OUR STAFF TEAM
REGIONAL TEAM
Rev. James Perreaux
UCM Regional Coordinator
James Perreaux is a missionary, university chaplain, and UCM’s Regional Coordinator.
James has been serving in campus ministry since 2004. James is passionate about building Christian community and equipping young adults to make disciples and discover their missional vocation. James has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Brandon University and a Master of Arts in Theology (Culture and Christianity) from Regent College. He lives in downtown Kelowna with his wife and two sons.
Subscribe to James' Newsletter.
Kristen Hovde
UCM Regional Campus Ministry Specialist
Kristen has been working with University Christian Ministries (UCM) since 2008, first at UBC in Vancouver and then at UFV in Abbotsford. She is now working at the provincial level as a campus ministry specialist, and is passionate about ensuring that campus workers are being well cared for as they serve students on campuses across BC.
Kristen is excited about prayer, discipleship, and food. You will often find her meeting with a student or staff member over coffee, reaching for a good book, or doing something active (like biking or swimming). She lives in Chilliwack with her husband and two children.
To subscribe to Kristen’s newsletter, email her at kristen.hovde@paoc.org
Lauryn Kelman
UCM Administrative Assistant
Lauryn Kelman has been working as UCM’s administrative assistant since 2021, and is well positioned to provide administrative support for our growing campus work in BC and nationally.
Lauryn graduated from Summit Pacific College with a BA in Religion and majored in Non-Profit Organizational Leadership in 2021. She is originally from Alberta, but moved out to BC in 2017 to pursue her education at Summit Pacific College and has been living here ever since. Lauryn is actively involved in Richmond Pentecostal Church, where her husband is the Student Ministries Pastor.
Simon Fraser University (SFU)
Milly Cash
Campus Ministry Lead (SFU)
Milly has felt her life calling is to speak truth in love. In this season, she is placed at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in British Columbia to speak truths into the lives of students there.
Milly was born in Hong Kong but fell in love with Vancouver after being an exchange student at SFU in 2010. She came back to finish her Masters in Biblical Language at Regent College. During her studies, she got to experience the importance of Christian fellowships. She then decided to do the Campus Missionary Apprenticeship with University Christian Ministries (UCM) at SFU in January 2015. Ever since she started her ministry at SFU, Milly has enjoyed walking alongside young adults in their spiritual journey through intentional friendship and discipleship.
Milly’s vision for UCM at SFU is to have a presence on all three campuses: Burnaby, Surrey, and Vancouver. Leaders in UCM aim to build a community at SFU, a campus known for being a lonely place. Through different types of events, such as Alpha and small groups, the SFU team create opportunities and a safe space for students to explore their faith in Jesus. Milly and her team also equip student leaders to be disciplemakers and servants in the kingdom of God, at SFU and beyond.
Here is the link to Milly's newsletters from the past few years: Milly's Newsletter Archive. We hope you see how God moves on the Simon Fraser University campus as you read through them!
Katrina Hayashi
Campus Ministry Assistant (SFU)
Katrina Hayashi is an associate university chaplain and campus missionary with UCM (University Christian Ministries) at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Burnaby and Surrey, BC.
UCM is an on-campus Christian community at SFU where students can encounter Jesus right where they are! They value whole-life worship, students leading students, and hospitable community. UCM meets for a weekly on-campus worship every Tuesday night. Throughout the week, student leaders host on-campus Bible study groups, prayer meetings, and social events. Katrina is committed to serving and reaching out to students through various initiatives including Alpha, Missions weeks, and contact evangelism. She also promotes alternative events and being involved in a faith-based community on campus in order to engage students in healthy and holistic living. One of Katrina’s main focuses is providing one-on-one discipleship to students at SFU, helping them to grow in their understanding of themselves, their understanding of God and His love for them.
After serving as a volunteer Student Care pastor for two years at her college, Katrina has been serving in campus ministry since January 2021. She is passionate about building Christian community and equipping young adults to know Jesus intimately and make Him known amongst their peers and in the world. Katrina has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology with a minor in Pastoral Care and Counselling from Vanguard College and enjoys utilizing the many skills she was equipped with in her degree to lead the next generation. She lives in Surrey with her husband, Nathan.
