Linda has a passion for helping people lay solid foundations for faithful Christian living. As a long-term member of the parish she has been involved in various areas of catechesis (preparation for Christian living) including baptism preparation, stewardship and Sunday school. Baptism preparation became the focus of her MCS at Regent College, and the baptism preparation program which was developed by the Saint Matthew’s team and used from 2009 to 2012 was the result.
Peter W. Flint (Ph.D., 1993, University of Notre Dame, USA) holds the Canada Research Chair and is Co Director of the Dead Sea Scrolls Institute at Trinity Western University, British Columbia Dr. Flint has edited over 25 Dead Sea Scrolls (including the Cave 4 Psalms scrolls and large Cave 1 Isaiah Scrolls), and has authored many books, including The Dead Sea Scrolls Bible (1999), and The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls (2003). He is widely recognized as a public speaker, teacher, and motivator, and often participates in public and academic meetings on the Dead Sea Scrolls and Biblical topics in Canada, the U.S.A, Europe, and Israel.
Elsa de Leeuw is a South African trained marriage, family and sex therapist. She has a doctorate in marriage and family therapy from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa (DPhil) and is a RSW(registered social worker). As a therapist, she has dedicated her professional career to promote the growth and wellbeing of struggling couples, families and individuals. Elsa was involved with the teaching and training of social workers, pastors, nurses and medical students, at both the the University of Stellenbosch and the University of South Africa. The couple moved to Abbotsford, 5 years ago, where both resumed private practice. They have 3 adult children. “As a Christian therapist, I want to serve my community and church, by promoting healthy relationships and family functioning.”
Marty Abegg has retired from the Ben Zion Professor of Dead Sea Scroll Studies and director of the Graduate Program in Biblical Studies at Trinity Western University in Langley, BC. He was also co-director (with Prof. Peter Flint) of the Dead Sea Scrolls Institute at TWU. He has published many books on the Dead Sea Scrolls between 1999 and 2009 and has partnered with Robert Holmstedt (U. Toronto) to produce a linguistic data base of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Jerome Lund (Norway) to produce a morphologically analyzed transcription of Syriac Peshitta (manuscript 7a1). Marty resides in Abbotsford, BC with his wife Susan. They have two adult daughters.
Rev. David McElrea is the Associate Priest at Saint Matthew’s Anglican Church in Abbotsford. Before his ordination to the priesthood, David spent twelve years in overseas missions, serving in Albania, Portugal, Kazakhstan, and the UK. In 2006 he returned to Vancouver to complete his MDiv at Regent College. He is married to Kjersti and has two children, Aidan (13) and Emma (11).
Ken Deeks is an ordained Anglican priest and holds degrees in religion and theology, education, social science research, and Anglican Studies. He currently teaches at Pacific Life Bible College.
Ron Dart has taught in the Department of Political Science/Philosophy/Relgious Sutdies at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) since 1990. Ron was on staff with Amnesty Internation in the 1980s. Ron has attended Saint Matthew’s Parish with his wife Karin since 1990.
Ben Thiessen BA; MSW; MTS spent 27 years in various directorships with the Departments of Justice and Education in Manitoba. In addition, he spent 10 years as Executive Health Director of a Community Health Service and as Youth Guidance Director for Youth For Christ in Vancouver. His Passion is helping needy people through such organizations as TBI Purpose Driven Foundation in the Philippines and Internation Christian Mission Services. Ben attends Saint Matthew’s with his wife, Erna.
John A. Anonby MA; PHD is a Professor Emeritus from Trinity Western University where he taught for over 30 years in the Department of English. He took his M.A. at U.B.C. and his PH.D. at the University of Alberta. His major interests and publications have focused on the links between Theology and Literature. He has also taught courses in Theology and Bilblical Studies in Africa, mainly at Pan African Christian University in Nairobi, as well as in Zambia, Uganda and the Seychelles. John and his wife of over 40 years, Elizabeth, live in Langley, and are blessed with two sons and seven grandchildren.
Rev. Mike Stewart is the Rector of Saint Matthew’s Anglican Church. He was Ordained in the Diocese of London (U.K.) in 1989 and has served in 3 Parishes. He has written two books on prayer and loves to communicate the good news of the Gospel. He is married to Marianne and they have 5 wonderful children. At heart Mike is a contemplative and sacramental Priest with a deep love of Jesus.
Andrew Gutterridge teaches in the English Department at the University of the Fraser Valley. His areas of specialization are American literature, Classical backgrounds, poetry and introductory rhetoric. His main areas of research and his secondary teaching interest is Victorian literature.
