was born in Prussia (now Poland) in 1943. As a child, he emigrated to Canada as a refugee and grew up in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. He married Regina Grunau in 1967 and together they had three children, now grown. Gerd worked as a high school math teacher and department head until his retirement, and has also served the Mennonite church for the last 40 years in various roles. At present, he is the moderator of the Mennonite Church of British Columbia, an elder of Peace Mennonite Church in Richmond, BC, and works part-time as the Western Director of Development for Mennonite Church Canada. He has four grandchildren and enjoys leading tours, whether a learning tour to the Philippines or TourMagination tours to Europe. A German-speaker with a deep appreciation for the richness of European culture and history, Gerd says, “Somehow, being in the place where our theology and culture originated makes our heritage come to life in a fresh and real way, and makes us think about what we believe. I am passionate about helping people rediscover their Anabaptist roots and look forward to leading this tour to Anabaptist/Mennonite heritage sites in The Netherlands including Friesland, the Palatinate in Germany and the Emmental region of Switzerland.” Gerd will be co-leading the European Heritage II tour with John Sharp, (June 29- July 12, 2010).
lives with his wife Margo on a 100-acre farm where they enjoy the company of horses, dogs, cats, cattle and wild coyotes. He thoroughly enjoys carpentry and electrical work and is slowly renovating their century farm house. Dwight has been a parish pastor for 11 years serving Lutheran congregations in Milverton and Port Elgin, Ontario, as well as working as a hospital chaplain in Southampton. He completed a Master of Divinity degree from Wilfrid Laurier and is currently taking courses leading to a Doctor of Ministry. He also enjoys playing rhythm and bass guitar and has played in a couple of bands. In the summer, he enjoys taking to the road on his cruiser motorcycle. Dwight has enjoyed travel to Israel, Cuba, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, England, Ireland, Scotland, Holland, France, and Belgium, as well as the various provinces of Canada. In 2010, he will be co-leading TourMagination’s Faith Lutheran Holy Land Tour (September 5-16, 2010)
was born and lived most of his life in Mexico. He enjoys leading TourMagination tours to Mexico. David enjoys sharing his stories about Mexico and the life, faith and culture of the Mexican people. In 2002, he and his wife Trudy moved to Manitoba where he is now a chaplain at Salem Home Inc., a personal care home in Winkler. Prior to moving to Canada, they worked for MCC in Mexico and in the 90’s ran a travel agency. In Mexico both he and Trudy taught school and David worked with the youth at the church they attended. Presently, they attend the Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church. They have one son, John Howard David, who works with his wife Irene in Cuauhtemoc, Mexico. David enjoys meeting people and has an interest in historical theology and Mennonite history. In 2010, David is leading our Visit Mexico and Its Copper Canyon Tour (March 5-14, 2010).
is Associate Professor of History and Global Studies, University Advisor on Internationalization and the founding Chair of the Global Studies program at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. He holds a PhD from the University of Toronto and is the author of Rural Revolutions in Southern Ukraine. Len has been married for 32 years to Mary, a Special Education Resource teacher. Together they are the parents of three adult children, two in-laws, and one dog. They have travelled extensively, and enjoy hiking and exploring the many UNESCO sites of this earth. They attend Waterloo North Mennonite Church. Len and Mary spent a year studying in the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Len has led a number of TourMagination tours and says of the tour he will be leading in 2010, “We think of this tour as a Christian pilgrimage of sorts, starting with the earliest church in Rome. We'll explore the origins of the Anabaptist faith through the majesty of the Italian renaissance, and end with the Passion Play in Oberammergau. Come join us!” Len and Mary will be leading the Italy, Austria and Germany tour (July 7-17, 2010).
and her husband Stan served in Tanzania as missionaries at Shirati Hospital for five years. She also traveled extensively in East Africa while serving as Africa Director for Eastern Mennonite Missions. She currently works as a chaplain in Pennsylvania. Susan has a passion for Africa and will share her stories and experiences as she leads the TourMagination Churches and Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania Tour (February 7-18, 2011).
