Transitions
 Michael and Tabitha VandenEnden share a full-time pastoral position at Grantham MB Church, St. Catharines, Ont. Michael began his role as lead pastor in December. Tabitha will begin to fill the role of pastor of outreach in March. They are currently completing MAs at Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg. The VandenEndens attended Portage Avenue MB Church during their time in Winnipeg. Both are members of Kitchener (Ont.) MB Church, where Michael formerly served as a youth pastor. David Brubacher, former executive minister of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, served as interim pastor between Bob Ens' departure and the VandenEndens’ arrival._______________
 Fourth Avenue Bible Church, Niverville, Man., welcomed Abe Klassen as lead pastor Oct. 7. Sieg Wall was interim lead pastor from 2008–2010. Abe was pastor of family ministries at Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon, from 2008–2010. Previous to that, he served as lead pastor at Steinbach (Man.) MB Church. Abe and Kathy have 2 married children and 5 grandchildren._______________
 Benjamin Loewen began as part-time youth pastor at Richmond Park MB Church, Brandon, Man., September 2010. Prior to that he worked as a journeyman mechanic and volunteered with Youth for Christ. Ben is married to Laurel._______________
In keeping with its mandate, Mennonite Mission Health Association is now International Mennonite Health Association. The board confirmed the change at their October meeting. The organization's mandate is to serve God by providing resources and services to Mennonite and Brethren in Christ health programs in developing countries. Its programs include a nurse aide bursary for Mahbubnagar Junior College in India, the Medicine Credit Program in three rural health zones of DR Congo, and Alto Refugio AIDS Hospice in Paraguay. |
Jeff Froese began ministry as associate pastor at Northwest Community Church in Meadow Lake, Sask., Jan. 1. A graduate of Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask., Jeff previously led youth ministry at Faith River Christian Fellowship, Saskatoon, and worked at Scott’s Parable Christian Store. Jeff and Jocelyn have 3 children. Matthew Roger, who previously served as associate pastor for 3 years, is pursuing further studies. _______________
 Evergreen Heights Christian Fellowship, Simcoe, Ont., welcomed Bret Maukonen as lead pastor, Dec. 1. Bret holds an MDiv from Ontario Theological Seminary (now Tyndale), and a Master of Education from Brock University, St. Catharines, Ont. Bret has worked as a navigation officer on the Great Lakes and deep sea, managed Christian and college bookstores, and taught adult learners. Bret is married to Lynne. They have served together doing mission work in England and Japan. _______________
 MB Biblical Seminary Canada appointed Randy Wollf as assistant professor of practical theology and leadership studies at MBBS-ACTS in Langley, B.C. Randy’s academic credentials include studies at Briercrest Bible College, an MRE from ACTS Seminaries, an MA in adult education from University of B.C., and a PhD in educational studies–adult education, with a focus on leadership, from UBC. He also has a diverse ministry background, including supporting house churches for the Evangelical Free Church of Canada; teaching leadership courses at Trinity Western University; serving short term church planting missions in Thailand; pastoring at Langley Evangelical Free Church; and performing teaching and relief work in the Philippines, Ukraine, and Albania. “We are grateful for Randy’s commitment to the mission of the church, his affinity with the MB Confession of Faith, and his experience with innovation, tradition, and cross-cultural ministry,” says Lynn Jost, MBBS Canada president. Randy and wife Lore have 3 children. |
Baptisms and new members
Note: Baptism photos appear in the print version of the Herald but not in the online version.
Ross Road Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C., welcomed 3 new members June 27, 2 by baptism and 1 by testimony. Pictured are Dave Andrews (b), Trixie Andrews (t). Missing is Sarah Vandervelden (b).
Ross Road Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C., welcomed 1 new member by baptism Oct. 24. Pictured is Leanne Herrett.
Salem Mennonite Brethren Church, Winnipeg, welcomed 1 new member by baptism Sept. 26. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Arno Fast, Matthew Benoit, pastor Andy Rapko.
