Join us Saturday January 17, 2026 at 12 p.m. PT / 1 p.m. MT / 2 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. ET on Zoom for the organizational meeting of the Canada Mission Centre. This online gathering will bring us together from across the country to affirm the bold step we took in September to move onward together. As we enter this new era, it’s time to bless the framework that will guide and support our shared ministry and mission in Canada.
We’ll meet for about two hours. Business items will include sustaining the Mission Centre President Team, Financial Officer, Mission Centre Council, and other appointments, along with approving the Canada-wide mission budget that unites the CEM and CWM budgets previously approved in September.
This will also be a time to share in brief worship, hymn singing, prayer, and reflection with friends old and new—from coast to coast—as we share hope and celebrate mission in the heart of winter.
If your congregation would like to gather locally, please let us know in advance so we can arrange voice and vote for everyone participating. Stay tuned for further updates in the coming weeks, including information about pre-legislative and technology preparation sessions.
Monday, January 12 8:00 pm – Technical training and review with Troy Roach and Sam Smalldon. This is an opportunity to ensure your devices are ready to fully participate so that everyone joining from your location can have voice and vote.
Tuesday, January 13 8:30 pm – Pre-legislative Session with Vonda DenBoer and Sam Smalldon. This is a time for discussion and review of the agenda and business of the meeting.
Wednesday, January 14 1:00 pm – Pre-legislative Session with John Hamer and Leandro Palacios. Another opportunity for discussion and review of the agenda and business of the meeting.
The Mission Council serves as an advisory body to the Mission Centre leadership team, offering perspective, insight, and wisdom on programming, leadership, and spiritual formation. The role and function of mission councils have naturally evolved as we have transitioned from paid Mission Presidents with counselors, to volunteer leadership teams, and now to a model led by directors with specific areas of responsibility. As we work together to operationalize this new leadership structure, the Mission Council becomes an essential voice, expressing the vision and concerns of our members—particularly those who are geographically distanced from congregations and have fewer opportunities to gather regularly. In this first year we anticipate the Council meeting approximately four to six times per year.
During times of transition, it is especially important to have courageous voices who can speak thoughtfully and provide an honest perspective. It is equally important that the composition of the Mission Council reflects the demographics of the Mission Centre so it remains broadly representative of our membership. Council members may be priesthood or non-priesthood; both contribute meaningfully to the work.
The proposed Mission Council has been intentionally constituted to reflect the geography of the Canada Mission Centre, as well as the diversity of age, gender, experience, and interests present among our members. We offer their names and brief bios to help you get to know them.
2026 Mission Centre Council
Sariah Boeve- Middleton Sariah (she/they) holds an Honours BA in Peace and Conflict Studies and a Master’s in Social Work, wherein she practices as an openly queer/LGBTQ practitioner with a mindful approach to social justice. She and her partner, Courtney, are parents to twin toddlers and a preteen—all of whom are on the autism spectrum, neurodivergent, and brilliant creations in their own right. Co-pastor of Willow, an unorthodox yet spiritually welcoming Community of Christ congregation, Sariah was raised within the Community of Christ faith base, though she took a step back for quite some time. Today, she is an active member in the church and was/is a member of the Canadian and International Peace and Justice Committees, as well as having previously served on the Canada East Mission Council.
Riley Malott Riley, a sixth-generation church member, is a Grade 12 high school student and a member of the Wabash congregation in Ontario, where he serves as historian and tech booth operator and is active in youth ministry. He is very passionate about developing his faith through the church and hopes one day to empower youth who are interested in expanding their faith. His higher education plans are in the area of public health.
Bryce Taylor Bryce has been affiliated with many mission-focused organizations through his professional career in social work and has concluded that the mission owns the organization. He applauds missions of enterprise that allow for the social entrepreneurship of members and leaders, echoing James 2:18: “You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” His interests centre on building missions that attract minds searching for meaning rather than certitude, engage experienced builders of economic missional wealth, and welcome followers of Jesus, who came that all people might have and enjoy life in abundance (John 10:10).
Sandra Hunter You may know Sandra Hunter as a friend, colleague, or family member, or you may know her three children and their spouses, or one of her nine grandchildren. What I hope you already know is that she is a seasoned church elder—both in age and in the church priesthood—whose decades of service reflect her deep commitment to faithful leadership and mission. As a non-resident member in northern British Columbia with a master’s degree in administration, she brings strong analytical skills and a readiness to ask the hard, necessary questions that strengthen strategic decision-making. She has served the church in diverse roles—including class teacher, stewardship commissioner, treasurer, pastor, and recorder—gaining a broad, practical understanding of ministry at every level. Known for her candour and integrity, she would serve on the Canadian Church Mission Council with thoughtful counsel and a steadfast dedication to the church’s mission.
Karen Hewitt Karen was raised in the New Liskeard and North Bay congregations, communities that helped shape her faith and the person she is today. She has served on the North Bay leadership team for several years, learning firsthand the strength and joy that comes from a community supporting one another. Professionally, she has worked in various capacities in the health care field for over 22 years and currently supports the Chief of Staff, Vice-President of Medical Affairs, and the hospital’s Research Ethics Board. She is excited to serve on the Canada Mission Council as the church moves onward into a new national mission centre. The enduring principles that speak most deeply to her—Worth of All Persons and All Are Called—guide her approach to service and connection. She is particularly passionate about helping the North remain engaged and connected within the wider Canadian church community and is grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside others as they grow together in this next chapter.
Jada Middleton Jada is a 21-year-old university student based in Alberta. She is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and is studying psychology and criminology, with future career aspirations of becoming a psychiatrist specializing in PDD clientele. She has worked in psychiatric health care throughout her adult life. She believes in the fundamental worth of all persons and the right to live a meaningful existence, and through this belief serves as a base for her involvement in local and international volunteer-based groups.
Jae Senga Jae, originally from Saskatchewan, works in health care for the province. With a degree in Computer Science, Jae enjoys bringing a tech-savvy perspective to both his personal life and career. Active in the local church, Jae values community and connection. Life outside of work is centred on family—spending time with his wife, Amanda, and their two daughters is what matters most.
Guest Ministers
Shannon McAdam Shannon lives in Port Coquitlam, BC. She is dedicated to creating spaces of hospitality both physically and philosophically, and is passionate about leadership development. Shannon has a Master of Divinity from Vancouver School of Technology, and a Bachelors Degree in Technology and Church Leadership from Graceland University. Her newest adventure is embracing a call to be an Apostle of Christ's peace in Community of Christ.
Lachlan E. Mackay A member of the Council of Twelve Apostles, Lachlan is assigned to Field 4. He is a native of Independence, Missouri, he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Russian Area Studies from the University of Missouri. Passionate about church history, Lach is a former president of the John Whitmer Historical Association and has contributed articles and essays to various scholarly publications.
Janné C. Grover Janné serves as a member of the First Presidency and counsellor to the president of Community of Christ. She is passionate about lifelong learning, the power of music and communal singing, and the many ways spiritual community forms and responds faithfully in Christ’s mission. Before her current role, Janné served in a variety of leadership and formation ministries, including as a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles and as Director of Formation Ministries. A former music educator, she brings a deep appreciation for teaching, creativity, and shared worship, shaped by her academic work in religion, education, and music and by her life as a parent and church leader.
