ABOUT
This is not your typical youth event. The goal of the WYS is to identify, equip and connect our future leaders. This event is for students grade 9-12. Youth pastors and youth leaders are welcome, and we encourage you to bring your student leadership team.
IDENTIFY
Have you ever noticed universities don’t wait until students arrive on campus to figure out their basketball team or volleyball team? Neither should we.
Research consistently shows that the transition from high school to university and career is a crucial time for faith development. It’s a time when students either deconstruct their faith or construct a faith of their own. Those students who are equipped and connected going into university and career are often the ones who emerge not only with their faith intact but sharing their faith with others.
EQUIP
The WYS is designed to help students with apologetics training so that they are better prepared for university and career. Equipping will take place through the main sessions and a host of different breakout sessions addressing a variety of key topics. These sessions will be recorded and made available to attendees and parents.
CONNECT
The WYS is designed to connect students with trusted Christian organizations and to introduce them with like-minded peers. This will aid in a better handoff and continued discipleship opportunities both during and after high school. As well, we are working on a database for students and parents for information on campus ministries, solid churches near campuses, gap year programs, summer camp opportunities, scholarships, and much more.
WORSHIP
TROY LYDIATE
Troy Lydiate is a multifaceted artist, speaker, and Creative Director at Apologetics Canada, where he also serves as host of The AC Podcast. Operating under the artistic moniker Scribe Music, Troy has unveiled multiple studio albums, skillfully utilizing his music as a conduit to convey the gospel message. Embracing a mission to catalyze both cultural and global transformation, Troy's approach is firmly anchored in love, releasing hope by loving God and loving people.
ISAIAH FABER (POWFU)
Born and raised in Mission, BC with 3 younger siblings. Isaiah, commonly known as ‘Powfu,’ started making music in his bedroom with minimal equipment at the age of 14. In his senior year he started releasing music under the artist name ‘Powfu’ and found a rapid growing fanbase. Within his first few years of his music career he signed with a major label, gained millions of followers, and received billions of streams. He is now married, has a daughter, and continues to create new music while openly speaking about his faith in Jesus.
TWU WORSHIP TEAM
The TWU Worship Team is a collective of experienced leaders from the Trinity Western community, united by their desire to lead others into deep and transformative worship experiences. Trinity Western University seeks to be a catalyst for Christ-centred community and mission by inviting people into embodied, communal, global, and spiritually formative worship. Rooted in a rich history of live worship, our heart is to foster meaningful encounters with God through intentional gatherings.
MAIN SESSION SPEAKERS
WESLEY HUFF
Wesley is currently the Director of Central Canada for Apologetics Canada and has participated in numerous talks and interfaith dialogue events at universities and colleges across North America. He has been participating in public dialogues on issues of faith, belief, and religion for the last ten years.
ISAIAH FABER (POWFU)
Born and raised in Mission, BC with 3 younger siblings. Isaiah, commonly known as ‘Powfu,’ started making music in his bedroom with minimal equipment at the age of 14. In his senior year he started releasing music under the artist name ‘Powfu’ and found a rapid growing fanbase. Within his first few years of his music career he signed with a major label, gained millions of followers, and received billions of streams. He is now married, has a daughter, and continues to create new music while openly speaking about his faith in Jesus.
ALANZO PAUL
Alanzo is passionate about literature, philosophy and theology. His work primarily focuses on questions such as, ‘Why does God allow suffering and injustice?’ and ‘What is the meaning of life?’. Additionally, he enjoys exploring topics such as the Occult, identity, Gen Z, difficult passages in the Old Testament, and the case for the historical Jesus. He currently lives in the UK, pursuing a D.Phil at Oxford and runs a student ministry at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics.
MARY JO SHARP
A former atheist who found faith, Mary Jo Sharp has navigated two distinct American cultures: the post-Christian Pacific Northwest and the evangelical Bible Belt. She is the author of the widely popular Bible study <em>Why Do You Believe That?</em> with LifeWay Christian Resources. Her most recent book with Zondervan, <em>Why I Still Believe</em>, reflects her dedication to clear communication and her passion for sharing profound truths about her faith journey.
SID KOOP
From camp speaker to local youth pastor to youth ministry professor, Sid Koop draws from over 25 years of youth ministry experience. He is the Executive Director of the Youth Worker Community where he and his team are dedicated to equipping, empowering, and relationally supporting youth workers to help the next generation know Jesus. YWC is shaping ministry to adolescents in Canada through Digital Resources, The Coalition, Youth Worker Training Events, and Youth Ministry Coaching, and Consulting, equipping and encouraging thousands of youth workers each year.
