Meet Our Speakers

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I was born and raised in Abbotsford but developed a wanderlust to explore regions beyond. God's presence and calling finally led me to join Frontiers and work among two unreached Muslim people groups. On the way, God provided me unexpectedly with an incredible wife and two sons. After serving 30 years on the field, including overseeing multiple church planting teams in Southeast Asia, my wife and I recently returned to the greater Vancouver area, where we continue in ministry. In my free time, I love riding motorcycles, traveling, and engaging with people.

Stephen has spent the past 26 years in various ministry roles, such as campus minister, church planter, and pastor. Currently, he is privileged to serve the growing community of Middle Eastern newcomers in the Edmonton area. He likes to think of himself as both a practitioner and an academic in ministry. He and his wife have two teenage children, and together, they look forward to the warmer months.

There are a few significant milestones in Alan’s life that stand out: becoming a Christian at 23; his marriage to Loverna at 25; becoming a member of Wycliffe at 27 and going to Papua New Guinea in 1988 to serve in construction at age 29.  

“When I joined Wycliffe,” says Alan, “I believed that the Bible made a difference in people’s lives, just as it had in Loverna’s and mine.  Now, after more than 39 years of service, I not only still believe this, but I have met and talked to countless people that have had their lives changed by it.”

Alan recalls a pastor’s wife in Chad, who said after receiving a New Testament in her language, “Before when we said something to the men, they said that it was just woman’s talk. But now that we have the Word of God, the men are listening.”

Alan did not know in 1988 that he would serve in Papua New Guinea for 16 years as a builder, carpenter trainer and construction project manager and Loverna as a physiotherapist. But he says their commitment grew as a result of their time there.  All three of their children, Thomas, Miriam and Elizabeth, grew up in PNG. Upon returning to Canada in 2004, Alan was asked to serve as a staff photographer with Wycliffe Canada.

“As a photographer, it is like being God’s eyes and showing Bible-believing Christians in Canada the people on the frontlines of Bible translation, literacy and Scripture use, and those with whom they work.  These frontline workers are difference–makers who very often see themselves as insignificant, but the work they are doing is significant."

Today, Alan is part of the MAPI team that is mobilizing the Canadian Church to engage Wycliffe Canada’s part in the mission of God through prayer, financial gifts and even going themselves.

Alan is excited to "proclaim God's might to another generation, His power to those to come." Psalm 71:18

“God is at work and I invite you to join me on this adventure by engaging in partnership with Wycliffe.”

Gord is married to Rita, and has over 40 years in cross-cultural ministry, including 11 years served full-time in Africa. Since 2001 he has focused on the mobilization of Global Workers to Least-Reached peoples in Restricted Contexts. Gord’s role is primarily focused in areas of strategic development, coaching global workers as well as security & crisis management.

Gord is a graduate in the field of Architecture, is a missional business owner in Edmonton and holds an M.A. Degree in Biblical Studies.

Lois Anderson serves as the Director of Mobilization for Wycliffe Canada. Her experience growing up in Papua New Guinea, where her parents also served with Wycliffe, and her 20 years of teaching       and administering at Rain Forest International School in Cameroon have enabled her to be involved in many aspects of missions. She loves to talk about how God uses the skills he has given us to       carryout ministries that are much greater than we could have first imagined. Since 2019, Lois and her husband, Brian, have lived in Red Deer to be close to her aging father. Being involved in mobilization allows her to stay close to home and also indulge her love of teaching and working with young people. She looks forward to many interesting conversations during this event.

Ian Stokes has spent the majority of his career in faith-based and international charitable work. Ian served in pastoral ministry at First Assembly Church (PAOC) in Calgary, AB. for eight years overseeing local and global outreach initiatives. In 2007, Ian joined Samaritan’s Purse Canada (SPC). He has served numerous roles through his time at SPC, focusing on mobilization, international disaster relief and programming. Recently, Ian led Samaritan’s Purse response to assist Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. He now oversees all Church Partnerships for Samaritan’s Purse Canada and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada.

Ian has travelled extensively in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Additionally, Ian has lived and worked overseas in Kenya and mainland China. Ian is passionate to see the church in the global north maximize its resources and availability to support and champion the church in the global south in mutually-beneficial initiatives and relationships that build the Kingdom of God globally.

Ian currently resides in Calgary, AB. along with his wife Trina. They have two adult sons, Ethan and Caleb, and a rambunctious Golden Retriever named Max!