ABOUT

Pat comes from a pastor’s home and grew up surrounded by ministry and church work. After he gave his life to Christ and became a serious follower of Jesus Christ at the age of 15, he knew he would be in preaching ministry. For over 40 years Pat & Carol have served in evangelism and conference work, staff ministry in two churches and lead pastoral couple in three churches, most recently coming from Asheville, North Carolina in March 2016. They have done extensive missions ministry in Uganda, Botswana, Honduras, Peru, and Paraguay and ministered throughout Europe and the United States. Pat and Carol were high school sweethearts and have two sons married to awesome daughters-in-law. They have five grandchildren, ranging from age 6 to 13. They love to hike, fish and boat, as well as scuba dive. You will find Pat & Carol out in the foyer after most every service ready to meet and greet guests and church families.

Trevor was born and raised in Wainfleet and was an active part of our church family until God led him to study at Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener. That school provided theological and practical preparation for ministry and there he met Sherry Steckle whom he married in 1990. Upon graduation Trevor was invited to pastor the Rosebank Brethren in Christ Church on the outskirts of Kitchener where he and Sherry served until 1997. During those years they were blessed with two children, Kyle and Christina. Trevor and Sherry’s long-time interest in missionary service became a reality as they were commissioned for service with Brethren in Christ World Missions. As a family they served in Venezuela and Colombia, South America for a total of 13 years. Returning to Canada God eventually brought Trevor full-circle in 2014 when he and Sherry moved to Wainfleet to join the staff team at the church. Trevor says: “I am glad to be back in Wainfleet and am excited to serve with such a wonderful church family that has been part of this community for over 200 years!”

Renee grew up in Stayner, Ontario where she was part of the congregation of Stayner Brethren In Christ Church.  She came to the Niagara area during her high school years to attend Niagara Christian Collegiate and was an active part of our youth group at that time. After completing high school, she attended Messiah College in Pennsylvania and then Houghton College in New York where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree (Honors) with a major in Elementary Education and her Teacher's Certificate.  After getting married and moving back to Wainfleet she worked for 4 years as a school teacher before sensing God's call to move into Children's ministry here at Wainfleet BIC back in 2001.  Renee has served in a variety of roles at Wainfleet and currently runs our weekly Jr. High ministry and works as an Executive Pastor.  Renee and her husband Ron have 3 children, Kyla, Tessa and Sierra.  They serve together as a family and have lots of fun working together.

Since the age of 16, Christian felt a call on his life to be in pastoral ministry. That journey has led him to serve both in Windsor and Welland as a youth pastor for a combined 8 years of full-time ministry. Christian have been so blessed by past experiences and leaders that have shaped him along the way, to prepare him for his current role as the Youth and Young Adults Pastor here at Wainfleet BIC Church!  Christian is married to the beautiful and ever so patient Marianne and together have the privilege of raising their little daughter Ellie. Christian is currently working through his Masters program at Fresno Pacific Seminary in California, and enjoys all kinds of sports, playing drums, graphic design work and a strong cup of coffee. Christian is a bit of an introvert, but can flip on the fun switch when the time is right! You’ll catch Christian in his office most days, listening to an ever-growing Spotify playlist and causing trouble for Renee and Natalie. Christian is excited to be part of the team!

Connie was raised in Springvale, ON near Hagersville, and spent the first 2 decades of her life attending the Springvale Brethren in Christ Church. She graduated from Niagara Christian College where she met her future husband, Tom Harper from Massillon, Ohio. After high school, she completed Nurses’ Training, married Tom, began her nursing career, became actively involved in the Hamilton Ridgemount BIC Church and raised her 4 daughters, Amy, Adrienne, Alicia and Alison. In later years, Tom and Connie became involved in the Wainfleet BIC Congregation. She enrolled in online ministry courses, (Equipping for Ministry through BIC opportunities) and continued to work in her RN profession working in several different hospitals, a long-term care facility and several community roles in both rural and inner city settings. Connie became involved in Parish Nursing at Wainfleet BIC in September 2014. This is a new venture for her and she believes that her professional nursing experience, opportunities of spiritual formation and training, along with a variety of personal experiences including the death of her husband and other close relatives, has prepared her for a ministry which uniquely seeks to provide hope and care by linking faith and health.

