Meet our Lead Pastor candidate.
John Boechat and his family are visiting Prince George November 12 to 17. Read the letter from our Board of Elders, get to know the Boechats, and see where we are in the process.
Dear Westwood Church Family,
After prayerful discernment, interviews, and staff input, the Board of Elders is pleased to support the Lead Pastor Search Team's recommendation to candidate John Boechat for the Lead Pastor position.
John currently serves as a Lead Pastor at a Baptist church in Ontario. He, his wife Paula, and their three young daughters, Olivia, Alice, and Rebecca, will be visiting Prince George from November 12 to 17.
We have two important dates coming up for our church family to learn more and connect with the Boechat family: a Congregational Information Meeting on Sunday, November 8, and Candidating Sunday on November 15.
Stay tuned for further details in the coming weeks. If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to email the Board of Elders at elders@westwoodchurch.ca.
Thank you for your continued prayers and engagement during this exciting new season for Westwood.
Sincerely,
The Westwood Church Board of Elders
Ben, Carol, Rob, Ron, Shirley, Tristan
Mark your calendars
Nov
8
Sun
Sunday, November 8
Congregational Information Meeting
When
7:00 pm
Where
In the Auditorium
What
The Board of Elders will share information about John and provide additional staffing updates.
Nov
15
Sun
Sunday, November 15
Candidating Sunday
Morning Services
9:00 am & 10:45 am
John will share his testimony and preach during both services.
Meet & Greets
10:10 am & 11:55 am · Youth Centre, South Entrance
Join us in the Youth Centre right after each service to connect with the Boechat family and ask John questions.
Questions?The Board of Elders would love to hear from you.
Email the Elders
John Boechat
John currently serves as a Lead Pastor at a Baptist church in Ontario. He and his wife Paula have three young daughters: Olivia, Alice, and Rebecca.
More about John's story, ministry, and family is coming soon. You can meet the Boechats in person on Sunday, November 15.
Currently
Lead Pastor at a Baptist church in Ontario
Family
Wife Paula and daughters Olivia, Alice, and Rebecca
Visiting
Prince George, November 12 to 17
Available to start
Early 2027
The process
Where we are in the process.
From the search team's first interviews to John's possible start date, here's every step, and what's coming next.
Complete
Lead Pastor Search Team interviews
The search team led the interview process.
Complete
Recommended to the Board
The search team recommended John to the Board of Elders.
Complete
Board interview
The Board of Elders interviewed John.
Complete
Meeting with our pastors
John met with the Westwood pastoral staff.
We are here
Board recommends moving forward
The Board of Elders supports the search team's recommendation to candidate John for Lead Pastor.
Sunday, November 8 · 7:00 pm
Congregational Information Meeting
In the Auditorium. The Board of Elders will share information about John and provide additional staffing updates.
Sunday, November 15
Pastor John visits, preaches, and shares his testimony
At both services, 9:00 and 10:45 am, with meet & greets in the Youth Centre after each one.
Date to be announced
Q&A session with the Board
A time to bring your questions to the Board of Elders after John’s visit.
After the Q&A
The Board decides whether to proceed
The Board of Elders will decide on next steps.
With two weeks’ notice
Congregational vote
If the Board decides to proceed, a voting time will be scheduled, with two weeks’ notice to the congregation.
Early 2027
John is available to start
If called, John is available to begin as Lead Pastor in early 2027.