EMC Executive Director appointed

The General Board is pleased to announce that Emery Plett has agreed to serve as EMC Executive Director. Emery will begin this new role in the summer of 2023.

Emery graduated from Steinbach Bible College in 1990 with a Bachelor of Religious Studies and from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Education in 1995. He began teaching at Steinbach Christian School, and from 2005 to the present, Emery has served as principal. He has served the school for 27 years.

Emery is married to his Bible college sweetheart, Bev, and they have three children. In the 2012–2013 school year Emery took a deferred salary leave and travelled with his family to serve for a year in Spain and Northern Ireland. 

Emery grew up and was baptized at Prairie Rose EMC (Landmark, Man.). During his university years, Bev and Emery attended St. Vital EMC in Winnipeg, Man., where he was part of the pastor-in-training program. When they moved to Steinbach, Man., they became charter members of Stony Brook Fellowship, and continue to worship there today.

Emery has served as church chairman, treasurer, and sound technician. He also serves on the HavenGroup board as a representative of Stony Brook Fellowship. 

Emery’s hobbies involve working with his hands on small projects and tinkering on small engines. Sports, whether playing or coaching, have always been a part of his life, and he continues playing hockey, volleyball, curling, and golf. He is an avid reader, enjoys movies and tries to keep up with modern technology.

The EMC requires thoughtful and visionary leadership as we navigate this next era. Emery is uniquely qualified to lead our conference ministries. Please join me and the General Board in welcoming Emery to this new challenge as executive director of the EMC.

– Abe Bergen, EMC Moderator

EMC appoints Director Next Generation

The Personnel Committee is pleased to announce that Maurice (Mo) Friesen has agreed to serve as EMC Director Next Generation. Mo will begin this new role in January 2023.

Mo grew up as a pastor’s kid with his parents pastoring in Roseisle, Man., and Mount Salem, Ont. He attended Steinbach Bible College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Religious Studies in 1997. Following graduation, he worked for six years at Youth for Christ in Steinbach, Man., as a youth guidance worker.

In 2003, Mo started work at Evangelical Fellowship Church in Steinbach and has served there until the present. During this time, he led youth and worship ministries, recently shifting responsibility to the leadership of digital communications and adult discipleship.

Mo has served the EMC more widely through the National Youth Committee where he helped plan and lead Abundant Springs. He has a heart to see churches finding ways to involve and nurture spiritual growth in youth, young adults and young families.

Mo is married to Karen and they are enjoying being young grandparents! They also enjoy fishing on Lake of the Woods and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.

The EMC is excited about launching this new position focused on the next generation and is very pleased that Mo will direct this ministry. Please join us in welcoming Mo to this new challenge.

– EMC Personnel Committee

EMC Conference Pastor appointed

We are pleased to announce that Andy Woodworth has been hired as EMC Conference Pastor beginning in January 2023.

Andy was born and raised in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and graduated from Kingswood University (Sussex, N.B.) with a BA Religion in 1989. One month later he married Stephanie who had been a student at the same school.

Andy joined the EMC family in 2015 by accepting a call to Heartland Community Church, in Landmark, Man. His previous church experience includes seven years with the Wesleyan Church, followed by fourteen years with Be In Christ Church in Ontario. In addition to his pastoral role, Andy is also studying at Providence Theological Seminary where he is enrolled in the Master of Divinity Anabaptist Studies track.

Andy and Stephanie have been married for 33 years and have four adult children (Mara, Tyler, Emma, and Cole) and two grandchildren.

When he’s not pastoring, Andy enjoys reading and has made it a goal to read 100 classic works (he is one-quarter of the way through). He also enjoys watching documentaries, biographies, and historic movies. Andy and Stephanie enjoy road trips and making new discoveries, especially diners, drive-ins, and dives.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Andy.

– EMC Personnel Committee