Different Directions at Compass Immanuel by Paul Boeker with Mike Ginther and Trevor Kirsch


Compass Immanuel Church went through some interesting pastoral changes this spring. Both Pastor Mike Ginther and Youth Pastor Trevor Kirsch made changes, and the changes ultimately impacted Community Bible Church of Prince Albert, Sask.


Compass Immanuel Says “Goodbye” to Pastor


Mike and Julianne Ginther were comfortable, very comfortable. Tey had been at Compass Immanuel Church of Rapid View, Sask., just two months short of 30 years. Last year they built a new home on an acreage. But on May 26, 2019, the church had a farewell for them and sent them away with a blessing. Tey leſt


behind not only very deep roots, but many wonderful friends both in the church and in the community. As Pastor Mike looks back, he recalls that the people of


Compass were always very gracious and forgiving, and the leadership was most supportive. Tis made serving God with them such an encouragement to his family. He said, “Whether it was a congregational meeting or a board meeting, we always managed to blend great fellowship and hearty laughter togeth- er. Tese were not times to be feared, but times we looked forward to. We definitely faced some hard issues, but always found a place for joy and laughter.” Of all that Ginthers leſt behind at Compass Immanuel,


the biggest sacrifice was to move three hours away from their oldest son Darell Jeffery, his wife, Angela Dawn, and grand- children Mattaya Joy (7), Alison Grace (5) and Sarah Faith (2). Teir second son, Dewey Jason lives in Vauxhall, Alberta. So where did Mike and Julianne go? Tey were called by


Community Bible Church (CBC) of Prince Albert. Tat flock had been without a shepherd since December 2017. Prince Albert is about three hours’ drive southeast of Rapid View. Aſter a few days to move and resettle, Ginthers began to


minister to CBC on June 5. Pastor Mike’s goals for CBC are the same as those he had for Compass — goals which have their foundation in Eph. 4:12-13: “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (niv 2002). Teir commitment to Community Bible Church is also


long term. Mike is not retired — not even semi-retired. He said, “I certainly get tired a little sooner than I used to in the 90s and early 2000s, but that is all. It is not my intention to retire until the Lord no longer permits me to do what is the call of God upon my life.” All-in-all, we would not have anticipated that such a


major change would have transpired at this stage in our lives, but the Lord knows when we are getting too comfortable and need to learn afresh what it means to trust him all over again.”


8 Fellowship Focus, July/August 2019 FellowshipForward.org Compass Immanuel Finds New Pastor on Site


Trevor Kirsch was recently called to be the lead pastor at Compass Immanuel Church. Te amazing thing was that the pastoral search team did not need to look far. Trevor was right there — and had been for the past 22 years. Trevor has enjoyed his long ministry to youth. He said,


“Bible study is never a chore, and it is so rewarding to watch teens learn and deepen their personal understanding of the Scriptures.” One of the remarkable things about Trevor’s youth group is that most teens who have graduated have gone on to at least one year of Bible college! Part of the reward of ministry has been to watch those teens become adults, estab- lish their own families, and continue in their commitment to the Lord. Pastor Trevor explained that serving as a youth pastor


allowed him to watch a lead pastor in action and to really learn what is involved in being a shepherd. He said, “I learned how to care for people, how much time it takes to really get to know people, and how to prioritize my time. Te benefit of moving into the lead pastor position at Compass is I know people here already, and they know me.” As a part-time youth pastor living 20 minutes away, he


always faced divided interests and limits on his time. Tis po- sition will allow Pastor Trevor to focus more on ministry. He explained, “I am very excited to have one job and one focus. I am excited to have an office at the church and be much more accessible and visible for our people." Trevor came on staff as a part-time youth pastor in 1998


and continued his studies while ministering to the youth. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry from Prairie Bible College in 2007, a Master of Arts in Judeo-Christian Syner- gism from Masters International University of Divinity in 2016, and is currently working toward a Doctor of Arts degree in Teology. Trevor and Twyilla were


married Sept. 18, 1993. Teir three children are grown, and two are married. Te third will attend Millar College of the Bible (Pam- brun, Sask.) in the fall, continuing the tradition of graduating teens at Compass Immanuel. Pastor Trevor began as lead


pastor on May 13. An installation services is being planned for the fall


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