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JAMES BEKKERS · Executive 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 leadership at North Park Community Church in London, ON. Over the past two decades he 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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GAIL ANN BONDAR · 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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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, Boys X-treme, 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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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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KEVIN LEONARD · Pastor of Community Care
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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SONJA HOTKE · Office Administrator
Sonja grew up at Temple and has been actively involved here in the past. Over the last year she has been a cornerstone of support and help to our Director of Children's Ministry in Temple's Treehouse. Sonja comes to us with a B.A. in Psychology from Tyndale University and an Early Childhood Education diploma from Lambton College. Along with her educational gifts, Sonja is a natural athelete and enjoys all kinds of sports, including floorball where she plays for the Canadian National Women's Floorball Team, and coaches the junior team. Sonja has a passion for the world and has traveled extensively over the years. shotke@templebaptist.com
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SHELLEY MATSSON · Administrative Assistant
Shelley joined our staff as our part-time Administrative Assistant. 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. You have likely seen Shelley volunteering Sunday mornings teaching in Temple's Treehouse, helping to keep track of her Girls Alive group, and volunteering at Sonic (Jr. High) with her husband Rolf. In her downtime Shelley enjoys spending as much time as possible with Rolf and their two children, Evan and Sofi. 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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