SPEAKER PROFILES
Plenary Session 1: “Called to the Good News”
Tuesday May 14 (AM)
Dr. William M. Wilson
Dr. William M. Wilson is a leading voice in the Spirit-empowered movement, one of the fastest growing movements in history. With more than four decades of executive leadership experience, Wilson is recognized globally for his unwavering ethics in leadership and as a champion for new generations of Spirit-empowered leaders. His unique ability to foster global partnerships brings together leaders from various cultures, ethnicities, and spheres of influence.
During Wilson’s tenure as the Empowered21 (E21) Global Chair, E21 has become what is recognized as the world’s largest Spirit-empowered relational network. E21 brings together ministry leaders, scholars, evangelists, and next-generation voices who collectively represent over 650 million Christians worldwide. Since 2010, E21 has expanded exponentially with 14 regional cabinets around the world and numerous working groups, including the Global Evangelist Alliance (GEA), Global Prayer Alliance, NextGen Network, Global Network of Spirit-empowered Scholars, and the Global Worship Alliance.
The vision of Empowered21 is that “Every person on earth would have an authentic encounter with Jesus through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit by Pentecost 2033.” In pursuit of that vision, Amsterdam2023 gathered thousands from around the world to the Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre and Olympic Stadium, mobilizing around a new era of evangelism and focusing on fulfilling the Great Commission through the power of the Holy Spirit by Pentecost 2033.
Wilson has also been instrumental in creating and communicating the EveryOne initiative – joining denominations, para-church networks, and evangelistic ministries from around the world, calling on the global church to make every effort to share the gospel with every person on earth by 2033.
In addition to his strategic role with E21, Wilson is the fourth president of Oral Roberts University (ORU). He began his tenure in June of 2013 and has led the University through consecutive years of historic growth. Under Wilson’s leadership, ORU’s enrolment has reached unprecedented numbers. In the fall of 2021, ORU achieved the largest year-over-year recorded percentage growth in over 25 years, growing to over 6,000 students in 2023. ORU is also recognized as one of the top 25 most diverse universities in America. As part of ORU’s continued expansion, Wilson launched new educational outcomes (Spiritual Integrity, Personal Resilience, Intellectual Pursuit, Global Engagement, Bold Vision) through ORU’s Whole Person learning model, which develops graduates for leadership success and has resulted in a 99.57% career placement rate.
He has spearheaded numerous campus improvements including the first new student housing on campus since 1976, Niko Njotorahardjo Hall, and the establishment of the Global Learning Center, a hub for global education and augmented/virtual reality learning. Wilson led the $50 million, 50th anniversary campaign to a successful conclusion. Presently, the “Whole Leaders for the Whole World” campaign is nearing completion, raising $77 million for scholarships, three new buildings including a campus Welcome Center, Media Arts Center, the J.D. McKean Library, and the David and Barbara Green Centre for Global Leadership. Another $5 million was raised for the new Fenimore & Fisher College of Business, which includes a fully operational Capital Markets Trading Floor. In addition, $21 million was raised for the Mike Carter Athletic Center and a substantial renovation of the Mabee Center Arena, including new blue seating, a spectacular concourse, and additional suites.
Additionally, Wilson is a sought-after Bible communicator whose weekly television program, “World Impact with Dr. Billy Wilson,” has inspired and empowered viewers from a biblical worldview in over 150 nations in multiple languages.
Wilson also serves as Chair of the Pentecostal World Fellowship, an at-large member of the board of the National Association of Evangelicals, and in leadership positions with the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Summit League President’s Council, and the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce.
He has authored several books, including Father Cry, Foundations of Faith, Fasting Forward, Generation Z: Born for the Storm, and his latest book The Power of One.
Wilson and his wife, Lisa, reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They have two children and seven grandchildren.
Plenary Session 2: “Called to “The Next…Now!”
