Personalia

Rudy Heidebrecht has resigned as senior pastor of Coaldale (Alta.) MB Church, effective June 30, after 23 years of ministry. Prior to this, he taught at Bethany Bible Institute in Hepburn, Sask. 1958-1974. He also served as dean of students for 12 years. During this time, he served as pastor of Laird (Sask.) MB Church on a part-time basis for seven years. He attended Coaldale Bible School; has a Th.B. from MB Bible College in Winnipeg, a B.A. from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ont. and a B.D. and Th.M. from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Oakbrook, Ill.; and has taken courses at Denver, (Colo.) Seminary. He and his wife, Mary are taking a break from ministry, and are seeking the Lord's direction for their future.

Dave Balzer will become English program producer at MB Communications/Family Life Network in Winnipeg, effective July 1. Most recently, he attended MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif., where he studied New Testament/theology. He has a B.A. in administrative studies from the University of Winnipeg and an M.A. in speech communication from California State University, where he also worked as a teaching associate. He served as associate pastor of youth and Christian education at North Kildonan MB Church in Winnipeg 1992-1995. He and his wife Kathryn have one son, Evan, 2.

Rob and Myrna Chase of Souris, Man. have accepted the position of pastor couple at Woodrow (Sask.) Gospel Chapel, effective May 1. Randy has served in the pastorate at the Argyle Road Baptist Church, Regina, and as senior pastor of Faith Community Baptist Church, Souris, Man. He has a B.A. from the University of Saskatchewan and a B.R.E. from Briercrest Bible College in Caronport, Sask. Myrna is a registered nurse. They have one daughter, Stephanie, 3.

Forest Grove Community Church in Saskatoon welcomed six new members by baptism March 30: Vanessa Wiebe, Theresa Wiebe, Vicki Derksen, Lynette Nelson, Dylan Pearson and Allan Dowdeswell.

Ron Dahl of Yarrow (B.C.) MB Church spent three weeks in August, 1996 in Anchorage, Alaska helping people with fire-damaged homes rebuild. He served with Mennonite Disaster Service, responding to a fire that affected 400 homes in the region.

Frank and Nettie Dyck, members of Highland MB Church in Calgary are returning to Zaporozhye, Ukraine to serve as mission associates with the Commission on Overseas Mission of the General Conference Mennonite Church. While previously in Zaporozhye, the Dycks distributed Scripture in schools under the sponsorship of European Christian Mission, before moving to Omsk to engage in a similar effort.

Ann Welwood, who attends Northview Community Church in Abbotsford, B.C., was awarded the 1997 Adoption Activist Award by the Adoption Council of Canada in March. Welwood is founder of the Abbotsford-based Christian adoption agency, Hope Adoption Services. Her current position is Director of Programs and Client Services. She was recognized for her perseverance and excellence in pioneering open adoption for the past 10 years.

Allen Carden is the new president of Fresno (Calif.) Pacific University, replacing outgoing president Richard Kriegbaum. Carden was formerly president of Spring Arbor (Mich.) College 1991-97. He accepted his new position March 22 after a three-day campus visit. He has spent a total of 25 years serving Christian colleges. He previously served as vice-president for academic affairs at Spring Arbor College and in several positions at Biola University. He has a doctorate in history from the University of California, a master's degree from California State University and a bachelor's degree from Biola.

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