has taught New Testament and Early Christianity at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary since 1998. Prior to this he taught at the University of Toronto and at Wilfrid Laurier University. Tim is interested in forming a positive theological approach to other religions, beginning by replacing antisemitism with a new understanding of the church's relationship to Judaism. He has read widely in the field of Jewish-Christian and Mulsim-Christian relations and represents the ELCIC on the Canadian Christian Jewish Consultation and the National Christian Muslim Liaison Committee. In 2010, Tim will be co-leading the Lutheran Holy Land Tour (May 8-19).
was born in the Ukraine just prior to World War II. His family trekked west to Germany and eventually crossed the ocean to Paraguay where he attended the Zentralschule. A teacher from Holland inspired Jake’s interest in our Mennonite heritage. His family moved to Brazil and eventually to Canada where he attended the MB Bible College and University which opened the door for his teaching career. Once it was possible for him to travel, he traced his Mennonite heritage through Holland, Germany and Switzerland. Jake enjoys meeting people and helping them get excited about the places they visit. Of the tours he will be leading in 2010, Jake says, “It is my intention to make this tour a positive and memorable experience for all as we ‘dig’ into the past but also enjoy the natural beauty and the people and sites of today.” In 2010, Jake will be co-leading TourMagination’s European Heritage IV Tour with John Ruth (September 16-29).
was the President of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana from 1997 to 2009. Earlier, he taught high school in Puerto Rico, pastored a church in Vermont and was program director at the London Mennonite Centre in England. A frequent speaker in congregational and conference settings, he has taught widely on issues of mission, allegiance, early church and the book of Revelation. He holds a PhD in New Testament from Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA. He is the author of "Miscarriage: A Quiet Grief," with his wife Ellen, "Imperial Cult and Commerce in John's Apocalypse and "On the Pilgrim's Way: Conversations on Christian Discipleship During a Twelve-Day Walk Across England." Nelson and Ellen are the parents of two young adult daughters. They are members of Prairie Street Mennonite Church in Elkhart. Nelson and Ellen will lead a TourMagination tour to Israel/Palestine called The Road to Jerusalem (September 11-22, 2010).
have been married since 1954. They are parents of three children and have 13 grandchildren. They spent 14 years in pastoral ministry, 16 years in teaching and administration at Hesston College, and 10 years at Philhaven Hospital, Mt. Gretna, PA where they began Recovery of Hope, an intensive marital therapy program. Naomi has worked in the psychiatric / mental health field for over 26 years as an educator and nurse / therapist, while John has served as pastor, educator and therapist. He graduated from Goshen College with an education degree, from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries, and has a Doctor of Ministry degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary. John and Naomi served with MCC in Northern Ireland from 1994 to 1997 and again in 2001-2002, working at many levels of education and development in the community, with churches, women's groups, and police. They also did a short term MCC assignment in West Bank, Israel during a sabbatical year. Today they are "retired" but find many ways to occupy their time and energy, including grandparenting, involvement in College Mennonite Church, serving as overseers for the Waterford Congregation and leading TourMagination tours. In 2010, John and Naomi will lead TourMagination’s Spectacular Scandinavia & Its Fjords tour (June 13-28) and Fall Alaska Cruise Tour (September 6-18).
