New Westminster Evangelical Free Church

 Elder Emeritus - Rev. Jacob Friesen
 jacfries@shaw.ca

During his senior year in High School, pastor Friesen was the uncontested top student in his class. He was the only student! It is for much the same reason that he was senior pastor at New West! Because of the nature of our church, you might say he is also literally 'associate', since he shuttled ministry in two languages with two different people groups. One, Japanese, the other English speaking..

Jacob's exposure to things Japanese happened during his some thirty five years in missionary service in Japan, where he served with TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission), in evangelism and church planting; along with his wife Junko who joined him during his fourth year of service there. They married in 1959, when she also became Jacob's 'lingui-cultural mentor! They have two sons and a daughter, all completely bilingual, married with children. Pastor and Mrs. Friesen have five grandchildren.

Jacob was born to God-fearing albeit non-Christian Mennonite parents. The Lord would change that when the middle child of eight, gave her life to Christ. She became the fulcrum that turned the tide and over a period of several years, the entire family of ten received Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord of their lives. All but one of the eight, would go on to Bible Institutes and Colleges to study God's Word. Given that experience and background, a simple but deep rooted regard for the Bible as God's unerring Word to man, still serves to inspire and impassion pastor Friesen to a Bible centred life style and a ministry of reconciliation that would draw people of every tongue and nation to know Jesus personally and to practice Him publicly.

 Elder Emeritus - Rev. Jack Wilson
 jack.ruth@shaw.ca

Jack was born to a farming family near Biggar, Saskatchewan, December 7, 1930. In 1941, his family moved to BC and settled in Burnaby, about three blocks from our church. All Jack's early schooling was at Edmonds Secondary and South Burnaby High School.

Jack went to see Pastor William (Bill) Johnson in October 1950 to enquire as to how he could become a missionary. It was at this time Pastor Johnson showed Jack his real need and led him to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Pastor Johnson was the founding pastor of this church. After accepting Christ as Savior, Jack's desire to become a missionary never left him.

Jack attended Prairie Bible Institute and graduated in 1957. During the summer months, while attending college, Jack worked with the Canadian Sunday School Mission and, with four other young men, cleared land and started a Bible camp which is now the Ness Lake Bible Camp of Prince George. In the summer of 1953, Jack helped in the construction of the first building which in now the Prince George EFC. Jack married Ruth Graham of White Rock, BC, in April, 1957, and they began a life together with the motto, "Exalting His Name together". After graduation, Jack served a short time as assistant to Rev. Cliff Dietrick in the Prince George EFC. Later, for a short time, he pastored the EFC in Clearwater, BC.  Jack and Ruth then moved to Chetwynd, BC, and started the Chetwynd EFC serving in that church for three years. From there Jack and Ruth went to Borneo, Indonesia, and served as missionaries for the next 25 years. After retiring from active service Jack has served in this, his home church, where he has been a member since his conversion in 1950.

Jack and Ruth have been blessed with five wonderful children (now adults) and eighteen precious Grandchildren.