Rev. John G. Anderson
Chatham Christian Ministry
Chatham, Ontario
Rev. John Anderson has a loving heart with a capacity for compassion, practical caring and a sense of fairness and justice. He strives to manifest a sense of humour and joy to all; and like the Apostle Paul, who was very sensitive to the needs of hurting individuals, he believes that those who are strong must bear the weaknesses and help carry the burdens of those who are weaker. Rev. John Anderson is currently the Branch Padre for the Lt. Col. W. Ivan Nurse Branch 628 Royal Canadian Legion.
John uses his special gift of proclaiming the good news of the Gospel at every opportunity: from the pulpit, in the streets, in homes, and to everyone he meets. He knows the importance of tending to the needs of the sick: he spends time offering up prayers to our Lord and Saviour on their behalf, and you will find him in hospitals, palliative care and nursing homes helping the sick in with their every spiritual need. John takes the time also to prepare those who are actively dying look forward to meeting their creator. Rev. John Anderson advocates for and empowers for the "less fortunate" in his community and ministers to those facing personal, family, financial and spiritual issues. In addition, he volunteers for Bibles for Mission [a used furniture and clothing etc. store where proceeds are used to purchase Bibles], within the fields of drug awareness, and on a daily basis for his local food bank "Outreach for Hunger".
To sum up, John's passion in life is to serve God's people. His reward comes by reaching out and helping others; leading them to God and His wonderful works. Ultimately, Rev. John Anderson feels called personally by Jesus to reach out and do more than he can even ask for or imagine.
Reverend Robert Anstey
Vancouver West End, British Columbia
Rev. Robert Anstey, teacher at Vancouver College, is currently working on earning his PhD. 2008 sees the publication of two of Robert's highly anticipated books. He is a university and seminary graduate with a passion for ministry. He wants to present a message of hope to encourage you that all things are possible through Christ and that you can live in complete victory.
His vision is to make a positive impact upon the city of Vancouver by creating a place in which all are welcome - a place where all individuals and families can grow and flourish in faith and discover God's plan for their lives.
He is committed to making a positive impact upon the world by continuing to serve as a voice of HOPE with a message that people may experience the "perfect peace" that comes from faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to the Holy Spirit. He partners with local churches and world-wide ministries to help make a difference in the lives of those in need.
We hope you'll join us for an encouraging worship service. You'll feel the presence of the Holy Spirit as we worship together through music, prayer and a message from the Bible. Everyone is welcome!
Please contact Robert at patronsaint@gmail.com
Meeting place and times are currently being researched. If you live in the Metro Vancouver area and are interested in making a difference, please contact Robert today.
Chaplain Moira Bell Youth Minister, Bereavement Support and Counselling
Chaplain Moira Bell and her husband Fergus run a weekend retreat for youth aged 16-25.
The youth retreat called "Christ in Others Retreat" focuses on faith, family, friends; and
is an amazing opportunity to bring youth to Christ. Many young people have connected or
reconnected with our God through this amazing ministry. This retreat is held twice a year
and both husband and wife have volunteered with this outreach program for 10 years.
Moira has a special call to bereavement ministry. Many times she has been involved in
palliative care, and has been privileged to journey with someone as they return home
to our Lord. There is always an
opportunity to share our Lord with people: from sharing their tears to praying with people.
Her grief counselling work takes place in the context of journeying with people and spending time helping them to grieve their loss.
In this humbling way, she has been blessed to support people who have experienced loss in their lives.
Both Moira and Fergus Bell are open to opportunities to support people as they tried to find their way through
the "God questions" a loss always brings. Moira observes that "God blesses us even in these tough times when
we open ourselves up to His amazing strengthening, consoling eternal presence."
Chaplain Moira Bell attends many funerals, visitations, and hospital visits. Loss brings people to a door and she is grateful
that God has used her to help people turn to Him in their grief. Both husband and wife feel strongly about
the importance of sharing God and faith with others, of volunteering to support others in their life journeys, and
sharing God's message of hope.
Rev. Betty-Ann Cox Abba London Christian Ministries, London, Ontario
Rev. Betty-Ann Cox has spent her life answering God's call to serve while serving others. Whether it has been within a parish, in the community, or in her family Betty-Ann has answered that call in many different ways. She has been called to leadership in community prayer and facilitating at retreats. In particular, she has a special gift for empowering others to discern where God is calling them. Her enthusiasm and immense joy in following God attracts others who are searching for peace and purpose in their lives. Her sense of gratitude for what God has blessed her with manifests itself in not only her encounters with others but also in her artwork.
