The British Columbia MB Conference (BCMB) has appointed Reg Toews as its new Executive Director. Toews was commissioned during BCMB’s Convention on Saturday, April 27, 2024. This decision aligns with the recommendations from the spring 2022 Borden report, a key component of BCMB’s pivotal “Way Forward” campaign. This campaign aims to revitalize and reset BCMB’s priorities around its mission, and one of its key recommendations was to hire an executive director, marking a significant change in BCMB’s leadership structure.
Way Forward committee chair Phil Collins identified three factors that gave BCMB a sense of urgency to refocus: being in a season of decline, financial pressures and aging pastoral staff. “We need a fresh vision from the Lord,” said Collins.
One hundred fifty BC pastors participated in the Way Forward survey, facilitated by BCMB Conference Pastor Rob Thiessen. Thiessen will conclude his service with BCMB in 2024 after 12 years in the role. Sharon Simpson, a former board moderator, praised Thiessen, stating, “Rob has faithfully served our churches daily.”
The 2024 convention theme, “Whatever Happens,” was based on Philippians 1:27: “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.”
Thiessen urged churches to “contend for the faith and the gospel. And to stand together in the coming storm.”
Brett Landry, Andrew Katay, and Jamie Bester from City to City, an organization specializing in church planting and revitalization, led an equipping day on Friday afternoon. At the time of writing, 15 BCMB churches have expressed interest in City to City church revitalization as part of a beta program led by the conference.
The BCMB Executive Board prays over Reg and Brenda Toews as Reg is commissioned as BCMB’s new Executive Director. Reg begins the role in mid-May 2024.
During his first address as Executive Director, Reg Toews gave a brief overview of his past service, his experience in church planting, and his passion for sharing the gospel with those who are lost. Drawing inspiration from Isaiah 43:19, he emphasized the importance of trying new things and following God’s guidance. Reg stated that he approached his new role with fear, humility, and courage, acknowledging that they could not succeed without God’s help. He also emphasized the significance of prayer and requested that the BCMB church family pray for him and the organization. He even asked attendees to set a daily prayer reminder on their devices.
— MB Herald staff