Anne has had a passion for both music and ministry from a very young age.  She began studying piano at age 4 and completed her ARCT in Piano Performance when she was just 16.  She then traveled to Scotland after high school and studied at Tilsley Bible College in Motherwell.  After returning to Ontario, she completed her Elementary Piano Pedagogy, and began teaching piano lessons in the Niagara region in 2007.  Anne and her husband Steve began attending Wainfleet Be In Christ Church in 2011, and immediately felt a sense of belonging and community.  When the position of Worship Director became available, Anne felt a strong calling from God to step out of her comfort zone and try something new!  The Wainfleet family and staff have helped Anne and Steve through some difficult times in their lives, and Anne feels honoured to be able to now serve on the staff team and give back to the church family.  She can often be seen playing piano, singing, or wrangling their 3 sons: Seth, Abel and Miles.

Carol is our lead pastor’s wife and has had a definite ministry calling since age 15 after she became a ‘Serious Follower of Jesus’ at the young age of 9. Coming from central Ohio in the US with its rural farmland setting, she immediately fell in love with the Wainfleet BIC family with its loving, giving, hardworking, and full of leadership personalities. Carol attended Tennessee Temple University and then graduated from Covington Theological Seminary and has received her Pastoral Credentialing from Be In Christ Canada. With her combined background of teaching, administrative assistant, office managerial, life coaching and 15 years of real estate, she is using all of her experience to help piece our church family into the puzzle of where to find the right ‘fit’ for them in local outreach and missions. Whether helping coordinate our Hospitality Ministries, Open Arm Missions Lunches & Food Sorting, MomCare (single mom & widows outreach), you will find in her a helpful, welcoming friend.

Hilda was born and raised in the Dunnville/Lowbanks area, attended Niagara Christian Community of Schools from 1977-79, then E.L. Crossley Secondary School for the next 2 years.  After high school, Hilda attended Columbia Bible Institute in British Columbia from 1981-82. Upon returning home, attended Niagara College and graduated in 1983 from the Office Administration program.  Hilda married Paul in 1985, has three wonderful children and two grandchild she absolutely adores. Hilda has enjoyed filling the secretarial position at the Wainfleet BIC church since 1999.              

Rob was born and raised in St. Catharines, ON  where he lived until 1993 when he moved to Welland, ON.  In November 1993, Rob married his wife Nancy and together they raised 3 children. In 2003, Rob and his family moved to North Pelham to their current home. Rob and his family have been attending Wainfleet BIC for 10 years. Almost 2 years ago Rob was hired as the Custodial and Facilities Manager at Wainfleet BIC Church with special focus on custodial duties and organization of our trustee team.

Kerry has been attending Wainfleet BIC Church for about 7 years with her family.  She is married to Allen, who runs his own construction company, and they have 5 wonderful children between the ages of 12 and 22 – Keralen, Zachary, Samantha, Austin, and Cameron.  Kerry also works for Christian Horizons as a program coordinator in the Host Family program, working with families in the community who would like to support individuals with different abilities in their homes. Kerry is excited to oversee the Children's Ministries at Wainfleet BIC on an Interim basis.  

Julie grew up in Welland, and attended the Welland BIC Church as a child and adolescent.  She has been attending Wainfleet BIC with her family for the past 10 years.  Julie is married to Tom, a dentist in Beamsville. They live in Wellandport and have 2 lovely girls, Sadie and Aurora who are 8 & 6.  Julie is also a dental hygienist, who has been enjoying time at home raising children for the past 8 years.  Julie is excited to take on the role of Interim Media & Communications Director.