Through her many years of parish pastoral work, she has fine-tuned her gift for compassion and caring. She is especially sensitive to the needs of the elderly and the lonely. Her outreach is also to the sick and dying. Her support for them through listening and sharing is of great comfort to them in the last chapter of their life on earth. She is their prayer-pal and assists them to a peaceful place where they can rest in the Lord... "He maketh me to lay down in green pastures" (Psalm 23). She leads prayer vigils as well as funeral liturgies that are meaningful and comforting to family and friends. Betty also supports those who are left behind and grieving losses... be it through death, divorce, separation or loss of quality of life through illness or an accident.
Betty also has a great love for children and enjoys teaching them about God and recognizing His presence in their lives. Her ministry to young people is not just in difficult times as in her time with young offenders but also in times where they are searching for direction and guidance. God's work through her is powerful. She also has a special spot in her heart for young mothers and enjoys assisting them to find balance through spiritual reflection. Betty also enjoys ministry with young engaged couples and journeying with them as they begin a life together. She has trained leaders and facilitated marriage preparation courses. She is creative and has a wonderful sense of humour and it is clear that this ministry is as life-giving for her as it is for the young couples. She is excellent at encouraging them to use their gifts and talents for God's work.
Betty is also a God-send to the unemployed and has been instrumental in giving them hope and encouragement in this difficult and often humiliating time. Betty has a true gift in leading worship in an ecumenical environment and has mastered bringing many faiths together celebrating their individual differences. Like one would tend a garden of many different flowers. Betty is passionate about all aspects of God's ministry and grateful to have been called to serve. People know that when they call on Betty in their time of need, she in turn calls on God on their behalf.
Pastor Brenda Crawford and Pastor Blair Crawford Blair and Brenda Crawford Ministries Hachet Lake, Nova Scotia
In a self-centred world, this couple from Hatchet Lake, Nova Scotia is called to "to teach this generation about financial education and the message of prosperity" through Biblical principles. Their mandate is to help this generation of believers to learn how to give and receive BY PUTTING GOD FIRST - taking the scripture from Proverbs 13:22 to heart: "A GOOD MAN LEAVES AN INHERITANCE TO HIS CHILDREN'S CHILDREN" and making that verse a reality in their lives. 3 John 2 says: Beloved, I wish [God's desire] above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." In other words, God wants His children to thrive and be successful, and to be well in body and mind, as they prosper spiritually, educationally and materially. The pastors believe people need to hear God's love for them in a real way, and want to establish the fact that God wants happy and prosperous family lives.
Pastor Blair has the gift of a shepherd's heart and a God-given love for people that enables him to nurture and care for the flock. He had encountered the impoverished and uneducated state of his church and community first hand while growing up in Beechville, Nova Scotia. The frustrations of this dilemma led him away from the church he had attended from birth to search of an answer to these situations; but through the years God continued to tug at Blair to do His Calling. So in the past 7 years, Pastor Blair has dedicated his time as an active member in ministry, where he has been involved in teaching, music ministry, tape ministry and church administration.
Pastor Brenda has a strong calling to serve God and her community. She is very approachable and multitalented; she has the ability to help people discover and use their talents and Spiritual gifts and get them involved in church ministries. Brenda grew up with strong Christian teaching from her mother and grandmother and has taught her children the same. Undoubtedly her steadfast faith, encouragement and strength has had an uplifting effect that has kept the couple on track doing what God has called them to accomplish on earth. Together with her husband, Brenda has been actively involved as a Praise and Worship team member, in tape ministry and assisting with church administration.
Together these two souls plan on bringing new life and new material blessing to the body of Christ. Their hope is to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the masses and tell the world the power of answered prayer and God's love for all of Humanity by creating a more loving and abundant life for everyone. Their life and mission is the dedication to give back what God has given them in a wonderful and prosperous life together.
Rev. Josephine Egan and Rev. Malachy Egan Church of Saint Mary Magdalene Halifax, Nova Scotia
A husband and wife pastoral team who tries to exemplify the compassion of Jesus to the people they serve whether in the hospital acute care setting, geriatric long-term care centre, or the safe places reserved for survivors of abuse. Their passion to witness Christ's love drives them to work that engages families in art and music initiatives, extends spiritual support and friendship to foster parents and parents with young children, helps people in distress, and ministers to the needs of couples as they prepare to declare life-long marriage vows. They encounter on a daily basis many young couples seeking marriage in their 20s and 30s who openly declare themselves disillusioned with mainline Christian churches so much so that they reject the authority of these churches [sometimes it is the church authorities that reject them], yet these young people seek God to sanctify their marriage. With dialogue, the task at hand then is to invite these young people to re-examine the teachings of Jesus and 'give God a chance'.
