©2006-2008
Bayridge Alliance Church
Staff at Bayridge Alliance
Gordon Grieve, Senior Pastor
Born in Edmonton, AB, Gordon has lived in five provinces. His earliest years were spent in the Laurentian mountains north of Montreal, PQ, where he fondly recalls hiking, downhill skiing and canoeing with his family.
If you happened to take in the BAC production of the C.S. Lewis classic, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (January 2006), you saw Pastor Gordon jiving with the rest of the cast to one of his original compositions, and you recognized that music is a big part of the way God has wired him. But wait…we’re getting ahead of the story.
Almost 30 years ago, his piano teacher teamed him up to play a “four-hand transcription of a Beethoven symphony” with a young lady named Arlene. The project struck a chord, and in 1978 Gordon and Arlene committed to a lifetime duet! The Grieve band has grown over the years to include a daughter, two sons, a son-in-law and two grandchildren.
As Gordon looks back on the defining moments and people in his life, he is acutely aware of a sense of God-given destiny on his life. When he was an infant, he almost died from a critical illness but God intervened, answering the prayers of his parents for healing.
“From the moment I first recall hearing that story I have had a certain sense of destiny – that God spared my life for a reason.”
A lifetime of investing in others was modeled for Gordon through his Uncle Bob who, with his wife Jean, was a missionary in Africa. In Gordon's words, Bob was the kindest, most gracious man he's ever met, and although Bob has passed away, his example of commitment and character continues to have a profound impact on Gordon and his ministry to his family and others.
Gord is a ‘good news’ kind of guy, and he has a good news message to share. He loves to talk about Jesus in fresh, relevant ways, and to connect with people who are seeking out spiritual truth. It's a natural that Gordon has forged a deep connection to BAC's Alpha course (an informal, highly relational introduction to the truths of the Christian faith) since coming to Kingston!
Gordon's journey to Kingston has included a music degree from Canadian Bible College, studies at Regent College in Vancouver and a sabbatical year at Asbury Seminary in Kentucky. He has had extensive experience in youth, music and senior pastoral roles in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. In addition to their role at Bayridge, Gord and Arlene enjoy their involvements in the broader community through piano teaching and ESL (Arlene) and helping out as an assistant business coach with Dale Carnegie (Gord). Gord also likes to write songs and desires to become skilled at jazz improvisation.
When living in Tsawwassen, BC, Gord often witnessed the majesty of soaring eagles and developed a special appreciation for Isaiah 40:30–31, “They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings like eagles…”
Want to get to know Gordon better? Feed his addiction for a great cup of coffee, and hit the local coffee shop with him for a visit. Hey…even better, hit a garage sale together (coffee in hand, of course) and have a friend for life!
Quote – It is fun talking with people who are not yet followers of Christ or are just beginning the journey.
Jamie Stinson, Children's Ministries
Jamie has been married to her husband Rob for 22 wonderful years. Together they have two fantastic daughters, Whitney and Lauren.
Next to her family, Jamie is passionate about two things…children and drama, and since 1999 has been honing these passions here at Bayridge. She thoroughly enjoys teaching KIDS Church to children in ways that are creative, relevant with heapfuls of FUN. The guiding mantra that permeates her ministry philosophy is:
“It's easier to build children than to repair adults.”
When she is not teaching children, you can find her on the stage of the sanctuary directing or acting with people of all ages. She enjoys pushing the dramatic efforts of Bayridge to new levels of creativity in ways that spiritually engage people, so they can be open to making spiritual decisions. She is thankful for the opportunity to do ministry in such a wonderful church that is filled with people who are eager to reach out to people in innovative and relevant ways with the love of God.
Ben Seaman, Associate Pastor
Born in Toronto, ON, Ben has also lived in five provinces. He is the son of a "Military Man" and so he had the priviledge of moving around the country quite a bit. In 1976, he joined the Military himself and it was in that context that he met Colleen.
In 1979, Colleen and Ben were married and began a wonderful relationship that has "had it's moments" but remains a solid foundation from which they minister. In 1982, Ben and Colleen began volunteer ministry at East Gate Alliance church in Ottawa. It was here that God began to show Ben that he was to be in full-time ministry to youth and their families. In 1986 Ben and Colleen moved out to Regina, Saskatchewan where Ben completed a Bachelor and Master Degree.
