Ministry Leaders Renewal Retreat

<p>Sam and Pauline have been married for 29 years.Through those years God has blessed them with four children that they are very proud of. With 3 sons and 1 daughter, their home has seen a lot of coming and going between school, sporting events and youth programs. Over the last couple years, there family has grown to add two wonderful daughters in law, and most recently a beautiful granddaughter who has totally captured their hearts.</p><p>Sam accepted the position of Pastor and was ordained in his home church in the fall of 1991. A few years later, he stepped into the role as Lead Pastor. He has been passionate about teaching the church to love God in community and to serve as a team.</p><p>Pauline has been very involved in the music ministry and has enjoyed serving together with Sam in the various aspect of church life.</p><p>Over the 26 plus years of serving in the same church, Sam and Pauline have seen an increasing need for taking care of those who are in ministry (themselves included) so that they can continue on in a healthy manner. This would enable longevity in service and growth as individuals. </p><p>With this in mind, they have joined the Focus on the Family team and will be serving couples in ministry through their role as Ministry Retreat Directors.They look forward to sharing their own journey and to provide a safe place for others to come and be encouraged in their journey as a beloved child of God.</p>

<p>Brian &amp; Sharon Heaney have been involved in ministry since 1980. They have a passion for assisting people to develop a biblically-based lifestyle. They are very aware of how valuable and how difficult it is to implement healthy rhythms of work, rest and play in everyday life.</p><p>Brian works as a counselor and teacher. He is presently the Executive Director for the Moose Jaw Christian Counselling Centre, where he has worked since 1987. Brian has also served as an event faculty member for Promise Keepers Canada. Sharon's ministry included acting as Community &amp; Family Services Director for the Salvation Army in Moose Jaw for 14 years, until 2006. Together, Brian and Sharon have facilitated marriage seminars in both Canada and the US. They have been married for over 40 years and have four adult married children.</p>

<p>Steve and Becky are warm, authentic individuals who are very easy to get to know. A lifetime of ministry experience has given them a compassionate concern for the emotional and spiritual health of pastors and their families. They have a genuine love for ministry leaders and are known as "Papa" and "Nana" to many.</p><p>Steve and Becky Witmer have served together for more than 35 years in a variety of ministry roles. After 5 years with YWAM, they served in roles such as Senior Pastor, Missionary Director, and Pastoral Care Coordinator for their associated network of churches. Sensing that they were entering a new season of life after 14 years as Senior Pastors in their church, Steve and Becky transitioned to the role of Associate Pastors for the same congregation. This new role enables them to invest time and energy into both missions and the care of pastors and emerging leaders.</p><p>In 2015 they celebrated 40 wonderful years of marriage. They are blessed with two married daughters and five delightful grandchildren who supply them with consistent joy and an unending supply of great stories.</p>

<p>Merrie and Marshall have served together in ministry for over 35 years. They spent their first five years in youth ministry, the following 20 years in associate roles, and served as lead pastors in a large church in Ontario for 8 years. During that time Marshall traveled yearly into Asia, encouraging local pastors. Merrie has traveled extensively as a conference speaker for women in ministry. They are keenly aware of both the challenges and joys of ministry life. After pastoring the same church for 28 years, in July 2015 God asked them to resign and step out in faith. They set aside all the reasons they had to say NO and said YES to what God was asking. In Feb 2016 they joined the Focus family as the directors of Kerith Creek in Alberta.</p><p>They consider it a profound privilege to come along side other leaders and provide a safe place for them to share their stories and to walk a few miles with them in their ministry journey. </p><p>Merrie and Marshall have two awesome adult children, one lovely daughter-in-law, an adorable granddaughter and handsome new grandson. </p>

<p>Steve and Beth have been married for 47 years and been in ministry together for 40 years. They planted a local church in southern Ontario in 1984 and led it for 35 years before transitioning in the fall of 2019. They are passionate about building the local church and raising up the generations to fulfil their God given purpose. Steve and Beth love being hospitable and enjoy getting to know people and building relationships. Relationships have been a theme of their ministry, believing that our relationship with God, empowers us to have meaningful relationships with one another, and then to impact the world around us. They are currently mentoring and pastoring pastors, helping them to navigate the challenges that come with leadership, and encouraging them to stay the course. They are excited to join the Focus family as co-directors of Kerith Waters in Ontario, and welcome the opportunity to come alongside, and support other leaders in their life and ministry journey towards health and wholeness.</p><p>Steve and Beth have three amazing adult children who are married to great spouses and are blessed to have 6 wonderful grandchildren.</p>