Who we are ...
We are a group of ordinary people who share faith in an extraordinary God and follow an extraordinary saviour, Jesus Christ. We express our love for God through worship, community, and service. As disciples of Jesus, we aspire to be a sign of God’s kingdom in Altona and beyond.
We are a medium sized congregation in the rural farming town of Altona, Manitoba, Canada. We have been in existence for over 130 years. During this time many changes have taken place but the core of who we are has stayed the same. We are a faith community in the tradition of the Mennonite and Anabaptist faith.
We hold to the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective as our statement of faith.
We are a medium sized congregation in the rural farming town of Altona, Manitoba, Canada. We have been in existence for over 130 years. During this time many changes have taken place but the core of who we are has stayed the same. We are a faith community in the tradition of the Mennonite and Anabaptist faith.
We hold to the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective as our statement of faith.
Our pastors and staff at A.B.C. include ...
Mark Tiessen-Dyck – Lead Pastor
Virginia Gerbrandt Richert – Associate Pastor
Virginia has been a pastor in Altona since 2011. Before that Virginia was a youth pastor in Leamington, Ontario and completed a Masters of Divinity from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Her vision is for the church to be a place where people can learn and grow in their faith so that they are able to share God’s love in their daily lives. Virginia’s responsibilities include worship, preaching, pastoral care, leadership development and family ministries (helping the church relate together to each other as a family). Virginia is married to Andrew and they have one daughter, Maida. In her free time Virginia enjoys reading, being outside, going for walks and exploring the world around her. |
Josh Janzen - Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry
Josh joined the pastoral staff at ABC in 2020. He is currently working on finishing his Master of Divinity from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Josh is passionate about making lasting connections with youth and young adults and considers it a joy to walk alongside them. His vision for youth ministry at ABC is a “thin space” where God may be seen and felt and is intentional with how it interacts with the youth, parents, and congregation. Josh is engaged to Stephanie and will join with her in marriage in April 2020. In his free time, Josh enjoys reading, playing video games, spending time outside, and spending time with friends and family.
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Amanda Wiens – Children’s ministry Coordinator
Amanda has called the Altona Bergthaler Church home her whole life and fondly remembers attending the Sunday school, Ventures and youth programs growing up. As an adult she now realizes the impact that this extended family had on her as a child, and as a mom of four she wants to do what she can to give her kids and others the same experiences she had. Amanda was hired as ABC’s Children’s Ministry Coordinator in 2007 and gives leadership and support to the Sunday school and Ventures programs and is passionate about providing a welcoming space for all to join and for each student to know that they are special and a loved child of God before they head home. In her “spare” time there is nothing Amanda enjoys more than feeling the warmth of the sun on her back and the earth between her toes whether it’s gardening, playing at the pool with her kids or walking and exploring nature. |
Susan Dueck – Administrative Assistant
Susan has been the administrative assistant in the Church office for many years. She enjoys meeting people as they enter the office area and assisting them in a wide variety of ways. She prides herself in running an orderly and organized office. Susan graduated from the MCI. She worked locally for a few years and then studied at Aakers Business College in Grand Forks where she got an Executive Secretarial diploma. She worked at the Garden Valley School Division, Bethel Hospital, the Rhineland School Division and W.C. Miller Collegiate. Susan then took cosmetology at Red River College so that she could be a stay at home mom to her three children. When the children got a little older she accepted the office job at the church where she works to this day. Susan is married to Ben and they have been members in this church for many years. They have three married children and four lovely grandchildren who are Susan’s pride and joy as you see by the pictures in her office. Susan loves to read, go for walks, travel and be a doting granny. |
Ida Middelstet – Custodian
Ida moved to Altona from Germany in 2007, and has been working at the Bergthaler Mennonite Church almost from the beginning. She along with her husband keep the church and yard clean. They have 6 children, 27 grand-children, and love them all dearly. She would welcome you to stop by to say hi anytime. |
Don Fehr –Treasurer
Don has been a part of the ABC family since 1971. In 2006 he became the church treasurer. He feels that it is an honour to be the treasurer of ABC. Don is an accountant by trade and has run his own accounting firm for about 30 years. His wife Grace is one of his biggest supporters for the work that he does for the church. Together they have 3 adult children. They hold their relationships with their family, church community, and local town very close to their hearts.
Don has been a part of the ABC family since 1971. In 2006 he became the church treasurer. He feels that it is an honour to be the treasurer of ABC. Don is an accountant by trade and has run his own accounting firm for about 30 years. His wife Grace is one of his biggest supporters for the work that he does for the church. Together they have 3 adult children. They hold their relationships with their family, church community, and local town very close to their hearts.