AUTHORS
Matthew Swinamer
Matthew Swinamer is a professional engineer with over a decade of experience working across various sectors of the Canadian energy industry. He has been married to his wife, Heidi, for ten years, and together they lead Master’s Counselling Services, a faith-based counselling practice in Calgary providing a wide range of psychotherapeutic services, supporting individuals, couples and families in mental, emotional, and spiritual health. As a mental health advocate, Matthew is passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in both faith communities and society at large, especially in male-dominated environments, industries and workplaces. He is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he continues to explore the intersection of faith, mental health, and leadership. Matthew and Heidi live just outside of Calgary, Canada, with their furry ‘practice child’ Lily ( a seven-year-old golden retriever dog).
Matthew Swinamer is a professional engineer with over a decade of experience working across various sectors of the Canadian energy industry. He has been married to his wife, Heidi, for ten years, and together they lead Master’s Counselling Services, a faith-based counselling practice in Calgary providing a wide range of psychotherapeutic services, supporting individuals, couples and families in mental, emotional, and spiritual health. As a mental health advocate, Matthew is passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in both faith communities and society at large, especially in male-dominated environments, industries and workplaces. He is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he continues to explore the intersection of faith, mental health, and leadership. Matthew and Heidi live just outside of Calgary, Canada, with their furry ‘practice child’ Lily (a seven-year-old golden retriever dog).
Joachim Chisanga
Joachim Chisanga was born and raised in Zambia. He graduated from Trans-Africa Christian University, Kitwe, Zambia in 1999. In 2000, Joachim immigrated to Botswana, and served as Assistant pastor for Soul Winning Ministries in Palapye. He graduated from VST with a MAPPL in 2017. Joachim is currently the lead pastor at Claresholm Pentecostal Assembly, Claresholm, Alberta. He has been married to his wife, Nancy, for 22 years, with whom he has 4 children.
Joachim Chisanga was born and raised in Zambia. He graduated from Trans-Africa Christian University, Kitwe, Zambia in 1999. In 2000, Joachim immigrated to Botswana, and served as Assistant pastor for Soul Winning Ministries in Palapye. He graduated from VST with a MAPPL in 2017. Joachim is currently the lead pastor at Claresholm Pentecostal Assembly, Claresholm, Alberta. He has been married to his wife, Nancy, for 22 years, with whom he has 4 children.
Jeremy Gifford
Jeremy Gifford has years of leadership experience in youth, young adults, and pastoral roles. He and his wife, Rachel, are graduates of Vanguard College. He currently is the Lead Pastor of Life Church in Edmonton.
Jeremy Gifford has years of leadership experience in youth, young adults, and pastoral roles. He and his wife, Rachel, are graduates of Vanguard College. He currently is the Lead Pastor of Life Church in Edmonton.
Peter Cusick
Take some time, and focus on God. Quiet the noise all around you and remind yourself Whose you are. God is with you. He longs to spend time with you. He wants you to just "be". Be in His presence. Be in His care. Be in the moment. Be aware of His work around you.
Peter Cusick is a Certified Spiritual Director with an active practice serving the spiritual needs of pastors and leaders. He is a Global Ed Volunteer who travels overseas to teach, train, and provide spiritual direction. He is the founder and director of Beside Peaceful Streams Inc., a ministry of prayer, soul care, and spiritual direction.
Masters Counselling
Masters Counselling, founded over 25 years ago, offers high-quality, faith-based mental health services. Our team of over 15 registered, certified clinicians integrates spiritual principles with professional therapy to foster healing, growth, and transformation for children, adults, couples and families. Learn more at www.masterscounselling.com.
Masters Counselling, founded over 25 years ago, offers high-quality, faith-based mental health services. Our team of over 15 registered, certified clinicians integrates spiritual principles with professional therapy to foster healing, growth, and transformation for children, adults, couples and families. Learn more at www.masterscounselling.com.
James Clarence
James and Karina Clarence pastored in Calgary, AB, at First Assembly Church for 11 years. They have two daughters, Kendrick and Lennon and are welcoming a son to their family this fall.
Now, they join the Cornerstone Team in Yellowknife, NT, as the Lead Pastors. They believe with all their hearts that God has a plan for the church in Canada & they’ve given their life to see a move of God come again to our nation.
James and Karina Clarence pastored in Calgary, AB, at First Assembly Church for 11 years. They have two daughters, Kendrick and Lennon and are welcoming a son to their family this fall.
Now, they join the Cornerstone Team in Yellowknife, NT, as the Lead Pastors. They believe with all their hearts that God has a plan for the church in Canada & they’ve given their life to see a move of God come again to our nation.
