Staff

Brad:

I grew up in Campden, a small town of 200 people about one hour south of Toronto.  I have wonderful parents who taught me at a young age about the love of Christ and what it means to live for Him.  My grandparents were also very Godly people and I learned so much from them.  They have such a passion to serve other people and that has had  a big impact on my life.  When I was 18 years old, I was diagnosed with cancer.  This was definitely a challenge for me, both physically and spiritually.  However, just like He promises, God is faithful and never leaves you.  I could feel His presence with me all the time and He brought me through it so that I could be here today.  I have so much to thank Him for.

I went to  Seneca College  in Toronto to get my pilots license.  After graduating in 2007 I moved to Yellowknife to work at Air Tindi full time.  I believe God lead me to Side Door to serve Him and  the youth in Yellowknife.  I love being able to hang out and meet new people and show them the kind of grace that God gave me.

Spencer:

My name is Spencer; I am 26 years old and have lived in Yellowknife all my life.

I ran away from home when I was fifteen to sell drugs full time and live a “high life.” By the time I was nineteen I had been to jail and was a Lieutenant in a Vietnamese crime ring. While in the middle of a crossroad of life I had an amazing encounter with the presence of God. For the first time ever I felt truly loved and I knew that God was real, don’t ask me how, I just knew!! After that, things started to happen that where beyond coincidence, I watched a man get instantly healed by the power of God, and met people that have impacted my life in powerful ways. Because of the awesome power of Jesus Christ working in my life, I’ve gone from dealing dope to giving hope.

I started at the SideDoor in 2005 and moved up to Program Coordinator in 2006. I went away to school for most of 2007. When I returned, the door was opened for me to take back my old job and I’ve been here ever since. I am married to an amazing woman named Cassandra. My favorite pass times include fishing and quiet relaxing times away from the lime light and action. I am passionate about God, my wife, my family and my work.

Fraser:

My name is Fraser Goulet; I am 20 years old and have lived in Yellowknife all my life.

I started working at the SideDoor Youth Ministries October 2007 and I’m telling you, working with these youth is my life and making these changes for them is rewarding for me. Doing different things for youth and Christ, I feel that GOD has brought me to the SideDoor Youth Ministries for a reason, to serve him by serving these youth as a youth leader. Working here is changing my life and giving me a new look on how to live healthy and respectfully. I will try to best to teach these young minds but they are also teaching me as well.

I grew up in Yellowknife all my life, I’ve had various jobs in the past and worked a lot in the Diamond mines but been working with youth for 11 years. I finished High School and went to College and am working up my experience to take University or more College. I want to be a Physical Educator in future time so I can pass on my traditions and knowledge to much older youth so they make better decisions and choices in their life.

The best thing to do when dealing with troubled youth IS LISTEN! That’s the best thing I’ve learned in my years and the best advice I could give anyone. There are so many problems and conflicts in the world and I would like to solve them all by each one at a time, but time is against me. I would like to say a prayer for the youth and myself to make us better people. ” Dear GOD, i am here today to pray for every youth out there on this beautiful gift you’ve given us called earth saying that I’m pleased that you us here for a purpose to please you. We are gracious and thankful that we have decisions and choices in life to be welcome in the kingdom of heaven. THANK YOU for what you’ve done and give us strength and peace and I wish it towards everything and everyone on earth, in the name of Jesus AMEN.”

Erin & Ryan:

Our names are Ryan and Erin Sawatzky and we moved here in early June to begin work with the Side Door. Ryan is originally from Victoria, BC and my home is in New Brunswick but we were both thrilled about the opportunity to become apart of this exciting ministry and to make a home in Yellowknife. We both attended Taylor College of Mission and Evangelism in Saint John, N.B. Ryan completed a one year program with a certificate in mission and I completed the three year program and went on to be commissioned into the Church Army of Canada. We both have different backgrounds and different experiences but we both believe that God has purposed us for this time in Yellowknife and that God has been equipping us to breathe life, hope and destiny into the youth of Yellowknife. We know that through the power of the Holy Spirit and through the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ all can know Jesus and experience the life of wholeness and abundance that He offers. In the past six months we’ve made some beautiful friendships, adjusted to life in the north and found a home at the Side Door. It’s been an honor to work with such dedicated people.

Ben:

Benjamin Chhoa moved to Yellowknife in August of 2007 and has been working at the SideDoor since December 2007. He was initially just looking for a volunteer position that would allow him to interact with the youth of city when he found out there was a need for staff to work overnight as part of the Living Room program. The best part of the job for him is having a chance to connect with the youth, and he continues to hope that the relationships that are built at the SideDoor will help the youth to make smart decisions that will benefit them and those around them. During the day, Benjamin is an Account Manager at Outcrop Communications.