Joy Bell

Executive Assistant for the College for Officer Training – The Salvation Army’s Territorial Headquarters Canada and Bermuda

Joy is currently working as an Executive Assistant for the College for Officer Training in Toronto. As a lifelong Salvationist, Joy is a Senior Soldier at the Oshawa Temple Corps and is involved in several ministries. As the leader of the Take A Break Ladies Bible Study, opportunities for practical ministry presented themselves in the form of the Purse Ministry that seeks to give victims of human trafficking being rescued by the Durham Region Police Victim Services Department some dignity and compassion with a purse filled with comfort items and messages of encouragement. The group continues in prayer for the victims, the first responders, and for the resources and education of the public. Joy is a mother of three, and a Nana to two beautiful girls.

Andrea Petkau

Integrated Mission Supervisor - The Willows Family Life Centre

Andrea lives in Langley, BC with her husband Ty, and 8-year-old son Felix. Andrea has been a part of the ministry team at The Willows Church and Family Life Centre for 7 years working in many roles including Administration, Pathway of Hope Casework, Community and Family Service Programing, and now as Integrated Mission Supervisor. With a background in Social Work focused mainly in Child Protection and Domestic Violence Transitional Living and Re-Integration of survivors into society – Andrea is passionate about working to empower individuals towards transformation in their lives through education, relationship, and holistic support.

Today Andrea supervises the CFS programs as well as the Pathway of Hope Casework team. Part of this role has included the development of a BRAVE program that has reached beyond the catalytic yearly event. The dream for the BRAVE program in Langley is to educate and prevent young women from the dangers of MSHT not only globally, but also locally. Partnering with groups like the RCMP and Vancouver Police Dept. as well as our own Ray Lamont (MSHT) and Danielle Strickland (BRAVE) we have offered many educational opportunities for young women to tap into the realities of gang grooming and involvement, cyber awareness, personal safety, and inherent self-worth.

Andrea is excited to be with you to share about her passion in transforming lives through holistic care and support – specifically in BRAVE ministries.

Lt. Mirna Dirani

Outreach & Evangelism Directors / Pastors - Mississauga Community Church – Others Ministry

Born in Damascus, Syria, Mirna brings years of experience working with refugee families and youth and newcomer families; starting as a program coordinator with UNHCR, she managed disaster relief programs before transitioning to lead a Salvation Army women’s homeless shelter in Toronto. There, her love for ministry and commitment to social justice deepened, particularly in combating human trafficking. Now serving as the Outreach and Evangelism Pastor at Mississauga Community Church alongside her husband, Tharwat, Mirna covers all three sites with a vision to see the church operating as it did in the book of Acts—bringing the Gospel outside its walls and reaching those in need of the Good News. She is passionate about empowering the next generation to use their God-given gifts and love for Jesus to serve others and pursue justice in their communities.

Lt. Tharwat Eskander

Outreach & Evangelism Directors / Pastors - Mississauga Community Church – Others Ministry

Born in Cairo, Egypt, Tharwat is a visionary leader who planted an Arabic-speaking church in Dallas, Texas. With extensive ministry experience, Tharwat has taken on diverse responsibilities, mainly working with youth and young adults. An advocate for social justice, Tharwat is driven by a deep desire to see people from all nations embrace the transformative love of Jesus. Tharwat lives in Mississauga with his wife, Mirna, and four children, co-directing the Outreach and Evangelism ministry at Mississauga Community Church.

Caitlin Donaldson

Community Outreach Worker - Lawson Ministries S.A.F.E. Hub

Caitlin is the community outreach worker for the Salvation Army Lawson Ministries S.A.F.E. Hub. Caitlin has worked at Lawson Ministries for over five years in both the supported independent living program and the S.A.F.E. Hub program. Caitlin has a Bachelor’s degree from McMaster University in Sociology and Communications as well as a Diploma in Social Service Worker from Mohawk College. During school years; Caitlin was assigned positions at various social service placements to gain knowledge of the systems available in Ontario Canada.

Caitlin joined the S.A.F.E. Hub in 2020, when she expressed an interest in helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) learn about how to be safer when accessing online dating or adult content. Some of the individuals being supported had expressed previous and ongoing sexual violence and Caitlin wanted to help promote safer relationships for this population. Through the year of 2024, Caitlin worked fulltime on this project and developed and collaborated with many community partners and internal staff to ensure that the programs would meet the needs that were identified.

Megan Ross

Community SIL Program Supervisor - Lawson Ministries S.A.F.E. Hub

My name is Megan Ross, I have been working in social services for approximately 13 years.

I have worked at Lawson Ministries for approximately 9 years, supporting adults with developmental disabilities in a variety of settings.

I have worked in a variety of roles within the agency, including case management, team leader, and Shift supervisor. I have had the opportunity to work in almost all of our programs including group living, intensive supports, and for the last 6 years in our community supported independent living program.

Over the many years that I have worked with Lawson Ministries, there have been major gaps identified in sexual education for individuals with IDD. I partnered with other staff members and community members who had the same passion for change and together, the S.A.F.E hub was developed. In addition to my role in the SIL program, I have also been overseeing our S.A.F.E hub program for the last year.

I continue to look forward to growing and developing opportunities through our agency and programs!