Leadership

Charlotte and I joined Avalon in the summer of 2014.  I had just finished my Masters of Divinity and was excited to return to pastoral ministry. This has been both my and Charlotte’s return, from Calgary, to the “Promised Land” as I grew up in Saskatoon and Charlotte grew up in Regina (opposites attract ;-). We have four beautiful children – Elizabeth, Clara, Nathan, and Evelyn. I am inspired by great music and great stories – having cut my teeth growing up on Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia. I am also an avid Riders fan and Ottawa Senators fan. My greatest passion as a pastor is to participate in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ in peoples’ lives as I also continues to experience Christ’s ongoing work in my own life. 

Abby and I have been attending Avalon since getting married in the fall of 2019. I became Avalon’s intern pastor as a part of my Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Leadership. Afterwards, I was brought on staff as an associate pastor with my main role being youth ministry. I moved a lot growing up, but I consider myself a Saskatchewanian at heart. Abby is from Manitoba, but the good part where most of them still cheer for the Riders. Abby and I call Saskatoon home and hope to live here for a long time. Last year we added our daughter, Noelle, to our family. I love building things that will fall apart, tending gardens that never grow, and always having an incomplete project in the way of Abby’s nice clean home. I love working in youth ministry and am interested in mental health, which is why I am pursuing a Master's in Pastoral Counselling. I want to see youth grow to love Jesus and to provide a save space for youth in the struggles of life. 

I serve on staff at Avalon as the Parish Nurse. I have a degree in Nursing from the U of S, and received my Parish Nurse specialty training in Saskatoon. I am also a licensed worker with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada.
My large and busy family is made up of four married children, fourteen grandchildren, an adopted son and four foster daughters. My husband, Blair and I have been married 40 years.
The bulk of my nursing career has been in long-term and palliative care. The focus of my ministry is to point others to Jesus, our Healer, through supports such as prayer, visitation and referrals. I am available to talk with you about health questions, accompany you to an appointment, help you access health care resources, meet with you for prayer, and offer support as you navigate difficult situations. If you don’t know whether or not to ask the Parish Nurse, the answer is yes. I am here to listen, care and help, and to
support you in the ways that would bring wholeness.

I grew up at Avalon, first attending with my parents and siblings when I was six.  I am married to Kevin, and we have two daughters, Rachel and Jessica.  Rachel is married to Phil and has two very busy and growing rapidly sons.  Both boys are the apple of my eye.  Jessica lives in Martensville and works for Prairie Heart Mobility in the city.   I began working in the office as the Administrator in June of 2011, after deciding that a 16 year career teaching First Aid and CPR was long enough.  Although I do sometimes misses the huge amount of human interaction I had with teaching, I enjoy the challenges that come in maintaining the office. I have a love for music, and in particular, music within worship.  I am a Music Team Leader, co-leading with Marsha Jago.  However, my true passion has been to raise my girls to love the Lord and to strive to live for Him.  When not at Avalon, you might find me scrapbooking, cross stitching, learning new crochet stitches to teach to Rachel, and most recently, learning the craft of quilting. 

More information about David to come.