ANDY STEIGER, PH.D
Andy Steiger is the founder and president of Apologetics Canada Ministries. He has presented at various venues such as Cambridge University on philosophical issues related to Artificial Intelligence, provided ethical guidelines on robotics for the United Nations, and addressed legal concerns over rights of conscience at the World Congress in Philosophy of Law.
BREAKOUT SPEAKERS
MARKO ZOLOTAROV
Marko Zolotarov is a Ukrainian advocate and '25 political science graduate from Trinity Western University, passionate about integrating faith into public life. Having lived through the realities of war, Marko focuses on using faith, resilience, and advocacy. Through his journey, Marko will share how a holistic faith, rooted in the Gospel, can transform life's challenges into powerful opportunities and serve as a compelling testimony to the world.
BRYAN & BONNIE PUE
Bryan & Bonnie are co-founders of The Union Movement, a group that exists to help people find wholeness by presenting a gospel-centred, holistic approach to the topics of identity, sexuality, and relationships. We develop resources, speak at events, and support local churches and leaders who desire to cultivate healthy cultures.
ISAAC PAUL
Isaac holds a Masters Degree in Linguistics and Translation from the Canada Institute of Linguistics and has received training in Classical Arabic, Islamic law, and Qur'anic interpretation from the Hedayet Institute for Arabic Studies in Cairo Egypt. Isaac teaches seminars throughout BC in order to equip Canadian Christians to engage with people of other faiths in truth and love. He currently works as an international translation consultant based out of Western Canada.
LINDSAY MARTIN
Lindsay Martin has served with youth and young adults through church and camp ministries since 2008 and began her journey with Apologetics Canada at the first Leadership Summit in 2022. Having recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Lindsay has developed a passion for integrating her faith into academic study in secular spheres and sees education primarily as a tool for uncovering the truth of God in his world.
AVALON REIMER
Avalon Reimer is an Alpha Canada intern passionate about relational evangelism. With experience in cross-cultural missions and navigating faith in secular environments, Avalon enjoys helping others discover meaningful ways to share Jesus through authentic conversations.
more coming soon...
SCHEDULE
8:30 AM
Check-in Opens
9:00 - 10:00 AM
Coffee & Connect for Parents
- Equipping session for parents on constructing a faith that survives university and a how-to session for applying to university and for grants. Andy Steiger, Sid Koop, and Phil Hills will be speaking.
9:00 - 10:30 AM
Equip Session 1 - Inspired to Love God
- Loving God's Word - Wesley Huff
- Loving God's Goodness - Isaiah Faber
- Loving God When Life Gets Hard - Alanzo Paul
- Panel Discussion and Q&A
10:30 - 11:00 AM
Discussion
11:00 - 11:30 AM
Snack Break
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Breakout Session 1
- How Can I Show the Bible is Trustworthy?
- What's the Foundation of a Christian Identity?
- How Do I Explain that God is Good but People Suffer?
- What's a Simple Way to Demonstrate How Christianity and Science Work Together?
- How Do I Effectively Share My Faith?
- How Does AI Work and How Can it Be Best Used?
- Explaining How Jesus is Different in a World of Religions
- Deconstructed: How to Help a Friend Reconstruct their Faith
- My Social Dilemma: Navigating a TikTok Culture
- The Rizz Bizz: Healthy Relationships & Dating
12:30 - 1:45 PM
Connecting Lunch
2:00 - 4:00 PM
Fort Day Games
4:15 - 5:00 PM
Breakout Session 2
- How Can I Show the Bible is Trustworthy?
- What's the Foundation of a Christian Identity?
- How Do I Explain that God is Good but People Suffer?
- What's a Simple Way to Demonstrate How Christianity and Science Work Together?
- How Do I Effectively Share My Faith?
- How Does AI Work and How Can it Be Best Used?
- Explaining How Jesus is Different in a World of Religions
- Deconstructed: How to Help a Friend Reconstruct their Faith
- My Social Dilemma: Navigating a TikTok Culture
- The Rizz Bizz: Healthy Relationships & Dating
5:15 - 6:45 PM
Dinner
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Equip Session 2 - Inspired to Love People
- Loving People in Times of Doubt - Mary Jo Sharp
- Loving People with My Attention - Sid Koop
- Loving People as a Calling and an Identity - Andy Steiger
- Panel Discussion and Q&A
8:30 - 9:00 PM
Commissioning Prayer & Connection Time
SPONSORED BY