Pastor Andrew Rutledge
Youth Pastor
Andrew came to Centennial Park in April of 2006. He has served as a lead youth worker since 1998 at both urban and rural churches. He speaks at conferences and churches across Ontario. He is a writer serving on the CBOQ curriculum writing team. He currently serves as the Producer of Blizzard, a weekend high school retreat held at Muskoka Woods Sports Resort. He is married to Christiane and has four wonderful kids.
Here is a short bio in Andrew's words:
"I was born
at East York
General
Hospital in the city of Toronto. From the beginning of my life God has
had His hand in it. There was some uncertainty as to whether or not I
would survive the Group B Strep blood infection I contracted during
birth. However, God, in His infinite grace, brought me through it.
I was born
into a Christian home. My
grandmother was my first Sunday school teacher and laid the foundation
for my faith. I accepted the Lord when I was 5, was baptized at
Bramalea Baptist when I was 10 and rededicated myself to the Lord at
Pitch and Praise shortly before my 16th birthday. My father (who
is currently pastoring at Avenue Road Baptist Church in Cambridge,
Ontarioi>) has been a key
influence in my spiritual growth.
Coming out
of High School I had dedicated myself to becoming a Veterinarian. After
a year of study at Emmanuel
Bible College in Kitchener I entered my BSc. in Animal Biology at the
University of Guelph. At the same time I began serving at Youth
Director at KW Christian Fellowship. This was to be the start of God's
call in my life.
As
that
first year progressed it became
very clear to me that vet medicine was just a hobby. I enjoyed the
studies but it was obvious that my real passion in life was youth
ministry. I left university after one year and returned to Emmanuel
where I subsequently completed my Bachelor of Theology in Youth
Ministry.
During my studies I served as a Youth Sponsor at Breslau EMC for one year and as the Youth Director at KWCF for two years. Christiane and I have served together as Youth Directors at KWCF for two additional years, as youth sponsors at Royal City EMC for one year and Youth Pastor at Plattsville EMC for three years.
Christiane Heigenhauser and I were married in May of 2002. She serves as my partner in ministry, a mentor to our teen girls, and the church's Director of Children's Ministries. Christiane is also a Manager of Customer Service for TD Canada Trust. We have three boys (Isaiah, Cian, Emerson) and a daughter (Kianna).
We have
been blessed to be serving
here at Centennial Park since 2006 and look to a wonderful
future for our family and our church.
God is good! He has taught us to rely on Him
alone. He has always provided and has cared for our every need, no
matter how insignificant it has seemed to us.
If you have any
questions, concerns, comments or needs please feel free to e-mail me
through our contacts
page.
