyrics are profound and prophetic instruments for…
Matt Epp
Musician
On Shadowlands, veteran troubadour Matt Epp embarks on a journey through the geographies of darkness within him, sending back transmissions of lush, haunted Americana that embrace the dualities of this human thing—love, light, and the…
Micah Bournes
Performance Artist-Spoken Word
Micah Bournes is a poet, rapper, and blues singer from Long Beach, California. He's most known for his dynamic performances of spoken word poetry. His work is full of stories from his life, and…
Michael Shewburg (He/Him)
Michael Shewburg is the Executive Director of Five Oaks Centre, an intercultural centre for retreat, education and healing. Michael is also the minister of Richwood United Church, a rural church in Oxford County. Michael…
Michiko Bown-Kai (they/them)
Speaker
Michiko Bown-Kai is minister in The United Church of Canada who is passionate about social justice and creative expression. Michiko studied Social Justice and Peace Studies and Political Science at the University of Western…
Mike McHargue
Speaker-Podcaster
Mike McHargue (better known as Science Mike) is an author (Finding God In The Waves, Convergent, 2016), podcaster, and speaker focused on the science behind spiritual experiences. Mike lost his faith via atheism as…
Moses Mbithi
Speaker
Moses Mbithi is one of the members of the Kenya Alliance Advancement for Children (KAACR) delegation. He is currently studying Peace and Conflict studies at Nazarene University – Nairobi. Moses’ life begun in Kibera…
Mother Tareka
Musician
Mother Tareka is a Syrian Palestinian MC and multi-instrumentalist, centered in HipHop Funk Jazz and Afrobeat grooves and dissident conscious lyrics. He is backed by the intricately soulful drums bass guitar jazz trio Easy…
Pam Rocker
Speaker
Pam Rocker is an atypical activist, award-winning writer, musician and speaker. She has worked in the intersections of faith and queer identity for almost a decade, speaking and playing north and south of the…
Peterson Toscano
Performance Artist-Queer Climate Change Activist
Peterson Toscano's unique personal journey led him into performance art. After spending 17 years and over $30,000 on three continents attempting to de-gay himself through gay conversion therapy, he came to his senses and…
Piper & Carson
Musician
From festival stages to intimate house concerts, Piper & Carson remind us of why we go to see live music. Their songwriting is free and fiercely personal; as if it’s been running in the…
Randell Adjei
Performing Artist, Spoken Word
Randell Adjei is a passionate and devoted leader in his community. He currently serves as the Executive and Creative Director of R.I.S.E (Reaching Intelligent Souls Everywhere) Edutainment. Randell is an Inspirational speaker, spreading the…
Robyn Henderson-Espinoza
Speaker
Dr. Robyn is a TransQueer Activist | Latinx Scholar | Public Theologian and is founder of the Activist Theology Project. Knowing intimately that the borderlands are a place of learning and growth, Dr. Robyn…
SHAD
Performing Artist-Hip Hop
If you boil down Shad’s trajectory as a hip-hop artist up to this point, it all comes down to love. At a show, his people stare up at him with unconditional amounts of the stuff…
Sunia Gibbs
Musician
Sunia is an artist and faith leader in pursuit of creative innovation that promotes connectivity and belonging. As an abstract painter and musician, she creates from conversations and experiences anchored to people and place.…
Theatre of the Beat
Theatre of the Beat (TOTB) is a Canadian touring theatre company working to catalyze conversations on social justice and its intersection with the beliefs of the communities in which we find ourselves. Since 2011,…
Wendy Gritter
Speaker
Dr. Wendy VanderWal Gritter has served as Executive Director of Generous Space Ministries since 2002. Wendy recognizes that if any voices are missing, the Body of Christ is impoverished. She is deeply committed to…
Willow and the Deep
Musician
Willow and the Deep is Canadiana husband and wife duo, Leah Cogan and Chris Jackson. Their songs are stories from many cities, of many loves and struggles, that resonate locally in the working and…
Zarqa Nawaz
Filmmaker
Zarqa created the world’s first sitcom about a Muslim community living in the west. Little Mosque on the Prairie aired for 6 seasons, it was broadcast to over 60 countries. She has also made…