Roundtable Speakers
Dr. Samira Izadi Page
The Rev. Can. Dr. Samira Izadi Page is Founder and Executive Director of Gateway of Grace Ministries, the largest of its kind in the Dallas area. She was raised in Iran as a Muslim and due to persecution, fled Iran and obtained political asylum status in the U.S. Samira converted to Christianity.
She earned her Master of Divinity and doctorate in Missional Church Studies from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. She also is author of the booktitled “Who is My Neighbor” and co-editor of “No longer Strangers.”
Samira has committed her life to bringing the love of Christ to those whose hope and dignity have been taken away by oppressive governments and circumstances. She speaks at conferences, churches, and othervenues on issues of interfaith relations and refugee outreach. Samira works cross-denominationally. She helps congregations embrace new ways of doing mission in our rapidly changing world.
Terry LeBlanc, PhD, D.D., D.D. (hc)
Terry and his wife Bev are in their 52nd year of marriage. They have three adult children – twin daughters and one son.
Jennifer and Jeanine are involved in PhD studies in Indigenous cultural studies/ethnomusicology at Queens University and Indigenous studies/gender studies in arts based research at the University of Alberta respectively. Matt leads an Indigenous youth and young adult community development NGO which focuses on holistic community work including land-based camp programs and sustainable economic development.
Terry and Bev are part of the Abegweit First Nation community where Terry serves by request and acknowledgment of nieces, nephews, Chief and Council, as an elder with the Abegweit Mi’kmaw Healing Centre.
Together with Bev, he has the privilege of overseeing culturally framed healing circles and providing one-on-one support with community members.
In addition to a broad practical and non-traditional education, Terry holds an interdisciplinary PhD from Asbury Theological Seminary, specializing in Theology and Anthropology. Terry is also certified in Appreciative Inquiry from Case Western Reserve University’s Global Excellence in Management program.
Pastor Gustavo banda Aceves
Gustavo Banda Aceves (aka ‘Pastor Banda’) received both a doctoral degree in pneumatology and a master’s degree in theology from the Christian University of California and a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialty in labor law, from the Baja California Institute of Technology.
Pastor Banda is the lead pastor at Templo Embajadores de Jesús – also the largest refugee-immigrant shelter in Tijuana, Baja California and founder and director of the Regalando Amor Foundation.
The mission at Templo Embajadores de Jesús is to help refugee-migrant families arriving in Tijuana by providing them with food, water, health services, education, and shelter. Just as important, to help them heal spiritually through the word of God.
On any given day, 1,500 people are loved, cared for and welcomed at Templo Embajadores de Jesús.