Annual Report 2024-2025

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

There are many reasons to give thanks to God this year at Cochrane Alliance Church. While we should give thanks in all circumstances, good or bad, it is great to be able to say we are giving thanks in good circumstances this year. As you will see from this report, there are many areas of our ministry that were thriving this year.

I always think of the ministry year as starting with the pancake breakfast which this year was attended by many people in our community. It seemed many families at the breakfast were new arrivals to Cochrane from other provinces. I really encourage everyone to come out to the pancake breakfast as it is a great place to meet our neighbors and to welcome people to our community and to our church.

We had an ALPHA program this fall that was superbly run by our volunteers and led to a few new people attending this church with regularity and journeying with us. We look forward to continuing ALPHA in the future as it continues to be an excellent way to introduce people to Jesus.

One of our goals for this year was to create a discipleship pathway that would be easily accessible at any time for anyone. Pastor Phil was primarily in charge of this resource and I would encourage people to check out the Grow page on our website to see a variety of resources including podcast episodes. The podcast is available on any podcast platform under the title: Growing Together Cochrane Alliance. 

In addition to these online resources, Pastor Jason put together two half day conferences this year with various speakers addressing multiple topics. I was encouraged to see around 60-70 people at each conference and the speakers were insightful and informative. While this format may change this year, we remain committed to making sure there are multiple opportunities for people to grow in faith, whether they are new to faith or seasoned in their journey. We want to make sure we continue to grow in knowledge and practice of faith.

As the year progressed, we continued to see attendance numbers increase. In particular, it was amazing to see that our Easter Sunday Service continues to grow. Last year we had 1037 in-person and watching online, this year we saw that increase to 1238 people both online and in-person. Easter is always a high attendance Sunday but we saw our attendance numbers stay consistently high throughout the spring with our in-person spring attendance sitting at an average of 675. This is an increase of over 100 people from our average two years ago, this has been encouraging to see but comes with challenges as well.

Some of the growth challenges we are presented with is a parking lot that is quite small for the number of people who are looking to park and Sunday School rooms being at max capacity. In terms of JAM children’s ministry, we have seen explosive growth and another capacity issue is simply needing more volunteers to help in the classrooms on a Sunday morning. These pressure points have led to us exploring a Sunday Afternoon Service option which should launch in the Fall of 2025. 

Along with a growth in attendance, we continue to see a good number of people choose to follow Jesus in baptism. This year we celebrated with 26 individuals who were baptized. We praise God for the work He has done in their lives. In addition to baptisms, we also welcomed 15 individuals as members. 

This year, we also made our first international trip to our new partnership in the city of San Juan, Guatemala with Asuncion Church. While this partnership is technically new, it is also an extension of the partnership we’ve had with Jesús Viene Church and School in San Raymundo, Guatemala for the past 15 years. Asuncion Church is a sister church of Jesús Viene Church and the close proximity makes it quite easy for the churches to work together. 

Our youth team travelled to Guatemala in February and not only was it a blessing for pastors Victor and Abraham and the whole church community there, but it was also a huge blessing for us. We have teenagers coming back ready to serve in many different ways, starting bible studies and encouraging their friends to step up and grow in faith and leadership. This youth trip accomplished far more than we even expected. What a privilege we have to be able to bless both our youth and the people of Asuncion church. 

Our Right Hand Support counselling and mentoring continues to bless our community. Last year, we had to separate the mentoring and counselling parts of Right Hand Support due to a lack of funding. However, with a new model in place, both counselling and mentoring continued this year. 

I want to thank the mentors in the mentoring program for being so faithful to meet with their mentees. This year we have allocated some extra funds towards the mentoring program to make sure it continues. It is hard to capture how effective the mentoring program has been in bringing hope and comfort to some of the most vulnerable people in our community but the stories of lives changed through mentoring have been wonderful to hear. In addition, some of those who came to us for support now consider us their church family.

One of the reasons we can have such a wonderful report this year is because so many of the people in this church step up to serve one another and serve our community in love. We have small group leaders, hospitality team members, worship volunteers, youth leaders, JAM Kids volunteers and so many others who serve together in unity and in love. This makes the church strong and spiritually healthy. I am so grateful for the generosity of time and resources that so many of you contribute to this church. 

As you pray for Cochrane Alliance Church please pray for your board of elders and pastoral staff that we would have wisdom in leading the church. Pray that we, as a church family, would have many opportunities to share the hope we have in Jesus with people in our community. 

We anticipate another great year ahead for our church family!

Brent Rushinka
Lead Pastor

What a great year in our church family! It has been amazing to see how God has worked in and through our worship ministry this year!

