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David and Charlene Chow have accepted a call to serve as associate pastor couple at Killarney Park MB Church in Vancouver, effective July 1. David recently completed his M.Div. from MB Biblical Seminary at ACTS in Langley, B.C. Previously, he worked for the Alberta Motor Association for six years, taught English in Japan with MBMS International for two years and served two summer internships at Yarrow (B.C.) MB Church. He has a B.A. from the University of Calgary and a teaching certificate from Simpson College in California. Charlene, who has worked for MCC Supportive Care Services, has a bachelor’s degree in community rehabilitation from the University of Calgary and has studied at the Capernwray school in Australia. The Chows have a daughter, Emily, 1, and are expecting their second child at the end of September.
Alan Choi has resigned as pastor of North Shore Bethel Christian MB Church in North Vancouver, B.C., after serving since 1997. He and his wife Susan have begun their own full-time ministry teaching spiritual formation (meditation, solitude, journal writing and spiritual exercises), primarily to Chinese churches in the area. A small group currently meets monthly in Willingdon Church in Burnaby, B.C. The Chois have led workshops in Edmonton, the US and Hong Kong and provide spiritual direction through a web site.
Raymond Lai began serving as pastor of North Shore Bethel Christian MB Church in North Vancouver, B.C. in January. He worked in an office and factory for 10 years and ran his own business. In 1984, he felt a call to the pastorate. He became a secretary in his home church and studied at a theological college, earning a bachelor’s degree. He and his family came to Canada in 1999. He has a master’s degree from Canadian Theological Seminary in Regina. He and his wife Betty have two grown children, Karen, 22, and Benjamin, 20.
Heinz and Edith Ratzlaff, associate pastor couple at Clearbrook MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C., will be become senior/lead pastor couple of the church in October. They will be replacing interim senior pastor couple Jay and Kay Neufeld, who are retiring. The Ratzlaffs began serving as associate pastor couple at Clearbrook in January 2002. Previously, they pastored Valleycliffe Christian Fellowship in Squamish, B.C. for two years, Salem Evangelical Church in Calgary for three years and Highland MB Church in Calgary for six years. Heinz taught at Mennonite Educational Institute in Abbotsford, in the Chilliwack, B.C. area and in Squamish. He has a B.Ed. from the University of British Columbia, an M.A. from Western Washington University in Bellingham and an M.Div. from MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif. Edith has an M.A. in Christian education from MB Biblical Seminary. They have four grown children and one grandson.
Walter Wiens has accepted a call to serve as associate pastor at Clearbrook MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C., effective Oct. 1. He is currently self-employed as a painter and renovator. Previously, he was a resident chaplain at Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg for a year, was chaplain at Headingly (Man.) Correctional Centre for 13 years and pastored Crestwood MB Church in Medicine Hat, Alta. for four years. He has a Master of Christian Studies from Regent College in Vancouver, an M.Div. from MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif. and an M.A. in counselling from Providence Theological Seminary in Otterburne, Man. He and his wife Edith have two grown children, Andrew, 23, and Amy, 21.
Dick Knox was installed as pastor of Cornerstone MB Church in Prince Rupert, B.C. on April 14. He began serving on March 1. Previously, he was senior pastor of Pineview Alliance Church in Grande Cache, Alta. for four-and-a-half years and was a lay pastor in Shelburne (Ont.) Alliance Church for five years. He and his wife Robin have been members of the Cornerstone Church for seven years. She is a lab technologist in the hospital in Prince Rupert. He has a B.A. from McMaster University in Hamilton and an M.Div. from Canadian Theological Seminary in Regina. The Knoxes have two grown children, Joshua, 22, living in Regina, and Heather, 19, working with Youth With A Mission in Mauritius, an island off the coast of Madagascar.
Florence Lai began serving as full-time associate pastor at Vancouver Chinese MB Church in January after serving as part-time associate pastor for the past two years. Previously, she helped in the church planting work of Surrey (B.C.) Chinese Evangelical Free Church for five years, was involved in lay ministry at Vancouver Chinese Alliance Church for seven years and was a library assistant at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C. for nine years. She has a B.A. from Simon Fraser and an M.R.E. from Trinity Western Seminary in Langley, B.C.
