Transitions

South Abbotsford (B.C.) MB Church announces several recent pastoral transitions. Lorraine Isaak completed her service as women’s ministry pastor June 15. Bindu Sidhu finished as pastor of student ministries June 30; he will be doing church planting for B.C.’s Board of Church Extension. Heather Gobbett, assistant pastor of children’s ministry, is leaving to take a full-time teaching position this fall.

Several Mennonite Brethren have been appointed to new positions at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU). Christine Longhurst, formerly pastor of worship at River East MB Church, Winnipeg, is the new chapel coordinator. Eleonore Braun, a member of Elmwood MB Church, has been named church and alumni relations coordinator. She has an MDiv from MB Biblical Seminary and has worked as a senior sales associate at Penningtons, a teacher’s assistant, and interim associate pastor at College Community Church, Clovis, Cal. Appointed as site leaders for Outtatown’s program are Anita Penner (South Africa), Heidi Peters (Guatemala), and Stephen Plett (Guatemala). All three are graduates of Outtatown. Penner has a BA from the University of Winnipeg and is a member of McIvor Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg. She was recently coordinator of student life programs at CMU. Peters has a BS from University College of the Fraser Valley, and has been working as a lifeguard and instructor in Abbotsford, where she is a member of Highland Community Church. Plett has a BA from Brock University, St. Catharines, has taught English in Kazakhstan, volunteered with Mennonite Disaster Service, and served as pastoral intern and camp counsellor. He is a member of Scott St. Mennonite Brethren Church, St. Catharines, Ont.

Joel Diamond is the new pastor of Living Hope Church, Saskatoon. He earlier served at an Associate Gospel church in Ontario for 5 years, then studied at Briercrest Seminary, Caronport, Sask. The past year, he and Jeannette have lived in Saskatoon where Joel worked as a computer technologist and continued his seminary studies. Jeannette is an assistant bank manager. The congregation commissioned the couple on June 4.

Dave and Mel Berg are moving on from West Portal Church, Saskatoon, where Dave was small groups minister for nearly 2 years. They are discerning their next steps.

Rachel Boyce is the new associate pastor at Portage Avenue Church, for an initial one-year term, to oversee the congregation’s new “PA/pm” ministry to unchurched or off-of-church people Sunday evenings. She has been serving as the church’s director of children and family ministries. She has a BA and MA from Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ont. and is married to Michael.

Carrie Martens is the new half-time pastor of children’s ministry at North Kildonan MB Church, Winnipeg. She comes from Altona, Man. and is completing a 4-year BA with a children’s ministry focus at Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg. She served earlier as children’s ministry intern at Fort Garry Evangelical Mennonite Church, Winnipeg.

The Historical Commission, a bi-national Mennonite Brethren ministry, announces the appointment of Ken Reddig as executive secretary, beginning July 1. He is currently director of the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies, Winnipeg, and will continue in that role on a reduced basis in order to devote time to the work of the Commission. He replaces Abe Dueck, who retired at the end of June.

Cedar Park Church, Delta, B.C. announces several pastoral transitions. Dan Peters joined the congregation as youth pastor last September. He graduated from Columbia Bible College the previous April with a BA in Religious Studies. Dave Swan, associate pastor, resigned effective February 28. He and Erna are trusting God to open opportunities to share their gifts.

Charles and Lorraine Koop began ministry at Saddle Ridge Community Church, Calgary, July 1. The Koops come to the congregation from the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, where Charles served as pastor of Abbeydale Christian Fellowship, Calgary, 1989–2004, and LaCrete (Alta.) Christian Fellowship, 1984–1989. They have three grown children.

