Personalia

Howard Loewen became provost at Fresno Pacific University Jan. 1. He previously was academic vice-president and will continue to serve as the university's chief academic officer. The title of the office was changed last fall. Loewen was a professor in biblical studies at FPU 1977-1980 and taught at MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif. 1980-1995, serving as academic dean at the Seminary 1992-1995.

Discovery Community Church in Campbell River, B.C. baptized three new members March 1: Jeff and Lynn Marcaccini and Henriette Beauchamp. Five others joined the church by confession of faith.

Elsie Ann Kroeker, MBMS International missionary to India, suffered head injuries March 15, after her head hit a cement ledge when a bed collapsed. X-rays indicated some swelling on the brain, but a CAT scan done a few days later was encouraging, and her condition is improving.

Brian Chita, Craig Habermann, Juan Herrera, Siobhan Keely, Justin Krushel, Rob McLaren and Rob Quiring were baptized March 11 at The Meeting Place in Winnipeg.

Lorne Willms has resigned after seven years as senior pastor at Bridgeway Community Church in Swift Current, Sask., effective at the end of July. Prior to this, he was pastor for three years at Glenbush (Sask.) MB Church. Willms, a graduate of MB Biblical Seminary in 1988, was moderator of the Saskatchewan MB Conference 1995-97 and has served on the Saskatchewan Board of Christian Education for five years. He is exploring new ministry opportunities. He and his wife Heather have two children, Oliver, 11, and Elissa, 8.

Mark Jantzen has resigned after nine years as senior pastor at Crestwood MB Church in Medicine Hat, Alta., effective May 31. He is a graduate of Regent College, Vancouver and has served as an intern at Fraserview MB Church in Richmond, B.C. He has been moderator of the Alberta MB Conference for the last three years. He and his wife Sylvia are planning to move to Calgary to explore other ministry options. They have three teenagers, Theresa, 17, Erica, 15, and Craig, 13.

Craig and Kim Frere became senior pastor couple at Mountview Church, Stoney Creek, Ont. on Feb. 1, replacing interim pastor Herman Kroeker. Prior to this, Craig was associate pastor at a Brethren in Christ church in Tillsonburg, Ont., working with the youth and college and career. He has a B.A. in sociology from Wilfrid Laurier University. He also has attended Ontario Theological Seminary for two years. He is from St. Ann, Ont. The Freres have a son, Geordon, 1.

Larry Moss began working in September as youth intern at Scott Street MB Church in St. Catharines, Ont. His internship is until the end of August, but could be extended. He graduated from Winkler Bible Institute in 1996. He is from Ottawa, where he attended National Capital Community Church. He has worked one week with the Youth Mission International SOAR program, helping with new church plants in Halifax. Moss is engaged to Danielle Bruinooge; they plan to marry in August. Ed Willms, associate pastor at Scott Street, is mentoring Moss.

Nic Shaw was hired in September to a half-time position as associate pastor in charge of worship at Erin Mills Community Bible Church in Mississauga, Ont. His main responsibilities are music and worship, and he will assist pastor Jim Evans with preaching. Shaw started helping the church with music in May, 1997 as a layworker. He and his wife, Diana moved from Port Colbourne, Ont. in December. Prior to this, they were at Orchard Park Bible Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. and at Scott Street MB Church, St. Catharines, Ont. Shaw, who is from England, attended Capernwray schools in England, Austria and Germany. Trained as a chef, he also works part-time selling mountain bikes. The Shaws have a daughter, Melissa, 3.

Waldy Klassen retired March 31 as executive director of the M2/W2 (Man to Man/Woman to Woman) prison ministry in Abbotsford, B.C. He joined the staff in 1973 as coordinator in provincial prisons, later serving as director for over 18 years. His wife is Shirley. Wayne Northey took over as executive director of M2/W2 April 1. He has a B.A. from the University of Western Ontario and an M.A. in Theological Studies from Regent College, Vancouver. He was instrumental in starting the first Canadian Victim-Offender Reconciliation Program, in Ontario, in 1977. He joined M2/W2 in 1974 as an M2 volunteer in Oakalla Prison. He was on staff as coordinator in provincial prisons 1980-89. Since then, he has served as director of Victim Offender Ministries at MCC Canada. His wife is Esther.

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