Welcome to Park Avenue Bible Church
Sunday Morning Service
Sunday School for all ages
9:15AM
Worship Service
10:30AM
Lead Pastor
My name is Phil Houston and I’ve been a pastor with the AGC for over 20 years It’s been a joy and privilege to lead God’s people in various capacities and locations in the last 2 decades. I was educated at Briercrest Bible College and have pastored in Swift Current, SK, Stony Plain, AB and now in Melfort as the youth, associate and lead pastor. I love bread making, sports (playing and observing), and spending time with my wife Jessica, and three kids, Maggie, Evelyn and Henry. My favourite verse from the Scripture is Hebrews 13:5-6 which says: “keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said ‘never will I leave you never will I forsake you’. So we say with confidence ‘the Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid, what can man do to me?’”. Since COVID-19, Jesus has given me 1 Peter 1:6 as a strength and promise: “so be truly glad, there is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must face many trials for a little while.”
Associate Pastor
Hi, my name is Joël Desharnais but most people call me Joe. I grew up in a small town called St. Pierre-Jolys in a Christian family and gave my life to Jesus at a young age. After highschool I attended Nipawin Bible College where I met my wonderful wife. After 3 years of Bible College, I worked construction for a year but felt the Lord calling me into ministry which led to do an internship here in Melfort and I’ve been here ever since. The biggest joys in my life are my wife and our 3 kids, but I also enjoy being active, sports, board games, being with friends, and food. I love being able to work with kids and youth and my biggest desire is to see kids and youth grow up confident in who they are in Christ and who delight to serve God with their lives. My favourite verse in the Bible is Philippians 1:21 which says: “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” I love that verse because it reminds me that Christ is the reason for life, and even though I fall short of that often, it helps me refocus and to have joy no matter what my life looks like.
Administrative Assistant
My name is Laurelyn and I serve PABC in the church office. My role is to keep the congregation informed of church ministries, events, and prayer needs and to encourage the pastors by taking care of many administrative details. I have worked in the church office since September 2018, after teaching in the early elementary grades for about 20 years.
I experience joy in spending time with my husband, John, and our 3 adult sons: Benjamin & his wife, Ruth, Matthew, and Ryan and our cat, Moonlight. I have a heart for prayer, encouraging people, teamwork, and living missionally. Music, drama, gardening, walking in and photographing the beauty of God’s creation also bring enjoyment to my life.
One of my favourite verses is 2 Corinthians 4:16:
“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”