Baptisms and new members

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

• Southridge Community Church, St. Catharines, Ont., welcomed 5 members by baptism Apr. 23: Audrey Dancy, Debbie Garden, Fran Hunse, Jaclyn Duffy, and Craig Taylor.
• Southridge Community Church, St. Catharines, Ont., welcomed 3 members by baptism June 4: Chris Taylor, Sharon Holder, and Tom Holder.
• South Langley (B.C.) Church welcomed Catherine Hoy by transfer and Tom Hoy by baptism into membership Dec. 4, 2005.
• Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon, Sask., received 10 members by baptism in June: Annie Abrams, Curtis Braun, Ashlynn Foth, Jonathan Friesen, Rochelle Heagy, Fiona Yang, Whitney Lilly, Krystin Therens, and Shanna Weiler.
• Christian Fellowship Church, Lanigan, Sask., welcomed Stephen Pollock into membership Feb. 5. He was baptized at Capernwray Bible School, New Zealand.
• Willow Park Church, Kelowna, B.C., welcomed 43 members, 36 by baptism, May 28: (back, l–r) Cathy Lief, Ruben Koester (b), Noelle Koester (b), Karen DeMelo, John DeMelo, Dale Clark (b), Wendy McGuire (b), Antonio Quijada (b), Ross Adams (b), Stan Massingberd (b), Dave LePretre (b), Rick Nelson (b), Ed Grift (b), John Gowdy, Brian Johnson (b), George Wickenheiser (b), Patricia Hennessey (b), Leanne Kenzie (b), Joelene Rempel (b), Jessica Welder (b), Trevor Bruck (b), Curtis Mortimer, Todd Atherton, Heather Ketchum (b), John Casorso; (front, l–r) Chastity Gabelhouse (b), Max Harwood (b), James Prescott (b), Delane Hanington (b), Jillian Barthel (b), Katie Dick (b), Sabrina Blackmore (b), Kylie Carlson (b), Joanna Wilson (b), Stephanie Williams (b), Mia Shiosaki (b), Lianna Burger (b), Sarah Gantner (b), Mark Wilson (b), Julia Burger (b), Jessica Casorso (b), Hannah Casorso (b), Isaiah Allen (b).
• Meadow Brook Fellowship, Leamington, Ont., welcomed 10 members, 6 by baptism, May 28. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Graham Beer, pastor Henry Regier, Leah Dewhurt (cf), Wes Dewhurt (cf), Marian Heys (b), Brian Langeman (cf), Jodi Helkie (b), Kathy Crosby (b), Judy Turcotte (cf), Cheryl White (b), Carolyn Wiens (b), Donna Harris (b), and baptism class instructor Roger Epp.
• Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., welcomed 10 members by baptism Apr. 2. Pictured are (back, l–r) pastor Tim Wiebe, Helen Biffert, Dennis Kroeker, Tamara Klaudt, Julie Nickel, Ryan Schroeder, pastor Michael Dick; (front, l–r) Emma Horrex, Eric Horrex, Jonathan Torhjelm, Emily Friesen, and Mary Stevens.
• Yarrow (B.C.) MB Church welcomed 3 new members by baptism June 11. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Ike Bergen, Kari Bergmann, Jennie Willms, Ed Bloom, and pastor Eldon Fehr.
• Orchard Park Bible Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., welcomed 4 members by baptism Apr. 23. Pictured are (l–r) Calvin Bartel, Chris Stocks, Barry Pow, Willi Pow, and pastor Jim Evans.
• Sunrise Community Church, Edmonton, welcomed 5 members, 4 by baptism, Feb. 12. Pictured are (back, l–r) board chair Len Fehr, Corey Hassett (b), Darryl Ginter (b), Wilda Leonardo (cf), pastor Dennis Wiens; (front) Kerri Brandon (b), Shelby Wawryk (b).
• Waterloo (Ont.) MB Church welcomed 4 members, 2 by baptism, May 28. Pictured are (l–r) director of youth ministries Dan Parkinson, Leah Fast (b), Sharron Garrah (t), Leah Cressman (b), director of youth ministries Bonita Eby, Lawrence Hansen (t), and pastor of community care and connections Karen West.
• Summerside Community Church, Edmonton, welcomed 2 members by baptism Apr. 1. Pictured are (l–r) Ron Thomson, pastor Mark Friesen, Corinne Robertson, and pastor Ray Wiens.
• Elmwood MB Church, Winnipeg, welcomed 9 members by baptism April 16. Pictured are (back, l–r) Robert Funk, Cory Schulz, Kimberly Kornelsen, and Joshua Hiebert; (front, l–r) pastor Greg Wiens, Dorothea Penner, Sybille Unrau, Jessica Wiebe, Eveline Neufeld, Jaime Buchanan, pastor Victor Kliewer.
• Fort Garry MB Church, Winnipeg, welcomed 3 members by baptism Easter Sunday morning. Pictured (l–r) are Nanthini Theivendran, Deepthi Manda, and Jennifer Klassen.
• Gateway Christian Fellowship, St.Catharines, Ont., welcomed 7 members, 3 by baptism, May 7. Pictured are (l–r) Matt Kornelson (b), Kiersten Willms (b), April Patterson (cf), Mike Patterson (cf), Eric Duerksen (b), George Buller (cf), Karen Buller (cf), pastor Ed Willms, and pastor Brent Esau.
• Steinbach (Man.) MB Church welcomed 6 members by baptism Apr. 9. Pictured are (back, l–r) pastor Abe Klassen, Amanda Kehler, Brendon Giesbrecht, pastor Mike Kehler; (front, l–r) Brady Pauls, Bethany Dueck, Chris Dyck, and Florian Redikop.
