Brent Trask

District Superintendent

“It’s incredible to see the bigger picture of the amazing ways God is at work in our region, nation and world. I enjoy being with our leaders; listening and loving, troubleshooting, dreaming, praying and supporting. I love helping and resourcing our pastors/churches to see and realize their God given vision. It brings me joy to invest in our key ministry partnerships within and beyond the Alliance to be effective in glorifying God and advancing His purposes. I am privileged to work with a wonderful WCD team!”

Brent has been serving Christ and His Church in the Alliance since 1984; 1 year pastoring at Southgate Alliance (Edmonton), 25 years pastoring RockPointe (Calgary) and since August 2011 ministering as the District Superintendent of the Western Canadian District of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Calgary, Alberta.

Brent is passionate about the local church and he longs to see the church well led by surrendered, skilled and godly leaders ~ pushing back the darkness, redeeming lives, blessing local neighborhoods and multiplying the gospel to the least reached people groups near and far.

In his role as District Superintendent, Brent develops, casts, and implements our vision for church health and pastoral effectiveness. He works together with our District Executive Committee (DEXCOM) to efficiently and effectively administer the affairs of the District in order to fulfill our purpose, vision, and values, as well as to ensure it aligns with our denominational mandate. On a day-to-day basis, Brent spiritually mentors and provides pastoral care to our congregations and pastors. He works with church Elder Boards in finding godly, capable pastoral leadership in local churches and to foster a healthy and spiritual working relationship between pastors and boards.

Brent is married to Mandy and they have three wonderful kids: Rebecca, Stephanie (Martin) and Michael. When he has leisure time, Brent loves visiting friends, sports, adventure, travel, reading and searching out new places to enjoy a fine coffee.

Don Neufeld

Church Effectiveness Coach

“My favorite part is coming alongside those many pastors and lay leaders who serve our churches. I greatly admire their dedication and quality of spirit. What a privilege to serve together with them!”

Don is one of three Church Effectiveness coaches in our District.  He coaches churches in central Alberta – as far east as Cold Lake and Lloydminster and as far west as Drayton Valley and Rocky Mountain House.  As church coach, his primary concern is for the health and effectiveness of pastors and churches.  He desires for each that they take the next step in their journey with God.  Don’s other responsibilities include overseeing Core Training, licensing, chaplaincy and the Bible Quizzing program.

Don & Bev have six children and he loves being grandfather to his 11 grandchildren. Don enjoys a brisk walk, concerts, reading, woodworking, camping and all outdoor activities.   

Ken DeMaere

Church Effectiveness Coach

“I love what I do because I get to connect with so many great people who are making significant Kingdom differences on a day to day basis. What could be more meaningful and fun?!”

Ken is one of the Church Effectiveness Coaches at the Western Canadian District.  He coaches our District churches that are in Calgary, Edmonton, and up in Peace Country in northern Alberta.  

As church coach, Ken gets to work with churches – their staff and leadership – to set direction and focus for their ministry context. Ken’s responsibilities also include the District Representative for Youth Pastors, Worship Pastors, Women in Ministry, Clergy Spouses and Grip Birkman (a personality and spiritual gifts inventory).

He is enjoying being a new Grandpa and having his family close.

Tim Beadle

Church Effectiveness Coach

“I have a deep love for the body of Christ and a high respect for those who serve in it.”

As a church coach, Tim comes alongside church leaders, asking them meaningful questions, listening to God with them, and making strategic decisions as they lead their churches forward into exploring God’s will and adventure for their church and their personal lives.  Tim coaches churches as far north as Yellowknife, to Lethbridge and Medicine Hat in the south, and many points in between!

Tim is the founding member of the Rural Church Pastors Network, offering support and encouragement to rural pastors from 29 denominations throughout western Canada and is also the district representative for children’s pastors and disciple-making.

Tim married his high school sweetheart, Heather. They became first time grandparents in 2016.  Tim cheers for the Blue Jays and enjoys camping each year.