was born in 1945 in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He holds joint US and Canadian citizenship. Wilmer married Janet Ranck in 1965. Together they have two grown children, a daughter-in-law, and two young grandchildren. Between 1964 and 1991, Wilmer served as the Minister of the Chambersburg Mennonite Church, the Tavistock Mennonite Church in Tavistock, Ontario, and the Erb Street Mennonite Church in Waterloo, Ontario. Wilmer graduated from the Ontario Mennonite Bible Institute in 1968, received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo in 1980, a Master of Theological Studies from Waterloo Lutheran Seminary in 1989 and attended the Canadian Association of Pastoral Education. Wilmer has served on numerous church-wide Boards in North America. He was the CEO and President of Habitat for Humanity Canada from 1991 to 2000. Wilmer is the Owner and President of TourMagination and serves as a tour leader on many of the tours offered. In 2009, Wilmer’s book of reflections on 40 years of TourMagination tours and his own travels, Building Bridges, was published. Wilmer enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, golfing and travel. In 2010, Wilmer will lead a variety of tours including Australia and New Zealand (February 5-25, 2010), Visit Mexico and Its Copper Canyon (March 5-14), Pennsylvania to Europe (June 19 – July 2), England and Scotland (July 23 – August 4), European Heritage III (September 5-18), and TourMagination’s Mystery Tour (October 15-23, 2010).
(née Ranck) was born and raised in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where she attended and graduated from Lancaster Mennonite High School. She also attended and graduated from the Ontario Mennonite Bible Institute. She married Wilmer Martin on October 2, 1965. Janet worked with Wilmer as the church secretary when he pastored at Tavistock Mennonite and Erb Street Mennonite. Janet served as Wilmer's administrative assistant at Habitat for Humanity Canada. Today they work together as co-owners of TourMagination, developing and arranging tours, and co-leading some tours together. Janet and Wilmer have two adult children, Janelle and Alan, and a daughter-in-law, Christiane. Janet works part-time at TourMagination and enjoys babysitting her grandchildren, Matthew (age 3) and Miriam (age 1) on her days off. She also spends many hours working on her home computer on tour diaries and other TourMagination work. Her favorite way to relax is by reading a good book. In 2010, Janet will be co-leading tours to Australia and New Zealand (February 5-25), England and Scotland (July 23 – August 4) and TourMagination's Mystery Tour (October 15-23).
is a longtime leader in the Mennonite Church of Ontario and Canada, and has been the President of Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario since 2003. Married in 1974 to Leonora Retzlaff, he served as a pastor for 22 years in three different churches of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (Harrow Mennonite Church, Windsor Mennonite Fellowship, Grace Mennonite Church in St. Catharines). He served as the Denominational Minister of Mennonite Church Canada for several years and as a hospital chaplain. He holds a PhD in history from the University of Western Ontario (1986), with his graduate research focusing on the history of Russian Mennonite immigrants in Ontario, and a variety of published articles. Henry and his wife, Leonora, have four married adult daughters. Henry says, “This past spring, Leonora and I spent two and a half weeks in Israel/Palestine, preparing for our TourMagination tour, connecting with both Palestinian and Israeli groups working for peace, justice, and reconciliation and working at Nazareth Village. I am looking forward to joining you as we dig deeper into the many layers of history and meaning that is the Holy Land as well as learn more about the current situation there.” Henry and Leonora will be leading TourMagination’s Israel/Palestine Tour (June 24 – July 5, 2010).
was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. After graduating from Bible College, she married Terry Petkau and together they raised their two sons, Tyler and Evan. As a family they worshipped and worked in the Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren Church until their move to southern Ontario. During their early years of marriage, Audrey worked in the financial field but then returned back to University to study Apparel Design and operated a small business for the next 10 years. Audrey has volunteered with many school and conference boards and committees in the area of education. She joined TourMagination in 2002 and enjoys her work as the office manager directing many aspects of the administration and operations at TM. Audrey also provides leadership and coordination for a number of tours each year. In 2010, Audrey will lead TourMagination’s An Antarctic Experience (January 4-16), European Heritage I tour (June 1-14), Swiss Glacier Express Tour (July 29 – August 11) and European Heritage IV (September 16-29). In 2011, Audrey will lead Panama
Canal Adventure Cruise (February 23 - March 5), MEDA in Morocco (March 25 - April 5), European
Heritage Tour
with John Ruth (June 23 - July 6), Mennonite
Story in Poland
(August 9 - 17), From
Nazareth to Rome (Holy Land, Empire, and Global Mission) (November 10 - 22).
