BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Carolyn Klassen

“Nourishing our Longing for Belonging”

  • Carolyn Klassen holds a Master of Arts degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counselling and a degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Manitoba. She believes that, fundamentally, we are all wired for connection—and that meaningful relationships have tremendous healing power, including our connection with The Divine. With many years of experience as a therapist, teacher, speaker, and writer, Carolyn brings a wealth of insight into the human experience. Her own story of losses and joys has deepened her understanding of grief, pain, anxiety, depression, joy, grace, and the things we don’t often talk about in polite company. Carolyn’s presentations are engaging and thought-provoking, weaving together personal stories, scientific research, faith, and a deeply human perspective. She taught for many years at the University of Manitoba, is a regular teacher at The Meeting Place, speaks widely, and writes about connection

    and belonging, including Wired for Connection: the Jesus way of Belonging in a Lonely World. She also has a weekly conversation with Hal Anderson on 680 CJOB. Carolyn is married to Jim in a beautifully grafted family and is mom to five sons, five in-laws, and Oma to six grandchildren.

Brenda Eastveld

“Supporting the Older Adults in Your Life“

  • Brenda has been married to Scott for 29 years. They have 3 adult children and a goldendoodle named Mabel. She is a partner in ministry with Scott, who is Lead Pastor at Grace Community Church. She is a social worker at Grace Hospital and supports
    patients to navigate difficult things. Brenda strives to recognize every person she encounters as an image-bearer of God, deserving of love and respect. She is passionate about music, iced matcha lattes and deep talks/laughing with friends.

Andrea Atkinson

“Art Workshop”

  • Andrea has always been interested in art but didn’t seriously pursue it until challenged one day by Jesus’ parable of the talents. As a homeschool mom, life was busy and art time scarce, but the Master’s rebuke of the man who buried his talent hit home. Challenged to dig up and develop her one-talent gift, she made a deal with God that if He made a way to make art a priority in her life, she would take Him up on it. 

    God wasted no time. Within two weeks of this promise, she received a call and a job offer from The King’s School as the new Grade 7-12 art teacher. This unbelievable risk taken by both the school and herself, to fill a position with one who has no professional training in art, was clearly God-initiated and empowered. In saying “yes” she was catapulted from occasional dabbling to intense focus as she set out to establish a curriculum and develop the skills needed to successfully fulfill her mandate. 

    For the past 16 years, Andrea has been the art teacher at The Kings’ School and established a unique curriculum that equips students with skills in many media and launches them into confident creative expression for the glory of God.

Jen Siwik

“Joyful Movement“

  • Jen loves working as a Volunteer Coordinator for Youth for Christ Winnipeg, supporting all of our amazing ministries. Jen’s connection to Youth for Christ came through Masterworks Arts Studio where she has been teaching for more than 25 years.

    Leaving behind a career in Interior Design, Jen was called to full time with Youth for Christ in 2019. Through placement and vetting of volunteer applicants, facilitating volunteer training, and planning volunteer appreciation events, Jen enjoys serving with the Volunteer Department because it combines her passion for people with her strengths in detail and organization. YFC’s 300+ active volunteers are absolutely critical to our ministry success. She wants you to know that if you are considering volunteering to share Jesus’ love with young people in Manitoba, we can find a place for you!

    Jen also does other assorted tasks as needed around the office, teaches with YFC’s Masterworks Dance Studio, and teaches Sunday School at Faith Bible Church in Winnipeg.

    The Siwiks are a very musical family. Jen’s husband, Rob, is a professional musician, one daughter loves singing, dancing, and musical theatre, and the other daughter loves to dance. They have a small dog named Pepper who bosses everyone around, but she is cute so they let her.

Our vision is to see women flourishing in their faith, families, and communities as devoted followers of Jesus Christ.