We are blessed to have such an incredible group of worship and tech volunteers who serve so faithfully, passionately, and humbly every Sunday. Thank you so much for serving our church family and glorifying Jesus with your time and gifts!

Christmas Eve was special this year as we explored the theme of “Son of God, Son of Man”. We had 988 people who attended Christmas Eve between our three services!

Easter weekend was a highlight for me this year. On Good Friday we had local artist, Mindi Oaten, and her “Behold Him” art collection on the life of Jesus set up around the sanctuary. Kids, teenagers, and adults of all ages got to walk through a visual representation of the gospels and participate in interactive prayer stations. What a meaningful way to reflect upon Jesus’ journey to the cross. 

On Easter Sunday we had 12 people baptized, and many of those were spontaneous baptisms at our 11am service! I know many people felt the tangible presence of the Spirit as he spoke and moved throughout our church family.

This year we also upgraded our sound system and renovated the stage to be more functional, beautiful, and conducive for the future needs of our church. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped make these projects a reality!

I am looking forward to seeing what Jesus will do in our church family this next year!

Phil Morrow
Pastor of Worship & Discipleship

I’m sure there are more academic definitions of discipleship out there, but my favorite one is: growing to be like Jesus together. I have been so encouraged to see how our church family has been growing to be like Jesus this year.

I think of ALPHA in Fall 2024 where we had 12 people journey together over the course of 8 weeks. A huge majority of those who attended ALPHA are actively attending and participating in our church community today!

Our church family has also grown in what it means to practically be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community. This Christmas season we launched our “Tree of Hope” service project to provide for the practical needs of our friends at Helping Hands Cochrane and the Cochrane Pregnancy Care Centre. Thank you to all who donated and participated in blessing our community!

Our first ever Alongside Conference was an incredible day of learning, growing, and equipping our people to love others like Jesus does and care for the needs of many of the “overlooked” people in our community.

We also launched our “Growing Together” Discipleship Pathway to help people grow spiritually on their own, one-on-one, and with others. There are a variety of books, resources, sermons, apps, experiences, and service opportunities available on our website. Pastor Brent and myself also recorded a series of podcast episodes on spiritual practices and foundational questions (What is church? What is worship? What is prayer?). We hope these can be a great resource for anyone looking to grow spiritually.

I am so thankful to be a part of a community that desires to grow closer to Jesus together. Here’s to more in the next ministry  year!

Phil Morrow
Pastor of Worship & Discipleship

This past ministry year has been a season of growing clarity and conviction: living out the mission of God is not a task for a few, but a calling for all of us as the Body of Christ. As Pastor of Leadership Development, my focus has been on equipping and empowering our people to step confidently into that calling.

A major highlight was hosting two Leadership Summits aimed at equipping leaders with essential ministry skills while also inspiring them through connection, vision, and encouragement. These gatherings were grounded in the truth of 2 Corinthians 1:3–5—that God comforts us so we can comfort others. Our goal was not just skill-building, but to form leaders who embody the compassion and presence of Christ in every role they serve. I am incredibly grateful to the many speakers who gave of their time to challenge, disciple and equip people from our church to lead well. 

We also held a series of Ministry Huddles; smaller gatherings for specific leadership groups. Over shared meals and focused training, leaders built relationships and were reminded they are seen, appreciated, and supported. These moments helped cultivate a culture where leadership development is deeply rooted in meaningful connection. I am incredibly grateful to the many people who serve in a variety of ways here at our church and it is my goal for them to always know how much they are valued. 

Additionally, I coached several leaders through the GRIP Birkman assessment process. This powerful tool provided insight into how their natural design, in partnership with the Holy Spirit’s leading, can be used most effectively within ministry and teams. It’s been encouraging to watch leaders grow in clarity and confidence as they discover how God has uniquely wired them.

Altogether, these initiatives have laid a strong foundation for continued growth as we pursue God’s mission—together—as a unified, equipped, and empowered church family.

Jason Dimnik
Pastor of Leadership Development

July 2024 – June 2025 has been another year of growth as we continue to see our numbers in JAM Sundays expand. It takes a large team of adults and youth who are building relationships and pointing kids to Jesus to make JAM Kid’s Ministry effective. How inspiring to see our great team of volunteers investing in the lives of the kids and families as they connect and interact. Those little ‘aha’ moments in JAM classrooms and conversations are incredible! It is equally inspiring to hear of kids and parents integrating faith into their everyday lives. Always on our radar is Partnering with Parents as the primary spiritual influencers in the lives of their kids.