currently acts as Director of Building Services for the national office of Habitat for Humanity Canada, providing expertise and support to Canadian affiliates. His work has also focused on directing special projects that allow him the opportunity to be involved with Habitat’s exciting international work and taking him to various countries around the world. He has participated in a leadership role with TourMagination on several tours and will continue this partnership for the future. Terry enjoys long distance cycling, both for pleasure and as a means of fundraising for different organizations. Terry is married to Audrey Voth Petkau; together they have two young adult sons and one daughter-in-law. In 2010, he led TourMagination’s An Antarctic Experience Tour (January 4-16, 2010) and will lead the Panama Canal Adventure Cruise (February 23 – March 5, 2011).
are experienced TourMagination tour leaders. Fred has been the pastor at Floradale Mennonite church for 20 years. He also writes columns on faith issues for the local newspaper. He serves on the Board of Conrad Grebel University College. Shirley works as an Outreach worker for low-income families in the Waterloo region. She leads worship and teaches Sunday School at Floradale Mennonite. Together they are the parents of four young adult children and one daughter-in-law. Their travels have taken them to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (with Mennonite Central Committee), Europe, Central/South America, Turkey and Greece. Fred enjoys cycling, reading, current politics, golf and cross-stitching, while Shirley enjoys reading, movies, travel and motorcycling. In 2010, Fred will help John Sharp lead The Great Trek tour (May 23 - June 3). In 2011, Fred will co-lead Exploring
the World of Paul with Tom Yoder Neufeld (May 4 - 20). Join Fred and Shirley in 2012 for Australia
and New Zealand (February 3 -23).
was born in southeastern Pennsylvania and has been a Mennonite pastor since 1952. He holds a PhD in English from Harvard and was a professor of English at Eastern College in St. David’s, Pennsylvania. He has published a large number of books, articles, and documentaries, many offering an informative look at the lives of Mennonites, Hutterites and the Amish. His most recent book examines the legacy of the killing of young Amish girls at the West Nickel Mines Amish School. John has been married to Roma since 1953 and together they have three grown children. They are members of Salford Mennonite Church in Harleysville, Pennsylvania. John has led numerous TourMagination tours as a gifted storyteller, bringing insight to tour members. In 2010, John will lead four tours: European Heritage I (June 1-14), Pennsylvania to Europe (June 19 – July 2), Hershey European Heritage Tour (August 13-24) and European Heritage IV (September 16-29).
have led several tours to Alaska and will be leading a TourMagination tour to Alaska in 2010. Hubert was one of a number of young men from the Ontario Amish Mennonite Conference who went on to higher education at Eastern Mennonite College. He was ordained as a minister in the Mennonite Church in 1958 and first served in a racially-integrated congregation at the Bethesda Mennonite Church in St. Louis from 1957-1972, before serving at the Mennonite Board of Congregational Ministries with peace and justice education from 1972 through 1979. In 1979 he moved to Toronto where he served as a mission consultant for the Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Quebec, helping to establish twenty congregations. After the death of his first wife, he married Mary Rittenhouse, a teacher from Pennsylvania, who joined him in this work. In about 1990, Hubert and Mary moved to Pennsylvania where he took additional pastoral and conference assignments until retirement. Today, Hubert serves as a chaplain at Souderton Mennonite Homes and enjoys reading, gardening and wood carving. Hubert is the author of Jesus in Back Alleys: the Story and Reflections of a Contemporary Prophet. Mary Rittenhouse-Schwartzentruber: was an elementary teacher. She currently serves as an Elder at Plains Church, and as a member of the RittenhouseTown Board in Germantown, PA. She enjoys music, reading and history. In 2010, Hubert and Mary will lead TourMagination's Alaska Cruise Tour (June 14-24).
