Springfield Heights Mennonite Church
Winnipeg, *Province/Other R2G0H9
2046635035

• Education: Completed Hi-school in Asuncion, Paraguay. Bachelor of Theology from Canadian Mennonite Bible College in 1987. Bachelor of Arts from University of Winnipeg in 1988. Masters of Divinity from Winnipeg Seminary Consortium (CMBC) in 2004.
• Experience: 1988-1997 Associate Pastor - North Kildonan Mennonite Church, Winnipeg. 1997-1999 Associate Pastor - Springfield Heights Mennonite Church, Winnipeg. 1999-Present Leading Pastor - Springfield Heights Mennonite Church, Winnipeg
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: I have used a lot of material from preachers, teachers, scholars, wise people, whose wisdom and skill I seek to emulate. Much of my preaching is not my own original material, and I have not always acknowledged my sources adequately. If it sound’s like someone else might have said it before, I’ll be very glad to give full credit and recognition where it is due.
• Sermon or series that made a difference: Ray Stedman Sermons. Winnrich Schefbuch messages.
• One of my favorite illustrations: The Story of Alexander Papaderos, who found a broken piece of a mirror as a child. This piece became a metaphor for his life. "I am a fragment of a mirror whose whole design and shape I do not know. Nevertheless, with what I have I can reflect light into the dark places of this world - into the black places in the hearts of men - and change some things in some people. Perhaps others may see and do likewise. This is what I am about. This is the meaning of my life."
• Family: Born and raised in Asuncion, Paraguay. Married to Hedi in 1984. Two adult children, Karis and Mattias.
• What my parents think of my sermons: My parents don’t often get to hear me preach because they live in Paraguay. But, when they do hear me preach, I imagine that my father would say that my grandfather would not have chosen to say it like that. My dad’s dad was a pioneer preacher and teacher, and my parents were deacons in the church I grew up. And they often reassure me that preaching is the highest calling a person can have.
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: My wife’s father was a preacher. Believe it or not, she claims that she always loved her dad’s preaching, and she also loves my preaching. She finds my sermons "interesting".
• Best advice given to me about preaching: If it doesn’t grab you, it won’t grab your audience.
• Books that have had an impact: Anything from the Alban Institute.
• Hobbies: Fishing, Home Renovations.
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: In this world there’s a whole lot of trouble. God is in the midst of it. God sees our need and feels our pain, and he gives us hope in Jesus Christ. And God invites us, as broken people, to be part of what God is doing in the world. So, be kinder than you have to be.
• Something funny that happened while preaching: I paused in the middle of a wedding sermon, and asked the Maid of Honor (the bride’s sister) to answer her cell-phone that would not stop ringing.
• What I want on my tombstone: Well done, good and faithful servant.