Our Leaders

At Calgary First Mennonite Church our ministries are coordinated by our paid pastors and by our volunteer leaders.  As Anabaptists we call people to special roles of spiritual leadership in the church.  

The purpose of such chosen leaders is not to relieve other believers of responsibility, but to represent Christ and the church in the congregation and on the church's behalf in the world 

Meet the team!

Alissa Bender Pastor Alissa Bender, Associate Pastor

As the Associate Pastor at Calgary First Mennonite, Alissa gives special priority to mentoring youth, young adults, and young families with the goal of assisting their understanding of authentic, meaningful, and relevant faith.

Pastor Alissa believes that an essential part of leadership is empowering others to discover and use their gifts.

She brings gifts in prayer, preaching, worship and music, and has a passion for seeing how faith makes sense within our world, and in relation to the questions and issues of our time.

Marv Thiessen Pastor Marv Thiessen, Interim Pastor

Calgary First Mennonite Church is in a time of discernment as we search for a Lead Pastor, and Marv is serving as an Interim Pastor during the transitional period. Pastor Marv has a primary role in teaching and preaching -delivering the sermon on most Sundays.

Pastor Marv also provides spiritual and pastoral care to the membership of Calgary First Mennonite Church, identifies needs in the community, and enjoys participating in sports, especially volleyball, baseball and basketball.

Marv is alert to issues in the world, and uses a broad base of information to stimulate actions for peace and justice.

Michael Fiss Michael Fiss, Church Chairperson

Michael is a graduate of the Haskayne School of Business, and works for a local engineering company. As Chairperson, he is is the official representative and spokesperson for the congregation, and the presiding member of the Council of Church Ministries. He is also responsible for all active policies and procedures, contracts and employment agreements.

Michael is excited for the future of Calgary First Mennonite Church, and has challenged the Council of Church Ministries to pursue an ambitious program of equipping, training and infrastructure development.

Rob Ratzlaff Rob Ratzlaff, Vice-Chairperson

Rob is currently the Vice-Chairperson at Calgary First Mennonite in a period of preparation and development for his term as Chairperson which will begin in Q1 2010.  He has suggested and spearheaded a number of new initiatives in 2009, and is currently the chairperson of our pastor search team.

Rob has an ability to describe issues in elegantly simple terms, and a talent for guiding productive discussions.

 

Alissa Bender Ruth Griffeth, Chair of Deacons

At Calgary First Mennonite Church, deacons exercise leadership through a ministry of caring, visitation and reconciliation.  Deacons work closely with the Pastors, in providing spiritual direction for the congregation.

As Chairperson of the Deacons, Ruth is ‘first among equals’, and serves as the official representative and coordinator of the deacons’ efforts.  Ruth encourages us to hear and listen to all voices with open minds and hearts.  Ruth brings talents in discernment and insight; sharing from history while discussing and imagining our shared future together.