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André Gagné is a Full Professor and Chair of the Department of Theological Studies at Concordia University, currently on research leave (July-December 2025). His work bridges theology, political science, and sociology with global recognition through 400+ media features in outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Le Monde. Education: Conjoint PhD from Université catholique de Louvain and Université de Montréal M.A. from Université de Montréal B.Th. from Université de Montréal His research centers on Christian Political Thought (examining theology-state dynamics), Global Pentecostal and Charismatic movements (analyzing their sociopolitical impact worldwide), and Reception History of the Bible (tracing interpretive trajectories across cultures). This interdisciplinary approach integrates historical analysis with contemporary case studies, particularly focusing on evangelical movements in the Americas and Europe. His eight books and recent journal articles reveal consistent thematic focus: the weaponization of spiritual warfare rhetoric in politics, apocalyptic narratives in populist movements, and religious violence in Western traditions. The 2024 publications on Trump-era evangelicalism demonstrate methodological innovation through media discourse analysis combined with theological critique. Scientific awards: Newsmaker of the Week (4 times) Newsmaker of the Month (4 times) President's Opinion Leader of the Year (2016) Expert Communicator of the Year (2024) Dr. Gagné supervises MA students in Theological Studies and PhD candidates in Individualized Programs and Humanities. His policy impact is evidenced by service on Public Safety Canada's National Expert Committee on Countering Radicalization to Violence (2023-2025), where he contributed theological perspectives on religious extremism. His media engagement strategy represents a deliberate effort to translate academic research for public discourse. He co-directs the Spirit, State, and Society podcast and maintains affiliations with Concordia's Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Université de Sherbrooke's Centre de recherche Société, Droit et Religions, and the multi-university Political Theology Research Group (McGill, Concordia, UdeM, ULaval).

• Christian Political Thought
• Global Pentecostal and Charismatic movements
• Reception of the Bible

Dr. Michael Wilkinson is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at Trinity Western University's Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences. His research focuses on cultural analyses of religion, globalization, and Pentecostalism, with a particular emphasis on immigration and religious adaptation. He holds a PhD from the University of Ottawa (1999) and has authored numerous books and articles on global Pentecostal movements, Canadian religious institutions, and faith communities in multicultural contexts. Dr. Wilkinson has received prestigious awards, including SSHRC grants for projects on congregational flourishing and religious diversity. He served as President of the Society for Pentecostal Studies (2015-2016) and Director of the Religion in Canada Institute (2007-2017). His current work explores the intersection of globalization, religious identity, and immigrant integration. His research highlights themes such as megachurch dynamics, the decline of institutional religion in Canada, and the role of prayer and ritual in charismatic Christianity. He teaches courses on the sociology of religion, globalization, and contemporary social theory. Award highlights include the SSHRC Awards to Scholarly Publications Program for After the Revival (2019) and A Culture of Faith (2015). He has held visiting fellowships at the University of Cambridge and the University of Victoria. Dr. Wilkinson’s academic contributions span global Pentecostalism, religious migration, and the sociology of religious practices. He is currently on sabbatical for the Spring 2025 semester.

• Sociology of Religion
• Globalization Studies
• Pentecostalism
• +3 more

Dr. Femi J. Kolapo is a Professor of African History in the Department of History at the University of Guelph (College of Arts). His research focuses on slavery and abolition in 19th-century Africa , evangelical missionary activities , and precolonial West African societies . He has taught courses on African slavery, religious movements, and labor migration. Education: Ph.D., History, York University (1999) M.A., History, Ahmadu Bello University (1989) B.A., History, Ahmadu Bello University (1982) His scholarly work examines West African engagement with Christian missionary efforts , colonial documentation , and indigenous agency during European expansion . He has published extensively on the Church Missionary Society's (CMS) operations in Nigeria and the political impact of missionary activities. Dr. Kolapo contributes to the AH_DigITal Document Portal project, curating 19th-century missionary and colonial archives related to Nigeria. His recent articles analyze topics ranging from missionary theological debates to Nigerian Pentecostalism's digital transformation , demonstrating interdisciplinary breadth across history, religious studies, and political sociology .

