Bev Sesink, Calvary’s Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care is married to his wife Mandy from South Africa, and has three adult children Timothy (married to Kim), Ruth (married to Dawson) and Stephen (hopes to be married). Tim is the Youth and Young Adults Pastor here at Calvary. His wife Kim is taking her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy through Loma Linda University. Ruth and her husband Dawson work as ministry associates at Kings Fold Retreat Center near Cochrane and Banff. And Stephen is entering his second year of his Bachelor of Theology studies at Vanguard College in Edmonton.
His Story
Bev grew up on the east side of London, Ontario being one of four children of Dutch Roman Catholic immigrant parents. His father Tony, was a landscaper for most of his life in Canada, while his mother Rosie, was a full time homemaker and book keeper of their small business.
Bev has worked in a variety of employments over the years, including landscaping, the Canadian military reserves, forest nursery management, forestry research, scrap metal processing, and for the last fifteen years, he has been a pastor, having served congregations and communities in Penhold, Three Hills, Lacombe, and now Edmonton, all in Alberta.
He received his diploma in Forest Technology from Sir Sandford Fleming College in Lindsay, Ontario and his Masters of Divinity from Prairie Graduate School in Three Hills, Alberta.
Bev’s religious background has spanned a gamut of Christian churches including Roman Catholic, Reformed, Christian Reformed, Inter-denominational, Assemblies of God, Full Gospel Church of God, Baptist, Non-denominational, and Evangelical Free. His involvement with each has often been determined by where he lived in his life journey.
Ministry Life
Serving at Calvary into his twelfth year, Bev oversees and partners with staff and volunteers in a number of church and community ministries which provide pastoral care (care to the spirit, soul, and body). This includes the Benevolent Fund which provides limited financial assistance, the Care Cupboard which makes available food hampers, the Care Closet which provides good quality clothing, the Kids and I single parent program, our Women’s Care ministry, the Men’s Fraternity, Covenant Companions Marriage Ministry, Feed My Sheep, our Hospitality Ministry, LIFE small groups, Ushers and Greeting ministry, etc.
In addition to this, he is part of Calvary’s three person Senior Pastoral Team which oversees the day to day running of our church ministry.
Beyond this Bev is involved in other community organizations such as the Mill Woods Interagency Group, Mill Woods Interfaith forum, etc. He is also into his fourth year as a volunteer at Grace Martin Public School.
Individually, and with his wife Mandy, he ministers to individuals, and couples, experiencing serious personal and relationship challenges. Mandy works as a Parent Educator in the Parents as Teacher program of the Mill Woods Family Resource Centre. This involves supporting parents in their parenting journey. She also ministers in prayer care and counseling to people healing from various life challenges. She is knowledgeable and experienced in the area of trauma and recovery.
As well his involvement in our church and Mill Woods community, Bev continues to take an active interest in interfaith understanding and dialogue and is a member of the Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action.
