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Seminary president appointed 
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The Board of Directors of Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary (MBBS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Holm to the position of Seminary president. Jim has been serving effectively in the role of interim president since June 2003. Effective immediately, the appointment becomes longer term. The Board has asked Jim to focus his work on three specific areas: vision and strategic implementation, growing MBBS towards long-term financial vitality, and governance issues. The Board is confident in the gifts Jim brings to this role. “Jim will lead the seminary community well. We are confident that Jim is God’s gift to us for the tasks and opportunities presently before us.” Jim has served as Dean of Students at the MBBS Fresno (Cal.) campus for the last six years. He is a well-known and much-appreciated preacher in Mennonite Brethren churches in both Canada and the United States. Jim and his wife, Shirley, a teacher, live in Reedley, Cal. They have two grown sons and one infant granddaughter. The Board calls for prayer on Jim’s behalf and for the team of gifted people he will lead in the fulfillment of the MBBS mission. | 
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A busload of 44 people from the Community Fellowship Church in Newton, Man. travelled to Snow Lake, Man. to serve with music, skits and testimonies at the Christian Center’s annual Thanksgiving outreach event Oct. 19. This year marks the 20th year of a special ministry relationship between the two churches, which are separated by some 900 kilometres.
The Broadway MB Church, Chilliwack, B.C. held a commissioning service Sept. 28 for new senior pastor Gary Simpson. He has a BTh from Canadian Bible College, Regina and has served as youth pastor at First Baptist Church, Vancouver, as campus director with Campus Crusade at the University of Calgary, and as assistant pastor at Yarrow (B.C.) Alliance Church. He is married to Sharon (Dueck), a web designer; they have four children, Kate, 12, Matthew, 10, Jonathan, 9, and Bennett, 7.
Marc Paré is the new academic dean at Ecole de Theologie Evangelique de Montreal (ETEM), St. Laurent, Que. A graduate of both ETEM and Mennonite Brethren Bible Seminary, Marc has been lecturing in Old Testament and hermeneutics at ETEM for 5 years. He and Elaine attend St. Laurent MB Church.
Foam Lake (Sask.) Gospel Fellowship Church celebrated 10 years of service by their pastor, Dennis Friesen, Oct. 12. The Saskatchewan MB Conference, represented by Conference minister Ralph Gliege; as well as pastors from neighbouring churches joined the congregation in a program honouring Dennis, Faith and their family, Danae, David, and Kaitlyn. Pictured (back, l–r) Ralph Gliege, Dennis Friesen, David Friesen, (front, l–r) Grace Gliege, Faith Friesen, Kaitlyn Friesen, Danae Friesen.
Ken Klassen, member of the Newton (Man.) MB Church, was lauded as a hero for locating and rescuing twin infant girls and a 6-year-old boy from a burning home in Portage La Prairie Oct. 29. According to the Winnipeg Free Press, Klassen, a father of three boys who teaches at Agassiz Youth Centre in Portage, said he heard a woman screaming for help and did not think twice before getting involved.
Scott St. MB Church, St. Catharines, Ont. commissioned Brad and Darlene Naylor for their ministry as associate pastor couple on Sept. 5 (see MBH Sept. 12). They are pictured with their children Rocky, David and Dixie, and with Ontario Conference minister Mark Johnson (right) who led the commissioning service.
On Oct. 1, Markus and Marilee Deutsch began a shared position as Associate Pastor of Worship at North Kildonan MB Church, Winnipeg. He was pastor of youth and music at the MB Church in Steyr, Austria for 6 years, and associate pastor of youth and music at West Portal MB Church, Saskatoon before that. He has a BA in business. She has a BA in music and biblical studies and has been teaching piano and voice. They have two daughters, Christie-Joy and Cassidy.
Edmund Janzen, formerly of Ontario, was recently honoured for 35 years of service to Fresno (Cal.) Pacific University. He is biblical and religious studies professor and former president of FPU.
Gary St. Amand has resigned as youth pastor of the Steinbach (Man.) MB Church.
Brad Thiessen has resigned as Director of Media and Communications of MB Mission and Service International, effective Dec. 1, after close to six years service. He is moving into the position of Director of Public Relations for MB Biblical Seminary, also located in Fresno, Cal. He and Rachelle have two sons, Kyle, 5, and Evan, 2.
Fred and Irma Epp are sharing a one-fifth time Visitation Pastor position at McIvor Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg. Both have been associated with the church for some time, in finances and caregiving. They earlier served as missionaries in the Congo. Then Fred worked with Mennonite Brethren Mission and Service in the Winnipeg office until retirement in 1996. Irma served on staff at Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute as a teacher and counsellor until 1990.
Baptisms and new members
Note: Baptism photos appear in the paper version of the Herald but not in the online version.
- Promontory Community Church of Chilliwack, B.C. welcomed 14 new members Sept. 7, 6 by baptism and 8 by confession of faith: Ida Gerrard, Carla Rees, Jay Rees, Glen Read, Carolyn Read, Dee Holding, Craig Holding, Carey Penner, Sharon Penner, Bryon Kolkman, Deneen Bissonnette, Anjili Martin, Deanna Perrin, Clare Lussier.
- Christian Centre Fellowship, Thompson, Man., welcomed 3 new members by baptism June 29. Pictured are (l–r) Jason Winship, Peter Gosnell, pastor Jake Enns, Timothy Gosnell.
- Carrot River (Sask.) MB Gospel Mission, welcomed 2 new members by baptism June 29. Pictured are (l–r) Sask. Conference minister Ralph Giliege, Ruby Mills, Gary Mills and moderator Dave Grimes.
- Killarney Park MB Church, Vancouver, welcomed 6 new members Oct. 12, 4 by baptism and 2 by confession of faith. Pictured are (l–r) Pei Huang (cf), Steven Chen (b), Melissa Liu (b), Sheila Schroeder (cf), Jordan deRuyter (b), Laura Peters (b) and pastor Ken Peters.
- Foam Lake (Sask.) Gospel Fellowship, welcomed one new member by baptism June 22. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Dennis Friesen and Danae Friesen.
- Arnold Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C. welcomed 5 new members by baptism May 25. Pictured are (l–r) pastor James Woyke, Angie Woods, Adam Woods, Patty Enns, Kristy Huizenga and pastor Robert Dyck. Not pictured is Luke Woods.
- Arnold Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C. welcomed 3 new members by baptism Mar. 2. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Robert Dyck, Randy Bartsch, Patsy Bartsch, Erin Hirschkorn and pastor James Woyke.
- Glencairn MB Church, Kitchener, Ont., welcomed 6 new members June 29, 4 by baptism and 2 by transfer. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Ross Penner, Bill Jewett (t), Judy Jewett (t), Angie Bean (b), Melanie Bean (b), Kris Biffis (b), David D’Silva (b) and pastor Bill Stubbs.
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