All about our keynote speaker:

 Background 

• Born in Kabul, Afghanistan. 
• Worked for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Uzbekistan. 
• Immigrated to Canada in 2000. 
• Holds multiple diplomas and degrees in Law, Accounting, Leadership and Management from institutes in Uzbekistan, India, Germany and Canada; completed a master’s degree (MA) in Biblical Theology at the Canadian Mennonite University. 
• Volunteer Associate Pastor at Persian Church of Winnipeg. 
• Holds his ministerial credentials through the Pentecostal Assembly of Canada. 
• Was instrumental in establishing the CHAI Immigrant Centre (Christians Helping All Immigrants) in 2007 to help refugees and other newcomers settle in Winnipeg. 
• Became a missionary with Pamir Productions, a division of Operation Mobilization that shares the Gospel with Afghans through media and discipleship, in 2009. Hosts a weekly live evangelical telecast that airs in Afghanistan, Iran and the Middle East. Has been part of the effort to produce a Dari translation of the Bible. 
• Became the Executive Director of Square One World Media in 2016. 
• In recent years: has spoken in many churches, partnered with “Voice of the Martyrs, USA” to work with persecuted Afghan Christians; hosted a live evangelical telecast for Afghan refugees living in Germany and Europe; was a keynote speaker at Missions Fest Alberta in 2018 and Missionfest Manitoba in 2022; and was the first Afghan Christian to speak at an Open Doors Conference in the Netherlands. 

Testimony 

Shoaib was raised in a devout Muslim family. In 1999, when Shoaib was living in Pakistan, a missionary couple from North Carolina offered to teach him English, using the Bible as a textbook. Shoaib had no interest in Christianity, but was willing to read the Bible as a way to learn English. He believed it would be harmless. But along with the language, Shoaib learned the saving power of the Gospel. He accepted the invitation of Matthew 11:28 and became a follower of Jesus Christ. 

Keynote Speaker Seminar

Title: The Impact of Christian Media in Global Crisis Zones

Description: How can Christians use media to positively impact places around the globe facing devastation and war? Square One World Media uses culturally relevant television, radio, streaming service and print media to share the Good News of Jesus with nations around the world. These include hot spots such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, Central America, Russia, and the Middle East.  Session participants will learn how media can be used to bring the Gospel to places where feet cannot go and bring hope to a hurting world.