Rev. Dr. Leland Botzet - Lead 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, Canada. 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, leader of prayer gatherings, 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, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, canoeing, and camping; his wife Nancy loves horseback riding, reading, traveling, and spending time in the out-of-doors. They have three adult children and four grandchildren – and love spending time together as a family.
Rev. Eric Botzet - Associate Pastor
Eric is a follower of Christ, husband, dad, and pastor. He came to saving faith in junior high and sensed God’s call to ministry while in high school. He received his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and then his Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, MA. He is ordained by the Baptist General Conference of Canada. Before arriving at Arrowsmith in 2013, Eric served in a pastoral role for a church plant in Boston as well as in youth and worship roles in Wisconsin. Eric met his bride, Jordan, while she was on a mission trip to Boston. They were married in Texas in 2011 and have four children. He loves preaching the gospel, worshiping Jesus in song, playing with his children, family reading times, daily family worship, and eating anything Jordan prepares.
Sandy Wiebe - Life Coach
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.
Tanya Rust - Church Administrator
Tanya was born in Ajax, Ontario and has since lived in every province west of Ontario. She has worked as a surveyor assistant in pipeline construction, a painter, a letter carrier/postal worker, and a customer service cashier – and is also certified as an Internet/Network Administrator . Tanya and her family moved Port Alberni in 2007 and after joining the church she has served the church in numerous capacities until she became our Church Administrator in October 2012. Tanya enjoys spending time with her husband Shaun and their two daughters - as well as reading, studying the Bible, knitting, boating, hiking, traveling, and working with her brothers and sisters in Christ to the Glory of God.