About Vennture
You probably already know what a Venn diagram is: two-overlapping shapes that demonstrate the relationship between two sets of ideas. It was named after John Venn, a British mathematician who was trying to show people how seemingly opposing concepts can be linked together.
Now hold that thought for a minute while we share what God has been showing us here at Vennture. For many years, we have seen the phenomenal impact of ‘ordinary church-goers’ on helping shape local communities through their daily
work. They are teachers and health-care workers, government employees, tradespeople, truckers and farmers, businesspeople, merchants, and day-labourers. They understand that God has called them to live out their faith in and
through their work. They are Christ’s disciples in the marketplace.
Sometime though, church-leaders, usually pastors and evangelists, send confusing messages that God’s work is only what’s being done in the church; singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, being a deacon, serving on a committee. Sometimes, businesspeople feel they are just a means of generating
income to help fulfill God’s work (i.e., in the church). Too often, people feel like second-class citizens in God’s kingdom, sometimes denigrated for choosing what was labelled as ‘secular work’ vs. the spiritual work of the church.
As our logo shows, we believe faith and work can be closely linked, and
discipleship is the key, the very heart of what it means to be God’s people. It is where faith meets work and equips people with useful resources to live out their faith every single day of the week.
Our Team
Michael Waddell
Team Lead, Marketplace Engagement
Michael, a business enthusiast, loves helping people of all ages discover where faith meets work and business. Equipped with theological education and business training, Michael spent 14 years working in small business before joining CBM’s team in 2015. He and his family spent 4 years in the Philippines leading people and partners towards an increased engagement in the marketplace through the integration of their faith with daily work. Since returning to Canada in 2020, Michael has been co-leading Vennture, focusing on marketplace ministries with our Canadian and international network of partners.
Brenda Halk
Senior Consultant, Marketplace Initiatives
Brenda is passionate about helping people become whole-life disciples by integrating their faith with their work. Brenda worked in education for many years before entering the business world, where she worked for more than 20 years, managing several small family businesses. She has extensive leadership experience in mission organizations and joined CBM in 2013. Believing that the marketplace is a strategic mission field, Brenda now co-leads Vennture, assisting and equipping partners to engage in the marketplace as a means of helping transform communities and bring lasting spiritual and social change.
Beth Kamathi
Marketplace Engagement Coordinator, East Africa
As the Marketplace Engagement Coordinator for Vennture in East Africa, Beth Waithira Kamathi works with Vennture on integrating faith and work in the marketplace in East Africa, furthering CBM’s plan for engaging missionally in the marketplace with our partners. Beth brings extensive experience in leadership, education, and pastoral ministry to her role at CBM. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Acadia Divinity College and holds a master’s in theological education from Carey Theological College.
Bruno Soucy
Marketplace Engagement Coordinator, Latin America
As the Marketplace Engagement Coordinator for Vennture in Latin America, Bruno works with Vennture on integrating faith and work in the marketplace in Latin America, furthering CBM’s plan for engaging missionally in the marketplace with our partners. As CBM’s former Team Leader for Latin America, Bruno has a unique knowledge and understanding of Latin American culture and has been responsible for establishing partnerships on behalf of CBM throughout the region.
Gordon Brew
Creative Strategist, Canadian Baptist Ministries
Gordon is passionate about helping people see their everyday work as meaningful participation in God’s mission. With a background in design, brand strategy, and communications, he spent two decades leading creative projects across sectors through Thinkhouse Design, a studio he co-founded with his wife, Laura. Today, Gordon serves as Creative Strategist, where he helps shape messaging, engagement strategies, and campaigns that connect churches across Canada with CBM’s global partners. He loves collaborating with leaders and teams to reimagine how faith and work come together for the good of communities locally and globally.
Our quarterly e-newsletter will share thoughtful reflections, helpful tools, challenging articles, and inspiring stories of impact from around the world. You will also learn of ways that you can help spread the word about upcoming events or available resources, and how you can reimagine a seamless life where faith meets work.