One Church, Two Locations
Pastoral Leadership Structure
Chris Westby
Senior Pastor of Vision and Teaching (25%)
Overall vision and direction for Sonrise through preaching and the Executive Team.
Braden Deagle
Associate Lead Pastor
Oversight and leadership of the Executive Team, ministry staff, and ministries of Sonrise Church.
Jonathan Malamura
Surrey Location Pastor
Pastoral leadership and oversight for the Surrey location and its ministries.
Olivia Thiessen
Maple Ridge Location Pastor
Pastoral leadership and oversight for the Maple Ridge location and its ministries.
Chris Boyko
Rising Generation Pastor
Pastoral leadership and oversight for all Rising Generation ministries across both locations.
Who Leads What
Pastoral Roles
Chris Westby
Senior Pastor of Vision and Teaching (25%)
- Works alongside Pastor Braden and the Executive Team to keep Sonrise aligned to its vision.
- Works alongside Pastor Braden and the Preaching Team on preaching content and series.
- A 25% role, present in person for preaching and leadership meetings.
Braden Deagle
Associate Lead Pastor
- Oversight and leadership of the Executive Team, ministry staff, and ministries of Sonrise Church.
- Partners with the Senior Pastor to implement the vision of Sonrise through preaching, leadership development, organizational strategy, and effective ministry execution.
- Carries the operational leadership of the church day to day.
Location Pastors
Surrey and Maple Ridge
Jonathan Malamura leads Surrey. Olivia Thiessen leads Maple Ridge.
- Oversight and leadership of pastoral ministries, congregational care, community groups, Growth Track, and the pastoral life of their location.
- Partner with location staff and volunteers to lead ministries.
- Steward the values, culture, and mission of Sonrise Church.
Chris Boyko
Rising Generation Pastor
- Oversight and leadership of all Rising Generation ministries, ages 0 to 25.
- Remains the point leader for SC Youth.
- Develops a formalized SC Apprenticeship Track.
The Road Ahead
Transition Timeline
Summer 2026
Leadership alignment and the start of communications.
October 2026
Sunday, October 4 is Pastor Chris's Sending Sunday. The following week, the new structure formally takes effect.
January 2027
Mid-point review by the Elders, Directors, and ACOP Trustees.
Spring 2027
Full evaluation of the experiment.
Periodic assessments between ACOP and Sonrise leadership continue through the transition period in 2027.
Background
Why We're Making This Change
Pastor Chris Westby has been elected President of the ACOP of Canada. One of our own has been entrusted with leading the national movement we belong to, and that is worth celebrating.
A role of that scale asks for most of his capacity. Normally a newly elected ACOP President would step away from a local pastoral role entirely. Instead, we get to send Pastor Chris into national leadership while keeping him preaching and at our leadership table in a dual role. That is a rare outcome, and it is the one Sonrise and ACOP are building around.
Steady Ground
What Is Not Changing
This season builds on what Sonrise already is. It does not redirect it.
- Our mission, purpose, and vision are unchanged.
- Both locations continue.
- Sunday services continue.
Leadership Transition FAQ
General Transition & Roles
Is Pastor Chris leaving Sonrise Church?
Pastor Chris is transitioning into a new capacity rather than departing entirely. While he is relocating to Calgary for his role as President of ACOP, he remains active at Sonrise as our Senior Pastor of Vision and Teaching.
What will Pastor Chris's role at Sonrise be going forward?
Pastor Chris will fill a 25% Senior Pastor role. He will work alongside Pastor Braden and the Executive Team to keep Sonrise aligned with its vision, and collaborate with the Preaching Team on sermon series and teaching content.
How often will Pastor Chris preach, and will we see the Westbys at Sonrise?
He will be present in person about once a month for preaching, leadership meetings, and strategic alignment. Ezekiel will attend Sonrise and live in the area, and Pastor Sherri and the girls will be here as their schedule allows.
Who will lead Sonrise's day-to-day ministry and operations?
Pastor Braden Deagle will serve as Associate Lead Pastor, carrying full operational leadership. He will oversee the Executive Team, ministry staff, and daily execution of the church's vision.
Who will provide pastoral care for the congregation?
Focused, location-specific pastoral care will be led by our Location Pastors: Pastor Jonathan Malamura (Surrey) and Pastor Olivia Thiessen (Maple Ridge). They will directly oversee community groups, Growth Track, and congregational care.