• Faith Works, Winnipeg, baptized Russ Ford on Easter Sunday, pictured with pastors Mary Reimer (l) and Don Harms (r).
• Summerside Community Church, Edmonton, welcomed 5 members by baptism Oct. 29, 2005. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Ray Wiens, pastor Mark Friesen, Nathaneal Orleski, Catie Guzak, Sherri Hufnagel, Stephanie Buhler, and Kevin Rempel.
• Summerside Community Church, Edmonton, welcomed 4 members by baptism Jan. 7. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Ray Wiens, Clay Bolen, Shane Walker, Cody Allen, and Jordan Clemens.
• Winkler (Man.) MB Church welcomed 9 members, 3 by baptism and 6 by confession of faith, Feb. 26. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Phillip Vallelly, church executive Albert Heide, Adria Falk (b), Mike Yarowy, Sharon Yarowy, Ben Doerksen (b), Eugen Klassen, Lidia Klassen, Andrew Loewen, Shaun Stebe (b), and Tanya Stebe.
• Parkland Community Church, Yorkton, Sask., welcomed 6 members, 4 by baptism, May 14. Pictured are (back, l–r) church moderator Bob Buhler, John Leggott, Carol Leggott, Cathy Wilson (b), Kaitlynn Unrau (b), pastor Harv Janzen; (front, l–r) Kristopher Wilson (b), and Whitney Wilkinson (b).
• Ross Road Community (MB) Church, Abbotsford, welcomed 7 members by baptism Apr. 16. Pictured are (back, l–r) pastor Al Stobbe, pastor Darren Petker, Josh Custodia, Stephanie Giesbrecht, Victoria Giesbrecht, pastor James Penner; (front) Santhia Golbeck, Angela Radmore, Jared Radmore, and Holly McLean.
• Boissevain (Man.) MB Church welcomed 5 members, 4 by baptism and 1 by transfer, June 11. Pictured are (back, l–r) pastor Wayne Eisbrenner, Patricia Reimer (t), youth worker Geoff Unrau; (front) Cassidy Kroeker (b), Michelle Hildebrand (b), youth worker Kelly Unrau, Kristine Buhler (b), and Jody Buhler (b).
• Fort Garry MB Church, Winnipeg, welcomed 3 members, 2 by baptism and 1 by confession of faith, June 11. Pictured are (back, l–r) pastor John Unger, Ed Martens (b), April Yutzy (b); (front) Erika Klassen.
• Greendale MB Church, Sardis, B.C., welcomed 5 members by baptism Apr. 16. Pictured are (back, l–r) pastor Reg Toews, Mary Stewart, Katherine Hills; (front, l–r) Rebecca Robertson, Gerry McSween, and Carol Meyers.
• Richmond (B.C.) Bethel Church welcomed 4 members, 1 by baptism and 3 by confession of faith, June 11. Pictured are (l–r) interim senior pastor Harry Heidebrecht, Birgitt Ericastilla (b), Peggy Douglas (cf), Deborah Forbes (cf), Jim Wilsher (cf), and interim pastor Rob Kroeker.
• Culloden MB Church, Vancouver, welcomed 2 members by baptism May 7. Pictured are (l–r) Christina Seel, pastor Ted Klassen, and Rucky Abdulai.
• Elm Creek (Man.) MB Church welcomed 3 members Apr. 16, 1 by baptism and 2 by confession of faith. Pictured are (l–r) pastor John Willems, Harry Lepp, Barbara Lepp, Jessica Penner (b), and youth pastor Noel Hudson.
• Sunrise Community Church, Edmonton, welcomed 1 member by baptism Jan. 15. Pictured are (l–r) pastor Dennis Wiens, Dennis Wick, and board vice-chair Ron Wyman.
• Glencairn MB Church, Kitchener, Ont. welcomed 5 members, 3 by baptism, June 4. Pictured are (l–r) Blake Foster (b), elder Heinz Janzen, Lyne Moulton (b), pastor Bill Stubbs, Marie Martin (cf), Gord Martin (cf), Griff Snyder (b), and pastor Ross Penner.
• Ross Road Community Church, Abbotsford, welcomed 2 members, 1 by baptism and 1 by confession of faith June 18. Pictured are Patt Dobui, pastor Al Stobbe, and Jennifer Waddington (b).
• South Langley (B.C.) Church welcomed 10 members, 7 by baptism and 3 by transfer, Mar. 5. Pictured are (back, l–r) pastors Wes Dahl and Kevin Schultz, Zach Dahl (b), Andrew Briscoe (t), Andrea Briscoe (b), Alicia Kear (b), Elaine Froese (t), Tim Froese (t); (front) Karly Janzen (b), Chantal Wiens (b), Rachel Wiens (b), and Justine Janzen (b).
• South Abbotsford (B.C.) Church welcomed 14 members, 6 by baptism and 8 by transfer, Apr. 15–16. Pictured are (back, l–r) Charles Storey, Gloria Storey, Brent Foster, Charlene Foster; (middle, l–r) pastor Jake Dyck, Marten Van Hengel, Tammy Van Hengel, Ellie Loewen, Gary Loewen; (front, l–r) Stephanie Funk (b), Katilin Falk (b), Kirsten Nickel (b), Shantel Unger (b), Nathan Toews (b). Missing: Ajay Klassen.
• North Fraser Community Church, Lake Errock, B.C., welcomed 3 members by baptism Feb. 26: (l–r) Malita Mosdale, Ethan Mosdale, and Debbie Jimmie.
• Orchard Park Bible Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., welcomed 2 members by baptism June 4. Pictured are Ton Boekestyn and Jackie Boekestyn.
• North Fraser Community Church, Lake Errock, B.C., welcomed 5 members by baptism Feb. 11: (l–r) Teresia Hamenn, Rick Booth, Angel Heber, Gerald Charlie, and Diana Charlie.