Board of Directors and Governance
Bethel Place is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, consisting of 7–12 members appointed from 4 of the founding church communities of Bethel Place.
Board members are guided and informed by the Mission and Vision of Bethel Place to carry out their responsibilities, including:
- reviewing and developing strategic plans, policies, annual budgets and reports
- supporting Bethel Place staff in carrying out programs and day-to-day management as needed
- ensuring the long-term financial stability and strength of the organization
Board members meet monthly, including at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), and are appointed at the first meeting following the AGM. All meetings and decisions adhere to the Board’s By-Laws, are recorded as minutes, and are provided to the administration of Bethel Place. According to the By-laws, members can serve on the Board for a maximum of 2 three-year terms.
Bethel Place is also governed by corporate members who approve board actions and decisions on an annual basis. Like our board members, corporate members belong to, and are delegated by, one our 4 supporting churches. We are always seeking qualified and engaged individuals to become corporate members: we encourage you to contact your supporting church if you are interested in volunteering as a Bethel Place Corporate Member.
Board Members
Meet the dedicated volunteers that make up our Board of Directors:
Ron Loeppky, Chair
Second term (2023)
Ron, and his wife Connie, are members of Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship. Ron has been a teacher and administrator during his career – in Winkler, Split Lake First Nations, Lobatse Botswana (with MCC), at CMBC and at Winnipeg Mennonite Elementary Schools. In retirement he has served in various MDS locations, with MCC and in other volunteer capacities. He enjoys spending time with their growing grandchildren, travelling and doing practical hands-on projects.
Wendy Janzen, Vice Chair
First Term (2025)
Wendy and her husband Brad met at the University of Manitoba studying their respective fields, and married upon graduation. Neither having family in Manitoba, they struggled to feel Manitoba was home until they became members at Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship. At FGMF, they became part of a community, made many friends that made Winnipeg feel like home with their son Jacob, and daughter Fiona.
Wendy is a Vice President with Colliers Project Leaders where she leads a team of professionals who deliver capital construction projects as the owner’s project manager for private and public sector organizations. Wendy is known professionally for her organizational and leadership skills, and a genuine interest in the people she leads. She is passionate about building meaningful communities with her clients, for their organizations and their communities throughout Manitoba.
In her free time, Wendy loves spending time with her husband, children, and dog at home or travelling abroad, reading, and practicing yoga for physical and mental fitness.
Rudy Friesen, Treasurer
Second term (2025)
Rudy taught high school chemistry and mathematics at Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna and mathematics in Winkler. For some variation in vocation, he worked in business management/administration at MCI, and also in Taiwan under the auspices of Mennonite Church Canada & US. He enjoyed almost 10 years in the finance office at Canadian Mennonite University and is closing out his working career as a part-time shuttle driver. He enjoys reading, cycling, and road trips with his wife, Sue. They are members of Bethel Mennonite Church.
Linda Enns, Secretary/Resident Services
Frist term (2023)
Linda grew up in southern Manitoba. Her formal education includes degrees in agriculture and theological studies. She has worked as a spiritual care provider in corrections as well as in various healthcare settings. Linda also served with Mennonite Central Committee in Bolivia and the Middle East (Lebanon and Egypt). Linda worked as Tenant Resource Coordinator at Bethel Place during 2001-02. Since then Bethel Place and those who live and work here have held a special place in her heart. Linda and her husband Gordon Janzen are members of Home Street Mennonite Church. She enjoys quilting, volunteering, cross-cultural friendships, gardening and spending time with their 3 young adult daughters.
Lucas Redekop, Finance
First term (2023)
Lucas works in the finance department at Canadian Mennonite University as a Senior Financial Analyst. He received his CPA designation April 2019. Lucas, his wife Alison, and their sons Levi and Emmett attend Home Street Mennonite Church. Lucas previously worked as a manager for two years at the Sargent Avenue MCC thrift Shop in 2009-10.
LeAnn Friesen, Rentals
First Term (2025)
Harvey Dyck, Future Planning
First Term (2023)
Harvey and his wife Marge both grew up in Southern Manitoba, but have resided in Winnipeg since 1975. They are blessed with children and grandchildren that all live in Winnipeg. Harvey started his career with Macleods Hardware stores, then started a sales and marketing company, representing various manufacturers in the hardware, housewares and plumbing field. In 2018 the business was sold, however Harvey remains involved in helping transition the business to the new owners. As a family, they enjoy sports, travelling, and family get togethers. They have been fortunate to have traveled to many parts of the world. Harvey and his wife are members of Bethel Mennonite Church since 1984, serving on various committees along the journey.
Art Wiebe, Property
Second term (2025)
Art and his wife Alma are members at Bethel Mennonite Church. Art graduated from CMBC and has spent most of his working life as a carpenter and construction site-superintendent, with short periods of work for Manitoba’s Emergency Measures Organization. He retired from Westland Construction Ltd. in 2011. He has volunteered on both the WMES and Westgate boards while his children were students there, several terms on the BMC’s Property Committee, Chiara House, and MDS. Art and Alma have a personal interest in the work of the Pilgrim Group at BMC, and Bethel’s membership in the Supportive Communities Network. We embrace the BMCS Inc’s mission “to compassionately meet the needs of residents….regardless of faith tradition”.
Bruno Klassen, Property/Governance
First Term (2023)
Bruno and his wife Caroline moved to Winnipeg in 2014 to be near their children and grandchildren. After graduating from MCI, Bruno attended CMBC for two years, while also spending four years with CBC Hymn Sing. He then spent four years studying singing in Detmold, Germany. After his time in Germany he joined his father-in-law’s business for a planned one-year stint. Ten years later he bought the business, and after thirty years, retired from an enjoyable career in retail.
He has always been active with choral singing and assisting with various arts organizations. He and his wife sing in multiple choirs, and attend many of the fine concerts in Winnipeg. Aside from volunteering at the Selkirk MCC thrift store, and at Bethel Place, he helps with their children’s renovation and repair projects. He and Caroline attend Charleswood Mennonite Church.