The pastors also challenge people via cyber ministry and provocative discussion groups to oppose corruption, dual standards and social constructs that marginalize, disenfranchise and discriminate. Their first website continues to attract over 450 unique visitors per month. Both are volunteer clergy in Capital Health District and conduct ecumenical worship services at a long term care centre.
Reverend David Evangelista and Reverend Marlene Evangelista, Ordained Ministers Angels of Mercy Network International Surrey, British Columbia
David and Marlene are called to minister to the hurting as Mercy Ministers in the area of practical helps, community organization and development both locally and abroad; whenever and wherever God provides the opportunity. Marlene, David and their family want to reflect the love of Jesus through practical assistance and has established a non-profit, Christ-centered humanitarian mercy foundation called 'The Angels of Mercy Network International'.
Locally, they have had countless oppurtunities to provide practical assistance to newcomers from various ethnic backgrounds. Husband and wife are presently reaching out through practical helps to the homeless and street people in their own community in Surrey, BC - a city that is experiencing both rapid growth and an influx of needy people.
Abroad, Marlene and Dave are leading short-term mission teams to do Crisis Outreach Ministries and Community Development evangelism in response to a deadly mudslide disaster on one of the Islands in the Phillipines when almost a whole rural community was buried in several meters of mud one morning in February 2006. Their Share-a-Hope Rebuilding Mission will help rebuild local churches as well as share hope and bless the surviving families of the over 300 schoolchildren who were helplessly buried alive with their teachers.
Dave and Marlene are actively involved in multicultural church planting ministry in British Columbia, Home Group leadership with ethnic groups and Alpha Ministry. In addition, they serve as volunteers and mobilizers with Wycliffe Bible Translators as information, awareness and recruitment representatives across Canada. God has called husband and wife to reach to the lost as pastors, evangelists, mercy ministers and missionary pastors; and God will continue to bless their various ministries as they serve the Lord.
Read news article about Angels of Mercy Network International entitled "Where Angels Tread" by Paula Carlson, Staff Reporter, The Leader, December 27, 2006 [Surrey Leader].
Angels of Mercy Network International
c/o Reverend David Evangelista and Reverend Marlene Evangelista
13226 - 67th Avenue
Surrey, BC V3W 7J2
Tel: 604. 595. 3441
Email: Angels of Mercy Network International
Mercy Missions and Crisis Outreach Ministries
Pastors Wayne and Sandra Gardner Connections Christian Fellowship Ministries Halifax, Nova Scotia
Pastors Wayne and Sandra Gardner have been serving God as a Team in ministry for over 18 years. They are both gifted in the area of music and song as well as preaching and teaching. Both husband and wife are called to witness for God in practical ways. Sandra and Wayne are pastors of 'Connections' Christian Fellowship Ministries that offers fellowship and worship, small group studies and Pastoral Services. The pastors have specialized training in counselling and theology, and provide Pastoral Counselling at the highest level of compassionate and quality care.
Besides working in full time service for God serving in the church with a Preaching and Teaching ministry, children's bible clubs, prison ministry, and Spiritual Care within hospitals, the Gardner's achievements in Christian ministry included working with Young Offenders who were released from prison and residing in an Halfway House in Ottawa.
Husband and wife started what they called a 'Half-Way Church' which was geared towards those who were not 'church going people' but a way of 'easing' them into the church life by offering a very informal and practical side of worship. At this time, Sandra had a ministry called 'Neighbours Reaching Out' which included bible studies and pastoral ministry to the community. The pastors conduct bible studies from their home for adults in their neighbourhood who were interested and seeking God.
Rev. Rudy Heezen, MTS
RADIXX
Toronto and Whitby, Ontario www.radixx.ca
Rev. Rudy Heezen reaches out to people from all walks of life in his ministry. Rudy holds a Masters Degree in Theology from Tyndale Seminary in Toronto and has held key senior executive positions throughout his successful career in telecommunications that stretches over thirty years. He published 'New Beginnings Carpe Diem' about his own struggles and how he was able to conquer these.
