ABOUT CHERIE:

When I began seminary, I assumed I would naturally be drawn into the creative worship arts, as my background and everything I knew had been engaged in the art world. As much as I love knitting together art and faith, I had no idea how God would use both of these passions in my life. Then, I took my first preaching class in my first year of seminary, and something clicked in me. Suddenly, I knew God was telling me where I needed to be, and it was behind the pulpit.

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I am passionate about teaching and making the Bible and its ancient writings more understandable to people in today's culture. The Bible is a complicated, ancient book, and I understand that its writings can be understood in many different ways–but ultimately, the Bible is how God is revealed to us and the Bible always points us to the loving and welcoming person of Jesus. I believe anyone and everyone who believes that Jesus is Lord and recognizes the gift of salvation that he brought to us through his sacrifice on the cross is welcome to be a part of his family and should be welcomed with open arms by those in the church. I acknowledge that the church has not always been a safe place for everyone. I, myself, have experienced religious trauma, so I am compassionate and empathetic to those who have a million questions, are slow to trust or just want to be heard. 

 

Being a Christian is countercultural in many ways. We are called to love our enemies and live servant-hearted lives, thinking of others before ourselves. We must be compassionate, patient, forgiving and understanding to everyone around us, and we are called to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. My family and I are deeply passionate about social justice and those who live on the margins in our communities, and the church is called to come alongside those in need in whatever way they can.

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I am not currently affiliated through ordination to any specific denomination, but I consider myself an evangelical Protestant. I am an affirming pastor and believe those who identify as part of the LGBTQ community are a beautiful and essential part of God's family and the local church. I have been part of several denominations in the past, including the Christian Reformed Church and the Mennonite Brethren Church of Canada. I am currently a pastoral intern and an active member of the Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada.​