Bud Loewen

Elected in January 2000, I feel very positive about my position on the Elder Council. I sense a spirit of unity among the elders as they work through issues with a constructive attitude. Seeking God's direction, they make prayer a high priority.

For an enjoyable five years at Central Heights, I served as an usher, while maintaining an ongoing commitment to be sold out for Christ. My wife, Sherry and I engaged in bold acts of faith as care group leaders with the Witness Sunday School class of members in their thirties. Moving from the standard approach to care group activity, they have endeavored to reach out to the community. For example, the group made it their practice to serve evening coffee at the Sevenoaks bus exchange from 7:00-9:00. One bus driver, expressing his appreciation for this act of kindness, noted that it gave waiting students a positive focus. Sherry and I are currently teaching the grade 3 and 4 students in Bibleland.

In reviewing my spiritual journey, my Christian parents, brought me at age two, together with my brother and two sisters, from a Mennonite town in Paraguay to Vancouver. One year later, they moved to Abbotsford. At age 14 I invited Christ into my life and was baptized at King Road MB Church. I completed grade 12 at MEI as well as two years at Winkler Bible Institute in Manitoba. While there I met Sherry, fellow student. We were married in October of 1986 at her birthplace, Winnipeg, in Fort Garry MB Church.

After our marriage we located in Abbotsford, where I continued my present job at Columbia Kitchen Cabinets. I am in charge of scheduling and production of countertops.

Considering it wise to become established away from my family's church, we felt that God directed our move to Central Heights, where people came alongside to support our ministry. We never looked back, nor regretted that step.

I enjoy my family and just watching my daughter brings me many a laugh. Our children are Tyler, Derek, and Bethany. To strengthen our family ties we maintain a yearly membership at the Science World in Vancouver. We also annually go to the Jesus of Nazareth Passion Play in Puyallup, WA during the summer months.

Being an elder is a great and humbling privilege and I seek God’s wisdom in this. I continue to seek his guidance through prayer and recognize that prayer is vital to doing God’s work.