SASKATOON, Sask.—On Nov. 27, 2022, the executive committee of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference elected Francis Douville as executive secretary. Christine Bergen, who has diligently performed the duties of executive secretary and treasurer for the past three years, was most recently in the position. She lifted the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference from operating in a deficit to a healthy financial position. Bergen will continue to serve as the conference treasurer.
Born in Trois-Rivières, Que., Francis has attended Sandy Lake Academy in Bedford, N.S., and Burman University in Lacombe, Alta. He has also obtained a master of arts in pastoral ministry from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI, and now plans to pursue a doctorate in strategic coaching and leadership.
Prior to engaging in full-time ministry, Francis had worked for seven years as an athletic therapist in Montreal, Quebec. In the summer of 2000, he felt that God was leading him to a different purpose in life, and he responded by making the decision to attend Burman University (then Canadian University College), where he earned a degree in religious studies. From there, he went on to serve as associate pastor at Church in the Valley (formerly Aldergrove Adventist Church) in British Columbia.
For the past 13 years, Francis has served as the lead pastor of Really Living Church in Hamilton, Ontario. Under his visionary leadership, Really Living has become a model centre of influence. Speaking to the concept of what a centre of influence should be, Pastor Douville says, “I have a passion for seeing our churches become destinations for our communities,
places where they can find meaning and purpose at their own pace.” Francis and the local church leadership designed the current church facilities from the ground up to accommodate their vision.
Paul Llewellyn, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, states, “Throughout his ministry, Francis has been exposed to various settings, cultures, and challenges. He has lived and served in different parts of the country, which gives him a rich background and an understanding of how to meet the needs of God’s children right where they are.”
In his spare time, Francis enjoys golf, strategy board games, nature walks, and watching the occasional Montreal Canadiens hockey game. He is also a great singer, possessing a beautiful voice in the tenor vocal range. Francis and his wife, Tina, will soon relocate to the Saskatoon area, where he will begin his duties as executive secretary in the first quarter of next year.
The Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church comprises approximately 4,100 members in 36 churches. It operates schools, nursing homes, retirement centres, and a camp. Their mission is to develop a disciple-making culture to create healthy, vibrant churches that actively connect the people in their communities to Jesus.
