The Edvance Conference (formerly known as the Annual Gathering) is our flagship professional learning event that brings together over 1500 Christian school leaders, educators, and support staff each October. With engaging worship, keynote sessions, 100+ workshops, and lots of opportunity to network with other Christian education professionals, this event is a highlight of the year!
Registration will open in Fall 2026.
“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness.” Psalm 89:15-16
Teaching is more than delivering content or managing classrooms. Christian education invites educators into something deeper: cultivating wonder, nurturing curiosity, and helping students see God’s world with clarity, creativity, and hope. This year’s Edvance Conference will explore what it means to Teach Christianly with both faithfulness and imagination, embracing practices that engage students while renewing our own sense of purpose as educators.
Edvance Conference 2026 Keynote Speaker: Dr. Dave Mulder
Dr. Dave Mulder has been teaching for a long time now, and while he takes his work very seriously, he tries not to take himself too seriously. He currently serves as Professor of Education and Department Chair at Dordt University.
With experience teaching math, science, Bible, and technology in Christian schools, along with a doctorate in educational technology, he works to help PreK–12 and post-secondary educators translate research into practice. He is the author of Always Becoming, Never Arriving: Developing an Imagination for Teaching Christianly and Teach Like a Human: Playful Practice and Serious Faith in the Age of AI. He is also cohost of the Hallway Conversations podcast and host of It’s Good to Be Smart!, a STEM podcast for 10–15-year-olds and their teachers.
Dr. Dave plays the ukulele (badly) and loves superhero movies.
New for 2026
Beginning in 2026, the Edvance Conference will run on two distinct days, allowing for more focused learning experiences for you and your staff:
On Thursday, October 29, 2026 we will offer the Edvance Elementary Conference, dedicated to elementary educators and staff serving grades K-8. Friday, October 30, 2026 will be the Edvance Secondary Conference, dedicated to secondary educators and staff serving grades 9-12. Both the Elementary Conference and the Secondary Conference will be held at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON.
Alongside this shift, we’ll also be offering an Edvance Elementary Intensive on Friday, October 30, 2026, with full-day workshops designed for elementary educators who are looking to go deeper on a specialized topic. (These workshops were formerly known as Specialist Conferences in previous years.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Correct. The Edvance Secondary Conference will take place on Friday only. High schools will no longer need to plan for Thursday as a professional development day for this event, which may allow for adjustments to your school calendar.
Yes. The same keynote speaker will be featured at both the Elementary Conference and the Secondary Conference. While the core message will be consistent, the presentation will be intentionally tailored to reflect the context, challenges, and realities of elementary and secondary schools. Watch for a keynote speaker announcement to come in the following months!
You can choose the day that best fits your role and your school’s needs. Leadership and office-staff-focused breakout sessions will be offered on both Thursday and Friday, so you will not miss key content based on the day you attend.
Yes, in most cases elementary and secondary staff will attend on different days. That said, elementary staff who are looking for deeper learning can also choose to attend an Edvance Elementary Intensive full-day workshop on Friday, which means they will have a two-day experience.