Pastors & Staff

Rev. Dr. Leland Botzet, Senior Pastor

Dr. Botzet holds a doctorate of ministry in Revival and Reform: Renewing Congregational Life from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts, and also holds a master of divinity from Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. Pastor Botzet is ordained and credentialed with the Baptist General Conference in the United States and Canada; he has served as a pastor in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and British Columbia. Leland is also trained and experienced in evangelism and discipleship, having led revival crusades and prayer journeys in North America, Brazil, and the Philippine Islands. Dr. Botzet has served as a mentor to pastors, a leader of prayer gatherings, a speaker at conferences and retreats, and maintains a deep involvement in prison ministry. He has also written a book “A Heart for God’s Glory: The Revival of a God-centered Faith in a Self-centered World” (Xulon Press). Leland enjoys reading, writing, playing/listening to music, traveling, fishing, hunting, canoeing, and camping; his wife Nancy loves horseback riding, reading, traveling, and spending time in the out-of-doors. They have three children – Eric, Jennifer, and Micah – and love spending time together as a family.

Sandy Wiebe - Counselor

Sandy was born and raised in Port Alberni. She is a Psychiatric and Practical Nurse with diplomas in Counseling and Women’s Ministries. After coming to faith in 1972 she pursued five years of training through a Christian organization called the Navigators of Canada, and in 1977 found her back in Port Alberni and attending Arrowsmith Baptist Church, where she met and married Jake Wiebe. After serving as a volunteer prayer counselor for five years she was hired in 2000 as the church counselor and has continued in this position. Sandy has been active in her church, teaching Sunday School, facilitating various ladies bible studies, youth studies and deaconess duties. Her passion is seeing people set free from the strongholds of darkness and learning how to walk in the Truth of God’s Word. Sandy and Jake have two grown children, their daughter LeAnna, married to David Porter in England, and son John continuing his education on the mainland and at home in the summer.

Jim Fowler – Youth and Young Adults Ministry Coordinator

Jim was born in Texas and raised outside of Chicago. God called Jim to faith in March of 1999 during his junior year in High School. Sensing a call to serve, Jim has spent time overseas being blessed by the people he encountered. In 2002, Jim left Chicago and came to Port Alberni to volunteer with Young Life of Canada. It is here that Jim met his love Michelle, who was born and raised in Port Alberni. They were married in 2006. Jim and Michelle volunteered together with Young Life for 5 years. In June 2010, they stepped aside to pursue God’s leading as Jim became the Youth and Young Adults Ministry Coordinator for Arrowsmith. Jim and Michelle are very excited and anxious to see what God is going to do. Michelle loves worshiping God in song, in nursing and in baking cupcakes. Jim loves to worship God in His Word, reading books and hanging out with friends. Jim is currently enrolled in classes at Moody Bible Institute and is pursing an Associate of Biblical Studies.

Sue St. Christopher - Administrative Assistant

Sue was born in Victoria, BC and grew up in Calgary, AB., where she learned about Jesus and accepted Him into her life at Bethany Chapel Baptist in Calgary at the age of 12. Many moves over the years brought Sue and her family to Port Alberni in 1989 where she has been ever since. Sue has been working and volunteering in the church and office for many years, most recently in the office as Arrowsmith Baptist's administrative assistant. God has blessed Sue with many interests and talents which she uses to serve the church and the Port Alberni community. Her friendly, helpful voice is what you'll hear should you need to call the church where she will guide you to all aspects of church life here at Arrowsmith Baptist.