Staff
Geoff Neufeld grew up in the lower mainland and has lived in Kelowna since 1995 with his wife Brenda and two children. Geoff has an MDIV from Fresno Pacific University, a BRE from Columbia Bible College, and has served in various pastoral and leadership positions for more than 18 years. Over the past 14 years Geoff has served as General Manager of a multi regional Events company based in Kelowna called Showtime Event and Display. Geoff and his wife Brenda love entertaining in their home, camping, travel and spending time with their kids and 3 grandchildren.
Pam brings over 30 years of experience in healthcare, including both professional and volunteer capacities. She has experience in cardiology, orthopedic, neurologic and vascular surgical nursing, as well as experience in an addiction treatment clinic and a methadone program. Pam’s passion is to assist individuals in finding a healthy balance in their lives, physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally and spiritually. Healthy people create healthy communities and by training and encouraging volunteers to support clients, whose needs are diverse, she sees that passion fulfilled.
Ruth has been involved in the community in various capacities over the last 25 years. Doing everything from coaching youth soccer, to leading the Parent Advisory Council, she has given her time and energy to people and their families. Ruth loves making a difference. With her background in child and family counselling, she brings experience, skill and a heart to help others. Being able to connect available volunteers with people in need of help brings her much joy. She sees how facilitating this connection has the power to transform their lives, bringing hope and providing tangible acts of love.
Board Members
“God’s plan for my life included Graduating as a Physiotherapist from University of Cape Town in 1968. I had a varied work experience in South Africa. In 1985 God led me to emigrate to Canada with a job offer from Kelowna General Hospital where I worked in the outpatient section first and then became section head of the in -patient Physiotherapy staff until my retirement in 2011. I have been on numerous education and fundraising committees and we hosted 2 successful national orthopedic conferences in Kelowna. I have been involved with Sunday School and Youth Ministries at my local church. I host a ladies bible study and I am in a prayer ministry for Hands in Service.”
Pastor Lester earned his B.A. in Bible/Theology and his Master of Human Services degree. Lester is an ordained minister, serving sixteen years as Pastor of a local church and became the Chaplain of Kelowna’s Gospel Mission in 2009. His ministry provides a wide variety of church, social, family, financial, mental health experience and understanding. Lester has been on the Board of Kelowna Evangelical Ministerial Association, Kelowna General Hospital Spiritual Care Committee, NeighbourLink Kelowna, and many years on the Board of Hands in Service. Lester’s strengths: an ability to hear others’ life stories, encourage people to see God in their story, sharing hope and change through positive life choices. He was awarded the Capital News Community Leader Award for Mentoring in 2019. Lester has completed extra training in Mental Health Works, Trauma Care, and Mental Health First Aid and is a Mental Health First Aid Instructor.
Cathie was born and raised in Vancouver, graduating from UBC with a BEd in 1974. She taught in Elementary Schools in BC and Alberta for 5 years before starting a family. While raising her three sons with her husband, she volunteered at church, kid’s schools, Meals on Wheels, and the Kiwanis Music Festival. She’s worked on fundraising campaigns with her boys’ High School, Church Youth and Community Sports Teams. She was a leader of ladies’ bible study groups and after-school youth programs at her church in Alberta, in addition to being a board member. Since moving to Kelowna in 2005, she’s been involved with Ladies’ Bible Study Groups and Church Music Ministry. She enjoys gardening, quilting and scrapbooking.
