Leadership
Fair Havens Ministries is led by an enthusiastic leadership team that God has brought together from various walks of life. God Himself is CEO of this organization and we are privileged to play our different roles in this dynamic and fulfilling team.
John Friesen serves as our Executive Director and reports to the National Board of the Associated Gospel Churches of Canada. Graduating with a degree in Leisure Studies isn't something many people like to publicize, however, for John this has been the springboard for a diversity of experiences from managing the operations of a large theme park to a role as international consultant for the tourism industry and most recently in serving as our Executive Director. These experiences have given John an understanding of the challenges and joys of leading visionary ministry programming while at the same time managing all the day to day business of camp and conference operations. John has also served for many years on the board of Christian Camping International/Canada (CCI/Canada) and currently oversees their National Events Committee. John's passion is to use his God-given gifts in helping ministry organizations, not just survive but THRIVE. He is a great believer in sharing resources among ministry and business organizations for more effective and efficient Kingdom impact for the glory of God and His priorities. Both John and his wife Lisa thoroughly enjoy life with the five wonderful, high energy children who inhabit their household ("where have those kids gotten to again dear?").
Contact John at jfriesen@fairhavens.org
Gord Hiscox has led the maintenance and site development initiatives for almost 40 years! He is the longest serving member on the team and is currently our Facilities Director. You could say that what he doesn't know about our facility isn't worth knowing. He is an ordained pastor with the Associated Gospel Churches and not only provides direction to the maintenance team but is a spiritual advisor to the staff and serves on the Executive Team in helping set the direction for the ministry. Gord is also heavily involved on the board at the adjacent Fair Havens Community Church. He and his wife Marilyn enjoy time together in the outdoors. Gord also plays with trains and is expanding his hobby in photography.
Liz Thompson is our Managing Director. God led Liz to this ministry after training her for many years in the corporate training world of Bell Canada as well as helping to manage her husband's (John) business in telecommunications. Her strength is in building focused and competent teams to provide outstanding guest service in the day to day operations in the office, food services, guest services and retail. Liz also serves on the Executive Team in providing direction on the big picture decisions of the ministry.
Stan Coates recently came on board as Maintenance Manager. A giant of a man, in physical stature as well as in his good-natured spirit! Stan previously was President of Coates Fuels in Newmarket for over 19 years. We are pleased to have him on board, learning all the tricks of the trade when it comes to maintaining this beautiful facility.
Benita Lothian is our most recent addition to the management team, joining us in April 2008 as our Backoffice Manager, responsible for our book keeping and internal financial control and reporting systems.
Mark Mertens, our Food Services Manager, is our Head Chef and leads a team of cooks who consistently deliver sumptuous meals in our dining rooms.
Glenn Gillespie keeps the public areas, meeting rooms and accommodations clean and looking sharp as he leads a team of staff and volunteers as the Guest Services Supervisor. By night he is also a busy piano tuner.
Allan Baxter has been involved with our Stepping Stones Discipleship Experience since its formalized inception and serves as its current Program Director.
Brian MacTavish has been leading our Outdoor Christian Education program for more than 20 years and is a highly competent curriculum developer and program instructor in his favourite field of interest – God’s creation!
Jonathan Groenewegen is the genius behind the technology innovations that makes Fair Havens a uniquely IT supported organization. He is the perfect gift to us in this age where technology, properly harnessed, can enhance the effectiveness of any organization. We love having him on board as our IT Services Manager.
