2024 Annual Report
Governing Council election notification
First Assembly is a self-governing congregation with a member-elected Governing Council that constitute the organization’s Board of Directors. The Governing Council is composed of the Lead Pastor as chair and eight elders elected by the congregation from nominated Elders. Proverbs 11:14, 15:22, and 24:6 instruct us on the importance of different perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and knowledge for wise decision making. First Assembly is benefited by the election of Governing Council candidates that reflect our church members’ diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, age, and professional abilities.
Governing Council key accountabilities
The role of the governing council is outlined in Section 6 of the By Laws and includes the following key areas of accountability:
Vision, strategy, planning
Organizational oversight
Decision making
Administrative stewardship
Financial stewardship
Risk management
Regulatory and legal matters and obligations
Governing Council Candidate Profile
Governing Council members form First Assembly’s Board of Directors and have legal, fiduciary, and governance responsibilities. As such, strong Governing Council candidates’ background will include some of the below competencies and professional experience:
Visionary leader experienced in strategic advisory
Demonstrated problem-solving abilities
Proven ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
Consensus building team player respectful and open to the ideas of others
Experience in one or more of the following specialties:
Strategy, planning, and performance management
Governance, policies, and procedures
Financial management
Operational management
Legal and regulatory industry
Healthcare industry
Construction and engineering
Information technology
Project management
Human resources
Entrepreneurship
Marketing and Communications
Fundraising
Other not for profit board interaction experience, committees work, and operations
What is expected of a Governing Council Member
Governing Council members are expected to:
Devote approximately 5 to 10 hours per month of their time for monthly meetings, document review, discussions and other special meetings as required.
Participate in specific committees like the budget committee, constitution committee, and other working groups as needed.
Adhere to the Governing Council role and responsibilities.
Be active members in First Assembly's congregational life and ministry.
2024 Candidates
Victor Dantas
How long have you attended First Assembly?
I and my family have been attending FA for the last 10 years.
What are one or two of your favourite things about being a part of First Assembly?
One favourite thing is the diversity within the church community, including its representation of different nationalities and age groups.
What areas or ministries at First Assembly have you served with or are you currently involved with?
We have led a Brazilian congregation hosted at First Assembly and have served the church in various other capacities. Currently, I am serving as an Elder and Member of the GC board, as well as musician with the worship team. My wife and I, also host a Young Adult community group at our home.
What skills and experience do you hope to bring to the Governing Council?
I hope to bring a combination of leadership, cultural understanding, and professional expertise to the Governing Council. With 25 years of experience as an IT consultant and international speaker, I offer a strategic mindset and problem-solving skills that can help the council navigate complex decisions always grounded in prayer. Additionally, my time serving at FA in multiple capacities, has deepened my understanding of diverse community needs and strengthened my ability to foster unity. My passion for seeing lives transformed and callings fulfilled motivates me to contribute in a way that aligns with the church's mission and vision.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/victordantas/
Derek Dawson
How long have you attended First Assembly?
Michele and I started attending online in 2021 during COVID and then called the Main Campus home until Seton was launched where we have attended since its beginning.
What are one or two of your favourite things about being a part of First Assembly?
I love that FA truly has a Vision for advancing the Kingdom not only in Calgary but also around the world and is actively doing so in many different ways. Pastor Ben just shared a powerful message on Legacy and it is clear that over the last 95 years there have been many great moves of God but our body believes that God is still working and that the best days may still yet be to come.
The people are for sure one of my favourite things about FA, in particular their spirit, posture, and diversity. 1 Corinthians 12 speaks of one body with many parts and that Scripture is alive at FA. When one meets someone from our body one encounters a person alive, hope filled, willing to serve, gifted, from all walks of life, and maybe from any part of Canada or country in the world. I continue to see many answers to prayer and people walking with one another through the valleys of life. We are united together through the Spirit and common purpose; truly a beautiful portrait of 1 Corinthians.
What areas or ministries at First Assembly have you served with or are you currently involved with?
Michele and I started a Small Group in 2023 and we continue to go strong with now over 20 people growing and doing life together. I Co-Chair the South Campus Development Committee with Werner Haag and a team of gifted leaders. Pastor Ben also recently asked me to assist with the development of the new Legacy Team at FA.
What skills and experience do you hope to bring to the Governing Council?
