Pierre Gilbert, Ph.D.

Teaching topic with Outtatown: The Question of Truth and Reality. Is There Such a Thing as Absolute Truth and if so, How Can We Confidently Access it?

Pierre hails from Quebec City. He and his wife Monika attend Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren Church in Winnipeg. They have three grown children. Pierre has a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies (Old Testament), from Université de Montréal; an M.A. in Biblical Studies (Old Testament), from Providence Seminary and a Bachelor of Religious Education from Providence College.

Go to Pierre Gilbert's website.

Craig Ginn, Ph.D. cand.

Teaching topics with Outtatown: Select Studies in the Evolution of Christianity, Theology of Worship, Hermeneutical Template for New Testament Interpretation, Mystical Theology and Pauline View of Spiritual Gifts.

Originally from Churchill, Manitoba, Craig now lives in Lethbridge, Alberta with his wife Carla. Craig is a PhD candidate (Theology) at the University of Leeds, UK, has an MA (History) from the University of Lethbridge, a BA (Religious Studies) from the University of Lethbridge and a BRS (Theology) from Mennonite Brethren Bible College.

Craig is currently a Sessional Instructor at the University of Lethbridge where he teaches Introduction to World Religions, History of Christianity, History of the Early Church, Theology in the Hymns of American Protestantism and Music in Worship.

Ray van der Zaag, Ph.D.

Teaching topic with Outtatown: Introduction to International Development

Ray was raised on a potato farm in south-central Ontario. After graduating from Calvin College (B.Sc. – Biology) and Michigan State University (M.Sc. – Crop and Soil Sciences), he went to work in Haiti with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee.

Returning to Canada, Ray earned an M.A. in International Affairs (Development Studies) and a Ph.D. (Geography) at Carleton University. His dissertation involved 11 months of field research on NGO/local community relations in rural Haiti. Ray then worked for a year for the Canadian International Development Agency as a project officer in the Southeast Asia Regional Program before joining CMU’s faculty.

Jamie Howison, M.Div

Teaching topic with Outtatown: The Post Modern Church

Jamie is a priest of the Anglican Church of Canada and the founding pastor of saint benedict’s table in Winnipeg. A graduate of the University of Winnipeg and of Trinity College, Toronto, he has worked in ordained ministry since 1987, serving in parish ministry, as pastoral care coordinator at Marymound - a treatment centre for adolescent girls - and as chaplain and dean of residence at St John’s College, Winnipeg. Jamie has ministered full-time within saint benedict’s table since the autumn of 2004.

Go to saint benedict's table website.

Gareth Goossen, M.A.

Teaching topic with Outtatown: Worship Lifestyle

Gareth began Make Us Holy Ministries on May 15th, 1994. He has significant experience in worship leading, training and speaking throughout North America and Central and South America. He is passionate to see new generations connect with the God of the Universe in living worship.

Gareth is married to Gayle and they have three Adult children, Chris, Dan and Carine.

Go to Make Us Holy Ministries website.

Blayne Greiner, B.A.

Teaching topic with Outtatown: Relationships and What it Means to be a Godly Man or Woman

Blayne graduated from Canadian Bible College (Christian & Missionary Alliance). His first pastoral position was as youth pastor for Central Heights M.B. Church in Abbottsford, B.C. from 1977-1989. In 1989, he moved to Monroe, WA, USA and was a local youth pastor for a church. In 1994, he launched a ministry called Youth Unlimited with the purpose of reaching into the lives of youth with the love of God by coming alongside the local church in teaching, training and reaching the youth for their community. Youth Unlimited aggresively reaches out to "at-risk" kids like goths, drug addicts, homeless, abused children and kids failing in school.

Blayne is married to Betty and they have three children.

Go to Youth Unlimited website.

Jodie Smith, M.A.

Teaching topic with Outtatown: Old Testament

Originally from Saskatchewan, Jodie moved to Vancouver to pursue her Masters degree at Regent College. After completing her studies, Jodie and her husband, Wes, became Outtatown Site Leaders, first in the former one-semester Thailand program and then in the Guatemala program. Jodie, Wes and their daughter Synova now live in Vancouver and run the Menno Simons Centre.

Gavin Hall, Ph.D. cand.

Teaching topic with Outtatown: Theology: Faith Seeking Understanding

A former youth pastor, Gavin is now Associate Pastor at Assiniboine Charleswood Community Church where he is primarily involved with young adult and family ministries.

Go to Assiniboine Charleswood Community Church website.

Tara Bishop, B.A.

Teaching topic with Outtatown: Building Relationship Through Mission

Tara is an Associate Pastor with 614 St. Jamestown church in Toronto. She is currently completing her ordination and credentialing, and looks forward to beginning a Masters in Theological Studies.

Go to 614 St. Jamestown website.

Nathan Rieger, M.A.

Teaching topic with Outtatown: Idolatry

Nathan Rieger has been permanently marked by things the world throws away, and as a result, his life seems off-centre in a society that believes in Progress.  Caught by the vision of a Jesus who was kind to the poor but spoke truth to power, he envisions a future where the church finds its joy in doing justice, being a true community, and refusing to worship the idols of its generation.  He has an M.A. in New Testament; otherwise, his best teachers have been addicts, prostitutes and those who suffer.  His wife Kendra and three children live in Winnipeg, where he is a pastor at the Winnipeg Centre Vineyard, an inner city community.  

Go to Winnipeg Centre Vineyard website.

Sharon Peters, M.A.

Teaching topic with Outtatown: Faith and Relationships

Sharon's interest in discipleship grows out of varied ministry opportunities over the past 10 years, whether deaning at a small college or pastoring at a Mennonite church. Her studies in New Testament at Regent College have also given her the passion to bring together a vibrant relationship with God the Father, Son and Spirit, and an inquiring mind.

Sharon lives with her husband, Kevin, and son, Elliot in Surrey, BC.