Pastors

Here's your opportunity to take a look at the staff at Peace Portal Alliance. The necessary contact information is listed on the staff directory page.

Paul Wartman

Senior Pastor

'Responsible for teaching and preaching. Directs the Leadership Team, the Vision and Communications Committee of the Board and is a member of the Board of Elders'.

Ruthanne and I were married in 1976. We have two sons: Mike is an architect and lives in Vancouver; Jon and Yolanda live in Langley where Jon works in finance providing individual and group benefit plans. We are excited about becoming grandparents in January 2010. When not around the office, you can find me on my motorcycle, on the golf course, or helping Ruthanne with gardening.

Dean Cooper

Pastor of Administration

'Responsible for all financial and legal matters in the church, supervises the facility and grounds, kitchen, church communications and the Peace Portal Counselling Centre. Is a member of the Leadership Team and works on a number of church committees'.

Maureen and I have been married 36 years. We have 5 daughters; Denise – who is married to Matt Smith, Melanie – who is married to Peter Kopic and has two boys Kyle and Caleb, Courtney – who is married to Justin Greenway, Stephanie and Karen. I am the Treasurer for the Canadian Pacific District of the Alliance and Vice-Chair of the Alliance District Executive Committee.

We moved to the lower mainland 9 years ago from Kelowna to launch NOW-TV which I managed at the time. I have been in the broadcast business, owning and operating radio and television stations for 30 years before going into ministry as the Director of Development at the Leadership Centre/Willow Creek Canada and then as the Executive Pastor at Pacific Community Church in Cloverdale. My wife Maureen is heavily involved in Women's Ministry, something she has done in our past two churches, as well.

Phil Vanderveen

Lead Worship and the Arts Pastor

'Responsible for all worship and arts activities in the church and in particular, worship services and special music and arts events. Is a member of the Leadership Team.'

For over 12 years I have been privileged to serve at Peace Portal - and it has been a delight to see the many ways in which God works in and through this community. While I serve on the leadership team with Paul and some others, my primary role on staff is to lead weekly worship services for the church (mostly concerning music and other artsy things), and one of my greatest delights is to facilitate situations where people will authentically encounter the living God and be changed by Him. My wife Karen and I have five amazing little kids aged 7 and under: Evan, Danae, Riley, Olivia, and Hannah - a rare boy/girl/boy/girl/girl combo of craziness! We're pretty busy - but it's a blast. Karen is a nurse, which comes in handy when wrestling times with daddy get a little too wild. When I'm not occupied with the stuff you've just read about, I really love a good laugh, love to read, and spend time riding my mountain bike.

Scott Dickie

Outreach Pastor

'Responsible for Outreach both locally and globally. Is a member of the preaching team and the Leadership Team. Oversees short term missions trips from the church and, in particular, the Peace Portal Uganda ministry.'

Tracey and I joined Peace Portal in 1996. Since then, I have been involved in several different ministry areas including Jr. High, the development of our "Glimpse" Services, Young Adults, and now my present role that seeks to help the church get out into the community where God has placed us. In regards to my work, I am most passionate about seeing the Western Church take seriously its responsibility to care for the poor and the needy--to translate 'love' into 'action'. Tracey works part-time in the Counselling Centre and full-time as a mom to our three kids: Owen (99), Beckham (03), and Paisley (06). I get pumped when I can play with my boys and cuddle my girl. I also love the odd occasions when Tracey and I can get out for a date...we like to go to Chapters and look at books together. Following the NFL, rugby, and extreme sports is pretty natural for me…I think I will become a professional extreme athlete after my kids graduate.

Jim Postlewaite

Adult Education Pastor

'Responsible for adult education in the church. Provides significant staff supervision. Is a teacher, mentor and a member of the Leadership Team.'

