Derrick Hamre*derrick, Lead Pastor

Derrick has been the Lead Pastor at Emmanuel since 1996. Previous to his call to Westbank, Derrick served at Western Pentecostal Bible College (now Summit Pacific College) as the founding director of Omega Challenge, a one year missions and discipleship training program. Previous to Omega, he pastored in Wainright, Alberta.

Derrick not only has a heart for the local church, he is also committed to the church-at-large, both nationally and internationally. He currently sits on the BC and Yukon District's leadership team and chairs the Quebec Outreach Committee for the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.

Derrick is married to Sara-Lee and they have three children. Besides overseeing the general ministry of the church, the Hamres are involved in hosting Emmanuel's newcomers group. Derrick also leads a Mens prayer group and Sara-Lee leads one of our worship bands. As hobbies, they enjoy traveling, reading, and spending time with their family.

•derrick*Question from Emmanuel Website
•Word from the Pastor by Derrick Hamre
•Sermons by Derrick Hamre

Jeff Bjorgan*jeff, Spiritual Formation Pastor

Jeff Bjorgan has been the Spiritual Formation Pastor since Spring 2006. He oversees the small group and discipleship programs at the church as well as worship and media. Before coming to Emmanuel Jeff pastored in Surrey, BC, in an interim roll as well as in Medicine Hat, AB, as a Children's Pastor. He recently completed his Masters degree in Christianity and Culture.

Jeff enjoys writing, reading and anything hockey. He is married to Nikki and they have four children.

•jeff*Question from Emmanuel Website
•Word from the Pastor by Jeff Bjorgan
•Redeemable Pieces Blog by Jeff Bjorgan
•Sermons by Jeff Bjorgan

Andy Gabruch*andy, Next Generation Pastor

Andy Gaburch has been our Next Gen Pastor since the fall of 2008. Before coming to Emmanuel, Andy served as the youth/young adult pastor in Richmond for 4 years. Andy is committed to developing the next generation in order to take their place in the church of today and tomorrow. He oversees our Junior and Senior high ministries in both Westbank and Peachland. Andy is also a representative on the HistoryMaker lead team for the BC/Yukon District and is the Next Generation Ministries Cluster leader for the Okanagan section.

Andy loves sports and spending time with his family and friends. Currently, he is enrolled in the Arrow Leadership program and will graduate later this year.

Andy is married to Annick and they have two kids, Isabelle and Joseph. Annick is involved in both youth ministry and worship at the church.

•andy*Question from Emmanuel Website
•Word from the Pastor by Andy Gabruch
•Leading Today Blog by Andy Gabruch
•Sermons by Andy Gabruch

Ben McGillivray*ben, Next Generation Associate

Ben has been working at Emmanuel since September 2008.  Ben grew up in West Kelowna and came to know Jesus through attending the youth group at Emmanuel.  He graduated from Summit Pacific College in 2006.  He pastored full-time in youth ministries in Kamloops.  Ben works alongside Andy in Next Generation ministries, focusing on junior high ministry and worship.

Ben is married to Teresa.  They have a very ugly cat.

•ben*Question from Emmanuel Website
•Word from the Pastor by Ben McGillivray
•Sermons by Ben McGillivray

Derek Koch*derek, Community Pastor (On Leave)

Derek has been at Emmanuel since 1995. He first came to Emmanuel as the youth pastor. In 2003 he took on the portfolio of Community Pastor, which he continues to develop. In this role, Derek trains the people of Emmanuel to engage in outreach. He also connects the church with community organizations and businesses, and places a high priority on reaching out to children. He also oversees our Emmanuel Advocacy program.

Derek likes to swim, play soccer and hockey, and loves to read. Derek is married to Irislee and they have four children.

Derek and his family are currently taking a leave of absence until the Fall of 2010 to spend a year in Mae Sot, Thailand, assisting vulnerable orphans and refugees that have fled neighbouring Myanmar. More details.

•derek*Question from Emmanuel Website
•Word from the Pastor by Derek Koch
•Sermons by Derek Koch