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.

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 while spending lots of time mothering our daughter, Maria. We both love singing together, playing sports, and goofing around.

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 37 years. We have 5 daughters; Denise – who is married to Matt Smith and has a daughter Naomi, Melanie – who is married to Peter Kopic and has two boys Kyle and Caleb, Courtney – who is married to Justin Greenway, Stephanie, and Karen - attending Columbia Bible College. 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 10 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.

Joel Defries

Pastor of Congregational Care and Seniors

'Responsible for care in the congregation including creating visitation teams, supporting individuals and families in times of crisis, leading Memorials, as well as, overseeing ministry to seniors.'

Jody and I joined the Peace Portal team in April of 2006 to provide overall leadership and vision for the youth ministry. Following a time responsible for care groups and house church oversight, I have now moved into an area I have a real heart for - care.

I love to meet with people and help them through life's various experiences. I am looking forward to working more with our seniors as well.

As a family (with four soon to be five children) we love to be outside – skiing and beaches are the favorite spots right now. I am slowly training my children to love one of my other hobbies – bonsai.

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 former "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.

Eldon McBride

Associate Worship & Arts Pastor

'Assists the Pastor of Worship and the Arts. Responsible for vocal and instrumental music, including choirs, orchestra, special music and arts events.'

It is my great privilege to be a member of the pastoral team at PPAC. Although originally a westerner, I spent 22 years working in music and ministry fields in Toronto prior to relocating to the Lower Mainland in October 2008. Peace Portal is blessed with an abundance of fine musicians, and my mandate is to harness them into action! My prayer is that God's gifts and talents will flourish in our church and that we will be a light to our community.

Although I am 'Pastor' to this congregation, I am 'Dad' to my two young adult children, daughter Hayley and son Taylor. Both are involved in worship ministries at PPAC. Together we enjoy watching classic television and pointing our car toward the beach, mountains or wherever the Spirit leads.

: Beth McGill

Interim Pastor of Children's Ministries

"Oversees ministry to children from birth through grade 6 and their families."

Kimberley Morrison

Pastor of Community Life and Women's Ministries

'Responsible for community life ministries such as small groups and connections, ushers and greeters as well as ministries to women including; teaching, training leaders, developing special events and organizing Morning Break and Evening Break among other things.'

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.

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.

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 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 in the years to come.

Gerry Teichrob

Transitional Pastor

"I grew up in a ministry oriented family that believed in the local church and served the church wherever we lived. After graduating from Canadian Bible College I married my wife Ruth, whose goal was "to be a pastor's wife". Together we spent 12 formative pastoral ministry years in two local churches under the guidance of two Senior Pastors. They not only mentored me in many ministry skills but helped me with healthy spiritual formation of my own soul as a pastor and with understandings about what a healthy church is.

I eventually became a Senior Pastor of a struggling church in dire need of transformation and health. Over a span of 13 years we saw God do amazing things to turn it around into a healthy, thriving, missional community. Little did we know that God was using this experience to prepare us for our work in Transitional Ministry.

My sense of satisfaction and ministry fulfillment is greatest when I see a local church find a greater measure of health, conduct a thoughtful, prayerful, well-led pastoral search and welcome a new Pastoral leader to join them in the work God has called them to do."

Phil Vanderveen

Lead Worship and the Arts Pastor

"Responsible for leading worship in all its forms at church services and special events. Develops and mentors other worship leaders. Is a member of the Leadership Team."

I have been a part of Peace Portal staff since 1996 and have enjoyed being a part of God's work in and through this community. Along with being a part of the leadership team, I also oversee the worship and arts department which develops weekly worship services and other special artistic events for our church and broader community. 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 kids: 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 also record and perform music elsewhere. Check out www.philvanderveen.com

Matthew Wong

Pastor of Peace Portal Chinese Alliance Church

"Lead Pastor for an emerging Mandarin-speaking church within Peace Portal - Peace Portal Chinese Alliance Church".

God called me into full-time ministry, from the business world, in 1995, to be involved in building Mandarin-speaking faith communities in the ever growing Chinese population in Vancouver. The first one began in 1997 and then the second one in 2004.

My heart still could not rest for the needs in the South Surrey and White Rock area. God allowed me to see His work started at Peace Portal in 2007 with Sunday worship beginning in 2009. In 2010, I was asked to join Peace Portal as a part-time staff member while I continue an unfinished leadership role at another church.

God has blessed me with a wonderful family; my wife Stella, two loving daughters, Pam and Wendy, and so far, one grand-daughter, Lauren.

Jeff Zimmermann

Pastor of Youth and Children's Worship

"Responsible for developing and training youth for leading worship among their peers and in the Kids Shine Ministry."

It is with great pleasure that my wife Sophie and I, join the Peace Portal team. While having the privilege of working in a number of churches, since my internship with Peace Portal in the early 2000’s, PPAC has always felt like a church home to us. With the addition of Zoey to our family (born August 31, 2010) it is exciting for me not only to work with youth in the area of worship but to be able to jump into Kids Shine as well. It seems with the birth of our own child we have come to see everything from a new perspective, which makes the idea of childrens worship so exciting. I am also responsible for the Journey Youth Band. I hope to continue relationships and team building as well as solid teaching in the area of worship.

When not working at the church I spend as much time with my family as possible.