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Paul Johann Fast

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Paul accepted Christ as Saviour at vacation Bible school at age 9. In 1942, his family moved to St. Catharines, Ont., where they purchased a fruit farm. Paul attended Eden Christian College and Eden’s Bible school. After a 6-week course, he taught a one-room schoolhouse in northern Ontario for 2 years. He loved teaching, pursuing formal training at Hamilton Teacher’s College. After 2 years teaching in St. Catharines, he attended MB Bible College, Winnipeg, where he met Betty. They married and returned to Winnipeg for another study year before accepting a 2-year position at Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn, Sask. Paul earned a BA from Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo, Ont. He taught at Lakeport High School, then Eden Christian College. Fairview MB Church asked Paul to become assistant pastor (1969–1975). The Spirit’s call became so strong that Paul left teaching to pastor full-time. He was ordained at Fairview before taking a 2-year MA at MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno, Cal. Paul and Betty ministered at South Langley MB Church (1977–87), then planted North Langley Community Church (1987–94) and Murrayville Community Church (1994–98). They were a strong team. Paul spent 2 years at ACTS Seminary, Langley, B.C., sharing his experiences. After retiring in 1998, Paul held interim positions in Fleetwood, Mission, and Lake Errock, B.C., and at Scott Street MB Church, St. Catharines. Paul was a chaplain at Langley Memorial Hospital, its 3 care homes, and hospice. He volunteered for the Conservative Party, the Fraser Valley Gleaners, seniors’ homes, and was a greeter at Superstore. Paul loved family gatherings, sharing his humour relentlessly. Despite dementia in his final years, his good-natured kindness, unwavering faith, and love for his family (and a good party) shone through.

  • Birth: August 21, 1932
  • Birthplace:
    Newton Siding, Man.
  • Death: August 31, 2018
  • Parents:
    John & Justina Fast
  • Married:
    Elizabeth (Betty) Baerg, Aug. 28, 1959
  • Family:
    Betty; children Bonnie Fast Wiebe, Byron, Barbara Fast Hamilton; 9 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren
  • Church:
    North Langley, B.C.