STAFF
Executive Director: Elton Da Silva, (204) 594-3057
email: elton@mbcm.ca
Elton started his new role as the Executive Director in
December 2010. He was born in Brazil, the son of a missionary
couple. After owning a business in Alberta, and a stint in the
financial field, Elton planted and pastored Christian Family
Center, a church in the Elmwood area of Winnipeg. Elton is at
present working on his MDiv through the University of Varginha,
Minas Gerais, Brazil. Elton is married to Ana and together they have three children. His goal is to serve our congregations by providing opportunities for doing missions together. Leadership development and church health are areas that will be at the forefront of his ministry.
Conference Pastor: Keith Poysti, (204) 594-3052
email:
Keith has been the Conference Pastor for MBCM since 2005. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary. Prior to his current ministry, Keith pastored churches in Fresno, CA, in Winnipeg (including a church in the North End) and in Steinbach. Keith’s present mission is to “Assist pastors and churches to pursue their God given mission with joy and effectiveness”. He pursues this mission through personal relationships with pastors and leaders and by providing resources to leaders for conflict resolution, governance issues, pastoral searches, church refocusing, mentoring and credentialing. Keith is married to Heidi, has three children and loves walking, canoeing and traveling.
MCE Director: Russ Toews, (204) 594-3051
email:
Russ has been the Director of Missions and Church Extension
since 2006. He is a graduate of the Mennonite Brethren Biblical
Seminary and Fuller Theological Seminary. Russ has 25 years of
pastoral experience, 19 of those years being spent in Morden as
pastor of Westside Community Church. Russ seeks to come
alongside pastors and churches to encourage them to dream about
expanding God's Kingdom through church planting and/or mercy and justice ministries. Russ is married to Sharon. They have three children, one who has passed away.
Conference Administrator: Roger Friesen, (204) 594-3053
email:
Roger has been serving as the Conference Administrator since February, 2009. He worked for 35 years in agri-business, his career focused on information technology and then financial administration. Roger has previously served the Manitoba Conference as Treasurer and Secretary and is willing to use this knowledge to serve the churches. In his recreation time, he enjoys travelling, kayaking and backpacking. Roger and his wife Anne are active members of the McIvor Avenue MB church.
MCE Administrative Assistant: Dorothea Schalm, (204) 594-3050
email:
Dorothea has been serving as Administrative Assistant for MBCM since 2000
and for Missions & Church Extension since 1987. Prior to that, she worked four
years as a translator for Trans World Radio in Germany. Raised as a missionary
kid in Nigeria, she likes to hear stories about people coming to Jesus. Dorothea is
a connecting point for MBCM pastors and churches. She provides general info about
our ministries, coordinates events, newsletters, prayer bulletins, and receives donations for MCE
ministries. She enjoys coffee with friends, reading, walking, and canoeing.
Accountant: Stella Labossiere, (204) 594-3054
email:
Stella has been the Conference Accountant for MBCM since 2007. She became involved with the Conference as treasurer of Église Communautaire de la Rivière-Rouge which was an emerging church of MCE. Stella oversees the overall finances of the Conference including issuing receipts, supporting the emerging churches, etc. In her spare time, she enjoys being in nature, walking, hiking and travelling.
LEADERSHIP BOARD
Executive Committee:
Moderator: vacant
Acting Moderator: Harold Froese (Fort Garry)
Secretary: Kathi Fast (Crossroads)
Treasurer: vacant
Members at Large:
David Derksen (Newton)
Elton DaSilva (Christian Family Center)
Gerald Dyck (Morden)
Hildi Boge (McIvor)
Vic Neudorf (North Kildonan)
1 vacancy
Ballot Committee:
Appointed at Assembly
Canadian Mennonite University Council:
Al McBurney (Jubilee)
Art DeFehr (River East)
Ed Lenzmann (Eastview)
Fred Pauls (The Meeting Place)
George Klassen (Christian Family Center)
Ken Kliewer (Altona)
Marvin Dyck (Crosroads)
Walter Dick (Niverville)
Conflict Resolution Committee:
Carolyn Bergen (FaithWorks)
Eileen Klassen (Christian Family Center)
Hildi Boge (McIvor)
John Schmidt (Eastview)
John Unger (Fort Garry)
Keith Poysti (Conference Pastor)
Marge Warkentin (Carman)
Neil Janzen (Elmwood)
Sherry Heidebrecht (The Meeting Place)
Constitution Committee:
Michelle Redekopp (River East)
Waldy Derksen (Jubilee)
Roger Friesen (Conference Administrator)
Faith and Life Committee:
Hildi Boge (McIvor)
Paul Doerksen (Fort Garry)
Pierre Gilbert (Fort Garry)
Keith Poysti (Conference Pastor)
Eden Health Care Services:
Carole Clarke (Fort Garry)
Ethel Schroeder (Westwood)
Evelyn Labun (Fort Garry)
Joan Muehling (South Park)
John A. Janzen (Winkler)
Kathy Baerg (Winkler)
Faith and Life, Board of:
MBCM Rep on Canadian Board of Faith and Life: Paul Doerksen (Fort Garry)
Family Life Network:
MBCM Rep to FLN AGM: Vic Neudorf
Finance and Audit Committee:
vacant (Treasurer)
John Enns (La Salle)
John Wiebe (McIvor)
Roger Friesen (Conference Administrator)
Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute:
MBCM Rep to MBCI AGM: Elton da Silva
Mennonite Central Committee:
Barry Dyck (Steinbach)
Dave Dyck (River East)
Dave Koslowsky (Killarney)
DeLayne Toews (River East)
Eric Klassen (Fort Garry)
Hardy Schroeder (Jubilee)
Mennonite Disaster Service:
Dan Giesbrecht (Crossroads)
Vern Koop (Eastview)
David Wiebe (Elm Creek)
Robert Neufeld (River East)
Minute Review Committee:
Appointed at Assembly
Missions and Church Extension Committee:
Russ Toews (MCE Director)
David Derksen (Newton)
Kathi Fast (Crossroads)
Chad Friesen (Westwood)
Ewald Unruh (Canadian Conference)
Personnel Committee:
Harold Froese (Assistant Moderator)
Wendell Wiebe (River East)
Karen Pankratz (Fort Garry)
Roger Friesen (Conference Administrator)
Winnipeg Centre For Ministry Studies:
George Shillington (Fort Garry)
Dan Nighswander (Jubilee)