is a historian who teaches at Hesston College, in Hesston, Kansas. As the former director of the Mennonite Church USA Historical Committee and Archives, John holds a Masters of Divinity Degree from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. John has also been an instructor of Elderhostel classes on Amish life and culture, editor of the Mennonite Historical Bulletin and has written and edited various publications. He has led a variety of TourMagination Mennonite heritage tours to Europe and Central Asia. He is married to Michele Miller Sharp, a physician assistant in family practice. They have three adult children. John says, “There's nothing like hearing the stories on site. I eagerly anticipate the stories, landscapes, and fellowship that await us and I am already savoring the rich blend of culture, history, and scenery!” John will lead three TourMagination tours in 2010: The Great Trek (May 23 – June 3), European Heritage II (June 29- July 12) and Swiss Glacier Express (July 29 – August 11).
lives on the family farm that was purchased in 1917. His granddaughters are the fifth generation living on this property. Lorne is a lifelong member of Bethesda Lutheran Church in Unionville, a church begun in 1794 by one of his ancestors. Today Lorne serves on the Church Council and is the chair of the Property Committee, after serving for 27 years as the church Treasurer. Lorne is active in Eastern Synod committees and has been a member of the Board of the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary at Wilfrid Laurier University. He worked for the Ministry of Education in Ontario for 25 years and is the official Historian for the Town of Markham. He has been married to his wife Carol for 48 years; together they have three children and six grandchildren. Lorne has been associated with TourMagination for 20 years and is an experienced tour leader. He will be leading his third trip to the Holy Land with the Lutheran Holy Land Tour (May 8-19) as well as the Pennysvania German Folklore Bus Tour (October 4-8).
grew up on a farm near Mountain Lake, MN. He was married to Gladys who recently passed away. Together they have four children who are grown. He worked for Mennonite Central Committee for 34 years, in six different assignments. At the same time, he served for 38 years as the CEO of Mennonite Indemnity, a mutual aid reinsurance company. Edgar is a longtime board member on the Grant Foundation Board (Haiti), including five years as its chair. He served on the Board of Habitat for Humanity International for seven years, including four years as chair. Edgar is the author of nine books, including Like a Mustard Seed: Mennonites in Paraguay and Doing Good Even Better. He is currently the Moderator, Atlantic Coast Conference of Mennonite Church USA. In 2011, Edgar will be leading TourMagination’s Explore South America Tour (Iguazu Falls, Paraguay and Peru) (March 20 – April 2)
is Associate Professor of Religious Studies (New Testament) at Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo. He graduated with a BA in History from the University of Manitoba and both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Theology in New Testament from Harvard Divinity School. He loves teaching Jesus, Paul, and issues of peace in the Bible, and has published a variety of books, including a commentary on Ephesians (Believers Church Bible Commentary series) and most recently Recovering Jesus: The Witness of the New Testament. Having been a pastor as well as hospital and prison chaplain, Yoder Neufeld teaches and preaches extensively in congregational and conference settings and has led several TourMagination tours exploring the area of Paul’s ministry in Turkey and Greece. In 2011, Tom will again be leading TourMagination’s Explore the World of Paul Tour (May 4-20, 2011).
grew up in Croghan, NY, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Mennonite College in 1962. In 1965, he graduated from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. He is married to Mary Martin; together they are parents of four adult children and six grandchildren. Paul pastored an inner-city church in St. Petersburg, Florida for eight years. In 1975, he received a Th.M. degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. From 1975 to 2005, he taught college and seminary level courses in the Lancaster area, as well as biblical, theological, Anabaptist and practical courses for pastors. In 1987, he graduated from the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary with a D. Min. degree. The author of four books, Paul taught for two summers at Meserete Kristos College in Ethiopia. He has served as the bishop of the Mellinger District of Lancaster Mennonite Conference for 25 years, and has served on denominational boards (Mennonite Church General Board and Mennonite Board of Education) as well as being the Fraternal Representative for Lancaster Mennonite Conference to Mennonite churches and conferences in Europe and has been the chairman of the Editorial Council of the Believers Church Bible Commentary since 1987. Paul has led tours to Germany, France and Switzerland and enjoys travel. In 2010, Paul is leading our European Heritage III Tour (September 5-18, 2010)
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