Our Team

Charlie Fordham

Founder, Canadian Director

As Director of Torchbearers Capernwray Canada, Charlie Fordham provides pastoral leadership, training people for full time Christian service, regardless of their occupation, through teaching and preaching God’s Word locally and abroad. Charlie and his wife, Marlene, founded the ministry of Capernwray Harbour in 1979, arriving on Thetis Island with their young family in January of that year.

Born and raised in India, Charlie has been used by God to point countless individuals to the person of Jesus Christ so that they too might discover Him as Lord and Life!

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Marlene Fordham

Co-Founder

Marlene Fordham has served the Lord wholeheartedly in the ministries of Capernwray Harbour since she and her husband Charlie founded the work in 1979. Her key involvement in the varied aspects of the Centre has given her a strategic platform from which she has shared the Life of the Lord Jesus with numerous guests, students and staff over the years.

Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, the Lord has been pleased to use Marlene in her roles as ministry co-founder, teacher, friend, mother and grandmother.

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Chris Fordham

Executive Director

Raised at Capernwray Harbour, Chris Fordham has had the wonderful opportunity to experience and observe the transforming power and faithfulness of the Lord throughout the years. This in turn allows him to strategically share with guests and students Christ’s Life often using ‘Creation’ as the classroom. Chris has been a student at Capernwray Hall in England as well as at Capernwray Harbour. He joined the staff team in 1996.

Chris is married to Susanne, and together, they enjoy raising their sons, Seth and Elijah.

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Susanne Fordham 

Bible School Registrar

Susanne Fordham began serving in the role of Bible School Secretary / Registrar in 1997. Susanne balances a full workload with caring for her two boys, Seth & Elijah. An Alberta native, Susanne studied two years at Capernwray Harbour, and it was during this time that she met her husband, Chris. Susanne serves in the Lord’s strength and joy.

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Kierdin Brown

Student Ministries & Conferencing Assistant

Joining us in September 2021 upon completion of the 20/21 One Year programme, Kierdin is from Dalmeny SK and will is a wonderful asset to the development of student community life.  Kierdin enjoys painting, singing, running and spending time with friends.

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Lynn Cramm

Student Wellness Coordinator

Lynn joined the staff team in September 2019 after completing her second first year of Bible School.  She has been a good friend of the ministry of Capernwray Harbour since she first attended Bible School in the ’80s. Lynn is a nurse by training, has a wonderful sense of humour, and a BIG heart! Lynn originally comes from Newfoundland and is proud of her East Coast roots.

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Jacklyn Crush

Kitchen Assistant

Jacklyn has been both a 1^st and 2^nd year student at Capernwray Harbour.  Jacklyn likes to spend time reading, being outdoors, journaling, exercising, and spending time with friends and family.  Jacklyn came to us from Alan, Saskatchewan.

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Johnny Cullen Keidann

Maintenance Assistant

Johnny CK, as he is known in Capernwray circles, moved westward from Toronto to serve in the maintenance department. Johnny brings with him an infectious love for the Lord Jesus, an evangelistic heart to share Christ with others and a keen interest in the people placed in his path. Johnny has been learning many practical skills since joining staff in 2016. He has been both a student and summer volunteer at Capernwray Harbour in years past.

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Ben Ellershaw 

Director of Studies

Ben came on board as a Property Maintenance Assistant after studying at Capernwray Harbour for two years and has overseen the maintenance of buildings, equipment, and systems on the property.  Ben’s responsibilities have grown and shifted over the years and he now is responsible for student & volunteer pastoral care as well as developing the Bible School curriculum as the Director of Studies.  Ben grew up in northwest England and is known for his quick wit, his deep love of Jesus, and football. Ben has been married to Miriam since 2013 and they have a delightful daughter named Emily.

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Miriam Ellershaw 

Conference Registrar

Born and raised in a Godly family in India, Miriam arrived at Capernwray Harbour in 2008 for Bible School and Leadership Training. She, along with her husband Ben, serve effectively on Staff also raising their sweet little daughter Emily. Christ is revealed and people are blessed as Miriam serves as the Conference Registrar and also teaches the Word in the Bible School and conferences.

