Introducing Our New Worship Pastor

You may remember the generous and unexpected financial gift that came our way in the fall of 2009. That gift made it possible to hire a part-time worship pastor for Sunnyside Downtown. After posting the job description in November, we received eight applications for the position. Interviews were conducted in the month of January.

On February 10, the Sunnyside Board approved the extension of an offer of employment to Joel Windle for part-time (20 hours/week) worship pastor at Sunnyside Downtown. It is our pleasure to announce that Joel accepted the position and will start serving in this capacity on March 1.

Joel is from Brantford, Ontario, where he lived with his parents and older brother. Joel grew up in a Christian home and, over the years, belonged to a Pentecostal, Salvation Army and Community Church, while also attending a Catholic high school. Joel sees those years as the times where a good biblical foundation was built in his life and he learned to “follow God with his head.”

Joel moved to Ottawa five years ago to attend Carleton University. This spring he will complete a degree in Math with a minor in geography. In December 2008, around the same time he started leading worship at Sunnyside, Joel began a pastoral internship that continued until the September 2009. It was during that time that he began to further develop a heart of worship, growing in the realization that worshipping God is not just its own section of Sunday morning but is integral to the whole of life. Joel has been positively affected by the ministry of the Carleton Navigators, first getting involved at the very beginning of his time at Carleton and spending four years on the student leadership team. Within the context of the Navigators Joel has seen himself grow through mutual discipleship and mentoring relationships as well as authentic small groups. One of the biggest things about Joel’s move to Ottawa was that it allowed him the opportunity to continue to move forward in faith and ask the questions his heart wanted to know. Sunnyside and the Navigators have been foundational in encouraging Joel to follow Jesus with his heart.

Last summer Joel went on his first short-term missions trip to Odessa and Kremidovka with the Sunnyside Ukraine team. This enlarged his worldview and caused Joel to think about what he does with his time and his energy. All of these life experiences combine to bring Joel to a point where he is open and excited to serve as worship pastor at Sunnyside Downtown.

Will you pray for Joel, and for the whole Sunnyside staff team, as we continue to make our way toward becoming a multi-site church? As you may know, March 7 is Commissioning Sunday and we will gather for our first worship service at the University of Ottawa Alumni Auditorium on Sunday, March 28 at 10 a.m. The Sandy Hill neighbourhood and beyond will be welcomed to join with us as of Sunday, April 4 (Easter Sunday).

You are part of this adventure as well. I pray God’s blessing on you.

As always, you are welcome to contact me at kronberg@sympatico.ca to talk about multi-site, or anything else!

Who’s Going Downtown?

Just want to let you know that, at present, 43 people have expressed commitment to belong to the Sunnyside Downtown congregation. Worship services will begin Sunday, March 28, 10 a.m. at University of Ottawa, Alumni Auditorium, in the Jock Turcot University Centre.

(Families, please note that there will be Nursery facilities (ages 0-3) and Sunday School classes (JK-gr. 2, gr. 3-5, gr. 6-8) available during each service at Sunnyside Downtown. We will adhere to Sunnyside Wesleyan Church ‘Plan to Protect’ policy. It is our desire that your child experiences all the beauty and benefit of being part of a community experiencing God.)

You are welcome to add yourself to the following list of people who desire to be the presence of Jesus in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood.

Ann Alys B. Louise B. Debbie B. Kyle B. Finn C. Seth C. Kristy S.-C. Chris C. Karen C. Cole D. Nicole D. Megan D. Marc F. Doug H. Andrea H. Greg J. Tim J. Alaina J. Ellen K. Joy K. Anne-Michelle K. Josh K.

Tara K. Kerry K. Matthew K. Paul K. Dan L. Ben M. Matthew M. Lynn M. Andrea M. Theodora N. Kirsten P. Elizabeth P. Richard P. Anita P. Rick P. Ruth R. Andrew S. Dylan S. Valerie S. Jolene T. Allan T.

As always, you are welcome to contact me at kronberg@sympatico.ca to talk about multi-site, or anything else!