The week in/week out responsibilities in each JAM department have been overseen by our JAM Lead Team (Dan Clark, Melanie Shaw, Gwyn Butler, Amanda Chrabaszcz) with the assistance of Laura Nixon and myself behind the scenes. We have regularly met to update, debrief, troubleshoot and dream together. With the increasing number of kids, we are planning some exciting adaptations to accommodate our growth come fall. Be watching!

What great fun the Christmas season was with the return of Gingerbread Bash for families. Then, of course, our Christmas Musical Heaven & Nature Sing led by Amanda Chrabaszcz and team was a great hit for kids and families. For Easter, our Kid’s Ministry department partnered with our Worship department as we introduced the Behold Him Art Walk complete with awesome interactive stations. It proved to be a very meaningful experience for families.

Who can forget Summer 2024. Josh Walker was our awesome Summer Coordinator assisting in JAM leadership, and our annual Backyard Kid Camps and Soccer Camp. So many kids, so much fun, so many who met Jesus through the relationships, stories and small groups. We had the joy of sending many Kids Bibles home. Pretty cool!

All in all, a great year in JAM, and great anticipation as we embark on a new year of possibility and initiatives! It will be exciting to see what God will do as we partner with Him!

Donna Hernandez
Pastor of Children, Community & Connection

Overseeing the Community, Connection ministry at Cochrane Alliance is a great blessing. It is truly a privilege to mingle and connect with many new people in our midst who are looking to find a place where they can belong. How awesome to meet people, to hear their stories and to help them find a group or place to serve. However, it takes a team to welcome people well! We have a warm, hospitable group of volunteers (ushers, greeters, welcome team) who extend a hand of invitation to come and be a part of Cochrane Alliance Church.

Small Groups are one way that we reach beyond surface level relationships and deepen our care for one another in a meaningful way. It is called koinonia – co-ownership and deep responsibility that the body of Christ has for each other’s spiritual growth, health, and discipleship (Connelly, A Field Guide for Genuine Community). At the end of our 24/25 year Small Group ‘koinonia’ is going strong with 27 active groups and approximately 250 participants. It is fantastic to hear stories of the nurturing environments and connections that are happening in our small groups. There is a steady stream of interest in small groups through connection cards or online forms; 40+ people this year. Most have found a home in one of our existing groups. We have introduced 4 new small groups this year and hope to increase this to meet the interest. 

It’s been good to connect with our Small Group and Hospitality Leadership Teams this past year to be together and debrief. The shared heart for these areas of ministry is supported and encouraged as we connect in teams. We truly have amazing teams and look to increase our numbers. As we move into a new ministry year, may we continue to grow in our desire and practice to be a place where we “love people as they are and welcome them with open arms.” (Cochrane Alliance Ministry Value)

Donna Hernandez
Pastor of Children, Community & Connection

This year was marked by a number of firsts for me, as well as for the students and leaders of Cochrane Alliance Youth. We had our first sleep-away retreats at River's Edge in the Fall and High School Retreat at Camp Chamisall in the Spring. There were NO emergency services called during any of our events which is drastically different from last year (hallelujah!). We had a number of new leaders volunteering with us for the first time, many of whom are amazing parents of students. 

In February, a team of 25 - 14 students and 11 adults - spent 10 days rekindling our relationship with Jesus Viené Church in San Raymundo, Guatemala, and building new and lasting connections with Iglesia Evangelica Asuncion in Chivoc. The team did an incredible job serving and meeting the practical needs of the community through home visits that included large food hampers, and a time of prayer for the families. They also had the opportunity to share their stories of how Jesus is transforming their lives, and encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ. We spent several days on the construction site building walls and demolishing others, as well as providing two days of VBS to the Chivoc community and a sports day for the school kids in Jesus Viené. On our last night, we spent the evening celebrating with Jesus Viené Church as Pastor Victor was honoured for his dedication by the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Guatemala, and received what we would recognize as his ordination. We, Cochrane Alliance, were also honoured as faithful partners of Jesus Viené for our 15 years of service, prayer, and support. We look forward to a second trip to Guatemala in February of 2026, so keep your eyes peeled for ways to support our team.

On a personal note, I am deeply honoured and humbled to have passed my licensing and accreditation interview in October, granting me the full title of Pastor. Having grown up at Cochrane Alliance, it still feels surreal to be in this position, and I have such a deep respect for the responsibility that I have been entrusted with. I look forward to continuing to serve this Family as I move forward into a full time position.

Stacey Morris
Pastor of Youth Ministries

Although I am supposed to be “retired”, I have found great satisfaction to still be actively
involved in People Care Ministries. For me, People Care Ministries include our Heritage
Seniors, Grief Share support group, part-time chaplaincy in our five Calgary hospitals and 4 long term care facilities, counselling as well as weddings, baptisms and funerals.

