Personalia

Gerhard and Cathy Wall of Scott St. MB Church, St. Catharines, were given the “tools of the trade” as they were commissioned Apr. 27 for full-time maintenance ministry at Camp Crossroards, Ontario MB Conference provincial camp.

Gary and Doreen Toews gave a report of their work with Mission Aviation Fellowship in Port Rowan MB Church Apr. 13, prior to returning to Africa. They will be situated in Angola where Gary will be program director for MAF. Pictured are Gary, Doreen, Chris and Mark.

L. Borisenko; D. and D. Hiebert; M. Friesen

There were 4 Canadian Mennonite Brethren participants in the June 16 to July 3 orientation of Mennonite Central Committee workers in Akron, Pa. Laurel Borisenko of Lendrum MB Church in Edmonton, is going to Burkina Faso as country representative. She has a master’s degree in education from the University of Alberta and has previously served with Educational Services Exchange in China, Mennonite Centre for Newcomers in Edmonton, and MCC Edmonton. Mary Friesen, member of River East MB Church, is working as Low German program coordinator for MCC Canada in Winnipeg. Deanna and Doug Hiebert of St. Catharines, Ont. will be peace and development coordinators in Burundi/Rwanda. They have been working as teachers in St. Catharines and are members at Cornerstone Community Church in Virgil, Ont., where Doug previously served as youth and worship pastor.

John Longhurst, who directs marketing and media relations for Mennonite Economic Development Associates, is a new columnist for the Winnipeg Free Press. His column will appear every other week in Saturday’s “Faith Page”. Longhurst is the author of Making the News: A media relations guide for non-profit organizations. He is a member of River East MB Church in Winnipeg.

On July 4, Wallace and Creenie Sung (pictured centre with son Caleb) were installed as the new church planting pastor for the Prince George (B.C.) Chinese Fellowship, a congregation of Cantonese and Mandarin speaking Chinese under the umbrella of Westwood MB Church in Prince George. Sung is a graduate of Columbia Bible Institute, Abbotsford, B.C. and has been mentored by several Chinese MB pastors in Vancouver. Also participating in the installation were Patrick Fung, pastor of Vancouver Pacific Grace MB Church (left), Geoff Neufeld, director of B.C.’s Board of Church Extension (right) and Westwood pastor Mel Fehr (back).

Paul Wicki has stepped down as associate pastor of Northside Community Church in Mission, B.C. to pursue full-time studies at ACTS Seminaries of Trinity Western University. He will continue to serve one day a week, overseeing the youth ministry. Paul and Naomi, who is Director of Children’s Ministry on a one-day weekly basis, have a newborn daughter Hannah. Northside’s new associate pastor, with an emphasis on music ministry, is Greg Norlin. He previously served at Blue Mountain Baptist Church in Coquitlam, B.C. and at Renfrew Baptist Church in Vancouver, and worked as an optician. He and Nina have 3 children: Hannah, 5, Noah, 4, and Luke, 1.

The South Abbotsford MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C. has several staff changes. Randy Thompson resigned as pastor of student ministries. He is open to further ministry. Matt Ewert has completed his youth internship and will now serve as Senior High ministries pastor. He has a BA in Religious Studies from Taylor University College. He and Dawn have three children, Keziah, Kayla and Blake.

Dennis and Lori Corkery (pictured with Ontario conference minister Mark Johnson) were installed as the new pastor couple of Komoka (Ont.) Community Church July 6. They are returning to London, Ont. from the Belleville area. Dennis will pastor on a part-time basis and seek employment outside the church.

Henry Thiessen retired as associate pastor, in adult ministries, of Bakerview MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C. on July 1. He has been serving at the church since 1986 and directed Pan-American Christian Academy in Sao Paulo, Brazil for 14 years before that. He and Leona have three children and two grandchildren; she is continuing to teach ESL in Abbotsford.

James and Charity Peters began a half-time ministry as the visitation pastor couple of Winkler (Man.) MB Church at the end of May. They are grain farmers, and have two children, Julie, 21, and Russell, 19. The ministry is geared towards seniors and those in hospital, especially in winter when people are more confined to their homes.

Baptisms and new members

Note: Baptism photos appear in the paper version of the Herald but not in the online version.

