Come connect with your CREATOR and your CREATIVE SELF at this two day event, full of worship and wonder. Be inspired, be challenged, be transformed.
Renaissance Vancouver is a two day event to encounter your CREATOR and inspire your creative spirit – through an encounter with his Holy Spirit. Learn, Worship, Play, Connect.
Renaissance is for EVERYONE – moms and makers, baristas and business owners. Come and discover your creative calling in the presence of your CREATOR.
Get INSPIRED as you hear from a lineup of faith-filled speakers and creatives.
Al Gordon | Ken Shigematsu | Danielle Strickland | Ruthie Kim | Josh Leventhal | June Hur | and more!
Be FILLED with the Holy Spirit through times of extraordinary worship.
With musicians from across the city including Centre Church, The Way, Village Church, Saint Church UK, and more.
PARTICIPATE in labs and interactive pop-ups designed to help you encounter God, grow in practical skills and spark your imagination.
Arts | Food | Floral | Music
Artist & Art Therapist, Vancouver
Aimee Ruoff is a Vancouver-based artist, art therapist, and registered clinical counsellor who believes that creativity is a core part of our design as image-bearers of the Creator. In her own art practice Aimee makes oil paintings and drawings, seeking small sublime moments in the everyday, focusing on what is fleeting and ethereal as a reminder of the temporality of life. In her role as an art therapist, Aimee walks alongside women in recovery from addictions and witnesses how the creative process can be an avenue for restoration and healing. Aimee considers all of her work as an act of devotion and an outpouring of communion with Christ.
Pastor & Author, London
Al Gordon is the founder of Renaissance, a creative movement empowering artists, innovators, and leaders to reclaim their divine calling. He leads SAINT, a thriving church on a mission to bring hope to the heart of East London. Passionate about bridging faith and creativity, Al helps people step into bold, risk-taking faith. Al has spent his life at the intersection of faith, culture, and creativity, working with some of the world’s most innovative artists, musicians, and designers. A sought-after communicator and a trusted voice in the Christian creative movement, he believes every local church should be a cathedral of creativity.
Entrepreneur, Kelowna
Bethany is a wife and mom raising two kids in Kelowna, BC. A creative at heart, the past decade has taken her through many different adventures—from a thriving career as an influencer on Instagram and a season of living nomadically, to homeschooling and co-founding the Canadian beauty brand Saltyface. Today, motherhood and hospitality are her primary focus. She continues to discover the many ways creativity can take shape in this season of life, remaining curious about where God may lead her next.
Marketing Director, Vancouver
Courtney Peters is a wife, mom of two young boys, and entrepreneur turned marketing leader. She founded Supercrush in 2018, a hair accessories brand she successfully built and scaled from launch to acquisition in 2024. A BC Business 30 Under 30 recipient, Courtney has built campaigns and designed collections that have earned attention from outlets including Allure, ELLE, and The Today Show.
Today, Courtney serves as Marketing Director at Studio North, a growing dance community based in Vancouver. She is passionate about building brands that are not only successful, but deeply rooted in purpose. Outside of work, you’ll find her exploring North Vancouver with her family by e-bike, thrifting, or diving into her latest hobby, jewellery making.
Speaker & Author, Vancouver
Danielle lets Love lead her to inspire, challenge, provoke and disrupt the present, and to live the future now. Having lived in different cultures and contexts around the world she celebrates diversity and deeply longs for wrong things to be made right. Danielle practises following Jesus daily. This pursuit has led to exciting entrepreneurial exploits (like co-founding multiple charities and non-profits) and a whole host of failures (that we don’t as often talk about). All of this has convinced her of the deep need we all have for hope, faith, and love. Her deepest longing is to demonstrate what living that boundless life looks like.
Danielle has authored seven books (the latest being Need to Know and The Other Side of Hope), has a podcast called The Right Side Up (which recently celebrated half-a-million downloads), and speaks to people at events all over the world. Danielle leads Boundless Enterprise which launches creative exploits like Women Speakers Collective (liberating voices of women around the globe), IMBY (a tiny home movement IN MY BACKYARD), Brave Global (preventing human trafficking), Infinitum (a way of living deeply), and Hagar’s Voice (support and advocacy for survivors of abuse). Danielle lives in Vancouver, Canada with her three sons and husband Steve. Danielle loves getting outside, doing new things, physical adventures, and she can’t seem to turn down a free lunch.
Artist & Designer, Vancouver
David moved from the UK to Canada with his wife (Sian) and two boys (Evan and Asher) in 2014 to support a church plant in Yaletown. He has accumulated a mix of experience over the years including a BA in 3D Design, High school counselling, Design Teaching and an MA in Applied Theology.
Fast forward a decade and David and his family are now Canadian citizens! They are still part of the same church, Trinity Central, where David leads worship. Most of his time is spent running two businesses, Made to Fly Design and David Ives Reclaimed Art. David sees this work as his ministry in the world. He believes reclaiming broken and unwanted materials into signs, awards and artwork is a powerful visual metaphor for the restorative work that God does both in us and will do on earth.
