Speakers

Wilma Wiens is our Minister of Pastoral & Spiritual Care. She grew up in Winnipeg and studied at the University of Manitoba and at Canadian Mennonite University where she received her Masters of Arts in Theological Studies. She has lived in Swaziland and in Haiti, where she worked with the Mennonite Central Committee. Wilma and her husband Dan operated an organic vegetable farm for over 20 years, selling food at farmers markets and through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) model. She has had a spiritual direction practice since 2005. In all these areas of involvement Wilma enjoys seeing God’s wondrous transforming grace at work in people’s ordinary lives. Wilma and her husband Dan live south of Winnipeg where they enjoy the quietude of the land. They have 4 children and 4 grandsons. Wilma enjoys running, gardening, reading and strong dark roasted coffee.

Leshia Verkerk is the Dean of Student Life at Providence University College and Theological Seminary. She has her Masters of Divinity from McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton. Leshia lives in Winnipeg with her husband, Benjamin, who is the pastor at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, and her new son Peter. In her spare time, Leshia likes to be outside fishing, walking, or sitting around the fire.

Randall (Randy) Holm is a restless observer of faith and culture. He has a Ph.D. in theology from Université Laval in Quebec City and for the past 18 years has been teaching in the area of biblical studies at Providence University College. Randy and his wife Olive train together for marathons. Their daughter Laura, son-in-law Adam and grandson Jameson live in Colorado Springs. Randy’s newest hobby is competing in triathlons.

Don Friesen served two Mennonite congregations, one in Winnipeg (1975-1978) and the other in Ottawa (1978-2012), before retiring. He met his wife, Dorothy, a fellow Saskatchewanian, in Thompson, MB. They both studied at the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries in Indiana, and have three children and three grandchildren.

David Johnson studied at the University of Minnesota, Dallas Theological Seminary, and Trinity Divinity School. He served as pastor of Faribault Evangelical Free Church from 1980-1987 and Professor of New Testament at Providence Theological Seminary from 1990-2002. He was the Dean of the Seminary from 2002-2005 and Provost of Providence University College and Seminary from 2005-2012. David was appointed President of Providence in 2012 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2021. He continues as an adjunct professor at Providence. David and his wife Barb have three children and eight grandchildren. David and Barb enjoy hiking in National Parks and elsewhere in Canada and the United States.

Dr. Robert Dean is a theologian, pastor, and writer based in Southern Manitoba. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics at Providence Theological Seminary, where he also acts as Editor of the school’s interdisciplinary theological journal Didaskalia. Robert has written several books and many articles, most of which in some way or another address the question of what it means for the Church to be a faithful community of witness within this strange time in which we find ourselves. Robert is an ordained minister within the Presbyterian Church in Canada. He and his wife Melissa reside in Niverville with their two children, Anastasia and Nathanael. You can follow his musings about life and theology on his blog: thinkingafter.com.

Daryl Climenhaga is semi-retired, but continues to teach occasional courses in the area of the global church, focusing on the interplay of faith and culture. The mosaic of global cultural expressions of faith gives insight into the vision expressed in John’s words: “I saw a multitude that no one could number, of all nations, kindreds, people, and tongues.” Personal interests include playing soccer and chess, listening to world music (especially from southern Africa), cooking curries, and playing an almost endless game of Scrabble with his wife.

Dr. Kenton (Kent) Anderson cares deeply about the development of a new generation of competent leaders for the world and for God’s Kingdom. His particular interest is to build integrative, competency-based systems designed to develop emerging leaders with the knowledge, skill, and character necessary to the pursuit of their gifts and calling. Kent’s personal history and experience is in the areas of collaborative leadership, communications, and personal formation.

Kent spent more than 25 years serving as president, academic dean, and member of the faculty at Northwest Seminary and College. Kent is now the President of Providence University College and Theological Seminary. Prior to his academic career, he served as a pastor in several churches in various parts of Western Canada. Kent has been married to his wife, Karen for more than 38 years. Kent and Karen have three married adult children and four grandchildren.

Hermann was born and raised in Paraguay in a Mennonite Community. In 1984 he moved to Canada. He studied at the Canadian Mennonite Bible College where he graduated in 1987 with a bachelor of Theology. He also studied in Germany where he met his wife, Renate. They got married in 1988 and have three adult children. Hermann continued his studies at Providence Seminary graduating with a MA in Biblical Counseling and at the University of Winnipeg graduating with a Masters of Divinity.

Hermann has been an associate pastor in two churches. After training as a chaplain, he has been working as a spiritual/religious care provider at Concordia Village (Assisted Living Facility) since December 2009. In his spare time, Hermann enjoys riding his bicycle, going for walks, reading, and relaxing.