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Sony Falardeau 

IT Administrator & Administrative Assistant

After attending Capernwray Harbour as a guest for many years, Sony took a step of faith, leaving his banking career and attending Bible School at CHBC for both the 1st & 2nd year programs. Sony joined the Staff Team during the summer of 2015 and does a marvelous job making sure all the technology around the Centre is maintained, up-to-date and running as efficiently as possible for staff and students. Last living in Pemberton BC and originally from Quebec, Sony brings a love for the outdoors and a unique french flavour to the staff community.

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Barry Friesen 

Music Ministries Coordinator & Gardener

Barry’s roots are in the Peace River Country of Northern Alberta. He studied music & youth ministry in PEI and went on to seminary studies in Illinois in addition to serving church congregations in both locations. Barry attended a Holiday Bible Week in 2009 and enrolled in the Bible School programme shortly thereafter. His participation in the Leadership Training Programme followed the year after. Barry contributes a mature knowledge of the Word of God and a desire to disciple and encourage to the staff team.

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April Galbraith 

Media & Travel Coordinator

Born and raised in Manitoba, April studied at Capernwray Harbour for two years before joining the Staff Team in 2003. She currently makes work-related travel arrangements for staff members and visiting guest lecturers, and coordinates a variety of print and digital advertising for the Centre as well as ensuring all the logistics for in-house conferences come together. Her kind, gentle spirit gives testimony to Christ’s Life within her as she seeks to serve students, guests and staff. April is married to Kevin and enjoys being Mom to Micah, Caleb and Lily.

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Kevin Galbraith 

Financial Manager & Compliance Officer

Kevin serves as the Financial Manager and Compliance Officer for CHBC, and has been on staff since 2003.  We are so grateful for the countless hours Kevin spends behind the scenes doing research, policy writing, compliance studies, projection reports as well as dealing with various levels of government so that we can do what God has called us to do within Canada.  Raised in the Calgary area, Kevin attended both the One Year & Leadership Programmes at Capernwray Harbour. He loves all things coffee and enjoys practicing his latte art on the side as a trained barista. Kevin & April are happily raising their children, Micah, Caleb, and Lily.

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Sarah Janzen

Bible School Registrar Assistant

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Leanne Jeffrey 

Accounting Administrator

Placing her university business administration training into the hands of the Lord, Leanne Jeffrey serves in the area of bookkeeping and accounting at Capernwray Harbour since 2013. This former Calgarian loves people and invests fully in walking alongside and supporting the female students, guests, staff, and her local church family to discover Jesus Christ as their very life.  In Leanne’s spare time she can be found participating in group activities such as soccer, hiking or playing board games.

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Catherine Joe-Thompson

Childcare & Pump House Assistant

New on staff as of September 2021, Catherine helps in a few different areas which include Childcare, Pump House and Housekeeping.  Catherine comes to us from Port Alberni BC on Vancouver Island originally as a 1^st year student and then stayed for the Leadership Training programme.  She volunteered during the Summer 2021 and we just couldn’t let her go!    Catherine enjoys baking, playing sports, listening to music, and spending time with friends in her spare time.

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Elizabeth Joslin 

Personnel Manager

Elizabeth Joslin followed the call of the Lord in her life to attend two years of Bible School at Capernwray Harbour.  Since joining the staff team in 1996 she has served in various capacities over the years.  It’s her privilege and joy to be able to care for her fellow staff members in her role as Personnel Manager.  Whether she is coordinating summer volunteers or corresponding with future staff members, Elizabeth’s attention to detail and concern for others is an outpouring of the love & faithfulness she receives from the Lord Jesus.