David’s clients include Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver Aquarium, TED, Adidas and Vikram Vij!
Entrepreneur, Kelowna
David Menzel is a Canadian entrepreneur based in Kelowna, British Columbia, where he lives with his wife, Bethany, and their two children.
In 2020, David and Bethany co-founded Saltyface, a modern beauty brand that grew from an independent startup into a recognized name in the sunless tanning category. David served as CEO through the company’s growth, culminating in the sale of Saltyface to private equity in 2026.
David’s previous projects span music, media, ecommerce and social enterprise. He is a founding member of the Canadian band We Are The City and previously founded Track Tailors, a music agency for film and television that worked across projects for Netflix, Hulu, Crave, A&E and ESPN before exiting the business. He and Bethany also founded Clay.la, a nonprofit initiative supporting artisans in Oaxaca, Mexico.
David has spent his career turning creative ideas into brands, businesses and projects across culture, storytelling and commerce.
Dancer, Vancouver
Felicity Kuyena is an African-Canadian dancer and choreographer specializing in hip hop and Afro fusion. She currently teaches at Studio North Vancouver and has choreographed for multiple stage productions. She brings experience performing in showcases and competitions. She also thrives in fast-paced professional environments and is extremely passionate about delivering high-energy, versatile performances.
Songwriter & Producer, Mission
Powfu (aka Isaiah Faber), a Christian songwriter, producer, and artist from Mission, BC, is a defining figure in global lo-fi hip-hop. His breakout hit “death bed (coffee for your head)” exploded on TikTok and Spotify, leading to a Columbia/Sony signing and more than 5 billion combined streams. He earned a 2021 JUNO nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and an iHeart Award for Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist.
After touring Europe and North America in 2023 and 2024, he continues to evolve his sound through releases such as “death bed pt. 2” and “rotting with the moon.” Powfu has just released his new album, Tomorrow the sun won’t rise, a faith-driven collection reflecting his soulful, intricate songwriting and desire to pull listeners out of the darkness through music.
Professor, Vancouver
Jonathan Anderson is the Eugene and Jan Peterson Associate Professor of Theology and the Arts at Regent College. His scholarship explores the interrelations of art history, theology, and religious studies, with a particular focus on modern and contemporary art. He is the author of The Invisibility of Religion in Contemporary Art (2025), Modern Art and the Life of a Culture: The Religious Impulses of Modernism (with William Dyrness, 2016), and many articles and book chapters on related topics. Trained as an artist, art critic, and theologian, Anderson has an MFA from California State University Long Beach and a PhD from King’s College London, and he has previously held academic posts at Biola University and Duke Divinity School.
Singer/Songwriter, Vancouver
Joshua Leventhal is an American-born, Canadian-raised singer/songwriter based out of Vancouver BC, Canada. Marrying intricate lyricism with equally intricate sonics, Joshua seeks to give words to those who have prayers they’re not sure how to pray. To be fully honest with God without betraying reverence or hope. To live into the tensions fully, without being afraid or ashamed to do so.
Joshua has toured across the US, Canada, and the UK, and is Juno-nominated and multi GMA-winning for his first full-length album All Ye Lepers. His new project, Tapiseri, is a multi-volume Biblical concept record exploring Genesis to Revelation through POV narratives. He is married to fellow creative and abstract expressionist painter Kaitlyn Rose, and they collaborate frequently in each other’s work.
Author, Toronto
Pastor & Author, Vancouver
Ken Shigematsu is the Senior Pastor of Tenth Church, a vibrant, diverse, multi-site church in Vancouver, BC. Before entering pastoral ministry, he worked for Sony in Tokyo. Ken is the award-winning, bestselling author of God in My Everything, Survival Guide for the Soul, and Now I Become Myself. He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and serves as a Teaching Fellow with Practicing the Way. Ken lives in Vancouver with his wife, Sakiko, and their son, Joey.
Artist, Vancouver
Lindsey Roseboom is a multidisciplinary artist, whose main bodies of work are drawn realism using powder pastel and graphite. Having studied industrial design in southern California and since practiced a range of arts, from furniture design to illustration to floristry, Lindsey is an advocate of multidisciplinary creativity, emphasizing the interconnectedness of our lives with the {greater) arts. Throughout, the aim of her work is to reflect all the ordinary that is, in-fact, wondrously made & orchestrated.
Currently, her days are spent working alongside her husband, Rich, in building their local fine jewelry brand (Raffinata), and raising their foster daughter. Together, they are passionate about bringing the kingdom of Christ to earth through all they put their hands to.
