Introducing . . . . .
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A Page in Progress
It is our intention to include profiles of all the ordained clergy serving within the Presbytery of Hamilton. However, as we have several new ministers in our midst we have begun with them and will then begin to add those who have been part of the Presbytery for some years. Come back often as we hope this page will be changing regularly.
Billard: The Rev. Dr. Thomas
The induction of Tom Billard as the minister at Kirkwall Presbyterian Church (November 4, 2007) was another important step in Tom’s faith journey. Tom was born in Glace Bay, Cape Breton, and his Reformed church roots go back hundreds of years to Huguenots on his father’s side and Scottish Presbyterians on his mother’s side. As an “army brat”, Tom grew up in small communities in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and as a teenager landed in St. Lambert on the south shore of Montreal. After finishing his B.Sc. in chemistry at McGill, Tom moved on to Toronto to get a PhD in physical chemistry at the University of Toronto. His research included the study of the degradation of Egyptian antiquities and included a field trip to the temples and tombs of Luxor.
In the course of his professional career Tom felt a pull to do something different with his life. After much prayer and searching, Tom had a strong sense of being called to ordained ministry. Tom returned to the classrooms of Knox College, Toronto. During his time at Knox, Tom worked part time for Rosedale PC as their “Outreach Coordinator” and spent three summers as student minister at Knox PC, Stokes Bay, on the Bruce Peninsula. Tom also enjoyed volunteering at Evangel Hall.
Tom met his wife Laura while they were both PhD candidates at the University of Toronto. They were married a few years later and have two children, James and Katie.
Dickson: The Rev. Gregory R.
Gregory, the eldest of four boys in a family of Nova Scotians, was born in Moncton, New Brunswick. He grew up and went to school in London, Ontario, where at the age of eleven he was a newsboy for the London Free Press and later became a Queen's Scout. After high school he attended the Royal Military College, and served as an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy. It was during this time that he met and married his wife Melanie in 1975. Melanie, the only child of Elizabeth and Bob Whyte (a first generation Scot), is originally from Dawson Creek, BC. She was a Registered Dietitian until her stroke in 1998.
The Dicksons presently live in Toronto where Greg is principal of Pelorus Corporation - a management accounting practice. Feeling God's call to ministry, Greg entered Knox College in Toronto from which he graduated in 2007. His home church is St. Andrew's Church, Scarborough. Gregory is presently Chair of the Board of the Family Association for Mental Health Everywhere (FAME). Greg, a base baritone, has enjoyed singing in many choirs over the years. He is an amateur fiddler and an occasional golfer.
Gregory was inducted as the Minister of New Westminster Church on March 9, 2008, and commences his ordained ministry in Christ's Church in the city of Hamilton with a great sense of anticipation and enthusiasm.
Ervine: The Rev. Dr. W. J. Clyde
Dr. Ervine was born and brought up in a hectic and happy Presbyterian home in Northern Ireland, one of four competitive siblings. There was, he remembers, much banging of pianos, doors and egos! He was educated at the University of St. Andrew’s and the University of Cambridge, where he completed a doctorate in nineteenth century church history. After a further year of study at Presbyterian College, Montreal, Clyde was ordained in Cornwall, Ontario, and began his ordained missionary service at St. Andrew’s, Sutton. Pastorates in Niagara Falls and Toronto followed. In 2000, Clyde was called to the position of Director of Pastoral Studies at Presbyterian College, Montreal, teaching in the area of pastoral theology. His interest lay in helping students integrate their theological studies with the development of pastoral skills and character. However, the allure of congregational leadership could not for long be ignored. So, in August of 2006, Clyde responded to an invitation from Central Church, Hamilton to be its minister.
Over the years, Clyde has been involved with various committees of the denomination. A good part of 2004 was spent co-writing a paper analyzing the life and mission of the Presbytery of Montreal over the last fifty years, entitled Faithful When We Hear Christ’s Call. He has published a number of articles both popular and theological. One of these entitled, Singles in the Church: Eunuchs in the Kingdom was recently published in a British theological journal, Churchman.