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Jaymie Kuipers

Housekeeping Assistant

Jaymie was born in Alberta but moved to Nova Scotia when she was 12. After graduating high school Jaymie attended Capernwray Harbour for two years of Bible School.  She served with us as a seasonal volunteer during spring break in her first year and after LTS.  Jaymie is full of laughter and joy with a giant heart for others to know Christ as life.  She is sensitive to the Lord’s leading in her life, seeking to obey where He calls her to be, which is why she willingly accepted the call to volunteer full time with us as a Housekeeping Assistant since the beginning of 2021.

Rachel Layoun 

Cook

Preparing meals for her many younger siblings and during summers at a Bible Camp in Alberta prepared Rachel Layoun for her role as a Cook in the Capernwray Harbour kitchen. She has a flair for flavours and seeing meals prepared with loving care & attention enables her to serve those students & guests with special dietary needs wholeheartedly.  Rachel loves the Lord Jesus and is a student of His Word, often sharing what’s she’s learning with whoever crosses her path. Rachel was a student at Capernwray Harbour from September 2014 to May 2016.

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Abbigail Mackay

Housekeeping Coordinator

After two years of Bible School and a year at home in Ontario, Abbigail Mackay returned to Capernwray Harbour firstly as the Housekeeping Assistant but now serves as the Housekeeping Coordinator.  The practical training & experience she received as a student and while working in a care home facility has been vital to this role.  Abbigail’s quick-witted humour and genuine love for others brings laughter, smiles, and blessing to our Staff Team, guests and students.

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Michael Needham

Cook

Attending Holiday Bible Weeks growing up and then coming for two years of Bible School, we are excited to have Michael, with his culinary experience, serving in the Kitchen. Michael’s open, kind, and friendly manner quickly puts people at ease and allows him to point them to the Lord Jesus. From Washington, USA, Michael has easily made the transition to Canadian West Coast living.

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Rebekah Penner 

Receptionist

Becky, as she’s lovingly called, studied for 2 years at Capernwray Harbour before taking on the responsibility of overseeing the housekeeping department for a number of years. She is currently the Main Office Receptionist with her welcoming, joyful and endearing personality well suited for this dynamic role. Becky enjoys being wherever the people are, doing whatever they’re doing.  She shares her love of Jesus, baking, and musical talents in a variety of ways, blessing and encouraging others along the way.

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Mathius Permana

Cook

Mat attended Bible School both as a 1st & 2nd-year student, coming to Canada from Indonesia, with his wife Rachel. Before coming to Canada, Mat trained and worked in business administration. He joined the kitchen team during the Summer of 2019 and is excelling with joy at his culinary endeavours… especially at spoiling guests, students, and staff with delicious stir fry!

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Rachel Permana

Pump House Manager

Rachel, whose parents direct the Torchbearers ministry in Indonesia, came to Canada, along with her husband Mat to attend Bible School in 2017 as a second-year student. Rachel serves as a volunteer intern and her main tasks involve managing in the Pump House as well as in the Housekeeping Department. God uses her often to speak the truth into young women’s lives, proclaiming His character in a clear way.

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Jeremy Thudian

Conference Coordinator

Charlene Toplensky 

Gardener

Weeding, watering and flower arranging have filled Charlene Toplensky’s days since she and her husband, John, took over maintaining the beautiful gardens at Capernwray Harbour in 2006. She has a heart to encourage students & guests to ‘grow’ in their relationship with the Lord Jesus.

John Toplensky

Gardener

John Toplensky, with his wife Charlene, studied for one year at Capernwray Harbour and has maintained the gardens throughout the property since September 2006. Prior to moving to Thetis Island, John and Charlene lived and worked in Three Hills, Alberta and are delighted to share Christ with those who stop to admire God’s garden handiwork.

Caleb Waters

Maintenance Assistant

Caleb is putting his electrician’s training and experience to good use as a maintenance assistant at Capernwray Harbour.  Caleb is our Australian representative being born and raised there but his dual citizenship with Canada allows him to fit in easily to our ‘Canuck’ culture. Caleb completed 2 years of study at Capernwray Harbour and enjoys different things in the tech world such as film editing.

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