MANITOUWADGE-- The town of Manitouwadge is saying a fond farewell to the Ruel family, who will be relocating to Timmins, Ontario later this month. Pastor Peter has been leading his flock at the Bethany Pentecostal Chapel since June 2013, but, after much prayer and consultation, has decided to make the move to the Timmins Pentecostal church, which is also an associate of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC).
Since moving to Manitouwadge, Pastor Peter has been instrumental in expanding the church building from a small, cramped chapel to a bright, modern structure that can accommodate up to 300 people. He has been on several missionary trips to Africa, and has led several teams of church members to Haiti, where they assisted in the building of a school and other charitable works. He has officiated at baby dedications, baptisms, weddings and funerals, and has been a guiding light for many church and community activities and events.
Besides his pastoral work, Peter was involved with many committees and projects within the town of Manitouwadge. He was on the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (DTBSSAB), served as Chair and Vice Chair of the Santé Manitouwadge Health board of directors, and acted as a town councillor for four years. He also delivered Meals on Wheels, and transported passengers for the My Ride program, as well as being a school bus driver.
Tara Ruel, Peter’s wife, started at the Centre de Formation Manitouwadge Learning Centre in 2013, first as an instructor, then becoming the Centre’s Executive Director in 2017. Thanks to her diligence, knowledge, and ability to navigate the regulations and bureaucracies of the education system, she and her staff have seen dozens of successful students pass through their doors.
Her work at the church was equally important to her and to the community. She wore many hats: a praise and worship leader, a bible study teacher, a Christian women’s advocate and so much more. She was the driving force behind the production of ‘A Night in Bethlehem’, a Christmas event which featured costumed guides leading tours through a biblical village set up behind the church, telling the story of Jesus’ birth.
When asked about her time in Manitouwadge, Tara quickly replied, “I learned so much along the way. I’m a better listener than I was. I’ve learned to hear… truly hear, and understand what a person is asking for; not just impose my own ideas of what I think they need. There’s a big difference between the two, and I believe I can be a better helper with that understanding.”
Both Peter and Tara agree on one thing; it’s the people they’re going to miss the most. Peter summed it up this way: “I love the church I’m going to, but I love the church I’m leaving.” His final advice to the congregation was to embrace all that God has done, is doing, and will do.
With this sentiment in mind, the people of Bethany Pentecostal Chapel and of Manitouwadge wish to thank Peter and Tara for all the work, friendship and blessings they provided over the past nine years, and hope this much-loved family will flourish and prosper in their next chapter of life in Timmins.