Regional Team
Rev. James Perreaux
UCM Regional Coordinator
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James Perreaux is a missionary, university chaplain, and UCM’s Regional Coordinator.
James has been serving in campus ministry since 2004. James is passionate about building Christian community and equipping young adults to make disciples and discover their missional vocation. James has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Brandon University and a Master of Arts in Theology (Culture and Christianity) from Regent College. He lives in downtown Kelowna with his wife and two sons.
Lauryn Kelman
UCM Administrative Assistant (on maternity leave from August 2025 to August 2026).
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Lauryn Kelman has been working as UCM’s administrative assistant since 2021, and is well positioned to provide administrative support for our growing campus work in BC and nationally.
Lauryn graduated from Summit Pacific College with a BA in Religion and majored in Non-Profit Organizational Leadership in 2021. She is originally from Alberta, but moved out to BC in 2017 to pursue her education at Summit Pacific College and has been living here ever since. Lauryn is actively involved in Richmond Pentecostal Church, where her husband is the Student Ministries Pastor.
lauryn.kelman@paoc.org
Linet Gutierrez
UCM Administrative Assistant (covering Lauryn Kelman’s maternity leave from September 2025 to September 2026).
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Linet Gutierrez brings over 7 years of experience in administration across diverse fields including law, higher education and non-profit organizations. She holds a degree in Psychology and enjoys supporting teams through organization and efficiency. One of the highlights for Linet was when she was a leader for the young adult's ministry at her church and helped with campus ministry at Florida Atlantic University. She currently resides in Surrey, BC with her husband, Harold and two children, Johan and Elyana.
linet.gutierrez@paoc.org
UCM SFU (Burnaby & Surrey)
Milly Cash
Campus Ministry Lead (on maternity leave from April 2026-April 2027).
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Milly has felt her life calling is to speak truth in love. In this season, she is placed at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in British Columbia to speak truths into the lives of students there.
Milly was born in Hong Kong but fell in love with Vancouver after being an exchange student at SFU in 2010. She came back to finish her Masters in Biblical Language at Regent College. During her studies, she got to experience the importance of Christian fellowships. She then decided to do the Campus Missionary Apprenticeship with University Christian Ministries (UCM) at SFU in January 2015. Ever since she started her ministry at SFU, Milly has enjoyed walking alongside young adults in their spiritual journey through intentional friendship and discipleship.
Milly’s vision for UCM at SFU is to have a presence on all three campuses: Burnaby, Surrey, and Vancouver. Leaders in UCM aim to build a community at SFU, a campus known for being a lonely place. Through different types of events, such as Alpha and small groups, the SFU team create opportunities and a safe space for students to explore their faith in Jesus. Milly and her team also equip student leaders to be disciplemakers and servants in the kingdom of God, at SFU and beyond.
Here is the link to Milly's newsletters from the past few years: Milly's Newsletter Archive. We hope you see how God moves on the Simon Fraser University campus as you read through them!
Katrina Hayashi
Campus Interim Lead
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Katrina Hayashi is an associate university chaplain and campus missionary with UCM (University Christian Ministries) at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Burnaby and Surrey, BC.
UCM is an on-campus Christian community at SFU where students can encounter Jesus right where they are! They value whole-life worship, students leading students, and hospitable community. UCM meets for a weekly on-campus worship every Tuesday night. Throughout the week, student leaders host on-campus Bible study groups, prayer meetings, and social events. Katrina is committed to serving and reaching out to students through various initiatives including Alpha, Missions weeks, and contact evangelism. She also promotes alternative events and being involved in a faith-based community on campus in order to engage students in healthy and holistic living. One of Katrina’s main focuses is providing one-on-one discipleship to students at SFU, helping them to grow in their understanding of themselves, their understanding of God and His love for them.
After serving as a volunteer Student Care pastor for two years at her college, Katrina has been serving in campus ministry since January 2021. She is passionate about building Christian community and equipping young adults to know Jesus intimately and make Him known amongst their peers and in the world. Katrina has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology with a minor in Pastoral Care and Counselling from Vanguard College and enjoys utilizing the many skills she was equipped with in her degree to lead the next generation. She lives in Surrey with her husband, Nathan.