RADIXX is a ministry that delights in serving others, touching lives, and seeing lives transformed. Taken from the Latin language meaning foundation, RADIXX is build upon The Foundation that lasts forever. Rev. Rudy's inspirational messages inform listeners that the true measure of success is in serving our fellow human beings and challenges listeners to walk the walk . Besides presenting motivational and inspirational seminars and speeches as is a Professional Member of CAPS (Canadian Association of Professional Speakers), Rev. Rudy Heezen also serves people through weddings, baptisms, celebration of life services and relationship counseling. Rudy ministry helps people find their true purpose in life and to feel at peace by learning to serve others. He helps people understand how to conduct their spiritual, personal and professional lives by making the motto 'I care' a way of life and the golden rule 'In everything do unto others as you want them to do unto you' as the living principle by which they conduct their lives. Rudy and his wife Anneke of over 35 years are the proud grandparents of a grandson and parents of grown children.
Reverend Rob Horst
Outreach Ministries
Kitchener-Waterloo area
Rev. Robert Horst believes that God has called him to ministry to help others heal while they are in pain. He listens, really listens, to the trials and tribulations of others, shares experiences, and tries to help people by leading people towards the light at the end of the tunnel where they learn to deal with their grief and loss and renew their faith in God. Rob relates well with the younger generation and encourages them to revisit Christian teachings and reach out to the Lord.
Rob Horst is a compassionate and faithful follower of Christian teachings; he is approachable, a very good listener and someone you can to simply talk to about the "tough stuff". Rob always goes the extra mile for someone in their time of need and guides them when they are experiencing a difficult time in their lives which could include bereavement, betrayal, loss or heartbreak. He touches lives; he brings hope and comfort; he offers sound advice; he leads and shares the word of God; and he helps people in times of joy and preparation. Rob shows the Way by example to the people that he comes in contact with that we must have faith in God and his son Jesus Christ will bring peace into our hearts. Rob totally shines with his practice and commitment as a Christian. As disciples of Jesus, we are all called to shine in the sight of men so that, seeing our good works, they may give praise to our Father in heaven.
Rev. Connie Howes Church of the Northern Light Kingston, Ontario
Rev. Connie Howes' ministry gets the job done: bringing people to Christ and giving them hope. Connie serves all across the spectrum of our society and her outreach ministries includes many without a regular faith community: young expectant couples, the imprisioned and their families, the disenfranchised and marginal of our society, etc. Connie knows she can make a difference in people's lives: she reaches out to those who are struggling, those who are in trouble, those who are ill, and those who are less fortunate; offering counsel and practical help. She moves amongst the people to help them, just as Christ himself did, and lets them know they are not alone - that God is with them. Connie is highly resourceful, practical, down-to-earth and empathic. We proud to have Connie on board: she loves God and her ministry possesses the love that Jesus means we should have by being 'a neighbour'.
Rev. Allan Jensen British Columbia Lower Mainland
Rev. Allan Jensen serves as volunteer missions coordinator, youth leader, church administrator and God's faithful servant in New Westminster. Allan and his wife, who shares his passion for missions, have served togther in Guatemala and locally; they also lead the middle-school youth group from church in missions-related projects and work several times a year with high school youth on a service project.
Last summer, Allan led the youth on a missions trip to Yellowknife. Allan annually leads a youth team on a regional mission to various cities throughout western Canada including Winnipeg, Edmonton, Prince Albert and Victoria; and has served on teams in Rwanda, Bolivia and Mexico.
Allan has preached and served both locally and globally. He has ministered to sick and weak in Africa, preached the good news in Central American prisons, instructed pastors in Rwanda, and preached to his fellow congregrants. Allan believes these opportunities are the result of a calling by God to serve in these places, and God continues to call him to build His Kingdom and devote his life to service. Rev. Allan Jensen shares that, "the true joy is when you use the gifts which God has endowed you in His service". Allan has a real passion for service in Christ's name; he is very compassionate and goes out of his way to be a person who shows God's love in whatever he does. Allan has an amazing ability to know where God wants him to be and to understand the situation he is in, particularly in the missions field where he knows "God placed him precisely there at precisely that time" for a special purpose.
Pastor Al Kehn
St. Jude's Ministries
Songwriter and Musician,
'Leap of Faith' Band Member
CD Titles: 'Power To Choose' and
'Life Is What You Make of It'
Kitchener-Waterloo area, Ontario
Pastor Al Kehn's music ministry continues to shine in Southern Ontario! He is very excited about his band Leap of Faith's new CD entitled, "Power to Choose"! It is Leap of Faith's second CD, launched on February 11th, 2006. The band has had lots of interest in area churches in Southern Ontario for continued concerts. The band's upcoming concert will be held on Saturday May 13th at 7:00 PM in Holy Cross Lutheran Church 322 East Ave, Kitchener. Leap of Faith receives regular airplay on the local Christian radio stations, such as Faith FM, and plays regularly in concert at various churches. Both CDs are available at many outlets in Kitchener-Waterloo.
