About Us

John Baergen

In his role, as Co-Founder and CEO of The Leadership Centre Willow Creek Canada, John, together with his wife, Lorraine opened their home in 1992 as the office of a fledgling ministry designed to walk alongside church leaders in pursuit of more effective ministry. The ministry grew and 8 years later, The Leadership Centre merged with the Willow Creek Association whose ministry was now also making a presence on the Canadian local church scene.

It was in this position, that God began a work in John’s heart, placing there a deep passion for leaders, often the most qualified, being taken out of the game on issues of self-leadership. It was obvious, these leaders had the skills to lead the organization, but all too often, with the pressures and demands of their leadership role, they were unable to lead themselves. This passion grew in John’s heart, till finally the call of God was clear, and he passed on the baton of leadership on December 31, 2008 after 17 years of passionate leadership. He now remains on team in a mentoring role.

It was the pastoral experience as Executive Pastor at Sherwood Park Alliance Church, which put him in touch with Dr. Carl George of the Charles E. Fuller Institute for Church Growth & Evangelism. When Carl asked him, together with Lorraine, to establish the Canadian arm of the ministry, they immediately recognized the call of God.

With a bent for business and his pastoral passion and experience, John is never content to settle with an ordinary life. He has always believed that the local church should be the hope for this world, but too often has seen it fall short of God’s plan. It is the mental picture of these leaders that is now driving him on to see hope restored as leaders pick up the pen and fill in the pages of unwritten tomorrows that truly live out the greater dream.

Lorraine Baergen

Sharing the same passion as her husband, Lorraine is committed to make a difference with her one and only life. It was in her role as Co-founder and later, Director of Development at The Leadership Centre Willow Creek Canada, that she saw first hand the leaders who left ministry, long before their call lifted.

With a background that spans from the nursing field to local church ministry, Lorraine has always been committed to use her gifts and abilities in support of any endeavors John undertakes ranging from business to walking alongside the local church leader. As co-founder of TLCWCC, she has seen firsthand the growing authenticity and transparency in younger leaders as they seek to write the pages of their unwritten tomorrows with a captivating commitment to live out the greater dream for which they were created.

Her previous ministry included the position of Women’s Pastor, Sherwood Park Alliance Church in AB, a position that she initiated and held for 3 ½ years..

Clearly her passion to see people re-capture hope for their greater dream has always been a part of her life, and has risen from her own family experience of caring for a post-traumatic brain injured son.

It is in the unwritten tomorrows of life that John and Lorraine both have a passion to see people and leaders in particular, live out the greater dreams for which they were created.. They are committed to give the rest of their lives to that call.

Chantelle Wood

Having grown up in a Christian family, Chantelle began to follow the Lord at a young age.  Pursued by Him, she completed an overseas Discipleship Training School with Youth with a Mission at the age of 19. Since that time, she has had the opportunity to be involved in different supportive fields including nursing, special education, youth and child ministry, and educational sales and workshops.

Chantelle’s passion is for sharing God’s truth with others: “I’ve experience how simple words from Jesus can bring profound change to my perspective, my emotions and my day to day living.  I desire to be continuously transformed by his truth so that I can daily walk closer to Him.”

Chantelle desires to see young women know their value in Christ.  She enjoys opportunities to mentor and greatly appreciates mentorship in her own life.  As part of Unwritten Ministries she hopes to encourage believers to walk closer with the Lord, experiencing personal freedom, wholeness and an ever increasing awareness of God’s presence in their lives.

As Galatians 5:1 puts it: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free!”