Transitions
Ron Toews appointed to B.C. conference staff
Ron Toews has been appointed the B.C. conference’s first director of leadership development. Currently serving as principal of ACTS Seminaries at Trinity Western Unviersity,
he will transition to his new position May 1. His mandate will include new leader development, training, and credentialing. It will also include care and support of B.C. MB churches and their staffs.
Toews said he realized part of his interest in training was so rooted in the church that if he continued to teach, it would need to be closer to local congregations. The discovery came during the period following the death of his son Nathan in a highway accident. “When one is handed a catastrophe like that, it invites sober thought – and clarity goes with that,” he said.
“My transition into ACTS from 15 years of pastoral ministry provided me with an occasion to think more deeply about the practice of pastoral leadership and the missional effectiveness of the local church,” said Toews, adding, “I am grateful for this seminary chapter of my life.”
“We are focusing on leadership and on healthy churches and Ron’s passions match our conference areas of growth,” said B.C. conference minister Steve Berg. —BM
___________________________________________________________________
Peter Dennison was appointed interim pastor at Christian Fellowship Chapel in Orillia, Ont., Oct. 1. Peter and his wife Becky were accepted into membership by testimony, Nov. 2.
___________________________________________________________________
Jay Neufeld was welcomed as half-time pastor for German ministry at Clearbrook MB Church in November. Jay and his wife Kay are taking over from Lawrence and Selma Warkentin who served the German ministry from June 2007 to Aug. 2008.
___________________________________________________________________
Graeme Isbister, former lead pastor of Sardis Community Church in Chilliwack, B.C., is now full-time spiritual care coordinator at Chilliwack General Hospital. Graeme helps patients and their families, and also health professionals struggling with job-related pressures.
___________________________________________________________________
Herb and Maureen Klassen retired from 10 years of service as executive secretaries of Logos Canada, a ministry that supports the training and sending of Russian-speaking pastors and leaders in the former Soviet Union.
___________________________________________________________________
On the move
The Central Canada office of Mennonite Brethren Mission and Service International (MBMSI) has moved. Regional mobilizers Lloyd & Carol Letkeman, mobilization assistant Eileen Klassen and short term mission assistant Fern Janzen can now be contacted at 83 Henderson Hwy, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2L 1L2; telephone 1-888-866-6267 (in Alta., Sask., and Man.); (204) 415-0670; fax (204) 415-2249.
___________________________________________________________________
Baptisms and new members
Note: Baptism photos appear in the print version of the Herald but not in the online version.
Portage Ave. Church, Winnipeg, baptized David Klassen Nov. 30 and welcomed him into
membership.
Gateway Christian Fellowship, St. Catharines, Ont. baptized Patricia Westlake and welcomed her into membership Nov. 2, 2008. She is pictured with pastor Ed Willms.
Christian Fellowship Chapel, Orillia, Ont. welcomed 8 new members by baptism Nov. 9, 2008. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Peter Dennison, Stephanie Balkwill, Stephen Macklem, and pastor Mike Brown; (front) Nathan Goddard, Kaleb Hewitt, Carlyann Gowanlock, Natasha Beers, Kelsey Hewitt, and Katrina Beers.
Gracepoint Community Church, Surrey, B.C. welcomed 8 new members by baptism Oct. 5, 2008. Pictured are (above, top photo, l-r) pastor Kevin Snyder, Jordyn Naylor, Jessica Brynelson, Cassie Busch, and Diana O’Grady; (bottom) Darren Ryland, Shawna Edwards, Todd Conkey, and Megan Knechtle.
Main Centre (Sask.) MB Church welcomed 2 new members by baptism June 15, 2008. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Clint Hartog, Jonah Sawatzky, Sean Martens, and pastor Ken Epp.
Gem (Alta.) MB Church welcomed 4 new members Sept. 28, 2008, 3 by baptism and 1 by transfer. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Barry Breker and moderator Tim Doerksen; (front) Dylan Paetkau, Amber Walde, Darren Plett, and Brent Walde.
Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, Ont. welcomed 2 new members by baptism Aug. 31, 2008. Pictured are Justine Ruddle (l) and Terri Richards (r), with Pastor Ed Heinrichs.
West Portal Church, Saskatoon, Sask. welcomed 5 new members in fall 2008, 2 by baptism, 2 by transfer, and 1 by confession of faith. Pictured are (l-r) Jeff Janzen (cf), Roxanne Janzen (b), Andy Epp (t), Rochelle Epp (t), Chrissy Bernges (b), youth minister Terry Friesen, and pastor Kelly Wiebe.
