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.

Our pastors and staff at A.B.C. include ...

Mark Tiessen-Dyck – Lead Pastor

Mark came to Altona Bergthaler Mennonite Church in 2018. Mark considers it an honour to walk with people at all places in their journey of faith. Mark’s ministry includes regular preaching and providing pastoral care in our congregation.  His vision is for the church to be a living witness to the kingdom of God. In addition to being a pastor, Mark has completed a Master of Divinity degree from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, served with Mennonite Central Committee in Zambia, and managed a thrift store. Mark is married to Melissa and they have two daughters Hannah and Leah. In his free time Mark likes to play with his kids, read, stay active, and explore the outdoors.
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​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 two daughters, Maida and Cora. In her free time Virginia enjoys reading, being outside, going for walks and exploring the world around her.
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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 married to Stephanie and they have a dog named Rory. In his free time, Josh enjoys reading, playing video games, spending time outside, and spending time with friends and family.

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.
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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. 

Jolene Friesen-Stoesz - Custodian​

Jolene has been a part of the ABC community since 2017. She appreciates her ABC family as a welcoming space, and a warm and supportive community for her family to grow in. Jolene has been an educator in various ways – elementary school, art classes, and as a home educator to her two children. Creating welcoming spaces is something Jolene has always enjoyed. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, spending time outside with her family, and art.

Cheryl Harder - Custodian

Cheryl Harder and her family have been attending the Bergthaler Mennonite Church since 2010. Cheryl has been teaching and helping with the Sunday school program since 2010 as well. Cheryl lives on a hobby farm with her husband and two sons. She loves gardening, camping, sewing and wood working. 

Don Fehr – Church 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.