Transitions
Walter Fast was installed as senior pastor at Steinbach MB Church, Sept. 13. Following a 9-year MBMSI assignment at Brake Bible College in Germany, Walter pastored at Lage MB Church in Germany for 10 years. Walter and Anne have 5 children. Pictured are (back, l–r) Jamie Heide (membership chair), Jascha Boge (CCMBC moderator), pastor Charlie Peronto, pastor Mike Kehler, (front) Keith Poysti (Man. conference minister), Rick Bergman (leadership chair), Walter and Anne Fast.____________________________________________________________________
Black Creek (B.C.) MB church welcomed Peter Jackson, Sept. 1, as part-time assistant pastor with a focus on intentional integration and congregational care. Peter, who trained at Capernwray Harbour Bible School and Conference Centre, then worked on staff there for 11 years, and was involved in ministry at Thetis Island Community Church for 7 years. He has served as elder, then moderator at Black Creek MB for the past 5 years. He also works in the aviation industry as an aircraft maintenance engineer and pilot. Peter and Donna have 3 children. ____________________________________________________________________
Eastview Community Church, Winnipeg, recently welcomed 2 pastors. Dave Ens began as pastor of adult ministries in August. He has a BA in religious studies and in political science and is pursuing an MA from MBBS. He previously served as youth pastor at McIvor Avenue MB Church, Winnipeg, and as lead pastor at Richmond Park MB Church, Brandon, Man. Dave and Nicole have 3 children. Lyle Morris started September as student ministries pastor, after a year as event coordinator for Eastview. Trained as a teacher, he has spent 11 years in junior high and high school classrooms, and also works as a restitution trainer and part-time actor. Lyle and Jenna have 2 children.
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Elm Creek (Man.) MB church commissioned 2 pastors Oct. 4. After serving as youth pastor since 2004, and interim pastor upon the departure of John Willems to Crestwood MB Church, Medicine Hat, Alta., Noel Hudson was affirmed by the congregation as senior pastor. He has a BA in youth leadership from Providence College. Noel and Melanie have 3 children.
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Vern Kehler started as youth pastor in July. He studied Bible and church ministries in Loma Plata, Paraguay, and Providence College, and is currently completing MAs in global studies and counselling. Vern previously worked as immigrant youth/young adult program director at Steinbach (Man.) Mennonite Church, and at the Steinbach Immigrant Settlement Program. He is married to Liona.
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Kimbal Martens began as associate pastor, contemporary service, at Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., Sept. 1. He holds a BA in church ministries from Briercrest and is currently completing an MA in Christian Studies at ACTS Seminaries. He previously worked as associate pastor of youth at a Baptist church in Saskatchewan, and as pastor of student ministries at an Evangelical Free church in B.C. Kimbal and Tonia have 3 children, Bria, Tyler, Jessa.
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Elmwood MB Church commissioned Sim Rainer and Almina Funk on Sept. 19. Formerly of Paraguay, where he worked in a pastoral capacity, Sim is now part-time coordinator of the German service. Elmwood said farewell to Victor Kliewer, who pastored 5½ years, most recently in the German congregation.
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Lyndon Plett resigned as pastor of worship at Central Heights Church.
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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.
Manitou (Man.) MB Church welcomed 5 new members June 21, 2009, 2 by transfer and 3 by baptism. Pictured are (l-r) Anna Janzen (b), Joe Janzen (b), Jonathan Friesen (t), Janet Friesen (t), pastor Henry Martens, and Laraine Ducharme (b).
On June 14, 2009 Thompson (Man.) Christian Centre Fellowship welcomed 2 new members by baptism. Pictured are (l-r) moderator Keith Derksen, Anthony Gunkel, Kaitlyn MacDonald, and pastor Ted Goossen.
Thompson (Man.) Christian Centre Fellowship welcomed 1 new member by baptism Sept. 13, 2009. Cayenne Derksen is pictured with moderator Keith Derksen (left) and pastor Ted Goossen.
Black Creek (B.C.) MB Church welcomed 25 new members this past year. On Mar. 29, 2009, 8 new members were welcomed: Landyn Hatfield, Ken Macaulay, Chris Vander Maaten, and Josh Wagar by baptism, and Theo Neuhauser, Ella Neuhauser, Dennis Zbirun, and Jacki Zbirun by testimony. On Apr. 19, Tim Noot was baptized, and Harold Macy joined by testimony. Six new members were welcomed June 21: Cameron Macaulay, Jonathan Fairbanks, Kayla Millard, and Sonja Turnbull by baptism, and John McMulland and Jean McMullan by testimony. At the church’s 4th baptism of the year, Aug. 30, 9 new members were welcomed: Randi Barry, Renate Bluchke, Kevin Lawrence, John Vander Maaten, Daniel Weinzierl, and Miriam Weinzierl by baptism and Debbie Allen, Jayne Kelly, and Donna Vander Maaten by testimony.
North Kildonan MB Church, Winnipeg, welcomed 5 new members by baptism Apr. 12, 2009. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Eric Friesen, Josie Kehler, Jonathan Baril, Rebecca Penner, pastor Vic Neufeld, Ariel Friesen, Chris Neufeld, caregivers Dagmar and Juergen Werner.
Faith River Christian Fellowship, Saskatoon, Sask. welcomed 3 new members by baptism recently, Princy Paulose on June 21, 2009, and Tate Cao and Ian Jans on Sept.13, 2009.
Portage Ave. Church, Winnipeg, welcomed 6 new members Aug. 30, 2009, 4 by baptism and 2 by transfer. Pictured are (l-r) Dylan Summers (b), Lesley Summers (t), Mark Parsons (b), Haley Summers (b), Scott Park (b), and Sharron Park (t).
Gospel Fellowship Church, Foam Lake, Sask. welcomed 3 new members Aug. 30, 2009, 1 by baptism and 2 by confession of faith. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Walter Brown, Debbie Lalach (b), Cara Daae (cf), and Bryan Daae (cf).
Hepburn (Sask.) MB Church welcomed 6 new members July 12, 2009, 4 by baptism and 2 by transfer. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Jeff Peters, Warren Boldt (t), Cheryl Boldt (t), Daniel Fettes (b), Jesse Bushman (b), Austin Gagne (b), pastor Paul Morgun. Not pictured, Tina Pawliuk (b).
Willow Park Church, Kelowna, B.C. welcomed 18 new members Sept. 13, 2009, 9 by baptism and 9 by transfer. Pictured are (back, l-r) Henry Janzen (t), Ingrid Janzen (t), Lesly Honscharow (t), Dick Honscahrow (t), Ron Born (t), Leona Born (t), pastor Laurie East, Dora Eytcheson (t), pastor Scott Lanigan, pastor Jeff McNairn, Sarah Maryschuk (b), pastor Joel Feddersen, Maddy Postnikoff (b), (front) Danelle Neumann (b), Amanda Jenkins (b), Jordan Huber (b), youth director Shawn Pauls, Dani Tompkins (b), Chalise McBlain (b), Zachary Kessler (b), and Brandon Tompkins (b). Not pictured, Frank Pankratz (t) and Catherine Pankratz (t).