West Portal Church, Saskatoon, Sask. welcomed 9 new members from Jan.–Mar. 2008, 3 by baptism, 2 by transfer, and 4 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Kelly Wiebe, Kristi Degenhardt (t), Kevin Enns (b), Kendra Reimer (b), Andrew Bueckert (b), and youth minister Terry Friesen; (front) pastor Steve Savage, Bertha Thiessen (cf), Donna Fortnum (cf), Jeanine Fehr (cf), and Keith Fehr (cf). Missing is Rob Degenhardt (t).
Newton (Man.) Community Fellowship Church welcomed 20 new members Nov. 16, 2008, 4 by baptism and 16 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l-r) Daniel Kehler (cf), Richard Wall (cf), Jeremy Friesen (cf), Mike Tarr (cf), Blake Tarr (cf), Dawson Plett (cf), Danton Derksen (cf), and pastor Kevin Toews; (front) Donna Tarr (cf), Haleigh Voth (cf), Curtis Tarr (b), Brittany Turner (b), Christine Plett (cf), Randi Martens (b), Emma Boddy (cf), Ashley Plett (cf), Calen Froese (cf), Mariel Venzky (b), Kurt Friesen (cf), Joel Friesen (cf), Ashton McKnight (cf), and pastor Ramsy Unruh.
Port Rowan (Ont.) MB Church welcomed 17 new members Sept. 28, 2008, 9 by baptism and 8 by transfer. Pictured are (l-r) Matt Plumley (t), Trevor Porter (b), Justin Hiebert (b), Catharine Loewen (t), John Hiebert (t), Will Paul (b), Cindy Porter (t), Glenna West (t), Suzie Solga (b), Sara Kutz (b), Mary Musselman (b), Christine Driedger (b), Andrew Bacro (b), Kelly Hunt (t), Mark Hunt (t), Dan Braun (b), Renate Wiebe (t), and pastor Paul Robinson.
Mountain Park Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C. welcomed 14 new members Nov. 2, 9 by baptism and 5 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Cam Stuart, pastor Shawn Driedger, Nicole Toews (b), Taylor Lundberg (b), Sarah Wilson (b), Jody Chamberlin (cf), Carla Morelli (cf), Beverly Zacharias (b), Les Zacharias (cf), and pastor Terry Kaethler; (front) Roberto Amaya (b), Jodie Amaya (cf), Kyle Tydeman (b), Simon Loewen (b), Steve Chamberlin (b), Terry Morelli (cf), and Sam Youssef (b).
Ron Toews has been appointed the B.C. conference’s first director of leadership development. Currently serving as principal of ACTS Seminaries at Trinity Western Unviersity,
he will transition to his new position May 1. His mandate will include new leader development, training, and credentialing. It will also include care and support of B.C. MB churches and their staffs.Toews said he realized part of his interest in training was so rooted in the church that if he continued to teach, it would need to be closer to local congregations. The discovery came during the period following the death of his son Nathan in a highway accident. “When one is handed a catastrophe like that, it invites sober thought – and clarity goes with that,” he said.
“My transition into ACTS from 15 years of pastoral ministry provided me with an occasion to think more deeply about the practice of pastoral leadership and the missional effectiveness of the local church,” said Toews, adding, “I am grateful for this seminary chapter of my life.”
“We are focusing on leadership and on healthy churches and Ron’s passions match our conference areas of growth,” said B.C. conference minister Steve Berg. —BM
___________________________________________________________________
Peter Dennison was appointed interim pastor at Christian Fellowship Chapel in Orillia, Ont., Oct. 1. Peter and his wife Becky were accepted into membership by testimony, Nov. 2.
___________________________________________________________________
Jay Neufeld was welcomed as half-time pastor for German ministry at Clearbrook MB Church in November. Jay and his wife Kay are taking over from Lawrence and Selma Warkentin who served the German ministry from June 2007 to Aug. 2008.
___________________________________________________________________
Graeme Isbister, former lead pastor of Sardis Community Church in Chilliwack, B.C., is now full-time spiritual care coordinator at Chilliwack General Hospital. Graeme helps patients and their families, and also health professionals struggling with job-related pressures.
___________________________________________________________________
Herb and Maureen Klassen retired from 10 years of service as executive secretaries of Logos Canada, a ministry that supports the training and sending of Russian-speaking pastors and leaders in the former Soviet Union.
___________________________________________________________________
On the move
The Central Canada office of Mennonite Brethren Mission and Service International (MBMSI) has moved. Regional mobilizers Lloyd & Carol Letkeman, mobilization assistant Eileen Klassen and short term mission assistant Fern Janzen can now be contacted at 83 Henderson Hwy, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2L 1L2; telephone 1-888-866-6267 (in Alta., Sask., and Man.); (204) 415-0670; fax (204) 415-2249.
