Ron Toews appointed to B.C. conference staff
Ron Toews has been appointed the B.C. conference’s first director of leadership development. Currently serving as principal of ACTS Seminaries at Trinity Western Unviersity, he will transition to his new position May 1. His mandate will include new leader development, training, and credentialing. It will also include care and support of B.C. MB churches and their staffs.
Toews said he realized part of his interest in training was so rooted in the church that if he continued to teach, it would need to be closer to local congregations. The discovery came during the period following the death of his son Nathan in a highway accident. “When one is handed a catastrophe like that, it invites sober thought – and clarity goes with that,” he said.
“My transition into ACTS from 15 years of pastoral ministry provided me with an occasion to think more deeply about the practice of pastoral leadership and the missional effectiveness of the local church,” said Toews, adding, “I am grateful for this seminary chapter of my life.”
“We are focusing on leadership and on healthy churches and Ron’s passions match our conference areas of growth,” said B.C. conference minister Steve Berg.
—Barrie McMaster
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Peter Dennison was appointed interim pastor at Christian Fellowship Chapel in Orillia, Ont., Oct. 1. Peter and his wife Becky were accepted into membership by testimony, Nov. 2.
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Jay Neufeld was welcomed as half-time pastor for German ministry at Clearbrook MB Church in November. Jay and his wife Kay are taking over from Lawrence and Selma Warkentin who served the German ministry from June 2007 to Aug. 2008.
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Graeme Isbister, former lead pastor of Sardis Community Church in Chilliwack, B.C., is now full-time spiritual care coordinator at Chilliwack General Hospital. Graeme helps patients and their families, and also health professionals struggling with job-related pressures.
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Herb and Maureen Klassen retired from 10 years of service as executive secretaries of Logos Canada, a ministry that supports the training and sending of Russian-speaking pastors and leaders in the former Soviet Union.
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On the move
The Central Canada office of Mennonite Brethren Mission and Service International (MBMSI) has moved. Regional mobilizers Lloyd & Carol Letkeman, mobilization assistant Eileen Klassen and short term mission assistant Fern Janzen can now be contacted at 83 Henderson Hwy, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2L 1L2; telephone 1-888-866-6267 (in Alta., Sask., and Man.); (204) 415-0670; fax (204) 415-2249.