Staff

Joel Baerg - Youth Ministry Apprentice

My wife and I have been a part of Westwood for about as long as we can remember and although I spent time living in several other countries before we got married in 2010 I have always considered this to be my home.  I am currently working with the youth ministry here and loving the opportunities I have to see youth discover, wrestle with, and really take hold of faith in Jesus.  My wife and I are also both attending the University of Northern British Columbia and are nearing the completion of our undergraduate degrees in nursing and international studies.  We love being a part of what God is doing and are excited to see what’s still coming.

Kerry Deschamps - Admin Team Leader

Although not raised in a Christian home, I attended Sunday school, youth club, and church when I was young. As an early teenager, I gave my life to the Lord and went on to train as a forester after secondary school. Over the twenty years career, I worked as a forester in the Ontario and Alberta governments, the federal government, and the local forestry industry. I resigned in May 2007 to join the Westwood staff when I sensed the calling of the Lord.

I am married to Cindy and we have two children, Melissa and Brandon, and one grandchild, Lance. Cindy and I have been attending Westwood since 1995 and are actively involved as volunteers in the Children’s PowerSource ministry. I enjoy croquet, camping, family activities, Sci-Fi movies, reading, chess, board and card games, most sports, and Toastmasters.

Tim Huebert - Worship and Music Ministries

Prince George has been home for about 15 years. My family and I moved here in 1996 when I took the position of Worship and Music Pastor. During our time here our three kids have all left home (and two have gotten married). My wife Karen finds great fulfillment in her work as a chemotherapy nurse at UHNBC.

One of our activities of choice during the summer is biking here in the city, and we hope to expand this into other areas of our beautiful province.

Craig Reimer - Adult Ministries

Lisa and I have been part of Westwood since 1995.  While here we added to our family three children.  I first came on as the youth pastor and have been privileged to see a generation of students move from loud and energetic preteens to loud and energetic leaders in our church family.  Currently I have the great opportunity to work with adults, building teams that connect our church together through LIFE groups and teams that make a difference in our community like Celebrate Recovery.  I look forward to helping folks become part of our family and make a difference in our community.

Mark Wessner - Lead Pastor

My family and I have been part of Westwood since 2006 when I first started as Senior Associate Pastor.  I love the church family and our leadership team, and especially our desire to bring Jesus into life in and through the people of Westwood.  Not only do I get to invest my time and energy in teaching, discipleship and leadership development within the church, I also have the privilege of teaching at UNBC and writing for the Prince George Citizen.  I hope that you check out Westwood, and I look forward to meeting you!

Holly Wolitski - Children’s Ministries

Our family has been attending Westwood since 2001 and I came on staff at Westwood as the Children’s Ministry Assistant in 2005 and moved into the Children’s Pastor role in 2008. I have a B.A. from Washington State University, whose mascot happens to be the “Cougars” so moving to Prince George and cheering for the local WHL team was a natural fit (except I’m an NFL fan…hmmm?). I have been married to Jason since 1998 and we have two energetic boys, Graydon and Ben, who keep us very busy and bring us much joy and many opportunities for growth as parents.

God has given me a huge passion for helping kids find and follow Jesus at a young age to help them through the inevitable tough times. My prayer is that they will be so grounded in their relationship with Jesus and in Biblical truths that nothing and no one can shake that foundation. I am privileged to be able live out this passion with a team of awesome staff, volunteers and kids in a warm, inviting, fun environment we call PowerSource! See you on Sunday!

Bill and Joan Zwiers - Seniors Ministries

We have been attending at Westwood for 17 years. When pastor Bill Cram passed away we offered to keep the Seasoned Pilgrims Breakfast program running for a while. Now 11 years later we are still doing that! It is a very rewarding program open to seniors from the whole city.

About five years ago we saw a real need for a Seniors Pastoral care ministry for the Westwood seniors. When we brought that need and our ideas before the leadership of Westwood it was embraced wholeheartedly. This is a volunteer position for us and as we are seniors ourselves, we are slowing down somewhat. We truly enjoy the contact with seniors and the opportunities we have to serve in this capacity. We hope to be able to continue this for some time yet.

Barb Leisinger - Secretary

My husband, Michael, and I have attended Westwood since 1999 when we moved to Prince George from Terrace. I have been on staff since September 2010 and love interacting with people each day and working with the rest of the staff to ensure things run smoothly behind the scenes at Westwood. I am also involved with the Children’s Ministry and on Sunday mornings can be found having fun in the Kindergarten to Grade 2 classroom. Before joining the Westwood staff I taught in the elementary classroom and then homeschooled our two boys who, as of September 2011, will both be away at university. My other interests include running with our English Springer Spaniel, Maggie; keeping in shape with Pilates and other exercise classes; cooking; learning to play piano; puttering in the garden; golfing; and reading.

Cary McComb – Facility

I moved to Prince George in 1992 to settle down after having lived in 4 different provinces, although now my son and daughter, (19 and 21) have moved away and live in Red Deer, Alberta. I started attending Westwood in the fall of 2006, and came on staff in 2010. I receive great enjoyment from volunteering in and around the Prince George area. When I can, I head to the bush with my camera and fishing rod for rest, relaxation, and reflection. I am looking forward to what God has planed for me in the future.

April Groot - Children’s Ministries

I have been a part of Westwood since 2002 and I was first drawn to the great community and solid teaching. After sensing God’s call to attend Bible college, I left Prince George to attend Bethany College. I always looked forward to returning to Westwood during school breaks and the summer months. I lived in Saskatchewan for the next five years completing a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries and Biblical Studies and a church internship in Children’s Ministries. It was during my time spent at Bethany that I really developed a heart and passion for ministry.

God certainly has taken me on several adventures as I follow him! My husband, Darren, and I love the Lord and want to live our lives for Him. I came onto staff in 2010 and have been both encouraged and challenged in my role in Children’s Ministries. It is amazing to watch kids get to know the God who loves them! I love to serve the Lord and see how He transforms lives. I am passionate about the love of God taking root in the lives of all people.

Melanie Pierce - Office Assistant

It was my pregnancy with our first child in 1999 that moved my husband and I from “drifting” to choosing Westwood as our church home. With lots of young families and a great children’s program it was and continues to be a great choice for growing our family and our faith. To get connected we joined a small group (now called LIFE groups) right away and the friendships I made still encourage me and enrich my life. Through volunteering in Children’s Ministry, I discovered my creative side which eventually lead to me coming on Staff in my current role in 2007. I am so blessed to work in an environment that feeds my soul and allows me so many opportunities to connect with my church family.

Bev Shauer - Treasurer

My husband, Dave, and I have been attending Westwood since we moved here in 1996. We have been involved in music, teaching and my husband as an elder. It seemed a natural fit when I came on as treasurer in March 2006. I have loved working with the staff for the past 5 years. Our family, we have 3 children, feel Westwood is home for us. We are looking forward to what God is going to do in Prince George in the years to come.