Now settled in Hamilton, Clyde is happy to be engaged in congregation building again. And though the schedule of weekly sermon preparation can be grueling, preaching and teaching remain his passion. His day off is mostly spent ‘recovering’. That sometimes involves cycling, concert-going, but most often just hanging around with friends.
Hoogsteen: The Rev. Mark
We look forward to adding a profile of the Rev. Hoogsteen. Huberts: The Rev. Henry
Henry Huberts grew up on a dairy farm northwest of Kichener that also had 20,000 chickens and 400 acres of crops. He has been a professing Christian since the age of 14 and felt the call to Christian Ministry at the age of 20. He continued his education in both the United States and Canada. He completd a Bachelor of Religious Education at Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, then later a Master of Divinity degree from Tyndale Seminary in North York. Following an additional Ministry year at Presbyterian College in Montreal he was ordained on June 5, 2004.
Before being inducted as Minister of St. Andrew's Church, Ancaster on April 6, 2008, Henry had been the Minister of First Presbyterian Church in Seaforth, Ontario, and also of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Clinton. The Rev, Huberts is married and he and his wife Brenda have three children, Ryan, Isaac and Josiah. He begins his ministry in Ancaster with the unswerving conviction that even though we live in a changing world that God, his love and his word are unchanging.
Jenvey: The Rev. Stephen
The Rev. Stephen Jenvey was ordained by the Presbytery of Hamilton on September 5, 2007, and on that same date he was inducted as Minister of West Flamboro Presbyterian Church. Steve was born and raised in Vancouver where he attended Kerrisdale Presbyterian Church. After completing a University degree in Agriculture he moved to Prince George, BC, where he worked in the BC forest service for a few years. He also has ten years experience as a Silviculture Forester for a forest products company.
Steve began his theological education at Regent College which he attended for two years in the 1990s. And now, after further study at Presbyterian College in Montreal, he has received his Master of Divinity Degree at their Spring 2007 Convocation.
Steve and his wife Sandy have two children, Lydia and Graeme. He says that he enjoys music and plays the trombone. He also indicated that he enjoys cycling and squash.
Kouwenberg: The Rev. Harold
Harold Kouwenberg, inducted as minister of St. Columba Presbyterian Church, Hamilton, on February 3, 2008, brings a warm and proactive enthusiasm to his role as pastor, teacher and friend to his congregation and his community. Harold has a passion for people. an infectious joy and an energetic vision to share. It is his prayer to communicate well, to demonstrate practically, and to experience gratefully the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has happily transferred all his civic patriotism and loyalty to his new community, a task made easy by his lifelong allegiance to the Hamilton Tiger Cats. With faith, there is always hope!
Harold and Lorraine have settled on the West Mountain and enjoy entertaining family and friends at home. They are proud parents of a blended family of one son and five daughters, living from Victoria to St. John's and three wonderful grandchildren.
Smith: The Rev. Colleen
Colleen was born and raised in St. Catharines. With her family, she attended Scottlea Presbyterian Church, a small suburban congregation where she participated and provided leadership in the Sunday school and musical ministries. The church has always played an important role in her life. Her original calling was as a Registered Nurse, working in that field in Pennsylvania and Niagara-on-the-Lake. After studies at Ewart College, Colleen was designated to the Order of Diaconal Ministries in 1980, and spent subsequent years as a Christian Education Director in Barrie and Oakville, and Associate Minister in Milton. After completing course work at Knox College, she was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in 2000. She then received the appointment as Associate Minister at our denomination’s largest congregation, St. Andrew’s Kitchener. She has currently been completing a one year contract as Interim Minister at Gateway Community (Presbyterian) Church in the Don Mills area. Her continuing education topics have included interim and transitional ministries, biblical perspectives, health and spirit, church development, and others. Colleen has a strong musical background, and has recently taken up knitting. She is currently interested in the ministry of knitting prayer shawls and giving them to those in need. Colleen has a passion for animals and currently shares her home in Burlington with her cat Madeleine. She was inducted as Minister of Heritage Green Church, Stoney Creek, on March 2, 2008.