To view the band 'Leap of Faith' and all the songs Pastor Al Kehn wrote: www.thinkleap.com
Al's main focus since leaving active parish ministry is in Music Ministry and he always makes himself available for Christian counselling, weddings and baptisms. Originally ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Eastern Synod, in 1993 after completing four years of study at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, Pastor Al Kehn served two congregations in Kitchener: St. Pauls from 1993 to 1998 and then St. Lukes' from 1998 to 2003; and is well known in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.
Reverend Patricia Kennedy, J.M. CRGM, KRM, HTJSP, ESMT
Ladysmith, British Columbia
Rev. Patricia Kennedy calling is to work with others in need. She is very emphatic, and can feel deeply what others may be feeling, and has amazing God-given gifts. Patricia shares that, "To practice spirituality we must reach into our soul and understand the teachings of Christ, how he suffered for all of mankind, to learn from the lessons and to live by them. We are dearly loved and cherished by our Lord. The Lord dwells within us." Patricia shares her lessons in unconditional love and forgiveness.
Pastor Arthur McCord Abba West Nipissing Christian Ministry Sturgeon Falls, Ontario
In the past 30 years, Pastor Arthur McCord's ministry has primarily been with the addicted individual. His ministry as an ordained pastor offers opportunities to carry the message of hope and reconciliation, thus moving beyond a simple call to spirituality and the need to be part of a Christian lifestyle while engaging others in a kind and loving manner.
Arthur believes that everyone has a message; his journey is to not only hear but to listen. Pastor Arthur McCord has been working with the public in counselling, human resource development, motivational speaking and as Addictions educator with specialized training. In addition, he is a volunteer driver with the Canadian Cancer Society and the Children's Aid Society. If you are so inclined, Arthur will share with you how God took the opportunity to provide hope when there was none and how a lost soul started on a journey beyond the most vivid imagination. A journey complete with an amazing spiritual rebirth and growth, miracles, thirty years filled with amazing events and a lifetime worth of opportunities to touch others.
Arthur has shared with large groups of people, in both Canada and the United States, at conventions and other events. He has been recognized by all levels of government; but most significantly, Arthur has touched thousands of lives and he is most honoured to see personal effort by these persons bring about life-changing and God-centred rebirth to productive and valued lives. In December, you can certainly spot him taking the opportunity to carry a Message.
Pastor Darlene McGregor Abba Perth Christian Ministries Perth, Ontario
The Lord Jesus spoke to Pastor Darlene's heart and spirit, and touched her life so profoundly that she choses to serve Jesus and to love Jesus with all her heart and soul. It has always been this way for Pastor Darlene, she has known nothing else; and it is a life that brings her such joy and pleasure. She knows she can only ever be content in ministry: working for the Lord and loving people for the Lord.
Pastor Darlene McGregor has a hunger within her heart for working for the Lord. A hunger for ministry. A hunger to share His love with everyone that she possibly could. This is all Pastor Darlene's life is about: loving and serving the Lord, loving and telling others about the love of Jesus and His plan for their life. Her desire is to know the Lord more, to love His people more for him, to see people come to know Him more, to see people saved and filled with HIs spirit, to see the broken-hearted healed and set free. Deep down within her heart, she wants to be the Lord's hands extended, a vessel through which his healing virtue could flow, where her life was His life. Pastor Darlene counts it a blessing that the Lord should entrust her with His gift of healing and love, to those who need Jesus the most yet does not know him as of yet.
Pastor Darlene works with healing/grieving through the challenged of divorce both with adults and children affected by divorce and as community chaplain with funeral homes. She works with those affected by other areas of life grieving besides bereavement and divorce. Pastor Darlene's rich ministry experiences include chaplaincy work at correctional facilities, hospitals, retirement homes and psychiatric hospitals; children's ministries as well as outreach into the lives of children; a foster parent to over 100 children; a missionary at an isolated, desperate and remote community; guest teachers at Bible College; assistant pastor, director of youth and Christian education. She has certification in grief counselling and holds a diploma in Christian Counseling and Christian Education and plenty of hands on experience. Pastor Darlene has touched many lives, all experiencing the love of Jesus in action from her heart. She is a true blessing sent by God. But most humbling of all, she wants Jesus glorified through her life and work.
