Transitions
Ramsy Unruh was ordained Sept. 28 at Community Fellowship Church, Newton, Man., with conference pastor Keith Poysti leading the service. Ramsy has served as senior pastor at Community Fellowship Church for five years. He and his wife Shannon have three children.
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Gateway Christian Fellowship, St. Catharines, Ont., welcomed Steve Reimer as half-time pastoral intern working with youth and student ministries. A teacher in the public school system, Steve will continue to teach part-time. Steve and his wife Jessica have 2 boys, Isaac and Evan. Leah Hageman-Vermeulen served as director of the Lenz (drop-in ministry for local youth) for more than 4 years before stepping down at the end of August.___________________________________________________________________
Yohannes Engida began serving Bethel Evangelical Christian Assembly, Winnipeg, as senior pastor this summer. He previously served as associate pastor under Tesfa Chutta who resigned but remains on the leadership team. Yohannes and his wife Mihiret have one child.
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Victor Kliewer stepped down from lead pastor to half-time
associate pastor of German and caregiving ministries at Elmwood MB Church, Winnipeg, after 3 years of faithful service with his wife Val. Terry Sawatsky was installed and blessed as lead pastor Sept. 14. Terry previously served as associate pastor at Elmwood. Terry and his wife Cathy have one daughter. ___________________________________________________________________
Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C. added staff to their advancement team. Paul Loewen, who has pastored in several provinces and sits on the CCMBC executive board joined the church and donor relations team. Vern Heidebrecht is working one day a week with church and donor relations, transcending the challenges of Parkinson’s disease. Vern is a former board chair for CBC and pastor emeritus for Northview Community Church.___________________________________________________________________
The board of Family Life Network in Winnipeg appointed Claude Pratte as executive director. Previous to 2 years at FLN as director of church relations and interim director, Claude served 27 years as a pastor in Baptist and Mennonite Brethren churches. He and his wife Vivian have 3 grown sons.
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Nelson Kraybill, president of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, announced his intent to step down from the seminary in summer 2009. Coming to the seminary with experience as a pastor, scholar, and mission worker, Nelson began as president in 1997.
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Merv Boschman concluded his service as executive minister of the Alberta MB conference at the end of September. Over the past five years, Merv and his wife Carol worked with pastors, church leaders, and congregants around the province. They are planning to move back to B.C.___________________________________________________________________
Andrea Geiser was appointed coordinator of YAMEN! The joint Mennonite World Conference and MCC program builds church-to-church relationships and strengthens the global Anabaptist church by facilitating a volunteer exchange for young adults from outside North America to serve outside of North America.
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Baptisms and new members
Note: Baptism photos appear in the print version of the Herald but not in the online version.
Faith River Christian Fellowship, Saskatoon, welcomed 3 new members by baptism June 22. Pictured are youth pastor Jeff Froese, Jennifer Machnee, Tyler Stein, Gerelt Bayantur, and pastor Andrew Fehr.
West Portal Church, Saskatoon, baptized Sabrina Hamm and welcomed her into membership Apr. 20. She is pictured with youth pastor Terry Friesen.
West Portal Church, Saskatoon, baptized Jeana Klassen and welcomed her into membership Aug. 10. She is pictured with her mom, Darlene Klassen (l), who is the church’s children’s pastor.
Thompson (Man.) Christian Centre Fellowship baptized Elisha Davies and welcomed her into membership May 11. Pictured are (l-r) church council member Jerry Volkers, Elisha Davies, and pastor Ted Goossen.
Highland Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C., baptized Kendra Peters and welcomed her into membership June 22. Pictured are (l-r) pastoral elder Andrew Dyck, Kendra Peters, and mentor Andrea Janzen.
Gospel Chapel, Grand Forks, B.C. welcomed 4 new members by baptism July 6. Pictured are pastor Henry Klassen, Drew Brown, Kelsey Semenoff, Calise Salter, Tierre Bekker, and pastor James Wilson.
Gospel Chapel, Grand Forks, B.C. welcomed 3 new members by baptism July 27. Pictured are pastor James Wilson, Jeremy Martens, Calvin Peters, Maxwell Nicholson, and pastor Henry Klassen.
Lucky Lake (Sask.) Christian Fellowship Church baptized Danae Schatz and welcomed her into membership July 13. She is pictured with pastor Ken Sperling (l) and her father Wes Schatz.
Hillside Christian Fellowship Church, Beechy, Sask., welcomed 3 new members by baptism July 6. Pictured are (l-r) Jeff De Haan, Arda De Haan, Brenda Neigum, and pastor Mike Housek.
Hillside Christian Fellowship Church, Beechy, Sask., welcomed 2 new members by baptism Aug. 31. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Kelly Wiens, Breanna Fleuter, Tim Housek, and pastor Mike Housek.
River West Christian Church, Edmonton, welcomed 9 new members June 1, 5 by baptism and 4 by covenant community. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Kerry Dyck, Rhonda Magedans (cc), Andrew Clarke (b), Gayle Epp (cc), Michael Epp (cc), Deb Lenglet (b), Linda Keegstra (b), Shania Lenglet (b), Michael Keegstra (cc), and pastor Merlin Enns. Not pictured is Rebecca Hudon (b).
Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., welcomed 2 new members by baptism June 29. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Michael Dick, Joshua Penner, and Anthony Iliev.
King Road MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., welcomed 4 new members by baptism June 8. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Leonard Klassen, pastor Edgar Wiens, Cynthea Bull, and pastor Harry Heidebrecht; (front) Brianna Janz, Tanya Hiebert, Gerald Becker, and pastor Heins Schartner.
North Peace MB Church, Fort St. John, B.C., welcomed 5 new members by baptism June 15. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Rod Willems, Amber Banman, Matt Schlosser, Dustin Driedger, Amias Dirks, Amiel Dirks, and pastor Les Riedger.
North Peace MB Church, Fort St. John, B.C., welcomed 5 new members by baptism June 22. Pictured are (back, l-r) Shelby Hanson, Lorissa Harder, and pastor Randy Taylor; (front) pastor Les Riedger, pastor Rod Willems, Sierra Koop, Alysha Wiebe, Rebehah Albu, and pastor Rudy Evans.
West Portal Church, Saskatoon, welcomed 12 new members during the summer, 1 by baptism, 7 by confession of faith, and 4 by transfer. Pictured are (back,l-r) Shauna Bowering (cf), pastor Dwayne Barkman, Colleen Balogh (b), Ronda Duke (cf), and pastor Steve Savage (t); (front) Clayton Gladish (cf), Jane Pedersen (cf), Carl Pedersen (cf), Iona Bachiu (cf), Len Bachiu (cf), Debbie Savage (t), and Zandra Baker (t). Missing is Kurt Baker (t).