Daniel Zander
Campus Ministry Worker
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Daniel was born in Chilliwack, British Columbia and moved to Edmonton, Alberta at a young age. Daniel feels called to proclaim the gospel to a world that is in desperate need of Jesus Christ. He has followed this calling to be a representative of Jesus to students at SFU.
UCM is an on-campus ministry that makes, matures, and mobilizes disciples on campus under the model of whole-life worship and students leading students. Through weekly large group Tuesday night worship gatherings, small group meetings, and social events scattered throughout the week, UCM is fostering a community of followers of Jesus on campus at SFU.
Daniel endeavors to oversee ministry to men at SFU through the intentional discipleship of male students and student leaders while also engaging outreach to SFU at large through Red Frogs, Alpha, and other evangelistic efforts on campus. He is focused on witnessing lives being transformed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and seeing the students of SFU being led further into the abundant life of following Jesus, whether they have never heard the gospel or if they’ve spent years following Jesus already. Through campus ministry, Daniel hopes to exemplify the way of Jesus within student life, inviting students and peers to do likewise. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology with a focus on Pastoral Ministry from Vanguard College where he was equipped to effectively shepherd students in the way of Christ.
Megan Tan
Campus Ministry Apprentice
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Megan Tan is a campus missionary and apprentice with University Christian Ministries (UCM) at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Her journey with UCM began in 2022 during her first year at SFU. Seeking community and a place to grow in her faith, she met incredible friends who continue to encourage her in her walk with God to this day. Through weekly worship gatherings, Bible studies, discipleship, and serving in student leadership, UCM became a space where her faith deepened and her relationship with Christ grew. She began to see how Jesus was transforming the lives of students around her—many who came feeling lost, searching for belonging, healing, and truth. These experiences stirred a desire in her heart to step into ministry, walking alongside others and supporting them in their faith journeys.
As a campus apprentice, Megan is committed to investing in the next generation by discipling students, supporting student leaders, and helping to foster a Christ-centered community on campus. She is passionate about reaching those who are seeking God and equipping them to live out their faith wherever they go. As part of UCM’s apprenticeship program, Megan will also receive theology training and mentorship, to help her grow and minister effectively at SFU.
UCM UBC (Vancouver)
Paul Engels
Campus Ministry Lead
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Imagine a student ministry at the largest university in Western Canada that leads students to Christ, equips them to be missionaries, and sends them out to serve in ministry elsewhere in the world. Paul’s dream and mission is to see followers of Jesus at university campuses being made, matured, and mobilized to fulfill their part in God’s global plan!
After surviving a serious car accident in 2013, Paul committed his life to serving in ministry with Jesus over a long and miraculous recovery. Today, Paul lives to tell others about Jesus’ salvation so they can receive healing, too.
Paul now serves as Campus Lead at the University of British Columbia (UBC) since 2024. He first joined the UBC staff team in 2021, after completing his Campus Ministry Apprenticeship at Simon Fraser University the year before. He has also volunteered in campus ministry at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford and at Lithuania Christian College University in Klaipėda, Lithuania.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Theology as well as a certificate in Church Audio & Media from Summit Pacific College and a Master of Divinity from Regent College.
Paul oversees the UBC staff team, preaches, teaches, takes students on international mission trips, and creates content for small group Bible studies. He regularly meets one-on-one or in small groups with students to help them grow as disciples and learn to disciple others. He also has experience leading Alpha, facilitating outreach events, leading worship, running sound and media, and serving international students. Paul's joy and commitment is to replicate the vision of Acts 2:42-44 on university campuses, so that all university students can receive Jesus into their lives.
Tim Degerness
Campus Ministry Worker
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University Christian Fellowship (UCM) is an on-campus Christian community at the University of British Columbia (UBC) where students can encounter Jesus right where they are. They value whole-life worship, students leading students, and a hospitable community. UCM meets for weekly on-campus worship every Thursday night. Throughout the week, student leaders host on-campus Bible study groups, prayer meetings, and social events. They are committed to serving and reaching out on campus through the Red Frogs program. Their desire is to be a positive peer presence on campus by providing a harm-reduction program with hydration stations at parties and events where students are vulnerable to a drug and alcohol culture. They also promote events and being involved in a faith-based community on campus in order to engage students in healthy and holistic living.