Chaplain Margie O'Connor Ritual Celebrant Abba London Christian Chaplaincy
London, Ontario
Chaplain Margie O'Connor feels called to model the invitation of our God in all she says and does. Building Christian community is at the heart of Margie's ministry, and her work is a response to the gifts God has given her and to loving serve the people of God.
Pastor Pete Olsen
Mosaic Ministries
59 Montana Road, Guelph, Ontario
Tel: 519. 242. 8491
Pastor Pete Olsen is clear on the fact that all he wants to do with his life is to serve Christ. Pete simply wants to go and serve.
Pete and his wife Cindi are inspired hold open discussions about faith out in the world, encourage existing Christians to engage with the world through their faith and connect people to the love of Christ.
Pastor Pete has been serving people in ministry for nearly a decade. In his pastoral work with youth, children and adults, Pete has an amazing ability to inspire, empower and challenge people in positive, impactful in ways. Pete is very creative and gifted in the arts and drama. Pastor Pete discovered while teaching children and youth about Jesus and His amazing grace that the stories of Jesus would come alive through drama and song, through worship and the hearts of little children. Pete has an affinity for teaching and new ways to teach and run programmes that kids and youth enjoyed. Pete and Cindi have a real heart for young lives. Cindi has a career in Education and is completing her Master's in Education with a special interest in literary techniques. Pete is pursuing online courses with Trinity, Indiana, towards an MA and holds a Bachelor of Religious Education from Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener, Ontario.
Pete and Cindi have been involved in powerful short term international missions in Kenya, Nicaragua and Guatemala which have transformed their view of the world and shaped their passions as they stand today. After each powerful experience, they return with new awareness of many critical issues and realized how sad and forlorn our culture is - this has truly developed a deep desire in them to be able to witness and live out lives of faith here at home. The couple seek to serve those who may be disenfranchised with 'church'. They have a real heart for people who are unchurched, those who grapple with spiritual issues, and those who have been turned away. Pete has a great passion for serving Christ and serving people and walking with them. It is the passion to connect Christian with non-Christian people that drives Pete each day.
Pete and Cindi care about those who struggle in difficult situations, and those who are hurting and at risk. Other powerful experiences that have shaped their passions involve ministering to the urban poor in inner city Toronto and people who suffer from poverty and/or mental illness in Guelph. These have made Pete very aware of an ache in his heart for the poor, and has heightened his desire to serve Jesus in this broken world - in this case the poor and downtrodden, the outcast and broken. Pete's life and work is all about Jesus - many can certainly see Christ in him.
Pastors Blair and Wendy Riley Increasing Faith Christian Ministries Sydney, Nova Scotia
Rev. Wendy Riley was raised in a Christian home, dedicated her life to Christ and has followed Him wherever He has led. Wendy has ministered to children at Bible Camp as coordinator and counselor and as a Sunday school teacher; she has participated in outreach and evangelism teams to reach young people for Christ; worked with the Quechuas of Bolivia in 1982 as a missionary and ambassador for Christ, training them to minister to their own people and spread the Gospel message; and Wendy attended the New Brunswick Bible Institute [NBBI].
Rev. Blair Riley earned a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Cape Breton. When Rev. Blair Riley worked as an Addictions Counselor and program coordinator in Halifax, he stressed to other staff and clientele the importance of having a Christ-centred program and the success they experienced was phenomenal and many lives were changed: many of the clients still serve God today.
Blair presently serves at the local addiction centre; he also provides counseling outside the workplace and sometimes counsels at another addiction centre. Pastors Wendy and Blair share a ministry distributing New Testament bibles supplied by the Canadian Bible Society, the Gideon's and "The Pocket Testament League". The couple are great witness for Christ: they live and share The Word with others. The couple knows God will use them in view of the huge problems facing society particularly in Cape Breton, and is preparing to launch an official outreach. They hope to start their own program similar to Overcomes Annonymous, a Christian self-help group similar to Alcoholics Annonymous, as well as provide marriage counseling to the community.
Pastor Donna Ryan Donna Ryan Ministries
Hatchet Lake Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
Pastor Donna Ryan believes that God wants her to teach His people the power of Spoken words. After receiving Jesus into her life in the spring of 1979, Jesus taught her that to say the same things about herself that the Bible says she is, not negative words that were contrary to God's Word but life-affirming words and blessings. THE BODY OF CHRIST NEEDS TO HEAR THIS MESSAGE.
