Staff


Pastor Mike McDonald 


Mike is the lead pastor at Hanwell Community Church, having arrived at HCC in 2003.  Born into an air force family in Winnipeg, Mike has lived across Canada and overseas.  He has been involved in youth ministry throughout Atlantic Canada, having taken part in 30 mission tours.  Recent trips include Germany via Iceland (2008), Alberta (2011), New Hampshire (2012), Haiti and Newfoundland (2014). 

Mike is a graduate of the business programs at Loyalist College, Belleville, ON and Acadia University, Wolfville, NS and he also has a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Acadia.  In addition, he is a graduate of the Arrow Leadership Program in BC.

Having spoken and led workshops at youth events, Mike has also written numerous magazine articles and co-authored a book on youth mission tours that is now in its third edition.  The young congregation in Hanwell helped to make it a relatively easy transition for him into the lead pastor role.
Hockey is immensely important, whether it’s wearing the goalie gear for a pick-up game, coaching minor hockey, agonizing over the Toronto Maple Leafs, or teaching the sport to his new Syrian friends.
Mike was engaged to his wife Angela, just prior to his first mission tour, and they live near the church, with three young adults of their own: Kathleen, Sarah and Allan.






Katelyn Thomas 


Katelyn is the Youth Director at Hanwell Community Church. Starting in 2013, she began working with the children’s and youth ministries of the church. She took courses at Bethany Bible College and continues her education through Acadia Divinity College.

Katelyn grew up just outside of Fredericton and has been involved in youth, children’s and camping ministry since she was a youth herself. Starting out as a Sunday school teacher and youth leader in her home church and working for years at Circle Square Ranch she has a passion for seeing youth come to know Jesus.