MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK, March 11, 2021—The Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada today announced that Laura Bennett will be joining us as our new Associate Director of Youth & Family. Laura will begin work on Monday, March 22nd, 2021 in this part-time role with the CBAC. We are thrilled to welcome Laura to serve with our staff, and we invite our CBAC family to extend a warm welcome to Laura.
Having grown up in Texas, Laura found her way to Atlantic Canada and now calls PEI her home. She has a background in community development non-profit work, as well as seven years’ experience in professional next-generation ministry. In her various ministry roles, Laura has served as a pastor to children, youth, and young adults. She has extensive experience in neighbourhood engagement and has developed innovative missional ministry expressions. She has a passion for spiritual formation and ‘heart-focused’ leadership development, ‘fresh expressions’ and the future of the church, as well as equipping students and leaders to meaningfully and creatively engage culture. Most recently, Laura served at First Baptist Charlottetown as the Co-director of Youth, Young Adults, and Connections Ministry. She holds a bachelor’s degree from York University in Toronto and hopes to pursue an MDiv in the future. Laura lives with her husband and two young children in downtown Charlottetown. On a sunny summer day, you’ll find them in their garden, or driving down a dirt road looking for beaches!
“I am so excited to have Laura joining our department and leading in Atlantic Canadian Next Generation Ministries,” shared Rev. Dan Pyke (CBAC Director of Youth and Family). “Laura has shown herself as an innovative leader with a deep passion for her neighbourhood and the local church. I look forward to working alongside Laura as she contributes to our vision and helps us support Next Generation ministries as we move past the pandemic. Laura is an outside-of-the-box thinker who is passionate about pointing people to Jesus. We welcome Laura to the Y&F team, as we join God in our neighbourhoods!”
Rev. Dr. Peter Reid (CBAC Executive Minister) shared his welcome: “I am very thrilled that Laura will be joining our staff team. Her skill level and her passion for discipleship and neighbourhood engagement will bring such vibrancy and excellence to the Youth & Family Team!”
As Laura reflects on her new role with the CBAC, she says, “I am thrilled, humbled, and very excited to be joining the Youth and Family team! We are in such an exciting time, as we look towards the future of the church, post COVID-19. I am expectant for how God will move in such a time as this, and can’t wait to partner with next-generation leaders across the region, as we seek to build the kingdom in Atlantic Canada, together! I look forward to learning and growing from my fellow Y&F teammates, from CBAC staff members, and from our incredible next-gen leaders across the region!”
In her role as Associate Director of Youth & Family, Laura will work closely with Rev. Dan Pyke and Jacqueline Derrah, along with other CBAC staff and many dedicated volunteers who lead Next Generation ministries in our churches.
The Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada is a ministry partnership of more than 450 Canadian Baptist churches and 21 Associations in the Atlantic Provinces. Our role is to resource our pastors, churches, and people, and to facilitate shared mission on behalf of our churches.
Contact:
Ron Scott, Communications Specialist
[email protected] / 506-635-1922