Transitions
Tony Price began as part-time pastor at Cornerstone MB Church, Prince Rupert, B.C., Oct. 4. Originally from the UK, Tony immigrated to Canada in 1980. He trained at Christ for Canada Bible Institute, then worked at Kelowna Christian Centre for 26 years, running a drop-in centre for the homeless for 5 years. Tony feels a strong call in evangelism, and has been involved in short-term outreaches to several countries, and started a church in the UK and in Winfield, B.C. Tony and Barbara have 2 children and 5 grandchildren.
____________________________________________________________________
After serving briefly in church relations at Family Life Network, Bert (Robert) Bell has returned to stewardship ministries at the Winnipeg office of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.
____________________________________________________________________
On Nov. 8, Highland MB Church, Calgary, celebrated the installation of their new associate pastor, Dave Morin. Dave will be serving Highland’s congregation through worship and youth ministry. He previously served at Hillcrest Evangelical Missionary Church in Medicine Hat, Alta. Dave and Jen have 3 children: Silas, Justus, Aria.
____________________________________________________________________
After 9 years with Eden Health Care Services’ Recovery of Hope program, the last year as director, Joanne Klassen moved to a position with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. The job has now been divided between two appointees. With more than 12 years experience at Recovery of Hope, Sandra Friesen (pictured, right) assumed responsibility of office administration, scheduling functions, and some financial oversight. Valerie Wiebe (pictured, left), with some 13 years providing counselling service with Recovery of Hope, assumed leadership for management, including enforcement of counselling standards, training new counsellors, and supervising student practica. The MB Church of Manitoba contributes to the board of this Mennonite church-related agency. ____________________________________________________________________
International Revival Church, Winnipeg, a fellowship of mainly African immigrant believers, closed September 2009. A group of Rwandan and Burundian Christians met for 5 years for prayer and encouragement before Mission and Church Extension of the MB Church of Manitoba commissioned David Uwiyingoma and Adela Uwimana as pastor couple and launched the congregation Aug. 20, 2005. Some of the 30 members now worship at Christian Family Centre, Winnipeg.
____________________________________________________________________
Vintage 242, a 5-year-old church plant in Abbotsford, B.C., closed July 2009. Begun in 2004 to reach out to young people, the church took its name from Acts 2:42. Johnny Thiessen was the pastor of the congregation which first met Sunday evenings at Highland Community Church, then Sunday mornings at a movie theatre from 2007. The members of Vintage were transitioned into other Abbotsford congregations.
____________________________________________________________________
Baptisms and new members
Note: Baptism photos appear in the print version of the Herald but not in the online version.
Fraserview MB Church, Richmond, B.C., welcomed 7 new members by baptism Nov. 22. Pictured are (l-r) Rebekah Gingrich, Damaris Seel, Stephanie Rodriguez, Ryan Willett, Jaya Dhillon, Helena Dhillon, pastor Dan Unrau, and Dillon Taylor.
Community Fellowship Church, Newton, Man., welcomed 2 new members Nov. 22, one by baptism and one by confession of faith. Pictured are (l-r) Tami Roberts (b), Laurel Giesbrecht (cf), and pastor Ramsy Unruh.
Ross Road Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C., welcomed 4 new members by baptism Nov. 15. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Darren Petker, Austin Dyck, Jordyn Dyck, Taryn Golbeck, and Stephanie Thiessen (right).
Northgate MB Church, Dawson Creek, B.C., baptized Asher Klassen Nov. 1 and welcomed him into membership. He is pictured (l) with his sponsor Wayne Plenert (r).
Fort Garry MB Church, Winnipeg, welcomed 5 new members by baptism Nov. 22. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Joel Toews, Chris Klassen, Sarah Mitchell, Stephanie Friesen, Raelene Wagner, pastor Kathy McCamis, and pastor John Unger. Not pictured is Miad Makareh.
Central Community Church, Chilliwack, B.C., welcomed 4 new members Nov. 1, 2 by baptism and 2 by testimony. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Garry Janzen, Mike Gauer (t), Linda Wraight (t), pastor Ron Van Akker, (front) Alysha Klassen (b), and Win Kolar (b).
Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon, welcomed 11 new members by baptism in December. Pictured are (l-r) Travis Braun, Tonya O’Keefe, Tori Braun, Matthew Williams, Dustin Hamm, Laura Vollet, Gerald Bates, Keagan Johnson, Jerry Hallgrimson, and Rylan Friesen. Inset photo is Nikita Tchorzewski.
Highland MB Church, Calgary, welcomed 6 new members by baptism May 23. Pictured are (l-r) Sarah Pahl, Joel Dueck, Melissa Evans, Diana Kenyi, Linda Shao, and Joel Froese.
Evergreen Heights Christian Fellowship, Simcoe, Ont., welcomed 6 new members Nov. 29, 3 by baptism and 3 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l-r) Dan Schmidt (cf) and pastor Richard Martens; (front) Robert McCoy (b), Tammy Schmidt (cf), Allison Vanderkooy (b), pastor Don McKen, Aaron Sikkema (b) and Becky Sikkema (cf).
Salem MB Church, Winnipeg, welcomed 4 new members by baptism Dec. 6. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Arno Fast, Kwaku Andoh, and pastor Andy Rapko; (front) Rena McKay, and Coralee Johnston.
North Peace MB Church, Fort St. John, B.C., welcomed 1 new member by baptism Nov. 29. Pictured are (l-r)) pastor Rod Willems, Bernard Thompson, and pastor Les Riediger.
Gracepoint Community Church, Surrey, B.C., welcomed 7 new members by baptism Oct. 11: Melissa Boettcher, Abby Edwards, Kyle Rempel, Shannon Rempel, Victoria Rempel, Trevan Ureña, and Michael Elson.
Steinbach (Man.) MB Church welcomed 6 new members by baptism Nov. 22. Pictured are (l-r) Trevor Harder, Marvin Warkentin, pastor Walter Fast, Stephanie Peters, Sara Martens, Rene Martens, and Johanna Martens.
Cedar Park Church, Delta, B.C. welcomed 6 new members Dec. 20, 2 by baptism and 4 by transfer. Pictured are (l-r) Florence Prescesky (t), Peter Prescesky (t), pastor Dave Esau, Sarah Nickel (b), and Nathan Esau (b). Not pictured are Viola Schmidt (t) and Alfred Schmidt (t).
Main Centre (Sask.) MB Church welcomed 2 new members June 21, 1 by baptism and 1 by confession of faith. Pictured are (l-r) Mary Jahnke (b), pastor Ken Epp, and Elmer Jahnke.
Culloden MB Church, Vancouver, welcomed 4 new members Nov. 29, 2 by baptism and 2 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l-r) Garie Chan (cf) and pastor Ted Klassen; (front) Jessica Chan (cf), Cora Renaud (b), and Amanda Plett (b).