• The Neighbourhood Church of Nanaimo, B.C. welcomed five new members June 22: the new associate pastor couple Warren and Cindy Schmidt (see MB Herald May 2) by transfer and Randy Herron, Mary Fillerer and Henry Buchholz by baptism.
• Panorama Community Church in Surrey, B.C. celebrated the baptism of 24 people Feb. 16: Chelsee Holt, Alysha Samra, Heidi Boomer, Sarah Holt, Chris Samra, David Raison, Loryn Barichello, Courtney Urena, Danielle Girling, Denise Harvey, Lisa Gordon, Thomas Huryn, Russel Ideson, Taylor Labelle, Zeok Mayfist, Pam Nagle, Karen Roberts, Cheryl Roberts, Kristen Roberts, Stephanie Sagmoen, Elizabeth Vince, Melissa Wilson, Elika Ward and Masumi Ward. Four people were baptized June 15: Michael Moen, Candice Moen, Kevin O’Coin and Nicole Vanderweele.
• Megan Brucks and Joanna Brucks of Northwest Community Church, Meadow Lake, Sask. were baptized by youth worker Mark Allen Hildebrand June 8, at their family camp at Jeanette Lake.
• Fort Garry MB Church, Winnipeg welcomed 9 new members Apr. 13, 2 by baptism, 3 by transfer and 4 by confession of faith. Pictured are pastor George Shillington, Sharon Klassen (b), Rachel Bamford (t), Spencer Schellenberg (cf), Tracy Dyck (cf), Murray Bobrowski (t), Kevin Dyck, (b), Trish Bobrowski (t), Kim Bochinski (cf) and Rick Bochinski (cf).
• Fairview MB Church, St. Catharines, Ont. welcomed 2 new members June 1 by baptism. Pictured are pastor Geoffrey Vande Kuyt, Jared Wohlgemut (b), Kate Riediger (b) and pastor Waldo Pauls.
• Murrayville Church, Langley, B.C. welcomed 4 new members June 8, 2 by baptism and 2 by transfer. Pictured are (l–r) moderator Phil Priebe, Brittany Wiebe (b), Claire Richardson (b), Sylvia Nickel (t) and Wally Nickel (t).
• Deaf Community Christian Church, Burnaby, B.C. welcomed 7 new members June 1, 5 by baptism and 2 by confession of faith. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Rudy Unger, Julie Lampitt (b) Allison White (b), Bikram Jaswall (b), Rithie Sulit (b), and Ryan Shields (b). Not pictured are Brenda Barger (cf) and Candace Nepinak (cf).
• Westview Christian Fellowship, St. Catharines, Ont. welcomed 11 new members June 11, 3 by baptism and 8 by transfer. Pictured are (back, l–r) elder Willy Klassen, Denise Wilson (cf), Doug Wilson (cf), Beth Carson (b), Jason Carson (cf), teacher Rita Hildebrand, Ken Klassen (cf), Suzanne Klassen (cf); (front) Emily Martens (b), Isabel Mammoliki (b), Loise Anderson (t), Daphne Hill (cf), and Anita Klassen (cf).
• King Road MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C. welcomed 7 new members by baptism June 1. Pictured are (back l–r) pastor Andrew Dyck, Kenny Friesen, David Grohmueller, Stefan Bergen; (front) Jennifer Klassen, Beth Wiens, Amanda Neufeld and Gloria Schmidt.
• Discovery Church, Pitt Meadows, B.C. welcomed 2 new members Apr. 27, both by baptism. Pictured are (l–r) Eric Treen, pastor Paul Fast and Kat Miller.
• Promontory Community Church, Chilliwack, B.C. welcomed 3 new members Apr. 27, all by baptism. Pictured are (l–r) Sheryl Adams, Alishia Van Drimmelen, Amber Heetebrij and pastor Brian Wiebe.
• Boissevain (Man.) MB Church welcomed 2 new members June 22, both by baptism. Pictured are (l–r) youth workers Geoff Unrau and Kelly Unrau, Codi Guenther (b), Kristel Hildebrand (b) and pastor Tom Warner.
• Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon welcomed 8 new members Apr. 13, 5 by baptism and 3 by transfer. Pictured are (back, l–r) pastor Kevin Wiens, pastor Harry Strauss, Caroline Deane (b), pastor Abe Klassen, Brenda Reimer (t), Vern Reimer (t); (front) Rebecca Baerg (t), Cherolyn Owens (b), Mary Stirling (b), Julia MacDonald (b), Colin Willms (b), and pastor Susan Enns.
• South Langley (B.C.) MB Church welcomed 6 new members Apr. 13, all by baptism. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Wes Dahl, Graham Sherk, Kevin Klassen, Jeff Foley, Margaret Recksiedler, Ileane Pollard and Charlene Hamel.
• West Portal Church, Saskatoon welcomed 4 new members in Nov. and Dec. 2002, 2 by baptism and 2 by transfer. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Dwayne Barkman, Greg Meldrum (b), Angela Petlikau (b), Helen Fehr (t) and Andrew Fehr (t).