Merril Radford
Merril Radford, Lead Pastor, Freedom Centre Church, Edmonton, started his pastoral journey in 1996 and has served in various church ministries along his journey. He has a degree in theology from Vanguard College and is working towards a Master of Divinity degree from Providence Theological Seminary. Merril and his wife, Betty, have been married for 30 years and have two adult children (three, including their son-in-law). Merril’s passion is to encourage and equip people to be who God created them to be.
Merril Radford, Lead Pastor, Freedom Centre Church, Edmonton, started his pastoral journey in 1996 and has served in various church ministries along his journey. He has a degree in theology from Vanguard College and is working towards a Master of Divinity degree from Providence Theological Seminary. Merril and his wife, Betty, have been married for 30 years and have two adult children (three, including their son-in-law). Merril’s passion is to encourage and equip people to be who God created them to be.
Mark MacKnight
Mark is the President of Vanguard College. Married to his best friend Pam, they have two great children, Rachel and James, both involved in ministry. Mark’s desire and passion is to encounter the God of unlimited resources who has big plans for His Church and the next generation of leaders.
Mark is the President of Vanguard College. Married to his best friend Pam, they have two great children, Rachel and James, both involved in ministry. Mark’s desire and passion is to encounter the God of unlimited resources who has big plans for His Church and the next generation of leaders.
Phil Kniesel
Phil Kniesel grew up in Ontario and attended PAOC churches with his family. Phil and his wife Marla moved to Edmonton in 2006. He is passionate about making faith relevant to today’s culture and loves seeing individuals discover and live out their God-given potential. He and his team have a God-inspired vision to reach 1% of Edmonton. Pastor Phil and Marla have two daughters.
Phil Kniesel grew up in Ontario and attended PAOC churches with his family. Phil and his wife Marla moved to Edmonton in 2006. He is passionate about making faith relevant to today’s culture and loves seeing individuals discover and live out their God-given potential. He and his team have a God-inspired vision to reach 1% of Edmonton. Pastor Phil and Marla have two daughters.
Christopher Grant
Christopher Grant is the assistant pastor at Bethel Family Worship Centre in St. Paul.
Christopher Grant is the assistant pastor at Bethel Family Worship Centre in St. Paul.
Mark McMillan
Mark McMillan is the lead pastor of Cold Lake Community Church. He started as a youth pastor, returned as the associate pastor after a few years of pastoring in BC and was elected lead pastor in 2021. Mark is married to Rhea, and they have two children, Sophia and Everett.
Mark McMillan is the lead pastor of Cold Lake Community Church. He started as a youth pastor, returned as the associate pastor after a few years of pastoring in BC and was elected lead pastor in 2021. Mark is married to Rhea, and they have two children, Sophia and Everett.
Duane Grant
Duane Grant has served as the Lead Pastor of Bethel Family Worship Centre in St Paul for two decades. His son Christopher is the Assistant Pastor, and his wife Judy oversees the Children’s and Women’s programs. The family is very involved in Moose Lake Pentecostal Camp.
Duane Grant has served as the Lead Pastor of Bethel Family Worship Centre in St Paul for two decades. His son Christopher is the Assistant Pastor, and his wife Judy oversees the Children’s and Women’s programs. The family is very involved in Moose Lake Pentecostal Camp.
Jonathan DuHamel
With several years of experience, Jonathan DuHamel has spent the last 15 years working in churches, daycares, public schools, and camps. He has been involved in ministry in churches ranging from as small as 20 members to those with over 2000 and everything in between. While still learning, he decided to start writing about his experiences to help churches better reach the next generation.
With several years of experience, Jonathan DuHamel has spent the last 15 years working in churches, daycares, public schools, and camps. He has been involved in ministry in churches ranging from as small as 20 members to those with over 2000 and everything in between. While still learning, he decided to start writing about his experiences to help churches better reach the next generation.
He is married to his wonderful wife, Heather, and they have three children. Together, they have moved from Ontario to Saskatchewan and now to Alberta. Children and youth have always been a significant part of his life. He began volunteering in his church’s children’s ministry at the age of 12 and has continued ever since. He has worked as a Children & Youth Pastor, Youth Pastor, and Kids Pastor, and even briefly served as a Lead Pastor. He prays that his writings are helpful to those seeking God’s will in their ministry.
Edwin Rideout
Edwin and his wife, Rhoda, commenced their ministry at the Family Christian Centre, Fort McMurray, in August 2008. Under their leadership, FCC has experienced sustained growth.
Edwin is known for his energy and passion in the congregation and community. His preaching and teaching are forthright and down to earth; the cry of his heart is for people to discover the "freedom" the gospel of Christ provides.