Tim has been with UCM since 2017 when he was a student in the ministry before joining the staff team. He enjoys meeting with students and walking with them in their faith journeys as they encounter their adult life. Tim graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Engineering and is now taking a turn in his career path to pursue campus ministry.
Grace Lou
Campus Ministry Assistant
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Having experienced the power of Christian communities growing up. Grace has a dream to build communities where young people can journey and grown in Christlikeness together. This calling became more evident as she moved from Hong Kong to pursue a Bachelor of Science Honours in Zoology at the University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) in 2021. Since her first year, Grace has been heavily involved in two campus ministries as a student leader through which she received increasing clarity that God is calling her into serving with University Christian Ministries (UCM). In this next season of life, she will be graduating in 2024.
During her time as a student leader, Grace recognized two common needs in students:
1. The need for community
2. The need for international discipleship
Grace is therefore passionate about building community and journeying with students.
Through leading women's discipleship, small groups, and the social media presence of UCM at UBCO, Grace has a heart for calling out the student's God-given identities, providing them with opportunities to grow in their relationship with God, and unleashing their gifts to build the kingdom.
Benjamin Heinrichs
Campus Ministry Apprentice
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Ben is a recent graduate from engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC), who was transformed by Christ to share the gospel to his peers. In the summer of 2024, Ben was working as a robotics intern in Montreal, QC, when he discovered an intellectual atheism that challenged his faith – and he began a downward spiral into existential doubt that led to his deconversion. But not all hope was lost. Just in one phone call, Ben’s close community – UCM@UBC – showed him the light of Jesus that dispels all fear, and he confessed faith once more.
Ever since, Ben has been on a mission to shine Christ’s light on the secular thinking of our own age, as he invites friends to evangelize on UBC campus, talks one-on-one with deconverts, and publishes videos bolstering the faith online. Having been propped up by University Christian Ministries (UCM), he now wants to disciple students into the full beauty and truth of the faith he almost left. This is through bible studies, public evangelism with signs, online evangelism, and guiding students in their intellectual and spiritual learning.
Luke Matson
Campus Ministry Apprentice
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Luke is serving as a Campus Ministry Apprentice with University Christian Ministries (UCM) at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Following a transformational encounter with Jesus, Luke made UCM an integral part of his undergrad life and quickly grew into a student leader and disciple.
Through UCM, Luke developed a passion for generational discipleship as taught in 2 Timothy 2:2 and Matthew 28:18-20. As his degree came to a close, he felt a deep compulsion to cultivate this value in the next generation of students. Luke ultimately said yes to this call, having confirmed it through prayer and discernment with friends and family.
Luke's apprenticeship draws from three main areas:
Academically: Luke is equipped with a firm understanding of scripture and biblical approach to campus ministry topics.
Personally: Luke is prioritizing his own spiritual growth through prayer, Bible study, and mentorship with godly campus ministers.
Practically: Luke invests the bulk of his time on campus through one-on-one discipleship, Bible studies, worship gatherings, and outreach across the UBC community.
UCM UBCO (Kelowna)
Josiah Hufemia
Campus Ministry Lead
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Josiah or Josh as his friends call him, has been working as a campus minister for University Christian Ministries (UCM) at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus (UBCO) since 2020. Prior to that, he was an international undergraduate student at that same university. During his time as a student at UBCO, Josh was heavily involved with UCM, and it was through this campus ministry that his faith and relationship with God grew exponentially. Though he grew up in an evangelical Christian culture, Josh recognizes that it was through the vehicle of campus ministry that he experienced intentional discipleship independent of the influence of family and culture. Because of that, Josh has become passionate about investing into the lives of university students on his campus to bring them closer to Jesus, no matter where they are from and no matter where they are at in their faith journey.
In his ministry, Josh continues to provide care for the male students and the international students that come to UCM, while also training them to become faithful leaders within their campus ministry as they progress through their degrees.
