Scott Turnbrook

 I grew up in the United Church and have served congregations over the past few decades in the cities of Langley, Burnaby, Prince George and Vancouver (Kerrisdale and the Downtown Eastside). My greatest joy is accompanying people as they explore and express their faith through worship, group gatherings, and in one on one settings. My studies were in Psychology and Philosophy (B.A.) at SFU and in Theology (M. Div.) at Vancouver School of Theology. I seek to continue growing in my ministry. In September 2018, I commenced a year long accreditation as a Mindfulness Meditation Practitioner through the Pacific Northwest Mindfulness Institute. As I look further ahead, my hope is to begin Doctoral studies in the area of leadership and preaching in the coming years. This would be done concurrently with work responsibilities throughout the year and includes a 3 week on-campus course each July.  

My hopes and dreams of being in ministry with the folks of Northwood back in 2016 are many. Your search document “spoke” to me in that it highlighted the need to support the goal of becoming a Program Church. I agree that we must be a church that offers a myriad of programs if we are to truly serve the expanding spiritual needs of the multicultural community of Surrey. Alternative expressions of worship, study, spiritual practice, and service will continue to be introduced as people feel called in these areas. In my role of leadership development, it will be my honour to support existing leaders as well as guide new leaders forward as new programs are introduced. I am excited to see this fall’s launch of the new Grief Recovery Group & the Men’s Group. In addition, I am excited to be part of the discernment of the direction that God is calling us to proceed with respect to our building’s future. As I look ahead, I am aware that these will be times accompanied by tremendous change; however, I believe they will also be ones of blessing and opportunity.  

In my private life, I seek to find a balance amidst my profession. I am a proud single-dad of two amazing teenagers! My daughter, Mikayla (22), is a Political Science student at Simon Fraser University and is nicely finding her way in life. My son, Ethan (19), is an avid gym goer, and is interested in business and leadership. I am very proud of my children and am blessed to have a cordial relationship with their mother. In my spare time, I enjoy playing ice hockey, cross-fit training, reading, and meditation.  

I look forward to living into the future with you!