Life After Death - Myth or Reality?

  • 5th World Religions Conferenced Vernon, 2023Day: Monday, October 16, 2023
  • Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
  • Tel: 604-767-1965
  • Toll Free: 1-877-767-1965
  • Email: info.bc@ahmadiyya.ca

Moderator

Dr. David Smith

David Smith is grateful for the honour to participate in and moderate the World Religions
Conference in Vernon this year. David grew up in the North Okanagan, and returned to Vernon with his family in 2003.. Thereafter he pursued his academic studies eventually graduating medical school and further specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry, which he now practices in the North Okanagan.
He has always been very interested in people’s world views and especially what anchors them through their adversities and what propels them in their growth.  He has a great interest in and respect for people of all faiths and is eager to learn more this year from the participants about their various views on the hereafter! 

Speakers

Baha`I Perspective
Dr. Aref Tabarsi

Aref Tabarsi is Baha'i was born and raised in a Baha'i family. In 1984, he migrated to Canada
from Iran due to severe persecution of the Iranian Baha'is by the Iranian regime. Aref moved to
Vernon over two years ago from Campbell River.He is member of the Spiritual Assembly of
Baha'is of Vernon and elected by the assembly to represent the Baha'i faith at the
conference.Dr. Aref Tabarsi is lso a physician with specialty in pathology, currently working at
Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

Christianity Perspective (Baptist Church)
Senior Pastor Randy Hamm

Randy has been married to Hannah since 1996, have three beautiful children and live in Vernon,
BC. Randy pastors a wonderful community of people at First Baptist Church up on the East Hill
of Vernon. With over 15 years of pastoring and relationship coaching, he loves to bring all
deeper into truth, finding the abundant life Jesus has for everyone!

Islam Perspective
Maulana Umran ul Haq Bhatti

Umran ul-Haq Bhatti is a Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at. Umran acquired his
degree in Islamic Theology and Comparative Religions in 2013, Canada. He has served in Ghana,
Atlantic Canada, and Toronto. During his 4 yrs in Atlantic Canada he was a monthly columnist
writing for the local newspaper in removing misconception about the peaceful teachings of
Islam and building bridges in the community.
Currently he is the Imam of the Baitur Rehman Mosque in Delta, BC.
He served as an Imam and Missionary for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the Calgary 
branch at Baitun Noor Mosque from 2013- 2015.For the last 4 years he was serving Ahmadiyya
Muslim Community Jamaica, West Indies, in the capacity of Missionary in Charge. He was
recently appointed to serve the British Columbia chapters and the community based around
Baitur Rahman Mosque in Delta, & Surrey BC. He is currently living in Delta with family (wife
and 2 children)

Christianity Perspective
The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints
Mrs. Paulette Deyholos

President Paulette Deyholos was sustained as a Stake Relief Society President for The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Vernon BC Stake in 2021. At the time of her call, she was
serving as a seminary teacher for youth ages 14-18. President Deyholos has served in numerous Church callings, including Stake Young Women’s President in an Edmonton AB Stake, as well as a member of several ward Relief Society and Young Women’s presidencies and Seminary teacher.  President Deyholos graduated from the University of Alberta in 1996 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture and painting, followed by a Bachelor of Education in 1997.  She taught art in Edmonton for five years before moving to Kelowna BC where she volunteers for the Lake Country Art Gallery and serves on the board of SWAC, a local art society.  Paulette was born in Utah in 1968. As a child she moved a lot which exposed her to many different communities throughout the United States and Canada. She married Mike Deyholos in Edmonton in 2003. They are the parents of two children.

Jewish Faith Perspective
Mr. Steven Finkleman

Steven Finkleman has been a resident of Kelowna and member of the Okanagan Jewish Community in North Glenmore for over 40 years.   He has served as a president of the OJC for several terms.  He serves currently as President of the organization and enjoys organizing events of meaning to our Community, but also loves to participate in various community and interfaith events, representing our Community’s presence in various Kelowna civic events.

Sikhism Perspective
Mr.Ranjit Singh

Ranjit Singh was born in Brampton into a Sikh family and have been living in Kelowna since
2012. He currently work as an accountant and teach Punjabi, kirtan, Sikh history, and how to
read Guru Granth Sahib in my spare time.”

Mr. Mike Boudreau
Buddhist Perspective

There are 1200 Kadampa Centers and branches in 40 countries around the world where people
can study and practice the teachings of Buddha known as Dharma.  These centers are open to
everyone and offer a full program of introductory classes, study programs, and meditation
retreats.  The Okanagan Shuswap is home to two branches in Vernon and Salmon Arm with
General Program Meditation Classes every Tuesday and Wednesday evenings respectively from
7-8:30pm. Dharma means ‘protection’. By practicing Buddha’s teachings we protect ourself
from suffering and problems. All the problems we experience during daily life originate in
ignorance, and the method for eliminating ignorance is to practice Dharma.   You are most welcome to attend any of our General Program classes whenever works for your busy
schedule.  Advanced classes and retreats are also available for further advancement in Bhuddist Meditation development.  Welcome.

Spiritual Living Perspective
The Rev. Dale Jukes

Reverend Dale Jukes has had thirteen years at the helm of the Okanagan Centre For Spiritual Living. This is simply the latest iteration of a spiritual journey that began a half century ago under the tutelage of his parents. A journey that has embraced most ancient and traditional paths , and for the past twenty two years, has returned to New Thought and specifically The Science Of Mind. Dale is very happy with his present Spiritual preoccupation and fully expects to be walking this walk for the duration of his dance with the Divine. If you would care to join him come to the Centre any Sunday and take the time to visit him at www.lightmail.org for a little daily inspiration.

Christianity Perspective (Presbyterian Church)
Rev. Dr. Teresa A. Charlton

Dr. Teresa Charlton has been ordained in the Presbyterian Church in Canada for over twenty years, and is presently in her twelfth year of serving the congregation of Knox in Vernon. Teresa's first doctoral work from Providence Seminary (MB) focussed on Pastoral Care, and her second doctorate from San Francisco Theological Seminary (CA) studied the challenging work of Executive Leadership. Rev.Teresa is currently the Clerk of the Presbytery of Kamloops and Clerk of the Synod of British Columbia, offices of the higher courts of the national church. Teresa is mother to four adult children and "Granny-in-the-Mountains" to two granddaughters.

Program

  • 6.20pm Announcement
  • 6:30 PM Recitation of the Holy Qur’an & Translation 
  • 6:35 PM Welcome Remarks from Dignitaries
  • 6:45 PM Introductory Remarks & Introduction to moderator by Rizwan Peerzada Regional President AMJ BC 
  • 6:50 PM Moderator Remarks Opening Remarks 
  • Speakers Panel (Time Allocated 8 minutes)
  • 6:55 PM Baha’I Dr. Aref Tabarsi     
  • 7:03 PM    Christianity Rev. Randy Hamm (First Baptist Church)
  • 7:11 PM Islam Maulana Umran Bhatti
  • 7:19 PM Jewish Faith Mr. Steven Finkleman
  • 7:27 PM Christianity Mr. Paulette Deyholos (The Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints Church)
  • 7:35PM Sikh Faith Mr. Karanpreet Singh
  • 7:43 PM Buddhism Mr.Mike Boudreau
  • 7:51 PM Spirituality Rev. Dale Jukes
  • 7:59 PM Christianity Rev. Dr. Teresa A. Charlton  (Presbyterian Church)
  • 8:07 PM Concluding Remarks by Moderator
  • 8:15 PMVote of Thanks by Rizwan Peerzada of  Ahmadiyya Muslim Community BC
  • Dinner

Map

Registration