During that period of time Ben and Colleen adopted three wonderful children (January of 1990). They are Danielle (who is currently in Ottawa at Carelton University), Christopher (who is currently in Barrie, Ontario at Georgian College), and Sarah (who is in Grade 11). It was out of the infertility, adoption, and marriage issues that they went through that Ben and Colleen began some serious ministry to families. These opportunities included Marriage Enrichment, and seminars on infertility and forgiveness.
God called Ben to full-time ministry in 1994 and he and his family packed their belongings and moved to Dearborn, Michigan where they ministered for 5 years. At the end of that time, they were called to minister in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. From 2000 to 2004, Ben was the Youth Pastor at Word of Life Alliance church. In October of 2004, through budget cut-backs, Ben began to seek God for future ministry opportunites. He landed a job working with troubled youth and enjoyed that ministry for almost two years. In September of 2006, God brought Ben, Colleen, and family together with Bayridge Alliance church and all saw His hand in the potential here in Kingston.
Ben utilizes the SonLife Strategy in helping to create a philosophy of ministry and is a certified Foundations Trainer in helping to grow healthy youth ministries.
Like Pastor Gord, Ben is also a ‘good news’ kind of guy. He seeks to share the Gospel in relevant ways and is concerned that people, especially youth and their families, know God's truth in such a way that their lives will be forever altered, enabling them to become genuine ambassadors for Christ in this culture and beyond. His life verse can be found in Colossians 1:19 through 21a (from the Message). Because Ben has experienced brokenness in many areas of his life, he has a strong desire to see the "broken and dislocated pieces of the universe...get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies" and then find their place in God. There is room for everyone at the foot of the Cross.
He also enjoys
Ben enjoys going for long walks with Colleen and his dog, Jake.
watching a good movie and Hockey Night in Canada. He plays some sports, including
ball hockey, softball, and paintball. He loves maple syrup and anything Canadian.
He is a strong advocate for the ethical use of chocolate and coffee in every
facet of life.
Debbie Michener, Office Manager
We are delighted that Debbie has joined our staff at Bayridge!
Very shortly she will discover that she has to write a little bio about herself for our website, but for now, I can tell you that she is quickly learning the ropes and is willing to help you with whatever you need when you call or email the office.
Lewis Yaworski, Pastoral Intern
Hello. My name is Lewis Yaworski.
I am from Red Deer, Alberta. I was born on October 27th, 1984 in Edmonton, Alberta. I am the oldest of three children, my brother (Stewart), and my sister Rachal. My father and my mother, Suzan and Raymond, own a Volkswagen dealership in Red Deer.
For the last three years, I have been studying at Ambrose University College in Calgary. I am enrolled in the Bachelor of Theology program, specializing in Church Ministries. I have built many great friendships with my fellow students over the years and will miss them this year while I am on internship.
Last year I did my practicum at Central United Church in downtown Calgary. Central is the oldest of all the Churches in the city and its history dates back to 1875. I volunteered with programs like INN from the cold, Habitat for Humanity, the Mustard Seed, and different child care programs on Sundays.
The previous summer, I spent a month traveling in the Middle East in the countries of Israel and Jordan. This was a trip which has had a profound impact on my life, and one that was a dream come true of one day traveling to the place where Jesus Christ once lived.
One of my most memorable moments was riding a donkey up a hill in the area known as Petra. My least favorite experience of the trip was the jet lag and difficulty adjusting my body to new food.
I hope to continue to grow in my walk with God daily through this internship experience, and to be a help and a blessing to the community of Bayridge Alliance Church. When I complete my program at Ambrose, I plan to enter into Chaplaincy Ministry somewhere in Canada.
This is my first experience living in Eastern Canada and I am hope that it is a great one. I am very excited to be here. I am not a Senator's fan or Leaf's fan, the Flames have been my team for the past couple years, but I am willing to be flexible if someone wants to take me to a Senator's game.
Hear Lewis' testimony, given Sunday, September 9, 2007.