Tuesday May 14 (PM)
Chris Padiath
Chris Padiath serves as the lead pastor at Waterloo Pentecostal Assembly, a multi-ethnic church in Waterloo, Ontario. He also serves on the district executive of the Western Ontario District, an adjunct professor at Master’s College & Seminary, and a guest speaker at PAOC churches and camps. He has travelled extensively and has a global perspective on both ministry and missions. Chris and his wife, Kylie, have two daughters, Olivia (16) and Sadie (14).
Kaitlyn Cey
Kaitlyn Cey is an author, speaker, certified leadership coach, and the founding director of Inspire Our Nation, a youth empowerment organization. Her experience teaching, pastoring and coaching has grown her passion for empowering and inspiring leaders of all ages toward their full potential.
Kimberley Quigley
Kim is the campus pastor and Child and Family Program director at Summit Pacific College in Abbotsford, B.C. With 20 years of experience working with students of all ages, Kim is excited about the ingenuity and creativity of emerging leaders and has great hope for the future of the church. She holds a Master of Divinity degree and has begun the exciting adventure of a Doctor of Ministry program. Kim is known for her laugh and believes that the joy of the Lord is her strength!
Tim Woodcock
Tim Woodcock is the lead pastor of Glad Tidings (GT) Church in Burlington, Ontario. GT is a beautiful, multicultural, as well as multi-generational church that is truly experiencing a fresh move of the Holy Spirit and seeing so many lives healed and restored. Tim’s passion is to raise up leaders who have a passion for both the Word and Spirit and who are learning what it means to live under the Lordship of Jesus in all areas of life.
Andy Gabruch
Andy Gabruch pastors in Vancouver, B.C., and is the director of DUCO Leadership, focusing on strategic projects for local churches and intentional mentoring journeys for younger pastors and leaders. He has pastored in rural, suburban, and city contexts, and has co-chaired the PAOC Strategic Vision Committee with David Wells since 2018. He is married to Annick and has four children.
Plenary Session 3: “Honouring – The Called”
Wednesday May 15 (AM)
Craig Burton
Craig Burton was elected General Secretary Treasurer of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada in May 2022 at the General Conference in Winnipeg. He graduated from Trent University in Peterborough in 1984 and worked at Canada Permanent Trust Company and Canada Trust. He graduated from Eastern Pentecostal Bible College in 1989.
Craig served as the district superintendent of the Eastern Ontario and Nunavut District for 17 years beginning in 2005.
He served as youth and assistant pastor at Richmond Hill Pentecostal Church from 1987 to 1991, young adults pastor, outreach pastor and then church administrator at Agincourt Pentecostal Church from 1991 to 1995, then lead pastor at Malvern Christian Assembly from 1995 to 2005 before being elected district superintendent.
Pastor Craig has a desire to see ministers, churches and leaders strengthened and encouraged. He is committed to establishing strong and meaningful relationships among credential holders and believes that the shared values of our cooperative fellowship provide significant opportunities for missional advancement and kingdom purposes to be achieved during these challenging days.
Craig and his wife, Wendy, live in Port Hope, Ontario.
Plenary Session 4: “The Call to Mission”
Wednesday May 15 (PM)
Julius Rwotlonyo
Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo is the new team leader at Watoto Church Ministries in Kampala, Uganda.
Taking over from founders Gary and Marilyn Skinner in February 2023, Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo provides leadership to all 17 campuses in Uganda, Juba, South Sudan and online with over 30,000 in attendance. He gives spiritual and leadership oversight of the strategic implementation of the church vision.
Watoto cares for community by rescuing vulnerable children and providing them with holistic care in three children’s villages.
Speaking on the role of the church in society today, Julius firmly believes that the local church is the hope of the world. “As a church, we need be relevant to the needs of community. Over and above celebrating Jesus, we must pay attention to the things that break His heart. We must care for our community by getting involved in it.”
Julius is happily married to Vernita Rwotlonyo and together they have four lovely children – Hayil, Hank, Hannela, and Halyn.