On behalf of Jan Paasuke, CBWC President, and Glenn Rabuka, CBWC VP of Personnel and Programme, Jeremy Bell, Executive Minister of Canadian Baptists of Western Canada is pleased to announce that Rev. Dennis Stone, Senior Pastor of Faith Community Baptist Church in Claresholm, Alberta has been appointed to the position of Alberta Regional Minister. This Executive staff position is responsible for providing a ministry of spiritual support and encouragement to the over 60 churches and ministry agencies in Alberta, the Peace and East Kootenay areas of BC and in Yellowknife in the NWT. This involves building working, supportive and nurturing relationships with church pastors and lay leaders, camp and agency officials and denominational staff. The Regional Minister also provides initial pastoral care, church and ministry consultation, and oversight and support of CBWC programs in the Alberta Region. As well, currently this position is responsible for the CBWC-wide Pastoral Settlement portfolio.

Originally from the state of Montana, Dennis holds a Master of Education Degree in Counselling. He completed all of his theological education in Canada. Rev. Stone was ordained as a BUWC/CBWC pastor in 1988 at White Rock Baptist Church in BC. Dennis moved to Alberta in 1989 and served as Senior Pastor at Delwood Road Baptist in Edmonton prior to moving to Claresholm in 1995. Rev. Stone found these ministry situations deeply meaningful as he loved and ministered to the people God placed him among and has been deeply loved in return. Dennis has considerable experience in the Alberta Region including serving as the Alberta Area Moderator, Member of the Alberta Area Executive, involvement in Ordination Examining Councils and Co-Chairing the CBWC’s Southern Alberta Cluster Gatherings.

Dennis and his wife Anita have been married for thirty years and have four adult children. His personal interests involve time with his family, fishing, music and keeping up with his favourite hockey team – the Edmonton Oilers. Dennis looks forward to his new CBWC leadership role and, with “the Lord being his helper”, will seek to support and strengthen CBWC’s churches and ministries in the Alberta Region through encouragement, prayer, personal relationship building, and collegiality. He can be called upon to provide information, resources, support and advice to help our churches and agencies achieve their ministry goals and objectives. Dennis will assist churches, pastors and lay leaders to fully realize their potential as integral parts of our CBWC family as together we seek to be healthy, caring, missional and dedicated to advancing the Kingdom of God by being “a Christ-centered community of churches: inviting faith, acting in mercy and cultivating leaders.”

Rev. Stone’s appointment will begin October 15, 2009. He will be residing in Edmonton.Following an extensive and comprehensive time of orientation, visitation and staffed transition, Dennis will assume all duties and responsibilities of our new Alberta Regional Minister in January 2010.

Executive Minister Jeremy Bell welcomes Dennis as the new Alberta Regional Minister and looks forward to him joining CBWC’s Executive Staff. Jeremy said that “He has been told that people who know Dennis describe him as optimistic, approachable, supportive, highly relational, reflective, and a great encourager. He will bring a wealth of experience to the position and a comprehensive knowledge of both rural and urban Alberta. I know that churches, agencies, pastors and lay leaders will appreciate working with Dennis in his new leadership role.”

To read Rev. Stone's job description, please click here.