The Edvance Annual Gathering is our flagship conference, bringing together over 1400 Christian educators every October. With engaging keynotes, specialist conference sessions, and lots of opportunity to connect with other Christian educators, this event is a highlight of the year!
SAVE THE DATES! The 2025 Edvance Annual Gathering will be held on October 30-31, 2025.
Previous Events
2024 Edvance Annual Gathering
In person, October 24-25, 2024
The 2024 Edvance Annual Gathering: Pursuing Joy took place in person at Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario, drawing a record-breaking attendance of over 1,400 Christian school colleagues. The conference featured more than 50 breakout sessions, 30 Peer Support Network meetings, over 15 Friday Specialist conferences, and a leadership stream at Meadowlands Church, designed specifically for administrative staff and leaders. Participants were inspired by keynote presentations from Dr. Jon Eckert of Baylor University, who thoughtfully unpacked how we can pursue joy in our schools through feedback, engagement, and well-being!
2023 Edvance Annual Gathering
In person, October 26-27, 2023
The 2023 Edvance Annual Gathering was offered in person at Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario with the option to livestream the keynote sessions remotely. Our keynote speakers were Sonia Thompson, Director of Research at St. Matthew's Primary School and Darryl DeBoer, co-creator of Teaching for Transformation. With Ephesians 2:10 as the guiding theme verse for the conference, our keynotes unpacked the question: What specific practices lead to a sense of purpose in creating beautiful work through learning, not as a pressure for acceptance, but as a joyful response to our identity as people of God’s story?
2022 Edvance Annual Gathering
Hybrid, October 27-28, 2022
The 2022 Edvance Annual Gathering was offered both in person and virtually with the in person event at Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario. Our keynote speakers were Andy Wolfe from the Church of England Foundation for Christian Leadership, and Dr. Lynn Swaner from Association for Christian Schools International. The two co-authored the book Flourishing Together.
2021 Edvance Annual Gathering
Virtual, October 28-29, 2021
The 2021 Edvance Annual Gathering was virtual for a second year in a row, livestreamed from the Edvance home office at Nuvo Networks in Burlington, Ontario. Our keynote speaker was Christian educator, author, and speaker Dr. David I. Smith of Calvin University who spoke about Education as Hospitality.
2020 Edvance Annual Gathering
Virtual, October 29, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Edvance Annual Gathering was held virtually for the first time. Livestreaming from TDChristian High in Vaughn, the conference featured keynote speakers David Brooks (NYT columnist, author, and professor), Dr. Mary Ashun (educator, author, researcher, and Principal of Ghana International School in Accra, Ghana), and Dr. Steve Sider (professor at Wilfrid Laurier University).
2019 Edvance Annual Gathering
Redeemer University, October 24-25, 2019
The 2019 Edvance Annual Gathering centered around the theme "The Imperative of Love" featuring keynote speaker Dr. Rob Loe from the Relational Schools Foundation (Australia).
2018 Edvance Annual Gathering
Redeemer University, October 25-26, 2018
The 2018 Edvance Annual Gathering "Deeper In and Further Out" featured two keynote presenters: psychiatrist and author Dr. Curt Thompson, and Jim McKenzie, headmaster of The Rock School in Gainsville, FL.