Edwin and his wife, Rhoda, commenced their ministry at the Family Christian Centre, Fort McMurray, in August 2008. Under their leadership, FCC has experienced sustained growth.
Edwin is known for his energy and passion in the congregation and community. His preaching and teaching are forthright and down to earth; the cry of his heart is for people to discover the "freedom" the gospel of Christ provides.
Mark Cole
Mark Cole is the Worship Pastor at Neighbourhood Church, Calgary. Mark has over 40 years of full-time ministry experience, including 30 years as a Worship Pastor in some of Canada's largest churches. He loves spending time with his wife, Anna, their children, Josh, Sonia, Stephanie, Ryan, and their three grandchildren. In addition to mentoring musicians and consulting for churches, he enjoys ping-pong, pickleball, biking, hiking, skiing, writing and arranging music, teaching various instruments, and working on his blog.
Mark Cole is the Worship Pastor at Neighbourhood Church, Calgary. Mark has over 40 years of full-time ministry experience, including 30 years as a Worship Pastor in some of Canada's largest churches. He loves spending time with his wife, Anna, their children, Josh, Sonia, Stephanie, Ryan, and their three grandchildren. In addition to mentoring musicians and consulting for churches, he enjoys ping-pong, pickleball, biking, hiking, skiing, writing and arranging music, teaching various instruments, and working on his blog.
Carissa Barke
Carissa works as Events & Communications Specialist with the ABNWT District of the PAOC. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Vanguard College, Carissa started in the events industry at the Baptist General Conference of Canada in 2009. In 2012, she was hired at the PAOC ABNWT District, and in 2013, she earned her Event Management Certificate at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Carissa is now a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) with the Events Industry Council. She enjoys using her experience to help executive leaders accomplish their goals through events, marketing and top-notch administration.
Carissa works as Events & Communications Specialist with the ABNWT District of the PAOC. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Vanguard College, Carissa started in the events industry in 2009. In 2013, she earned her Event Management Certificate at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Carissa is now a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) with the Events Industry Council. She enjoys using her experience to help executive leaders accomplish their goals through events, marketing and top-notch administration.
Connie Jakab
Connie Jakab is a creative church leader, entrepreneur, church planter, and coach. She has worked in full-time church ministry in East Vancouver and has served as the Children's Ministry Director for the BCYD PAOC District. She works on reaching people on the fringes, such as the artistic and LGBTQ2+ community. She and her husband are restoring “HOME” with their company, The Jakab Co., where they renovate houses while coaching marriages and parents. She is also the author of the Bring Them Closer Series and works within schools to reimagine mental health for youth.
Connie Jakab is a creative church leader, entrepreneur, church planter, and coach. She has worked in full-time church ministry in East Vancouver and has served as the Children's Ministry Director for the BCYD PAOC District. She works on reaching people on the fringes, such as the artistic and LGBTQ2+ community. She and her husband are restoring “HOME” with their company, The Jakab Co., where they renovate houses while coaching marriages and parents. She is also the author of the Bring Them Closer Series and works within schools to reimagine mental health for youth.
Joel Pukalo
Joel and Andrea Pukalo founded Family Life Psychology. In counselling, he is passionate about facilitating relational healing and cohesion. Within the community, Family Life is honoured to work collaboratively with health and education sectors to bring about social change, cohesion, and connection.
Joel and Andrea Pukalo founded Family Life Psychology. In counselling, he is passionate about facilitating relational healing and cohesion. Within the community, Family Life is honoured to work collaboratively with health and education sectors to bring about social change, cohesion, and connection.
Kathy Zelman
Kathy has worked with kids and families for over 30 years in church settings (small, medium, cross-cultural, large, and mega-sized churches), school settings, and early childhood settings. She is presently the Children and Family Ministries specialist at the ABNWT District Resource Centre. She thrives on collaborating and coaching leaders, helping them thrive.
Kathy has worked with kids and families for over 30 years in church settings (small, medium, cross-cultural, large, and mega-sized churches), school, and early childhood settings. She serves as the Children and Family Ministries specialist at the ABNWT District Resource Centre. She thrives on collaborating and coaching leaders, helping them thrive.
Kevin Janzen
Kevin is the husband to Kristin, dad to Livia, Lincoln, and Lennon, and serves as NextGen Coach for ABNWT. Kevin has a passion to see women and men discover and grow in their unique, God-given purpose.
Kevin has served as the Young Leaders Network Director for ABNWT since 2021 . He loves calling potential out of emerging leaders and helping them grow in their unique, God-given purpose. ABNWT has some of the best young leaders in the country and it’s an honour for Kevin to get to work with them. Kevin is husband to Kristin and dad to Livia, Lincoln, and Lennon.