Christianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion, with many sects, which believes that:

  • The world was created by God.
  • All things within that world were designed to have meaning and purpose.
  • The Bible, which offers guidance for how humans are to live their lives, is a gift from God, inspired by God.
  • Jesus Christ was/is the Messiah and is the way back to God.

Christian Denomination Contacts:

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Baptist Chaplain:

Mel Cruikshank

1. Religious Affiliation
Baptist (Canadian National Baptist Convention)
2. Educational History

Bachelor of Science (University of Alberta)

Master of Divinity (North America Baptist Divinity School)

3. Joined the U of A
1982-1995, 2009-2010, 2017
4. Current Focus at the U of A
I am a part-time chaplain at the U of A and I work closely with a committee of local church leaders to coordinate a number of Baptist ministries we have happening on campus. We also have worship services on campus, fellowships, a Mandarin campus ministry, and opportunities for discipleship. As well, I lead the Baptist Campus Ministries across Canada for the Canadian National Baptist Convention.
5. Why I am a Chaplain at the U of A
The most significant decisions of my life took place while I was an undergraduate student at the U of A. I am a chaplain here because students will often be making vital decisions about careers, relationships and faith, and I hope to share my own experiences as a way to help students navigate their decision-making process.
6. Other Passions and Interests
I love my wife Marybelle. We have three children and four grandchildren. Next to my faith in Christ, they are my greatest passion and interest. I also lead mission teams each year to work with our Christian brothers and sisters in Cuba and I have fallen in love with Cuba and it's people. And, I enjoy golfing, hiking the mountains, swimming in the ocean, and reading good books while camping.
7. Contact Information
169B HUB Chaplains’ Centre
mcruiksh@ualberta.ca | 780-235-8577
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Christian Reformed Minister:

Rick Mast

1. Religious Affiliation
Christian Reformed Church in North America
2. Educational History
B. Ed from Calving College (Michigan)
3. Joined the U of A
February 2018
4. Current Focus at the U of A

My interest is developing communities of faith, rooted in prayer, guided by God and by the community's weakest members - through whom God's presence is revealed (case in point: Jesus Christ). Each member discovers and deepens in their spiritual life and lives it according to their particular faith and tradition. Communities can be like the holy temple in the vision of Ezekiel (ch. 47), from which living waters flow that heal and give life. From within community we discover the mystery we are living and are helped to be faithful to our vocation - invited continually to "launch out into the deep" (Luke 5:4). My aim and focus is to create a brave space - for students, faculty and staff. Those who have no religious affiliation are also welcomed and respected in their freedom of conscience.

"Love is the quality of attention we pay to things," J.D. McClatchy wrote after Simone Weil observed that "attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity."
5. Why I am a Chaplain at the U of A
An important part of managing pain or struggle is presence - someone who reveals to the person that they are not all bad or all alone, a friend who is happy just to be there. Of course, when people have a toothache, it is not enough to tell them that we are with them or that we care about them. We should then take them to a good dentist! Friendship communicates life to others, draws them out of darkness, and gives them a new desire to live. That is compassion in the strongest sense of the word: to "be with", to "suffer with". It takes time to create bonds of trust and to enable someone to believe in the fidelity of a friendship.
6. Other Passions and Interests

For the past twenty years, I have led a group of students and adults on spiritual pilgrimages, living alongside the religious community on the remote Isle of Iona, Scotland. I also serve on The King's University's Board of Governors, and the Board of Trustees at Calvin College.

I have four daughters with my wife Aileen of thirty-six years. In my downtime I enjoy downhill, cross-country and backcountry skiing; hiking in the summer months; and reading. I would also refer to myself as 'Folkie,' and I drive a Westy.

7. Contact Information
182B HUB Multi-Faith Prayer and Meditation Space
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Lutheran Chaplain:

Richard Reimer

1. Religious Affiliation
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)
2. Educational History

Bachelor of Arts, University of Alberta

Diploma in Christian Studies, Regent College, Vancouver

Master of Divinity, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon

3. Joined the U of A
1991
4. Current Focus at the U of A
Secretary of Interfaith Chaplains' Association, duties including coordination of annual Festival of Lessons & Carols, Winspear Centre; Advisor to the Lutheran Student Movement; Chaplain to a Resident Christian Community at Martin Luther House.
5. Why I am a Chaplain at the U of A
When I was an undergraduate student at the U of A, campus ministry had a significant impact on my life, leading to my baptism in what is now the SUB Alumni Room - back then it was a multi-purpose room that smelled of beer from socials the night before! Here, in the midst of an academia that measures us by 'points', I encountered a God who values us for who we are, as a matter of grace (i.e., gift), and calls us to loving service through unique gifts that meet the world's need. That gift and calling gave me the strength to ask, "Beyond getting a job, what is my 'vocation' or calling?" And the weekly meal at Jesus' table fortified me for the meandering road ahead. Campus ministry met me at a critical juncture, when faith is challenged to grow along with knowledge. I feel privileged now to accompany you here on campus as a messenger of the grace that has made all the difference to me.
6. Other Passions and Interests
Camping, novels (e.g, The Orenda), piano composition, and 'Lutheran' Lattes (drop by for one!)
7. Contact Information
169E HUB Chaplains' Centre
richard.reimer@ualberta.ca | 780-492-4513
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Mennonite Chaplain:

Kevin Guenther Trautwein

1. Religious Affiliation
Christian (Mennonite)
2. Educational History

B.A.Rel., Ambrose University (2005)