UCM is an on-campus Christian community at UBCO where students can encounter Jesus right where they are! They value whole-life worship, students leading students, and hospitable community. UCM meets for weekly on-campus worship every Thursday night. Throughout the week, student leaders host on-campus Bible study groups, prayer meetings, and social events. There is a commitment to reaching out to and serving this campus community through the Red Frogs program. Red Frogs is all about being a positive peer presence on campus by providing a harm-reduction program with hydration stations at parties and events where students are vulnerable to the drug and alcohol culture prevalent on many campuses. Alternative events are promoted where students can get involved in a faith-based community on campus that focuses on healthy and holistic living.
UCM VIU (Nanaimo)
Lydia Collin
Campus Ministry Lead
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Lydia loves her community at VIU (Vancouver Island University). Whether hanging out with students in the cafeteria, playing Capture the Flag on campus, giving a talk on God’s story in Scripture, or mentoring students, serving as a pastor to the university makes her feel fully alive!
Lydia is a farm kid, having grown up on the prairies in Alberta. The word “deconstruction” wasn’t really a thing when she was in her early 20s, but it’s something that she had to do, nevertheless, as she reconciled her faith in Christ with the sad reality of what Christendom (Christ’s name used for political gain) has done. Surprisingly, that led her into her work as a pastor and spiritual health leader.
Before pastoring, Lydia studied piano performance with the Conservatory of Canada, so she still has a particular passion to intermingle Christ and the arts in her work now. She completed an MA at Regent College in theology and a post-Masters certification in Spiritual Care at Trinity Western Seminary. When not on the campus, you’ll find Lydia outside or at the piano. She loves to cycle, swim, and paddle board, and is always game for forming friendship while out in creation or making music!
Julie Niyitegeka
Campus Ministry Assistant
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Helping students be dependent on the Spirit and live a holistic life worth following; and facilitate prayer initiatives for faculty, staff, and students on campus.
Julie Niyitegeka is originally from Rwanda, and graduated from Vancouver Island University (VIU) with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, specializing in Microbiology. During her studies at VIU, Julie enjoyed being a part of the University Christian Ministries (UCM) club. The UCM community became her home away from home. It was a place where she met most of her closest friends, a place where she grew closer to God, and a place where she had amazing opportunities to serve God and her community.
As Julie neared the end of her studies at VIU, she felt called to serve with UCM beyond her education years on campus. She truly believes that God has so much in store for students during their time on campus, and she is so excited to be part of what He wants to do in and through students in these important years of their life.Julie is especially excited to organize prayer & worship events on campus. As well as collaborating with international departments and Student Housing to support students for Jesus's glory. He calls us to love and serve one another, and this is what Julie wants to do at the VIU campus.
Austin Penner
Campus Ministry Assistant
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As a Vancouver Island University (VIU) alumni and baseball player (2012-2017), Austin Penner has lived out the student athlete experience before coming to know Jesus Christ in faith in 2021, after years of worldly striving and personal struggles hit an all-time low. Since coming to faith, Austin has been called to minister to the scene he was once deeply immersed in - the party scene. Fresh into a new and redeemed life in Christ, his heart is now geared toward his friends, and the young people in his context who are yet to truly encounter Jesus.
Austin is leaning into the work that God has already started in many lives in Nanaimo, BC. You may find him handing out water at VIU campus parties as UCM responds to the needs on campus through Red Frogs - an opportunity to provide a positive peer presence in alcohol-fuelled environments, educating young people on safe partying behaviours and promoting alcohol-free and/or diversionary activities that engages young people in these environments. Austin is excited to walk alongside students right where they are at, building meaningful relationships and sharing God's infinite love with them. Deeply valuing the role of a male mentor in his own life, Austin will be involved in discipling male leaders and students on campus.
Austin has a passion for music that's been expressed through playing drums, digital music production, DJing at various venues and promoting curated Spotify playlists. he also loves working with his hands - building, creating, and landscaping. With a deep passion for theology and a love for the Scriptures, Austin looks forward to one day getting his Mater of Divinity.
