Building Meaningful Relationships to Create Lasting Change
Threads of Connection
In a world where increased digital connectedness makes it easier than ever to witness the brokenness in our world, it can often feel impossible to make any difference. To help bridge the gap between awareness of need and taking action towards lasting change, we have our three Regional Representatives ready to walk alongside you and your church: Joe Bridi, Dennis Shierman, and Chris Johnston.
These dedicated individuals serve as the threads connecting you and your local church to the vast tapestry of God’s work worldwide. They are more than coordinators – they are instrumental in nurturing discipleship, helping our Canadian Baptist communities to grow in faith through active participation in God’s mission.
Joe Bridi: United by Mission
Before moving to Canada, Joe served as our Ministry Development Coordinator for the Middle East and North African (MENA) Region. Now, he serves as our Regional Representative in Central Canada.
“My primary goal is to continue the long-standing legacy of Canadian Baptist Ministries’ relationship with Central Canadian churches in global mission,” he says. “Together, we can strengthen our bonds towards a deeper understanding and practice of God’s call for effective global discipleship.”
Having diligently worked alongside our MENA region partners for many years, Joe’s knowledge of the global context will help engage central Canadian churches with our work worldwide.
“I am eager to learn more about the churches’ ministries,” he says. “I want to hear about their community’s unique needs and opportunities and explore how we can collaborate to make a meaningful impact in our broken world, sharing the Gospel with those around us in word and deed.”
Ultimately, Joe believes that we are better together, praying and working faithfully to see a broken world made new: “Our shared mission is what unites us.”
Dennis Shierman: Connected to Meaningful Ministry
Dennis has served as our Regional Representative in Western Canada twice, from 2004-2010 and from 2017-now, but his history with Canadian Baptist Ministries started long before that. He began as Field Staff in Indonesia from 1990-1993, alongside his wife. They later moved to Bolivia where they served at the Casa de la Amistad children’s prison ministry in Cochabamba from 1994-2004.
Dennis is committed to equipping churches and ministries with the tools they need to live out their faith in practical, world-changing ways.
“Personal connections and relationships are the most effective ways to stay connected,” he says. “I find it’s very important to stay connected to the activities of a church.”
One of the ways Dennis does this is by helping with SENT teams, providing education around the effectiveness of a good team and what makes a good team. He’s also been involved in bringing farms and donor from various churches across the country together to help feed the hungry through Canadian Food Grains Bank. “It’s a common goal,” he says, “and it’s helpful for churches to connect and learn from each other.”
Ultimately, Dennis is focused on fostering meaningful relationships to help local churches make a difference in our broken world. “I’m grateful to help connect churches to meaningful ministry with CBM.”
Chris Johnston: Everyone Can Make a Difference
Chris Johnston has a heart for encouraging and supporting engagement in Global Mission. He serves as our Regional Representative for Atlantic Canada, a role he stepped into in 2024.
“I want to be able to develop meaningful partnerships that last,” he says, “Partnerships that bring hope and healing to all involved, and that give glory to God.”
Having served as a pastor in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley for a number of years, Chris understands the unique flavour of local churches, both big and small.
“The connection that I have with each church is different,” he says. “I know that different people in different settings appreciate different approaches. For some churches, this may be regular phone calls or emails, for others, personal visits.”
In whatever way your church prefers to connect, Chris is dedicated to building meaningful relationships because he knows that everyone – every congregation – can make a difference.
“It’s my desire to see churches of all sizes from across Canada partnering together to engage the world in Jesus’ mission,” Chris says. “Regardless of size or location, every local church can make a significant Kingdom impact in their communities and around the world.”
Over to You!
We invite you to connect with your Regional Representatives, to explore how your church can make a Kingdom impact both locally and globally.
Whether through regular updates, personal visits, or participation in upcoming events, there are numerous ways to engage with CBM and be part of God’s transformative work in our world.
Contact your Regional Representative today!
- Contact Joe Bridi: jbridi@cbmin.org | 905-821-0167
- Contact Dennis Shierman: dshierman@cbmin.org | 905-821-3533×140
- Contact Chris Johnston: cjohnston@cbmin.org | 902-752-6130