Ron Brown

District Missions Coach

“I love coaching individuals and churches to better find their place in the mission of God.”

As District Missions Coach, Ron is liaison between our District and the International Workers that are being sent overseas from Alberta.  Having spent 27 years in Africa as an International Worker with his wife Myra, Ron is the resource person in our office concerning short term/long term missions, how to support and care for C&MA International Workers, going cross cultural,  and member care (support for missionaries that have returned).

Besides being our District Missions Coach, Ron sits on the National Coordination Team for Kairos Canada and oversees Kairos courses in Alberta.   Ron is also involved in numerous literary projects.  In 2014 he wrote a memoir entitled Intersections, available in print and Kindle.  In 2016 he co-edited a C&MA book on global engagement entitled The God You May Not Know. His second book, The God Made Known, came out in 2018 and he is currently working on volume three of the trilogy for General Assembly 2020. 

Interestingly, Ron has a collection of air-sickness bags from 29 different airlines on which he has travelled to and is an avid tweeter.  Follow him on Twitter @globalvault

Ron and Myra have two adult daughters and enjoy camping and attending concerts.

Doug Balzer

New Ventures and Leader Development Coach

“I love what I do because I get to see darkness being displaced by light; both in the lives of our official workers as well as in neighbourhoods where new faith communities are being established.”

Doug came to serve with the District Office in September 2008 after 10 years as Lead Pastor in High River, Alberta. Prior to that he and his wife, Teri spent 4 very memorable years on staff at Fort McMurray Alliance Church. Part of his time is spent raising up and assisting church planters.

He is currently involved in renewal ministries, leading events such as Holy Spirit Encounters and working alongside Church Planters. Doug completed his undergrad at Canadian Bible College, his M.A. in Leadership and Ministry at Ambrose University, and earned his Doctor of Ministry at Alliance Theological Seminary, New York. In his spare time Doug enjoys building acoustic guitars and hosts a monthly podcast: reKindle: renewal.

Murray Moore

Director of Finance

” I am excited about the opportunity to share in the life changing work being done through the Christian and Missionary Alliance.  My prayer is I am able to support those men and women both in the District office and in our member churches throughout the District involved in the world of finances and reporting so we all can complete the Kingdom work we are called to do.”

Murray started his role as Finance Director in 2016.  He stewards all financial matters in our District Office and is ready to assist with your question regarding financial matters.

Steven John

Development Consultant

Steven’s role within the District is to provide leadership and support to both our local churches and the overall District in the acquisition, development and disposition of real estate, as well as in the construction and major renovations of church facilities.

His education includes an Engineering degree from the University of Alberta and the completion of an Executive Business Leadership Program at The Wharton School in Pennsylvania. He is a Professional Engineer registered in Alberta and recently retired after a 30-year career within the Oil & Gas industry. Professionally, Steven has experience and skills in commercial and light- industrial construction and maintenance, project management, real estate acquisition and development, project financial evaluation, strategic oversight of large property portfolios and he has also had senior responsibility for significant contracting and procurement activities.

Steven was born and raised in central Alberta and has been attending and/or serving in various C&MA churches over the past 40 years. Married to Laureen, they have four adult children. He enjoys spending time in the outdoors with family and friends (hiking, camping, shooting sports and fly-fishing) and loves creating and working with his hands (woodworking, home renovations, and automotive repair and maintenance).

Lawrence Stalder

Bylaws/Constitution/Governance Consultant

Lawrence’s role within the District is to provide support on changes to bylaws, constitution and orderly governance.  Lawrence has corporate experience having worked as a business consultant for over 45 years and is “mostly” retired from the energy industry.  Lawrence graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario. Lawrence is an advocate of mentoring future leaders to further Christ’s kingdom and serves on a number of boards including Ambrose University, reSource Leadership International and is an Elder at Foothills Alliance Church. 

