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David Pankratz (l) has been named director of Canadian Mennonite University’s new Institute for Community Peacebuilding. Pankratz, who is a member of River East MB Church, Winnipeg, has worked with Mennonite Central Committee in Iraq and Zambia. He is married to Janet Schmidt. He is a certified general accountant and has participated in a variety of peace-related projects. The Institute, which will link faculty expertise at Menno Simons College with community needs, was made possible through a donation from John Dueck of Bethel Mennonite Church, Winnipeg.
Janet Heller stepped down as youth ministries coordinator of Crestwood MB Church, Medicine Hat, Alta., at the end of December, after serving 5 years. She and Kyle are expecting their first child in spring.
Kevin and Amanda Toews |
Community Fellowship Church, Newton, Man. recently bid farewell to youth pastor Jeff Banman and his wife Nicole and baby daughter Calli. Jeff served nearly 5 years. He is now working as facilitator of the Cross Current program at Winkler Bible Camp, a program accredited with Steinbach (Man.) Bible College in which students work at the camp to prepare for mission trips. On Jan. 8, Kevin Toews was commissioned as youth pastor of Community Fellowship Church. After graduating from Steinbach Bible College with a diploma in Biblical Studies, he worked as a truck driver for a year. He is married to Amanda, a student at Red River Community College in Winnipeg and fifth generation member of the church.
North Peace MB Church, Fort St. John, B.C. commissioned Rudy and Crystal Evans as children’s pastor couple Oct. 2. Rudy previously served as children’s pastor in California and with Child Evangelism Fellowship for some 20 years. They have 2 children: Melody, 8, and Ryan, 6.
Phillip Vallelly was commissioned as lead pastor of Winkler (Man.) MB Church Dec. 18. He came to the church in spring 2004 as pastor of worship and children’s ministries. Previously, he worked with Serving in Mission in Ireland, his home country, and as youth pastor in Canada. He and Moyra have 2 children, Ethan and Caleb.
Russ Toews has been appointed director of Missions and Church Extension for the Manitoba MB Conference, beginning April 1. He has served as pastor of Morden (Man.) MB Church for nearly 19 years. Previously, Russ was associate pastor at Kelowna (B.C.) MB Church (now called Willow Park Church). He has an MDiv from Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, Fresno, Cal. and a DMin from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Cal. He and Sharon have 3 grown children. Russ has “a passion for the work of MCE,” says board chair Sean Sagert. “We are excited to welcome them to a new adventure.”
Baptisms and new members
Note: Baptism photos appear in the paper version of the Herald but not in the online version.
- Meadow Brook Fellowship, Leamington, Ont. welcomed 10 new members, 7 by baptism and 3 by transfer, Nov. 27. Pictured (l–r) pastor Henry Regier, Colton Friesen (b), Dan Roles (b), Lorelei Helkie (b), Karen Roles, Courtney Friesen (b), Sim Tremblay (b), Nettie Neufeld, Mike Nichols (b), Alfredo Zuniga (b), Linda Batke, instructor Roger Epp.
- River West Christian Church, Edmonton, baptized and/or welcomed 8 new members Nov. 20. Pictured are (l–r) Susan Priestner (b,m), Elizabeth Freiter, Andrea Freiter (b), Gordon Freiter, Anthony Ruiz (b,m), Kevin Dyck (b,m), Erin Dyck (b,m), pastor Kerry Dyck, Robyn Epp (b,m).
- Glencairn MB Church, Kitchener, Ont. welcomed 4 new members by baptism Nov. 13. Pictured are (l–r) elder Heinz Janzen, Sarah Ben, Matt Burkard, Annette Schwarzentruber, Jeff Foster, pastor Bill Stubbs, pastor Ross Penner.
- Summerside Community Church, Edmonton, welcomed 5 new members Oct. 29, 2 by baptism. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Ray Wiens, associate pastor Mark Friesen, Nathaneal Orleski (b), Catherine Guzak, Sherri Hufnagel, Stephanie Buhler (b), Kevin Rempel.
- Philadelphia MB Church, Watrous, Sask., welcomed 6 members by baptism June 26. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Darren Holland, Ryan Martin, Drew Weber, Nathan Martin, Sam Klassen, Derek Bushman, Crystal Driediger and pastor LaVerne Jantz.
- Saanich Community Church, Victoria, B.C., welcomed 8 new members June 26, 2 by baptism and 6 by confession of faith. Pictured are (l–r) Pearl Dawn, Dave Duerksen, Carolyn Herbert (b), David Sovka, Roseanne Sovka, pastor David Eagle, Tracy Wates (b), Leona Kyle and Doug Kyle.
- North Kildonan MB Church, Winnipeg welcomed 10 new members Nov. 27, 6 by baptism and 4 by testimony. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Roland Marsch, pastor Eric Friesen, Matthew Klassen (b), Vanessa Falk (b), Karl Martens (b), Monika Tessman (b), Benny Penner, Vanessa Kornelsen (b), Ronny Braun (b), Isaak Janzen, Christina Doerksen, Abe Teichroeb, and pastor George Klassen.
- Walheim (Sask.) MB Church welcomed 17 new members, 4 by baptism and 13 by transfer, Nov. 27. Pictured are (back, l–r) John Enns-Wind, Brian Heinrichs, Rick McCorkindale, Eddy Nesdoly, Milton Block; (middle) associate pastor Justin Klassen, Annette Enns-Wind, Jaclyn Heinrichs, Sylvia McCorkindale, Melissa Nesdoly, Kelly Block, pastor Clarence Peters; (front) Jamie Willems (b), Courtney Hinz (b), Denise Harder, Karis McCorkindale, Josh Siemens (b). Not pictured are Shelby Foth (b) and Tricia Kroeker.
- Discovery Community Church, Campbell River, B.C. welcomed Tom and Yvonne Dykes into membership June 4. They were baptized at a local pool.
- Discovery Community Church, Campbell River, B.C. welcomed Trish Sierzputowski (l) July 9. She was baptized by Joan Harris.
- Discovery Community Church, Campbell River, B.C. welcomed Mark Jakeway (r) Aug. 14. He was baptized by his father, Walter Jakeway.
- Discovery Community Church, Campbell River, B.C. welcomed Kaleah Hynes Aug. 14. She was baptized by Joan Harris and Kent Spencer.
- Ross Road Community Church, Abbotsford, welcomed 6 new members November 20, 5 by baptism and 1 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l–r) pastor James Penner, Jack Fujita (b), Clayton Andres (b), Ryan Dueck (b), associate pastor Al Stobbe; (front) Jason Richter (b), Sarah Richter, Terri-Lynn Weatherby (b).
- Armstrong (B.C.) Bible Chapel welcomed 2 new members by baptism Nov. 27. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Greg Schmidt, Marcus Imbeau and Ryan Klassen.
- Gateway Christian Fellowship, St. Catharines, Ont. welcomed Eric Duerksen (l) Nov. 20. He was baptized by youth pastor Brent Esau (r).
- Borden (Sask.) MB Church welcomed 6 new members by baptism July 31. Pictured are (l–r) Myrna Willick, Lindsay Wiebe, Derek Wall, Raquel Nickel, Logan Nickel, Tonia Derksen and pastor Tony Martens.
- Community Fellowship Church, Newton, Man., welcomed 5 new members Aug. 21, 2 by baptism and 3 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l–r) Steve Klassen, pastor Jeff Banman, pastor Ramsy Unruh; (front) Rebecca Krause (b), Kurt Friesen (b), Cathy Allard and Megan Klassen.
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