She writes: "In Genesis chapter 1, it is recorded 9 times 'AND GOD SAID...AND IT WAS SO'. God spoke first and then it came into being. We are made in His image and His likeness; therefore our words are just as creative. We can speak life or death to ourselves. We can have what we say... BUT WHAT ARE WE SAYING?" Jesus said in the gospel of Mark "For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he sayeth shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he sayeth." When she invited Jesus to come into her heart, her life changed dramatically. Donna began to hunger and thirst to know Him better by devouring His Word day and night. She has since completed Bible and Ministry training courses, and has been actively involved in the teaching ministry for Sunday school, bible studies and Youth ministry. Her desire is to teach the education that she has received.
The Lord opened up doors for Pastor Donna to write a book "Creating Your Own Destiny" which is a teaching on the power of the tongue. She would like to minister to both the Body of Christ and others by teaching and encouraging them to study God's Word for themselves and to help them to understand that we can have what we say.
Rev. Derek Rymarchuk
Abba Niagara Christian Ministry
6053 Franklin Ave
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Tel: 905. 371. 2406
Rev. Derek Rymarchuk and his wife Shelly have a strong commitment to serve the Lord: they have a strong desire to see people introduced to Jesus and His love. Derek studied theology for three years at Northeast Christian College in Fredericton, New Brunswick, later received a Bachelor of Theology degree in 1992 from International Seminary, and became an ordained minister in 1995.
Derek has a genuine love for people: he is personable, caring and sensitive, in both the spiritual and interpersonal sense of the word. Rev. Derek Rymarchuk served for over ten years as the minister of Calvary Chapel, Niagara Falls. He is an enthusiastic, interactive preacher who likes to involve the congregation in his sermons; and his teaching is based on the Word of God with a focus on His desire for our lives. Rev. Derek reaches out to people by conducting weddings, baby dedications and funerals; he is involved in Christian youth ministry; he blends innovative and entrepreneurship with a solid grounding Christian scriptures and ethics; and he is lauded as being an excellent representative of his community. When called upon, Rev. Derek always goes to the aid of Project S.H.A.R.E., a multi service, non-profit agency that helps people that are living below the poverty line with basic needs, whether through fundraising, sponsoring programs or participating in food drives.
Rev. Thomas A. Secord Progression Ministries
Kentville, Nova Scotia
Rev. Tom Secord's calling is simple: bring as many hurt souls as possible to the Lord, and at the same time destroy as many false pretences about psychology and addictions as he possibly can. When Jesus proclaimed that He was here to wage war and not to bring peace, Tom understands precisely what Jesus means and as he puts it succinctly:
"There is no doubt that we are in the midst of a spiritual battle that rages on, and it is our job as Christians to step up to the plate and to stand up for the truths that we know. We cannot sit back and watch the world die around us. I myself, like all my Christian brothers and sisters, must fight back and bring peace to the hearts of as many as possible through Jesus Christ." And fight back, Tom Secord will.
His calling has manifested itself magnificently over the past two years being born out of increasing sorrow for many who are searching for their souls in a society that shuns that very search. The fact that countless die without ever being shown the truth or ever given the chance to witness God's power first hand is very real tragedy for Rev. Tom so much so you will certainly not find him sitting idly by. Tom wants to bring those who suffer to the Lord, knowing that the Lord can heal them once and for all; Tom believes everyone deserves to have the opportunity to hear the truth that Jesus Christ changes lives, offering salvation where worldly rehabilitation programs only offered a means of coping with the pains of life. Tom knows that those who suffer from addictions, from any forms of ailment, from pain as a result of a background of abuse and abandonment, or from a desperate lack of spirituality, can find peace through the Lord. They can have the opportunity to start over when they ask Jesus to fill the empty void inside their lives. Through his observation of people who had truly changed their lives, Tom has concluded that the only way for a person to truly recover from a background of abuse or addiction is to become a new person through Jesus Christ. No program of recovery could offer what Jesus can: Salvation.
Tom Secord is faithful to his calling to open the lines of communication to all who are willing to hear about the joys of salvation; to help others through moral support and as their counsellor; and to teach others how to lead happy, useful and changed lives. Jesus is faithful, and has directed many into Tom's path so that he can counsel them and help them find peace in their lives through our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
Pastor Abigail Sloan Genuine Faith Christian Ministries
Brampton, Ontario
Pastor Abigail Sloan is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is committed to broadcasting His love with her life and from her lips. Over the years since Pastor Abigail began in ministry, her passion was towards having a large discipleship of believers who were empowered and wanting to serve Christ.
