Board of Directors
- Mr. Fred Weiss, MBA - (Interim Chair)
- Dale Perry - Member
- George Ridley - Member
- Jan Paasuke - Member
- Rev. Bob Walther - Advisor
Fred Weiss, MBA - Member
Executive Director, Samaritan's Purse
Fred Weiss is the Executive Director of Samaritan's Purse - Canada, an international Christian relief organization working in over 70 countries worldwide, and is responsible for its global projects and programs. With a successful 22-year business career with one of Canada's largest telecommunications companies, and various key roles within Canadian Christian ministries, Fred is also Executive Director of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada.
Fred has witnessed first-hand the struggles of civil war in Africa, poverty stricken-slums in Southeast Asia, and the impact the caring Christian Church can have on embattled communities. A native Calgarian, Fred is married to René. Together they have two sons. He has a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Graduate School of Business in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Dale Perry - Member
Chair, The Mustard Seed Foundation Board
Recently retiring after 30 years at Bell, Dale spent most of his career in Toronto, developing through the ranks in various roles within the IT organization. In his last role as Vice President of Systems Delivery and Operations, and Customer Experience for Bell, Western Region, Dale provided leadership to both the IS/IT team and the Customer Care and Billing teams.
In his personal life, Dale was raised in a Christian home and both he and his family are very involved in their church, serving in technical ministries as well as leadership roles. In the past, Dale has served in many roles within his church including many years as a Board Member, Sunday School teacher and Youth and Young Adult leader in the local church setting. Dale has also directed numerous youth camping programs and has served on the Advisory Committee for the Nazarene Church.
Most recently Dale is serving as the Chairman of the Mustard Seed Foundation Board and also is very involved in the NEXT Ministry at Centre Street Church.
Dale has a passion for short term missions and has traveled to the jungles of northern Peru and to Cuba many times. Dale and Sharilyn have been married for 27 years and they have one daughter, Amanda, who shares these same passions.
George Ridley - Member
Senior pastor at South Calgary Community Church
George Ridley is senior pastor at South Calgary Community Church. Located in the community of Cedarbrae, the church has weekly services in English, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Prior to moving to Calgary in 2007, George served ministries in Whitecourt, rural Manitoba, Edmonton and Regina. George has served on the Leadership Council of the Alberta Baptist Association since 2003 and as Chair for the past three years. He has volunteered with many organizations such as local hospitals, children’s camps, the North American Baptist Conference and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. George earned a Master of Arts in Leadership and Management from Briercrest Seminary. Born and raised in Alberta, George and Deborah have been married for 24 years and have three children.
Jan Paasuke - Member
President of the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada
Jan Paasuke grew up in Olds, Alberta, where she was nurtured in her faith until she left home to pursue an education in Nursing.
Upon completion of her education, Jan worked for several years in her field, gaining an understanding of people and leadership skills. She married her husband, Rein, in 1970; together they have three children.
Jan and her family have made their home in Calgary since in 2002. She is actively involved in the life and ministries of Westview Baptist Church, where she serves as an adult Bible study leader and on several different boards and committees, both in the church and with the Baptist Union of Western Canada. In addition, Jan is currently serving her third term as President of the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada.
Jan became involved with The Mustard Seed when it was just a newly-fledged ministry of the denomination, and joined the organization's Board of Directors in 2011.
She is deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of others through good leadership, thoughtful insights and encouraging excellence in governance of the Boards responsible for Christian ministries such as The Mustard Seed.
In her daily life, Jan values her friendships, opportunities to mentor others, spend time with her children and two grandsons, camping, reading and generally enjoying life in its many expressions.
Rev. Bob Walther - Advisor
Regional Minister, Alberta Baptist Association
North American Baptist Conference
Bob Walther is the Regional Minister of the Alberta Baptist Association (ABA) of North American Baptists. The ABA consists of 65 churches with 150 plus staff. Bob has worked extensively in church planting in the ABA and the North American Baptist Conference. Bob is a graduate of Taylor University College and Seminary. His joy is his wife Marilyn and their two children and 4 grandchildren.