Our Heritage Seniors group continues to grow as they connect with other seniors for fellowship, social events and seminars and workshops. This past year, we had three suppers/banquets which included our Fall Supper, Christmas Banquet and our International Food Festival. We also hosted our annual Christmas Tea for residents from our long-term care facilities here in Cochrane.

I have also maintained my counseling practice which reached out to people facing a wide range of needs and issues. I met with four couples and 36 one-on-one office sessions. I also counseled 10 people on the phone.

I have served as a part time chaplain at Bethany Care, The Hawthorne, Grande Avenue Village
and Trinity Lodge (Calgary) where I held 14 monthly chapel services. I also made 15 hospital
visits to our Calgary hospitals.

It was encouraging to serve our church family and community families by officiating at four
funerals. I also had the joy of baptizing two of our seniors!   

Larry Charter
People Care

We exist to connect people with Jesus so the world thrives.

BELONG. GROW. SERVE.

Sunday September 28, 2025 | 1:30pm

1. Call to Order - Blaine Ellerby

2. Adoption of Agenda

3. Devotion and Opening Prayer - Brent Rushinka

4. Welcome to New Church Members - Brent Rushinka

5. Adoption of the Minutes:

   • Annual General Meeting of September 22, 2024

6. Reports

   • Lead Pastor - Brent Rushinka

   • Board of Elders - Blaine Ellerby

7. Report of the Nominating Committee - Brent Rushinka

8. Election of Elders

9. Report of the Treasurer - Don Neufeld

   • 2024-2025 Financial Statements

   • 2025-2026 Budget

10. Results of Vote of the Election of Elders

    • Destroy Ballots

11. Closing Prayer - Simon Ongom

12. Adjournment - Blaine Ellerby

We will have a time of concentrated prayer immediately following the official adjournment of the meeting.

This past year has been a testament to God’s unwavering faithfulness and the steady commitment of our church leadership and you, the congregation. As I reflect on our past year's journey, I recognize the quiet strength that comes from walking in obedience. Through this past season of celebration, the Board of Elders have remained anchored in prayer, discernment, and unity—ensuring that decisions made are rooted in Scripture and guided by the Spirit. We’ve been greatly blessed and have seen the hand of God shaping us for His purpose.

Fruitfulness in the mission has been evident across every ministry and outreach initiative. From local service projects to global partnerships, we’ve witnessed lives touched, hearts transformed, and communities strengthened. Our youth and children’s ministries have grown in depth and engagement, while our worship and teaching have continued to nourish the spiritual lives of our members. The generosity of you, our church family—through time, skills, and resources, has enabled us to expand our reach and respond to needs with compassion and conviction. These fruits are not ours alone - they are the evidence of God working through us! Thank you for your service and giving!

A special thank-you goes out to our pastors, administrative staff, and the many volunteers who serve so faithfully. Your dedication, energy, and love for the church have been instrumental in every step of this journey. Whether preaching, organizing, praying, or simply showing up to serve—your work matters deeply, and we are grateful. As we look ahead, may we continue to walk faithfully and bear fruit that lasts, for the glory of God and the good of His people. 

I want to give thanks to God for the incredible team I’ve had the privilege to serve alongside on the Board of Elders: Brent, Adam, Cam, Don, Gwyn, Jamine, and Simon. Each one has brought unique gifts, steady leadership, and a deep commitment to the life of our church.

I also want to express my sincere appreciation to Adam Braun, Dave Anger, and Simon Ongom as they step down from their roles on the board. These men have led with humility, discernment, and a profound love for the body of Christ. Their faithful service has left a lasting impact and helped shape the spiritual foundation we continue to build upon. I am deeply grateful for all they’ve poured into our community.

Please continue to uphold the pastoral staff, office staff, and Board of Elders as we faithfully serve the Lord and you at Cochrane Alliance Church in the year ahead.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5 (NIV)

Thank you, and may God richly bless each one of you!

Sincerely,

Blaine Ellerby
Chair of the Board of Elders

Nominations for Board of Elders

3-year Term:    

Ken Morris
Brett Hiebert
Sam Kuperis

Current Members:     

Blaine Ellerby
Don Neufeld
Cam Hiebert
Gwyn Butler
Jamine Souza

Nominations for Congregational Reps

Lauren Hiebert
Cory Lappala

From Constitution: 
Article XV – Elections 

…The Nominating Committee shall present and post, at least two Sundays prior to the annual meeting, one name for each office to be filled. Other nominations, if any, shall be made in writing, signed by two members in good standing, and filed with the chairman of the nominating committee for posting before the public services on the Sunday prior to the annual meeting.

