Our Staff
Senior Pastor Dan Pope
Dan and his wife, Wendy, moved to Brandon in August 2006 from Alberta. He pastored in Regina, SK for almost twenty years and spent 4½ years as president of Living Faith Bible College in Caroline, AB prior to coming to McDiarmid Drive. Before entering vocational ministry he was employed as an addiction counsellor. Dan’s heart cry for ministry is to “prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Eph.4:11-12).
Dan has a wonderful wife and they have three wonderful children who each have a wonderful spouse. In addition, they have been blessed with four wonderful grandchildren. Life is wonderful!
Associate Pastor Darryl McAuley
Darryl moved to Brandon in August of 2010 to become part of the McDiarmid team. He is one of the associate pastors on staff and he enjoys his role working primarily with Life Groups and with our young adults ministry, Converge. This position allows Darryl to work with the ministry leaders and ministries of MDAC to become all that God intends them to be. Before moving to Brandon, Darryl pastored in Jansen, SK from 2005-2001 and then in Virden, MB from 2001-2010. Darryl married Sandy in 1993 and they have two children, Joelle and Tanner. Darryl grew up in Brandon is excited to be back in his home town and his home church. Darryl enjoys golfing, going to the lake and hanging out with his wife and with his family. Darryl’s life verses are Philippians 4:10-13. He longs to find contentment regardless of the situations of life because of Christ’s strength working in him and through him.
Youth Pastor Jeremy Zacharias
Jeremy and his wife Jenna have been serving with our Youth Ministries since October, 2007. Early in his life, Jeremy made a pact with God to never become a Christian and instead decided to focus on a career in gang leadership. Thankfully, before Jeremy could begin such a career, God began to radically change his life through the influence of a few friends. Jeremy now finds joy and purpose trying to follow God as best as he can, a journey that has led him towards a career in youth ministry. Jeremy enjoys helping people understand who God is and the joy of following him, as well as spending time with his wife Jenna and their three young sons, William, Micah, and Joshua.
Worship Director Karrie Smyth
Karrie is thankful for the unmistakable hand of God that brought her to serve in McDiarmid Drive Alliance Church in the spring of 2000. Originally, Karrie served as worship leader while the church was in transition. Today, in addition to leading and giving oversight to corporate worship, her role has expanded to include other ministries such as MOT’s (Moms Of Tot’s), First Place (a Bible-based health and wellness program) and planning various community events. Karrie works part-time and enjoys being a wife and mother first and foremost. Karrie and her husband Kent have two school age children. It is Karrie’s desire to be a worshiper who worships the Lord in spirit and in truth. She is passionate about helping others do the same. Whether through music, teaching, discipling or relationship-building, Karrie desires to help others be rooted and established in love, have power to grasp how wide and long, high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that they may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God. (see Ephesians 3:17-19)
Pastor of Congregational Care Earl Ricalton
In August of 2008, Earl & his wife, Mona, moved to Brandon. His position is Pastor of Congregational Care at McDiarmid Drive.
At age 50, Earl returned to Bible College to complete a Bachelor of Theology degree. This long journey began 28 years ago when he took his first year of Bible College. The past years he worked in all kinds of construction, but was never settled in his thought. The Lord kept gently reminding Earl to go back to college and he stepped out in obedience.
Earl and Mona have one daughter and one son who are living in Alberta, as well as the rest of their family. They are so thankful for the church family here at McDiarmid Drive and their desire is to serve God’s people in an effective, encouraging and caring way.
“What would Jesus do?” is a question that Earl is constantly asking himself.