• African history
• Slavery and abolition in Africa
• Evangelical missionary activities
• +3 more

Dr. Peter Schuurman is a part-time Adjunct Professor in Religion and Theology at Redeemer University, where he has taught since 2008. His academic focus centers on megachurch dynamics, charismatic leadership, and religious diversity in North America. He earned his Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Waterloo in 2016, with a dissertation analyzing Bruxy Cavey’s The Meeting House megachurch. His academic work spans books like The Subversive Evangelical (2019) and peer-reviewed articles exploring megachurch sociology and liturgical identity. He also contributes to platforms like Christian Courier and co-authored Follow Me: Daily Readings for Disciples . Schuurman’s research bridges theology, sociology, and cultural critique, addressing modern evangelicalism’s challenges and adaptations in secular contexts. He leads Global Scholars Canada, equipping Christian academics for cross-cultural work. His writing spans academic journals, popular essays, and a reflective blog Sensus Divinitatis , covering topics from megachurch leadership to biblical literacy. Education: Ph.D. (Religious Studies, University of Waterloo, 2016); M.Div. (McMaster Divinity School, 2003); M.A. (Sociology, Queen’s University, 1995); B.A. (Sociology, Calvin University, 1993). Three years of undergraduate studies at Redeemer University. Teaching: Courses include World Religions, Youth Culture and Spiritual Formation, and Leadership in Ministry. His pedagogical focus integrates social sciences with theological reflection. Publications emphasize megachurches’ role in secular North America, charismatic leadership, and evangelical identity. Recent works analyze Canadian megachurch expansion, liturgical identity crises, and the tension between traditional and contemporary worship practices. Awards: None explicitly listed, though his contributions to Global Scholars Canada reflect scholarly leadership. Professional Roles: Executive Director of Global Scholars Canada since 2008, fostering Christian academic engagement worldwide. Active in mentoring PhD students through cross-disciplinary networks.

• Religious Studies
• Sociology of Religion
• Megachurch Dynamics
• +4 more

Dr. Sunder John Boopalan is an Associate Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Canadian Mennonite University. Born in India and educated at Princeton Theological Seminary (PhD, ThM) and United Theological College (BD), his interdisciplinary research bridges political theologies, ethics, and critical race studies, with a focus on Dalit Christianity and structural injustice redress. He holds affiliations with the Westar Institute's Christ Seminar and CMU's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee. His education includes a PhD in Religion and Society from Princeton Theological Seminary (2016), a ThM in Systematic Theology from Princeton (2011), a BD from United Theological College (2009), and a BSc from St. Joseph's College (2004). Boopalan's research explores the intersections of theology and social justice through three core domains: 1) Political Theologies examining caste, race, and power structures; 2) Ethnographic Methodologies applied to religious communities and cultural practices; and 3) Interfaith Solidarity models for Christian-Muslim and Dalit-Indigenous dialogue. His work emphasizes embodied resistance and transformative justice frameworks. Analysis of Boopalan's 15 most recent publications reveals consistent engagement with postcolonial critiques of power, particularly through theological reinterpretation of marginalized identities. Major thematic clusters include: 1) Caste and racialization dynamics in religious contexts (6 publications); 2) Ethnographic approaches to community trauma and agency (4 publications); and 3) Interreligious reconciliation methodologies (5 publications). His scholarship demonstrates increasing attention to affect theory and embodied knowledge since 2020. His significant recognitions include: Governor-General's Award (1992) Canada YM/YWCA Peace Medal (1990) Manitoba Human Rights Achievement Award (1989) Peace and Justice Studies Association Teaching Excellence Award (2013) Kay and Lorne Dick Teaching Excellence Award (2022) As an ordained minister in the Progressive Baptist tradition, Boopalan integrates pastoral practice with academic work. He leads mentorship initiatives through CMU's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee and develops community engagement frameworks for theological education. His current research examines hospitality paradigms in polarized societies.

• Political Theologies
• Ethics
• Dalit Christianity
• +4 more

Valérie Aubourg is a French ethnologist affiliated with the Societies, Religions and Secularism Group (GSRL, CNRS-EPHE) in Paris. Her work focuses on religious practices and sociocultural dynamics in Reunion Island, particularly the evolution of Pentecostalism and its intersections with local identity. She has authored/coordinated influential texts like Popular Religions and New Syncretisms (2011) and published articles analyzing neo-Pentecostalism's role in Reunion’s socioreligious landscape. Her research highlights how religious movements reflect regional inequalities, cultural creolization, and resistance to metropolitan norms. Key themes include demonology, charismatic power, and the sociohistorical context of the island’s southern region. Aubourg’s interdisciplinary approach bridges anthropology, sociology, and religious studies, contributing to debates on globalization and local identity.

• Pentecostalism
• Cultural Anthropology
• Religious Studies
• +3 more