Coach for Emerging Leaders appointed

Clockwise from top: John and Rose Neufeld, Levi, Jillian.

John Neufeld is joining the Canadian MB Conference April 1 in a new position called Coach for Emerging Leaders.

He will serve nationally as part of the conference’s leadership development program, working with provincial and church leaders to foster an environment of leadership development at all levels. Neufeld will give particular attention to coaching pastoral staff in their first assignments, fostering leadership development in the local church, and encouraging the development of leaders in camps, mission programs, and schools.

He will also be responsible to review the National Youth Conference (NYC) program, oversee the Leadership Training Matching Grant (LTMG) program, and convene the network of Mennonite Brethren post-secondary schools.

Neufeld founded Ministry Quest, a Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary (MBBS) program for high school leaders, in 2002 and directed its Hearing the Call component for the past four years.

Previously, he served as associate pastor at McIvor Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg, as director of recruitment for MBBS, and as youth pastor in Fresno, Cal. He also chaired the Canadian MB Conference’s former boards of Christian education and discipleship ministries. He has an MDiv from MBBS.

He is married to Rose, an elementary school teacher. They have two children, Levi and Jillian.

“We are excited to have John join the team,” says Ewald Unruh, director of leadership development for the Canadian conference. “He brings passion to his assignment, a love for the local church, and also significant experience in growing young leaders.”

The Canadian conference is also undertaking a survey of current and former MB pastors (see MB Herald, Feb. 3) to help it shape leadership development in churches and schools.

—Canadian MB Conference release