Rev. Milissa Ewing
Lead Pastor
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Milissa is passionate about seeing men & women grow into the people God made them to be and seeing God move in and through the church to transform our city, region and world.
Milissa is a graduate of The University of British Columbia, Arrow Leadership, and finishing her studies at Tyndale Seminary. She loves spending time with her husband, Jay, and two daughters. In her free time, you will find Milissa painting, reading, trail running, skiing, swimming in lakes, or cycling.
Milissa is a graduate of The University of British Columbia, Arrow Leadership, and finishing her studies at Tyndale Seminary. She loves spending time with her husband, Jay, and two daughters. In her free time, you will find Milissa painting, reading, trail running, skiing, swimming in lakes, or cycling.
Joel Penney
Executive Pastor
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Joel is passionate about cultivating strong teams and healthy systems to support ministry growth in the local church. He loves the blend of behind-the-scenes ministry and up-front leadership. Joel has a passion for preaching, team building, and loves studying theology.
Joel has Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Guelph, a Master of Theological Studies degree from Tyndale Seminary, and is currently working towards a CHRP certification (Human Resources) through Fanshawe College. Joel loves spending time outdoors with his wife Nicole and daughters Sophie and Maisy, and enjoys building custom furniture in his woodshop whenever possible.
Joel has Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Guelph, a Master of Theological Studies degree from Tyndale Seminary, and is currently working towards a CHRP certification (Human Resources) through Fanshawe College. Joel loves spending time outdoors with his wife Nicole and daughters Sophie and Maisy, and enjoys building custom furniture in his woodshop whenever possible.
Rev. Jay Ewing
Pastor of Spiritual Formation
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Jay provides spiritual guidance and soul care for the Redwood Park community. He is passionate about seeing people come to know Christ and be spiritually formed into whole and healthy followers of Jesus.
Jay is a graduate of Ambrose University and Regent College. He has also been trained in Spiritual Direction through the Academy of Spiritual Formation and the School of Spiritual Direction. He loves spending time with his wife, Milissa, and two daughters. In his free time, you will find Jay rock climbing, trail running, skiing, swimming in lakes, or cycling.
Jay is a graduate of Ambrose University and Regent College. He has also been trained in Spiritual Direction through the Academy of Spiritual Formation and the School of Spiritual Direction. He loves spending time with his wife, Milissa, and two daughters. In his free time, you will find Jay rock climbing, trail running, skiing, swimming in lakes, or cycling.
Rev. Shawn Baran
Pastor of Worship & Communication Arts
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Shawn is passionate about the Arts and how they can be a vessel of beauty and grace in a loud and dissonant world. How music, film, poetry and painting can draw people into a posture of curiosity and seeking; opening hearts and minds to the work of God, and so often challenging assumptions to point beyond the individual to more expansive, divine realities.
Shawn is a graduate of Rocky Mountain College. He loves being with his wife, Sara, and three kids. For recreation, you will find Shawn quietly reading in a corner with a fresh, hot coffee, seeing a film at the local cinema, playing video games, or walking in the stillness of the night with the melodic yearnings of dream pop music scoring the movement of the stars above.
Shawn is a graduate of Rocky Mountain College. He loves being with his wife, Sara, and three kids. For recreation, you will find Shawn quietly reading in a corner with a fresh, hot coffee, seeing a film at the local cinema, playing video games, or walking in the stillness of the night with the melodic yearnings of dream pop music scoring the movement of the stars above.
Jeremy Franczak
Technical Director
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Jeremy leads the Redwood Tech Ministry and uses his passion for art and technology to assist in spreading the teachings of Jesus. Whether that be equipping our leaders with the tools they need to succeed or working behind the scenes during a Sunday Service.
Jeremy graduated from the Film Production program at Confederation College in Thunder Bay and has cultivated his skill set over many years of working on TV, Movies and Theatre. In his free time, Jeremy enjoys gaming, cooking, and spending time with his wife Mikayla.
Jeremy graduated from the Film Production program at Confederation College in Thunder Bay and has cultivated his skill set over many years of working on TV, Movies and Theatre. In his free time, Jeremy enjoys gaming, cooking, and spending time with his wife Mikayla.
