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Lead Pastor (Elder)

Ross Odnokon

Ross was born in a land of vivid sunsets, golden wheat-fields, and flatness – Saskatchewan. Ross grew up as a skateboard punk in Regina, eventually coming to Christ in high school through a friend’s faithful witness.

He completed his bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Studies at Peace River Bible Institute in northern Alberta, married his sweetheart Kara and then began life together back in Saskatchewan. Ross went on to get his Journeyman ticket as a Carpenter and work in the trades to provide for his growing family, which now includes (Adelaide, Peter, Isabelle, Emma, and John). Feeling the need for more training and preparation for ministry, they moved to Louisville, KY for Ross to get his Masters of Divinity at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Through his time in seminary God put Kelowna on Ross’ heart and began to give clarity for a vision to plant churches in the Okanagan. Ross and his family moved to Kelowna in 2019 and have been delighted to see God’s leading and grace in planting Redeemer Baptist Church in 2021. Ross began serving bi-vocationally with a carpentry business on the side, but as Redeemer has grown, Ross is now able to serve the church full-time.

Elder

Vince Kuipers

Vince was born in Kelowna with deep roots in the area as his family immigrated to Kelowna from Holland in 1921. Vince grew up on a fruit orchard with a passion for riding dirt bikes and downhill skiing when not helping out on the farm. Vince eventually came to Christ in high school after hearing the gospel from many different people over a number of years. He met his beautiful wife Connie while they were both in college and married a few years later. Vince spent over 20 years in the consumer electronics and outdoor sporting goods industries in both B.C. and Alberta, mostly in management roles. Vince eventually moved back to Kelowna to the family farm where he and his wife run a you-pick agro-tourism business.

Vince has a deep passion to see God’s Kingdom advance through the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and strongly believes this is accomplished by building strong healthy churches that boldly proclaim the good news of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. The local church being the centre for equipping every Christian for gospel ministry in service to the Lord Jesus.