Annual General Meeting 2024

ALBERTA SOUTH

1. What in your view is the value, purpose or role of CPJ?
   I see CPJ as a diverse group of people coming together, working to live out their faith in an informed and tangible way. A place promoting policy that makes sure no one is left out or left behind, while holding political structures accountable. A group committed to speaking up and amplifying key voices and issues that aren’t often centered.
2. How can you contribute to CPJ as a Board Member?
   I’m passionate about justice- my husband and I volunteer with a group that helps settle refugees in Canada, and we’ve taken part in Hearts Exchanged, a Christian Reformed Church (CRC) Indigenous ministry that meets to learn and discuss Indigenous culture and issues. I enjoy working in a group toward a common goal, as an elder in Iron Springs CRC and on the board for our family farm. My experience in agriculture has contributed to a real connection to the land, as well as skills used to manage our farming operation. I look forward to having the opportunity to apply these skills and experiences in a new context on the CPJ board.
3. Give a brief biography of yourself.
   My name is Willow Baarda, my husband Lewis and I have 3 young boys aged 3, 5 and 7 years old. We work, play and farm in southern Alberta near Picture Butte. Agriculture has been a large part of my life- from growing up helping out on the family farm, to a full-time position of bookkeeping, HR, operating equipment etc. Currently I’m in an advisor role on our board of directors as my focus has shifted in the past few years to raising our young boys. I have a deep love of learning- I read widely and seek out learning opportunities. I attended Kings University and MacEwan in Edmonton, and more recently have been taking classes at the U of L in the Religious Studies department. My faith has played an important role in my life. I’ve been involved in our local CRC church over many years- as an elder on council, volunteering with VBS, Gems, Sunday School & praise team. I love staying active and going on adventures- from traveling to playing & coaching soccer to heading to the mountains with my family.

CANADA-AT-LARGE

1. What in your view is the value, purpose or role of CPJ?
   Thank you for considering me to be a part of the board. It is my utmost pleasure as I believe in the vision of CPJ. I am motivated by the opportunity to translate the positive fruits of our faith into society, to learn new things and to contribute in different ways to the best of my ability.
2. How can you contribute to CPJ as a Board Member?
   Over the years, I have garnered experiences and knowledge that have shaped my career, but the thing that shapes my life and all I aspire to do with it is the knowledge of Jesus as Christ, the Son of God. I understand the role of CPJ to be an outworking of that same knowledge into society. I believe that the issues of focus by CPJ strike at the heart of public justice and promote the flourishing and dignity of every individual and family. As a board member, I will share the vision of CPJ, and contribute my time and experience to going about this mission. Throughout my career, I have developed writing, research and analysis skills, which I will be able to offer. Most of all I can learn and adapt to specific demands within the board so that I can truly add value to the work that is being done specifically in areas such as finance and fundraising.
3. Give a brief biography of yourself.
   My name is Sepase Barnabas Tersoo-Gwaza, you can call me Barnabas. I was born in Nigeria but immigrated to Canada in 2014. I am an environmental professional. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Regina, and subsequently with a Master’s degree in Bioresource Engineering: Integrated Water Resource Management from McGill University. So far in my career, I have applied my professional focus on environmental education, and advocacy for solutions to environmental problems such as resource management, climate change, clean energy, environmental justice and public health.

ONTARIO-AT-LARGE

1. 1. What in your view is the value, purpose or role of CPJ?
      Our faith calls us to strive together for the common good. We live in a society increasingly shaped by what Ruth Wilson Gilmore calls ‘organized abandonment.’ Deindustrialization, the emergence of a neoliberal economy, and the dismantling of the welfare state have created a society in which its members increasingly distrust the corporate or communal and see themselves only responsible for themselves. This is contrary to the Gospel imperative. The biblical covenant of “Peace” or Shalom calls us to right relationship with each other and with all of creation. That is lived through justice and fairness in all relationships shaped by centring the marginalized and boundary-breaking compassion. Citizens for Public Justice plays an important role in working for the common good. More importantly, it inspires, supports, and urges other organizations and communities to value and strive for the common good.
   2. How can you contribute to CPJ as a Board Member?
      I bring to the CJP board organizational experience working ecumenically and directing and supporting justice-oriented faith-based not-for-profit organizations. I have lived experience with grassroots movements and organizing, advocacy with all levels of government, and with communities and contexts across Canada and globally. I am an academic theologian with experience in qualitative research and interests in contextual theologies, missiology, liberation theologies, and pedagogy. I also bring pastoral experience in congregational and institutional ministries and skills organizing local and national networks and community building. My career and life have been shaped by a deep commitment to God’s call for love and justice and a belief that as individuals and communities we can contribute to a better world.
   3. Give a brief biography of yourself.
      Jonathan Schmidt is a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. He has served as Associate Secretary (Intercultural Leadership; Justice and Peace) of The Canadian Council of Churches, Director of the Canadian Churches Forum for Global Ministries, as Lutheran Campus Chaplain at Wilfrid Laurier University and University of Waterloo, and as pastor to a congregation in Waterloo, Ontario. His career also has included breaks for parenting and running a Central American restaurant. He has a Doctorate from the Toronto School of Theology exploring Canadian contexts, Interculturality, decolonization, diversity and inclusion, cultural studies, missiology, Appreciative Inquiry and pedagogy. He has lived in Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, Kitchener (Ontario), El Salvador, Cleveland (Ohio), Albuquerque (New Mexico), and Scarborough (Ontario). Outside of work, his interests include community activism and organizing, cycling and cycling advocacy, camping, canoeing and amateur astronomy. His ancestors were Lutheran Missionaries to the USA in the 1800s.