Lawrence’s family is from Switzerland – he was actually born at sea during their journey over to Canada – and he has dual Canadian and Swiss citizenship. Lawrence is married to Joy, and they have two adult children: Natalie, married to Ryan, and Paul, married to Briana.  Lawrence’s  interests includes spending time with family, cooking, anything electronic, research and hiking with the grand dog. 

Sheri McKenzie

Office Manager & Executive Assistant to the District Superintendent

Sheri was raised in the Christian and Missionary Alliance family and graduated from Canadian Bible College with a Bachelor of Theology degree.  Today, she is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of leadership experience in both pastoral ministry and business management roles.

Sheri began her new role as Office Manager in February of 2018.  She oversees our administration team, guiding the support for many of the events and activities from our office, and providing executive assistance to Brent Trask.  

I love to write, read mystery novels, and when I have time for a vacation, I enjoy relaxing on a Jamaican beach and swimming in the ocean.

Katherine Trieu

Office Assistant

“I especially enjoy hosting and serving the pastors that stop by our office.”

Kat is our resident go-to girl for all questions and items related to Ordination, and Core Training. Kat also assists our Missions Coach, Ron Brown & our bylaws process.

Kat enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children.  In her downtime (what’s that??) she loves to hang out with friends, enjoying a good laugh and rich conversation over a meal or coffee.

Jake (Jacquie) Fraser

Administrative Assistant

“I have a lot of fun getting to know the pastors in our District.  It’s a kind, grace-filled group of people and I get to journey with many of them for quite some time.  I’m blessed to get to know them.”

Jake (Jacquie) works in our administrative department assisting Doug Balzer with Renewal Events and New Ventures. 

In her spare time Jake loves to have one on one “deep bonding” time with friends, do something “crafty,” hike in the mountains, take leisurely bike rides or get her step count up during a night of line dancing! And she’s always up for some introverted time reading a book at home!

Wendy Ng

Administrative Assistant

“Seeing the passion of pastors who seek and bless others who are in need or, who have not heard, and who are being transformed – that to me – is affirming what I do on a daily basis.”

Within the church network, there needs to be a central axis – a stabilizing point – that connects all activities.  In the WCD, the church coaches find that central axis in Wendy.  She assists all three church coaches and administrates all their areas including the Rural Church Pastors’ Network, Children’s Pastors, Youth Pastors, Worship Pastors, Chaplains, Personnel Development (i.e. Grip Birkman and Covenant Eyes), and Employment.

God, husband, children, and dog are the priorities in Wendy’s life.  She is well traveled, living abroad for 16 years in Philadelphia, Seattle, and Hong Kong before settling back in Calgary 3 years ago.  A happy extrovert living with a family of quiet introverts, Wendy loves to meet people and can adapt to nearly every situation with ease.  She and her husband love to take their black lab out to the mountains for a hike or fly fishing by a stream during most weekends.  She enjoys a good laugh and, not liking to cook, enjoys seeking out new hole-in-the-wall restaurants with her family.

Shelby Keith

Office Assistant

“I like working on this team to support and love our churches. I like knowing that they feel we are on their side!”

Shelby is the voice you hear on the phone and face you see when visit our office. She ensures that all databases are updated, everyone receives their yearly credentials, and she oversees Licensing for our new workers. If you have a miscellaneous question or don’t know who to be directed to; Shelby can help you!
 
Shelby enjoys reading books, drinking tea, and petting other people’s domestic mammals.

Zona Wilson

Financial Assistant

“I’m excited that God chose me as one of the support staff in spreading His word throughout the world.”

Zona is the Accounting Assistant and can answer all your questions about your Great West Life Benefits!

In her free time, Zona can be found with family, quilting, camping, or volunteering somewhere. She shares her home with 3 feline fur-balls who answer to Aleta, Barney, and Peanut. She also loves to travel with short-term mission trips and for holidays.