• Sardis Community Church, Chilliwack, B.C. welcomed 7 new members May 18, 5 by baptism and 2 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l–r) pastor Graeme Isbister, pastor Allan Rempel, Martin Oldridge (b), Brenda Oldridge (b) Theresa Oldridge (b); (middle) Marnie Warkentin-Scott (cf), John Warkentin-Scott (cf); (front) Sara Rempel (b), Evan Bartel (b) and Christina Wiens (b).
• Saanich Community Church, Victoria, B.C. welcomed 9 new members Feb. 16, 6 by baptism, 1 by transfer and 2 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l–r) Jon Watkin (b), Johanna Jantzen (b), Stuart Jantzen (b), Katherine Wall (b), Cheryl Marr (cf), Ken Marr (cf), Alison Eagle (b), David Eagle (t); (front) Sarah Fitterer (b).
• Central Heights Church, Abbotsford, B.C. welcomed 6 new members Feb. 16, 4 by baptism and 1 by transfer and 1 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l–r) pastor Colin Ashton, Jason Wiens (b), pastor Cam Broad; (front) Sherinne Klassen (b), Meredith Dick (b), and Greg Baker (b). Not pictured are Tim Bergen (t), Vic Ratzlaff (cf) and Marge Retzlaff (cf).
• Willingdon MB Church, Burnaby, B.C., welcomed 24 new members May 4, 17 by baptism and 7 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l–r) Moon-Ok Park (b), Hee-Young Cho (b), Farrah Abdul (b), Volodya Orlenko (cf), Lada Orlenko (b), Janet Woo (b), Sorina Hudea (b), Dorin Hudea (b), pastor John Jung; (middle) pastor Michael Chan, Steven Kim (b), Nancy Kim (b), Linda Wong (cf), Carol Chen (cf), Hui Huang (b), Ming Ming Zhar (b), pastor John Neufeld, pastor Paul Woods; (front) Doo-Ho Kim (b), Yeong-Ja Kim (b), John Yoon (cf), Sain Yoon (cf), Richard Chen (b) Lily Xie (b) Sophie Woo (b) and Joyce Leung (b). Not pictured are Dan Penny (cf) and Elaine Penny (cf).
• Central Heights Church, Abbotsford, B.C. welcomed 26 new members June 26, 14 by baptism, 7 by transfer and 5 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l–r) Rachel Meier (b), Andrew Breitkreuz (t), Jaeda Coggins (b), Stephen Veasey (b), Cam Krause (b), Felecia Derksen (b), Ada Lagasse (b), Lianna Born (b), Priya Sharma (b); (middle) pastor John Thoutenhoofd, pastor Colin Ashton, Gus Gauer (t), Magdalena Gauer (t), John Balzer (t), Jurgen Breitkreuz (t), Adina Breitkreuz (t), Tim Lagasse (b), Gisela Reimer (t), pastor Phil Toews, Becky Toews, Courtney Thoutenhoofd (cf); (front) Doreen Buhler (cf), Tim Buhler (cf), George Weltz (cf), Lesa Fisher (b), youth sponsor Ben Kamp, Ann Marie Mason (b), Lillian Dyck (cf), Laura Born (b) and Jesse Rintoul (b). Not pictured is Ben Friesen (b).
• Willow Park Church, Kelowna, B.C. welcomed 35 new members June 8, 9 by baptism and 26 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l–r) pastor Joel Feddersen, Brent Baergen (cf), Levi Simpson (b), Grant Wiebe (cf), Melissa Wiebe (cf), Judy Neufeld (cf), John Holowatiuk (b), Georgette Sherstobitoff (cf), Lori Wheeler (cf), Dennis Ruzton (b), Pat Poulin (cf), Lorna Corbin (cf), Chuck Corbin (cf), Esther Peters (cf), Rachel Fehr (cf), Elaine Frasier (cf), Darryl Frasier (cf), Anne Gunderson (cf), Vicky Hunter (cf), Brian Hunter (cf); (middle) Virginia Hallonquist (cf), Ron Smith (cf), Pete Fedak (cf), Marilyn Fedak (cf), Alan Niebergal (cf), Jamie Niebergal (cf), Justin Harnett (cf), Jennifer Harnett (cf), Judy Harnett (cf), Tina Penner (cf), Toni Zailo (cf), pastor Mark Burch; (front) Tara Courtney (b), Natasha Goshulak (b), Chantelle Maier (b), Lisa Gravelle (b), Shawn Courtney (b) and Jamieson Pazuik (b).
• Northview Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C. welcomed 11 new members Apr. 12 and 13, all by baptism. Pictured are (back, l–r) director Julia Falkenburger, Emily Schellenberg, Kim Unrau, Danielle O’Gorman, Daniel Goertz, Keith McDonald, pastor Dave Ellis; (front) Dustin Wiebe, Brad Tisseman, Bryce Warren, Lauren Enquist, Michelle Olson, and director Lisa Sawchenko. Not pictured is Keterah Kampen.
• Portage Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg welcomed 2 new members Apr.20, both by baptism. Pictured are pastor Claude Pratte, Melanie Penner, Kimberly Penner, and pastor Rachel Boyce.
• Lakeview Community Church, Killarney, Man. welcomed 1 new member June 8, by baptism. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Dan Stobbe and David Panchuk.
• Orchard Park Bible Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. welcomed 4 new members Mar. 23, all by baptism. Pictured are (l–r) David Michels, Kyle McCabe, Ashleigh Finnie, Matt Veenendaal and pastor Ray Russell.