Kimberly Horton
Office Manager
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Kimberly is passionate about creating order & organization and works quietly behind the scenes to keep the building (and the staff team!) running smoothly and efficiently.
Born & raised in Thunder Bay, Kimberly graduated from Confederation College and is a recent empty nester whose young adult kids have migrated south. She spends her free time catching up with good friends either on long walks through the beauty of Thunder Bay or over a nice hot cup of coffee. She also enjoys reading, building LEGO while listening to podcasts and trying to perfect the art of cooking for 1.
Born & raised in Thunder Bay, Kimberly graduated from Confederation College and is a recent empty nester whose young adult kids have migrated south. She spends her free time catching up with good friends either on long walks through the beauty of Thunder Bay or over a nice hot cup of coffee. She also enjoys reading, building LEGO while listening to podcasts and trying to perfect the art of cooking for 1.
Laurie Niskanen
HR/Volunteer Coordinator
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Laurie is thrilled to bring her love of all things organization and process to serve the Redwood team, providing administrative support and volunteer coordination.
Laurie is a graduate of Confederation College and recently retired after a rewarding career in HR management and administration. When she's not spending time with family and friends, Laurie can be found listening to music and podcasts, making soup, going out for a walk, or cuddling one of her two very large cats … and hiding from the other.
Laurie is a graduate of Confederation College and recently retired after a rewarding career in HR management and administration. When she's not spending time with family and friends, Laurie can be found listening to music and podcasts, making soup, going out for a walk, or cuddling one of her two very large cats … and hiding from the other.
Sara Baran
Interim Family Ministries Director
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Sara leads our youth program and oversees our children's programming as a half-time employee. She considers it a privilege to provide guidance and encouragement to our young folks during this time with a prayer that they will be formed into the fullness of who God made them to be.
Sara is a graduate of Rocky Mountain College where she completed degrees in Music and Religious Studies. She adores her husband and three daughters and prefers their company over anyone but Jesus. She loves to read (any and everything), to write (music, plays, and prayers), to sing, to perform, and to plan (events, celebrations, and productions).
Sara is a graduate of Rocky Mountain College where she completed degrees in Music and Religious Studies. She adores her husband and three daughters and prefers their company over anyone but Jesus. She loves to read (any and everything), to write (music, plays, and prayers), to sing, to perform, and to plan (events, celebrations, and productions).
Mark Schutte
Interim Redwood Kids Leader
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Mark is passionate about helping kids (of all ages) listen and respond to the call that God has placed in each of their hearts; to know Him and to be loved by Him.
Mark has an honours bachelor and almost (God willing) a master’s of Science in Biology. He has volunteered for a number of years in Kids, Youth and Young Adult ministry. When he’s not at church he’s likely reading, skateboarding, playing ultimate frisbee, or lost in the woods somewhere looking for a stream.
Mark has an honours bachelor and almost (God willing) a master’s of Science in Biology. He has volunteered for a number of years in Kids, Youth and Young Adult ministry. When he’s not at church he’s likely reading, skateboarding, playing ultimate frisbee, or lost in the woods somewhere looking for a stream.
Brenden DeGiacomo
Maintenance Technician
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Brenden does repairs, maintenance, and renovations to Redwood's building and property. He has a passion for being hands-on and problem-solving, and puts these skills to use in updating and maintaining the building.
Brenden has been a member of the Redwood community since childhood and continues to be involved in Redwood Kids, Students, Young Adults, and the Worship team. He is currently in the final year of his Master's of Science in Kinesiology at Lakehead University. If you don't find Brenden at Redwood, you'll find him repairing cars and technology, or finding a new project to work on. Brenden enjoys spending his free time with his wife Alanah and dog, Gus, camping, hiking, traveling, and eating ice cream.
Brenden has been a member of the Redwood community since childhood and continues to be involved in Redwood Kids, Students, Young Adults, and the Worship team. He is currently in the final year of his Master's of Science in Kinesiology at Lakehead University. If you don't find Brenden at Redwood, you'll find him repairing cars and technology, or finding a new project to work on. Brenden enjoys spending his free time with his wife Alanah and dog, Gus, camping, hiking, traveling, and eating ice cream.