Personalia

Albert Baerg resigned, effective June 22, as senior pastor of Peace Arch Fellowship in South Surrey, B.C., after serving for five years. He has studied at MB Bible College and has a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg and an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass. He previously served as senior pastor of Richmond Park MB Church in Brandon, Man. for six years, of Leamington (Ont.) MB Church for five years, of Portage Ave. MB Church in Winnipeg for four years and of Central Baptist Church in Winnipeg for three years. He and his wife Lorna have four children: Andrew, 24, Jeremy, 22, Rachel, 20, and Kristin, 17.

Ray Harris has resigned, effective Aug. 31, as three-quarter-time minister of music at Bakerview MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C., after serving for six years. He has also been teaching part-time at Trinity Western University and Kwantlen University College in Langley, B.C. He will move into full-time teaching at those schools in the fall. He previously taught at Seacliff Christian School in Richmond, B.C. for two years, then moved to half-time for two years while serving as half-time director of church ministries at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Vancouver. He moved into the latter position full-time for four more years, then served for four years as minister of music at Seven Oaks Alliance Church in Abbotsford. He has a B.Mus. and a teaching certificate from the University of British Columbia, a Diploma and Master's of Christian Studies from Regent College in Vancouver and an M.Mus. from Western Washington University. He now hopes to work toward an doctorate in music. His wife Corinne teaches at Dave Kandal Elementary School in Abbotsford. The Harrises have three children: Lyra, 16, Amy, 14, and Greg, 10.

Ramsy Unruh has resigned, effective Aug. 30, as minister of music at Willow Park Church in Kelowna, B.C., after serving for six years. He earned a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg and a B.R.E. from MB Bible College, then taught for a year at Gardner Bible College in Camrose, Alta. After earning an M.Mus. from the University of Arizona, he taught music for four years at Aldersgate Bible College in Moose Jaw, Sask. before coming to Willow Park. His wife Shannon studied at Aldersgate Bible College and has a teaching diploma from Okanagan University College. The Unruhs have two children, Katharina Grace, almost 2, and Thomas Ramsy, born May 8. The Unruhs are looking for God's leading in future ministry.

Patrick Bolan completed his ministry in June after serving for a year as interim minister of music and media at Central Heights MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C. He has a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Utah and a Master of Church Music from Western Theological Seminary in Portland, Ore. He previously served for two years as director of music at Park City Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, and for two years as director of music at Oak Grove Community Church in Portland. His wife Lisa has a degree in child psychology from Western Washington University.

Henry and Elvira Wiebe were honoured May 24 as they retired from many years of service at Central Heights MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C. Henry has a Diploma in Christian Studies from Regent College in Vancouver and an M.Min. from Western Washington University. He worked for 17 years in middle management at B.C. Telephone Co., then directed Columbia Bible Camp for four years. He came to Central Heights as an associate pastor in 1979, serving until 1987. He served as senior pastor of Kennedy Heights MB Church in Delta, B.C. 1988-92. He then returned to Central Heights as pastor for missions and seniors 1993-94 and then as pastor of administration beginning in September, 1995. For the past year, he has served as interim senior pastor. The Wiebes have six children and 12 grandchildren. In appreciation for their ministry, the church gave the Wiebes a number of gifts, including a book and some paintings by Thomas Kincaid. At left in photo is Central Heights' new senior pastor, Chris Douglas.

Russ Reid resigned, effective June 30, after serving for six years as associate pastor for youth and Christian education at Gospel Chapel Fellowship in Grand Forks, B.C. He has a B.A. from Briercrest Bible College and is studying part-time toward a Master's degree at Associated Canadian Theological Schools. He previously served as youth pastor for two years at Courtenay (B.C.) Fellowship Baptist Church and for two years at Northview Community Church in Abbotsford, B.C. He and his wife Priscilla have three children, Melissa, 13, Maegan, 11, and Jordan, 8. For the next few months, Russ will work as a contractor while "recharging his batteries" and seking God's direction for further ministry.

Carlin and Marcia Weinhauer, senior pastor couple at Willingdon Church in Burnaby, B.C., are on sabbatical for June, July and August this summer. They have been ministering for the past 14 years at the church.

Bev Sewell retired June 15 after serving for three years as Administrator of Mom's Place, a home for pregnant single women run by Willingdon Church in Burnaby, B.C. Nicola Chapman will replace her as administrator.

Krista Hunt Ausland, 26, a Mennonite Central Committee worker in Bolivia, was killed in a bus accident May 20. She and her husband Aaron were taking a morning bus to Santa Cruz to meet with other MCC workers. Their bus missed a curve and went over an embankment and down a ravine. Aaron was thrown from the bus. He sustained a shoulder injury and may require surgery. The couple were on a three-year term with MCC in Bolivia. Four Bolivians were also killed in the wreck.

Allan Sauder of Waterloo, Ont. has been named the new executive vice-president and International Services director for Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA). He has worked for MEDA in Canada as a director of international operations since 1990. Based in Waterloo, he will direct MEDA's economic development activities in ten countries. He was a MEDA project director in Tanzania 1987-89, a research officer with the International Development Research Centre in Ottawa 1984-87, assistant director for MCC SelfHelp Crafts (now Ten Thousand Villages) 1982-84, and a job creation administrator with MCC in Bangladesh 1979-82. Sauder replaces Ron Braun, who resigned in May, after 15 years with MEDA, to join an Ontario environmental technology company. Braun began his work with MEDA in Haiti in 1983, becoming director of international services in 1990.

Lorne Willms has been hired as senior pastor of Coaldale (Alta.) MB Church, effective August 1. He recently resigned as senior pastor of Bridgeway Community Church in Swift Current, Sask. (See MBH, May 1). He replaces Henry Willms, who was serving as interim pastor.

Chris Fowler resigned as pastor of Fairview-Louth MB Community Church in St. Catharines, Ont., effective April 30. He has worked for the church for 3 years, at first as associate pastor and the last year as pastor. He attended Bodenseehof Capernwray school, Germany. He sings and plays guitar for a band called "Spillover". Fowler, who is still a member at the church, has no plans for the immediate future.

Rick Hall has resigned as pastor of North Peace MB Church in Fort St. John, B.C., effective Sept. 1, in order to become pastor at Aennofield Community Church, the daughter church to North Peace. Aennofield is a suburb of Fort St. John. Hall has been pastor at North Peace for six years and was associate pastor at Dalhousie MB Community Church, Calgary for three-and-a-half years. Hall, who has an M.Div. from Regent College, Vancouver, did his internship at Willingdon MB Church, Burnaby, B.C. He and his wife, Loreen have two children, Kevin, 19, who is finishing at Briercrest Bible College, and Michelle, 16.

Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 37, No. 14 Home Page