From Bylaws of Cochrane Alliance Church: Article IV - Board of Elders 

Elders shall be elected to a term not exceeding three years. A three year term is defined as beginning at the AGM when the elder is elected and ending at the AGM three years hence.  An elder can serve on the board for a maximum of two consecutive terms after which they must step off the board for a minimum of one year.

Nominating Committee:

Brent Rushinka, Chairperson
Melanie Shaw, Congregational Rep
Brett Hiebert, Congregational Rep
Blaine Ellerby, Board of Elders Rep
Cam Hiebert, Board of Elders Rep

* Click links above to find out more about our current Elders and Nominees.

It is my pleasure to present the financial report for Cochrane Alliance Church for the past fiscal year. Once again, we have experienced a strong year of faithful giving—a cause for genuine celebration and gratitude.

We are deeply thankful for the excellent pastoral and support staff God has provided, and for the many volunteers who continue to sacrificially give their time and resources. Their faithful service allows us to impact our community with God’s love. As your Board, we are humbled to serve this congregation. To God be all the glory.

Financial Summary

Giving to both the General Fund ($1,220,679) and Capital Fund ($125,001) remained strong throughout the year. Our Capital Fund contributions have consistently met projections. As a result, we have continued to meet our monthly loan obligations to the Western Canadian District of the Christian & Missionary Alliance. The loan balance stands at $1.6 million, and we are making regular monthly payments of $20,000 toward principal and interest. At this rate, the loan is projected to be fully repaid by the year 2033.

We’ve seen a growing number of individuals and organizations from our community choosing to rent our facility for their events. Rental revenue has increased from $34,225 in the 2023/2024 fiscal year to $40,924 this past year—a rise of nearly 20%. While this added income is a welcome contribution to our finances, even more significant is the opportunity it gives us to bless our community and live out our church’s vision by extending hospitality and influencing others toward Jesus Christ.

Ministry and Program Support

Right Hand Support (RHS) Program
The RHS Program is a Christian counseling ministry that addresses the growing mental health needs within our community. Through RHS, individuals can access low-cost or free professional counseling and Christian mentorship.

Robin McColl and Jordan Bell from our congregation serve as the principal counselors and program leads. To date, RHS has supported over 180 clients/mentees and has trained more than 40 Christian mentors from Cochrane Alliance and other local churches.

In recognition of its value, the Board approved funding of $1,000 per month to support the mentorship aspect of the program in the upcoming fiscal year. Additionally, our church’s Benevolent Fund has been used to assist clients when appropriate.

Will & Estate Planning Seminar
In March, the Board sponsored a Will & Estate Planning Seminar in partnership with Advisors with Purpose, a faith-based organization that helps individuals create estate plans aligned with their faith and values. The event was well received, and we hope to offer similar seminars in the future.

Employee Handbook Revision
This year, a Board subcommittee completed a thorough revision and expansion of the church’s Employee Handbook. The committee consisted of Dave Anger (Elder), Lance Clark (Finance Committee), and myself (Don Neufeld). The updated handbook was gratefully received by the Board and will serve as a helpful resource for church staff going forward.

Summer Student Support

In light of Pastor Donna’s summer sabbatical, the Board approved the hiring of two summer students. They provided valuable help with Backyard Clubs, Athletes in Action Camps, and JAM preparations for both summer and fall.

Capital and Maintenance Improvements

Thanks to our giving surplus, several important improvements were made this year:

• Sanctuary Platform Upgrades – Renovations to the front platform, overseen by Phil Morrow, included enhancements to curtains, drums, and overall acoustics. A significant investment was made in new speakers and other sound equipment.
• Accessibility Enhancements – Handicap-accessible door openers were installed in the main floor washrooms, fulfilling our commitment to make the building fully accessible.

Appreciation

I want to express sincere thanks to our Finance Committee for their faithful oversight of our church’s financial affairs. The committee consists of: Pastor Brent Rushinka, Daniel Souza, Brenda Heavenor, Lance Clark, & Don Neufeld (myself).

A special word of gratitude goes to Daniel Souza, our Church Financial Manager, who manages our accounts each week with excellence, diligence, and integrity.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve Cochrane Alliance Church in this role over the past year. We have much to celebrate, and with faith-filled hearts, we look forward to what God has in store for the year ahead.

Respectfully submitted, 

Don Neufeld
Treasurer of the Board of Elders

Includes complete 2024/25 financial statements, 2025/2026 proposed budget and more.