Derrick Hamre*derrick, Lead Pastor

Derrick has been the Lead pastor at Emmanuel since 1996. He oversees the general ministry of the church, helping to steer Emmanuel towards greater opportunities in loving and discipling others. Besides his lead role, Derrick directs our Prime Time seniors program, our Thursday morning men's prayer meeting, and hosts Emmanuel's newcomers group twice a year. 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/Yukon District's leadership team and chairs the Quebec Outreach Committee for the PAOC.

Previous to his call to West Kelowna, 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, AB.

Derrick grew up in Kelowna where he met his wife Sara-Lee. As hobbies, they enjoy traveling reading, and spending time with their family. Derrick has recently jumpstarted his seminary education, which he plans to complete over the next few years.

•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 (connecting points) and discipleship programs at the church. As an associate, Jeff helps Derrick with the general ministry of the church. Specifically, he gives oversight to our worship ministry, media teams, and Sunday morning kids programs. Jeff currently sits on the board of directors of Rally4Life, a non-profit society that aims to help provide water for those who need it the most, as well as aid orphanages in Central America and the Sudan. The Bjorgans have hosted a small group in their home over the last 5 years.

Jeff did his schooling at Western Pentecostal Bible College and at Regent College. He was a children's pastor in Medicine Hat, AB for just over 6 years. Jeff also pastored in Surrey, BC in an interim roll for a year before coming to Emmanuel.

Jeff enjoys writing, reading and anything to do with hockey. He has a particular interest in the philosophy of technology -how technology informs our everyday life. 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

Derek Koch*derek, Peachland Campus Pastor

Derek has served at Emmanuel since 1995. He currently serves in a part-time roll as our Peachland campus pastor, helping set the direction and tone of ministry in that community. Derek spends the rest of his time working as an ambassador for Imagine Thailand, an organization that, amongst other things, works with refugee communities along the Bhurmese/Thai border.

Derek first came to Emmanuel as a youth pastor. In 2003 he had a change in his portfolio and began the unique position of Community Pastor, spending much of his time as a liason to the community of West Kelowna, working in schools, building relationships within the city, and developing our advocacy program. In the Fall of 2009, the Koch family took a year-long leave of absence to move to Mae Sot, Thailand, to assist vulnerable orphans and refugees that had fled from neighbouring Myanmar.

Derek likes to swim, play soccer (and only cheers for the German team) and hockey, and loves to read. He is married to Irislee and they have four children.

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

Andy Gabruch*andy, Next Generation Pastor

Andy has been our Next Gen pastor since the fall of 2008. Andy oversees our Next Gen departments in both West Kelowna and Peachland, with a specific focus on junior high, senior high, and young adult ministry. Andy is also a representative on the HistoryMaker lead team for the BC/Yukon District and is the Next Gen cluster leader for the Okanagan section of the PAOC.

Before coming to Emmanuel Andy served as the youth/young adult pastor in Richmond, BC for 4 years. Andy graduated from Western Pentecostal Bible College and has also completed the Arrow Leadership program.

Andy loves sports and spending time with his family and friends. He has a keen interest in leadership philosophy and how it relates to the church. Andy is married to Annick and they have three kids.

•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. He works alongside Andy overseeing our pre-teen ministries in West Kelowna and Peachland. This includes our mid-week Route456 program as well as running programs in local schools. Besides working in the Next Gen department, Ben oversees our advocacy program as well as the maintenance of our vehicles.

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. Before coming to Emmanuel Ben served as a full-time youth pastor in Kamloops, BC.

Ben is married to Teresa and they have one child. Ben is an avid fisherman and loves spending time in the great outdoors.

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