Ben and Jenna Mathew
Ben, a native of Hamilton, spent his early years at West Fifth Bible Chapel. He began his journey of faith there and his desire to serve the Lord awakened by his involvement in AWANA, Sunday School and Youth Group.
Ben received his B.S. degree in Biblical studies from Emmaus Bible College and continued his graduate work at Dallas Theological Seminary, where he earned an M.A. in Biblical counselling. He is a licensed Mental Health Counsellor in the state of Iowa. Today he is a professor in Biblical Counselling department, as well as director of Counselling Services in the Student Services department, at Emmaus.
Ben’s partner in life, Jenna, was born in Illinois but grew up in the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada from the age of four. A born again believer, she was involved in a number of ministries including Jr. Church, Camp Ministries and Church outreach. After her family moved to Dubuque, Iowa she entered the Elementary Education degree program at Emmaus Bible College and received her B.S. in Elementary Education and Bible in May of 2001. She taught various positions in Dubuque, IA, Nashville, TN and Dallas, TX, before deciding to return to Dubuque to work in the public school system there.
In June 2003, Ben and Jenna were married. Today, they live in Dubuque, IA with their children Elias, Zachary and Ainsely. They are involved in various ministries while Ben speaks at numerous churches, camps and conferences across North America.
Colin and Natalie Burnett
Colin Burnett immigrated to Canada with his parents from Scotland. The family settled in Burlington, Ontario. The Burnett family attended the Shoreacres Bible Chapel, where Colin met Natalie MacDonald. Colin and Natalie were married in 1986 and the Lord has blessed them with 3 daughters: Vanessa, Ashley and Jessica. Both Colin and Natalie were saved in their youth. They also both discovered they had a keen interest in sharing the gospel. Following their marriage, they moved to Hamilton and were in fellowship at West Fifth Bible Chapel.
In 1990, West Fifth Bible Chapel commended Colin and Natalie to the work of the Lord in Zambia. In 1992 this was changed to the Lord’s work in Hamilton, Ontario and changed again in 1999 to the work of the Lord in Ireland. From 1992 to 1999, Colin was involved in street ministry and this led to the start of The Olive Branch Ministry in downtown Hamilton. This work continues to this day.
A verse that has been precious to Colin & Natalie throughout their various ministries is Hebrews 13:5 … For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Since 1999 Colin and Natalie and their family have lived in Newcastle West, Ireland and have been working to bring the gospel to the people of Ireland.
Don and Beth Cox
In December of 1959, Don and Beth Cox left family, friends and a potentially lucrative career as a Chiropractor to serve our Lord in the province of Quebec.
They spent the first fourteen years in Drummondville, teaching and strengthening the assembly there after first receiving language training and introduction to the French Canadian culture. During the next fifteen years, the Lord led them to serve in a number of locations (Ste-Anne-des-Monts, Cap-de-la-Madeleine and Ste-Foy) teaching, shepherding, church planting and summer camp work. In 1988 they settled in Jonquiere where they currently reside. The work has not been easy. There have been many times of hardship, distress and tears, but the Lord has been with them through it all.
Don and Beth have four children and fifteen grandchildren (at last count!) All of their sons are active in assembly fellowship – David and Kevin are in Jonquiere, Tim in Stratfordville, ON. Their beloved daughter Carolynn was tragically killed on an icy highway in the Laurentian Mountains in 1993, and is now in absent from the body but present with the Lord.
Don and Beth have faithfully served the Master now for over fifty years and show no signs of slowing down! They continue to help in many smaller assemblies, organize Seed Sower projects across Quebec, speak at conferences across Canada and serve on MSC and Conseils et Services Missionnaires committee boards.
It has been the privilege of West Fifth Bible Chapel to partner with Don and Beth in their ministry – and share in what the Lord has done and is still doing through them.
Paul and Melonie Robertson
Paul and Melonie Robertson were both privileged to be born and raised in Christian families. They thank the Lord for His divine providence in bringing them into this situation. Melonie came to know the Lord at the age of 9 and Paul at the age of 12.
Paul’s initial working experiences were in Southern Ontario. Eventually he found himself working in Saint John, New Brunswick where he met Melonie at a local assembly. They married in 1996 and have been blessed with four children: Victoria, Jenna, Megan and Nathan.
The Lord called them to full time service in the Republic of Ireland in the fall of 2001 and they served Him in Newcastle West, County Limerick and later, the City of Cork, County Carrigaline. They are grateful for the experience of serving in Ireland and the opportunity to share God’s word among a needy people.
In 2007, Paul and Melonie sensed the Lord’s leading to return to their home country of Canada and they have been serving the Lord in and around the East coast of Canada since that time. Much of their work is involved in bringing the gospel to university students, many of whom are visitors to Canada and have never heard the good news. Paul also is active in ministering in various assemblies on the East Coast and in the summer months he is involved in tent meetings and camp work. Melonie is a faithful supporter in Paul’s public ministry while being a full time Mom to four active young people.