Pastor Introductions 2020

New/Returning Pastoral Placement in MCEC
February 1, 2019 - January 31, 2020

Anita Schroeder Kipfer, Pastor at Floradale Mennonite Church

I began ministry at Floradale Mennonite Church in June of 2019. While I don’t live in the community, one of the highlights so far is being involved in a weekly evening kids’ program at FMC called “Hopping Thursdays.” Most of the kids who regularly attend live in or around the Floradale community. I lead a creative, enthusiastic junior high group! It’s been great getting to know them and developing relationships with the families connected to this program. Many people from the community visited our church over the Christmas season to see our wonderful Bethlehem diorama, built over several months by congregational members who contributed amazing skills and creativity. This project sparked excitement and joy and brought people together in ways we’d not anticipated. God’s Spirit surprises with endless possibilities as we step out in trust and faith.

Nancy Frey, Pastor at Listowel Mennonite Church

Where two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name, breaking bread, worshiping, serving, fellowshipping, there God is present. I rejoice in the many places I catch a glimpse of the holy as I go about my daily duties.
Daniel Janzen, Pastor at Niagara United Mennonite Church: I see God at work in faith of our seniors, in hope of our middle aged, in love of our young adults and in presence of our children.

 

 

 

Melissa Miller, Transformational Pastor at Pioneer Park Christian Fellowship

I am writing these words after just a few weeks in my new assignment as interim transformational pastor at Pioneer Park Christian Fellowship. I have been surprised and delighted by this beginning, occurring just months after I moved to Ontario from Manitoba. I see how God has been at work as lay leaders have co-laboured with their pastors to gather for worship and fellowship, to serve in mission, and to listen for and respond to God’s voice. I have been warmly welcomed and see God’s hand in my life and that of the congregation as we begin to walk together.

 

 

 

Laura Mullet Koop, Interim Pastor at The First Mennonite Church

I see God at work in our congregation through the shared commitment of caring for one another through the joys and struggles of life. Being a community where all gifts, skills, and voices are valued above difference of opinion or theology is a testament to God’s transforming presence.

 

 

 

 

Peter Haresnape, Pastor at Toronto United Mennonite Church (LTO)

The Good News is brought through ‘Bearing Light: Women in Scripture’, preaching from ancient stories of challenge and blessing that are too frequently missed. Good News is heard through reports from Aurora House, supporting people in their journey towards healing and liberation from human trafficking. Good News is shared through active Christian Education for all ages. We are grateful that God’s work continues in our congregation, and we pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in this new year of grace.

Taucha Inrig, Pastor at Wideman Mennonite Church

I see God at work in our congregation and our community in the many loving exchanges that happen across cultures and generations. When the broken are embraced by those who have experienced healing, when youth are invested in by retirees, or when children are made to feel a valued part of a congregation, we see another little corner of the Kingdom of God revealed. Genuine relationships are life-changing! In a world plagued by loneliness, it is invigorating to see God’s people extending their hands and hearts to embrace the people He places in our lives.

 

 

Steph Chandler Burns, Associate Pastor at Erb Street Mennonite Church

At Erb Street, I am working primarily with the children and youth. I experience God in their questions, their enthusiasm, and their energy. They are excited to learn together, to grapple with difficult topics and to serve others. They ask lots of questions about why church is the way it is, and why the Bible says what it does. They don’t take anything as a given, and push me to reassess what is truly important about and meaningful in my own faith, and in our ways of relating to one another and God in the church.

Credentialed Ministers in MCEC
February 1, 2019 - January 31, 2020

 

Len Rempel, Pastor at St. Agatha Mennonite Church (Ordination)

In my role as pastor of St. Agatha Mennonite, I have felt God at work through the people and their commitment to each other and to God’s kingdom. As we gather for worship and our weekly discussion time, it is clear that we are in the presence of God and God’s spirit continues to guide us. We have also experienced some pain and loss over the past year and especially during those times God has been faithful and given us the strength we have needed.

 

 

 

Alicia Buhler, Spiritual Caregiver in Kitchener Waterloo (Ordination)

Over the past year since ordination my work and ministry have evolved from a more general spiritual care practice to a focus on supporting women who are experiencing reproductive loss. It has been an honour to accompany many who do not have a source of spiritual/pastoral support and are struggling to make meaning out of their journey with infertility or grief after miscarriage. There aren’t easy answers in the darkness that is reproductive loss; however, each day I am invited to hold the Christ Light for these families and maintain hope on their behalf as they move through despair and return to life once again.

 

 

 

 

Hyung Jin (Pablo) Kim Sun, Pastor at Toronto Mennonite New Life Church (LTO)

Our church, Toronto Mennonite New Life Church, is a small congregation composed of people from Central and South America, and many of us are considered as low-income. Yet, we are rich in so many ways. When we gather to worship, our hearts are filled with God’s love and encouragement. When we share prayer requests and pray for one another, we sense a deep solidarity with each another. When we have a special service, we have guests from all around GTA and our sanctuary gets crowded. We provide food, monetary assistant, and services to those who are in need but so far, our bank balance has not gone down to zero. In all these different areas of our church’s life, we experience God’s presence and work. And so as one of our lay leaders, Maciel Hernandez, often says, “God provides.”

Bounnho Phommaseng, Pastor at Lao Christian Fellowship (LTO)

Gods love, grace and reconciliation come through my personal relationship and meditation when I concentrate on Him. I also experienced God’s love and grace and has transformed my life. Therefore serving congregation and sharing of Christ with community is a great challenge. I enjoy helping people turn their lives toward Christ and seeing them seeking reconciliation with God.

 

 

 

 

Jessica Reesor Rempel, Pastor with Pastors in Exile (Ordination)

Through the wonder filled eyes of a baby and a preschooler, I experience God in the simple and intricate things that make up the natural world. I have just returned to my ministry with PiE after taking a one year parental leave. During this time, even as I focused on parenting, I was aware that my calling as pastor is always with me. Participating in a Climate Strike with my partner and kids this past fall, I had the strong sense that God was calling me to pursue ecological justice both as a parent and as a pastor. I am excited to be back in my role as pastor with PiE and to follow God’s leading deeper into this unconventional ministry with young adults.

Nick Schuurman, Pastor at St. Catharines United Mennonite Church (Ordination)

In what can feel like anxious and uncertain times for churches, we continue to recognize and celebrate God’s presence and work in our midst. To gather each week, as multiple generations; to vision and listen together; to bless our community with programs, events and a space to meet. For these things and more, we are grateful