Hanna Turgeon
Campus Ministry Assistant (SFU)
University Christian Ministries (UCM) is a ministry that takes place on the campus of Simon Fraser University (SFU) in British Columbia. This ministry is a place for students to explore faith and encounter the One true living God. UCM focuses heavily on building community on campus, in order to accomplish its many goals. UCM is student led and staff supported. Running the ministry in this way gives room for students to grow as Christian leaders and allows the staff to support them as they become disciples who make other disciples.
One of the primary ways that the SFU team supports student leaders is through one-to-one discipleship. UCM meets every Tuesday night on campus for worship and the Word. During the week, our student leaders host bible study groups, prayer meetings, Alpha and a variety of on-campus social events. UCM is committed to whole-life worship as they journey with students and encourage them to follow the teachings of Jesus and be part of a vibrant community that is actively reaching outward.
Hanna is new to campus ministry as of May 2022. She graduated from Vanguard College with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology, majoring in Worship Arts. It was in Bible college that Hanna found her passion for building a space where rich Christian fellowship and outreach can thrive. Hanna is also passionate about equipping Christians with the tools to live worshipful lives that actively seek to raise up others.
University of British Columbia (UBC) - Vancouver Campus
Paul Engels
Campus Ministry Lead (UBC)
Imagine a student ministry at the largest university in Western Canada that leads students to Christ, equips them as leaders, and sends them out to plant a campus ministry elsewhere or serve at another campus in Canada. Paul’s dream and mission is to see Christ- followers at university campuses being made, matured, and mobilized to do the same with those around them.
Paul committed his life to serving in ministry with Jesus during his long and miraculous journey in recovery after a serious car accident in 2013. Today, Paul lives to tell others about Jesus’ grace and love, so that they can receive the same healing that God gave to him.
After volunteering in campus ministry at University of Fraser Valley, and completing his campus ministry apprenticeship at Simon Fraser University, Paul is now serving University Christian Ministries at University of British Columbia (UBC) part-time while working on his MDiv full-time at Regent College.
Paul’s heart is for all university students to receive Jesus into their lives. He leads in many ministry contexts and has experience working with university students by leading Alpha, organizing and leading small groups, meeting one-to-one with students, running sound and media, writing Bible studies, teaching, helping to lead outreach events, and serving international students. Paul is committed to replicating the vision of Acts 2:42-44 on university campuses, and sees his participation in God’s mission as something that he must do.
Subscribe to Paul’s Newsletter Here or email him at paul.engels@paoc.org.
Tim Degerness
Campus Ministry Assistant (UBC)
University Christian Fellowship (UCM) is an on-campus Christian community at the University of British Columbia (UBC) where students can encounter Jesus right where they are. They value whole-life worship, students leading students, and a hospitable community. UCM meets for weekly on-campus worship every Thursday night. Throughout the week, student leaders host on-campus Bible study groups, prayer meetings, and social events. They are committed to serving and reaching out on campus through the Red Frogs program. Their desire is to be a positive peer presence on campus by providing a harm-reduction program with hydration stations at parties and events where students are vulnerable to a drug and alcohol culture. They also promote events and being involved in a faith-based community on campus in order to engage students in healthy and holistic living.
Tim has been with UCM since 2017 when he was a student in the ministry before joining the staff team. He enjoys meeting with students and walking with them in their faith journeys as they encounter their adult life. Tim graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Engineering and is now taking a turn in his career path to pursue campus ministry.
UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (ubco) - OKANAGAN campus
Josiah Hufemia
Campus Ministry Lead (UBCO)
Josiah or Josh as his friends call him, has been working as a campus minister for University Christian Ministries (UCM) at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus (UBCO) since 2020. Prior to that, he was an international undergraduate student at that same university. During his time as a student at UBCO, Josh was heavily involved with UCM, and it was through this campus ministry that his faith and relationship with God grew exponentially. Though he grew up in an evangelical Christian culture, Josh recognizes that it was through the vehicle of campus ministry that he experienced intentional discipleship independent of the influence of family and culture. Because of that, Josh has become passionate about investing into the lives of university students on his campus to bring them closer to Jesus, no matter where they are from and no matter where they are at in their faith journey.