M.T.S., University of Waterloo, Conrad Grebel University College (2014)

3. Joined the U of A
September 2015
4. Current Focus at the U of A
My current focus is on developing and supporting communities for mutual support, social justice, and mental health. I am also the Treasurer for the InterFaith Chaplains' Association.
5. Why I am a Chaplain at the U of A
I love the university. The pursuit of knowledge, the boundless questions, and the desire for a well-lived life. I am a chaplain so that I can support people as they reach for these worthy goals, but along the way I also get to learn from some of the most passionate and thoughtful people in the world.
6. Other Passions and Interests

I spent years working as frontline support for organizations serving street-involved communities and at-risk youth. Recently, I've been proud to be involved with the Edmonton Ecumenical Peace Network's annual Prayer Walk for Peace, and the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights' Festival of Faiths. I serve on the Board of Directors for the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers.

I am married with two young children, and these days I enjoy going to the park, canoeing on the North Saskatchewan, and catching live music whenever possible. Also, coffee.

7. Contact Information

169D HUB Chaplains' Centre
kg2@ualberta.ca 

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Pentecostal Chaplain

Aaron Johnston

1. Religious Affiliation
I am an ordained pastor with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC)
2. Educational History
B.A. in Theology (Vanguard College, Edmonton)
3. Joined the U of A
2021
4. Current Focus at the U of A
Creating connections for students, providing encouragement, and helping people discover and grow in the ways that God has gifted them to make a difference.
5. Why I am a chaplain at the U of A
I believe the U of A campus is full of potential for making the world a better place: both for the present, and the future. I love getting the opportunity to encourage and uplift people as they pursue their careers, find their passions, and discover how their faith is interwoven into everything. 
6. Other Passions/Interests
People, Music, and the Edmonton Oilers
7. Contact Information
Instagram: @aarondavidjohnston
Mobile: (587) 988-6010
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Presbyterian Reformed Chaplains

Bryan and Lisa Clarke

1. Religious Affiliation
Reformed-Presbyterian. Presbyterian Church in North America (PCNA). GraceFinder Resourcing Network is the charity we started to support chaplaincy work on campus
2. Educational History

Bryan has been serving at the University of Alberta with Lisa since 2005. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Windsor, in Ontario, Canada and his graduate studies, earning a Master's of Divinity at Reformed Theological Seminary. Bryan Clarke has a Ph.D. (Secondary Education) from the University of Alberta. His current research interests include ongoing interaction with Deleuzian scholarship as well as a focus on ethics, popular culture, and philosophical hermeneutics. He has most recently taught in the faculty of Education at the University of Alberta and at St. Joseph's College while also serving as a university chaplain. He has several ongoing projects including a textbook for his course on Harry Potter and spirituality.

Lisa has studied Home Economics and Women’s Studies at the University of Windsor and received a certificate in early childhood education, St. Clair College, Windsor.

3. Joined the U of A
2005
4. Current Focus at the U of A
GraceFinder Resourcing Network has a mission to promote grace in all of life through connecting campus, church, and city. We do this through resourcing students with supportive relationships, and teaching on campus, connecting them to local churches for ongoing spiritual growth, and helping them transition to their callings in the city. We resource the church through our connections to students but also through informative, winsome, and encouraging workshops/seminars in areas such as worship, leadership, cultural engagement, and evangelism. We resource the city through educating and developing people with the skills needed for the workplace and to train leaders for chaplaincy. We resource each area through providing resources to students, church leaders, and those involved in their vocations.
5. Why we are Chaplains at the U of A
For students, faculty, and staff - seeking to educate, empower, and encourage leaders to see all of life through the lens of grace, towards all things made new in Christ. We enjoy seeing students grow and learn through their various disciplines and work with them in connecting faith and the academic, breaking beyond a secular/sacred binary.
6. Other Passions and Interests
Hockey, soccer, cooking, and a community kitchen on campus.
7. Contact Information
169A HUB Chaplains' Centre
bclarke1@ualberta.ca | 587-785-4344
laclarke@ualberta.ca | 780-885-2474
Roman Catholic Chaplain:

Mona-Lee Feehan

1. Religious Affiliation
Roman Catholic
2. Education History

Bachelor of Education (University of Alberta)

Masters of Education (University of Alberta)

Masters of Theology (St. Stephen's College)

Doctor of Ministry (St. Stephen's College)

3. Joined the U of A
October 2018
4. Current Focus at the U of A
I am a Campus Minister at St Joseph's College at the University of Alberta (U of A). All students, regardless of belief, are welcome in my office. My primary concern and focus is the mental health concerns of all U of A students. In my work, I have the opportunity to provide a safe space to talk about issues that affect students' well-being and open the door of communication to discuss faith and spirituality.
5. Why I am a chaplain at the U of A
I love my faith; faith is what grounds me. If I can walk with someone discerning their own personal journey and they, in turn, invite someone else to join, we have the capacity to grow in community.
6. Contact Information
monalee@ualberta.ca | 780-492-4750
St. Joseph's College

Orthodox Chaplain: Timothy Chrapko

Contact: tchrapko@svots.edu

 

Directions to HUB Offices
  1. Take the stairway beside A&W HUB Mall down and outside, then turn right.
  2. Enter the paved pathway beneath HUB Mall to Multi-Faith Prayer & Meditation Space (on left).
  3. Follow the hallway to double steel doors. (The rooms of 182 are on your left.)