For many years, the Lord would raise a body of believers who would study the bible with Pastor Abigail. She would teach them the Word of God and how to be an effective leader, reminding them of the call of Christ to "feed His sheep, feed His lambs, and then sending them back out into the world to effect change: to change lives themselves. The most spectacular transformation was their view of the Lord's work and their commitment to serve Christ with reverence. One of Pastor Abigail's lessons points out that when you commit yourself to Christ, it is a daily changing process. The heart of God accepts you as you are, just as water accepts anyone who jumps in. Everyone who jumps into water is wet, just as everyone who accepts Christ is changed: hence the similarity. Without change, you have not jumped into the water nor have you accepted Christ. People's lives are changed by God's powerful message when they are held accountable. Just as a baby is born "when he is ready" so we must be ready to change. The baby exits the mother's womb not all at once, but by head then shoulder then body, etc.; in the same way we are being changed from glory to glory in Jesus Christ and we submit to the overall gradually change into His likeness. Being born again is not some mystical thing; it is actually quite natural although it may begin in the Spirit first. To represent Christianity and to be known as Christians, we must be known as people who are Christ-like. With that desire in her heart to know Christ more for herself first, Pastor Abigail confesses to loving the Lord with all her mind, heart and strength.
Pastor Abigail can attest that when we are ready for change, the Spirit of God will make mighty moves to set us up in awesome ways to serve God. Pastors Abigail's prayer is that the Lord will continue to build her and cause her ministry to reach many shut-ins, homeless, single pregnant women and women in distress as well as the mentally or physically abused. Like many, Pastor Abigail is called because God will have a people who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth, and she hopes to be part of the uncompromising love of Christ
Rev. Dr. Rose Smith, PhD Pastor-at-large
Niagara Falls and St. Catherines area, Ontario
Pastor Rose Smith and her husband Rev. Dr. Ken Smith are active in the Alpha Initiative in the
Niagara Falls and St. Catherines area. Pastor Rose has a PhD [Education] as well as a Masters in Religion, a Masters Degree [Drama] from London College, and a Bachelor of Education among many other professional and educational achievements. She works on drama, musical, play and show productions in schools and churches; is actively involved in the Scout Association [held warrant for 46 years - Medal of Merit]; works a non-nursing volunteer with a hospice for the terminally ill; and is an Adjunct Professor at Niagara University [Theatre Arts Department, Drama in Education].
Rev. Dr. Ken Smith is the Chaplain to a very large Seniors complex with over 200 residents in St. Catherines in April 2006, with Pastor Rose Smith
supporting and helping her husband. Ken and Rose are planning a Spring Festival in 2008 and are searching for choirs to come to the center. Ken and Rose feel so tremendously blessed to bring the message of Advent and Christmas to the seniors this past holy season. One of the series that they also run at the centres is called Charaters of the Bible including Noah. The seniors really enjoyed it and both pastors love doing the series and enjoy so much walking with and being with the seniors.
Rev. Dr. Smith has also very kindly provided Abba Ministries of Canada with the structure of Ministry and Church College he had developed. The home/church-based ministry training Rev. Dr. Smith developed was designed to offer as a Correspondence Course that could hopefully be done on line or by mail. Its structure will be used to develop Abba's own continuing education courses for our pastors. At the end of 2007, Rev. Dr. Ken Smith completed a three-year Master's Degree in Religious Studies with Liberty University, Virginia.
Reverend Dawn Tyndall
Divine Life Creation Ministries
Nanaimo, British Columbia
www.dawntyndall.com
Dawn Tyndall, author and recording artist, has been a moving humourous motivational speaker for years. It is no coincidence that both Dawn Tyndall's names mean "to shed light on". Drawing upon life experiences of being a wife and mother for over 20 years, as well as the "experience of a lifetime" as being an elected City Councillor, she mixes humour with everyday life examples and practical applications for audiences all over North America sharing Divine Light and Love. Dawn strongly believes each and everyone has something to offer and shares ways to not only find "your place" but CREATE your place.
Dawn's personal mission statement is -- I am here to remind everyone to live THEIR best life. Not worrying what others think - but truly live. To end the silent suffering that happens in our lives due to feelings of 'not quite measuring up'. Truth is, we ALL measure up - when we embrace, as individuals, who we are. I am here delighting in relighting lamps.
