THUNDER BAY – On Sunday, April 7th, Redwood Park Church announced the appointment of Joel Enyart as its new Lead Pastor, effective June 3, 2013 subject to immigration processes. This is the result of much prayer and an intensive nine month search process with applications from across Canada, the U.S. and internationally. Chair of the Board, David Stezenko says, “We are delighted to have Joel lead our vibrant church and gifted pastoral team! God is moving at Redwood Park Church. Joel is coming at a key point in our history and will bring a new focus and energy to our mission of impacting Thunder Bay and beyond with the message and life of Jesus.”
Joel Enyart is currently Pastor of Life Groups at The Church at Rocky Peak in Chatsworth California – a church of over 2000 where 75% participate in 106 small groups led by Joel and his team. He is also one of the teaching pastors for weekend services. Prior to this, Joel served as Pastor of various student ministries at Rocky Peak, Bridges Community Church and North Coast Church since 2000. He has considerable experience in leading teams to implement key ministries in large churches with a similar ministry focus and weekend worship style as at Redwood. He brings a powerful skill set and track record that will strengthen the Redwood family and serve the community well.
Joel is a graduate of Biola University with an M.A. in Christian Apologetics (1999) and a B.A. in Christian Education/Biblical Studies (1995). His main spiritual gifts are teaching, leadership and service. He has continued his personal growth with many programs in leadership development and “Peacemakers Ministries Conflict Coaching and Mediation” training. Joel is married to Christy, a talented musician and mother to their two daughters Indiana (7) and Brooklyn (4). They will all move up to Thunder Bay this summer.
Joel was first attracted by Redwood’s vision and mission. He says “When I discovered Redwood’s website I was drawn to the church’s missional focus of seeking to be a church that exists for the sake of others. I loved the simple, yet compelling vision of embracing life, passion, and adventure. Jesus said he came to give us life to the full. He gives us his Spirit to kindle our passion for him. And he invites us to join him on his adventure of loving others into God’s kingdom. At the time I thought to myself that this is exactly the kind of church we would love to be a part of. Little did we know that God thought so, too, and was leading us to Redwood and Thunder Bay all along. We are looking forward to getting to Redwood and Thunder Bay and discovering what it is that God has in store for all of us. This is going to be an exciting time to join in as we head into the future together.”
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Redwood Park Church welcomes Joel, Christy, Indiana and Brooklyn to Thunder Bay and prays God’s blessing on them as they live and serve in the church and our community.
