Our Elders
Elder Chair
Rick Scrimgeour
I became a Christian in July of 1989 as a result of God’s perfect timing and meeting my future wife. My spiritual growth continues as God’s perfect timing enables me to work through difficult situations, personally, professionally, and at the church.
My wife Christene and I have been married for 32 years, and have three adult children, Emily, Ian, and Jared. We also have two grandsons, Noah and Lucas.
I enjoy serving on the elders’ board, sharing differing gifts, talents, and opinions, all for the glory and honour of God.
My favourite food? Lobster.
Godwin Arku
Growing up in Ghana, going to church was an integral and normal part of family life and school routine, where we learned about Bible stories. While we memorized and recited scripture verses, it took a while to fully understand the A-B-C-Ds of salvation that is, [A]dmitting one’s sinful state (Rom.3:23), [B}elieving that Jesus Christ died for our sins (John 3:16; 1Cor 15:3-4), [C]onfessing one’s sins in repentance, (Rom10:9), and [D]edicating one’s life to Jesus Christ.
My faith in Jesus Christ began in the latter part of my teenage years through the influence of my older siblings. I formally surrendered to Jesus Christ as my Lord and personal Saviour at an altar call during a Sunday service. The Holy Spirit continues to work in my life through the sanctification process and although I’m far from perfect. I am thankful to God for His many blessings He has bestowed upon me over the years.
My wife Emily and I have been attending West Park since 2007 during which we have been blessed with Danielle (our daughter). As a family, we believe in serving the Lord through the local church. Here at West Park Church, our family has served in various ministries and will continue in the Lord’s service as He leads and directs.
Dan Bird
I have been blessed to be married to my wonderful wife & confident Jean, for over 45 years. We have 4 great adult children and 9 even greater grandchildren.
I was brought up in a Christian family and came to know Jesus as my Lord and Saviour at a summer church camp as a child. The reality and significance of that decision would come to fruition through faithful friends and mentors at West Park Church years later. West Park Church has now been home for over 40 years, and I am honoured to have served our church family on the Elder Board for several years now.
My favourite responsibility as an Elder has been to be involved in membership interviews. True life stories of how God intervenes in some of the most incredible circumstances to draw His children to the truth of the gospel is powerful and exciting, especially amongst our new Canadian families. I have a love for all kinds of history and lately have enjoyed studying early Church History, humbled by that selflessness and commitment of the first believers.
Jean and I love to travel and enjoy all types of good restaurants and food. Asked what food I enjoy the most: Seems to be "whatever is not good for me."
Suhel Barkho
I was born as a “Christian” and grew up in family who were “Christians” by name only. After I got married, I saw the work of God begin in the life of Ranya, my wife, in a tangible way. The Lord was working within my family and through my wife to go to a Christian Church. This affected her and our children, but I had not experienced the Holy Spirit in my life yet.
The work of the Lord then began in my life, through Pastor Mark, as we began attending WestPark Church. Pastor Mark encouraged us in our spiritual growth, whether through bible study, prayer meetings, or the weekly sermons we heard on Sundays.
Through the presence of all our faithful brothers and sisters at WestPark Church ( whether it is English, Chinese, or Spanish ) we learn something new and discover wonderful things. God has worked and continues to work in our lives, molding us so we resemble Christ’s image and affect the world around us for the glory of His Holy name.
Dan Forbes
WestPark has been my church home since childhood. It was here that I accepted Christ and was later baptized as a teenager.
I attended Liberty University in Virginia where I met my wife, Pam. We have been married for six years and have two wonderful kids, Hudson and Hattie. We are also expecting our third child later this fall.
Growing up, I had the privilege of being a missionary kid and was able to witness first-hand the power and provision of Christ. I continue to grow in my faith by studying God's word, participating in biblical studies as well as interacting with fellow believers. I currently serve with our usher team.
I look forward to serving WestPark as an Elder. My wife and I are very excited to see what the Lord has in store for the years to come.
Brian Furtney
I asked Jesus to come into my life at Sunday School when I was five years old. Our teacher simply explained that we are all sinners and that if we ask Jesus to forgive us, he will and will take away our sins.
My wife Rhonda and I have been attending WestPark since 1977. We have been involved in music ministries since then. I have served as a Deacon, Elder, committee member and tech team member. It is a pleasure to serve the Lord and the people of WestPark in these ways. We have two adult children and three grandchildren, all of whom bring us great joy.