Merle and I began attending PPAC mostly because of the positive spirit we sensed in the worship services. About a year later, April 2003, I was asked to join the staff in the area of adult ministries. I have been involved in helping facilitate many current ministries while aiding in the creation of some new learning endeavors and assisting in the leadership of the pastoral team. I have a strong passion for people in the church community to be unleashed to use their gifts and abilities in serving others, both in and outside of the church. I enjoy photography and reading when I have the time. Merle and I have two daughters, Jeanine and Stephanie.

Vicki Bowker

Children’s Ministries/Pre-Teen Pastor

'Responsible for ministry to school-age children up to grade 6. Provides leadership and supervision for family events, parenting resources, and summer ministries including; Vacation Bible School and Soccer Camp.'

It never ceases to amaze me how perfectly and uniquely God weaves the threads of our lives. After thirty years of marriage to my wonderful husband, Holden (one of the talented Bowker Brothers) … raising three beautiful, gifted daughters (Shanna, Sharalee and Sharisse) … caring for aging, sick parents … and ministry for me with children and women and Holden in music and worship … we find ourselves here at Peace Portal. What an object lesson of trust and growing confidence in God’s supreme wisdom this journey has been! Now my passion to see children spiritually nurtured and grounded in God’s truth is finding expression here with this remarkable staff. And what of my life outside of Peace Portal? It’s filled with my growing family – (Brad and Shanna were married July ‘05 and Aaron and Sharisse in December ‘05) – time with old friends and writing, writing, writing. How full and blessed my life is!

Malcolm Cameron

Counselling Centre Director

'Director of Peace Portal Counseling Centre. Supervises all counselors and administrative staff in the Centre and writes programs, papers and other helpful materials for individuals and families both in the church and the community.'

As the Director of Peace Portal Counseling Centre, I value the opportunity to create a professional, yet welcoming and safe place for people wanting and/or needing to talk openly about their lives; where they've been, where they're at, and where they want to be. I am often times fulfilled in the knowledge that the Counseling Centre is a source of deep encouragement for people who, with integrity, are trying to make sense of the journey. I am also very grateful to the counselors and front line staff who give of themselves immeasurably in order to help others work through complex and challenging circumstances. They do so with grace and with ease, putting others at rest amid the uncertainties of their lives. I am blessed to work with such a team!

Sandy Colero

Young Adults Pastor

'Responsible for ministry to Young Adults, both single and married. Leads community-wide young adult service activities and joint church activities. Is a teacher and prayer leader.'

Jesus has a funny way of working in my life. He often calls me to the very things I thought I would never do — like pastoring, for example! But a deep fervor to live out devotion to God and to see Christ increase in the lives of young adults has led my wife, Brita, and I to Peace Portal as of June 2005. After several years in the Education field, Brita is pursuing further study in Health Education. We both love singing together, playing sports, and goofing around.

Joel Defries

Congregational Groups Pastor

'Responsible for Life Groups, training leaders, providing resources and coaching. Is a teacher and prayer leader.'

Jody and I along with our three amazing, rambunctious boys (Malachi born in 2000, Judah born in 2002 and Elijah born in 2005) joined the Peace Portal team in April of 2006 to provide overall leadership and vision for the youth ministry. Recently my responsibilities have moved to the area of care groups and house church oversight.

I resonate deeply with the mission of PPAC - intimacy with God that we might have impact for God in our community and beyond. I am passionate about people meeting, knowing and living with Jesus and feel that this works best in a small group setting.

As a family we love to be outside – skiing and beaches are the favorite spots right now. I am slowly training my sons to love one of my other hobbies – bonsai – but this is still a work in progress – a three year old with bonsai shears is a scary thing indeed;-)

Don Kinnie

Pastor of Community Relations

'Works with the Pastor of Outreach. Responsible for local outreach efforts including Alpha, the Peace Portal Chinese Fellowship, Helping Hands and NightShift, among others."