In his ministry, Josh continues to provide care for the male students and the international students that come to UCM, while also training them to become faithful leaders within their campus ministry as they progress through their degrees.
UCM is an on-campus Christian community at UBCO where students can encounter Jesus right where they are! They value whole-life worship, students leading students, and hospitable community. UCM meets for weekly on-campus worship every Thursday night. Throughout the week, student leaders host on-campus Bible study groups, prayer meetings, and social events. There is a commitment to reaching out to and serving this campus community through the Red Frogs program. Red Frogs is all about being a positive peer presence on campus by providing a harm-reduction program with hydration stations at parties and events where students are vulnerable to the drug and alcohol culture prevalent on many campuses. Alternative events are promoted where students can get involved in a faith-based community on campus that focuses on healthy and holistic living.
Grace Lou
Campus Ministry Apprentice (UBCO)
Having experienced the power of Christian communities growing up. Grace has a dream to build communities where young people can journey and grown in Christlikeness together. This calling became more evident as she moved from Hong Kong to pursue a Bachelor of Science Honours in Zoology at the University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) in 2021. Since her first year, Grace has been heavily involved in two campus ministries as a student leader through which she received increasing clarity that God is calling her into serving with University Christian Ministries (UCM). In this next season of life, she will be graduating in 2024.
During her time as a student leader, Grace recognized two common needs in students:
1. The need for community
2. The need for international discipleship
Grace is therefore passionate about building community and journeying with students.
Through leading women's discipleship, small groups, and the social media presence of UCM at UBCO, Grace has a heart for calling out the student's God-given identities, providing them with opportunities to grow in their relationship with God, and unleashing their gifts to build the kingdom.
UCM is an on-campus Christian community at UBCO where students can encounter Jesus right where they are. They value whole-life worship, student leading students, and hospitable community. UCM meets for weekly on-campus worship every Thursday nights. Throughout the week, student leaders host on-campus Bible study groups, prayer meetings, and social events. There is a commitment to reaching out to and serving this campus community through Red Frogs program. Red Frogs is all about being a positive peer presence on campus by providing a harm-reduction program with hydration stations at parties and events where students are vulnerable to the drug and alcohol culture prevalent on many campuses. Alternative events are promoted where students can get involved in a faith-based community on campus that focuses on healthy and holistic living.
VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY (viu)
Lydia Collin
Campus Ministry Lead (VIU)
Lydia loves her community at VIU (Vancouver Island University). Whether hanging out with students in the cafeteria, playing Capture the Flag on campus, giving a talk on God’s story in Scripture, or mentoring students, serving as a pastor to the university makes her feel fully alive!
Lydia is a farm kid, having grown up on the prairies in Alberta. The word “deconstruction” wasn’t really a thing when she was in her early 20s, but it’s something that she had to do, nevertheless, as she reconciled her faith in Christ with the sad reality of what Christendom (Christ’s name used for political gain) has done. Surprisingly, that led her into her work as a pastor and spiritual health leader.
Before pastoring, Lydia studied piano performance with the Conservatory of Canada, so she still has a particular passion to intermingle Christ and the arts in her work now. She completed an MA at Regent College in theology and a post-Masters certification in Spiritual Care at Trinity Western Seminary. When not on the campus, you’ll find Lydia outside or at the piano. She loves to cycle, swim, and paddle board, and is always game for forming friendship while out in creation or making music!
Robyn Wilson
Campus Ministry Assistant (VIU)
Robyn’s university career started at Vancouver Island University in 2014, but she didn’t know anything about University Christian Ministries (UCM) until she transferred to Simon Fraser University (SFU) in her second year. UCM became her home away from home as she was welcomed into a community of students who were also trying to figure out how their faith, academics, and life all fit together. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Honours Mathematics, she was very much an academic and career focused student.
Throughout Robyn’s degree, God was calling her to share His love with university students at every opportunity and she slowly found that she was on campus more to make disciples than to go to class. Upon graduation, Robyn had the opportunity to do ministry at SFU full time through the Campus Ministry Apprenticeship program, after which she and her husband moved back home so she could raise her daughter on the family farm. She is beyond excited to be back at her old campus!
