Doug Schneider | Senior Pastor
Dr. Doug A. Schneider gives aggressive leadership to The Embassy Church in Oshawa (Eastern suburb of Toronto, Canada).
Along with leadership in his region, he also travels extensively. His international influence gives hope and brings transformational change to cities and nations.
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Rick Busse | Executive Pastor
Pastor Rick has been serving The Embassy since October 2003 as the Executive Pastor overseeing various departments and staff. His time is given to directing Embassy School of Ministry, leadership and church growth.
Rick enjoys sports, coffee, home renovating and in particular spending time with the two most beautiful gifts from God, his wife Lisa and their daughter Sofia. Lisa and Rick live in Courtice, Ontario.
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Laura Jones | Children's Ministry
Laura and her husband Andrew joined the pastoral staff of The Embassy in May 2005. Laura began full time children's ministry in 1996. Prior to ministering at The Embassy she was a part of a church plant in Brampton and from there went on to minister at a church in Toronto for over 8 years.
As a child Laura gave her life to the Lord and it is her desire to see other children come to know their creator in a real and personal way!She believes that children can know God and experience His power in their lives.
Laura and Andrew also have 3 children of their own.Ethan, Elijah and Hannah bring so much joy to their lives!As a family they are thrilled to be a part of such a dynamic and vibrant church!
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Derek Schneider | This Generation
Pastor Derek Schneider gives vision and leadership direction to Embassy This Generation, one of the largest and most influential ministries for young adults in Canada. Pastor Derek believes that the key to young adult ministry today is to give young people a mission and mandate directed towards church reformation, and ultimately the transformation of society. Though Pastor Derek is a sought after speaker for young adult ministries and events, his influence and leadership is recognized and received on a multi-generational level across Canada, and in other countries of the world.
Derek has seen hundreds of people saved, healed, set free from a life of sin and bathed in the glory of God. His life and ministry centers around a belief in not only the demonstration of power and miracles, but also, that the principles of the Kingdom of God have the answers to the problems of society.
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Craig Canning | Special Events
Pastor Craig Canning joined the staff of The Embassy in September of 2002. Previous to that, he traveled full-time with Reality Outreach Ministries producing the well-known evangelistic outreach, “Heaven’s Gates / Hell’s Flames”.
Married to his beautiful wife of over 25 years, Lisa, Craig is also blessed with two young adult sons: Chris and Matthew.
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Brian Devitt | Care and Growth
Pastor Brian Devitt has served The Embassy as a part-time pastor for over 10 years. He provides leadership to Care and Growth Ministries, and personal counseling.
Brian has served in several areas of pastoral ministry in other churches in Oshawa for more than 25 years. He has been ordained for 22 years and worked with many pastors of other churches on community-wide events and outreaches.
In addition to pastoral responsibilities, he has served the Region of Durham Health Department as the Director of Environmental Health from 1982 to 2000 when he retired.
Brian’s desire is to see people trained up to serve others effectively in whatever area they are gifted and interested. He has been married to Diane for over 45 years and has two married daughters, two fine son-in-laws and 4 wonderful grandchildren.
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John Brooks | Care and Growth
John, with his beautiful wife and best friend, Marilyn ( an R.N. as well as a gifted speaker/teacher and singer), first attended The Embassy in January, 2007. They knew immediately that they were ‘home’ in a vibrant atmosphere where people are loved and Jesus is truly Lord!
John and Marilyn are Bible School graduates and are both ordained ministers of the Gospel of Christ.
In 2006, John retired from his government job and he and Marilyn left their positions as Assistant Pastors at a church in Toronto. They volunteered in various capacities at The Embassy and, in January, 2010, John was asked to serve as part of Care and Growth Ministries under the leadership of Pastor Brian Devitt.
John is honoured to be part of a staff—pastoral and otherwise—where the vision of the Senior Pastor is unanimously shared and where the love of Jesus reaching out to the congregation and beyond is readily apparent.
Ford Quinlan | Life Groups
Ford is responsible for training and developing Life Group Leaders, developing and/or selecting resource material and setting up groups in selected homes. Ford is happily married to Sylvia (36+ years) with two delightful and now married daughters, Cindy (Archie) and Charlene (Stephen) and two brilliant grand-sons.
Ford retired from the Nuclear Industry in 2007 after nearly 40 years of service in various levels of management and joined Embassy staff part-time in September 2007. Ford graduated in May 2008 with a Masters of Theological Studies degree from Tyndale University and Seminary.
Matt Robinson | Music
Matt graduated from Eastern Pentecostal Bible College in April 2001 and joined the staff at The Embassy 4 days later. Throughout the past couple of years he has given leadership to various ministries. Currently, he is the worship director for the Church as well as for the Young Adult Ministries department. Matt has had the privilege of leading worship at various district events and a few events in the United States. His musical gifting comes from years of piano lessons while growing up, and of course singing in many church choirs! Matt is a husband to Tarrah and a father to three beautiful girls Taylor, Alexandra and Ashley.
Andrew Jones | Student Ministries
Andrew and his wife Laura joined the pastoral staff of The Embassy in 2005. Previous to that Andrew was the Jr. High Pastor at Agincourt Pentecostal Church in Toronto for 7 years. Currently, Andrew is the Sr. High School Pastor. Andrew is a fun, energetic and crazy guy. Andrew is a worshiper, and he loves to encourage others to become worshipers in every area of their lives. His desire is to see young people come to know the Lord in a real, life changing, and personal way.
Andrew and Laura have two sons, Ethan, Elijah and a daughter named Hannah. They are a bundle of energy just like their Dad.
Ruth Smith | Executive Assistant & Women's Ministry
Ruth Smith has been on staff at The Embassy since May 2003. However, The Embassy is not a new place for her as she attended Community for her Internship while attending Eastern Pentecostal Bible College (now known as Masters College and Seminary). Ruth comes to The Embassy from another local assembly where she ministered for 12 years under different portfolios such as Women’s Pastor, Pastoral Care and Young Adult Pastor.
Ruth ’s heart and prayer is as Ephesians 1:18-19 says. “that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.”
She is anticipating great and exciting things from and for God as “we at The Embassy and those of the Durham Region grow together as we grow in Christ”.
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Heather Reilly | Office Manager
Heather isn’t a new face around here — actually she grew up at The Embassy! She started working here in 1997 and is currently involved in the financial and general operations of the church.
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Heather Hernden | Church Secretary
Heather Hernden works 3 days a week in the church office, as well as providing support to the Children's Ministries Department in the Pre-School Department. Heather encourages others to discover the joy of volunteering- it enriches both your life and the lives you touch!
Amy Persaud | Receptionist
Amy Persaud came to Oshawa to attend Durham Masters Commission. After completing her year at Master’s, she proceeded to get an education in Office Administration at Durham College. She came on office staff here at The Embassy in January 2004.
Amy is married to Chris and in February of 2009 welcomed their daughter Madison.
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Shandy Wheaton | Receptionist
Shandy Wheaton has served The Embassy in many ways for numerous years. She has provided both temporary reception relief and covered maternity leave. She now works 2 days a week as receptionist among many other areas of work.
Shandy has served in several areas for a number of years including Reception, Custodial, and Nursery ministry. Shandy enjoys being a part of The Embassy Church which she calls family.
Among the areas she is involved with at The Embassy, Shandy is also a part of Durham House Of Prayer (Dhop). They meet every Thursday all day for Harp & Bowl style Worship. Shandy has a passion for Worship and Prayer, and leading others into His Presence. Some things that Shandy likes to do in her spare time are: reading, writing and spending time with family and friends.
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