A new model of shared leadership to move Onward Together: welcome our five directors

By: Apostle Shannon McAdam

What a time we find ourselves in. In a world where chaos and division seem to reign, you have instead embraced a spirit of “Yes” to unity and “Yes” to gathering in your commitment to moving Onward Together. This is not a small thing. We have said no to the voices of division and separation in the world, and said yes to Christ-centered invitational community. “Who knows what the Spirit of God yet can do…?” asks Hymn 77 Gather Your Children. The Spirit of Pentecost is alive and at work in Canada.
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Most recently, all necessary approving bodies in the church have also said “yes” to our proposal to create one mission centre. This approval is a vital step along the way. Our first mission centre conference as one Canada Mission Centre will be online and will take place January 17, 2026.
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As we move onward together, we will embrace a new model of leadership. In the past, we have experienced a variety of models, including individual Mission Centre Presidents; single-line combined Mission Centre President & Mission Centre Financial Officer; volunteer individual Mission Centre President; and volunteer Mission Centre President teams. These most recent teams, and a movement across the church, have indicated that shared leadership is a valuable model moving forward.

For our Canada Mission Centre, we will adopt a model where five directors will share the duties that have traditionally been Mission Centre President responsibilities, as well as adding additional supports, ministries, and programs to help us expand our possibilities.
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It is with deep gratitude for a series of whole-hearted “Yeses” from Canadian leaders that I share the new director team for Canada:

Lanette Vawter will be our newest employee of Community of Christ in Canada in her role as Director of Leadership Development. We know that helping our leaders grow and develop, and identifying emerging leaders, are both crucial to the sustainability of all we do. Lanette brings a depth of experience in leadership development from the nonprofit sector, and extensive spiritual direction training and practice. She has been a volunteer pastor, so knows deeply what that experience is like. Lanette’s passion for inclusion and belonging will encourage ministers and disciples across Canada to open their hearts to God’s call in their lives. Lanette will begin her work in January 2026.

Leandro Palacios has been internally transferred to the role of Director of Communications. Leandro’s clear vision for how we present ourselves as Community of Christ in Canada in ways that inspire others to join us is essential to our Onward Together plan. If you have not yet experienced Leandro talking about how we Celebrate Mission—I hope you can watch a recording of it very soon! You will go away inspired to designate a communications officer for your congregation and to start celebrating.

John Hamer has also been internally transferred. His new role is Director of Outreach and Innovation. This role will help John focus on taking the learnings from Beyond the Walls and our Creating Connection programs forward to grow creative, daring, innovative mission across Canada. Finding ways to connect curious people to a sense of belonging in community is exciting work, and I am eager to see how this will allow John to continue expanding his Seventy ministry.

Vonda DenBoer, as previously announced, is our Director of Camping and Campgrounds. Thank you for your support of Vonda this summer as she has traveled to reunions and begun to get to know the scope of, and passion for, camping in Canada. Her role will ensure that our strong camping programming will endure no matter where we find ourselves gathering together.

Sam Smalldon will continue to ground our work together as our Director of Operations, assuming the necessary structural titles of Bishop of Canada and Mission Centre Financial Officer. In addition, Sam will assume the Mission Centre President of Record title. This will ensure the administrative aspect of the Mission Centre President role continues as we embrace the new shared leadership model.

Thank you to all our members, friends, and seekers across Canada for your ongoing generosity of time, talent, treasure, and testimony that allow this strategic plan to move forward. Your patience through this time of transition and your support of these new directors are deeply appreciated.

I cannot wait to see what happens next as we move Onward Together!