Austin Penner
Campus Ministry Assistant (VIU)
As a Vancouver Island University (VIU) alumni and baseball player (2012-2017), Austin Penner has lived out the student athlete experience before coming to know Jesus Christ in faith in 2021, after years of worldly striving and personal struggles hit an all-time low. Since coming to faith, Austin has been called to minister to the scene he was once deeply immersed in - the party scene. Fresh into a new and redeemed life in Christ, his heart is now geared toward his friends, and the young people in his context who are yet to truly encounter Jesus.
Austin is leaning into the work that God has already started in many lives in Nanaimo, BC. You may find him handing out water at VIU campus parties as UCM responds to the needs on campus through Red Frogs - an opportunity to provide a positive peer presence in alcohol-fuelled environments, educating young people on safe partying behaviours and promoting alcohol-free and/or diversionary activities that engages young people in these environments. Austin is excited to walk alongside students right where they are at, building meaningful relationships and sharing God's infinite love with them. Deeply valuing the role of a male mentor in his own life, Austin will be involved in discipling male leaders and students on campus.
Austin has a passion for music that's been expressed through playing drums, digital music production, DJing at various venues and promoting curated Spotify playlists. he also loves working with his hands - building, creating, and landscaping. With a deep passion for theology and a love for the Scriptures, Austin looks forward to one day getting his Mater of Divinity.
Julie Niyitegeka
Campus Ministry Assistant (VIU)
Helping students be dependent on the Spirit and live a holistic life worth following; and facilitate prayer initiatives for faculty, staff, and students on campus.
Julie Niyitegeka is originally from Rwanda, and graduated from Vancouver Island University (VIU) with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, specializing in Microbiology. During her studies at VIU, Julie enjoyed being a part of the University Christian Ministries (UCM) club. The UCM community became her home away from home. It was a place where she met most of her closest friends, a place where she grew closer to God, and a place where she had amazing opportunities to serve God and her community.
As Julie neared the end of her studies at VIU, she felt called to serve with UCM beyond her education years on campus. She truly believes that God has so much in store for students during their time on campus, and she is so excited to be part of what He wants to do in and through students in these important years of their life.
Julie is especially excited to organize prayer & worship events on campus. As well as collaborating with international departments and Student Housing to support students for Jesus's glory. He calls us to love and serve one another, and this is what Julie wants to do at the VIU campus.
UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA (uvIC)
John Engels
Interim Campus Ministry Lead (UVic)
John is thrilled to be serving alongside the student-led group at UVic! The student leaders are welcoming, fun, and genuine in their faith. UCM meets weekly in a large group on campus, and in small groups learning about Jesus and His mission. We don’t know all the answers, but we ask the right questions because we are known by the One who is the answer.
John has spent a lifetime on campuses coming alongside students for spiritual formation and servant leadership development both in the USA and Canada. John’s desire for students is for them to experience the transforming power of Jesus in the long-game of life. John has also been involved in starting and coaching several campus groups. He has a BA in communications and a MA in leadership. John is married with four children and enjoys bicycling, travel, music, and NFL fantasy football.
To subscribe to John’s newsletter, please e-mail him at john.engels@paoc.org
Aletta Biemond
Campus Ministry Assistant (UVic)
Aletta Biemond is finishing up her final year (2023-2024) at the University of Victoria (UVic) where she is earning an undergraduate degree in Linguistics. During her studies at UVic, Aletta played an active role in University Christian Ministries (UCM). As Aletta nears the end of her studies at UVic, she feels called to serve with UCM. She truly believes that God has so much in store for students during their time on campus, and she is very excited to be part of what He wants to do in and through students in these important years of their lives, including involvement with international students who are coming to Canada for their post-secondary education.
Aletta will be serving as a ministry assistant in this final year and will help in encouraging students to be dependent on the Spirit and live a holistic life worth following. She will also be involved in facilitating prayer initiatives for professors, staff, and students on campus.
To subscribe to Aletta’s newsletter, email her at aletta.biemond@paoc.org
BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (BCIT)
Calvin Weber
Campus Ministry Lead (BCIT)
Calvin Weber has been involved in campus ministry since becoming a post-secondary student at the University of Waterloo in 1979 and has been in full-time church and campus ministry since graduating in 1982. Cal has worked at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and other BC campuses as a minister since 1988, as well as being part of a pastoral team at Westpointe Christian Centre in Kitsilano, BC until 2010.
