Jason Dyck began as lead pastor at Elm Creek (Man.) MB Church, Oct. 18. He takes over from Noel Hudson, who served as youth pastor, then lead pastor to 2011. Jason holds a BA in pastoral ministry from Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask., and served as associate pastor at Dalmeny (Sask.) Community Church (MB) for the past 9 years. Jason and Karina have 2 sons, Carter and Anderson. Dave Courtney also recently began serving as youth pastor with Elm Creek MB.
Edgar French was commissioned as lead pastor at Christian Family Centre, Winnipeg, Nov. 13. He recently completed an MA in biblical and theological studies at CMU, Winnipeg. He served as associate pastor of outreach ministry at Portage Avenue (MB) Church, Winnipeg, from 2008–2010, prior to which he worked as maintenance staff in a personal care home. Edgar and Rachel have 2 children, Josiah and Matias.
After a 5-month medical leave, Ewald Unruh returned to his full-time duties as director of church ministries for the Canadian conference on Oct. 17.
In August, Scott Street MB Church lead pastor Patrick Bartley and German pastor Isaak Eitzen stepped down from their roles at the St. Catharines, Ont., congregation. Jim Cober, previously pastor of Grace MB Church, Waterloo, Ont., is now serving as intentional interim pastor. The congregation voted to move to a single unified service of worship in English, Sept. 29. On Oct. 30, members came together for a service of confession, repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. “The spirit of God moved in a powerful way,” says Cober.
Manfred Boller joined Community Fellowship Church, Newton, Man., as senior pastor, Oct. 1. He previously pastored at Coaldale (Alta.) Mennonite Church, and Park Meadows Baptist Church, Lethbridge, Alta. He holds masters degrees from Providence Theological Seminary, Otterburne, Man. Manfred grew up in Germany where “through life’s difficulties, God pursued me and pointed me in the direction of serving within the church.” Manfred and Shannon have 3 children.
A B.C. pastor has joined MB Mission in a newly created staff position. Tim Klassen is responsible to develop a “more intentional coaching system for our church planters,” adding a new dimension to normal missionary support. He was previously involved in discipleship training while pastoring at Northview Community Church (MB), Abbotsford, B.C., for four and a half years. His new position focuses both on MB missionaries in training and on teams already in the field.
Mark Richmond began at Dalhousie Community Church (MB), Calgary, as associate pastor of family ministries, Aug. 22. He previously served as associate/youth pastor at Lakeview Community Church (MB), Killarney, Man. Mark graduated from Briercrest Seminary with an MA in Christian ministries and youth and family ministry. Mark and Andrea have 4 children.
MB Mission launched a new church planting team of 8 missionaries into assignments in Asia. The team will now learn the language, adapt to a new culture, and build relationships within a restricted-access country. “This team is building upon the work of others who have gone before, and we celebrate that God has called a new team to share the gospel with this least reached people group,” says Larry Neufeld, coordinator of mobilization and media.
Richard Martens resigned as Ontario MB conference minister, effective Dec. 12. After serving 14 years as lead pastor at Evergreen Heights Christian Fellowship, Simcoe, Ont., and holding various positions on provincial conference boards, he took on the role of conference minister in January 2010. He plans to return to pastoral ministry. The Ontario conference boards are restructuring and intend to hire an executive director.
