Transitions
The leadership board of the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba announced that Elton DaSilva (right) will be starting as executive director Dec. 1, 2010. Elton planted and pastored Christian Family Center, an MB church in Winnipeg, where he ministered for the past 10 years. Originally from Brazil, where he received a BTh, he is presently working on an MDiv from University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Elton and Ana have 3 children.The Canadian Conference of MB Churches welcomed Willy Reimer as director of leadership development, one-third time. Willy will continue as pastor at SunWest Christian Fellowship, Calgary. He has previously served as moderator for CCMBC and for the Alberta MB conference.
Phil Wagler (left) was commissioned as senior associate pastor at Gracepoint Community Church, Surrey, B.C., Sept. 12. Phil holds a BRE from Emmanuel Bible College, Kitchener, Ont., an MTS from Tyndale Seminary, Toronto, has trained with Arrow Leadership, and is a PhD candidate at Newburgh (Ind.) Theological Seminary. He previously worked as lead pastor at Zurich (Ont.) Mennonite Church, and as a columnist for the Canadian Mennonite. Phil is author of Kingdom Culture: Growing the Missional Church. Phil and Jennifer have 5 children.Matthew Todd has resigned from an almost 12-year pastoral ministry as English track leader at Port Moody (B.C.) Pacific Grace MB Church, effective September 2010. Matthew is married to Linda. On account of three recent deaths in their immediate family, they have stepped down to rest and attend to family matters.
After a period of serving part-time at Église chrétienne évangélique de Ste-Rose as associate pastor, Martin Lanthier (right, with family) has taken over lead pastor duties March 2010. Jean-Raymond Théorêt, who previously served as lead pastor, continues to serve at the church in a part-time capacity. Martin has a degree in theology from ETEM. He and Nancy have two children, Sarah and Frédérique.
Greg Klassen (left) began as associate pastor of youth ministry at Hepburn (Sask.) MB Church Sept. 6, 2010. Ralph Gliege led a commissioning service Oct. 10. Gre
g holds a BA from Bethany College, Hepburn, and has previously worked in summer camping ministry.Luke Heidebrecht (right, top), Darlene Klassen (middle), and Randi Rempel (bottom) joined Bethany College staff and faculty team for the 2010 school year. Associate missions director, Luke has a BA from Bethany, participated in MBMSI’s missionary training programs, and is currently working on an MTh from the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Prague. Darlene, previously a lecturer at Bethany, is half-time adjunct faculty. She has an MDiv from MBBS and served as children’s minister at West Portal Church, Saskatoon, from 2002–2009. A Bethany graduate and former development intern, Randi returns to the student development department after a gap year.
The Agora, a 13-year-old MB church in Halifax, N.S., officially closed its doors Sept. 26 with a worship service to commemorate its history and celebrate its impact. Founding pastor J.B. Robertson concluded his ministry at the church in April; Herb Kopp, long-time pastor and former CCMBC moderator, served as interim pastor from July to September. The 25 regular attendees of The Agora are encouraged to find fellowship in other churches.
Ed Heinrichs resigned as senior pastor at Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, Ont.,where he’d served since 2005. This fall, he joined the staff of the spiritual life department at Eden High School, St. Catharines, Ont., where he had previously served from 1996–2005.
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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.
Central Community Church, Chilliwack, B.C., welcomed 8 new members June 13, 7 by baptism and 1 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Ron van Akker, pastor Garry Janzen, Ken Vink (b); (middle) Kristian Tessier (b), Lydia Saunders (cf), Tracy Vink (b), Becky Jarvis (b); (front) Melissa Campbell (b), Sarah Jackson (b), Cindy Landrigan (b).
Summerside Community Church, Edmonton, welcomed 7 new members June 13, 6 by baptism and 1 by testimony. Pictured are (l-r) Robin Dyck (b), Alison Wiebe (b), Kayleigh Elson (t), Courtney Radatz (b), pastor Tom Koop, Joel Toews (b), Derek Sabo (b), Brittany Sabo (b).
Summerside Community Church, Edmonton, welcomed 3 new members by baptism July 19. Pictured are (l-r) Chelsea Enokson, pastor Tom Koop, Rachel Enokson, Ashley Enokson.
Faith River Christian Fellowship, Saskatoon, welcomed 5 new members June 20, 3 by baptism and 2 by confession of faith. Pictured are (l-r) Colleen Ruten (cf), Wayne Ng (b), Shan Jin (b), Shifeng Qian (b), Sumita Leigh (cf), pastor Andrew Fehr.
Killarney Park MB Church, Vancouver, B.C., welcomed 4 new members June 20, 3 by baptism and 1 by confession of faith. Pictured are (l-r) Rachel Martens (b), Fiona Robertson (b), pastor Dave Chow, Matthew Heinrichs (b). Missing is Linda Tang (cf).
Culloden MB Church, Vancouver, welcomed 3 new members by baptism June 27. Pictured are (l-r) pastor David Lee, Kwadjo Asante, Fujiou Lu, pastor Ted Klassen, Jenni Woytowich.
Yarrow (B.C.) MB Church welcomed 2 new members by baptism Sept. 12. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Eldon Fehr, Brandon Peters, Cody Peters, pastor Ike Bergen, pastor John Walker.
Foam Lake (Sask.) Gospel Fellowship Church welcomed 1 new member by baptism Sept. 12. Pictured are (l-r) Ryan Junop, pastor Manfred Koehler.
Jubilee Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, welcomed 5 new members by baptism April 4. Pictured are (l-r) Daniel Paetkau, Stefan Froese, Debbie Cowan, Lucas Froese, Nick Jansens, pastor Dan Nighswander.
Meadow Brook Fellowship, Leamington, Ont., baptized 4 people Sept. 12, 2 into membership and 2 from the Laotian congregation. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Greg Allen, Isara Jongrak, Somporn Jongrak, Matthew Morin, Jamie McDonald, Laotian pastor Sangouane Ounbounheuang.
Lendrum MB Church, Edmonton, welcomed 4 new members in spring, 1 by baptism, 3 by transfer: Doug McLaughlin (b), Peter Mendoza (t), Abe Penner (t), Lilian Lock (t).
Gospel Chapel, Grand Forks, B.C., welcomed 7 new members in 2009, 2 by baptism, 3 by confession of faith, and 2 by transfer; and 11 new members in 2010, 3 by baptism and 8 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l-r) pastor Henry P. Klassen, Kim Michelle Wright (b), Tony Boschmann (t), Jennifer Boschmann (t); (front) Christine Dalziel (cf), Robin Dalziel (cf), Sarah Dalziel (cf), Dennis Tournemille (cf), Kristine Eyre (cf), Sylvia Martin (b). Missing are Roxanne Smith (b), Norm Marian (cf), Barb Marian (cf), Zach Gobbett (b), Evelyn McIver (cf), Dennis Boyd (cf), Kim Boyd (b), Ron Hooge (cf), Iris Hooge (cf).
West Portal Church, Saskatoon, welcomed 16 new members since March, 2009, 5 by baptism, 3 by transfer, 8 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l-r) youth pastor Terry Friesen, James Dyck (cf), Jeff Siemens (cf), Jennifer Siemens (t), Stefan Funk (b), Katrina Funk (b), Austin Dyck (b), Alana Poettcker (cf), Holly Whyte (t), Alan Whyte (t), Mark Nyuli (cf); (front) former pastor Dwayne Barkman, Linda Dyck (cf), Tina Dyck (cf), Judi Marks (cf), Paul Marks (b), Candace Nyuli (b). Missing is Kodi Poettcker (cf).
