Hello! I am Pastor Ben Wimmers, and I am looking forward to being a part of the community at Living Hope CRC as the Pastor of Youth and Family. I want to take a moment to introduce myself. Kristina and I have been married for just over three years and welcomed our daughter Eleanor into our lives on June 7th, 2022. We also have an Australian Shepherd named Winnie who does her best to keep us outside and active! As a family, we enjoy exploring the food, drink, and art scene wherever we are. You can find us with a latte in hand, poking around shops filled with local goods.

I grew up in Burlington Ontario where I attended New Street CRC as well as Christian education through to Grade 12. My journey from high school onward has been a winding one. I have spent a few years with Youth With A Mission (Iceland, Russia, and Sweden) before finishing my Bachelor of Science at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. I studied at McMaster Divinity College for my Master of Divinity. While at seminary, I combined my undergraduate studies with my graduate learning to write my thesis on a biblical response to climate change. Throughout my studies, Hamilton became my new home as I fell in love with the art, music, and food scene and growing in excitement for what God was doing with his church in the city.

When I am not in my study, I can be found exploring local trails and hikes (always with Winnie) or sipping a latte at the local café. I also love all things Middle-Earth, so much so that I play a miniature wargame fashioned after Tolkien’s works. As I get settled into my space at church, you may notice a few recognizable characters decorating the space (hand-painted by yours truly).

I am excited to be your Pastor of Youth and Family. I have worked with youth from Sunday School ages all the way up to university campus ministry. I look forward to seeing the ways that the generations of the church can help each other grow in love of God and in meaningful discipleship. I have a deep love for the Reformed tradition and am eager to bring this worldview into all that I do and teach. God is up to something great in Abbotsford, and I am excited to be a part of his kingdom building here.