I am so thankful for the solid biblical teaching that we have at WestPark and the opportunity to grow spiritually as a result. I believe that God has great things in store in the years ahead and look forward to continuing serving Him as long as I am able.
Secretary
Brendan Lofgren
I grew up in a loving Christian home and I am blessed to be part of a family with a strong heritage of Faith. I came to accept Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour as a child while attending WestPark and I was later baptized at WestPark as a young teen. I have seen God’s grace and faithfulness in my life in the form of many different spiritual mentors over the years. I continue to be on a journey of growing in my faith and walking with Christ as I seek to serve Him.
My wife Kayla and I have been married for 15 years and met at WestPark. We started dating after a mission’s trip to Haiti together. We have two sons who bring us great joy Beckham and Judah.
The WestPark Church community has been a big part of my life and the friendships and role models from our church community have contributed greatly to my spiritual growth. I am grateful for the strong biblical teaching and the multi generational/multi cultural community we have. My family and I look forward to continuing to serve Christ within our church community, the city of London, and beyond.
Vice Chair
Shawn Luo
The first day of April 2004, one month after I landed in Canada from China, I decided to accept Christ Jesus as my Saviour at an evangelical event in Toronto.
Grace and I have three lovely children, Dollar, Ryanna and Will. All of our children are very actively volunteering at KidsChurch in WestPark. Grace has been working as a real estate agent for almost 15 years now. God uses Grace to bring many people to His church. I have grown spiritual by reading all kinds of different biblical books. And I enjoy being on the board as I talk with other elders, listen to their stories and learn from their insights and experiences.
My favourite food? I love Szechuan (Sichuan) food, which is well known for its spicy flavour. Sichuan is the province where I was born and raised.
Bob O'Hara
Originally from Hamilton, I was blessed to be brought up in a Christian home. I gave my life over to the Lord at the age of 13 while attending Youth Camp.
After completing high school, I attended the University of Manitoba and Canadian Nazarene College in Winnipeg where I met my wife, Sue. We have 2 sons, Ryan, and Brock, 2 beautiful daughters-in-law, Ayesha, and Jill, and 3 wonderful granddaughters, Olivia, Adeline, and Estelle.
Sue and I have attended WestPark for over 20 years.
I have continued my spiritual journey through a variety of ways, including personal study of His Word and studying it with other believers. It gives me great joy to share my faith with those God sends my way - encouraging or planting the seed. Initially, when I was asked to consider serving as an elder, I was hesitant, but the Holy Spirit nudged me, asking me “why not”? I would count it an honour to be an elder at WestPark, serving with others to further the work of the Lord.
Chimere Okoronkwo
While growing up in Nigeria I was surrounded by Christians, but it was in 2001 at a church program that the importance of Hebrew 11:6 was fully revealed to me and this led me to take the step of faith in accepting Christ as my personal saviour.
Since then, I have continued to seek avenues to grow my faith including talking with others about my faith, volunteering in different capacities within the church, and studying the Bible and other Christian literature with others. I am looking forward to participating on the board of WestPark.
My wife (Irene) and I have been married for over 22 years. We have four lovely children – Tarela, Somto, Dabere, and Doubra. We enjoy coming to WestPark. In my free time (which are few and far between), I enjoy playing soccer or watching Arsenal FC play. My favourite food is fried plantain (dodo in our local parlance) and beans (cooked in palm oil).
Juan Zelaya
In November 1996 I arrived in Canada, solely with the desire to make money so that after five years I would return to my country; those were my plans. But on January 18, 1998; Jesus came to my heart and saved me, and since then, He keeps changing my life, He changed my plans, I was deported from Canada, due to negligence I was lost without faith and without hope. But God allowed me to return to Canada and God allowed me to obtain permanent residency in 2001.
I married my wife Hilda on August 25, 2001, and in 2003 we began the pastoral ministry of the congregation where I had been born again. We pastored this congregation for 19 years, until September 12, 2021, when we joined with the WestPark Spanish Ministry lead by Pastor Mario. We are very happy to join the Hispanic ministry and continue to serve our God.
To this day I am happily married, I continue to serve the Lord in pastoral ministry, I am the father of three beautiful daughters, and by the grace of God we are moving forward.