2019 PAOC DISTRICT CONFERENCES ELECTION RESULTS & LEADERSHIP UPDATE
A series of elections took place over spring 2019 at various district conferences across Canada. Here is a summary of district and assistant district superintendents by province, and their leadership teams. Each district’s leadership team can be reviewed by clicking on the district heading.
British Columbia and Yukon District
Rev. Ken Russell was re-elected as district superintendent and has been serving in this role since 2008. He was first elected as assistant district superintendent in 2007.
Rev. Darwin Pichette was re-elected as assistant district superintendent for Operations and was first elected in 2014.
Rev. Philip Spoelstra, who had served as assistant district superintendent for Revitalization, concluded his service in July 2019 and is now serving as associate pastor at Emmanuel Church in West Kelowna, B.C.
Rev. Lenard DenBraber was re-elected as assistant district superintendent for Multiplication and was first elected in 2018.
Alberta & Northwest Territories
Rev. Gary Taitinger continues to serve as district superintendent since being appointed in 2017. Rev. Corey Randell was elected as assistant district superintendent 2018.
The Conference elected Rev. Debbie Fawcett, Rev. Travis Holownia, Rev. Bob Jones and Rev. Phil Kniesel to the District Leadership Team (DLT). Two other members were appointed to the DLT after District Conference – Rev. Dave DiSabatino and Rev. Dallas Bidell. They join Rev. Gary Taitinger (district superintendent), Rev. Corey Randell (assistant district superintendent) and Rev. Phil Doroshuk (director of finance and administration) on the ABNWT District Leadership Team.
Rev. Paul Israelson was elected as district superintendent, succeeding Rev. John Drisner, who served since 2011.
Rev. Kevin Sawatsky was elected as assistant district superintendent, succeeding Rev. Paul Israelson who served in this role since 2017.
Rev. Kelly Froese was elected as executive officer for Church Vitality and Multiplication (formerly known as executive officer for Church Services), replacing Rev. Kevin Sawatsky, who had served since 2017.
Rev. David Hepburn was elected as executive officer for Credential Care and Services (formerly known as executive officer for Credential Care), replacing Rev. Robert Thompson, who had served in that role since 2013.
Rev. Paul Martens was elected as executive officer for District Ministries, replacing Rev. Shane Acorn, who had served in that role since 2015.
Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario District
Rev. Andrew Porterfield continues to serve as district superintendent, and was first elected to the role in 2017.
Rev. Vern Kratz was elected as assistant district superintendent for fellowship services, succeeding Mark Tombs, who held this office since 2009, before which he served as secretary treasurer from 2000.
Rev. Dan Murphy continues to serve as assistant district superintendent for mission, a role first created in 2017, to which Rev. Murphy was also first elected in 2017.
Western Ontario District (update as of October 2019)
The Western Ontario District Conference was held in October 2019. The results of the Annual General Meeting (along with the leadership team already in place) are as follows:
Lorrie Gibbons, District Superintendent
Kevin Shepherd, Assistant District Superintendent
Dan DiSabatino, Secretary-Treasurer
Ron Baker, Director of Leadership Development and Mediation / Conflict Resolution
Mark Collins, Director of Regenerate
Jason Small, Director of New Churches Network
Jeremy Murdoch, Regional Director – North
Joel Spiridigliozzi, Regional Director – Southeast
Scott Doggart, Regional Director – South Central / Southwest
Eastern Ontario and Nunavut District
Rev. Craig Burton was re-elected district superintendent, a role in which he has now served for 14 years.
Rev. David Blakely serves as the assistant to the superintendent – Resources.
Rev. Jason Luscombe serves as the assistant to the superintendent – Ministry.
This year, there were no elections for the roles of district superintendent and assistant district superintendent (they come up only every four years).
Rev. Michel Bisaillon continues to serve as district superintendent since being re-elected in 2017, and has served in this role since 2009.
Rev. Paul Tétreault continues to serve as assistant district superintendent since being re-elected in 2017 and has served in this role since 2000.
Rev. John Ippolito was re-elected as secretary treasurer. He was first appointed to this role in 2003.
Rev. Kevin Johnson was re-elected as district superintendent. He was first elected to the role in 2011.
Rev. Tim Slauenwhite was elected as assistant district superintendent.
Rev. Jim Molloy serves as the executive director of Ministries and Missions. Rev. Chad Nickerson serves as the district secretary. District Executive members are Rev. Carmen Crockett, Rev. Jonathan Curtz, Rev. Nathan Hill, Rev. Paul Pattison, Rev. Luc Poirier, and Rev. Tim Shaw.
May God continue to bless and strengthen our district leaders and teams, their ministries, and their families, as we keep believing for great things for Canada.
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