I have served in both for profit and non-profit leadership. After starting my career as an Air Navigator in the Royal Canadian Air Force and serving in conflicts in Somalia, Bosnia, and Rwanda, I transitioned to a career in business. I left business in 2005 when Michele and I followed the call of God and moved our family from Ontario to BC where I served in senior leadership positions of both Focus on the Family Canada and Trinity Western University. After 10 years of serving in vocational Christian ministry I felt released from that work and moved to Calgary in 2015 to pursue my current opportunity where I serve as the Co-CEO & Group President of Network Innovations, a satellite and related technology systems integrator with operations in nine countries around the world.
In addition to my work experience, I have previously served in various volunteer roles in the community and in churches including youth and young adult leadership. I have also served on boards including, among others, our local church in Kitchener as well as the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities (CCCC).
I have experience in strategy and organizational development, sales and fundraising, marketing and community engagement, and most aspects of financial management which would include my accounting credentials, the CPA. Most of my career has been spent equipping organizations for and then managing growth. Finally, both of the non-profits I worked for underwent significant building programs during my tenure not unlike where we find ourselves at FA, the Lord willing.
Despite all of that, the most important thing I would bring is a willingness to continue in my own learning and discipleship and a strong desire serve however I may be of use, and the integrity and determination to see FA's future stewarded to all that God is calling it to be.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-dawson-612439/
Dave Taylor
How long have you attended First Assembly?
17 years
What are one or two of your favourite things about being a part of First Assembly?
I love the FA focus on:
Community (Dream Centre, food hampers, car repairs, etc.)
Expanding God’s kingdom on earth
Music Ministry
What areas or ministries at First Assembly have you served with or are you currently involved with?
I have served on the GC for eight years and I am actively serving on the building committee for the south property. I am also serving on the board of the Calgary Dream Centre and I run the I542 Business and Entrepreneur group (previously Business over Breakfast)
What skills and experience do you hope to bring to the Governing Council?
I have an electrical engineering background and I have worked in the oil and gas industry for the majority of my career. I have held roles in consulting, management, and global business leadership. I am currently based in Calgary and running a power generation business in California
https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmarktaylor/
Brett Schenk
How long have you attended First Assembly?
My family and I have been at First Assembly for a little over two years.
What are one or two of your favourite things about being a part of First Assembly?
I love the full enterprise of First Assembly and how it coordinates its parts through leveraging the gifts and leadership of many to reach deep and wide into our city. I love being a part of the body that uses all its parts to advance the Gospel. FA is steadfast in being Christ centred, and the fruit shows it. I love how FA raises leaders and is dedicated to making disciples. The work of this church is free of vanity and its ministries are intentional on impacting many different spaces and people with the love of Christ.
What areas or ministries at First Assembly have you served with or are you currently involved with?
I have been serving with the Culture Team.
What skills and experience do you hope to bring to the Governing Council?
I work in senior leadership for a chemical manufacturer where I lead several teams and develop strategy. Our mission is to enhance lives, I have the pleasure of leading teams to execute this in our operations and leading engagements with our charitable partners to serve our local and global communities. The Lord has equipped me with incredible opportunities to lead and support my teams to create growth. It excites me to serve His church with these experiences in leadership and strategy. I love to collaborate and work with other leaders towards common goals - First Assembly is full of them, and it would be an honour support this amazing group in their critical work of obedience in Kingdom building.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-schenk/
Alan Cajueiro
How long have you attended First Assembly?
My family and I are connected with First Assembly since 2016, when we moved to Canada from Brazil and attend regularly as our home church since 2020.
What are one or two of your favourite things about being a part of First Assembly?
Above all, I’m passionate about Jesus and our church family. This is home for my family, a spirit-empowered community, a place where everyone can really belong, believe and become their best version. I love serving back our people in whichever way the Lord may lead.
What areas or ministries at First Assembly have you served with or are you currently involved with?
I currently serve in the worship team and as a member of the Servant Council, supporting foundational areas of ministry such as prayer, Elder engagement, new believers and the topic I’m most passionate about: Community Groups. Since 2021, I support the work of our Group Coaches and as coaches, my wife and I lead a flourishing Brazilian community at FA that grows well connected and serving our church family in multiple areas of ministry, including our Seton campus.
What skills and experience do you hope to bring to the Governing Council?
I have been working in the Engineering area for almost 20 years now, in management and consulting positions, managing teams and supporting businesses in problem solving, project management in multi-billion sized projects. I believe God can use these skills to contribute to our already well-versed team and keep the level of excellence in everything our church does. I serve in different ministry positions for the last 25 years. I hold a college degree in Theology since 2009 and served my church in Brazil as a couples/worship volunteer pastor since 2013 and as a deacon since 2007.