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JAMES BEKKERS · Interim Lead Pastor James grew up in Antigonish, a small university town on the east coast of Canada. He began serving at Temple as Executive Pastor in July 2013 following more than 11 years of church leadership in London, ON. Over the past two decades James has been a teacher, a principal, and a pastor. His academic interests are wide ranging - from science and technology, to education and theology. James is married to Caroline and they have three grown children. James is passionate about seeing the local church grow spiritually and engage the culture around it with authenticity, wisdom and creativity. |
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jbekkers@templebaptist.com
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BRADY BURNS · Pastor of Senior Youth and Young Adults
Growing up in Milton, Ontario, Brady developed a passion for ministering to youth and young people. After graduating from Heritage College with a bachelor's degree, he worked with Youth for Christ in Milton before going back to Heritage as the Residence Director. After his time there he started pursuing a masters degree while managing a used record store. Brady began working at Temple in September 2021 as the Pastor of Sr. High Youth and Young Adults. Brady and his wife, Krystal, have two boys named Barrett and Silas. He loves the outdoors, but can most likely be found sitting beside his vinyl record collection listening to some modal jazz or ambient rock. |
bburns@templebaptist.com
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KEVIN LEONARD · Pastor of Community Care and Small Groups
Kevin became part of the Temple Team in the fall of 2017. He has served in a wide variety of ministries at Temple over the 20 past years. His passion is building meaningful relationships and encouraging people to mature in their walk with Christ. Kevin loves spending time with his wife Vana and their 2 married children – Joel & Jenn along with their dogs. |
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kleonard@templebaptist.com
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ANDREW MILLER · Pastor of Junior High Ministry
Andrew recently interned here at Temple and has since started as our Jr high Youth Pastor in January 2018. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Heritage College and Seminary. For many years Andrew was involved at Temple. It was during this time that he has realized his passion to help Jr. High students understand and live out their faith. Andrew oversees Sonic, a ministry for youth in grades 6-8. He enjoys being outdoors, anything from hunting and fishing, to outdoor sports, to relaxing paddles on the paddle board. |
amiller@templebaptist.com
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KATHERINE REYES · Director of Children's Ministry
Katherine joined the Temple staff as Children’s Director in June 2006. Katherine oversees all of our children’s ministry programs (Temple's Tree House, Girls Alive, Sunday School, Plan to Protect and Day Camp). Katherine has a passion for seeing children accept Jesus as their forever friend and helping them grow in their faith. Her spiritual gifts include administration and teaching. Katherine believes that children need to be taught the Word of God but also see Jesus’ love demonstrated in everyday people. She is married to Lehrend, and has three wonderful kids: Julia, David, and James. |
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children@templebaptist.com
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GAIL ANN VEGH · Director of Worship Arts
Gail Ann joined the Temple team in January of 2020 and serves as Director of Worship Arts. She is a native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, but had been living in Florida since 2003. Professionally, she has been in office management and church leadership since 1999. Gail Ann’s heart is to set the example that worship is far more than just music, but a lifestyle that we choose to live everyday. The Bible tells us to have joy in all that we do and to rejoice. To rejoice means dance, move, twist, jump, and/or leap and she does just that, and loves the idea of living her life like a celebration. |
worshipministry@templebaptist.com
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SHELLEY MATSSON · Administrative and Office Manager
Shelley joined our staff as our part-time Administrative and Office Manager. Shelley is a North American Baptist College alumnus and brings 15 years of valuable administration experience to Temple. She has worked with a technology firm and an academic institution where she operated beside the Vice President and the Dean of Admissions. Both Shelley and her husband Rolf are quite active in our ministry programs. In her downtime Shelley enjoys spending as much time as possible with Rolf and their two children, Evan and Sofi. |
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smatsson@templebaptist.com
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NICOLE THOMAS · Administrative Assistant
Nicole provides administrative support to staff and members of Temple Baptist Church two days a week. Aside from her time here in the office, Nicole also volunteers in the toddlers room during our Sunday morning worship service. Nicole keeps busy helping her husband, Simon, and their three kids, Lachlan, Hudson and Eamon by traveling around and visiting some of the local sights. |
nthomas@templebaptist.com
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ANNIE MCLEAN · Administrative Assistant
Annie is back in the office part time! She is happy to return to serve her church family at Temple in the office and volunteering where needed. When she is not at church, she is working at the hospital serving her community as a Ward Clerk or at home caring for her new puppy, Harvey. Loving God, her family and friends is what motivates Annie. This same spirit is what she hopes to bring to her work in the office. |
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amclean@templebaptist.com
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GARY BOUCHER · Church Maintenance Manager
Gary Boucher moved to the Sarnia area from Nova Scotia and has been on staff at Temple since 2019. He has been married to Catherine for almost 30 years and they have one adult daughter. You can always find Gary working around the church, willing to help out in whatever capacity he is needed. |
gboucher@templebaptist.com
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DEAN ANDERSON · Church Treasurer Dean Anderson has been attending Temple for over 63 years! He has been married to the love of his life Marilyn, for 45 years. They have two grown children who reside in Sarnia and Michigan, respectively. Dean and Marilyn have been blessed with 9 beautiful grandchildren and their favourite time is time spent with their families. |
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