Central Baptist Church: Edmonton, AB, Canada

I've been married to Crystal since 2003 and we have four awesome kids: Nolan, Maeva, Ruby and Jack. (I like them all a whole lot). I believe Jesus is who he said he was, the Son of God who came to bring us back to God and to give us full life. And I truly believe that Jesus alone is the key to knowing God, knowing who we really are, and ultimately living the life we were created to live. I'm increasingly passionate about seeing our church become people who simply see themselves as those who are following Jesus together through the good and the bad, the easy and the hard, the ups and downs of life. 1 John 3:16 really sums it all up for me this year: "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."  That's good.

I am originally from Scotland and I met my wife Evelyn (who is Canadian) while working with YWAM in England. We have been married for 20 years and have 2 boys Jonathan and Peter. We moved here from Bonnie Scotland in 2003 and have made Central our church home since then.

I joined Central's staff in Feb 2009 as the Executive Pastor and am responsible for our finances (great job for a Scotsman), human resources, ministries and our facility. Outside of that Evelyn and I have been involved in house groups since we arrived at Central and found this to be such a source of Spiritual growth and personal support. I would encourage you to find a group.  I love being part of this church and have the privilege to be part of a great staff team. A meaningful scripture for me is Hebrews 10:23-24, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

As part of Central it is a privilege to serve as the Point Pastor for the 9:15am Sanctuary Service, to teach weekly at Tuesday 10:28am, and to come along side individuals and families as they experience the challenges of living Godly lives. I also have been blessed with my best friend Brenda. We have been married for 42 years and we enjoy many gatherings with family members.  Beside my involvement at Central, God has given me a passion for individuals living in developing countries.  When I have time and energy, construction projects are another involvement.  A personal challenge is making Galatians 2 verse 20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” a reality. 

I'm married to Sylvia and together we have 4 kids - Kyla, Julie, Sam, and Gwen.  My primary passion in ministry is to see people make a decision to follow Jesus and then grow to maturity in their walk with Jesus.  I'm passionate about the reality that people are created by Jesus and for Jesus.  I love it when people understand this reality and live their lives with passion for Jesus and the calling that He has given to them.  I like basketball, football, baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, hockey, the Los Angeles Lakers, Roger Federer, and Wayne Gretzky.   My favourite verse is from Ephesians 3:16-19 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

After living in Portland, Oregon for the past 11 years, my family and I headed up to Edmonton in the fall of 2011 to serve at Central. Throughout this move, I was amazed by God's provision and His answers to prayer, and I'm really excited to be a part of Central as we follow Jesus together. I love this verse: "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21). My role this year will be primarily focused on the 9:15 Satellite, 11:15 Sanctuary, and our New Site that will launch this winter. I've been totally blessed to be married to Jill for 14 years. We have 3 children: Raegan (7), Max (4), and Graham (2).

It may sound cheesy to say, but I'm always amazed at how awesome Jesus is! I mean, He's the Creator of the Universe, All-Powerful, All-Awesome, All-EVERYTHING - and yet at the same time He cares about lowly ol' me more than I could ever even begin to imagine! Tragically though, many people go through their whole lives and never discover how great it is to love and be loved by Jesus! Few things fire me up more than seeing people experience Jesus' Presence is fresh ways! As the Student Ministries Pastor at Central I love the opportunity to journey with people in sorting out how their lives can be shaped by these encounters with Jesus.  One of my favourite Bible verses is Luke 15:20 - So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”  To me, this picture of the father’s response to his wayward son is such a clear depiction of the very Gospel of Jesus Christ!
I've been at Central since 2003. My wife Carol and I have been married for 8 years and we have two boys, Corbyn (3.5) and Brennan (1.5).

Hello! I'm excited to work with the children, families and volunteers at Central this year as we seek to 'walk in love' together (Ephesians 5:1).  I am passionate about seeing families connect together spiritually and socially within the church body.  Seeing volunteers find their niche and connect with others as they serve is also another rewarding part of my position.   I have been married to my wonderful husband Dave for 3 and a half years and we've been attending Central since 2008. I enjoy playing music, having warm beverages with friends, being crafty, and doing sports and other activities.  A favourite passage of mine is Philippians 2:5-8 'Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross' as it encourages me to serve God and others like Jesus did.

My Dad led me to faith in Jesus Christ when I was 8 years old.

The Lord has put the burden on my heart to see people of all ethnic groups come to faith In Him but also encourage the family of God to communicate Jesus effectively.  First we must know Him, and as we desire to put Him first in our lives we will want everyone else to know Him too!

My favorite verse is Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

I've been in full-time ministry for 33 years in 3 countries, including 2 Canadian provinces, and 6 U.S. states. The Lord has blessed me with my wife Lois since 1973, and we have 4 sons, 3 daughters-in-law, and 5 grandchildren. :-)