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I am licensed with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada.
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Bachelor of Christian Education (1971-74), Canadian Bible College (Regina, Sask., now Ambrose University, Calgary, Alta.)
Masters in Christian Education Canadian Theological Seminary (Regina, Saskatchewan – now Ambrose University in Calgary Alberta).
Extensive training in Church Health issues
Master’s Course in Transitional Ministries (Immanuel Bible College – Kitchener, Ontario)
Levels One & Two Training in Transitional Ministry from Outreach Canada;
Other seminars and books related to church health
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Besides the 15 ½ years that I spent as a pastor, I ministered as a Transitional Pastor for 15 years working with 15 churches from 5 denominations bringing a greater sense of spiritual, relational, vision and structural health to churches who were in between pastors. In many churches that also included working with a Pastoral Search Team to help them find a pastor who was committed to the church’s vision. Currently I am a Church Health Consultant working with churches (and other Christian Organizations) in the four areas of health, also taking churches through Church Health Assessments and helping churches find new pastors.
About Eugene
I grew up in a wonderful Christian family with a loving Mom and Dad. Fortunately, I never knew a time when I didn’t say yes to Jesus, accepting Him as my Lord and Saviour when I was three years old. It’s one of my earliest memories. When I was 15, I met my wife to be (Rhona), and after dating for 6 ½ years we were married in 1975. We now have two grown sons (both in full time Christian ministry) with families of their own – which means we get to spoil our six wonderful grandkids.
Although I grew up in a wonderful safe environment, God has used some of the most painful experiences in my life to most clearly direct my steps.
For instance: my call to ministry came about during a time of turmoil in my life. In 1978, at the age of 24, I lost my dad to cancer. Two years later my mom was forced to close a couple of small family businesses due to unforeseen circumstances. Following those events, I journeyed with God to discover what might be next. That’s when he called me to Seminary (1983-85) with the goal of becoming a pastor – although when I first entered seminary, I thought I would eventually be teaching in a Bible College or Seminary. I didn’t think I was pastor material. But God had other plans for me.
After 15 ½ years as a pastor in the Chrisitan & Missionary Alliance (1986 – 2001), I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue and had to resign. It left me feeling hurt, depressed and even angry at the church; to the extent that I asked God to remove me from ministry. He said “no”, which, initially, ticked me off. However, God used that time to take me on another journey bringing emotional and spiritual healing to my soul, eventually calling me to a ministry that wasn’t affected by my ongoing fatigue..
Since 2002 I’ve been a speaker and seminar leader with most of my time spent as a Transitional Pastor and Church Health Consultant, bringing Spiritual, Relational, Vision and Structural Health to churches; both churches who were in-between pastors, and thus in transition; and also churches with pastors. Although no longer functioning as a long-term Transitional Pastor, I am currently available as a Church Health Consultant, Seminar Leader, Sunday Speaker and Retreat Speaker, helping churches and other Christian Organizations toward a greater sense of health in the four areas mentioned above.