God has used Peace Portal to cause Vel and I to experience wonderful, ongoing spiritual growth since we made this our church home in 1992. In April, 2008, the Lord allowed me to serve the congregation in a part time pastoral role. What a great privilege to serve the Lord in this wonderful church. A big highlight for us is to regularly get together with our two married children and five grandchildren who all live nearby. Cooking is a hobby we very much enjoy. We also love to listen to classical and jazz music, the musical experience we enjoy most is worshipping God each week with our church family. My greatest passion is to listen to God, to be careful to see how He works and to take what I learn so He can use me to strengthen my brothers and sisters in the faith so our church impacts our surrounding communities with the astonishing love God has for people.

Farrah Krahn

Children's Ministries/Pre-School Pastor

'Responsible for all ministry to pre-school children in the church. Works together with the Children's Ministry Pastor on family events and summer minisries such as; Vacation Bible School and Soccer Camp.'

It is such a joy to be on staff here at Peace Portal Alliance Church, home to some of the most incredible preschoolers on this planet! And it’s my honour to be working along side our parents and volunteers as we serve the children of this church and community. My desire is to invest in these young children and families who, because of their love and passion for God, will choose to serve others. I love the colour yellow, being with family and friends, reading, shopping and listening to music (singing is not one of my gifts, though I try to stay blissfully unaware of this fact!). I try to laugh daily and enjoy a killer cup of coffee...

Eldon McBride

Associate Worship & Arts Pastor (Oct. 2008)

'Assists the Pastor of Worship and the Arts. Responsible for church choirs, orchestras, as well as, special music and arts events.'

It is my great privilege to be joining the pastoral staff at PPAC. Although originally a westerner, I have spent the last 22 years working in the music field in Toronto. I was the Director of Music Ministries at Rexdale Alliance Church for nine years, a personal assistant to Ben Heppner for eleven, and have most recently been assisting World Vision Canada in the development of their Artist Associates program. In addition to these main lines of work, I have volunteered as an elder at Rexdale Alliance Church, served as the director of the vocal ensemble Celebration of Praise, and have worked extensively as an accompanist for singers in the Toronto area.

My wife, Florence, our daughter Hayley (15), and our son Taylor (14) are excited about relocating to the west coast and ministering among God’s people at PPAC. My responsibilities are still being defined, but I anticipate being involved with the development of choirs, ensembles and special musical events. On my days off, you will likely find my family breathing fresh air in the mountains or congested air in the cross-border shopping malls. We also enjoy watching classic television on DVD.

Kimberley Morrison

Pastor of Women's Ministries

'Responsible for ministries to women including; teaching, training leaders, developing special events and organizing Morning Break and Evening Break among other things. Is also responsible for Connections ministries within the church.'

I am so thankful that God’s love is not dependent on the truth, goodness, or beauty of the beloved. As the beloved, I have experienced God’s enduring love on so many levels.

Bill and I have been married for 30 years. We have four children and five grandchildren scattered across Canada and the U.S. God has always invited me on adventures that have radically changed me forever. I began as a children’s camp director and missionary to First Nations people. From there I became a youth pastor and began developing leadership training and ministry team experiential learning for young adults in para-church ministries. Then the Lord beckoned me toward shepherding women. I have been blessed to minister in Ontario and California and now here at Peace Portal.

My favorite activities are: reading, canoeing, hiking, biking and enjoying a good movie with a Chai Tea Latte and a chum.

Geoff Stewart

Youth Pastor

'Responsible for minsitry to teens in the church. Leads, teaches, mentors and works with church and community youth.'

Lavonne and I have been attending Peace Portal since 2000, first as friends, then as a couple, now married since January '09. We are blessed to be a part of this Church and the vibrant community that calls it home. I have been a volunteer leader in the Church's Youth Group for a decade before stepping into an interim role for the summer while the Leadership team found a new Youth Pastor.

Much to my surprise, they found me! God has called me to this role and I feel honoured and humbled to take on a leadership role with such an amazing ministry. My passion to serve these students is stronger than ever and I can not wait to see what God has planned for our Youth Group.