The CBWC is delighted to welcome Brent Weick as our new Youth Director.
As a part-time Youth Director, Brent will be encouraging and strengthening the youth ministries of local CBWC churches by helping organize our annual SERVE mission – this year we’re going to Cowichan Bay, July 6-12 – and working with members of the Youth Leadership Team. He will be also be liaising with youth leaders at the national level and at the international level he will be involved in the Baptist World Alliance Youth Congress scheduled for 2018.
“I am so excited and humbled to be the new Youth Director. I have big shoes to fill and want to thank those who have gone before me who have laid a solid groundwork”, says Brent. “Working with youth, young adults and families over the years has stretched me and kept me on my toes. God has constantly led me to youth ministry, training and equipping. I think I am my best when I rely on God to do His work in me so I can then serve Him better. Sounds corny … but it’s true.”
Brent has been in youth ministry for more than 20 years, serving in camping ministries as well as being a Youth Pastor in three churches. Recently, he has served as an Addictions and Prevention Counselor in local public schools and has been a volunteer prison chaplain. While not working as the CBWC’s Youth Director, he serves as Dean of Students and Program Director for the Youth Ministry and Pastoral Leadership degree at Christ College in Surrey. He is a pastoral presence on campus and teaches a full load of classes such as: Pastoral Ministry, Youth Work Essentials, Growing Healthy Churches, Youth Culture and Communications, Missional Living, Preaching, Youth Issues, Prison Ministry Team and Youth Integration.
“In many cases, our youth workers may be feeling very alone and isolated,” Brent says. “Because of my experience, Youth Pastors can know that I not only understand, from an experience standpoint, but I also struggle alongside of them and can walk with them. I too, have students in my office, many of whom struggle with the similar issues that youth pastors see in their ministry. I also work on a staff and know what it means to lead and serve on a team and to navigate the complexities that we encounter in a Christian workplace as well.”
“Bottom line: I want youth workers to know that they are not alone. I am still in youth ministry today and can relate to what they are going through. I want to be their advocate and a shoulder to lean on when it seems that no one else may be able to listen or care,” Brent says.
Brent has been married to his wife, Grace, a middle school teacher, for almost 20 years. They have two children, Taelor and Parker. A Bible verse that has been very special to the family and guided them through the years is Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…in all your ways acknowledge HIM and He will make your paths straight!
We are very pleased to welcome Brent to the CBWC team. Brent works about 8 hours a week for the CBWC as our Youth Director, usually on Thursdays. You can reach him at bweick@cbwc.ca.