A postulant is a person who has been admitted to a program of training for diaconal or priestly ministry and is discerning, with the Church, a call to ordained ministry. Most postulants begin this process before starting seminary or in their early seminary education. It is not a guarantee of future ordination, but is an early step along that path.
How did you come to be a postulant for this diocese?
It all started with our former rector at St. Aidan, Moose Jaw, Dean Pinter. He was my New Testament professor at Eston College, long before he was my priest. He, along with several other faculty, modelled a faith that was grace-filled, that respected tradition and history, was intellectually honest, and above all, was rooted in love. I was in.
From there, I attended Regent College (affiliated with the University of British Columbia), spent some time doing outreach work in Vancouver, and eventually landed back in Saskatchewan.
Once again, my path and Dean’s crossed at St. Aidan, and under his tutelage, I took concrete steps to start my ordination discernment process. From there, I have continued through the concentric circles of parish discernment, ACPO (Advisory Committee on Postulants for Ordination), COOM (Committee on Ordained Ministry), and now my ministry placement at St. Andrew in Calgary.
What a ride it has been!
Where were you born and grew up?
I was born in the small farming community of Eston, Sask. I grew up there, had many close friends, and had a blast for far too long. I spent many years farming, playing hockey and doing the things you do in a small town of 1,000 people. In 2015, Sarah and I were married and we decided to try something new. We moved to Vancouver for three years (which was also a blast) and eventually moved back to Saskatchewan to start a family in 2019.
Please tell us about your post-secondary education and previous career.
I completed a civil engineering diploma at SAIT in 2002, a bachelor’s degree at Eston (Bible) College in 2005, and completed my master’s in theological studies at Regent College in 2012. All were significant benchmarks in my journey and formed who I am today.
For work, I farmed for most of my life with my dad and family. But after Sarah and I moved to Vancouver, I ended up doing outreach work at Union Gospel Mission in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. I loved it. I would walk through the alleys of the Downtown Eastside and drive the “Mobile Mission” around the city to connect with people on the streets and offer them hope through a sandwich, coffee, a backpack, or a ride to our shelter or recovery home. It was a gift.
I continued in this field when we moved back to Saskatchewan, with stints at The Salvation Army and Souls Harbour Rescue Mission in Regina.
When did you feel drawn to ministry?
That is hard to pin down. I have always loved people and have had a pastoral heart. That’s always been who I am. Sometimes this gets expressed through work, through the church, or simply through living my day-to-day life as a husband, father and friend.
But ever since I can remember, I’ve always had this feeling — a call, a desire, a tug towards the church and some form of ministry. So here I am.
As I journey through postulancy, it remains, and if anything, has only grown stronger. So, we’ll see where it ends, but life is rich and full and God has been so good and faithful. Ordained or lay ministry, addictions or incumbency, paid work or voluntary, Moose Jaw or Vancouver — no matter where I may land, I know I will be held in God’s incredible grace and grip, and that my pastoral heart will remain.
Other information about me
I am the grateful husband to Sarah, proud father to Theodore, and expectant parent for another little peanut in May. I have been attending St. Aidan Anglican Church in Moose Jaw since the fall of 2019. I love hoppy IPAs, sports, camping, board games and books, hosting Argentinian barbecues in summer, and sitting around our wood-burning stove in winter.
