About Willy

Raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Willy made a decision to follow Christ in his late teens.   He graduated from the University of Winnipeg, with majors in both Economics and Administrative Studies, and a minor in Religious Studies.  Willy enjoyed various business ventures over the years but ultimately followed God’s leading into ministry with Youth for Christ.  While this initial probe into full-time ministry was enlightening, Willy wanted to experience ministry in the church and joined Forest Grove Community Church in Saskatoon as an intern, later serving as Pastor, College & Career.  Willy went on to attend the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Fresno, California, graduating with a Masters of Divinity in 1994.  It was at seminary where his vision for culturally-relevant church was born. 

With his vision to establish and grow a culturally-relevant church in south Calgary, Willy and his wife, Gwen, started SunWest Christian Fellowship in June 1995.  Since then he has provided strategic direction to SunWest as the Lead Pastor and has developed a culture of reaching out to friends and inviting them to follow Christ authentically.  

Willy has just finished a two-year term as Moderator of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches    During this time he also served on the Board of Directors of the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary. 

Today, Willy enjoys being a husband and a father to his three boys, including driving them to all of their sporting adventures, as well as leading SunWest to “guide people into authentic relationship with Jesus Christ”.