2010 Theme: ‘i 4 Mission’

February 26-28, 2010

Session Leader Biographies

Faith Holwyn

Over the past ten years, Faith has been working as a missionary on a regular basis in Colombia and Bolivia in South America, as well as with native Canadian women in northern Ontario. While working and living in Colombia five years ago, she developed a program called The Groups of Hope. The program consists of eight one hour long sessions that encourage women in small groups of ten or twelve participants, with two facilitators, to be open to God’s healing in places where they have experienced abuse or other painful issues. Using Bible stories, through drama and illustration, the program allows women to share with each other and to see the Holy Spirit bring healing into their lives.

Faith was born into a large family, the 4th of 9 siblings. She grew up as a PK – preacher’s kid, and accepted Jesus into her life as a four year old and has experienced His healing in her life in many ways. Her personal experience of inner healing from abuse as a child and the end of her marriage after 23 years, has led to a desire to share with other women that God walks with them through difficult times and can bring His healing where there are deep hurts.

Faith is a registered nurse with 40 years experience. Most recently she has been working with the Federal Government in northern Ontario native communities. Her past psychiatric experience as a small group leader contributed to the development of The Groups of Hope. It is her hope, over the next few years, to travel within Canada and internationally to train and mentor facilitators to lead this program of healing and hope.

Faith has four adult children and three grandchildren whom who she loves to spend time with. As a baby boomer with three years until retirement, Faith feels privileged to have the good health and energy to fulfill her dream of sharing with others around the world this program for women who need a listening ear and a compassionate heart to identify with their pain and to share the reality of Jesus’ love. She welcomes any enquiries about the program and can be contacted at: 304 – 3892 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M3H 3N5 or by email at holwyn@hotmail.com.