Three people have received new EMCC credentials since September 2021. We welcome them to the EMCC family. The short bios below serve as an introduction until you have the opportunity to meet them on screen or in person.
Josh Wilhelm – Licensed Minister, October 2021
When Josh recommitted his life to Jesus at 19, he had one foot in and one foot out of the church.
“I was preparing to return to Conestoga College, Kitchener when something spiritual inside me woke up. I clearly heard, ‘Go to EBC, go to EBC,’ and I knew God was speaking to me.”
He thought EBC was in another province and had already signed a lease in Kitchener. Imagine his shock when he discovered his apartment was just 7 kilometres away from Emmanuel. He graduated in 2015, with a Bachelor of Religious Education.
Josh met Katrina at EBC and they married after graduation. Encouraged by a mentor to pursue further training, they moved to Vancouver where Josh attended Regent College. He worked in Regent’s bookstore while studying, and graduated with a Master’s in Theological Studies. In the spring of 2021, Josh applied for the pastor role at Mindemoya Church on Manitoulin Island, Ontario and entered EMCC’s credentialling process. Josh and Katrina arrived at Mindemoya in July and are settling into life and ministry on the Island. Josh is the sole pastor at this church of approximately 100 people and is learning the rhythms of preaching, teaching, pastoral care, leadership development, and administration.
Josh’s spiritual gifts are teaching and encouragement and he is passionate about helping people grow in their knowledge of, and commitment to following Jesus.
Les Harms – Licensed Minister – October 2021
Les Harms become the pastor at Athabasca MC Fellowship during the pandemic, in September 2020. He and his wife Tanis are working at creating ways to connect, while playing by the ever-changing Covid rules.
The couple and their two girls relocated to the small community of Athabasca from Sexsmith, AB where Les had graduated from Peace River Bible institute with a BRE with a Pastoral major. Les was raised in a Christian home and has been a Jesus follower since he was very young. He’s worked in a variety of occupations, his most recent as a Peace Officer in the County of Grande Prairie. He came to realize that his answers when trying to articulate his faith were poor. He loves to learn and took some online courses. With Tanis’ encouragement, he decided to enroll at PRBI, get a degree, and see what would unfold.
In his 4th year God made it clear. “My biggest fear was preaching, but the pastor where I was interning graciously allowed me to preach often, and through the exploratory process of internship God settled His call to ministry for me.”
Involved in all aspects of pastoring, it is becoming clearer that gifts of preaching and teaching are developing. Also, a love for pastoring/shepherding.
Les is passionate about helping people understand the Word of God so they can live it in obedience, share it with joy, and clearly articulate it to those around them.
Michael Clark – Licensed Minister, September 2021
A believer since age four, Michael felt a call to ministry at 12. “There is nothing else I see myself doing. I feel this is what the Lord wants me to do.”
In July, Michael and Cynthia moved from Etzikon, AB (90 km southwest of Medicine Hat) to the Holden, Alberta area (an hour East of Edmonton). They are the new pastoral couple at Emmanuel EMC since July 25. Previously, Michael was a pastor serving with the Evangelical Free denomination and his Biblical education was at Living Faith Bible School in Caroline, Alberta. Emmanuel is a country church, and Michael is focusing on visiting the church families, and they volunteer at the museum and help others through Meals on Wheels. His ministry passion is to love God and love people, and he really enjoys connecting one on one. Possessing the spiritual gifts of hospitality, service, and encouragement, it is a joy for him to be serving a congregation that places high value on relationships.
Currently, Michael is pastoring at three-quarter time and is in the certificate program at Briercrest Seminary, seeking to earn a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Someday Michael hopes to be a pastoral counsellor.
This article is featured in the Winter 2022 edition of The EMCC Together newsletter.
Download a PDF copy of the newsletter and view previous EMCC Together publications here.