UCM UVIC (Victoria)
James Perreaux
Interim Campus Ministry Lead (UVic)
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James Perreaux is a missionary, university chaplain, and UCM’s Regional Coordinator.
Support UCM UVIC General - Donate
james.perreaux@paoc.org
Josh Wilton
Campus Ministry Assistant
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Josh been serving in Victoria since planting The Table Church in 2009, and one of his greatest joys has always been walking alongside university-aged students. These years are so formative—early habits, convictions, and experiences often ripple across the rest of life with God. As a Ministry Assistant with UCM at the University of Victoria, he mentors and guides student leaders as they grow in their gifts, wrestle with the claims of Jesus, and share His hope with their peers. His work includes mentoring, teaching, coaching group leadership, preparing studies, helping with music, and supporting strategic planning. Alongside this, he continues as pastor at The Table Church downtown and engage students at nearby Camosun College through meals and meaningful conversation. He believes these campus years are a rich opportunity for encounter with Christ, for shaping leaders, and for building communities of prayer, worship, and mission that will impact the marketplace and the world for decades to come.
Your support empowers Josh to mentor student leaders, foster community, and share the Gospel with young adults at the University of Victoria. His vision is to see students encounter Jesus and step into lives of leadership and mission on campus and beyond.
josh.wilton@paoc.org
UCM BCIT (Burnaby)
Calvin Weber
Campus Ministry Lead
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Calvin Weber has been involved in campus ministry since becoming a post-secondary student at the University of Waterloo in 1979 and has been in full-time church and campus ministry since graduating in 1982. Cal has worked at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and other BC campuses as a minister since 1988, as well as being part of a pastoral team at Westpointe Christian Centre in Kitsilano, BC until 2010.
Cal completed his MDiv at Regent College then joined University Christian Ministries (UCM) as the campus ministry director at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in 2011 where he continues to serve the Christian club there in a multi-staff environment. Cal assists in the apprenticeship training ministry with UCM in BC. He attends Broadway Church in Vancouver, BC, is married with five adult children and has a love for photography. Cal is always wondering about the next mission trip for ministry purposes, as well as a hoped-for family trip to the Arctic Ocean in the near future.
To subscribe to Calvin’s newsletter, email him at calvin.weber@paoc.org
Support UCM BCIT General - Donate
calvin.weber@paoc.org
Joanna Skucas
Campus Ministry Worker (on maternity leave from October 2025-October 2026).
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Joanna encountered Jesus in a dynamic and real way during her time in university through University Christian Ministries (UCM). After completing her math degree, she sensed God’s leading to step into a full-time ministry roll with UCM.
Joanna has worked on staff with UCM at BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) since 2015, reaching a campus of 28,000 students. Their mission field is broad as UCM is presently the only Christian club at BCIT.
UCM envisions every post-secondary student having the opportunity to be reconciled and to grow and mature in their relationship with Christ. Joanna and the team at BCIT endeavour to create an on-campus community where students can meaningfully encounter God. At BCIT, you might find Joanna meeting with a student over coffee for regular discipleship, leading a small group Bible study or welcoming a new international student to Canada with a warm meal. Joanna has a deep heart for hospitality and seeks to ensure UCM is a safe place for students from all walks of life to attend. Her heart is to disciple students and see them walk out the love of God in their lives.
In addition, UCM BCIT offers weekly talks, worship, prayer meetings, staff and faculty events, and opportunities for fellowship in and around the campus.
Maureen Port
Campus Ministry Assistant
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Maureen first heard about University Christian Ministries (UCM), when she was asked to give a presentation on faith in the workplace. Her reaction to this invitation was filled with excitement, since this was a topic that reflects her passion for integrating spiritual values into every day work life. Maureen believes faith can shape how we lead, serve, and support others in every environment. After years of experience in the fashion industry and successfully running many businesses and drawing on her strong background in business administration and navigating many changes in the workplace, Maureen sensed God's calling for her to step into a part-time ministry role. She thought the role was going to be at her church, but God had another plan. Maureen really thought this was just going to be a volunteer role, next thing she knew she was being interviewed and hired for a Campus Ministry Assistant position. The rest is history!
