MISSIONS FESTIVAL (MISSIONS FEST) SOCIETY - EDMONTON is a Canadian nonprofit organization that organizes an annual family-oriented missions conference known as Missions Fest Alberta. Registered as a charitable society in the Province of Alberta under the business registration number 896473162RR0001, it operates as a tax-exempt entity pursuant to the Income Tax Act of Canada[2][3].

History

The organization in Edmonton held its first conference in February 1995. Since then, thousands of attendees have been exposed to global missions and encouraged to deepen their involvement in missionary work. The conference was inspired by earlier efforts in other Canadian cities, particularly the original Missions Fest that began in Vancouver in 1983, which emphasized local church collaboration to reach out globally through educational seminars, exhibits, and youth activities[2][5].

Mission and Activities

MISSIONS FESTIVAL SOCIETY focuses on mobilizing individuals and churches for worldwide mission efforts through their annual three-day conference. The event is designed as a family-friendly gathering that includes general assemblies, seminars, luncheons, children’s and youth activities, and exhibits where attendees can engage with mission representatives to learn about and discuss various initiatives[3][4].

One of the thematic focuses includes programs such as "Men on a Mission," aiming to deepen spiritual life and encourage effective leadership among men as missionaries or leaders in their communities[2].

Conference Features

• Free Admission: The conference does not require general registration or admission fees; instead, it operates on a free-will offering basis during assemblies and through donation centers.
• Funding: Financial support comes from donations by partnering churches, exhibitor fees, and conference donations, including year-round contributions. Tax-deductible receipts are issued for donations of $10 or more[2].
• Family Orientation: Activities are designed to engage the whole family, with dedicated programs for children and youth.
• Partnerships: Missions Fest Alberta collaborates with other mission conferences across Canada, including Mission Vision (Fort St. John), Missionfest Manitoba (Winnipeg), Jesus to the Nations (Halifax), and Missions Fest Vancouver[2].

Organizational Impact

MISSIONS FESTIVAL SOCIETY - EDMONTON continues to serve as a significant platform for mission education and mobilization in Western Canada. The society aims to foster collaboration among churches and mission agencies, promoting an outward-focused approach to spiritual engagement and missionary support within the Christian community[5].

Recent Developments

The 2024 conference was postponed until 2025, with updates provided through their official communication channels. Despite postponements, the organization maintains ongoing activities and encourages year-round financial support to sustain its mission endeavors[1].

[1] http://mfest.ab.ca [2] http://mfest.ab.ca/aboutus.html [3] https://www.charitydata.ca/charity/missions-festival-missions-fest-society---edmonton/896473162RR0001/ [4] https://www.shepherdsguide.ca/ads/canada/alberta-1/edmonton-1/events/missions-fest-alberta/ [5] https://www.missioncentral.ca/conferences/history