The pastors and staff of Bethel Baptist Church in Simcoe, Norfolk County. Every one of them is glad to hear from you — email addresses and direct lines are below, and you can read each pastor's own story in his own words.
I joined the Bethel staff in 2023, though in one sense I was coming home — I attended Bethel as a teen and graduated from the academy in 1982. I manage the children's ministry, including the bus ministry, Jr. Church and Sunday School. I lead the young adults class and its activities, teach gym for Grades 1 to 5 in the academy, and lead a Master Clubs class. On occasion I fill the pulpit and lead the singing, I lead our High School Chapel services, and I plan the bigger children's events — VBS and the Spring and Christmas Breakfasts. My wife Lorelei and I have three grown children, Benjamin, Brandon and Bethany, and five grandchildren. Off the clock I help keep up my parents' property, follow the Roughriders, the Georgia Bulldogs and the Blue Jays, and hunt turkey.
I was saved at nine years old at a revival service in my home church in Florida. The preacher was preaching on the devil and hell, I came under conviction, and I went forward at the invitation to pray and receive Christ. I was baptized soon after. I graduated from Baptist Bible College Canada in 1986, and spent the thirty-six years that followed in ministry — seven in St. Thomas as assistant pastor and twenty-nine as pastor in Sault Ste. Marie — much of it bi-vocational. Lorelei and I moved back to Simcoe in 2022 to be closer to family.
My favourite part of ministry is Jr. Church: teaching the lesson, and then being right in the middle of game time with the kids. I love Vacation Bible School for the same reason — it is such a good opportunity to see children come to know Christ as Saviour. A verse that means a lot to me is Proverbs 3:5-6. I quote it often, because it reminds me that God is in control, and that I can trust Him in every situation I face in ministry and in life. And if you are visiting for the first time, you are always welcome here. Stop by the Welcome Centre and let us know what we can do to make your visit more comfortable.
I came to Simcoe from a Baptist church in Toronto to attend Bible College, and forty years later I am still here. I am the Seniors' Pastor, and I love the work. Scripture calls it a good work (1 Timothy 3:1), and I have found that true. Week to week, it means Sunday School, Tuesday Bible teaching, fellowship and game times, Saturday night shuffleboard, and chapel services at the retirement homes. I visit seniors, make hospital calls, and prepare the prayer requests each week. I also run the greeter program, drive a church bus, help with game time at children's club, and give myself to prayer, to God's Word, and to preparing messages.
I was saved in a Baptist preacher's office. I was under conviction of my sin, and I bowed my head there and received Christ — born again, old things passed away, and all things became new (2 Corinthians 5:17). I graduated from Baptist Bible College Canada with a Graduate of Theology. Janet and I have been married forty-eight years. We have two sons, David and John; John went home to be with the Lord in 2014. Away from the church, I like most sports, I enjoy travelling, and I am always glad of good fellowship and good food — but what I like best is time with my wife.
What matters most to me is loving God, loving Janet and our family, loving His people here at Bethel, and loving the people who still need to be saved. A verse that means a lot to Janet and me is Proverbs 3:5-6. Trusting the Lord rather than leaning on my own understanding is something we have both needed. And if you are looking for a church to belong to, come and see ours. We would be glad to welcome you.
Pastor Austin grew up at Bethel and joined the staff as Youth Pastor in August 2026. He leads the youth ministry for Grades 7 to 12: the Sunday morning class, Wednesday night youth group, and the activities in between. On Sundays you will also see him helping lead the singing and taking part in special music. He is married to Judy, and off the clock he keeps up with sports, plays whenever he can, and enjoys a board game with her and friends.
His own story starts at Bethel too. In March 2017, Evangelist Calvin Allen preached a revival service here — the message was “Living Without His Presence” — and Pastor Austin came under conviction. He had struggled with his faith for years before realizing he had been trying to walk with God without ever having come to Him, and that Christ alone could save him. He met with Calvin Allen later that night and received Christ as his Saviour. He graduated from the academy that June, and left for Bible college the following year. He earned a Bachelor of Religious Education with a focus in evangelism from West Coast Baptist College, and served on staff there for four years before coming home to Bethel.
What he loves most is watching teens make decisions that draw them closer to Jesus. A verse that means a lot to him is Mark 10:27, “with God all things are possible,” because he wants a front-row seat when God does the impossible. And if you are visiting for the first time, he would want you to know one thing above all: Bethel truly cares about you.
