Our Staff & Leadership

Director

Lee Gregory

Lee and Kath Gregory have farmed in the Interlake area of Manitoba for 45 years. They have three married children and eight grandchildren. They started attending a Village Missions church in Arborg, Manitoba, in the late 80’s. At the recommendation of Pastor Tom Gerbrandt, Lee was invited to join the Canadian Board in 1997. He has a passion for rural ministry and firsthand knowledge of what a rural lifestyle entails. In 2010, Lee was elected to the position of Board Chairman. As a former member of the Canadian Institute of Corporate Directors and with over 25 years on the boards of financial institutions, Lee brings governance and financial expertise to the board of Village Missions of Canada.

Director

Ernie Munchinsky

Ernie spent most of his life in Saskatoon. Since childhood, he attended a church that teaches the Bible and emphasizes the gospel and evangelism.

Ernie’s first contact with Village Missions came through Chris Schuman, who gave him a ride to Briercrest Bible College shortly before he enrolled there. At Briercrest Ernie became friends with two students who later married and became Village Missionaries. He has been part of their ministry partner team ever since.

Through their ministry, Ernie became sensitive to the fact that rural North America is a mission field that is neglected or overlooked by many people in the urban churches. Why should other nationalities come to Canada to serve as missionaries? We should be taking care of our own backyard!

Ernie’s wife, Francie, is also a graduate of Briercrest. They live in Saskatoon and have four adult children.

Upon retirement, at the prodding of his VM friends, Ernie joined the Board of Village Missions of Canada. It has been his pleasure to serve as a board member since 2013.

Director

Michael Rowland

Michael Rowland grew up as the son of a Village Missions pastor, so he has been connected to Village Missions his whole life. After graduating from high school, Michael went to Nipawin Bible Institute (now Nipawin Bible College) and received his Christian Ministry Diploma. Following his time there he married his wife, Katrina, and they moved to central Alberta.

Over the next several years, Michael proceeded to attend Red Deer College and the University of Lethbridge to earn a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science. After almost a decade of managing the IT Department of a company operating out of the Red Deer Airport, Michael and Katrina, along with their 5 daughters, left Alberta for Michael to join the staff of Nipawin Bible College as the IT Manager and Events Coordinator.

Michael joined the board of Village Missions Canada with a desire to use the knowledge and technical skills God has gifted to him in order to serve Village Missions in their goal of “Helping Country Churches Thrive”. Spending most of his life in rural, or small town, communities, Michael recognizes the need for Village Missions here in Canada, and is thrilled to be a part of it.

Director

Richard Semenyna

Richard Semenyna came to faith in Christ at any early age through a Vacation Bible School held in his hometown. When he was a student at the Peace River Bible Institute, he heard about Village Missions from a VM representative. His younger brother, Gary, became a Village Missionary and served as a District Representative before suddenly passing away in March 2023.

Richard’s wife went home to be with the Lord in 2010 after losing her battle with cancer. They have a son.

Richard has served on the Board of VM Canada since the fall of 2015. He is retired and actively involved in VM ministries and others.

Director

Karen Totten

Karen Totten was introduced to Village Missions in the 1970’s when she served with her local Christian Women’s Club.

She taught high school math for 17 years in Regina. Then she married and farmed for 42 years.

Experience in rural churches fueled her passion for Village Missions. She is honoured to have served on the Village Missions of Canada Board since 2020.

Director

Hal York

Hal is a pastor at Hastings Park Bible Church in Belleville, Ontario. He joined the VM National Board in 2001.

Hal grew up in Northern Maine. He was raised in a Christian home and trusted Christ as Savior as a young child.

He attended New Brunswick Bible Institute, where he met his wife, Karen. After two years in Germany, they returned to North America, and he attended Washington Bible College in Maryland, U.S.

In 1983, Hal and Karen joined Village Missions and were sent to Weston, Nova Scotia. They served for 18 years at Weston Christian Fellowship Church.

After resigning from VM, they were led to Hastings Park Bible Church. Hal and Karen have three grown children and six grandchildren.