ELDERS & MINISTRY STAFF











Staff Elders

  • James Seward  

    Senior Pastor


    James Seward came to Maple Avenue in 2013 with a heart to allow God’s Word to transform the church and the community.


    James completed his undergraduate education at the University of Chicago, where he was also part of the founding core – and later a pastoral intern – at Holy Trinity Church under David Helm and Jon Dennis. He went on to complete a master’s degree in Biblical Exegesis at Wheaton College where he also served on the pastoral staff at College Church under Kent Hughes. Prior to coming to Maple Avenue, James served for five years as the Associate Pastor of Education and Discipleship at First Baptist Church of Lindale, Texas. James is passionate about raising up and training a generation of biblical expositors. He serves as the Convener for the Aspiring Preachers Guild, the Chairmen of the Board for the Charles Simeon Trust (Canada), and an instructor at various Simeon Trust Workshops on Biblical Exposition. He also contributes as a blogger at The Gospel Coalition Canada.


    James enjoys playing, watching, and coaching sports (except golf); singing and music (despite his lack of ability); and exploring good food (despite his picky eating). James and his wife, Karen, have five children: Charlie, Ann, Jonathan, Eva and Mercy. James and Karen share a heart for adoption, reaching at risk children, and exposing people to the life-changing power of God’s Word. 


    CONTACT JAMES



  • Terry Laidlaw

    Associate Pastor


    Terry has always been in love with church. Being fourth generation on a family dairy farm, church was a constant in their lives. Three of those generations are still working together on their Brampton area farm and still very active in church life.


    It wasn’t until he was 28 years old though, that Terry fell in love with Jesus Christ. He is his Shepherd and Lord. He has cleansed him from much sin, guilt and shame. He, being the Word made flesh is my life, my all.


    Terry met an amazing young gal, beautifully named Barbara Grace Church who was on a similar spiritual journey. Married in 1985, they were baptized at MABC in the spring of 1986, alongside his father Gord, mother Rosemarie and brother Wayne. Terry immersed himself into the Christian teaching and culture at Maple Ave.


    In 2006 Terry accepted a call into pastoral ministry focusing on youth and seniors ministries. He enjoys contributing to the unity of our pastoral team and the oversight of our church family. His interests are reading, music and the movie classics.


    Terry & Barb have four sons ~ Tim, Matt, Peter and Seth ~ that continue to challenge their family spiritually and are also being blessed spiritually through the life of the church.


    CONTACT TERRY



  • yuta seki

    Associate Pastor of Youth


    Yuta Seki moved to Georgetown at the beginning of 2017 to serve on staff at Maple Avenue Baptist Church. In his role, Yuta primarily oversees and leads the junior and senior high ministries and is also involved in other pastoral work at the church. His passion is for students to understand and see the wonders of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the significance of God’s Word for their lives.

     

    Having been born into and raised in a non-Christian home, Yuta did not grow up attending church or hearing the gospel. While in his final year of high school, some friends invited Yuta out to their youth group, and it was through that ministry that Yuta encountered both the loving warmth of the Christians there and the saving message of Christ. Within a few months of attending that youth group, Yuta was radically saved, and his life has never been the same since.

     

    Yuta completed his undergraduate studies at Canadian Baptist College in Cochrane, Alberta, and received further training at the Master’s Seminary in Los Angeles, California. During that time, he served in various capacities, with youth ministry being a particular focus.

     

    Yuta is happily married to Alyssa, and they together have three wonderful sons, Noah, Luke, and Mark. He enjoys coffee, rugby, and books, in no particular order. 


    CONTACT YUTA

ministry staff

  • matt laidlaw

    Associate Minister


    Matt Laidlaw was born and raised at Maple Avenue Baptist church and was saved at the age of 25 by God’s grace through the reading of His Word.  Matt soon became a member and began serving the church.  His desire is for others to grow in their passion for Jesus and to be encouraged through the word of God.  He has a burden for the lost and a desire to bring the gospel to those in Georgetown and in the surrounding communities.  His role includes pouring into the people at Maple Avenue with the word of God, lead evangelistic efforts in the community, and share in other pastoral duties.  

     

    Matt received a Graduate Certificate of Theological Studies from Heritage College and Seminary.  He is currently enrolled there in the Masters of Divinity degree program.  Matt has completed a one year internship at Maple Avenue Baptist Church and has served the Church in a variety of ministries over the years.  

     

    Matt is married to his wonderful wife Noreen and they have two sons, Hudson and Forrest.  They enjoy spending time together, time with family and friends, trying new foods, and the outdoors.  


    CONTACT MATT

  • RACHEL YOUSEF

    Interim Children's Ministry Director


    Rachel has been part of the MABC church family since 2019 and is blessed to serve the church in the capacity of Interim Children’s Director. 

     

    She believes children are of great value to God, and therefore are of great value to the corporate family of God. She is passionate about children knowing Jesus and being transformed into his likeness as they grow in maturity and find their unique place in the kingdom of God. Rachel has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Divinity degree from Tyndale Seminary. 

     

    Rachel is married to Mofeed, and together they have two boys, Benjamin and Oliver. She enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with family and friends. 


    CONTACT RACHEL



lay elders

Don Astill

Dave Chandu-Lall

Rick Dors

Stephen Jones

Jim McDonald (chair)