___________________________________________________________________
Baptisms and new members
Note: Baptism photos appear in the print version of the Herald but not in the online version.
Portage Ave. Church, Winnipeg, baptized David Klassen Nov. 30 and welcomed him into
membership.
Gateway Christian Fellowship, St. Catharines, Ont. baptized Patricia Westlake and welcomed her into membership Nov. 2, 2008. She is pictured with pastor Ed Willms.
Christian Fellowship Chapel, Orillia, Ont. welcomed 8 new members by baptism Nov. 9, 2008. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Peter Dennison, Stephanie Balkwill, Stephen Macklem, and pastor Mike Brown; (front) Nathan Goddard, Kaleb Hewitt, Carlyann Gowanlock, Natasha Beers, Kelsey Hewitt, and Katrina Beers.
Gracepoint Community Church, Surrey, B.C. welcomed 8 new members by baptism Oct. 5, 2008. Pictured are (above, top photo, l-r) pastor Kevin Snyder, Jordyn Naylor, Jessica Brynelson, Cassie Busch, and Diana O’Grady; (bottom) Darren Ryland, Shawna Edwards, Todd Conkey, and Megan Knechtle.
Main Centre (Sask.) MB Church welcomed 2 new members by baptism June 15, 2008. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Clint Hartog, Jonah Sawatzky, Sean Martens, and pastor Ken Epp.
Gem (Alta.) MB Church welcomed 4 new members Sept. 28, 2008, 3 by baptism and 1 by transfer. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Barry Breker and moderator Tim Doerksen; (front) Dylan Paetkau, Amber Walde, Darren Plett, and Brent Walde.
Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, Ont. welcomed 2 new members by baptism Aug. 31, 2008. Pictured are Justine Ruddle (l) and Terri Richards (r), with Pastor Ed Heinrichs.
West Portal Church, Saskatoon, Sask. welcomed 5 new members in fall 2008, 2 by baptism, 2 by transfer, and 1 by confession of faith. Pictured are (l-r) Jeff Janzen (cf), Roxanne Janzen (b), Andy Epp (t), Rochelle Epp (t), Chrissy Bernges (b), youth minister Terry Friesen, and pastor Kelly Wiebe.
West Portal Church, Saskatoon, Sask. welcomed 9 new members from Jan.–Mar. 2008, 3 by baptism, 2 by transfer, and 4 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Kelly Wiebe, Kristi Degenhardt (t), Kevin Enns (b), Kendra Reimer (b), Andrew Bueckert (b), and youth minister Terry Friesen; (front) pastor Steve Savage, Bertha Thiessen (cf), Donna Fortnum (cf), Jeanine Fehr (cf), and Keith Fehr (cf). Missing is Rob Degenhardt (t).
Newton (Man.) Community Fellowship Church welcomed 20 new members Nov. 16, 2008, 4 by baptism and 16 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l-r) Daniel Kehler (cf), Richard Wall (cf), Jeremy Friesen (cf), Mike Tarr (cf), Blake Tarr (cf), Dawson Plett (cf), Danton Derksen (cf), and pastor Kevin Toews; (front) Donna Tarr (cf), Haleigh Voth (cf), Curtis Tarr (b), Brittany Turner (b), Christine Plett (cf), Randi Martens (b), Emma Boddy (cf), Ashley Plett (cf), Calen Froese (cf), Mariel Venzky (b), Kurt Friesen (cf), Joel Friesen (cf), Ashton McKnight (cf), and pastor Ramsy Unruh.
Port Rowan (Ont.) MB Church welcomed 17 new members Sept. 28, 2008, 9 by baptism and 8 by transfer. Pictured are (l-r) Matt Plumley (t), Trevor Porter (b), Justin Hiebert (b), Catharine Loewen (t), John Hiebert (t), Will Paul (b), Cindy Porter (t), Glenna West (t), Suzie Solga (b), Sara Kutz (b), Mary Musselman (b), Christine Driedger (b), Andrew Bacro (b), Kelly Hunt (t), Mark Hunt (t), Dan Braun (b), Renate Wiebe (t), and pastor Paul Robinson.
Mountain Park Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C. welcomed 14 new members Nov. 2, 9 by baptism and 5 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Cam Stuart, pastor Shawn Driedger, Nicole Toews (b), Taylor Lundberg (b), Sarah Wilson (b), Jody Chamberlin (cf), Carla Morelli (cf), Beverly Zacharias (b), Les Zacharias (cf), and pastor Terry Kaethler; (front) Roberto Amaya (b), Jodie Amaya (cf), Kyle Tydeman (b), Simon Loewen (b), Steve Chamberlin (b), Terry Morelli (cf), and Sam Youssef (b).
