Bethel Staff
Tom Baird - Lead Pastor
Pastor Tom has served at Bethel Community Church since November of 2012. He is married to Janet, and has two children and four grandchildren who live in Ontario. When he is not busy serving Bethel, Tom loves reading, watching movies, meeting new people, and spending nights with friends. He serves in various roles in the Bannerman Community (the neighbourhood where the church is located).
Tom holds an M.Div. degree from Reformed Seminary (Jackson, MS) and a Masters of Pastoral Theology degree from Calvin Seminary (Grand Rapids, MI). Prior to coming to Bethel he pastored at Fellowship Church in St. Thomas, Ontario for 21 years.
Contact Pastor Tom at tom@discoverbethel.com
Tom holds an M.Div. degree from Reformed Seminary (Jackson, MS) and a Masters of Pastoral Theology degree from Calvin Seminary (Grand Rapids, MI). Prior to coming to Bethel he pastored at Fellowship Church in St. Thomas, Ontario for 21 years.
Contact Pastor Tom at tom@discoverbethel.com
Cris Harper - Pastor
Pastor Cris joined Bethel Community Church February of 2020. He is married to Christy and has two young children, Ruth and Gabe. Cris enjoys cooking, keeping up with basketball and soccer through the year, and will talk all things Star Wars with whoever cares to listen.
Cris holds an M.Div. degree from Beeson Divinity School (Birmingham, AL). Prior to coming to Bethel he worked as a Hospital Chaplain at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, offering pastoral support to intensive care units and the Emergency Department.
Contact Pastor Cris at cris@discoverbethel.com
Cris holds an M.Div. degree from Beeson Divinity School (Birmingham, AL). Prior to coming to Bethel he worked as a Hospital Chaplain at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, offering pastoral support to intensive care units and the Emergency Department.
Contact Pastor Cris at cris@discoverbethel.com
Wendy Werkman - Administrator
Wendy has been a member of Bethel since 2003. She has a diversified work experience, and has brought that experience to Bethel Community Church in the Administrator position since August 2011. Her passion is to see people become connected within the church family, and is probably one of the first people you’ll be welcomed by! When not at Bethel, you can find Wendy spending time with her husband Melvin and their family, gardening, reading, or enjoying walks.
Contact Wendy at wendy@discoverbethel.com
Contact Wendy at wendy@discoverbethel.com
Jill Sneep - Administrative Assistant
Jill has been attending Bethel for 18 years. She has been involved over the years as Meals Ministry coordinator, on the women's ministry committee and a volunteer with Children's Ministry. Jill was hired at Bethel August of 2016. She is the assistant to the Administrator and many other ministries. Jill and her husband Randy have been married for 16 years, and have 3 children. Jill enjoys having fun, reading & spending time with her family and friends.
Contact Jill at jill@discoverbethel.com
Contact Jill at jill@discoverbethel.com
Melanie Wright - Director of Youth Ministries
Melanie has been on staff at Bethel since September 2013. Originally hailing from Victoria, BC, Melanie came to the frigid winters of Alberta to attend The King’s University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology in May 2013. She is passionate about teaching youth and seeing them mature in their faith. She especially loves taking groups of youth on mission trips and service opportunities, so they may experience how God is moving in our world and learn how they may use their God given gifts to further his kingdom, both in foreign countries and within our neighbourhoods
Contact Melanie at melanie@discoverbethel.com
Contact Melanie at melanie@discoverbethel.com
Thelme Van Heerden - Director of Children's Ministries
Thelme has been on staff since August 2016. Originally from South Africa, Thelme's family came to Canada when she was nine. Living in Rocky Mountain House she started her education degree at Red Deer college and then transferred to the University of Alberta. She has been attending Bethel since 2014 and has eagerly been involved in young adults, youth and children's ministry. Thelme loves working with children and knows God has called her from an early age to be involved with mentoring and leading kids. Thelme likes reading, watching movies and spending time with her friends and many animals.
Contact Thelme at thelme@discoverbethel.com
Contact Thelme at thelme@discoverbethel.com
Cindy Harris - Support Services
Cindy is originally from Ontario and has lived in Edmonton since 1999. Through Bethel she became a Christian in 2008 and was baptized in 2009. Since then she has been involved in various volunteer positions at Bethel and continues to learn and grow in Christ. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and hanging out with friends. Cindy is blessed to be an important part of Bethel's team.
Our Council
Governing EldersDave Vander Heide - Chair
Ed Dubbeldam - Vice Chair John Buisman - Clerk Mike Huisman Joanne Rozendaal Arnie Steenbergen Brad Veenstra |
Shepherding EldersEd Dening - Chair
Derk Opdendries - Vice Chair Lori Groth Tara Kilkenny Margaret Rietveld Mary Rietveld Curt Rozendaal Richard Vriend Maria Zapata |
DeaconsHelen Krol - Chair
Jeff Van Niejenhuis - Treasurer Linda Bird Alison Bootsma Allan Dronkelaar Selikke Duthler Don Groot Bryan Mast Ritta Vandermeulen Gary Simpson Rob Solomonson Jordan Stellingwerff Jordan Voogd |
*If you would like to contact the Governing Elders directly, please email governingelders@discoverbethel.com