On campus you will find Maureen connecting with students over tea, leading small group Bible study, mentoring students as they wrestle with faith and life’s big questions about purpose. Maureen lights up a room with her hospitality and seeks to ensure UCM is a welcoming space for any student who attends. When she's not on campus, you’ll find Maureen volunteering, teaching Sunday school, mentoring and praying with her prayer team. Outside of ministry she loves to play golf and riding her scooter.
Alissa Schaly
Campus Ministry Apprentice
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Alissa is serving as a Campus Ministry Apprentice at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) through University Christian Ministries (UCM). She first connected with UCM during her first semester in the BCIT Nursing program and immediately found a sense of belonging within its welcoming and supportive community. Through the encouragement of mentors and friendships formed there, she grew in her faith and began to channel her passion for serving others into campus ministry.
During a time of prayer and reflection at a multi-campus retreat, Alissa felt called to missions. While she initially envisioned this as short-term missions, separate from a nursing career, her deeper involvement on the student executive team and in ministry clarified that this was a long-term calling. She now feels led to pursue full-time ministry, and this apprenticeship is an important next step in developing the skills and discernment needed for where God is calling her next.
In her role on campus, Alissa meets regularly with students for one-on-one discipleship, supporting them in their spiritual growth and walk with God. She facilitates Bible studies, helping students engage with Scripture in meaningful and life-giving ways. She also creates spaces for connection by hosting meals, particularly during holidays for students who are far from home, fostering a sense of community and belonging. In addition, Alissa helps plan events that encourage fellowship outside of academic life and participates in campus outreach, sharing kindness and the message of the gospel with others. Throughout her apprenticeship, she is also committed to her own spiritual growth and leadership development through both academic learning and hands-on ministry experience.
UCM UFV (Abbotsford)
James Perreaux
Interim Campus Ministry Lead
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James Perreaux is a missionary, university chaplain, and UCM’s Regional Coordinator.
Support UCM UFV General - Donate
james.perreaux@paoc.org
Kyler McAlister
Campus Ministry Assistant
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Kyler is serving as a Campus Ministry Assistant at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) in Abbotsford, BC, with University Christian Ministries (UCM). Growing up in Chilliwack and Williams Lake, BC, Kyler developed a love of the outdoors and an appreciation for the Lord’s creation. He began a degree in biology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON, and after completing two years and taking a gap year, the Lord got a hold of his heart and restored him to a relationship with Him. The years since the Lord’s transformation in his life have been radically different; Kyler’s greatest desire in life is for Jesus, and in 2023 the Lord called Kyler into ministry. He returned to BC after living in Ontario and, upon completing his B.Sc. at Trinity Western, began a Master of Divinity degree at TWU Seminary in Langley. During his first year at Seminary, Kyler felt the Lord’s call to pursue working with UCM at UFV.
Kyler’s role at UFV is part-time and primarily involves supporting student leaders and providing pastoral care and relief for the ministry on campus. He regularly preaches, leads Bible studies, and engages in campus outreach. While he works with UCM, he continues to study and work through his M.Div. Kyler hopes that his studies will be a valuable asset to his role as Campus Ministry Assistant, and he is excited to work for the Lord as he seeks to discern and obey the Lord’s calling on his life.
Support Kyler McAlister - Donate
kyler.mcalister@paoc.org
KPU Chaplain (Surrey)
John Engels
KPU Chaplain - Surrey Campus
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John is an ordained minister with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, is married, and father of four young adult children. He and his wife have worked in university ministry since graduating from Western Washington University. John also holds a MA in leadership.
His focus is serving the wonderful faculty, staff, and students at KPU! John enjoys mentoring students in Bible based servant leadership and spiritual formation. He relishes several music genres and is an avid Seattle Seahawks fan, enjoys NFL Fantasy Football, and bicycling. John and his wife are also involved in alleviating poverty locally and globally. He loves laughing, getting to know people, and learning from them. He hopes to meet you soon! Drop by the Multi-faith Centre office on the Surrey Campus in Cedar 1035.
To subscribe to John’s newsletter, please e-mail him at john.engels@paoc.org
john.engels@paoc.org