Gardener, Vancouver
Nadine and her family, attend Centre Church. She is a local gardener at a much loved neighbourhood cafe, Marche St. George. She also gardens at Acorn and Lila restaurants growing their edible flowers in their ‘Secret Garden’. Alongside of that, you’ll find her hosting flower pop-ups such as, ‘make your own bouquets’, wreath workshops and other community floral events. Sometimes, she also designs gardens and atriums at clients homes. Their family business is Thiessen Art Services, where she assists, when needed, on art trips and art instals.
Her joy is to connect with people while working with flowers. She finds that floral work is therapeutic and naturally brings one another together. In a life of being rushed, she intentionally tries to have time for others and show God’s love while in her neighbourhood connecting with others while gardening.
Nadine’s instagram is @eastsideflora feel free to say hi!
Executive Coach & Speaker, San Francisco
Ruthie Kim is an executive coach, speaker, and founder passionate about helping people live and lead with courage, vision, and deep spiritual rootedness.
Based in San Francisco, Ruthie works with founders, executives, creatives, and leaders across industries and nations to cultivate transformative leadership and create meaningful impact in the world. As an Executive Coach with Novus Global, she partners with leaders from Fortune 500 companies, global non-profits, and mission-driven organizations to move beyond high performance into lives marked by clarity, wholeness, and purpose.
Ruthie is also the founder of Because Justice Matters, a long-standing San Francisco organization investing in women and girls through justice initiatives, creative programs, leadership development, and community transformation.
An ordained minister and member of the teaching team at Reality SF, Ruthie speaks on themes of faith, leadership, hope, identity, and cultural renewal. Her work bridges the worlds of spiritual formation, leadership, justice, and imagination—calling people to become fully alive to the lives they were created to live.
Creative Director, LA
Samuel Han is the publisher and head of brand at Alabaster and runs their creative and publishing teams. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, he is an artist and photographer whose work explores the intersection of visual culture and faith.
Faith & Work, Vancouver
Stephen is the Founder of Trellis Ventures, drawing on 15+ years of global leadership experience across the church, nonprofit, corporate and entrepreneurial sectors. He previously served as Co- Founder of Missional Labs, Executive Director at Bridgetown Church and Associate National Director at Alpha Canada. With experience ranging from sustainability consulting in Dubai to leading high-impact ministries and global accelerator, Stephen is a systems change leader that works at the intersection of leadership development, venture building, and missional innovation. He holds an MA in Theology from Regent College and lives in Vancouver with his wife, Amy, and their two daughters.
Mother, Kelowna
Tara is a stay-at-home mom raising four boys and a lifelong creative who has spent much of her life learning how creativity and motherhood can coexist. After marrying at twenty, she put her own creative ambitions on hold while supporting her husband through college. Just as she was preparing to pursue an interior design degree, she became pregnant—and a few years later, Preston was suddenly killed in a car accident and she found herself, a widow raising two young boys.
Through grief, Tara returned to creativity as a way to process, heal, and provide for her family. Years later, after remarrying and welcoming two more sons, her desire to create only grew, while time to do so only seemed to decrease. Journeying with Jesus through this has taught her that motherhood and creativity are not competing callings, but gifts that can beautifully intertwine. She also opened an online art print shop with faith-filled art while still embracing the calling she has as a mother.
For General Admission, click UNLOCK and enter the code SPARK26 to save $30!
Coming soon.
Renaissance is a 2 day event, for you to connect with God, the creator of everything, and discover the creative self he has placed inside you. Come learn from faith-filled speakers, worship, and participate in labs and interactive pop-ups and experiences.
Renaissance is for everyone! You have been uniquely created in the image of God and he wants you to show the world through the gifts and skills he has given you.
Creativity is not just artistic expression, Renaissance is for everyone! We have all been created by God in his image and have been given unique abilities and gifts to use. Come and discover how God has made you creative.
Most of the events will take place at Centre Church (777 Homer Street) with some additional bonus pop-ups at venues within walking distance.
Renaissance is a two-day event. On Friday October 16 and Saturday October 17.
Doors open on Friday at 6pm and the first speaker begins at 7pm. The evening features a speaker, worship, and a secret gig!
On Saturday the event starts at 9am and goes until 9pm, featuring multiple speakers, interactive pop-ups, labs & workshops, performances, and worship.
Meals will not be provided during the event, however there will be time provided to explore local restaurants.
Renaissance is for ages 15 and up. For those between 15 to 25, you qualify for youth tickets – make sure to select this option in Ticketmaster.
Follow the link to Ticketmaster and select the UNLOCK button. Then enter the code SPARK26 to apply your discount.
Yes! We are looking for a number of different volunteer roles to help make Renaissance a wonderful experience for our city. Apply here.
Of course! Please share this with your friends, church, and community.
We have resources available below to share on Social, or reach out to renaissance@centrechurch.ca if you need something specific.
RENAISSANCE is a MOVEMENT that started out of SAINT, a church in East London, UK, helping people encounter the Creator, equip the creative and empower the local church to become a cathedrals of creativity. Learn more at renaissancemovement.org.
