Voices That Help Us Reimagine the Church
On June 1, a diverse circle of ministry leaders, practitioners, and storytellers will gather in Hamilton and online—not to prescribe formulas, but to offer real-life glimpses of what’s possible when churches begin asking new questions and listening deeply to the needs of their neighbours.
Here are some of the voices helping to guide that conversation:
Adrian Jacobs
Adrian Jacobs has spent nearly five decades accompanying both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities toward healing and justice. He brings a unique blend of theological depth, cultural wisdom, and pastoral sensitivity to every space he enters.
At Creative Ways, Adrian will share the remarkable 18-year journey of a grassroots land justice movement that is now gaining momentum in Ontario and Manitoba. His keynote is an invitation to explore what it means for churches to enter into covenantal, rather than transactional, relationships with Indigenous communities. His voice is not only prophetic—it’s practical, rooted in deep listening and long faithfulness.
Teresa Howe & Jess Brand – Indwell
For over 50 years, Indwell has been building more than housing—they’ve been nurturing communities of belonging rooted in dignity, wellness, and hope. What began in the 1970s as a small home for adults with mental health disabilities has grown into a movement that now spans seven regions across Ontario, offering over 1,250 supportive homes. Each residence reflects their foundational belief: that every person is made in the image of God and deserves not just shelter, but a place to belong.
At Creative Ways, you’ll hear from Teresa Howe and Jess Brand, two long-time Indwell leaders who embody this mission with deep faith and practical wisdom.
Teresa, as Community Engagement Manager, is the bridge between churches and the possibilities they may never have imagined. She helps congregations see their buildings, their land, and their presence in new ways. She’s also the heart behind Let’s Open Doors, a free resource created to help churches explore how they might contribute to supportive or affordable housing in their neighbourhoods.
Jess, as Regional Director for Hamilton and Peel, supports Indwell’s frontline staff and tenants while overseeing the design and development of programs that are person-centred, compassionate, and sustainable. Her 14 years of experience span everything from direct support to systems leadership, always grounded in relationship and justice.
What makes Indwell’s story so compelling is how clearly it reflects the call of the Church: not just to offer charity, but to participate in restoration.
Indwell is not a ministry of quick fixes. It’s a long, faithful work of cultivating home—physically and spiritually—for those the world too often forgets. And they believe the Church can be a key partner in that work: offering space, offering trust, offering presence.
Rev. Dr. J. Mark Lewis – St. Paul’s Hamilton
St. Paul’s Hamilton, under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr. Mark Lewis, it asked a dangerous question: “Who needs our help that no one else is helping?” And by faith they have continued to act on the answer.
In recent years, St. Paul’s has hosted a harm reduction site, welcomed refugee children through the Alamal Learning Centre, and pursued a bold vision to partner with developers to create long-term housing on church property. They’ve done it without a full-time minister, trusting in shared leadership, community discernment, and the Spirit’s provision.
Mark will share how this “experiment in courage” unfolded—and what it’s taught him about faith, power, and letting go.
Randell Neudorf – Greater Ontario House of Prayer (GOHOP)
As part of GOHOP, a Hamilton-based expression of the global 24-7 Prayer movement, Randell lives out a rhythm of prayer that is creative, embodied, and deeply rooted in place. He’s also the creator of A Visual Guide to Prayer Walking, using drawings and stories to help others discover how prayer can connect us to God, to our cities, and to one another.
At Creative Ways, Randell will invite us to think differently about spiritual practice—not as something that happens only in pews or quiet corners, but something alive in alleyways, on sidewalks, in murals and movement.
His presence is a reminder that prayer isn’t separate from justice—it’s the soil in which it grows.
If you’ve been wondering how your church can show up more fully in your community—without burning out or losing your soul— join us at Creative Ways!
You’ll leave with stories that help stretch your imagination for what is possible and ground your hope in how God is already moving in places like Hamilton!
Important Details:
Date: June 1, 2025
Location: St. Cuthbert’s Presbyterian Church, Hamilton + Online Option
Tickets: In Person $60/person with lunch | In Person $50/person without lunch | Online Tickets: $25/person