Wendell Gibbs
Wendell is a naturalized Canadian citizen who was born in the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago and migrated to Toronto in 1974. He and his wife were married in 1989, and together they have two adult children Brittney and Brandon (with beautiful daughter-in-law Tianna). He was shaped with strong Christian values, which instilled a response towards leadership capacity in every area of Community and Christian ministry; over the past 40 years of faithful experience. Wendell is an ordained minister with the Canadian Baptist of Ontario & Quebec (CBOQ) and currently serves as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Toronto since 2009. He also served as Associate/Assistant Pastor at Heron Park Baptist Church in Scarborough, Ontario from 2001 to 2010. Alongside his pastoral role, his God given gift in Music and Motivational Speaking provides encouragement to individuals and audiences both locally and globally. His Biblical education includes a Doctor of Theology (D.Th.) at Christian Life School in Atlanta, a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Tyndale University College and Seminary, Toronto, and also studied towards his Ministerial Diploma from the Pentecostal College in B.C. He’s also a graduate of DeVry Institute with an Engineering Technology Certification where his past career path led to the role of Product Sales Manager with extensive worldwide travel. Wendell is a lead volunteer chaplain with the Toronto Police Services (TPS) and also serves as a volunteer chaplain at Scarborough Health Network. As chaplain, he understands the spiritual, moral, social, and economic challenges we face in the post-modern world. His desire is to encourage a wholesome and healthy environment for all of God’s children; red or yellow, black or white, all are precious in His sight. His pastoral role has evolved in caring for and mentoring people, in their formation to honor their creator, God. Wendell serves in various levels of community and ministry organizations and is called upon for building network relationships. He serves on the Canadian Black Clergy and Allies (CBCA), a Christian community-based organization to combat racism. He avidly supports community leadership activities, which includes coordinating community and church/ministry programs. His most transforming ministry experiences were his unforgettable missionary trips to Ghana, Nigeria, and most recently Rwanda and Congo, where he is engaged with his church’s mission and annual empowerment “Peace Youth Camp”. Wendell’s ministry life and work experience allows him to use his training, talents and abilities for the good of society and the glory of God. He is a resource for networking and carries a convicting vision for peace and unity among all of God’s children. http://fbctoronto.ca

Tyrone Flowers testimony

Richard Bragdon serves as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Tobique-Mactaquac in western New Brunswick. He was first elected in 2019 and currently serves as the Chair of the National Prayer Breakfast which is in its 58th year and is the longest running annual event on Parliament Hill. During his tenure as Member of Parliament, Richard has also served as the Shadow Minister for Fisheries, Oceans & Canadian Coast Guard, Deputy Shadow Minister for Ethics and Government Accountability and belongs to several inter-parliamentary groups. Prior to his time in elected office, Richard worked in ministry in a pastoral role, in the non-profit sector serving both those incarcerated and in addictions recovery, and also the private sector as a Real Estate Agent. Richard had the unique achievement of having a Private Members’ Bill pass into law as an opposition MP. His Private Members’ Bill, C-228 An Act to Establish a National Framework for Reducing Recidivism, was inspired by Richard’s background in the non-profit sector in the interest of ending the revolving door of the prison system through effective partnerships between government, private sector, faith based, non-profits, and others. Despite less than 2% of Private Members Bill’s introduced by opposition MP’s successfully becoming law, Richard’s Bill had overwhelming support in Parliament and was unanimously passed by the Senate. Richard lives in Keswick Ridge, New Brunswick, with his wife Crystal and their three children Vada, Walker and Mariah.