Cal completed his MDiv at Regent College then joined University Christian Ministries (UCM) as the campus ministry director at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in 2011 where he continues to serve the Christian club there in a multi-staff environment. Cal assists in the apprenticeship training ministry with UCM in BC. He attends Broadway Church in Vancouver, BC, is married with five adult children and has a love for photography. Cal is always wondering about the next mission trip for ministry purposes, as well as a hoped-for family trip to the Arctic Ocean in the near future.
To subscribe to Calvin’s newsletter, email him at calvin.weber@paoc.org
Joanna Skucas
Campus Ministry Assistant (BCIT)
Joanna encountered Jesus in a dynamic and real way during her time in university through University Christian Ministries (UCM). After completing her math degree, she sensed God’s leading to step into a full-time ministry roll with UCM.
Joanna has worked on staff with UCM at BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) since 2015, reaching a campus of 28,000 students. Their mission field is broad as UCM is presently the only Christian club at BCIT.
UCM envisions every post-secondary student having the opportunity to be reconciled and to grow and mature in their relationship with Christ. Joanna and the team at BCIT endeavour to create an on-campus community where students can meaningfully encounter God. At BCIT, you might find Joanna meeting with a student over coffee for regular discipleship, leading a small group Bible study or welcoming a new international student to Canada with a warm meal. Joanna has a deep heart for hospitality and seeks to ensure UCM is a safe place for students from all walks of life to attend. Her heart is to disciple students and see them walk out the love of God in their lives.
In addition, UCM BCIT offers weekly talks, worship, prayer meetings, staff and faculty events, and opportunities for fellowship in and around the campus.
Justin Chao
Campus Ministry Apprentice (BCIT)
After five years of studying Biology and Fisheries Conservation at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and at Vancouver Island University (VIU), Justin decided to dedicate himself to campus ministries at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Throughout his undergraduate years, he has been exposed to various cultures of Christian groups at different universities. Campus ministry is something that has been in the back of his mind for a while and now he finally gets to be a part of the staff team! At BCIT, he learns, listens, and inspires young adults to find peace and hope in Christ and cultivate a group of people who share the love of God. This is going to be so important as they transition from their academic years to the workforce.
Justin says, "There have been so many people in my life who've inspired me to deepen my relationship with God such as my dad, my home church pastors, my campus pastor, and my spiritual friends. What they have in common is that they have invested time in me, whether it's through Bible study groups, lunch meetings, or one-on-one hangouts. In that same model, I believe it is worth investing time in students to form genuine relationships, just like how we build up our relationship with God."
Justin's idea of a good time is Bible journaling in the morning, playing drums and bass guitar during worship, cycling on a sunny afternoon, and spending time with family and friends. He also loves food...all kinds of food.
university of the FRASER VALLEY (ufv)
Kristen Hovde
Interim Campus Ministry Lead (UFV)
Kristen has been working with University Christian Ministries (UCM) since 2008, first at UBC in Vancouver and then at UFV in Abbotsford. She is now working at the provincial level as a campus ministry specialist, and is passionate about ensuring that campus workers are being well cared for as they serve students on campuses across BC.
Kristen is excited about prayer, discipleship, and food. You will often find her meeting with a student or staff member over coffee, reaching for a good book, or doing something active (like biking or swimming). She lives in Chilliwack with her husband and two children.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)
John Engels
KPU Chaplain - Surrey Campus
John is an ordained minister with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, is married, and father of four young adult children. He and his wife have worked in university ministry since graduating from Western Washington University. John also holds a MA in leadership.
His focus is serving the wonderful faculty, staff, and students at KPU! John enjoys mentoring students in Bible based servant leadership and spiritual formation. He relishes several music genres and is an avid Seattle Seahawks fan, enjoys NFL Fantasy Football, and bicycling. John and his wife are also involved in alleviating poverty locally and globally. He loves laughing, getting to know people, and learning from them. He hopes to meet you soon! Drop by the Multi-faith Centre office on the Surrey Campus in Cedar 1035.
To subscribe to John’s newsletter, please e-mail him at john.engels@paoc.org
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The Regional Newsletter is written by UCM’s Regional Coordinator, James Perreaux.