Personalia

Jim Kearsley was installed as pastor of worship and discipleship at Sardis (B.C.) Community Church Sept. 28. Pictured, praying for the Kearsleys (centre), are (l–r) pastor Graeme Isbister; Jim Gaetz, chair of the Chilliwack Ministerial; Vic Janzen, moderator; Bob Friesen, Associate MB Conference minister. Jim was at Unionville (Ont.) Alliance Church for 3 years and at New Covenant MB Church in Scarborough, Ont. before that. He has also worked in “Make us Holy Ministries.” He is finishing an MDiv. from Tyndale University and Seminary, Toronto. He and Cathie have two children: Isaiah, 4, and Chloe, 1.

Daniel and Nancy Charles are beginning a 3-year assignment with Mennonite Central Committee in Bangladesh. Daniel will work as an economist and social researcher; Nancy’s position is pending. They both graduated from the University of Winnipeg and are members of Winnipeg’s Elmwood MB Church.

Kevin King is the new executive coordinator of Mennonite Disaster Service, based in Akron, Pa. He has an MA in Economic Development from Eastern College, St. Davids, Pa. and a BA in Agricultural Development from Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, Va. Since 1992 he has worked as material resources manager of Mennonite Central Committee in Akron. He also served with MCC in Brazil and Jamaica. King replaces Tom Smucker, who has accepted a position with an Akron-area business.

Xavier Law began serving as youth pastor of Pacific Grace MB Church, Vancouver, May 1. He graduated with an MA in Intercultural Ministry from Canadian Theological Seminary, Regina in April. Earlier he was associate pastor at Port Moody Pacific Grace Chinese Church. He recently married Keeley.

Bethany College grad (’97) Gil Dueck has returned to his alma mater as Associate Dean of Students (Men) and instructor in theology. After graduating with a BA in Christian Ministries from Bethany, he took an MA in Theology at MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno, Cal. He has served as pastoral intern in his home church, Coaldale (Alta.) MB Church and worked with L’Arche. He and Shelley have an infant daughter, Julie.

Merv Boschman, previously of Columbia Bible College staff, was installed as Executive Minister of the Alberta MB Conference (see MBH May 23) at the annual Council of Church Leaders at Dalhousie Community Church, Calgary, Oct. 4. He is the first salaried Alberta Conference staff person, replacing Abe Konrad who served voluntarily as Alberta conference minister some 7 years. Pictured (l–r) are Gary Giesbrecht, Faith and Life Commission Chair; Len Fehr, Conference moderator; Merv Boschman, Abe Konrad.

Nicole Alty, pictured with her support team coaches, was commissioned Aug. 24 by Crossroads MB Church, Winnipeg as a short term missionary to Piura, Peru with Mennonite Brethren Mission and Service International. She has a BA from St. Boniface (Man.) College, and will be teaching ESL to university students and doing youth work at the MB church in Piura. (front row, l–r) Nicole Alty, Joan Alty, Rebekah Miller, Beverley Fast-Miller, (back) Karen Giesbrecht, Dan Giesbrecht, James Alty, Glen Miller.

James Zink has resigned as youth pastor at The Meetingplace, Winnipeg, after 3 years ministry there.

On Sept. 14, Stillwood Camp and Conference Centre in B.C. celebrated the completion of the Mary Schroeder Memorial Pool. In the photo on the left, John Redekop (right), Board member and chair of the Development Committee, presented a plaque to Henry Schroeder, who funded the project in memory of his late wife Mary. It represents “her love for God and deep commitment to Christian camping.” Since 1997, Stillwood has been rapidly expanding its facilities.

Baptisms and new members

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

• Eileen Buys, Julene Buys, Julia Hiebert and Kevin Sawatzky were baptized and received into Fourth Avenue Bible Church in Niverville, Man. on May 25.
• West Portal Church, Saskatoon, welcomed 10 new members in May and June, 9 by baptism and 1 by confession of faith. Pictured (back, l–r) Stephanie Wiebe (b), Jaclyn Stein (b), Duane Funk (cf), Tanja Funk (b), April Peters (b), Trevor Peters (b); (front) pastor Dwayne Barkman, Kelsey Magill (b), Julia Pauls (b), Lindsay Lyttle (b), Kristin Bird (b) and pastor Terry Friesen.
• Orchard Park Bible Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., welcomed 6 new members Sept. 7, 3 by baptism and 3 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l–r) elder Larry Falk, Ted Ens (cf), Craig Falk (b), Randy Van Berkel (b), conference minister Mark Johnson; (front) Ruth Enns (cf), Tammy Froese (cf) and Michelle Klassen (b).
• Richmond (B.C.) Bethel Church welcomed 4 new members by baptism June 22. Pictured are (back, l–r) Nolan Bergsma, pastor Brad Julihn, Erick McKenzie: (front) Kayla Langton and Katrina Wall.
• Richmond (B.C.) Bethel Church welcomed 3 new members by baptism Apr. 27, Pictured are (l–r) pastor Brad Julihn, Margo Piffer, Berryl Samuels and Michael Doyle.
• The Dwelling Place, Kitchener, Ont., welcomed 13 new members Sept. 21, 6 by baptism and 7 by confession of faith. Pictured are (l–r) Eunice Valenzuela (b), Sylvia Panameņo Jr. (b), Sylvia Panameņo Sr. (cf), Chris Goossen (b), Brenda Panameņo (b), Roberto Panameņo (cf), Carlos Vera (cf), Eva Vera (cf), Ben Cassels (cf), Nancy Guta (b), Jon Cassels (b). Not pictured are Lajos Guta (cf) and Greg Clarke (cf).