|
|
Born in Kaslo, British Columbia, David was raised in Wasa Lake, both
rural hamlets in the Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia.
He spend most of his early life in a lumber camp and his initial
post-secondary education was in forestry. In 1979, at the age of 29, he
was baptized into Christ, diagnosed with cancer and felt a call to the
Ministry of Word and Sacrament. By the grace of God he survived both
the cancer and the required seminary education for ministry.
He and his wife Linda have ministered in rural parishes since 1983.
During that time they began to develop the vision for reaching out in a
non-traditional way to isolated people in rural and remote areas.
In 1989 they moved to Lac La Hache, British Columbia and began building
the Cariboo Presbyterian Church as a congregation of house churches.
David and Linda have two grown sons, Davin and Halden, a 18 year old
daughter Chelsea, and a 7 year old grandson, Jacob. They love to spend
their spare time hunting, fishing and relaxing far from civilization. |
|
|
Jon and Shannon both grew up in Southern Ontario: Jon in the Toronto
area and Shannon in Port Hope, a small town along Lake Ontario. Jon
first pursued a diploma in graphic design and during that time in
college committed his life to Christ at a youth retreat. At the same
weekend he sensed a call to missions. He went on to work in short-term
missions in Holland and Toronto before going to Bible College,
university and eventually seminary. Shannon studied for a diploma from
Ewart College in Christian Education and a degree in Religious Studies
before she and Jon went to Knox College for ministry training.
Jon and Shannon dated while in university and were married in 1986.
They each finished their degrees and entered Knox College together and
were ordained together in 1991. Their ministry experience to that point
had been focussed on inner-city missions and they went on to share a
position in Montreal in an inner-city ministry of the church. The call
to the Cariboo and rural ministry was quite unexpected, but God always
knows what is best for them. They have been truly blessed to labour in
God's vineyard in the Cariboo. They have settled in the remote,
predominantly Carrier community of Ndazkoh where they are reaching out
to their own village as well as other local villages and
bands. Jon and Shannon have 2 daughters: Shelby is 16 and
Joelle
is 12. Their vision is to see Ndazkoh and the surrounding bands
transformed
by the love of Christ. |
|
Charlie was born and raised near Woodbridge
Ontario where his family farmed. He received his formal education in
local schools, the University of Guelph for a BA, and Knox College
Toronto for the M. Div. From his perspective he received invaluable
education in the working world at various jobs as a young man, and then in the service of God through the church.
Charlie has appreciated the people he served with, and the
congregations in which he served. In his experience he has found that
the saints have much to share, to teach, and to give. He was married
for much of his ministry to Shannon Finley and they shared the joys and
struggles life and ministry offered. Several years ago they divorced
and lived apart.
In late July 2003 Charlie and Shannon recognized the work God had been
doing in each of their lives, and they have since reconciled and
relished the wonders of God’s grace! They remarried December
29, 2003 and are balancing work, relationship, and family realities
between Kamloops and Lac La Hache. Life has its surprises and lessons!
Their family has been their mainstay over all the years. Tim, (married
to Nina) and Paddy, are in the working world. They are both
talented musically and each has a variety of other gifts they share.
Rachael, 18, is attending high school. She keeps the family on a
balanced perspective with her laughter, wit, love, and joy!
Charlie is most at home in the rural environment. His ministries have
mostly been in small towns and rural areas in Alberta, British
Columbia, and Manitoba. He is currently exploring the beauty
and diversity of the Cariboo and is enjoying meeting new people and
communities. In the spring, summer, and fall he likes taking walks
along the back roads and in winter cross country skiing.
For several years Charlie taught Canadian history and political science
at the University College of the Cariboo in Williams Lake.
Charlie found the two experiences of combining the class room and the
worship space complementary.
|
|