Decision Rationale & Timeline
Why is Sonrise choosing this dual-role arrangement?
We believe God is leading us into this season. Having a local pastor elected to lead a national movement is worth celebrating. Because Sonrise has a strong leadership bench, we have the rare opportunity to "send" Pastor Chris into national service while keeping the benefit of his teaching and vision.
Will Sonrise's mission, vision, values, or direction change?
Our mission, values, and core direction remain completely identical. Both the Surrey and Maple Ridge locations will continue forward without changing their core purpose.
How long will this new leadership structure be in place?
We are approaching this as a 9-month experiment running through Spring 2027. The official transition takes effect the week following Pastor Chris's Sending Sunday, Sunday, October 4th, 2026.
How will ACOP and the Elders assess whether this structure is working?
Assessment will occur through a mid-point check-in in January 2027 and a secondary assessment in Spring 2027, conducted jointly by representatives of the Sonrise Elders and ACOP Trustees. They will assess congregational health, operational success, and whether the goals of both Sonrise and ACOP are being fulfilled.
What happens if the dual-role arrangement isn't working?
Because this is structured as an open experiment, flexibility is built in. If it isn't serving both organizations, Pastor Chris would move fully into his ACOP presidency, and the Elders would prayerfully discern the next steps for Sonrise's long-term leadership.
Financial & Operational Questions
How does this change affect Sonrise's budget and Pastor Chris's compensation?
Sonrise will only be responsible for funding the 25% portion of Pastor Chris's position. The remaining majority of his compensation will be covered by ACOP. This structural efficiency allows Sonrise to invest more directly in local staff, location pastoring, and NextGen initiatives.
Will giving or tithes be diverted to ACOP now that Pastor Chris is President?
Giving to Sonrise Church continues to directly support Sonrise ministries, local location needs, and local community outreach. Our financial support structure for regional and national missions through ACOP remains standard.
Ministry, Sunday Experience & Locations
Who will handle the preaching when Pastor Chris is in Calgary?
Pastor Braden and the Preaching Team will handle regular Sunday teaching, working directly in collaboration with Pastor Chris on series development and biblical alignment.
How will this impact the Maple Ridge location specifically?
This arrangement strengthens local leadership. Pastor Olivia Thiessen continues as the Maple Ridge Location Pastor, with direct focus on the needs, care, and community groups of the Maple Ridge congregation.
Who is looking out for our youth and children during this transition?
Pastor Chris Boyko serves as the Rising Generation Pastor, overseeing ages 0 to 25 across nursery, kids, SC Youth, and a newly formalized SC Apprenticeship Track. We are working on additional supports that will work alongside Pastor Boyko and the Rising Gen ministry.
Will we still see Pastor Chris around, or is he moving immediately?
The transition process moves over a 3-to-4-month window leading up to October 2026. While his primary residency will shift to Calgary, you will continue to see him in person about once a month during preaching weekends.
Care, Governance & Spiritual Questions
If I have a crisis, hospital visit, or wedding request, who do I contact?
Requests for pastoral care, counseling, and ceremonies will be directed through your Location Pastor, Pastor Jonathan in Surrey or Pastor Olivia in Maple Ridge, who oversee dedicated care teams.
Does Pastor Braden report to Pastor Chris, or directly to the Elders?
Pastor Braden leads day-to-day operations and staff execution while partnering closely with Pastor Chris on high-level vision and teaching. Both work in accountability with the Board of Elders.
What criteria will the Elders and ACOP use in January and Spring 2027 to judge the experiment?
The review will measure key metrics: the spiritual and numerical health of the congregation, staff well-being, execution of location ministries, and Pastor Chris's sustainability in both roles.
Who can I talk to if I have questions or concerns?
Please speak with Rachel Madu, Vince Gonsalves, or any of our Pastors.
How can we support Pastor Chris, the staff, and the Elders during this time?
Pray: Pray for Pastor Chris as he steps into national leadership, and for Pastor Braden, Pastor Jonathan, Pastor Olivia, and Pastor Boyko as they step into expanded roles. Pray for the Elders as they continue to discern God's plan for Sonrise.
Engage: Continue showing up, serving, and supporting your local Location Pastor.
Celebrate: Join us on Sunday, October 4th for Pastor Chris's Sending Sunday to celebrate this milestone together.