Our Team

Charlie Fordham

Founder, Canadian Director

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!

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.

Chris Fordham

Executive Director

Raised at Capernwray Harbour, Chris has had the wonderful opportunity to experience and observe the transforming power and faithfulness of the Lord throughout the years. This allows him to strategically share Christ’s Life with guests and students as he offers pastoral care, visionary direction and manages the operations at Capernwray Harbour as the Executive Director.

Chris was a student at Capernwray Hall in England as well as at Capernwray Harbour. He joined the staff team with his wife, Susanne in 1996. Together, they enjoy raising their sons, Seth and Elijah.

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.

Madison Budd

Childcare & Pump House Assistant

Hailing from Didsbury, Alberta, we are thrilled to have Madison joining us for a year of training, application and growth in her new role assisting with staff childcare and in our on-site snack shop.  Completing a 1^st and 2^nd year of study at CHBC and serving as a summer volunteer has primed Madison to pour her energies and giftings into influencing the next generation to know and follow the Lord Jesus.

Makenna Budd

Student Ministries & Conference Assistant

Opportunities abound for Makenna to be involved in the lives of students and guests by serving as a Student Ministries and Conference Assistant.  After participating in many on-campus activities for the last 2 years as a student, Makenna now has the joy of planning them for the current student body and coming guest groups.  An Alberta-gal at heart, Makenna brings her joy-filled disposition to the Staff Body.

Dawson Burdick

Maintenance Assistant

Following his father’s footsteps, Dawson has not only studied at CHBC for two years but is now part of the Maintenance Team.  Proficient in roping, riding and wrangling, Dawson’s practical farm skills are an asset in campus property management but it’s his humility of heart that people note and makes its impact.

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.

Johnny Cullen Keidann

Maintenance Manager and Teen & Children's Ministry Coordinator

As he is known around here, Johnny CK moved westward from Toronto to serve in the maintenance department and the children & youth ministry during the Holiday Bible Weeks. Johnny brings an infectious love for the Lord Jesus, an evangelistic heart to share Christ with others and a keen interest in the people in his path. Johnny has been learning many practical skills since joining the Staff Team in 2016. He has been a student and summer volunteer at Capernwray Harbour in years past.

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.

Miriam Ellershaw 

Conference Registrar & Outreach Coordinator

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.

Sony Falardeau 

IT Administrator

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 programmes. Sony joined the Staff Team during the summer of 2015 and does a marvellous 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.

Barry Friesen 

Music Ministries & Gardens Landscaping Coordinator

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, a desire to disciple and encourage to the staff team.

April Galbraith 

Media, Travel & Conference Logistics 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, coordinates print and digital advertising for the Centre, and ensures 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.

Kevin Galbraith 

Financial Manager & Compliance Officer

Kevin serves as the Financial Manager and Compliance Officer 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, and dealing with various levels of government so that we can do what God has called us to do within Canada.  Raising in the Calgary area, Kevin attended 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.

Sarah Janzen

Bible School Registrar Assistant

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.

Ethan Jobes

IT & Maintenance Assistant

Ethan has crossed the country several times from his home in Nova Scotia to join us out West as a 1^st and 2^nd year student and now as a staff member.  Ethan lends a hand in both the IT and Maintenance Departments.  Coming to Christ in his late teens, Ethan desires to influence others in their walk with the Lord Jesus.  In his spare time, Ethan enjoys reading and music, playing both the piano and saxophone.

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.

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.

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.

Alysha Myers

Kitchen Assistant

Alysha grew up attending summer programmes at Capernwray Harbour with her family.  Year after year, they journeyed from Washington State to be with us.  Alysha attended the Bible School programme with us and Holsby Brunn in Sweden.  We are delighted in her availability to serve the Lord in this context and to be stretched as she learns the ins and outs of our busy kitchen department.  Her gentle, kind ways are appreciated by staff and students.

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.

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!

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 the Pump House as well as serving in the Housekeeping Department. God uses her often to speak the truth into young women’s lives, clearly proclaiming His character.

Josh Thiessen

Maintenance Assistant

Spending the early years of his life living at two different Torchbearer Centres with his family, Josh brings those unique community living experiences and skills to his role as a Maintenance Department Assistant.  Whether fixing something broken on site, leading a group of students or guests on a hike or sharing Bible truths with others, Josh’s quiet confidence in the Lord Jesus shines through.

Jeremy Thudian

Conference Coordinator

Rebekah Thudian 

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. She shares her love of Jesus, baking, and musical talents in a variety of ways, blessing and encouraging others along the way. She married Jeremy Thudian in early 2022 and they enjoy being wherever the people are, doing whatever they are doing.

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.

Abigail Vanada

Kitchen Assistant

Abigail has had the opportunity to be a part of the work of Torchbearers in Germany and Greece as a student and staff and loves the discipleship and relational aspect provided in the various centres.  Serving in the kitchen gives Abigail a central location to encourage and walk alongside students as they study and serve in this context.  Abigail’s interests include dancing, swimming, hiking, reading, and adventures.  Originally from Minnesota, Abigail is quickly adapting to all things ‘Canadian’.

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.