Pastor Blaine has taken on the pastoral leadership of our church
“For you created my innermost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14 NIV
How could God use someone that comes from such an eclectic background? It is not only possible; it is how God rolls. When his disciples complained that people were beginning to leave him and follow Jesus, John said he was glad to hear it. He was merely the messenger. “I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him … He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:28-30).
Blaine comes from a truly diverse background. Growing up in a Christian home in Alberta, like many people reconsidered faith during university. It was through an intense time of personal study intended to settle this “God thing” once and for all, that led Blaine back to faith. Perhaps not the most common way, but Blaine insists, he came to full faith, at least in part, intellectually.
After studying theatre and psychology, Blaine entered the business world, working for several years in real estate, appraisals, and banking. Self employment offered the opportunity to be flexible in time to devote to ministry in church administration, the arts (theatre) and a focus on the struggling (prisoner, addict, homeless, hungry). Married, raising four daughters, Blaine felt called to undertake Graduate studies part time while working full time, focused on chaplaincy, addiction recovery and apologetics. Leaving the corporate world was inevitable and full-time ministry involved a business/artistic role at the Canadian Badlands Passion Play in Drumheller, Provincial hospital and Federal prison chaplaincy, ministry development, addictions councillor and pastor.
Blaine left Alberta for the West Coast to work with BC Teen Challenge and is currently back in the business world as a licensed associate with a similar goal – allowing flexibility for ministry. He is married to Adriane and they are both active in the church and living close to their daughters, and most recently, granddaughter.
This unique blend of business and ministry reminds Blaine of how special and unique we are. This is how John realized the point of his existence was Jesus for He is “the one who comes from heaven” and “is above all” (John 3:31) — the divine Son who gave His life for us.
This means there is hope for us all!
(May, 2021)