Heidi Epp began serving as full-time associate pastor at Chilliwack (B.C.) Central MB Church on May 1, primarily directing the children’s ministry. Previously, she worked with MCC Supportive Care Services for five years; was involved in a number of Christian camps in Canada, including Simonhouse Bible Camp in northern Manitoba and Columbia Bible Camp (now Stillwood Camp and Conference Centre) in British Columbia; and ran church programs at the Chilliwack Central church during the summers. She has a bachelor’s degree from Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, B.C., and studied a year at Bethany Bible Institute in Hepburn, Sask. She is married to Tim, who is a student and is working full-time in a sawmill.
Henry and Esther Penner are continuing to serve as interim pastor couple at Parkland Community Church in Yorkton, Sask. The Penners, who began their second term on May 1, have agreed to stay another year or until a pastor is found. Previously, Henry was a high school teacher and guidance counsellor for about 30 years in Alberta and Saskatchewan; was dean of students at Bethany Bible Institute in Hepburn, Sask. 1980–86; and served as interim pastor at Hepburn MB Church and Lendrum MB Church in Edmonton. He has B.Th. from MB Bible College in Winnipeg and a B.Ed., a graduate diploma in counselling and an M.Ed. from the University of Alberta. The Penners have four grown children.
Ed Schmidt has resigned as senior pastor of Herbert (Sask.) MB Church due to health difficulties, effective May 1, after serving for six-and-a-half years. Previously, he pastored Foothills Community Church in Pincher Creek, Alta. for three years, an Alliance church in Daysland, Alta. for four years and an Alliance church in Calahoo, Alta. for three years. He has a B.Th. from Canadian Bible College in Regina and was pursuing an M.A. from Canadian Theological Seminary in Regina. He and his wife Marie have four grown children, Jennifer, Corey, Brenda and Michael.
Henry and Helen Dueck are completing their interim pastoral ministry at Herbert (Sask.) MB Church at the end of this month (June). The Duecks are retired missionaries with MBMS International, having served in South America for 40 years. He has a B.R.E. from MB Bible College in Winnipeg, an M.Div. from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind. and an M.Th. from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, N.J.
Corey Hiebert has resigned as youth pastor at Garden Valley Community Church in Kelowna, B.C., effective June 30, after serving for six years, the last four years full-time. His wife Eileen, who was serving as half-time creative arts director, has also resigned. Eileen is a public health nurse and is currently pursuing a career in music performance. She has a B.Sc.N. from the University of British Columbia. Corey is planning to study marketing. They plan to continue attending Garden Valley Church.
Henry Paetkau has been appointed president of Conrad Grebel University College, effective Jan. 1, 2003. He succeeds John E. Toews, who retires Dec. 31, 2002 after serving seven years as president. Paetkau has pastored 22 years in three Mennonite churches; has served as denominational minister of Mennonite Church Canada; and was on many Mennonite Church boards, including eight years on the board of Conrad Grebel College. He has a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Waterloo and a Ph.D. from the University of Western Ontario. Conrad Grebel University College is operated by Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada and is affiliated with the University of Waterloo.
Susie Wiens (nee Reimer) celebrated her 90th birthday Feb. 26. Her husband John died May 6, 1991. She has 3 sons, 5 daughters, 25 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. There was an open house, a program and a family dinner.
Baptisms and new members
Note: Baptism photos appear in the paper version of the Herald but not in the online version.
Fairview-Louth MB Church in St. Catharines, Ont. welcomed 5 new members by baptism recently. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Mike Krause, Jolien Koole, Sandra Rempel, Chris Leyenaar and pastor Jeff Lockyer. Not pictured are Scott Cronkwright and Kelly Neilson.
Eastview Community Church in Winnipeg welcomed 8 new members Mar. 3, 7 by baptism and 1 by confession of faith. Pictured are (back, l-r) Jennifer Groff (b), pastor Steve Dick, Kendra Moerman (b), Laurel Heinrichs (b), pastor Lorne Pearson; (front) Lisa Brown (b), Amanda Penner (b), Daphne Wiebe (cf), Sherry Lewis (b) and Andrea Groff (b).
Eastview Community Church in Winnipeg welcomed 9 new members Dec. 31, 5 by baptism and 4 by confession of faith. Pictured are (l-r) Mary Wiebe (cf), Henry Wiebe (cf), Guy Budel (b); (middle) Marilyn Wiebe (cf), Henry Wiebe (cf), Gaby Hamm (b), Debbie Budel (b); (front) pastor Lorne Pearson, Shannon Friesen (b) and Kenton Friesen (b).
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Last modified July 12, 2002.
© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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