Boissevain (Man.) MB Church welcomed 1 new member by baptism June 6. Pictured are (l-r) youth pastor Trevor Fleming, Jared Dueck.
Westwood MB Church, Prince George, B.C., welcomed 11 new members Nov. 21, 5 by baptism and 6 by testimony. Pictured are (back, l-r) Joe Turner (b), Elaine Paetkau (t), Jeff Paetkau (t), Jim Brown (t), Scott Scholefield (b), Erin Scholefield (b); (front) interim lead pastor Mark Wessner, Brandi Hall (t), Gordon Plewes (b), Crystal Brown (t), Lauren MacDonald (b), April Phillips (t).
Steinbach (Man.) MB Church welcomed 9 new members by baptism Nov. 14. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Charlie Peronto, Randolf Peters, Jesse Goertzen, Daniel Peters; (middle) Destinee Bergman, Natalie Hamm, Dorothea Schulz, leadership team member Travis Bergman, pastor Walter Fast; (front) Aimie Goertzen, Tori Morin, RT Oldenburger.
Dalhousie Community Church, Calgary, welcomed 2 new members by baptism Nov. 21: Dan Coates, Sho Okamoto.
Crossroads MB Church, Winnipeg, welcomed 2 new members Nov. 21, 1 by transfer, 1 by confession of faith, and 2 new members by baptism Nov. 28. Pictured are (l-r) moderator Gilles Piché, Alex Giesbrecht (b), Kathryn Melbourne (b), Haylie Koslowsky (cf), Stuart Koslowsky (t), pastor Marvin Dyck.
Bakerview Church, Abbotsford, B.C., welcomed 1 new member by baptism Nov. 7. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Kimbal Martens, Victoria Wild, pastor Michael Dick.
Cedar Park Church, Delta, B.C., welcomed 3 new members by baptism Nov. 7. Pictured are (l-r) Stephanie Peters, Alison Dueck, Monica Houweling, pastor Dan Peters.
Neighbourhood Church, Nanaimo, B.C., welcomed 12 new members Apr. 11, 3 by baptism and 9 by transfer, and 6 new members Dec. 5, 5 by baptism and 1 by transfer. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Ryan Dueck, Valerie Lowrie (t), Rhonda Neufeld (t), Shane Camp (b), Chelsea McDonald (b), Alex McDonald (t), pastor James Toews, pastor Colin Dyck (t); (front) Doug Kamp (t), Jacqueline Senger (b), Dave Senger (b), Samantha Meadows (t), Rodney Meadows (t), Simon Jung (b), Jenna Blakemore (b), Sarah Dyck (t), Dawn Neufeld (t), Jesse Travers (b), Ron Neufeld (t). Missing is Jordan Kamp (b).
Christian Fellowship Church, Lanigan, Sask., welcomed 2 new members by baptism in 2010. Pictured are (l-r) youth leader Ryan Melin, Aaron Willems. Pictured are (l-r) Kolby Antypovich, youth leader Ryan Melin.
Fort Garry MB Church, Winnipeg, welcomed 5 new members by baptism Nov. 21. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Joel Toews, pastor John Unger, pastor Kathy McCamis, Harrison Rowland; (front) Jodi Durham, Cailey Weiler, Tiana Friesen, Conrad Mann.
Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., welcomed Shirley Talbot into membership by baptism Dec. 5.
St Ann’s (Ont.) Community Church welcomed Andrew Schroeder into membership by baptism Nov. 28. Pictured are (l-r) Andrew’s father Jerry Schroeder, Andrew Schroeder.
Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon, welcomed 5 new members Dec. 5, 3 by baptism, 1 by confession of faith, 1 by transfer. Pictured are (l-r) Duane Munro (cf), Mary Griffiths (t), Rachel Petkau (b), Angela Richards (b) Lyle Richards(b).
