new church life: september/october 2014
Then he was asked to serve
on a committee to counsel the
Bishop on who should replace
his father, who was retiring as
pastor of the Boynton Beach
congregation. “During the
meeting,” he remembers, “I
kind of zoned out and clearly
heard the Lord telling me that
I should be doing this kind of
work mysel f. After that, my wife
and I decided to sell our share of
the business and use the money
to pursue theological training
in Bryn Athyn.”
He entered the Bryn Athyn
College Theological School in
1996, graduating three years
later. Upon ordination he
Left to right, back row: Deacon, Linnea, Denali,
was sent to the Carmel New
Cathy, Reyana and Brad. In front, Calvin and Joram.
Church in Caryndale, Ontario,
In the background, the Carmel New Church.
Canada, where he and his wife
Cathy (Stewart) and family have lived happily ever since. He was assistant
to the pastor from 1999 to 2002, and pastor beginning in 2002. He also is
Executive Vice President of the General Church in Canada, and the Bishop’s
Representative for Cuba.
Among the major influences in his life pointing him toward the ministry
were his father, Dan, and mother, Miriam (Mim), and their parents – the Rev.
Henry and Ruona Heinrichs and Gilbert and Venita Smith. He is proud to say,
“Their amazing dedication to the New Church has always been an inspiration
in my life.”
Another huge influence in Theological School was the knowledge of the
doctrines within the faculty which made him realize just how little he knew,
despite being on track as a third-generation minister. “It inspired me,” he says,
“to want to investigate the doctrines as thoroughly as possible.”
Having the opportunity to spend all 15 years of his career in the same
congregation, he notes, “has been an amazing experience. The people at the
Carmel New Church have taught me much and treated me well. It has been a
wonderfully supportive community in which to raise a family.”
Traveling throughout Canada and serving various groups and circles has
also made him “proud to call myself a Canadian.” He adds: “Recently serving
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